50Summary: Raynah is tired of all the expectations that have been placed on her life. Cristian is a free-spirit who lives for the moment. He's everything she could ever want and all she could never have. Will their love stand the test of time or will it fold under the pressures of family and society? Please read and review!
May 24, 1922
Harlem, NY
Chapter One
The early morning sunshine beamed through Raynah's bedroom windows, beckoning her to take in its rays. She tightly shut her eyes and groaned, hoping to savor a few more
minutes of sleep before the need escaped her. Her parents had thrown one of their extravagant parties the night before and Raynah had performed her duties as the only child of one
the wealthiest businessmen in New York City. She socialized with the elite members of the community and looked at photograph after photograph of potential suitors, feigning
interest in the stories that were told about them. Raynah couldn't count how many times her parents had set her up with the sons of their friends who were doctors and lawyers.
She found that all of the men that had courted her in the past all shared the same interest and all had the same snobby and spoiled air about them. Their main concerns were always
about money, which was something that Raynah cared little about. She knew that her parents meant well but she couldn't help but think that their main purpose to pressure her
into these relationships was to ensure their business and social status would remain the same.
Raynah sighed and glared at her windows. She had lost her battle and decided to get out of bed and prepare for the day. Raynah Collins stood at about five feet four inches with
short jet-black hair and brown skin. Her large and dark eyes were decorated with long graceful eyelashes and her full lips were the color of soft pink. She was slim in stature but was
blessed with curves. She made her way downstairs into the kitchen after she had gotten dressed to join her parents for breakfast.
"Good morning, Raynah," said Lilia, one of the housekeepers in the household.
"Good morning, Miss Lilia." Raynah replied. She had always been fond of Lilia and the feeling was mutual. They had more of a mother-daughter relationship and Raynah always
credited her in her heart as the one who truly raised her.
"Are my parents here?" she asked.
"Raynah, it's ten o'clock in the morning on a Saturday. You know that they left for Harrison's." said Lilia.
"Oh, my goodness. I didn't realize what time it was. I'm surprised they didn't make me go with them."
Lilia smiled. "They probably realized that you had a long night and you wouldn't be in the mood for Mrs. Harrison's constant bragging about her wonderful son, Albert."
Raynah sat down while Lilia continued to make breakfast. "Oh no. I definitely couldn't handle that today," Raynah nodded, "so I guess it's just me and you."
" Did you enjoy yourself at the party last night?" asked Lilia.
"It was pretty much the same as it always is. I find those things to be exhausting. I often wonder if this is what my life is always going to be like. Maybe I should just marry one of
them and just get it over with."
Lilia shook her head." Don't think like that Raynah, you're only 20 years old.. One of these days you'll find someone at one these gatherings that will be the one that fall in love
with. You should never settle because you have so much to offer."
"How will I know that it's love? I've never felt that way about anyone."
"Oh, trust me honey, you'll know," Lilia replied with a dreamy smile, "I knew from the very moment that I laid eyes on my Robert that he was the one for me. That man just stole
my heart the second I saw him smile. I was 19 when we got married and now, almost 27 years later, he still makes my heart skip a beat every time he walks into the room." Raynah
always enjoyed hearing about Lilia and Robert's love story and was amazed at how it dramatically differed from her parents. They married for convenience while Lilia and Robert
married because they were crazy in love with each other. Lilia finished preparing breakfast and set out two plates.
"You guys are so beautiful. I guess I'm afraid that I'm going to end up like my parents. I think my mother fell in love with my father's drive and ambition and I think that he just
saw her as a suitable match because of her family." Said Raynah as she cut her bacon and eggs. Lilia cocked her head to the side and chewed thoughtfully.
"I think that they love each other just fine. They just don't express it all the time."
Raynah shrugged her shoulders. "Maybe." They talked and laughed long after they finished breakfast and the plates had been put away. Talking to Lilia had always brought comfort
to Raynah. She retreated to her room to paint, which was something else that put Raynah's mind at ease. With all of the craziness of her schedule, which included school and her
social clubs, painting was the only thing that kept her steady. She was aware of the kind woman she was expected to be but she yearned for something more. She had dreams of
becoming a doctor one day and falling in love with a man and raising children together. She also had plans to travel the world and see a life outside of the one she knew in Harlem.
"All in good time," she stated with a smile as she began to mix her paint.
Scene Two
"If you don't love this place, dinner is on me for the next month." Said Raynah's best friend, Sophie. It was Saturday night and the two were on their way to a new jazz club. They
had been best friends since the time they could walk and were often mistaken for sisters. They had also attended the same schools right up to college. Sophie was the same age as
Raynah and shared her brown skin and dark hair. Her eyes were hazel brown and she stood at around 5 foot 6 inches tall.
"They have a live band and the food is excellent. Jamal and I went there for the first time about a week ago and just fell in love. There are so many different types of people there
so it's a good change from what we are used to." Sophie said. She and her fiancée Jamal King were set to marry in September and Raynah was going to be the maid-of-honor. He was
a few years older in age and came from a highly respectable family. He also worked as an attorney who represented many of Harlem's most prominent residents.
"Will he be joining us tonight? It's been so long since I've seen him." Asked Raynah.
Sophie shook her head. "Not tonight. His grandparents are in town so you already know how that goes." Raynah laughed. "Poor thing," she replied, "I wonder what kind of hell
their putting him through this time."
Sophie smiled and said, "You never know with those people. I have no idea what I'm going to do once we get married. We're here!" Raynah looked up at the sign that read
'Morgan's Jazz Club' as Sophie dragged her by the hand inside. It was small in size but it definitely made up for it in style. The club had round tables and booths strategically situated
throughout the main room. There was a fairly large dance floor that was already covered with people. There was a full piece band positioned in the front that was directed by a
vivacious band leader. Raynah and Sophie made their way to a table.
"Okay, I'm going to be honest with you," Sophie began. She put up her hands and continued. "Before you say anything I will have you know that this was all Jamal's idea."
Raynah eyed her friend suspiciously. "Please don't tell me you've done what I think you've done. Who is he?"
Sophie bit her lip. "He works at Jamal's firm and he's so sweet and handsome. Just give him a chance Ray, you might actually like him." She pleaded. Raynah rolled her eyes and
sighed. She gave Sophie a small smile and asked, "Okay, okay what's his name?"
"Jacob Bridges." Replied the deep voice behind her. Raynah quickly turned around and eyed the stranger. He stood at about five feet nine inches with smooth dark skin. He flashed
Raynah a brilliantly white smile that made her give him one in exchange. He grabbed her hand and kissed it gently.
"They said that you were beautiful but they didn't do you any justice with such small a word, Raynah." Her named rolled off his tongue like silk. She was intrigued but she
managed to keep cool. She had heard this many times before and chose not to let him think that he impressed her.
"Why thank you, Mr. Bridges that's very kind of you. Please sit down."
Cristian's POV
He was hooked from the moment he saw her. She radiated a type of beauty that he had only read about in fairy-tales but here she was in the flesh. She had him frozen in time for
what seemed like an eternity. There was something regal about how she carried herself, as if she knew that she was someone to behold. She laughed effortlessly and he couldn't help
but feel a pang of jealousy when she focused her joy on the man beside her.
"Cristian, we're up in one minute." Said Calvin, the band leader.
"Alright ", he replied as he picked up his guitar. He ran his fingers through his brown locks and proceeded to the stage. The band began their set and he saw her make her way to
the dance floor. Cristian was silently grateful that her male friend didn't join her. She danced alone and her hips swayed with every beat. His eyes were locked in and he matched
every roll of her hips to his strum on his guitar. Then the impossible happened, they made eye contact. She continued to dance; he continued to play, both of them locked in what
seemed like a sensual game. It was almost as if she were performing for him and he could feel his hands caressing her body. Cristian was completely engaged and his sex was
growing by the second. He didn't want the song to end because he never wanted her to stop. The band eventually finished their song and she looked at him for a few moments
before she broke her stare and walked back to her table, leaving him alone.
"Ooooh girl, I saw you out there dancing. I'm not the only one who noticed." Said Sophie gleefully glancing at Jacob. Raynah smiled but her thoughts went back to the handsome
man in the band. The way he looked at made her feel womanly and sexual, which was something that no one had ever done before. He had to be the most stunningly gorgeous man
she had ever seen. He was captivating. He was enticing. He was white.
"You are a really good dancer." Jacob's voice catapulted her back to reality. She was trapped in a tug of war. She wanted to leave to get away from Jacob but she wanted to stay for
him. She could stare into those green eyes for hours. Raynah imagined his tanned skin sliding against her, his strong masculine hands gently stroking her body as her eyes rolled
back in ecstasy.
"Well it's getting late, we should go Ray. Unless you want to stay here with Jacob." Said Sophie.
Raynah faked a yawn and replied, "I guess that dancing really wore me out. We should get going I had lots to do tomorrow. " There was no way she could focus on Jacob when
that man was here.
"It was very nice meeting you, Raynah," said Jacob flashing her his dazzling smile, "I'm sure we'll see more of each other in the very near future." Raynah smiled politely and
nodded. She took one last look at the stage as Sophie and Jacob walked ahead. He was already looking intently at her. She shyly smiled and pushed her hair behind her ear as she
turned to leave.
She lay in her bed that night thinking of him. He was the complete opposite of everything she was supposed to want. Raynah didn't know him but she already knew that he was
nothing like anyone she had ever known. Jacob was handsome, successful and rich. He was also very ordinary and typical and he looked at her like more of a prize than as a woman.
He, on the other hand, looked right through her. Those eyes penetrated her soul and shook her to the core. Nevertheless, he wasn't an option for her. She doubted he was
interested in her and tried to push him out of her head. Raynah sighed and slowly drifted off to sleep.
End of Chapter
Disclaimer: I own this story and all of the characters in it.