The Could’Ve Been. the Forbidden. the Adventures in Between.

By YolaM

Meet Jodi Porter, a strongly dominant young lady who comes across and finds herself lured by the Forbidden Fruits, just shortly after sacrificing what Couldve Been her life-line, for her career. When a Forbidden fling with the dashy Kathleen Montgomery unexpectedly turns into a roller fusion of falling in love, marriages leading to heartbreaks and disappointment; Lady-Robot-Jo swears off matters of the heart and starts a whole string of Adventures in Between.

The intrigue unfolds when the highly irresistible Forbidden returns back to town, and claims her position back in Jodi Porters life. Feelings are triggered, theres jealousy, betrayal and a whole lot of more heartaches in between. Jo is reminded of her Couldve Been, a clean and hassle-free invaluable relationship which ended due to her mega career-fervent trait.

The more the line becomes visible with the Forbidden, the higher the temptations to cross it; with the hovering thought in mind that once it has been crossed it may never be possible to go back. It is ungovernably tempting for her to yield back in, but will Jo survive sharing her Fruits? Even so, will she ever be willing to exclusively share herself with anyone else, if she tried? Having reached the crossroads, Lady Robot has some serious decisions to make.

Stick with Yola_M and discover how Good Girl goes Rogue in a speed of sound.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Nov 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781496995681

YolaM

Yola_M. is a writer by night and a passionate exhibition coordinator by day for over six years now. She stays in Midrand, South Africa. She loves travelling, making new connections, and always looking for new frontiers. She embraces her strong sense of independence much. She is the author of the two upcoming books entitled When Life Gives You Lemon and The Dynamic World of Exhibitions: Build and Monitor Your Success.

Book preview

Chapter One

The Instigation.

It was a Friday evening when Cole and I decided to have one of those hang outs in a popular club in the city centre of Madison, the Crimson Lights Club. This time however, he insisted on inviting two of his mates, Jack and Greg.

As usual, Crimson Lights was pretty packed, you could tell it was the beginning of a weekend. At least half of Madison was out for some good fun. Cole, Greg and I sat around a set of cocktail table and barstools, talking out loud and enjoying the loud music in the club.

So JP, have you spoken to Nicole since the other day? You guys are not leaving things hanging as they are now are y’all? Cole asked me.

’told you C, there’s nothing to still talk about. This whole distance thing is taking its toll on both of us and we’re dealing with it in completely different ways, it drives me bonkers. We’re like, properly done this time around. Not showing any emotion over the sink of my two year potential relationship, I gestured being done.

Gee I’m sorry to hear that, Jo. Greg offered his sympathy.

No seriously y’all can we not be soppy with me about this. We’re not about to start a pity party for Jo now, I’m a big girl I’ve got it. I took a long sip of my margarita. I was lying, I was anything but good.

JP come on, you’re allowed to let down once in a while, especially where emotions are concerned.

Emo…who now? Cole knew I never liked to discuss emotional occurrences of my life, I always tried to discard the subjects and he deemed I was being in denial.

Okay LadyRobot, I know just what you need. Cole insisted. He walked to the bar and came back with a tray of shooters. Jack appeared out of nowhere, he had disappeared in a crowd the moment we had arrived at the club.

Yay, what are we celebrating family? He asked in enthusiasm.

Jo’s freedom. She’s a free bird now, single and ready to mingle. Greg answered in excitement.

Hey, you make it sound like I’ve been imprisoned? I was very happy being tied up – as you make it sound thank you very much? I suddenly became defensive. I meant it, I still couldn’t accept that Nicole and I were over but it was real. It was an overdue decision between the two of us. Nonetheless I was not going to discuss my feelings with the boys, or anyone else for that matter.

Ooh check that out Cole, there’s a bit of emotion right there! Greg was having a time of his life at the expense of my expressional face alright.

Okay okay fine, here let’s go! Let’s do this already! We all raised and clinked our glasses altogether.

To riding solo! On his feet, Greg proposed.

To freedom! Jack followed.

I’ll say deuces! I added.

In sequence, we all dawned the shooters.

Don’t sweat it Jo, there’s plenty fish in the sea. That’s why we come to places of this nature, right? Plus, you particularly have the pro of having your bread buttered both sides you fortunate thing! So you can pick and choose right? Hippy Jack tried to cheer me up.

Really dude? It’s only been days and you’re already throwing her in the sea? The tall dark and handsome Cole always jumping at my defence.

I had my eyes roaming around the club, looking for distraction and not wanting to hear a man defending me, because that was just calling for me to scowl Cole.

My eyes immediately lit up the entire club when they came across a highly favoured long-time acquaintance, Kathleen Montgomery.

Damn straight there is, Jack. I responded to Jack’s cheer, distractedly.

Greg looked at the same direction I was and when he saw the beam on Kathleen’s face looking at me, he realized what I was talking about.

You’re a real robot, Porter aren’t you!

Shiznizz guys isn’t that that Montgomery chick from the Brink Lounge? Jack recognized Kathleen.

One and only. Excuse me boys but this moment is all mine, I’m gonna flirt my behind off with this one! I jumped off the barstool, flipped my long chic-black hair and turned my head flirtatiously towards Kathleen’s direction. I started swaying over to her, as she was also walking to meet me half way the room.

She was with two of her friends, Brad and Neil. I was excited to see her. She offered me her big beautiful smile, and we exchanged warm tight hugs. We greeted, introduced our friends to one another, the noble things that noble people do etcetera and we chatted a little. She was a beautiful woman, inside out and I was genuinely happy to have bumped into her that night.

I excused myself from my boys once more to catch up a little with Kath. We found a nearly inaudible spot, we stood against the wall almost far from the crowds. For a while I had been meaning to chat to her about something, which was more her work related but suddenly had absolutely no importance to me once she gave me the kind of attention she did.

You should come to one of my events one of the days. The tall stunning woman in long tight jeans and heels in front of me, invited.

Yah? What are you working on, currently?

I’m launching one of my new artists’ album at the Brink Lounge soon. Jazz artist. Perhaps you’d be interested in that?

Sounds awesome, I’d absolutely love that.

Perfect, I’ll email the details to you. Then you can tell me all about what’s been happening with you since you ditched us all these years? She shared a smile, coated in slight excitement.

Sounds like fun! I still couldn’t believe I was having this conversation with the fancy Kathleen Montgomery. I did however wish that she had gotten to Crimson a little earlier before my third drink, or at least before the shooters. I was beginning to feel a little bit frisky, I thought.

So glad I bumped in to you tonight; there’s something I’ve been meaning to chat to you about, for so long now but we haven’t talked in so long…

Oh yeah? What is it? She asked, with a cute smirk playing on her face like she was enjoying a private joke or something of the sort.

We don’t have to do it now, perhaps another day. When I see you again. Perhaps we should exchange contacts?

"This is important, the answer I’m going to get from this oh so triumphant woman, I should be able to register and not have to go back and ask about it again. If we do this in my current state of mind, that might just happen. I need to leave her with a clean picture of me again. In fact I think right about now is a perfect timing for me to do that noble thing of expressing how nice (genuinely) it was seeing her, say the goodbyes and walk away before I make some discomfiture of myself and then she’s not interested in talking to me ever again." I thought the world of this efficacious woman, no doubt. And she did make me nervous, must have been her sky-scrapping profile.

Right in that wondering moment, she leaned forward on and unexpectedly kissed me, on the lips! Yes, Thee Kathleen Montgomery kissed me, Jodi Porter! My heart instantly caught a jetsetter up my throat. Suddenly all I could see in the club was she and I; and a couple of stars in between. Everyone else had disappeared off in my head, even the noise went dead.

I was stunned. I was almost convinced she thought the something I meant to ask her about had something to do with that, or better yet me expressing my feelings for her. I must have been that obvious, but I wasn’t that brave enough yet. But she obviously couldn’t resist you. Like a shadow walker, baby!

The evening went too fast after that moment, way too fast if you ask me! Before I knew it, it had to be goodbyes. I couldn’t remember the last time I saw Cole and the guys. After a couple of drinks with my new founded co, I said the goodbyes to them and I went to find the guys so we could head back home. Cole had disappeared in the crowd, he did that some days and I’ve had to leave without him, and then take a fall for it the next morning. That was one of those days. He and I had gone through scenarios of that sort for the better eight years of our friendship.

Honestly, I didn’t think I was going to see Kath anytime soon after that night. Too often people tell you what you want to hear on the spot, and too often with no intention of keeping their word. I personally have a trait of mistrust, generally. However, I do know that more than anything, I was secretly hoping to see her again – just maybe under different circumstances the next time.

My cell phone battery had died earlier that evening so we couldn’t even exchange numbers. Am I grateful for Social Networks!

When I got home, I quickly charged up my cell phone and logged in on My Space. Yes, I had to drop Kath a message, I still couldn’t believe I had a moment with her that night!

Jo P.: Hey there Kath… It was really great seeing you again last night. Take care. Jo.

Really, Jo?? That was necessary because…?? My subconscious never knows when to zip it, does she!

Kathleen was a former… I’ll stick with acquaintance, that I met through an ex of mine - Bianca Lopez, whom when I called it quits with I cut ties with everyone else that connected us… story for another day. Kath was a bit amenable than just an acquaintance to me though, she was that one friend of your boy/girlfriend that you’ve secretly fancied at some stage? But I thought I would be over it when I hadn’t seen her in two years.

She was one of the most high-profiled and booming event organizers Madison has had in history. She ran a multi-focused Events Company of her own, founded in the Wisconsin Brink Lounge Theatre.

And so the expedition began…

***********************

Chapter Two

Facing the music:

I woke up the next morning with a well-deserved hangover. I could hear Alexandria, my younger sister singing down the passage and that wasn’t doing my headache any justice. I opened my eyes at the sound of my bedroom door opening. It was Cole. I knew I had to be in some sort of trouble. Waking up to answering about the previous night to him of all people – joy!

Hey. You here early? I stumbled in my groggy voice, partially covering my face so I look at him through the gaps in between my fingers.

Its noon already, sleepyhead. He wasn’t looking very pleased.

"I remember very little of last night, most of the stuff that I think I remember probably didn’t even happen, probably just a dream [Like Kathleen Montgomery kissing you?] [No, don’t say that! You’re such mean subconscious!] but for all that you believe I did wrong, I’m sorry." I felt the need to explain.

Whatever, JP. I came to say goodbye. Oh boy, this McQuin man can be so grumpy sometimes!

What do you mean goodbye? What’s happening?

I’m going to my parents’ home today, Appleson, remember?

Ohw, yeahs of cause! Yes, sorry! That, Okay.

And then there was silence for a moment in the room. Staring at the ceiling I was trying to think about the previous night’s events, with my headache taking its levy on me. Cole noticed that I was far away for that moment.

So, the chick from last night huh…? He brought me back to the present.

Yes? What about her? I wore my straight face at him.

Please, don’t give me that! I know you. You were very smitten from the moment you saw her, and that lasted all night. Need I remind you disappearing on us all night!? So? Out with it already?

You’re reading too much into nothing, I was just pleased to see someone I hadn’t in a long time that’s all.

Listen JP, I’m not here to lecture you. But are you sure about you and Nicole? I just don’t want you confusing feelings and getting matters worse, the last thing I’d want to witness is you getting hurt. Forever filling the role of an over-protective big brother, the warm-hearted Cole sitting on the side of my bed, looked concerned.

Sweet. You worry too much but there’s nothing to worry about. I got up and sat straight on the bed, with my back against the wall and facing him.

I hope you’ve got it covered.

There’s nothing to cover. Don’t worry, JP doesn’t have any more feelings left to be confused, they’re all dead remember? I gave him a patronizing kiss on the cheek and slipped off the bottom of the bed, to go freshen my face and brush teeth in the bathroom. I came back, made my bed and lay on top of it. We spoke a little about the previous night, a bit of this and that and then I walked him out.

I won’t be gone for long, you must behave yourself! He mocked.

Yes Dad. I rolled my eyes at him. Have a safe trip I’ll see you soon. You are loved! We hugged and he left. I was really going to miss him so much.

Cole was a cherished friend of mine, whom I met through my eldest brother Devon when I moved to Madison years ago. I was sitting in our living room, when this tall and skinny boy walked past the window going up to my brother’s backroom in our backyard. When he noticed me sitting on the round table near the window, he turned and came back to speak to me through the window, asking my brother’s whereabouts. It was then that I noticed his uniquely brown eyeballs. Initially, he tried to hit on me; but when I eventually got him to understand that there was no way in my present life that that would happen, he understood and yielded on to maintaining the friendship. Since the day we came to that understanding, he has been the very best a friend I have had in history.

I knew that when he got back from Appleson I would be out of town, away with work again but we did make the best of all the time we got together. I loved him so, but I had just found new and great deal of distraction I was looking forward to embarking on…

**************************

I got back inside the house, grabbed my cell phone and logged onto My Space again. More this was to check if I hadn’t updated any status/es I’d regret the previous night. Luckily none, I guess I was too occupied I didn’t have a chance to – thank the Lawd for that! I had a couple of inbox messages– Bingo! Kath had inboxed me back! Yahyie!

Kath: Hey Jo, I’ll be at Brink Lounge Theatre today, working until 17h00. Hope to see you sometime in the day. [phone].

Jo P.: Thanks for the digits… I should be around town sometime this afternoon just between your 14h00 and 15h00, if that’ll work for you? I’ll ring you.

Kath: It will work. I’ll see you later. Even if it can be earlier, I’m there almost the whole day. Wanna exchange tens?

Jo P.: Sure - [phone]. See you. Have a great morning.

Kath: Later.

According to Alexandria, I was very smitten all of that morning, I could say Yes to almost anything; including her borrowing a pair of my favourite immaculate white skinny jeans, which I didn’t remember agreeing so when I bumped into her on them, on the corridor.

***************************

It is so, on! Lights, Cam, Action…

I got in my car and made my way to Brink Lounge, I had to see her. I was nervous again but more excited this time. At 14h13 my cell phone rang.

Seeing Kath’s name on my screen; Jo Hello? After sometime of deciding whether to say Hi or Hey or Hello or…? I finally answered the call.

Hi, are you good? A more relaxed but probing voice asked.

Yeah, I’m good. Yourself? Okay, far too nonchalant.

I’m alright. Where are you?

I just got to town; I’m making my way to you. I couldn’t disguise the contentment in my voice. She really wanted me there.

Okay, I was just checking up on you…

’guess I’ll see you just now.

Cool, see you just now.

***************************

I parked my car in front of the tall popular building of 8 floors, with humongous artistic writing above the main glass entrance reading THE WISCONSIN BRINK LOUNGE THEATRE.

I had just walked inside the building, heading towards the reception desk when surprisingly this guy picked me from my back, spinning me around. To my surprise, he did look familiar but I couldn’t remember him for the good of my life. He almost looked like that gorgeous stand-up comedian Trevor Noah guy from South Africa, just a short’ish version but still as cute.

Hey sexy! Here to see Kath? He asked.

Hey! Yes, I’m seeing her… looking for her… here to see her. Yeahp! Awkward… There were actually two of them, the guys.

Great! Welcome to the family, wife! Guy 2 said.

Pardon me? I was certain I had misunderstood him.

Before he could say further, Kath showed up from the other side of the floor. Too late to run away now, she saw you! Time to sign in and sign up!

Yeah Baby!

I looked across the floor and there was that dazzling smile I had seen the previous night! But now, I wasn’t so sure which one of us three the Baby was meant for.

Look who I found, for you! Trevor Noah’s lookalike said to Kath, and she giggled.

In small chats, we all walked into an elevator, up into her office. She was busy wrapping up with her modelling rehearsals and was just about to dismiss her girls. Multi-talent has a home in this woman, I thought.

After the girls had gone, the talks of the previous night began, between the guys, Kath and myself. Aaah, of cause I do know the guys – that was Brad and Neil! They both were with Kath last night! I remembered thinking I may not like Brad very much because I thought he was Kath’s boyfriend. They both were so protective of her, more so Brad aka Noah’s lookalike.

I was happy I hadn’t done much regrets. Except, some other girl that got in my car with the ever-charming drunk Jack, I called her unkind name because she was more than willing to go home with a guy she had just met at a club that one evening. I remembered clearly when Brad brought it up. Yeah yeah yeah!

Now I could relax, I was not in trouble. We all had a good laugh about a few scenarios etcetera. In a bit, sadly the guys announced they had to leave. They were