The Best?

Fool's Gold

No Pain No Pleasure: Chapter 7

The morning sun rose and went as the two still lay sleep together. Their serene utopia still intact as they laid oblivious in time. The sun like a spot light beaming down upon them as they await a rude awaken. But the passion they had shared just hours prior had them snug close enjoying each other's warm embrace. But this warm embrace would be interrupted.

Andrele slowly awoke to see at his surprise Mercy laying there with her head pressed gently on his chest. He couldn't believe his eyes. A night that seemed to him a dream was truely reality. Every kiss, every touch, every stroke was real. He was stricken with disbelief but he did not want the feeling to cease. He just laid there sorting his thoughts and enjoying the moment.

What could possibly become of this completely unexpected situation? How was Mercy going to react to this sight when she wakes up? That was all that was going through his mind. All he could think of was that Mercy's reaction was definitely going to be much different from that of his own. She was definitely not going to react as calmly as he had. He was caught between his own thoughts and thinking of what hers would be.

To somewhat deviate the hysterics of her reaction, he felt the best thing to do was to get out of bed and leave her there by herself so that it seems as if she slept in his bed alone. But would she really believe that? Considering the fact that she was naked, that was really unlikely. He just didn't want to be there when she woke up. He thought that it would be the worst thing to do in this situation. Well it was just his luck that he would not have the chance to make that choice. He suddenly felt Mercy beginning to move. As she began to wake up he became a little frantic but it was to late to get out of bed so he did the only thing he could think of at the time; he played sleep.

"Oh no....NO!" Mercy whispered as she slipped from her slumber to see herself in bed with Andrele. "What have I done?"

She sat up slowly ensuring that she didn't wake Andrele; or so she thought. She took a moment to gather herself and her thoughts. She thought that she did not want to wake Andrele and have to face the awkwardness that would surely follow. She began to start out of the bed but then something came to her. The awkardness would be there regardless of if she faced him now or later. At the end of the day she was his assistant and there was no way that she could run from this. She gave herself a quick pep talk then she "woke up" Andrele.

"Drele...Drele...Andrele wake up?"

She shook him and he pretended to wake up.

"MERCY...WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" he asked pretending to be surprised. "AND WHY ARE YOU NAKED...WHATS GOING ON?"

"Drele stop acting like that...you know good and hell well what's going on and what went on." she said. "It did happen right?"

"Yea...I'm pretty sure it happened."

She turned her head and let it fall into the sheets she had clinched in her hands.

"Are you sure...cause I mean we could've just slept..." she asked turning back toward Andrele.

"Really...just slept...." he said. "We both naked laid up...does that sound like 'JUST SLEPT' to you?"

"Yea you're right...how could we have let this happen Drele?" she asked.

Mercy fixed the cover around herself to stand up.

"Wow wow wow...what are you doing?" he asked. "I ain't got no clothes on under here Mercy..."

"Oh please...you was worried bout being naked last night!" she replied.

"Well neither were you."

"That was low...you ain't even have to go there?" she said.

"You went there first!" he said.

"Whatever...but seriously what are we going to do?" she asked.

"I mean I don't know." he said.

"What do you mean you don't know...how can you be so calm about this?" she asked.

"Cause its nothing to freak out about Tanya." he answered.

"What do you mean...this is totally something to freak out about...I'm your assistant!" she shouted.

"And you did your job...you assisted me by helping me get to sleep..." he said. "...right after a couple rounds AWESOME sex."

"Wow and you handle this by making jokes...really?" she asked.

"I mean what do you want me to do Tanya?"

"I want you to help me find out how we gon forget bout this." she said.

"Well I have a problem wit that!"

"And what is that Drele?" she asked.

"What if I don't want to forget about it Tanya?" he said.

She sat up and turned toward him still clinching the sheets.

"What...what are you talking bout Drele?" she asked.

He stood up from the bed and walked over to grab some shorts.

"Just what I said...What if I don't want to forget about it?"

"Drele I heard exactly what you said...by saying that though what do you mean by it?" she asked.

"What do you think I mean by it...Exactly what I said." he said. "I don't want to forget about it."

Andrele could tell from the look on Mercy's face that she did not understand the statement he was trying to convey. He sat back down beside her.

"Mercy what I'm trying to say is I don't want to forget about it cause I feel for you."

"Andrele stop bullshitting now...stop playing wit me...this ain't funny." she said.

"I know that and I'm not trying to be funny...I have feelings for you Tanya."

"You can't be seriously telling me this right now." she said.

"I'm being very honest wit you." he said.

"So last night was all a set up...you knew what you were doing all long...you got me drunk to have sex with me?" she asked.

"Nooooo...not at all." he said. "I will say that I was tryna do something special for you by cooking but everything else that happened happened naturally."

The room goes quiet for a moment.

"Plus I would've never done anything or even tried anything with you if you hadn't kissed me first."

"You still took advantage of me Drele...I was drunk!" she said.

"Yes I understand that and just because I have feelings for you that means I took advantage of you, even though you came on to me first?" he asked.

"Yes...exactly...regardless if I came on to you or not!" she replied.

"Oh ok Mercy...whatever." he said. "Well let's just drop it and move on."

He then started for the bathroom.

The situation turned out just as he'd expected. Andrele feared her reaction so much because he knew that he couldn't explain the situation without having to explain the real reason he wouldn't let her leave after she had kissed him. Andrele secretly had feelings for Mercy. He decided against saying anything about it before because of there working relationship. He didn't want to complicate things and he definitely didn't want to possibly get turn down. But with his wildest dreams unfolding he had been caught up in the midst of his emotions.

Mercy still sitting up laid back on the bed. She was in totally shock of what had just transpired. One minute she's thinking that the sex would be the thing that would complicate things, but ultimately it would be Andrele telling her that he had feelings for her, which to her was entirely from left field.

"Where are you going?" she asked him as he walked away. "We not done talking!"

"I'm done talking...I shouldn't even said that much."

"But you did and now what do you expect me to do?" she asked.

"Do whatever you feel is right Tanya...it doesn't matter to me." he said.

"You can't be serious." she said.

He went to the bathroom and got in the shower. At this point he didn't know how to feel. He had mustered up the courage to actually tell her how he really felt about her and it ended up just how he thought it would end. All he could think about now was that the relationship between he and Mercy would never be the same. A night of passion would ruin four years of time.

"So when were you going to tell me Drele?"

"I was never going to tell you Kandis..." he answered.

"What did you just call me...I know you ain't call be another bitch name." she replied.

"I called you Kandis." he said.

Another bombshell dropped on her. He just called her Kandis, the crazy, out going, overachieving lady character from his latest book that she had been asking about.

"Why did you call me that?"

"You are Kandis....well Kandis is you..." he replied.

"So who is..."

"That's obvious Mercy...its me...Jerrod is me..." he said.

"I can't believe this...You...What is..." she said walking from the bathroom.

Andrele could hear what he thought was pacing coming from the bedroom. He doesn't get out to check. He just simply continues his shower. Everything went through his mind. He didn't know how to feel. On one hand he was relieved to have finally gotten his feelings off of his chest but on the other hand he knew that this situation did not turn out well at all. He finishes his shower and gets out to dry himself. He hears the front door close. With that door closing so did the opportunity of something ever becoming of he and Mercy; or so he thought.

After a couple hours passed, he decided to go spend the rest of the day with his family. He left his tomb of emotion and breathed in some fresh air. He then jumped in his car and was on his way down MLK Jr. Drive. When he pulled up his niece and nephew came running out of the house eager to see him; or maybe it was the McDonald's that he had picked up on his way there. But either way Andrele was happy for the embrace.

He walked in the house to see everyone sitting in the living room talking: his sister and her boyfriend, his mother and Big Mama.

"So what's going on y'all?"

"Ain't nothing going on...come on in...you interrupting Big Mama." his sister said.

He puts the food on the dining room table, grabs a sausage biscuit and then sits down beside his mother.

"Hey baby...but yea just like I was saying girl you gotta do what you feel is right." Big Mama finished.

"Well this is definitely what I want." his sister said.

"What y'all talking bout, if I may ask?" he asked.

"Well if you must know nosey, Ken proposed to me." his sister said.

"WHAT...WOW...IM AMAZED!" he said.

"I know...its so great right?" she said.

"Nawl I'm amazed that he would wanna spend the REST of his life wit you." he said sarcasticly. "Like honestly brah, you wanna roll over and see that every morning...and the breath...THE BREATH!"

"SHUT UP DRELE...ugh...I hate you..." she said.

"I'm just playing...congrats to you two and I give y'all my blessing."

"Thank you big bro." she said to Andrele.

"That is just beautiful!" Big Mama said. "Do what makes you happy baby."

"Were you considering not getting married?" Andrele asked.

"Yes...we want to but I really wanna have daddy's blessing too and daddy ain't in the best of condition right now so I definitely don't wanna bother him wit this." his sister said.

"I was telling her that he is gon be happy for her either way!" his mother said.

"I do agree sis...it will probably make him very happy to come home to that."

"Big bro when are you gon get married or even have a steady girlfriend?" his sister asked.

This question could not have come at a more awkward moment. It could have only been worse if Mercy was actually sitting there as well.

"Well I don't know...but don't y'all worry bout that." he answered. "That'll be in due time."

His mother could sense the tension from his answer so she stepped in to mediate.

"So everything been ok son?"

"Yea everything's ok...just some problems with business...you know how that goes." he replied.

"Yea I know but you'll get through it." she said as she rubbed his back. "You always do."

"Yea and you know that you gotta go through troubling times sometimes to get what you want." Big Mama said. "Or to get what you truly deserve."

He sat back and thought about that statement for awhile.

"And if things don't work out you always got us to fall back on." his mother said. "We are always here for support."

"Well thank y'all!" he said.

"Hey Drele man...I saw in the paper that there were talks of a fourth installmant to your series man...you came up wit a title yet?" Ken asked.

Andrele took and then gave Ken an answer standing up and walking toward the door.

"Yea I think I have...No Pain No Pleasure..."

"Oh cool...I can't wait til it drops man...I wanna buy my copy directly from you." Ken said.

"Well thanks man." he said to Ken.

"Where you going sweetie?" Big Mama asked.

"I gotta go talk to Mercy about something...I'll be back." he said with a smile. "I'll see y'all later."

To Be Continued...

No Pain No Pleasure: Chapter 6

It was eleven thirty and Andrele was just making it home. After he and Mercy got to his place after the event, Andrele decided he would visit his father in the hospital. He went to the house to pick up his mother and they went to the hospital together.

On their way to the hospital, he still naturally felt some confusion. It wasn’t as bad as his intial feeling though. In his mind he had come to grips that the situation that he had made up in his mind was untrue. After he and his mother’s talk he realized things weren’t as they seemed to him. He realized that he couldn’t entirely blame Pat for his short comings. He made himself understand that the way things happened between his mother and father was the way that they chose to handle the situation and that he could do nothing to change that. The only thing that he had full control over was the present and future relationship between he and his father.

When they arrived Andrele was slightly nervous about finding out the condition of his father. He found himself hesitant to his father’s room as he could tell his mother was feeling the same way. He knew that, in the hospital’s care, they would be doing any and everything in their power to ensure Pat’s one hundred percent recovery but he couldn’t block out of his mind that fact that his condition could be getting worst.

From the parking lot to the entrance, the entrance to the elevator and the elevator to the Intensive Care Unit, Andrele had a bad feeling in his stomach. But hand in hand, he and his mother made their way to his room.

They walked through the door to see him still hooked up as already expected. Minutes after they arrived to his room a nurse came to greet them.

“Hello, you’re Mr. Driek’s family right?”

“Yes we are his wife and son.” Andrele’s mother answered.

“Hello again, my name is Andrea…I am assigned to Mr. Driek this shift…if you have any questions or concerns just let me know and I will do whatever I can do to fulfill your needs.” The nurse said.

“Hi Andrea…How is he doing?” Pam asked.

“From what I read on this board he’s doing pretty good.” she said. “He hasn’t had any complications or anything…if things stay this well then he is on his way to a speedy recovery.”

Suddenly the nervousness between Andrele and his mother had subsided. These words were just the words they needed to hear.

“Oh thank goodness!” Pam said.

“Yep, I’m sorry that he’s not up…I let him go to sleep not too long ago.” the nurse said. “I could wake him if you’d like.”

“No no no…we are fine…he needs all the rest he can get cause when he gets out here he has a lot of house work to do!” Pam said jokingly.

“Ok…great...well just buzz me if you need anything.” the nurse said laughing.

As the nurse left a calm quietness fell over the room. Pam then walked over to Pat’s bedside. She slowly caressed his face and kissed his forehead.

“He’s so calm.” she said. “The calmest I’ve seen him in a very long time.”

“Why you say that mama?" Andrele asked.

“He’s been on edge some much lately dealing with family issues, work issues and who knows what else…” she said. “He has always been one to hold things in!”

“Mama I’m so sorry for everything…I just…” Andrele began to say before he was interrupted by his mother.

“Sweetheart you don’t have to say a word…I understand how you feeling…you don’t have to apologize Andrele.” she said. “But I do want you to consider changing things between you and him son.”

“I understand mama and I honestly plan to.” he said. “This whole situation has changed my whole mindset of him…I can’t continue to act the way I act toward him…it’s just not fair.”

“I’m glad you came around Andrele…he deserves your love.” Pam said.

They both glance at Pat and share a hug.

Well that was how Andrele’s afternoon/evening went. After that he simply dropped this mother off at the house, talked to his sister and Big Mama for a while then went home. He was a little disappointed that Big Mama hadn’t cooked dinner yet. She had been waiting on Pam to get back home. She offered to cook for him but he didn’t want to wait so he just headed home. He was thinking that he could always stop by tomorrow and get some leftovers.

“Another long day.” He thought to himself as he took off his coat to unwind. “What do I have in the kitchen…probably nothing.”

He headed to the kitchen to see if he could find something to eat.

He began to raid his refrigerator in search of just the right dish for dinner. He had tilapia, chicken, ground beef, pork chops and more and still he couldn’t make up his mind.

“What shall I have?”

Suddenly he heard knocking at the door.

*Knock Knock Knock*

“Man who could this be at this time of night?”

He proceeded toward the door.

*Knock Knock Knock*

“I’m coming…hol up!”

*Knock Knock Knock*

Andrele opened the door and it was Tanya Mercy. She was wearing a short fitting black dress with red heels and a pretty disgusted look on her face.

“What took you so long to get to this door Drele…my feet already hurting from walking in these heels all night…plus I had to walk up them stairs…” she said. “As a matter of fact why I ain’t got a key…I need a key cause you be trippin!”

“You don’t pay no bills in here brah!” he said.

“I do pay yo bills and brah don’t call me brah.” she said.

“You pay MY bills wit MY money!”

“Hell, I pay MY bills wit yo money…what’s the difference?” she asked.

“You’re confusing me.” he said.

“Boy be quiet and go get me some socks or something…I gotta get outta these heels.” she said. “Footies please…cause yo foot is big as hell.”

Andrele laughed and went upstairs to go get the socks.

“Why the hell are you here anyway?” Andrele asked. “ Ain’t you ‘spose to wit James.”

“Must you always mock him?” she asked. “That’s so not cute.”

“I’m just saying!” he said.

“I’m just saying!” she said mocking as Andrele handed her the socks. ”You should give me a massage at it too.”

I’M NOT TOUCHING THEM  DAWGS!!!” he yelled.

“Brah whay you yellin...its like eleven…don’t you got neighbors?” she said.

“It ain’t nothing but ten twenty and fuck them neighbors…I pay just like they pay.” he said. “But back to my question…why are you here?”

“I just can’t come visit?” she asked.

“No!”

“Oh so it’s like that now?” she asked.

“Stop stalling and answer my question Mercy.”

“It was terrible!” she answered.

“You had sex wit him already?” he asked.

“”No…heaven’s no!” she said. “The date…it was horrible.”

With a devilish grin, Andrele asked Mercy what happened.

“I DON’T KNOW!” she answered. “He was EVERYTHING I expected him to be and that EVERYTHING annoyed the shit outta me!” she said.

Andrele couldn’t help himself. He burst out into laughter.

“I told you Mercy, I told you!” Andrele said. “That guy was SUPER cheesy!”

“Cheesy ain’t even the word Drele!” Mercy said. “Pompous, narcissistic, asshole, must I go on?

“Nawl nawl…” Andrele said continuing to laugh.

“After a while I just told him that I wasn’t feeling good and to just take me home!” she said. “I’m mad he know where I live.”

“Well did you at least get a meal out of it?”

“No, the place we went to on Paces Ferry was packed and then when we were finally getting seated I was too ready to go!” she answered.

“No Bueno!” he said. “Well I was about to cook…are you hungry?”

“I ain’t bout to let you kill me…I’m too young!” she said. “Plus its kinda late…I don’t wanna interfere wit yo lil skanks.”

“Mercy shut up!” he said. “I’ma cook…come in here in the kitchen.”

They went into the kitchen and continued to talk about the horrible date that Mercy had experienced. She explained how James Willis basically didn’t do anything but talk about himself and all his achievements all night. She even said how he had tried to make a couple jokes about Andrele.

“Mhmmm…that smells wonderful…what are you cooking?” she asked.

“I’m cooking blackened tilapia, corn, broccoli and creamy mashed potatoes.” he answered.

“Oh shit…let me find out!”

“I mean it’s just sumn slight!” he said. “It’s almost done.”

“Ok Ok…so what did you do for the rest of the day?” she asked.

“Umm I went to visit my father in the hospital with my mother.” he said.

“Oh really…how is he doing…how did it go?”

“Oh he’s doing ok and the visit went ok too…I’ve just come to grips with the fact that what I thought was going on was wrong and that I need to move on and make the relationship between me and him better!” he answered.

Mercy began to clap her hands.

“Now that’s a good boy!” she said to him as if she was talking to a baby.

“Aye cut that shit out and get a plate so you can get this food.” he said. “As a matter of just go to the table…I got you.”

“Aight well I ain’t at no five star restaurant so don’t skimp my plate!” she said laughing.

“Aight I won’t”

Andrele fixed both of their plates and brought them to the table.

“I’m bout to show you how it’s ‘spose to be done.” he said jokingly. “I’m bout to pop this bottle of wine…you want some?”

“Sure that’s fine.”

The two began to eat. Mercy took a bite of the fish.

"This fish is delicious and the veggies and seasoned perfectly…where did you learn to cook so well?” she asked.

"From my mama and Big Mama…I used to be in the kitchen helping all the time.” he said. “Ever since I was a lil boy.”

“Well it paid off cause this food is really good…I might have to come over for dinner more often.”

“Shit I wouldn’t mind…you are welcome anytime.” he said.

“Cool then!”

They began to get lost in conversation and wine. They began to talk about childhood memories, family, college and even how they came about their respective career paths. Mercy initially wanted to become a psychologist but decided not to follow it because it was easier to follow in her father’s footsteps a public relations professional. But ultimately it was a decision that she does not regret.

Caught up in convo, they headed to the living room where they settled in on the couch.

“Oh whatever…that is not true!” Mercy shouted.

“What ain’t?” he asked.

“SpongeBob is not gay!”

“Are you serious…let’s be real…he had a baby wit Patrick.” Andrele answered.

“Man whatever…let’s not even go there.” she said. “Oh my goodness…what time is it?”

“I don’t know!” he replied.

“Check yo phone fool.” she said.

"Oh…yea…right….hol up.” he said looking for his phone.

“It’s right there!”

“Right there where?” he asked as he scrambled for his phone.

“I got it.” she said. “Its almost three o’clock…I gotta be getting home!”

“Yea it is pretty late.”

Mercy took to stand up, stumbled and fell back on the couch. In the act she dropped Andrele’s phone on the floor.

“Oops I’m sorry!”

They both went to pick up the phone and bump heads.

“Ouch…yo big ass head!” Andrele said.

“I know U ain’t talking!” she replied.

“Just give me the phone.”

Andrele snatched the phone from Mercy’s hand.

“Don’t be snatchin shit from me!” she said as she snatched the phone back.

Before long they began tussling for the phone and end up both falling to the floor. Mercy falls on top of Andrele. They both started laughing aimlessly.

The laughter subsides for a moment and then Mercy kisses Andrele. The magic lasted for a few seconds and stops abruptly.

“Wha…Wha…What was that?” he asked.

“I don’t know…I’m so sorry…I really must go!”

"No…” he said as he rolls on top of Mercy and started to kiss her again.

Instead of resisting, Mercy gave in to Andrele placing her hand behind his head.

They aggressively kissed one another holding back nothing. Andrele began to kiss Mercy’s neck. Mercy gripped his back as she removed his shirt. She gripped his torso as he continued to kiss her neck and lips. Mercy’s body began to shiver from the soft kisses he began to plant on her body. He grabbed hold of her, picked her up and carried her up the stairs to his bed. He laid her on the bed and pulled up her dress asking her to take it off.

After she had taken off her dress Andrele crouched down over the bed and penetrated Mercy. Andrele stroked her softly as Mercy moaned and scratched his back.

 “Lay down!” she whispered in his ear.

He lay back on the bed. Mercy climbed on top of Andrele and began to ride him. He gripped her waist as she bounced up and down.

“Ah…fuck me Drele fuck me…” she yelled.

Andrele pulled her down and grabbed her by her shoulders and began to stroke her harder and faster.

“Yes Drele Yes…just like that…oh shit!”

They continued this way until they both fell asleep from love-making’s bliss.

What would await them when the morning sun awoke them?

No Pain No Pleasure: Chapter 5

“Ah…Mr. Wroberson…How have you been?” Willis said greeting people as they entered the conference room. “How’s the wife and kids?”

As they walked into the conference room to sign in Andrele became overwhelmed by how many corporations that were in attendance.

“Mercy, you didn’t tell me it would be some many suits here…” he said.

“Oh don’t you go getting all nervous…we already here now.” Mercy said.

Andrele has a slight problem with being professional; he’s not very professional at all. Hence the reason he hired Mercy. He has her around to do most of his talking and consulting. Since his recent stardom, he has been working on his professional speaking but it’s still a work in progress.

“I mean you could’ve at least told me Tanya.” he replied.

“Oh hush…you’ll be aight...” she said. “This day is about the kids remember…and this could be good practice for you.”

“I guess you right bout that at least…I just hope I don’t make a fool of myself.” He replied.

“When aren’t you making a fool of yourself?” she said sarcastically. “All else fails, just be yourself…if they don’t accept that then oh well.” she said encouraging him.

“Is everything ok Mr. Driek?” Willis asked.

“Yes, everything is fine…jus didn’t know this many corporations would be here.” he answered. “I thought it would kinda be more for the kids.”

“A more intimate ordeal?...Ah, I understand…well there will be chance for that.” Willis said. “Right now is the time to mingle and network…I’m sure you’re a man of many words.”

“Yea, WRITING those words.” Mercy whispered under her breath. “Um…he’ll be fine Mr. Willis.”

“James, please call me James.” Willis said.

“Ok James.” she replied.

“Great, well I shall meet up with you all later…I must go make sure that everyone and everything will be in place for the conference lunch…until then au revoir madam.” Willis said as he winked at Mercy then walks away.

“Au revoir madam…” Andrele said mocking Willis.

“Oh grow up!” Mercy replied.

“He’s so cheesy…James, please call me James…” he said as he continued. “You can’t be serious…”

“And why not Drele?” Mercy asked. “I think he’s very sweet.”

“Whatever floats your boat Mercy.” He replied.

“Yea Yea Yea…well now that we are signed in lets go talk and network with some of these people.” Mercy said.

The conference room was filled with the “whose who” of the Metro Atlanta area. Representatives in attendance ranged from reps of the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Hawks to reps of the CNN center and Turner broadcasting and also reps of the Varsity and Chic-Fil-A restuarants. These corporates were attending the conference to encourage the youth and to extend a hand in any way useful. This was a really great chance for Andrele as well. Not only to help the youth from the areas he grew up in but also it was a glorious chance for him to get to know some new people to further his own career. It had always been his dream to be on a television show.

With Mercy by his side, Andrele mingled with the various reps. He met a representative from the Varsity that had heard of him and was currently reading one of Andrele’s books. He had also met a rep from the Georgia Institute of Technology. The rep had explained how he used Andrele’s latest book as a reference for a study in one of his classes. Many people that Mercy and Andrele talked to knew who Andrele was (or at least his alias) and had or was reading one of his books. This flattered Andrele so much. He knew that his books were selling well but he didn’t realize the range of people that actually read his books.

“Now aren’t you glad you came?” Mercy asked.

“Yea I can’t lie, this was pretty cool!” he replied. “And we ain’t even talked to the kids yet…that’s the part I’m anxious for really!”

“And it is such a delight to hear you say that Mr. Driek.” Willis said appearing from behind them. “I love the enthusiaism…and it is certainly timely because I have a group of kids ready to hear from the creator of the Sensual Subject series…you seem to be very popular with the oldest crowd that we have in attendance today.”

“Oh man…really…well lets go man…I’m ready!” Andrele said excitedly.

“Ok well right his way sir.” Willis said.

James Willis walked them out of the conference room and down the hall to a conference room filled with college students.

“And the moment you’ve all been waiting for…its my pleasure to introduce, although most of you already know him, Mel Thoughts, writer of Sensual Subject.”

The crowd greeted Andrele with a round of applause.

“Thank y’all for having me…I’m very excited about being in front of y’all today.” Andrele said. “I got a college crowd and that’s cool cause I ain’t too much older than y’all.”

Anderele attended Georgia State University before publishing his first book of the Sensual Subject series. His first book didn’t sell so well initially. He promoted his book around campus and at the AU center between Morehouse, Spelman, and Clark-Atlanta University. It took his book a while for sales top pick up. When they finally started to pick up he felt as though school was slowing his promotions down so he finished the first semester of his junior year and he dropped out.

“I was once in your shoes…unsure and confused of what the future may hold…yea that was the absolute WORST feeling!” he added. “But when people tell you to follow your dreams until you achieve them, they are giving you great advice…I did and I’m now standing in front of you a published writer and poet…all because I never lost sight of my goals…I never lost sight of my dreams!”

He talked to the students for about twenty minutes then he opened up the floor for questions.

“So I know y’all got some questions for me so what’s up?” he asked. “Feel free to ask me anything…I’m open to any and all questions…Just tell me yo name and what school you’re from.”

The room briefly went quiet and then the hands rose.

“Hi Mel, my name is Shyanne and I attend Georgia Tech…” the student said.

“Hello Shyanne…How are you and what is your question?” he asked.

“I’m well and my question is with such abrupt success in what major way has your life changed and has it changed for the better or for the worst?” the student asked.

“Thank you for the question Shyanne…Umm…honestly the only real change has been the business side of things.” He replied. “Since the publishing of my second book, S.S.: Great Sensations, I started to hire others to help me with my promotions and things like that…then I hired my assistant/publicist here Ms. Tanya Mercy.”

“Hey everyone…” Mercy said as she stepped in front of the students.

“So yea…any other questions?” he asked.

Immediately another hand went up.

“What’s up Mel…My name is Kurt Jones from Clayton State University…Yo I was reading S.S.: Ecstasy and I was wondering where did you get the inspiration for them characters man…They had a lot going on brah!” the student asked.

“Great question Kurt…Most of my characters are made up personalities but I do have a couple that are inspired by some real people.” Andrele said.

“Oh man…forreal…who are those characters and who are they inspired by?” the student asked.

“Well honestly I don’t really ever share my inspirations for my books…not even to my staff…but I will say that Kandis and Jerrod from that book are actually real people…well at least they inspired by real people.” he answered.

“That jus made they story that much more interesting…thanks for sharing that with me brah.” the student said.

“Well Mr. Driek you have time for one more question.” Willis said stepping into the doorway.

“Ok…well…anthing else?” Andrele asked the students.

“Yes I do…” said another student from the crowd.

“Although S.S: Ecstasy just came out not too long ago, are you working on another installment into the series?”

“Well I have an answer for that and the answer is yes…there will be a fourth installment but I don’t know what the title will be yet…or whether I’ll continue that crazy relationship of Kandis and Jerrod.” he replied. “I guess y’all will have to wait till this summer to see.”

The crowd chattered from the inside information.

“I really do thank you all for having me, thank you for supporting my series and good luck to you all.”

The crowd gave him a round of applause as he stepped from the front of the room. The students bombarded him to have their books autographed, but Andrele didn’t mind in the slightest. He was actually happy for this.

After he had finished his mini book signing, it was time for lunch.

“I’m bout to walk out here like I know where I’m going…you know where lunch is being served?” Andrele asked Mercy.

“I don’t know but I know I’m starving!” Mercy replied. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to just follow the crowd… they gotta be going there too.”

“You right and I told you to get that All-Star this morning…” Andrele said laughing. “You was actin all cute and shit.”

“I wasn’t that hungry then but I am now…plus I had to pay for all that shit you had fat ass.” she said. “But ANYWAY don’t you have something to tell me?”

“What?” Andrele asked.

“You never told me that some of yo characters were real!” she said.

“They not!” he said with a smirk.

Boy stop playing wit me now…now are you gon tell me or not…I’m not gon sit here and beg you!” she said.

“Well I’m damn sure not if you talking to me like that!” he replied continuing to laugh.

“Boy stop all that damn playing and just tell me.” she said.

“And if I don’t, what you gon do?”

“Brah you so childish!” she said.

“Why do you wanna know so bad?” he asked. “They are just characters!”

“I just wanna know…plus I feel like I have the right to know!” she said. “You tell me everything else…I gotta listen to you rant bout all this and all that and all them frappin ass females you be fucking wit but you can’t tell me bout some damn characters in yo lame ass books?”

“Damn that's how you feel?” he asked. “And why my books gotta be lame? They can’t be too lame if you be reading em!”

“Man whatever!” she said sucking her teeth, “Cut that bullshit and tell me.”

“I’m not telling you Mercy.” he said.

“I bet Jerrod Paul ain’t it?” she said starting to randomly guess. “Or its Krik and that bitch Lea...you don always had a soft spot for her.”

“So you just gon start guessin now?” he asked. “I’m not gon tell you…just know it’s a close friend of mine.”

“What damn close friend?” she asked. “I know all yo close damn friends.”

“Just stop asking Tanya…I’m not gon say it…Just let it go…”

“I’ll let it go right now but I’m not gon let it go completely.” She said. “I have the right to know!”

“I can live with that...” he said. “Let’s just enjoy this free meal and down time.”

Just as the two sat down at the table to eat, James Willis came to join them.

“I want to thank you for coming and participating.” he said. “And for bringing along such a beautiful young lady with you.”

“Thank you so much James.” she said.

“And she’s also a great listener I see.” Willis added.

“Yea well obviously from the conversation we just had I guess that’s what I been paying her for.” Andrele said laughing.

“Seems as though she’s a keeper…what would I have to do in order to get a date with you Ms. Mercy?” Willis said.

“Meh Meh Meh Meh Meh Ms. Mercy?” Andrele said mocking Willis under this breath.

Mercy kicked Andrele under the table.

“All you would have to do is simply ask.” she said.

“May I take you out for dinner tonight…maybe Houston’s?” Willis asked.

“Uhm…that sounds wonderful!” she replied.

“Well here is my number, text me your address and I shall see you later.” Willis said to Mercy. “Nice meeting you Mr. Driek.”

Then James Willis got up from the table and walked away. Mercy watch his every step as every step made him more distant.

“That guy is such a cornball Tanya!” Andrele said.

“No you’ve got it wrong…That man is such a gentleman.”

“You’re really gonna go out with that guy?” he asked.

“Yes I am!” she answered. “Why shouldn’t I?”

“Because…Because…he’s…him…” he said.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong wit him!” she insisted to Andrele. “A woman should be able to be ‘wined and dined’ once in a while.”

“Anybody could do that…” he said. “Hell I can do that!”

“Boy you ain’t got a damn gentle bone in yo body.” she said. “That’s why you can’t keep no relationship…I need a real man and that James Willis is a real man!”

“I think I’m gonna to throw up!” he said.

“Yea Yea…whatever…let’s just finish this food so I can go get my car from yo house…I got a date to get ready for!” she said.

“Whatever you say Ms. Mercy!”