Love Is Blind

By Rodney Suggs

After suffering a devastating breakup with his first love, Kahlil Smooth, a self-made millionaire, has now transformed himself into a very proud bachelor. With the world literally at his feet, love need not apply because he has put it in his rear view; or so he thinks. Can a chance encounter that has his eyes locked in on one of the most beautiful women he’s ever seen change his heart? After fighting so hard against falling in love again, will Kahlil be willing to risk it all once more for love? Or will the journey of love lead him down a road all too familiar? How blind can love actually be?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 25, 2020
• ISBN: 9781648010583

Book preview

Chapter 1

Slowly opening my eyes before the sounds of the radio took over the quiet in my bedroom, I stared at the clock to see 4:45 a.m. Rolling over on my left shoulder, I kissed my girlfriend, Janet Thompson, on the cheek and then planted another on her forehead. I sat up at the end of the bed looking over Janet’s calm, naked body as she lay there sound asleep. I got dressed and then headed down the elevator of my four-story home to the gym for an intense three-mile run on the treadmill.

After I hit the weights, I relaxed in the sauna to wrap up my training. Returning to the main floor of the house, I glanced down at my watch to see how much time I had left before getting ready for work. As I walked off the elevator, I was welcomed by smells of sizzling bacon, hash browns, and homemade waffles and the aroma of fresh-brewing coffee. Good morning, Féch. Food smells amazing as usual, I said to my personal chef while opening the refrigerator for a bottle of water.

Good morning, Kahlil. Thank you very much. I have to refuel your body from your workout, she replied.

I knew Féch was in her forties, but she would never tell me her actual age. She was born in Madrid, Spain, but grew up in New York where she became a chef. She had one of the sexiest accents I’d ever heard. Receiving sexy accented greetings from a gorgeous woman who also prepared all of my meals day in and day out as well as having my sexy girlfriend all under the same roof was amazing. I rarely left the house in a bad mood! Whenever Janet and I got into a heated argument, Féch’s presence and soft demeanor helped me forget what we were even arguing about.

I met Féch after booking one of the restaurants she owned for a business meeting. The food was amazing, and watching Féch walk out at the end of the meeting to greet everyone sealed the deal when she passed out her business cards letting the group know that she also worked as a personal chef. Intrigued, I immediately jumped at the opportunity, arranging a meeting with her shortly after everyone left. I was eighteen at the time; so with my hectic work schedule, the last thing I wanted to deal with was coming home to cook for myself or being faced with going out to eat every night. I requested Féch personally, not wanting to work with any other chef. She instantly blushed at my direct approach as I held her hand pleading for her to say yes. Everything had been set up between me and Féch before my relationship started with Janet who, needless to say, was extremely defensive the moment she set eyes on her.

In the beginning, everyone from close friends to family members was hell-bent that Féch and I were either a couple or sleeping together because she was so attractive and there was obvious chemistry between us. We’d play jokes on nosey ass people on occasion by holding hands or giving each other intimate hugs and kisses on the cheek whenever I visited her restaurant. The rumor mill had it that Féch had seduced a young, vibrant, top executive and they were in a secret relationship. I wouldn’t lie. I came at Féch several times through telegraphed flirts and date advancements, but despite all my charm and flash, nothing evolved from it. Féch would always warn me by saying, I’m not into exclusive relationships anymore. Besides, I really don’t think you want to tangle with me, Kahlil. I’m nothing like the women you’re used to dealing with. I know you’re not ready for what I’d do to you.

When I pursued Janet, she played hard to get. We went on several dates, and after a while I wanted more, but she refused. She would constantly shy away from committing since she had just ended a long relationship. She had a child named Iliana and always asked, "Are you ready for us? Because the relationship includes her as well." All of her concerns were finally put to rest when I made it known that having Iliana with her when she visited me was a must so I could have the chance to bond with her.

One day, Janet was in a bind and needed to go out of town, but she couldn’t take her daughter with her. She had no family to watch her; so out of desperation, she asked if I would watch Iliana overnight while she was gone, which turned out to be the opening I needed. Of course I agreed, and when Janet returned, she walked in to find Iliana and me having a blast together. We enjoyed ourselves so much Iliana would get upset when she had to leave. Janet blushed while smiling at her and then promised they would come back to visit very soon. Early the next morning, I was surprised to hear my doorbell ring and find Janet waiting on the other side. I could barely get the door open before Janet was covering me with kisses and ripping my tank top off.

Janet was the first woman I ever made love to, and a month after, we were dating. Things moved quickly between us, so much so I asked Janet and Iliana to move in with me.

Good morning, Dad, said Iliana, walking into the kitchen.

Good morning, sunshine, I replied.

She gave me a tight hug and then sat down once Féch sat her breakfast on the table. After downing a second cup of coffee, I decided to head up to my room to shower and get ready for work.

Iliana, when you finish your breakfast, would you do me a favor and grab the newspaper? I asked before leaving the kitchen.

Sure, I don’t mind at all, she said with a smile on her face.

My house was in a gated, secluded area so Iliana knew that she got to drive the golf cart to get the newspaper from the front gate which was a little over a mile from the house. Being blessed with a good job that paid me extremely well, I indulged myself at the age of nineteen building a fairly large mansion, deep within a wooded area on the outskirts of Chicago. I had an hour-and-a-half commute to work as a result, but I didn’t give a damn.

I’ll take you to school once I finish getting ready for work, I told Iliana as I left the kitchen. Iliana had only been in my life since she was eight years old, but she referred to me as Dad the moment we met. Her biological father, David Mills, was serving twenty years for drug trafficking. He went to prison on the day she was born.

Finally making it to my bedroom, I pushed open the glass French door to find the bed empty. I could hear the shower running from the bathroom, and with a smirk of excitement, I ripped out of my clothes with morning sex on my agenda. I was left with a look of disappointment the moment I saw her wet naked body stepping out of the shower laughing hysterically at me.

I knew you’d be coming in here trying to get you some, so I rushed to finish my shower the second I heard the bedroom doors open. So no quickie, quickie! Janet said as she laughed.

Damn it! Don’t be like that Janet. I can bend you over right here at the sink. I’ll make it quick, I pleaded.

I can’t. I have somewhere to be this morning, and you have to get Iliana to school. What suit do you want today, silly man? she asked while wrapping her towel around her body.

I have a meeting with a big client, so I need my black suit with the blue tie.

I was the vice president of Undisputed Marketing and Advertising, one of the top marketing and advertising agencies in the country. They gave me the nickname The Prodigy when I interned with them during my junior year of high school. Because of my grades in marketing, the company recruited me for the executive internship program and promised a paid internship if I came back after graduating. Shortly after finishing the internship program as their top recruit, I was offered a full-time executive management position at the age of eighteen and never looked back. For the last fourteen years, I had climbed the corporate ladder at lightning speed making me the youngest vice president in company history by the time I turned twenty-one.

Chapter 2

Sitting with Janet, who had finally made her way down to join us, the three of us enjoyed our time together before starting our day.

Hey, love, I need you to pick Iliana up after school today since I have a late meeting this evening that I can’t miss.

Damn. Are you serious, Kahlil? I have things to do around that time, Janet replied in a nonchalant attitude while continuing to eat her pancakes.

"What kind of things do you have to do that are more important than picking up your daughter?" I asked.

Janet did not respond and continued eating her breakfast. I folded the newspaper and sat it on the table. I glared in Janet’s direction with aggravation written all over my face.

Yes, Kahlil, you heard me correctly. I have things to do. I’m an adult just like you, and I don’t have to explain myself any further to you. She can just ride the bus, she said.

I can’t believe we are having a damn debate over something so simple. You don’t work but have something to do that’s so important that you can’t pick up Iliana? If that’s the case, you can call a cab because you sure as hell aren’t taking one of my cars after what you just said to me, I said.

As the conversation began to escalate, Iliana quickly finished the last of her breakfast and got up from the table.

Dad, I’m going to get my backpack and wait for you in the car, she said, leaving the kitchen.

Why’d you do that? What gives you the right to humiliate me in front of my daughter, Kahlil?! Janet yelled.

What makes you think that I can’t after how you popped off at me?! Don’t go playing the victim now. She’s fifteen and old enough to hear a dispute if need be. Iliana is just as much as a part of my life as she is yours, and what I cannot understand is why it’s so damn hard for you to be there for her when I need you to be! I yelled.

Kahlil, don’t you even think about going there! yelled Janet.

No, let’s take it there. Let me see… What about a week ago when she had a parent–teacher conference and you couldn’t go because you and your girls had a shopping day that you didn’t want to miss and you asked me to go on? Remember that? I recalled never pushing back but only saying, All good. I got you.

Silence filled the kitchen.

Fuck it, Kahlil. I will pick her up and reschedule what I have to do since you’re making me feel like a bad mom. Does that satisfy you now, o powerful one? Can I drive the car today? Janet snapped back, storming out of the kitchen before I could respond.

I walked to the stairs, held onto the rail, and yelled, That’s real adultlike! Way to finish a conversation! Iliana, let’s go.

Dad, I can catch the bus today if that will help you and Mom out, Iliana said after we got into the car.

Sweetheart, listen to me very carefully. I work and provide anything you or your mom needs or wants, no questions asked. Because I do this, when I ask your mom for a favor by picking you up after school, then that’s exactly what should happen without any backlash. If she had a doctor’s appointment or something critical like that, fine, we could work something out; but the fact that your mom refused to give details lets me know it’s nothing that important where she couldn’t change up what she had going to come get you, and that’s unacceptable. But don’t you worry. I will have this all resolved when I can get you a car. Work has been so hectic for me to take you to look. It’s not like you made this easy. You should have been driving at sixteen, I said, winking my eye at her.

I know I procrastinated, Iliana said with this embarrassed look on her face. By the time we pulled up to the school, things were calm once more. I had good conversation with my daughter that changed my attitude.

Have a good day, sweetheart, I said to Iliana once she closed the door to walk up the stairs to school.

Thanks, Dad. I hope you have a good day at work, she replied.

Do you have lunch money? I blurted out the window, catching Iliana’s attention before she could make it to the top of the steps.

Yes, Dad! she yelled back. She stood there laughing at me with embarrassment written all on her face looking around to make sure none of her friends were around as I treated her like a baby. I watched Iliana walk toward the school doors until she was out of sight and then drove off to the office.

Walking off the elevator onto the thirteenth floor, I was instantly greeted by my assistant, Tammy.

Good morning, Mr. Smooth. There are five messages on your desk, and the five o’clock meeting with Chicago Fusion Supplements executives was moved up to one o’clock, she said.

One o’clock! That’s a drastic adjustment. When did this happen? I asked in shock.

I received the call about ten minutes ago. Would you like for me to request another time or just reschedule the meeting altogether? she asked.

No, that’s fine. We will make the necessary adjustments on our end. Make sure to send the communication out to the rest of the team; and I need you to contact the CEO of Minority Clothing Company, Warren Parks, and let him know I need to cancel the luncheon we have today, I said.

After getting my schedule straight with Tammy, I got on the phone to call Janet to let her know that I’d be able to get Iliana after all, but there was no answer.

Chapter 3

The office phone rang.

Undisputed Marketing and Advertising, Kahlil Smooth speaking, I said over the speaker phone.

Kahlil, it’s Warren. I just received a call from your assistant about our lunch meeting today. What’s going on? We need to talk ASAP, Warren demanded.

Minority Clothing Company was one of the top men’s urban clothing lines in the United States. Warren enlisted my help because the company was getting ready to expand launching its first ever women’s clothing line. Warren and I were close friends, so he reached out to me first for the opportunity to help expand his brand.

What’s up, WP? Man, I have to apologize for canceling so abruptly. Unfortunately, there’s something urgent that I need to tend to that’s forcing me to push our meeting out. I can’t avoid it, I said.

Timing is so critical on my end especially for these next few months. You rescheduling has thrown a big ass wrench in my timeline. Are you sure there’s no way for us to sit down today to review the layouts for the women’s line? I need to have things settled before I fly out for business for the next few months, Warren explained.

Warren, today is virtually impossible for me since my entire schedule was pushed up by four hours. I’ll complete the other upcoming launch within a few days, and after that, you have my word that I will have my team focused and devoted on nothing else but the Minority Clothing women’s line launch until it’s finished, I pleaded.

Smooth, we have approximately ten months before this thing goes off, and I must have things finalized early enough to allow some wiggle room to tweak things just in case a problem arises that we both know will. The last thing I want to happen is to rush or miss some key things and this investment flops. I’m nervous. I’ve invested millions, my brother. I need Undisputed to help me make this a success, Warren demanded with tension in his voice.

I promise you. I’m going to make it happen, WP. Is there any way for us to meet a week from now?

That’s a no go. I’m off to Miami with my talent team to interview potential models they have selected for the fashion show to debut the clothes immediately following the Undisputed Marketing presentation. From there, I’m off to Hawaii for more model recruiting. Then there’s a fashion show in Europe that both the male and female brands have been invited to showcase in. I will finish things off with an interview for the biggest magazine in Europe and then will take pictures for the cover. So, as you can see, I’m completely booked solid for the next few months.

Shit! I see why you need to meet today, I said, slowly reclining in my chair.

There’s a very small window of opportunity for us to meet, but it would require you flying to New York this upcoming Monday and Tuesday. I can arrange several small breakout meetings and one final group meeting with my team based on my schedule before I fly out. Will you make this happen?

Say no more, brother. I’m there!

After ending the intense phone call that covered my ass with Minority Clothing, I put both hands on my head, breathing a sigh of relief. Trying to regain my composure, I immediately began reviewing the presentation and notes for the Chicago Fusion meeting. Halfway through the reviews, my office phone rang.

Mr. Smooth, I have Janet Thompson on line 2 for you. Would you like me to put her through? Tammy asked.

Go ahead and put her through, Tammy, I answered.

Yeah, you called? Janet snapped on the phone before I could get a word out.

"Yeah, you called? Is that how we’re going to start this off?" I asked.

I’m sorry, Kahlil, but it’s been a long day. Can you just tell me what you wanted? she demanded.

Look. I just wanted to tell you that I’ll pick up Iliana from school since my schedule was adjusted. Go ahead and do whatever it was you had planned. There was a brief silence on the phone.

Don’t worry about it. I cancelled what I had to do, so if you’re going to finish work early, just go home. You made me feel like shit this morning, so I decided to spend some time with Iliana.

I apologize for how that came out, Janet. I couldn’t understand why you got so pissed this morning over something so simple like picking her up, I said.

I know your heart was in a good place. I’m going to pick her up, and we’re going to spend some much-needed time together, she said.

A big smile draped across my face as I sat there listening to Janet. Well, that sounds like a wonderful idea! I’m sure Iliana will be pretty surprised when she finds out. I’ll finish up some things here at the office and eat whatever Féch prepared at home. So now that that’s settled, what’s going on with you? Why did you have such a bad start to your day outside of our small clash this morning? I asked.

I’ll wait until you get home, so we can talk about it, Kahlil, Janet replied with a hint of anxiety in her voice.

What’s wrong?

Kahlil, I’ll wait until you get home, so we can have a chance to talk face-to-face! Janet reiterated in a stern voice.

There was a knock at the door.

Excuse me, Kahlil. The Chicago Fusion Supplements executives have arrived, Tammy stated from outside my opened door.

Okay, thank you. I’ll be right there, I whispered after placing my hand over the receiver.

I’ll let you go to your meeting, Janet blurted out, attempting to rush off the phone.

Janet, just hold on a minute. We’re not finished with this discussion. I still have a few minutes so tell me— Click. The line went dead.

I was so mad I immediately hit the speed dial button, dialing the house back, but the phone never rang. It went to voicemail. I sat at my desk boiling. I knew Janet turned on the do not disturb feature knowing I was going to call back. Quickly regaining my composure, I got up to make my way to the boardroom for my presentation.

Chapter 4

A long day in the office had finally come to an end. The day finished out with a successful presentation to the executives of Chicago Fusion Supplements. They were thrilled with each layout and scheme Undisputed Marketing had created for their new products. I felt on top of the world! But in all honesty, it was short-lived as my mind drifted back to the brief conversation with Janet. I found myself still puzzled by the abrupt ending of our phone call as I drove through the gate to the house. I parked my E-Class Mercedes-Benz in the garage and walked into the house to discover a note from Féch.

Kahlil, dinner is prepared (rib eye, seasoned potatoes, with fresh mixed vegetables). If you need anything other than what I prepared, don’t hesitate to call.

Féch

Féch was the owner of six successful restaurants—four in Illinois, one in New York, and one in Arizona. Most would consider what she charged pricey, but it was well worth it for my house. Being heavy into fitness along with my extensive travel schedule, it was hard for me to get into the kitchen regularly to prepare anything, so having Féch around was very beneficial. Then there was Janet who, bless her heart, couldn’t cook to save her own life!

While watching my evening dose of SportsCenter, I changed into my gym clothes for my run. The evening rolled around, and still no one had made it home yet. I decided to go down to the indoor pool to swim a few laps. Once I finished, I went to the movie theater to watch an old movie. A few minutes into the movie, I was sound asleep.

I woke up about two hours later to see the credits rolling, so I decided to call it a night. As I walked through the family room, I finally heard the garage opening. I grabbed a bottle of wine and a pair of wine glasses and then stood waiting to greet my ladies. I could hear a faint ruckus that grew louder and louder from the garage. Iliana burst through the door first and was clearly startled to see me standing there. She stared at me for a second and then ran into my arms.

Dad, no! She can’t make me do this! she yelled in tears.

Seconds later, Janet stormed through the door snatching Iliana out of my arms. She spun her 180 degrees to deliver one of the firmest slaps I had ever seen.

Don’t you ever disrespect me like that again! she yelled. Iliana stood there motionless in shock. Not a word was uttered between the two but only a cold stare-down. Go to your damn room! Janet yelled.

What the hell is going on? I demanded. Iliana ran out of the room in tears. Janet began to walk past me like I was invisible. Before she could completely pass me, I grabbed her arm. What’s going on, Janet? I repeated.

Let me go, Kahlil! Janet yelled loudly and then aggressively pulled away from my grasp storming down the hallway. I immediately followed behind her into the kitchen. Janet opened the refrigerator door when I forcefully placed my hand on it slamming it shut.

Now you’re disrespecting me, I said.

Janet walked over to the table and sat down with tears building in her eyes. I’m sorry, Kahlil. As you can see, dinner didn’t go like I planned, she said with her hands covering her face as she cried.

Shit, by the looks of things, it doesn’t appear that you two even had dinner. Now for the last time, Janet, what the hell happened between you two? I demanded.

I picked Iliana up after school, and we went shopping. It was the perfect time to just talk one-on-one while we shopped. After that, we agreed to the movies. When we got to dinner, things fell apart. I told Iliana that her father had been released from prison and asked to see her. Iliana’s eyes filled with water. She started breathing heavy and then went off on me asking me if she had to go or not. I told her I agreed and she needed to see her dad. She said I should have talked to her about it first. I tried calming her down because we were in a public place, but she thought it was in her best interest to call me a part-time mother and that if it weren’t for you she would’ve run away by now! I let it marinate until we got to the parking lot before demanding an apology. She was so full of herself that she decided she was in the clear to call me a bitch before slamming the car door in my face. And here we are now live in HD, Janet explained, throwing her hands up in defeat.

I tried my best to be empathetic as I hugged Janet but couldn’t help feeling angry at the fact that David was out and she hadn’t even mentioned it.

Janet, why would you make such a decision concerning Iliana without talking to me first? Why would you think her reaction would be any different from what you got? I asked.

"Wow! Now I guess it’s your turn to criticize me about the fucking decisions I make about my daughter with her father.