Deception: Nothing Is As It Seems

DECEPTION

By

Jackie White

SMASHWORDS EDITION

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PUBLISHED BY

Jackie White on Smashwords

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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously

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nHouse Publishing, L.L.C.

P.O. Box 1038

Newark, New Jersey 07101

Office: 973-780-8637

www.nhousepublishing.com

Copyright 2011 © by Jackie White.

All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without permission.

Deception

ISBN 13-digit 978-0-9726242-6-8

ISBN 10-digit 0-9726242-6-0

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publishing Data 2009940760

Jackie White, Women, African-American, Contemporary, New Jersey – Fiction

Cover design and layout by Baja Wakiri Ukweli

Book layout by Ben Paddock

Edited by Tobias A. Fox

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In loving memory of James Davis,

your number one daughter;

I love you more.

To my children, Le’nard, Kei’aer, Razhon, and Jordan, you guys have been my support and foundation, without you I wouldn’t be as diligent as I am today. I love you guys very much. You are the reason why I live.

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, I would like to thank God, who is the head of my life. Without Him my talent would not be possible. I would like to thank my children, Le’nard, Kei’aer, Razhon, and Jordan for being so patient, understanding, and willing. They gave me space whenever I was glued to my laptop or desktop working on my manuscript, and I appreciate them for that. Mommy loves you guys and wouldn’t trade any one of you for all the fame and money in the world. You guys are truly the best children a mother could ask for.

I would like to thank my mother, Esther Jackson, for being a great mother and friend to me. We had hard times, but you taught us how to overcome and conquer. I would like to thank my father James Davis, a.k.a. Master Tauheed, for being such a wonderful father and protector when you were here. May you rest in peace, I’ll love you forever. You are missed and were well loved and respected. I would like to thank my siblings, Tony Paden, Kareem Paden, Angie Paden, and Kaylah McGee. You guys are so important to me and I’m happy to have you in my life. I love you guys. I would also like to thank Darryl Maynor for providing me with insight and resources to help me with promotional ideas.

I would like to thank Tobias A. Fox for his tolerable patience and selfless guidance. I don’t know where I would be in this business had it not been for him. He worked with me diligently and inspired me to dig deeper within my heart and soul, to pull out my thoughts. I cannot thank him enough and I owe him all of the success that I’m headed for. Thank you for editing my manuscript and working with me even when I was somewhat abrasive and steadfast. You are truly excellent!

I would like to thank all of the photographers, graphic artists, and proof readers. Without your added touches, Deception wouldn’t look as bold and fascinating as it does. I appreciate all the hard work, time, and effort that you guys have put into my first born. Your work will be seen and greatly admired by all. Thanks, Uncle Reggie for hooking up my flyers to help promote Deception’s arrival. Thank all of you for doing what you do best.

Lastly, I would like to thank God again, because He is the beginning, the middle, and the end!

Chapter One

The sunlight slivered through the vertical blinds and danced across Asia’s face. She slowly opened her eyes from her sex-induced sleep. David took his time with her last night, just like she wanted him to. He kissed and sucked all of her tender spots until her juices flowed. He teased her in a torturous manner until she begged him to penetrate her. He finally gave in and filled her up with his manhood, stroking her slowly then swiftly, continuously. She passed out from exhaustion like she always did after making wild passionate love to him.

She looked over at David’s handsome, chocolate-toned, sleeping face and smiled a warm loving smile. With every beat of her heart, and with every breath she pulled into her lungs, she loved him.

She looked around her well-decorated bedroom and tried to remember what day it was.

Is it Friday or Saturday?

Asia replayed her routine from yesterday in her head, with an attempt to help her remember what day it was.

Yesterday I showed the Mayfields a one family house in Ridgewood. That appointment was set for Thursday, June 23rd.

She looked at her digital clock and jumped out of bed.

David, baby, wake up! It’s almost 8:30, Asia yelled as she frantically shook him.

David opened his eyes and adjusted his vision. He looked at his beautiful wife and smiled.

Good morning, baby. Don’t be so alarmed about being late. We are the bosses, remember.

Asia was not trying to hear what David was talking about. She had things to do, clients to show houses to, and closing contracts to prepare. She rushed over to her walk-in closet and quickly skimmed over her outfits that were neatly hanging on lavender plush hangers. She pulled out her brown two-piece, pinstriped skirt suit, and a beige silk tank top. She opened her shoe drawer and took out her beige Gucci pumps.

David laid there and watched Asia move around like the Road Runner and laughed to himself.

Baby, I remember when you used to stay in bed with me. We don’t do that anymore.

Asia stopped what she was doing and turned to face David. He looked like a king sitting up in their plush king size bed with the espresso leather headboard. The bedroom set was fit for a palace and the rest of the house maintained the same décor.

She laid her suit on the bench at the foot of the bed and crawled onto the bed. She felt bad inside because things have changed recently due to her real estate business picking up and becoming so successful.

Asia sat Indian style next to David and focused on the painting hanging above the headboard. The painting was of a couple lovingly embracing while in bed sleeping—his arms around hers and her arms around his. The couple slept almost identically to Asia and David. She smiled inside as she took in the peacefulness of the painting. She slowly brought her gaze back to the man of her dreams.

Baby, I know that you are tired of hearing this, but things have been so hectic for me lately at the office. I have so much to do and so little time to do them. Please understand that things have to be a little different now.

Asia leaned over, grabbed David’s face, and kissed him passionately. Her love for him was relentless and she showed him with her actions.

David fell into Asia’s kiss and pulled her into his arms. He loved his wife deeply, but felt like he was losing her to work.

Asia and David shared their ups and downs like the best of them, but the love they had for each other was unmistakably apparent.

They met in high school, senior year. They started dating and grew close very quickly. Before long you couldn’t see Asia without seeing David and vice versa. Their friends teased them all of the time, saying Asia was David’s rib. One friend in particular was Tony Parker.

Tony was David’s best friend but he lacked the zest to further his education after high school. He was considered a pretty boy because of his light complexion, green eyes, and taste for the finest clothes. Surprisingly, he went down a path of the street life. He and David grew apart, but stayed in touch every now and then.

Asia softly pulled back from David’s embrace because she knew where that kind of kiss would lead to.

Baby, I really need to go, I have an appointment at ten and I can’t be late. I have to go to the office to get the mortgage papers for the property in South Plainfield. The Thompsons are closing on that property today and I can’t reschedule them, Asia said.

David looked at Asia with pleading eyes and she dismissed his stare. She slid off of the bed and flaunted her naked body by slowly, twisting her hips as she walked into the bathroom.

David leaned his head against the leather headboard and closed his eyes. He was really growing tired of Asia’s busy life and didn’t know what to do or say anymore.

Before Asia closed the bathroom door she turned to David. She took in his hurtful expression and her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. She wondered what was happening to them and wondered if she should accommodate her schedule for her husband.

Babe, don’t forget that we’re having dinner at my parent’s house tonight at six sharp. Mama is cooking us dinner for our fifth wedding anniversary. We celebrated in Paris and Mom was upset that we were gone. She always cooks dinner for our anniversary, so I don’t want to hear any more excuses about you being tied up with a client, Mr. Big Shot Criminal Defense Attorney.

Okay, I’ll try to be there at six, but I can’t promise you that I’ll be on time. I have a consultation with a client at 4:30 and it could be lengthy.

Asia stepped into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She stood there for a minute and listened through the door. David was moving around getting ready for work and she proceeded to start her morning routine.

She flossed, brushed her teeth, and gargled. She pulled her long, thick, black hair back and pinned it up. She applied Dove facial cleanser to her face and turned on the shower to the perfect setting. She emptied her bladder and stepped into the marbled shower with the pulsating showerheads, one directly above the shower and one from the wall above the handles. She didn’t want to get her hair wet today and decided to use the regular showerhead above the handles.

David made the bed and placed all of the pillows back exactly how Asia liked them. He went into his walk-in closet with the built-in shelves and pulled out a pair of his shoes. He always built his outfit up from what shoes he would wear.

He selected his black gators, then pulled out his tie rack and studied it for a minute, because he couldn’t make up his mind which tie he wanted to wear. His gray, baby blue, and cream tie caught his eye and he pulled it off the rack. He stepped over to where his shirts hung and pulled out his baby blue dress shirt with the cream collar. He looked over at his suits hanging next to his shirts and grabbed his black Armani double-breasted suit. Happy with his selection, he went to one of their guest bedrooms in the five-bedroom house to shower and get ready for work.

Asia dressed and looked at herself in the mirror. She always completed a check of herself before stepping out of the house. She always looked her best because her mom, Mavis Mack, instilled that in her nearly from birth. Hair was right, lips were perfectly lined, outfit complimented all of her beautiful assets; the shoes and purse sealed the deal on the outfit.

David was ready before Asia, because Lord knows women take forever to get ready for anything. He headed downstairs to their luxurious kitchen, furnished with stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and a center island that sheltered the stove range and mini bar.

When he stepped into the kitchen he could smell the aroma of the orange mango plug-ins. It made him crave something sweet and he hadn’t had breakfast yet. He put on the coffee pot and popped two slices of wheat bread in the toaster oven.

Asia came downstairs looking like she was auditioning for the cover of GQ for women. She walked over to the counter where David was standing and complimented him on how debonair he looked and how good he smelled. She took in every inch of him with her eyes. His six-four frame, creamy chocolate skin tone, handsomely chiseled cheek bones, medium muscular physique, and those black deep waves that adorned his head caused her to shiver inside.

She loved to see David in his suits. Looking good and smelling good. It always gave her a twinge, sending chills down her spine right into her vagina.

Baby, you look beautiful this morning. Are you sure you’re going to meet the Thompsons? David asked in a joking manner.

Asia smiled, walked over to him, and softly kissed him on the lips. She picked up her coffee cup and sipped the rich contents. She savored the flavor in her mouth before she swallowed.

Baby, I love your coffee. You make it light and sweet just how I like it, it’s perfect, Asia said.

David sat his half empty cup down and looked at his watch. It was nearly a quarter after nine.

Baby, we better get going or we’ll be later than what we already are, David warned.

Asia and David poured out their unfinished coffee and grabbed the toast that popped minutes ago from the toaster. They headed out the door to their BMW’s, Asia had the red convertible 645i and David had the silver and black 745i. Asia blew David a kiss just as she was getting into her car, and he pretended to catch it. They then pulled out of their driveway in Woodbridge, New Jersey, and headed in opposite directions.

Asia had a full day at work and was glad that it was over. She briefly spoke to Gina about some things of no importance. They always talked on Gina’s lunch break even if Asia was busy with work. She would put her work to the side and pour out her frustrations to Gina, and listen to Gina’s troubles.

Asia called Gina and she answered her phone on the second ring.

Hey, Asia, what’s up?

Nothing much. You at work?

No, I’m off today. I have plans later this afternoon. I have a date with this fine ass brother, you know the one I can’t really tell you much about yet.

Asia rolled her eyes up in her head because she knew that meant Gina was messing with a married man, again.

Girl, you are going to mess around and get your ass whooped messing with someone’s man. I know I would take a chick’s head off and David’s too if I caught him with someone.

Gina sucked her teeth and smacked her lips at Asia’s statement. She didn’t want to hear that because the truth hurts. She knew she was wrong for messing with a married man, but didn’t give a damn because she absolutely had to have this guy, and Gina Garris gets what she wants.

I’ll cross that bridge when I get to it, girl. I’m not worried about it anyway because he and I talked about him filing for a divorce.

Asia shook her head in disgust. Gina was her best friend, but sometimes she just didn’t like her way of thinking. She was so gullible and naïve when it came to men.

Well, I tell you what, don’t build your hopes and dreams up on some cheating man’s words. A man will say anything to keep getting the cookie, anything.

Gina started to get touchy because that old adage about the truth hurting started to really take effect.

Look, I have to go. I need to get ready for my date. I have to make myself extra sexy because we’re celebrating our one year anniversary.

Asia was sickened by Gina’s I don’t give a damn attitude. She was ready to dig into her some more, but bit her tongue. She decided that Gina would get hers when the other woman found out. What she wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall for that one.

"Okay, Gina, have a wonderful anniversary," Asia said in a sarcastic tone.

Gina rolled her eyes, in her mind Asia was jealous of what she had going. She wanted what Asia had and tried to implement that even in her quest for a married man. Her lines were definitely crossed because in reality she was the jealous one.

Gina was Asia’s best friend since elementary school. They were like two peas in a pod. Most people often asked them if they were sisters. Asia’s beauty was flawless and her peanut butter complexion was uncanny. She stood at five-four and her Coke bottle shaped figure was to die for. She was reminiscent of Nia Long when she starred in the movie Soul Food.

Gina’s not bad on the eyes either, but not as beautiful as Asia. She’s five-seven and curvy on the bottom, but lacked in the breast department. She always told Asia when she was old enough that she would have her breasts done, and she finally accomplished that lifelong dream.

Asia packed up her briefcase and left her office.

She was now heading to her parents’ house for dinner, to celebrate her fifth wedding anniversary. Her marriage was one full of bliss and happiness. In her eyes she had the best husband; he was loving, respectful, faithful, and near perfect.

Asia tried to reach David on his cell to see if he was on his way to her parents’ house. It was twenty after five and she was fearful that he would be late again.

Over and over again she tried to reach him to no avail. She suddenly remembered that he told her he had a 4:30 appointment that could be lengthy. If he was still with a client he wouldn’t answer his phone. He always said it was good business ethics to give a client your undivided attention in order to, make it appear as if their problems are more important than yours.

I hope he gets out of that meeting on time. If he’s not out of that meeting soon he’ll catch rush hour traffic and be late for sure. Mama’s really going to get a kick out of that, Asia thought.

Everyone that lives in Northern New Jersey knows how unpredictable the traffic can be and she had no time to waste. Asia knew that she could get to her parents’ house in Edison faster if she took Parkway South, so she jumped on the Parkway. She voice activated her hands free to call David again and his answering machine picked up once more.

Sugar, honey, ice tea!

Asia was trying to stop cursing, one of her New Year’s resolutions that she was battling to keep. She was so frustrated that David picked this day of all days to have a late meeting.

I can’t believe that David is still in that meeting. He knows that we are having dinner at my parents’ house tonight. I will kill him if he shows up late. He knows how my mom is about punctuality.

Asia briefly looked in her rearview mirror to see if she needed to fix her makeup and as usual everything was near perfect. Her long dark hair was accented with big soft curls, and her thick lips were perfectly lined with Mac dark brown lip liner accompanied by Mac glistening bronze lipstick.

Asia was driving as fast as she could to get to her parents’ house and since she just loathed waiting on the exact change line, EZ pass was her new best friend. She slowed down just enough to make the toll’s speed limit.

As Asia exited the Parkway, she got caught by a red light near the Sheraton Hotel. She casually looked at the cars that occupied the Sheraton’s parking lot. She nearly broke her neck from whiplash when she saw a car that looked exactly like David’s. His BMW was custom painted two toned black and silver, black on the top and silver on the bottom.

I know that better not be my husband’s car!

Asia quickly put her blinker on and turned in the direction of the Sheraton Hotel, nearly side swiping the car next to her as she switched lanes. She pulled into the parking lot, parked next to the black and silver BMW, and got out of her car. She looked at the license plate, it read, D McKay. She panicked. The license plate displayed her husband’s first initial and last name.

Asia’s heart began to race, and she felt herself getting light headed from the instant rush of blood pumping through her veins. She leaned up against the car for support to keep from falling. She could not believe what she was seeing. Just the thought of David being in a hotel with someone else was too much for her to bear. Asia had to collect herself and think of what to do next. She grabbed her purse out of her car and walked into the hotel lobby.

The front desk clerk, a tall blonde lady with high cheekbones, a long chin, and a bad makeup job greeted Asia with a warm smile. Asia walked up to the clerk. The name Dawn Smith was printed on the gold name badge.

Excuse me, Dawn, I am meeting my husband here. In my haste to get out of the office I left the room information on my desk. Is there any way you can give it to me again?

Asia gave her the most remarkable smile that she could muster.

Dawn welcomed Asia to the Sheraton Hotel, looked her in the eyes, and then sighed, It must be wonderful to have such a romantic husband. He called you at work and asked you to meet him at the hotel for a seductive rendezvous.

Asia pursed her lips to keep from screaming. Dawn noticed how antsy Asia was becoming and changed the subject.

Okay, I’m going to need your husband’s name and some identification from you before I can tell you anything.

Asia looked in her purse, pulled out her driver’s license, and handed it to the clerk.

Dawn typed in the last name and nothing came up.

Sorry, ma’am, I have no one registered under the name McKay.

Oh, check to see if he registered under his mother’s maiden name, Alexander, Asia pleaded.

Dawn typed the name in the computer and sure enough the information popped up on the screen.

"Ah, yes, he’s in room 2006 on the 20th floor. It’s one of our best suites in the hotel. He must really have a great surprise waiting for you. I’ll go