You're the One

By V. Leigh Thomas

It was almost five oclock on a lovely autumn morning. The sun was just coming up, and the birds were chirping. Bella and her cousin Troi, who was also her best friend and maid of honor, sat on the balcony of Bellas hotel suite, enjoying a cup of green tea. The crisp fall air had them wrapped in blankets while Bellas Vera Wang wedding gown hung in the closet with all the fixings to match.
The ladies talked, laughed, and became emotional as they reminisced about everything that had taken place over the past four years between Bella and her man.
Jealousy, lies, infidelity, pregnancies, and just plain old drama almost tore them apart, but the spiritual connection, love, honor, and respect they shared kept them together, kept them strong.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781493171613

Book preview

PROLOGUE

I T WAS ALMOST five o’clock on a lovely autumn morning. The sun was just coming up, and the birds were chirping. Bella and her cousin Troi, who was also her best friend and maid of honor, sat on the balcony of Bella’s hotel suite, enjoying a cup of green tea. The crisp fall air had them wrapped in blankets while Bella’s Vera Wang wedding gown hung in the closet with all the fixings to match.

The ladies talked, laughed, and became emotional as they reminisced about everything that had taken place over the past four years between Bella and her man.

Jealousy, lies, infidelity, pregnancies, and just plain old drama almost tore them apart, but the spiritual connection, love, honor, and respect they shared kept them together, kept them strong.

CHAPTER ONE

Four years earlier…

B ELLA GATHERED HER files, packed up her laptop, grabbed her Fendi bag, and headed for the door. It was almost six thirty, and she still had to stop by her brother’s house before she headed downtown to meet Troi for dinner.

Gabriele Bella Hugley was a hardworking, independent diva in every sense of the word. Her radiant caramel-brown skin and long, thick black hair made her look exotic or mixed with another race, but she was all African American. Her petite frame, flat stomach, and thick hips and ass had been compared to Jennifer Lopez, and if described in terms of loose change, she would definitely be a dime. Her beauty emanated from within, making her beautiful inside and out. Although some people considered her spoiled and materialistic, she worked hard for everything she had and saw nothing wrong with wanting the finer things in life.

Bella owned a growing computer-consulting firm, and she was also co-owner with her twin brother, Gibrele Rele Hugley, of their late parents’ construction business. Their parents were killed by a drunk driver ten years earlier on Bella and Rele’s twentieth birthday. Although Bella and Rele were always close, this tragedy made them even closer. Bella was devastated and overcome with grief. She had a really tough time dealing with their parents’ deaths, and while Rele was just as distraught, confused, and overwhelmed, he stayed strong for his sister; he was her rock. It was years before Bella would even acknowledge their birthday, never mind celebrating it.

Bella immediately moved out of the family’s home after the accident, and she begged Rele to sell it, but he couldn’t. That was his way of preserving his parents’ memories, and he still resided in the house with his fiancée, Connor. Bella and Rele’s relationship was one that all parents wished for their children: indestructible, unbreakable, and unconditional.

Bella pulled into the driveway of her childhood home, and memories of her parents immediately flooded her thoughts. Bella couldn’t believe so much time had already passed since their deaths, yet she still felt somber whenever she entered the house. But she was happy Rele didn’t listen to her and sell like she had urged; this was all they had left.

Bella used her key to enter the house and headed to the kitchen, where she heard laughter and talking.

Connor and Tara were in the kitchen, sipping on wine, when Bella walked in. She spoke to the ladies and gave Connor a hug.

Connor and Tara were sisters and known to their family as the Irish Twins. They were only eleven months apart. Connor was born in January, and Tara was born in December of the same year, and they had different fathers. The twenty-eight-year-old Connor was light skinned with freckles and very attractive. Her natural red hair was cut short and was always laid. She was thin, and she wore it well. And then there was Tara, the rebel of the two, the down for whatever, ride or die chic. Tara wasn’t light skinned and she didn’t have freckles, but she was the prettier of the two sisters. If Bella was a dime, Tara was a nine.

Have a drink with us, Tara offered as she passed Bella a goblet.

Sure. Where’s Rele? Bella asked.

He’s in the office, getting everything ready for the meeting tonight with his friend. They’re planning on expanding the business to residential construction. I thought you were staying too, Connor said.

No, I just came by to pick up some stuff to sign. I’m meeting Troi for dinner, Bella said.

The ladies chatted for a little while longer, and then Rele entered the kitchen.

Hey, he said to Bella as he kissed her on the forehead. He gave her the folder with the paperwork for her to review and sign.

Hey, when do you need these papers back? she replied.

As soon as possible. I want to take them to the bank next week.

Okay, I’ll work on them over the weekend.

Bella finished her drink, said good night to the ladies, and then she headed for the door.

Why aren’t you staying? Rele asked as he walked behind her.

I’m meeting Troi for dinner, Bella said and then she opened the door and was startled when she saw Rele’s friend getting ready to knock.

I didn’t mean to scare you, he said.

No problem. I wasn’t expecting anyone to be standing there, she replied as she looked him up and then down and then up again. Damn, he’s fine, and he showed up with a bottle of Patrón—the good stuff, she thought.

Rele, aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend? Bella asked, still eyeing him.

What’s up, Jay? This is my sister, Gabriele. Come on in, Rele nonchalantly introduced her.

Hey, Jay, Bella said in a sexy, flirtatious voice, like they were old friends.

Gabriele, I finally get to put a face on the name. I’ve heard a lot about you, he said.

"It’s Bella," she corrected him.

"I like Gabriele better. You leaving?" Jayden asked in a tone just as sexy. He immediately noticed the way she flirted and checked him out, and he liked what he saw too.

Jayden Malik Taylor was a man of character and integrity. He was thirty-two years old and stood just over six feet tall, weighing a solid 190 pounds, with a body that revealed he was no stranger to the gym. His dark skin glistened, and his smile could melt your heart, but his good looks and charm only scratched the surface of this man.

Bella stood there for a second before she answered. She thought about calling Troi and canceling—or at least meeting her a little later—but knowing Troi, she probably skipped lunch and was starving by now.

Yeah, I have to go, but it was nice meeting you, she said as she walked past him and down the porch steps.

Rele, call me tomorrow, she said.

Rele first met Jayden in college. The only two freshmen on the varsity football team, they quickly formed a bond, and they’d been friends ever since. Rele and Jayden had plans of starting a real estate empire together once they graduated from college, but that dream was cut short when Rele’s parents died. After graduation, he had to go back home and manage the family business and take care of Bella. Jayden went on and got his master’s degree in architecture, and he was also a licensed realtor in several states along the East Coast, from Massachusetts to the Carolinas. With several properties, he was doing very well for himself.

After Bella left, Rele, Connor, Tara, and Jay had a great time. They ate dinner, played cards, and drank until almost midnight. While the men sat in the living room, Tara and Connor cleaned the kitchen and wrapped up the leftovers. The ladies even polished off another bottle of wine—and they were feeling quite saucy.

Tara, you have to stay over. I can’t drive you home. I’ve had too much to drink.

No worries, Jayden is taking me home. I set that up hours ago, Tara reported with a naughty smirk on her face. The ladies laughed and gave each other a high five.

Early the next morning after Jayden left, Tara headed to Connor’s house. Once Rele let her in, she raced up the stairs and into Connor’s bedroom.

Wake up! Tara said as she flopped down on Connor’s bed and rolled over next to her.

What’s going on? Why are you up so early?

Girl, last night was amazing! I think I’m in love, Tara raved.

Wait a minute, slow down. What happened? Connor asked as she rolled over to look at her sister.

It went down last night! Tara carried on, still smiling from ear to ear.

You slept with him? Connor asked, but she wasn’t at all surprised.

There was very little sleeping.

You are crazy. What happened? Give me all the details, Connor said, and details she got!

Tara had a history of moving too fast with men, causing her to fall in love quick and hard. Just over a year ago, Tara found the perfect guy, or so she thought. He was tall, dark, and handsome, and the only thing that stood in the way of her perfect fairy-tale life with this man was his wife. Everything was fine in the beginning, but the man noticed Tara was losing sight of what their relationship really was: a fling, nothing serious—not to him anyway. But Tara didn’t see it that way, and as time passed, she became more possessive and demanding, requesting holiday time, weekends, and birthdays with this man. She crossed the line when she began giving her lover ultimatums and threatening to tell his wife about their year-long relationship, leaving him no choice but to break off their affair.

Tara begged and pleaded for him to come back to her, and when that didn’t work, she kept her promise and sent his wife a detailed text message revealing their affair. But he had already confessed everything to his wife, and they were moving forward and making amends with their marriage. Tara was left with nothing. She quickly spiraled out of control, partying every night, drinking heavily, and missing work until she had a nervous breakdown. And after months of therapy, Tara was over Joseph and back to her old self again.

CHAPTER TWO

Two Weeks Later:

R ELE HAD ALREADY dialed the last digit of Bella’s phone number when he realized it was only eight o’clock in the morning and she was most likely still asleep.

Hey, what’s up? Bella greeted Rele when she answered her cell, wide-awake.

You’re up early. You must just be getting in, Rele said.

No, I have an early meeting, and I am running late, so what’s up? she said as she scurried into her closet.

You’re still coming tonight, right?

Of course. Do you need me to do anything? she offered.

No, everything is all set. Did you tell Troi?

Yes, she’s coming too. I hope we didn’t have to RSVP, she joked.

No, I know y’all wouldn’t miss a free meal and open bar. I’ll see you tonight.

All right, later, she replied.

This party is off the hook! Troi said as she and Bella headed over to the bar again.

You know my brother has the best parties, Bella replied.

Troi and her two older brothers, Levi and Owen, grew up with Bella and Rele, almost like siblings. Their mothers were sisters, and therefore, they were always around each other. Troi was an attorney at one of the most lucrative law firms in the city, and she was working on becoming the youngest partner at the age of thirty-one.

The ladies were standing at the bar, talking with other guests, when Jayden walked in the door, getting the attention of most of the ladies and a few men in the room.

Rele headed over and greeted Jay, and then he took him around the room to meet everyone.

Did you know Jayden was in town and coming here tonight? Tara asked her sister.

No, I didn’t, but what a nice surprise for you, Connor said as she nudged Tara.

I spoke to him the other day, and he didn’t say that he was going to be here, Tara reported.

He probably just forgot to mention it, Connor tried to reassure her sister, who was feeling some kind of way.

Jay scanned the room, admiring all the pretty ladies as he walked through, and then he spotted Bella standing at the bar. She smiled and waved at him.

Is that Rele’s friend, the one you met the other night? Troi asked, barely moving her lips.

Uh-huh, that’s him, Bella replied, not moving her lips either as she took a sip of her drink. Jay’s swag and sex appeal were off the charts, and he definitely had Bella’s attention too.

Jay exuded confidence and strength, and women immediately knew he was a great catch if they were lucky enough to get his interest and hold on to it.

Rele led the way to the table where Tara and Connor were seated. Tara moved Bella’s stuff so that Jay could have the seat right next to hers.

Did Tara just move your shit? Troi asked with a frown on her face.

Yeah, I saw her.

She is a mess. The man ain’t here for ten minutes, and she’s already all over him? Troi said as the ladies headed to the table.

Bella, you remember Jayden, right? Rele asked.

Yep. Hi, Jay!

Hey, what’s up, Gabriele? Jayden replied.

And this is my cousin, Troi. Troi, this is Jayden, Rele introduced them.

Hi, Jayden, nice to meet you, Troi said as she and Bella moved to the other side of the table, where Tara had put their stuff.

Oh, Bella, I moved your stuff. I hope you don’t mind, Tara said in an innocent voice.

Not at all, Bella replied.

The evening was great. Rele and Jay presented a brief update on the plans, expectations, and new mission of the company for the upcoming year, and then it was party time. Everyone danced, drank, talked, and had a great time. Jayden couldn’t stop looking at Bella. He watched her all night, and she knew exactly what that look meant. And so did Tara.

A few hours later, everyone was saying good night and heading for the door.

It was nice seeing you again, Gabriele, the sexy voice from behind her said.

Nice seeing you again too. I hear you’re moving here soon.

That’s the plan. I hear you’re a businesswoman, so what do you think about what we plan to do?

I don’t know what the plans are. I let Rele handle everything with the construction business, she said.

Maybe I could fill you in on the details over dinner tomorrow night? he asked.

Umm, okay. Sure, text me with the time and place, Bella said, and then she gave Jay her number. That’s when she spotted Tara hurrying over.

Are you ready? Tara asked Jayden as she interrupted his conversation with Bella.

Yeah, I’ll be there, give me a second, he said as he looked at Tara, waiting for her to leave before he began talking to Bella again.

Okay, I’ll get my stuff, Tara said, and then she hesitantly walked away.

Bella didn’t say anything, but she looked at him with a smirk on her face.

She lives near the hotel I’m staying at, Jayden said.

You didn’t have to explain to me.

Not really explaining, just clarifying. I don’t want you to get the wrong impression.

There’s only one impression to get, and all three of us know what it is. So you better go. I don’t want to get you in trouble, she teased.

In trouble? I don’t get in trouble. But we’ll finish this conversation tomorrow when we have a little more privacy, he said.

"Okay, and don’t stay