All I Want Is Forever Read online

  ALL I WANT IS FOREVER

  by

  NEICEY FORD

  Eluding Karma

  Every Pawn Is A Potential Queen

  Vengeance Is Mine

  Visit me at www.neiceyford.com for blogs, new releases, reader reviews and more.

  ALL I WANT IS FOREVER

  NEICEY FORD

  ©copyright 2013 Neicey Ford

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may not be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior consent of the Publisher, except brief quotes used in reviews.

  First Printing October 2013

  Printed in the United States of America

  All I Want Is Forever is a work of fiction.

  Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or

  are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead,

  is entirely coincidental.

  “Good morning beautiful.”

  “Good morning to you.”

  “How’d you sleep?” DJ asked as he caressed Denise’s cheek.

  “Like a baby,” she replied.

  They smiled.

  Denise pulled the covers down in search of her pajama pants.

  “What time is it?” She asked.

  DJ reached for the iPhone lying on the bedside table. Pressing the menu button he replied, “It’s quarter after eight.”

  “Shoot! I’m late!”

  “Wait a minute! I thought you were taking the day off?”

  “I was, but remember the call from yesterday about the speaking engagement next month?”

  He shook his head.

  “Well, I have several articles for Essence, one for Ebony, and the rest of the book to finish before I can even prep for it.”

  “So, you have approximately four weeks from today?”

  “Yep,” Denise replied sliding her feet into her slippers. She walked to the bathroom door then turned around. “Get up!” She yelled at DJ who lay there with his eyes closed. “You have two artists who are waiting on mixes. Yes, we both have work to do,” she laughed while turning on the shower.

  “Lord, this woman you gave me.”

  “I heard that!” She chuckled.

  Denise stood in the mirror and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She held her head to the side then ran her fingers across the scars on her neck.

  “I promise no one will ever hurt you again,” DJ vowed.

  Denise flinched. “You scared the shit out of me.”

  “I’m sorry baby. I was coming to use the bathroom. I thought you were in the shower already,” he said kissing her softly along her collarbone.

  “You have your own bathroom, don’t dirty up mine.”

  “Woman!” He yelled jokingly. “Your bathroom is my bathroom. Plus, I thought maybe I’d get to see a little something, something, but since I’m not…I guess I’ll go use my bathroom” he smiled as he touched her back tenderly.

  “Stop it! Now, get out of her so I can get ready,” Denise said playfully pushing his hand away.

  DJ laughed. “Hey,” he paused. “I love you.”

  “I love you more.”

  DJ walked out of the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

  Denise undressed and stepped into the shower. She tilted her head back as the water massaged her slightly tensed muscles.

  She rubbed her hand along her neckline as she remembered how she obtained the scars. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. Thank You, God for your grace and mercy. She inhaled deeply and spoke in a whisper, “but one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” Answered prayers.

  CHAPTER ONE

  “Wow! You look amazing.”

  “Thank you,” Denise said as she twirled around in her gray Armani pant suit, coral blouse, and Paris studded cap toe pumps.

  “You are something else.”

  “I know,” she replied.

  “So, here’s the plan. I’m going to the studio for a couple of hours. I have to work on those remixes and master a couple of things for Rick. Do you want me to drop you off?” He asked, placing his laptop in the bag.

  “No, I’m going to drive today. I have a meeting with that photographer. Oh, and I had to reschedule with the movie producer again. This is the second time.”

  “Aw, man! I forgot about him. See if we can meet…wait,” he thought. “Can we check our schedules at the next business meeting? I don’t wanna give you a date then have to cancel again.”

  “Sure. Our next meeting is tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “Yes. Remember we had to change the day because…”

  “I’m in New York on Friday.”

  “Yes, you are.”

  “Good morning Mr. and Mrs. Chatman.”

  “Good morning, Ms. Helen.”

  “Would you like me to prepare dinner for tonight?”

  Denise looked at DJ for a response.

  “Um, sure. Salmon with a side of asparagus would be nice.”

  “I’ll have it ready by the time you return home.”

  “Thanks, Ms. Helen. Can you also make sure the dinnerware is ready for this weekend’s party? I’ve called the caterer and she’s supposed to stop by around noon.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Your check is on the mantel. Thanks again for all of your help and hard work.”

  “You’re more than welcome. Thank you.”

  Denise smiled.

  “Okay, I gotta go,” DJ said, looking at his watch.

  “I’m walking out with you. Ms. Helen, set the alarm when you leave please!” Denise yelled from the other room.

  “Will do!”

  Denise looked around and admired their six bedrooms, five baths tri-leveled home.

  DJ pressed the button on the wall as they stepped out into the garage.

  “You should drive my car.”

  “Why?” Denise asked as she opened the door of her all white 2014 Mercedes CLS 550.

  “No reason. I just wanted to drive yours.”

  “DJ, you have the same car I have in a different color. What’s the real reason?” She questioned.

  He grinned.

  “You don’t have any gas do you?” She laughed.

  “Don’t judge me, Denise.”

  She laughed again.

  “Come on babe. The gas station is right down the street from your office. Please?”

  “You better be glad I love you,” she said tossing him the keys. “Lord, this man you gave me.”

  “Ha, it doesn’t work the same. That’s not how it was written,” he joked as they walked toward one another.

  DJ kissed her on the cheek and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “I pray that you have a productive day.”

  “I pray that God blesses the works of your hands.”

  “See you soon, beautiful.”

  Denise smiled as she sat behind the wheel of the black CLS550 parked next to hers. She adjusted the seat and mirrors before pulling out of the drive. Denise honked the horn as they parted ways.

  Pressing the voice activation button on the display screen, Denise spoke aloud, “Call office two.”

  Dialing.

  “Thank you for calling TIA Enterprises, this is Keisha how may I direct your call?”

  “Good morning Keisha, this is Mrs. Chatman. Would you do me a favor and pull up my calendar?”

  “Okay, I’m looking at it.”

  “Okay, there should be an 11:30 with Mr. Lansing. Do you see it?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “His number should be on the appointment or either in my contacts. Give him a reminder call and offer him directions to the office i
f he needs them.”

  “Sure thing, Mrs. Chatman. Is there anything else?”

  “No, that’ll be all. I’m about twenty minutes away. Oh, there is one more thing. Have Keith set up the conference room on the main floor and pull the Lansing file from my cabinet.”

  “Will do.”

  “Thanks. See you shortly.”

  Denise disconnected the call then paired her iPhone to the audio system. As Kindred The Family Soul, “Far Away”, escaped the speakers, Denise smiled at the memories the song evoked of she and DJ.

  She drove a few miles then pulled into the BP, two blocks down from her office, on 5th Street.

  “Would you like me to pump that for you ma’am?” A man in his mid to late thirties asked.

  “Not at all,” she responded.

  He shrugged then continued on his way.

  Denise laughed as she swiped her card for a fill-up. She arrived at the office a few minutes later, parked and walked inside the building. Smiling, she strolled across the marble floors, approaching the glass door. Denise pressed the six digit code to unlock the door then entered.

  “Good morning, Mrs. Chatman,” Keisha spoke from behind the quarter round, cherry glass top reception desk.

  “Good morning, Keisha,” she smiled. “Did you speak with Mr. Lansing?”

  “Yes, and he confirmed that he’ll be here promptly at 11:30.”

  Denise looked at her watch. “Thank you. I’ll be in my office if anyone needs me.”

  Denise starred out the window of her second floor office admiring the view of the sun as it reflected off the ocean’s water. Miami life. She grinned.

  “Do you think you’ll ever leave?”

  “Why would I?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe because that’s what all the big time executives tend to do – pack up and move to places like New York, Los Angeles…Hollywood. Are you going Hollywood on us, Denise?”

  Denise turned and laughed at the older woman standing in the entranceway. Her graying hair was neatly combed and held back with two bobby pins. She pushed her cart to the side as she adjusted her blue polyester pants and then straightened her flowered shirt.

  “Mrs. Judy, New York is too cold for me, Los Angeles is too big, and Hollywood is too dolled up. I’m simple. My husband and a little sunshine is all I need.”

  Mrs. Judy smiled. “Well, that’s sweet. I wish I could say the same about Arthur. We took the same vows – ‘till death do us part,’ but I swear on a fresh breeze and palm trees that he’s not going natural. I’ma kill ‘em first.”

  “Mrs. Judy!” Denise laughed hysterically. “It can’t be that bad.”

  “I didn’t say it was bad,” she replied with a raised brow. “Twenty-five years we’ve been married and we’ve been through more tests than that Kardashian girl has men,” she said shaking her head.

  “Now, that’s a lot.”

  “Child, I know!”

  “So, how’ve you managed to stay married for so long?”

  “There are no cracks in our foundation.”

  “But you said…”

  “I said we’ve been through more tests, but our marriage was instituted on the Rock. Our marriage was built on God and He is our foundation. We’ve cried and we’ve struggled, but we’ve stayed committed to one another in love – for God is love. Our foundation has no cracks,” she smiled. “I’m gone,” she said waving her hand. “There’s a fresh pot of coffee in the break room. May the Lord be with you.”

  “And also with you.”

  Mrs. Judy stuck her head back in the office. “Baby, he should probably stay with you today. I ate something that didn’t agree with my stomach. I’ma have to make a pit stop before I go to my next floor. Woo Lord!” She exclaimed while holding her stomach. “I’ll talk to ya.”

  “Good day, Mrs. Judy.”

  Denise shook her head.

  “Mrs. Chatman, your appointment has arrived,” Keisha called over the intercom.

  Denise pressed the button on her desk phone.

  “Thanks Keisha. I’m on my way down. Will you have Keith bring the pot of coffee from the break room and make another? Thanks.”

  Denise entered the conference room on the main floor just as Keith was exiting.

  “Thanks, Keith.”

  “You’re welcome, ma’am.”

  Ted Lansing stood and extended his hand.

  “Good morning, Denise.”

  “Good morning, Ted. Can I get you anything to drink? Water, soda, coffee?”

  “Coffee would be nice. Thank you.”

  Denise poured Ted a cup of coffee.

  “Three sugars and two creams, right?”

  “Two sugars and three creams,” he replied.

  Denise handed Ted the mug and took the seat at the head of the table. She opened the file lying in front of her.

  “I have to say that I was very impressed with the selection of girls used in this shoot. Very impressed.”

  Ted nodded. “I interviewed women according to your profile selection and these were all strong candidates. Some have modeled before and others are trying to get their foot in the door. One in particular whom I thought you may be interested in speaking to is Camille. She’s been in a couple of movies…low budget, but she has a lot of potential.”

  “Is she one of these?” Denise asked, flipping through the folder contents.

  “No, she was unable to make the shoot however; I have her portfolio with me today.”

  “May I see it?”

  “Sure,” Ted answered reaching into his briefcase. He slid a blue folder across the table. “Camille Lawson. She’s twenty-three years old and attended UM for a little over a year.”

  “Why didn’t she finish?”

  “She wanted to pursue her career in modeling and acting.”

  “Umm hmm,” Denise replied while thumbing through the pictures. “She has really strong features; very attractive.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “My only question is this. A young woman this beautiful shouldn’t be stuck in Miami Beach. What’s her story?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  Denise looked quizzically.

  “I say that because I can only go by what she tells me during her interview.”

  “Well, I’d like to set up an interview with her if possible. I’d also like to meet with Tamia, Heather and Kristin. I think that’ll do it,” she said closing the folder and sliding it back to Ted.

  “Sounds good. I’ll email you later with their information. Unless, you’d rather me set them up and send you over a meeting request.”

  “Would you do that please?”

  “No problem. I’ll send them over by end of business today.”

  “And if you could drop off copies of their photos I’d appreciate it.”

  “I have copies with me.”

  “Well, you’re on it today.”

  “I’m learning,” he laughed.

  “You’re doing great, Ted. Keep up the good work.”

  Ted worked six months as a temp for TIA Enterprises under the direction of Mason Graves, master stylist and fashion designer. Ted graduated from The Art Institute of New York City and received his Bachelor’s of Applied Science degree in Fashion Design. He has very eccentric taste and a true eye for fashion. Wanting to escape the cold, he relocated to Miami where the temperature almost never goes below 55.

  He crossed his leg and began fanning his Salvatore Ferragamo loafer that matched his bowtie.

  “I don’t know what I would’ve done had you not given me a chance. I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me. You taught me a lot.”

  “You would’ve done what you’re doing now and been the absolute best at it. Besides, I gave you a chance because somebody gave me one,” Denise smiled. “Get with Keisha once the times and dates are confirmed. I’ll see you at the party, right?”

  “Of course! I wouldn’t miss it.”

  “Good.”

  They shook hands before Ted exited thro
ugh the glass doors.

  Denise stepped off the elevator and felt her jacket pocket. Where’s my phone? Shoot, it must be in my office.

  “Mrs. Chatman!”

  Denise jumped.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “Jonas, please don’t do that again.”

  He laughed. “I was trying to catch you before you hurried pass.”

  Denise took a moment to calm down. “How can I help you, Jonas?”

  “You told me to let you know if there was a position open that I wanted to apply for. Well, a job was posted today for Graphic Designer I and I’d like to apply.”

  “Do you know anything about graphic design, Jonas?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I went to school for it. Didn’t finish, but art is my gifting.”

  “Gifting?”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Hmmm, I see. Tell you what, since art is your “gifting” this is what I need. There are four books being released next month. I’ll provide you with the synopsis and a few chapters, and then you create me a cover.”

  “Just like that?”

  “Just like that,” she repeated. “See Keisha this evening before you leave. Oh, and Jonas…people don’t need to know what you didn’t do. All they care about is what you can and/or are willing to do. Got it?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he smiled.

  “Good,” she smiled back as her key fob granted her entrance.

  “Keisha, I’ll be in my office for the rest of the day. Hold all calls unless it’s extremely important. Jonas is coming to see you later. Would you give him synopses of the books being released next month? Lastly, let everyone know they can dress down tomorrow.”

  “Will do. Your husband called and left a message for you to call him when you returned.”

  “Thanks.”

  A huge grin spread across her face. There was nothing more obvious than a woman in love and Denise was waist deep in it.

  She stepped into her office and gasped as she closed the door behind her.

  “These are absolutely beautiful!” She yelled, bending down to smell the orange and white dipped roses. Denise removed the card and read it.