Assariyah Read Free Page A

She had only been thirty-five when lung cancer had taken her away from me. She’d always had a frigging stick in her mouth, she smoked no less than fifty a day. I used to tell her that shit would kill her, she would always laugh and say, “Riyah darling, I have to die of something.” I felt like crying but fought back my tears to avoid breaking down on Tyler. That shit was too heavy for someone I’d only just met a few hours ago. I had to change things up. I adjusted my thoughts and looked Tyler dead in his eyes.
    “You ever thought of quitting?”
    “Now and again,” he sighed.
    I decided it was best not to push him any further.
    For the first time that night I realised just how beautiful Tyler really was. The outside light exposed his piercing hazel green eyes, slanted and mysterious. Oh gosh I was in lust. Every time he looked at me with those eyes I had to resist the strong urge to jump on him. All I wanted to do was lick all of that chocolate off his face. Lookswise he was everything I dreamed of and more. Imagine your favourite dessert with extra cream, extra chocolate, extra strawberries, extra caramel, extra cookie dough in your already cookie doughed Ben & Jerry’s Ice-cream. Extra! Extra! Extra! That’s exactly what I had been blessed with…aaah pure bliss!
    “Assariyah, girl there you are. I’ve been looking for your ass everywhere.” I turned to face Jasmina, who was standing behind me with her hands on her hips.
    “I’m sorry chica I decided to chill with Tyler whilst he smoked a cigarette real quick.”
    Throwing me a confused look, she protested, “But you hate the smell of that stuff.”
    “I know, anyways Jasmina what’s up?”
    I needed her to stop jumping around the bush and get to the point so that I could turn my full attention back to Tyler.
    She pulled my arm gently, “Let me talk to you alone for a minute.” I glanced over to Tyler who was puffing away on cancer stick number two.
    “Excuse me for a moment Tyler, my girl needs to have a quick word with me.”
    “No sweat. I’ll be waiting for you,” he replied.
    I flashed him a smile before walking off with Jasmina. Whatever she had to say had better be real good. When she decided that there was enough distance between us and Tyler she stopped. I thought to myself, what could be so bloody important?
    “Okay babe, the thing is I’ve met this guy called Cameron, he is so buff and…” she paused.
    “And…” I pressed her to go on.
    “Well he wants us to join him and his friend back at their hotel for a private party.” I was completely thrown by her suggestion, that girl had lost her bloody mind.
    “Are you mad Jas?”
    “Come on girl it will be fun!”
    “There is no way I’m following you to chill with two men I don’t know, do you not watch the news? Not to mention the fact that I’ve already met someone who I should really be getting back to now.”
    As I turned to walk away from Jasmina, she called after me, “Please Assariyah I’m begging you, just do this for me.”
    I reluctantly agreed to tag along with them but insisted that she gave me a chance to say goodbye to Tyler. I owed him that much. My girl jumped on me giving me the tightest hug, I felt like my ribs were going to break. We walked back together and Jasmina headed back to the party leaving me to handle my business with Tyler.
    “Hey Tyler sorry for leaving you like that, I didn’t realise I would be gone that long.”
    “No problem,” he assured.
    “Now that you’re back do you wanna go back and party inside?”
    I bit my bottom lip before answering, something I tended to do whenever I got nervous.
    “Ummm I would love to but the thing is…”
    Before I could finish explaining myself to Tyler, Jasmina and her mini entourage arrived. Tyler looked at the two men standing with Jasmina and then back at me.
    “Say no more Assariyah, I totally understand, you’re a beautiful lady in high demand, don’t let me hold you back.”
    “It’s not