Second Shot

  Billionaire Pact Book 2

  Unoma Nwankwor

  A Novella

  KevStel Publications

  Copyright 2020 by Unoma Nwankwor

  All rights reserved

  No parts of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  First published in United States of America in 2019

  Kevstel Publications

  info@kevstel.com

  Dedication

  Thankful to God from Whom the gift comes.

  To Kevin, Fumnanya & Ugo

  And finally, my readers. I love & appreciate you

  Table of Contents

  Note to Reader

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  12

  13

  Epilogue

  Final Note

  Excerpt of Pretend Bae

  Note to Reader

  This is not Christian fiction, it’s a fun, flirty, sweet romance under my Afro Luv Bites Collection. Enjoy!

  1

  Early Spring 2011.

  His body slid behind hers, trapping her between the railing and himself. Her pulse began to race as it did when he was near. They stood that way for a few minutes, taking in the serene view. Brushing his hand against her hair, Hakeem Richardson broke the comfortable silence.

  “What do you want to do on our last night of the cruise?”

  Mariama Niang leaned her back into her boyfriend of two years with her eyes still on the open seas. The magnificence of the view captivated her each time she came onto the deck. It was the last night of their brief getaway and she wanted it to be special. She turned to face him. Standing on the tip of her toes, she cupped his face and kissed him.

  “Baby, I know you probably want to spend time with your boys. So, do that and we’ll go dancing later. I heard it’s Calypso night.”

  Hakeem smiled down at her and cupped her buttocks with one hand to draw her closer. “Have I told you how much I love you lately?”

  “Hmm, let me check. Yes. Yes, I believe you have. When we woke up, in the shower, at breakfast…”

  “You’re mocking my undying love, woman?”

  “How dare I? To do that would be to mock myself because I love you just as much.”

  “Good, because you have no other choice. You’re stuck with me.” He pecked her forehead and took her hand in his. Hakeem walked them to their lounge chair on the deck. He sat down and made her straddle him.

  They were surrounded by different people from all walks of life who like them, were enjoying vacationing in multiple countries via the open seas. Despite the noise around them, Hakeem looked into her eyes. She saw the love that equated hers. Some would say it was too soon and they were still kinda young, with her being twenty-four and he, twenty-seven, but they knew, there couldn’t be another person out here for them. They were the loves of each other’s lives.

  He’s often told her that never in a million years would he have thought that he’d be fortunate enough to have her in his life. Truth be told, she was the one that was blessed. Love wasn’t something she was good at until he came her way. She still remembered the day like it was yesterday. They literally bumped into each other in the graduate school administration’s office. He was finishing up necessary paperwork to ensure he graduated. She was completing her registration to get started. After the initial apologies, they engaged in idle chatter while they waited on their appointments. After this cruise, he was moving to New York to start a new job. She’d graduate in six months and the plan was for her to join him.

  With a lazy smile, Hakeem lifted his hand to her signature braids. He moved them to expose the crook of her neck. Burying his head in it, he inhaled. It was one of his favorite spots. According to him, the citrus mango scent of her body lotion sent his senses into a tailspin. He brushed kisses against her exposed skin as his hands roamed her back. Moments later, his lips connected with hers. At first it was sensual, but as the intensity increased, Mariama pushed against him. It was now or never.

  “Baby, there are people out here,” she whispered, her breath labored. And as usual, his lips turned up in a smirk. He loved the effect he had on her.

  “RiRi baby, you should know by now that when it comes to you, I don’t care who’s near. You are mine. I can touch you whenever.”

  “Be that as it may, we’re in public. Behave yourself.” She looked around. “Where’s your crew anyway?”

  “Trying to get rid of me?” His onyx eyes held a hint of amusement.

  She traced the outline of his low-cut hair and tugged on his full beard. Leaving him no choice but to move his face closer to hers. She pecked his lips. “I tried that years ago and it didn’t work, so I’m stuck with you,” she winked.

  He laughed. “I see you need me to re-teach you last night’s lesson. You know, the one about sharp tongues and the inability to follow through.”

  She leaned her forehead against his. “Baby, you can teach me any lesson you like.”

  “For Pete’s sake, will you guys get a room?”

  The lovers disengaged. Mariama tried to stand, but Hakeem’s arm locked firm around her waist, keeping her in place. He did allow her to turn around, so she was in his lap and facing the intrusive voice that belonged to Hakeem’s brother Briceson Richardson, fondly called Brice.

  “Mind your business, bro,” Hakeem chided.

  “I would if you guys didn’t have yours out for display.” Brice took the seat next to them. “RiRi…”

  “Mari,” Hakeem corrected.

  Brice raised his hands in surrender and Mariama rolled her eyes. Her man hated for anyone to call her by the nickname reserved for her family and now him. One day, he heard her talking to her aunt who kept calling her that. From that day on, he adopted the name and forbade anyone else in their circle from using it. It was either Mari or Mariama. He was so extra, in her opinion.

  “Mari, I don’t want to see you anywhere on campus crying because this guy has moved,” Brice warned.

  “There won’t be room for any of that. Six months will be over soon, and she’ll be so focused on her finals and thesis,” Hakeem responded. He kissed her back.

  “That’s right, babe. Besides, Brice, you’ll be too busy with your harem of women to notice.”

  She and Brice took some classes together and were set to graduate at the same time. No one would mistake that he and Hakeem weren’t brothers. They shared the same features; 6’3, although Brice was probably an inch shorter. A cut physique that was a result of dedicated gym hours and a proper diet. Chocolate smooth skin, low cut hair and a well-groomed beard.

  “Family comes first, so I’ll cut through them to make sure you’re okay,” he winked.

  She furrowed her brows. “Don’t you want what I and your brother have?”

  “That would be a no,” Brice answered.

  As far as she had known the brothers, he was the goofier and more outgoing of the two. His specialty was playing the field. In fact, all of them, which included Darius Gray, Hakeem’s best friend, did. Which was why it took so long to see that Hakeem was a little different. He didn’t change women as much, but Darius and Brice had a different woman on their arm every time she saw them. The only constant was Imani Sharif, Brice’s best friend.

  “‘Keem, the guys and I are going to the court then the bar. You coming?”

  Mariama looked at him and nodded. “Go have fun, babe. I have plenty to occupy myself and I can also get a head start on packing.”

  Hakeem tapped her thigh and they stood. He snaked his arm around her waist and kissed her forehead. “All right, be good and don’t be the reason I go to jail on foreign land.”

  “Huh?”

  “Act like you’re taken.”

  Mariama shook her head and stalked off. “You’re something else.”

  “Yeah, something serious.” Mariama heard him yell behind her.

  She grinned, remembering the time she hadn’t taken him seriously. They’d broken up over a silly argument. He had tried to reach her, and she’d been ignoring his calls all week. Then it so happened that when he did see her, a guy from her class was helping her on a project. Hakeem was furious. That was when she knew for certain her baby was no punk. His reaction was totally uncalled for, but it was sweet. He was possessive, but not overbearingly so.

  ***

  Several hours later, Hakeem, Darius and Brice sat at one of the bars located on the ship. This was the first vacation they’d taken together. The years of their brotherhood and friendship had been filled with hardship, struggle, and pain. Things only became brighter after they got scholarships to go to college. They attended college together and eventually graduate school. This cruise was a celebration for Hakeem and Darius graduating.

  Hakeem lifted his drink to his lips, aware of the two pairs of eyes on him, waiting for his answer.

  “I don’t know.” He gave a truthful response.

  “What do you mean you don’t know ? You do know that this cruise ends tomorrow morning? At the dock, you and Mari will go your separate ways. Her back to DC and you, New York,” Darius said.

  “Yes,” Hakeem whispered.

  “And you’re saying you don’t know if you can do the distance?” Brice asked.

  Hakeem looked around the bar, his eyes connecting with everything and nothing at the same time. After shooting hoops with the fellas earlier, he’d gone for a swim. He needed it to take his mind off the conversation he and the guys had on the court. They questioned his readiness to settle down when he hadn’t done half of the things they’d made a pact to do.

  It was no secret that he was the only one in a committed relationship. They loved Mariama, but at the same time expressed concerns of love clouding his judgement. Hakeem knew it wasn’t with malicious intent. The three of them had a brotherhood that started from the orphanage and spanned two decades. His father bailed when he was four and Brice was two. Their mother worked tirelessly to make ends meet but, in the end, died from overextension and not seeking the proper medical attention. The brothers were sent to the orphanage when their mother passed, and no family member stepped up. They met Darius there and they’d all been like brothers since.

  “‘Keem man, you know we’re just looking out. We went through a lot growing up and made a pact to do what we needed to do to make a legacy, not just for ourselves, but our future children. Key word being ‘future’,” Darius said.

  “Yeah. You talked about doing so many things, but with Mari moving to New York with you, will you be able to? You have this great new job, but remember the billionaire pact?” Brice asked with concern.

  “Mari is good for you. It’s better for you to come clean with her than for you to try and juggle everything, neglecting and hurting her in the process,” Darius advised.

  “Dating in school is way different from both of you living together when you guys basically have nothing,” Brice said.

  “I love her, man. I can’t see my life meaning anything without her,” Hakeem said.

  “Who says you have to be without her? What we’re saying is you guys need to slow things down a bit so you can focus on your goals.” Darius picked up his drink and took a sip.

  “You do want to provide a better life for her, right?” Brice asked. He looked at him with hidden meaning behind the question – their parents.

  The bartender approached them and refilled their drinks. Hakeem used the opportunity to think. He didn’t want to let Mariama go, even if it wasn’t completely, but he was realizing it was best to slow things down. What good would it be to her if he tied her down now when he had hardly any money in his bank account and thousands of dollars in student loans from grad school?

  He never wanted to end up like his father, whom his mother said struggled to provide because they got together so young and had kids. His ego was bruised, and he couldn’t take staying, so he bailed. Neither did Hakeem want Mariama to end up like his mother, frustrated and tired.

  Mariama was from an immigrant middle-class Senegalese family, but once they moved in together, he would take over all financial responsibility. Seeing what his mother went through, he was determined that no woman of his would ever go through the same. They talked and had a plan, but now he was beginning to think that they were hasty and removed from reality. He would never stop loving Mariama, but after their date tonight, he’d tell her they needed to slow things down. Just until he was secure on his feet and able to provide for them the way he should. The instability of a new job while she was going to be searching for one would put a strain on their relationship.

  He didn’t want to hurt her, but he had to do what was best for them. Hopefully, she would see things his way.

  2

  Seven Years Later

  I think we need to slow down. Instead of moving to New York, find something in DC and when the time is right, we’ll be back together.

  Six years later, those words still stung and shattered Mariama Niang’s heart as though Hakeem had just uttered them. The last day on that cruise had been the worst day of her life. How did all their plans blow up to smithereens over money? She knew it was a major hang up for him, considering how he and his brother grew up. But they talked, had plans, and were going to make them work. But one drink with the guys and suddenly he had cold feet. She never blamed his friends. They owed her nothing. The fracturing of her heart lay solely at the feet of Hakeem Richardson.

  Leaning against the island in her kitchen, Mariama stirred the contents of her favorite mug. The yellow and grey décor was warm and calm, matching her mood. It was the early hours of the morning and this was the time she took to reflect upon the day, meditate and recite her daily affirmations. Four years ago, her parents retired and moved to Miami. Although she’d attended grad school in DC, her parents lived in Stone Mountain, Georgia where they migrated to with her and her older brother when she was ten. They left their home in Dakar, Senegal in search of a better life. Right after college her brother returned to Dakar to better their home country, but she decided to stay in the US with her parents. Their childhood home lay dormant since their retirement until Mariama decided to make stateside her home again.

  She took her tea, walked over to the bay window in the corner of the kitchen. Sitting, she gazed out of the window at the well-manicured lawn. It was early morning but still dark, as the sun hadn’t made its way over the horizon. Leaning back against the wall, she pushed a loc of hair back from her face. Even after all these years, having her hair in a protective style was still her default. But with maturity and new responsibility, she wore it differently. Now she had them in faux locs, which she’d come to love.

  Hakeem used to love tugging on them. She smiled when she remembered his one attempt to oil her scalp with castor oil. Those intimate moments and times were what made it hard for her to understand his one eighty on their plans. After all these years, she still had questions. It was those same times that made her try and reach out to him for three months after he dumped her. She thought he’d have a change of heart. She also had something to tell him. Their love wasn’t for naught. It had produced something so pure. But after several unanswered or unreturned calls, she decided to brave it and travel to New York. What she saw crushed her. Soon after, with a one-way ticket to Manchester in the United Kingdom, she left the US and moved in with her aunt. She eliminated all ways anyone apart from her parents could reach her. There, she picked up the pieces of her heart and got herself together. There was more at stake. More in the form of a milk chocolate, brown-eyed, five-year-old piece of deliciousness. Her son. Their son. Hakeem James Richardson, Jr. was her heart in human form. Every breath and everything she did was for him.

  Mariama knew Hakeem was now a big-time billionaire. Go figure. Since moving back to the States, she couldn’t escape his new status which was plastered on the cover of all of the top business magazines. Year after year, she told herself that she would reach out to him and tell him about HR, but year after year, she chickened out. HR was now asking questions on when the man she had shown him in pictures and referred to as his dad, would make an appearance. She was so scared that HR would think him up but the saving grace she had was that they were in Atlanta and the last she knew, he still lived in New York.

  She looked up at the clock on the wall. It was time to get prepared for her day. Thinking of Hakeem first thing in the morning was always a bad idea, but a habit she couldn’t let go of. Dwelling on their failed fairy-tale would have her curled up in bed, wishing she could escape the world.

  “Mummy, where are you?”

  Mariama smiled. That was her reminder that there was no escaping. Her son deserved better than a mother that was a coward.

  “I’m coming, baby.” Mariama rinsed her cup and placed it in the sink. She exited the kitchen and made her way up the stairs.

  “Mummy, I’m not a baby.” He folded his arms across his chest.

 

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