Waking with a smile on her face was pretty exceptional for Erica after a wonderful day at school and a memorable first date with her crush. Feeling the sun shining through the white sheer curtains, a squeal escaped her, thrashing her arms and legs about in wild joy she remembered her date all over again. "I'm Elijah Johnson's girlfriend. Whoa!" she said aloud. The grin on her face didn't disappear, any signs of it disappearing haven't surfaced and it most likely won't. Erica was feeling giddy, happy, ecstatic all those words and many more can describe how she was feeling. 
Finally rolling out of her rumpled bed, she connected her phone to the Bluetooth speaker and played her favorite music playlist. Bouncing around her room and singing along to the songs,  she prepared her outfit for the day and overlooked her homework. Standing before her mirror, she began to brush out her long dark hair, thinking of a simple tyle to place it in without tugging at her sensitive scalp.  

"Okay hair. Work wid me now," she muttered aloud. Massaging her scalp with hair lotion, an incoming call interrupted the soulful vocals of her love Sam Smith. Craning her neck to see her phone, she quickly dashed to it to answer the call. "Hi!"

"Hi!" 

Her cheeks were actually hurting now, Elijah's still sleep-filled voice and husky laugh were doing a number on her. "Good morning," she said softly.

"Morning, baby. Slept well?"

Erica silently squealed and fist-pumped into the air when he called her 'baby'. Adopting a cool facade she answered him appropriately. "I did. Yesterday was rell fun. What about you? You good?"

"Half and half. On one hand, anxious and excited to see my girlfriend, on the other hand, I'm worried as fuck along with my family. Everything is happening back to back, no time to assess all that's happening," he answered. She can hear the loving morning greetings from his family in the background along with barks from his dogs. For a worried bunch, they sounded pretty okay.

"Wah wrong? Wah happen?" Erica asked instantly. Elijah chuckled at her concerned own and sweet her accent is.

"Harem's best friend is in some sort of trouble. He flew out to New York last night. We don't know much but by his call, we know it must be something big."

"Wait. So he jus' leave home jus' so? To another state? By he self?" Erica was shocked. She sat heavily on her bed thinking of the new culture she now had to adjust to. Privilege like leaving your parents house in the middle of the night to 'help a friend was breaking news to her. Back on the island, she will be begging all night to go see that friend. Heck, sleeping out would have been a huge debate. From what she was told, Harem was staying at Elijah's older sister's house. Talk about living different lives. 

"There's a security team in New York who is with him now plus his parents are there. He notified my dad about his situation so he's in the clear. Babe, it's okay. Please don't think of us as rich spoiled brats. Our folks understand our loyalty to our friends and trust us to make the right decisions."

"Nah. Nah. I not sayin' dat. It's jus' different to how I was raised. Your parents....." Erica stopped and thought about what she was about to say.  She didn't want to say much about her verbally abusive mother and tension-filled household when it's so early in their relationship. She will admit the idea of having a parent who was supportive and loving. Julius was now in her life and he was proving to be the type of parent she now needs.

"My parents, what, babe?" Elijah pressed.

"Your parents seem ideal," she backtracked.   

"They're pretty cool. More like our best friends but there when we need them." 

Out of curiosity, Erica asked the next question. "You an' yuh mammy close?"

Elijah didn't answer, on his side of the line was now quiet. She checked to see if the call was cut but it was still connected and running. "Elijah? Yuh dey?" she asked aloud.

"My mom and I are close. My sister and I are close too, you have a problem with that?" he answered in a very harsh and rude tone. His rough response startled her, it felt like he was lashing out at her for some unknown reason. Not one to let things like that affect her, Erica replied to him in an equally defensive tone.

"Ah jus' ask ah question. You didn't have to answer like a fricking cunt. Look. Sort out yaself nah. Ah will go to school on mih own." Not allowing him to answer, she ended the call and tried to still her trembling hand. Erica was softhearted and very empathetic. Elijah's harsh attitude towards her unbalanced everything within her. She felt like crying but was equally angry at Elijah for unnecessarily lashing out at her. Ignoring his call, she continued her morning routine before heading to the kitchen for breakfast.

 "Coffee or tea?" 

"Tea."

Julius gave her a quick look over his shoulder before turning his attention back to the sausages and eggs he had on the fire. From his quick assessment, he knew something was off with her. Her bright morning smile which he loved to see on his little girl wasn't there. Placing her breakfast before her, along with the teabags for her choosing, he stayed quiet and began to eat. After a minute, he broke the silence. "How was yuh date wid Elijah?"

"It was....." 

A smile came across her face and the joy she probably experienced on that date shone brightly in her eyes. Julius grinned at her loss of words. His little girl was adjusting well to her new home, he expected a rebellious teen mad at her father but Erica accepted him without any grudges. Their father/daughter bond was growing but whatever was bothering her now made parenting a clueless adventure.

"It was incredible. Yuh was right. It wasn't like de flea market back home. Ah buy somethings to decorate mih room plus de house itself. New beaded anklets and some foodstuff, real thing ah get. Weekend ah will pack away. Oh and ah buy stuff for mih friends dem in Bago," she explained animatedly.

"And dah boy. He behave he self?"

"Yes, father," Erica answered mockingly with an amused smile on her face.

"Wah? No body messes wid my gyal pickney inno," he huffed. Raucous laughter filled the kitchen, a huge difference from the quiet and moody room they started off with. Julius shook his head when she repeated his statement in a deeper voice that suppose to be him. 

"He was perfect. We talk rell plenty about nothing an' everything. I feel wanted by him," she voiced aloud. Julius frowned at her choice of words, turns out she realized what she said and looked at him warily. The need to talk was there but she was holding back. His shoulders went limp in understanding. In a Caribbean household, there was no such thing as reflective moments, talking out one's problem or simply talk. A quick brush-off is what kids get. The expression of feelings and thoughts has always been seen as a bad attitude or whining by Caribbean parents. Julius understood why his little girl held back, he doesn't blame her one bit, he can only imagine the treatment she endured under her mother's rule. "Wanna talk about why yuh came out here like somebody steal yuh goat?" he asked.

An amused snort escaped her before she turned her head away from him. "I don't know nah. Elijah call an' we start talking an' ting then he jus' catch a vaps jus' so," she explained. Rising from his seat he began to clear the table and listened on as she reiterated their conversation. 

"Wait. Wuh yuh say about askin' him bout he mudda?

Erica paused and looked at her father. She recalled how silent he got before his entire attitude changed. Clips of Bree's rant filtered through her mind, one in particular stuck to her which she thought was odd. Bree told her how disgustingly close Elijah was to his mother and sister. Remembering that day, Erica was only listening with one ear because she was reading an extremely good part of a book. 

"Ah, shit," she exclaimed.

"Figure it out ent? Dat Lincoln girl just damn nasty minded. Ever since she mudda leff she fadda over some foolishness, she got all uppity. Not to mention that asshole brudda of hers. Russell. Jus' got out of jail attempted rape and assault. Plus some other stuff.  You stay away from him. He came by for a job by de garage thinkin' I wouldn't recognize him. They say everyone deserve a second chance but I didn't want him aroun' de garage knowin' you wud visit sometime."

"Whoa! Russell dais she older brother right?"

"Yeah. Look. Don't stay mad at Elijah, Bree began a talk with him being ah true mama's boy . She went on sayin' his mudda still buyin' he underwear and sleeping with him at nights. When that started she move on to him kissing his sister and so on. I doh know what's going on in dat girl head but she hurt dat boy bad. From seeing him aroun' town an' his visits to de garage, dat Johnson boy quiet. He doh bother people an' he rell soft-hearted. Take it easy on him, alright?" Julius eyed his now pensive daughter and smiled when she nodded her head in affirmation.

"Nice. Go get ready for school."

"Gimme a few minutes, daddy," she said rushing from her seat. Releasing a satisfied sigh from halfway breaking one wall of Caribbean parenting. He wanted to be the type of parent Erica longed for. From their secret talks over emails and Skype he learned everything he can about her even her friends and the adults who look out for her. It was his time now to give her a family, one who loves her very much.  Starting from this weekend, family members will be coming out of the woodwork.

Half an hour later, the doorbell rang as she was about to try on her third pair of earrings to match her outfit. Ignoring the muffled voices in her living room Erica twisted and turned trying to get the right feel for her look. Her outfit of khaki shorts, yellow graphic tank top, a red plaid shirt tied around her waist and a white low cut shoes on her feet was perfect on her. The perfect jewelry to wear was the issue. Shrugging her shoulders she stayed with the mismatched studs she favored more and grabbed her bag to leave her room. 

"Erica!"

"Yes, daddy, " she returned rushing down the hall to the living room. 

She came up short to the vision of Elijah standing next to her father with an apologetic look on his face. "Morning baby," he greeted her with a shy smile on his lips. 

"He came to carry yuh to school. Lock up when yuh leaving," her father said brushing past her. Erica couldn't help but admire how sexy her boyfriend looked. The guy was actually wearing pink and it looked perfectly right on him. His curly brown hair was loose and tucked behind his ears. Those light brown eyes were even lighter and mesmerizing as the sun shed light on them. He was heavenly beautiful to her and he was hers.

"I'm sorry," they both voiced at the same time. Blushes stained both their cheeks at their cute moment. Elijah stepped forward and presented her with a cup of iced coffee. Erica squealed with happiness and quickly grabbed the cup of caffeine goodness to take a large gulp. Laughing at her actions, he took her hand in his and placed a kiss on her cheek. "I didn't mean to lash out at you. It's still a sore spot to me when folks outside of my family ask about my mom and I. Bree..."

"Bree mind dutty. I asked because it sounded like both of allyuh understand each other. I never have dat wid my mudda. She was more for my other sister. Anywho, dais for another time. Leh we go," she ended for him. Erica tugged at his hand to get moving but he simply pulled her back towards him, catching her when she fell against his chest. "Where's my kiss?" he asked softly. His warm breath brushed against her cheeks as her eyes got heavier by the heavy wave of lust she felt growing for him.

"I should be asking you dat," she teased. 

Her heart flipped by the gorgeous smile he blessed her with before he gently placed his lips on hers. Her eyes closed in pure bliss. His soft lips moved against hers slowly, savoring each action and taste. Feeling his arms tighten around her, she knew she was right where she belonged. Her crush on him was validated. It was hard to believe but they were both meant to meet each other. She groaned against his lips when she felt his 'reaction' pressed against her stomach. He gripped her tighter, moaning against her lips and whispering her name over and over before simply holding her. 

"If I don't stop, I will prove to you how much you affect me, my beautiful island flower," he whispered in her ear. Shifting uneasily on her feet to relieve the throbbing between her legs, a shiver ran through her body by his words. Looking up into his face, the pure desire was all she can see. Never in her teenage lifetime did she imagine that she will be on the receiving end of that look.

"I doh mind ah show but we get school to go to," she quipped.

"Yes, we do. You look beautiful as always, baby," he returned with a lingering kiss on her lips. Elijah took her bag and now melting drink and waited for her outside while she locked up. 

"So how's Harem?" she asked. 

Waving to a curious neighbor across the street, he walked her to his SUV and thought about the worried and anxiety-filled conversation he had with his cousin a few minutes ago.

"A wreck."

                                                                                *************

"What can we do to help, son?" 

Harem smiled at his father's question with his mother mimicking the same one. Though they were in the same state they were still a good way apart. His mother was probably running on three hours of sleep with her being a trauma surgeon at New York's top hospital. His father, he knew from watching their family dynamic was doing a little cleaning and fixing her meals before he leaves for the office. Hiram Kertalis was and still is a Greek business tycoon who now had his headquarters in New York among the elite. Though the two had busy careers they still maintained a loving relationship between themselves and their kids. It was the same for every couple in the Johnson family, a strong legacy to carry on.

"I'm at my penthouse now. Heading over to the address she's staying at right now. Uncle Eli made sure security is tight around me and I'm to use the designated car. I don't know the situation she's in right now but I will give you all a call," he replied.

"Good. I tried calling Kathy but she isn't answering her phone. Again. I haven't seen her in ages. She stopped returning my calls and avoiding me in public," his mother voiced. Worry coated her words plus a thoughtful tone in which she develops when she's trying to figure something out. 

"Don't do anything reckless, Harem."

"I won't dad. I promise. It's just that... Taylor was begging. Begging. You guys know how tough and independent she is. Something is wrong. Really wrong."

"I feel it too. Your father means well with his warning, but we all know how defensive you get when it comes to her. You two always had each other's backs no matter what. Whatever she tells you, we need you to keep a clear head and focus on her. Okay?" his mother cut in.

"Yes, ma'am. I gotta go. Love you guys."

"Love you too, son." "Love you too, sweetie."

Ending the call, he quickly sent a message to his driver and the security team before exiting the penthouse. He had no time to admire the posh interior, he needed to see Taylor immediately. Since he arrived, he has been texting Stacia to make sure she was alright. Even over texts, he felt something was off and the girl he was chatting with was holding back something. He asked how the two met, her answer confused me when she said she was an old coworker friend to Taylor. His best friend had a part-time job at a popular diner since she was fifteen. She loved the place and was eager to learn from the chef there because of her dream to become a master chef. Things were off. Why would she leave her favorite place in the world? 

The elevator reached the lobby too fast for his liking. Adapting the stoic facade each Johnson/Kertalis kid had, he stepped out of the elevator only to be waited on by the hotel manager. 

"Master Harem. I'm Mr. Baras, the hotel manager, and your family's personal hotel butler. Your uncle called in advance of your arrival. Whatever you need, personally call me at this number. Your car is waiting outside and here are your guards. Have a pleasant trip, sir," the aged man said handing him a cream and gold card before ushering him to the three massive guards approaching them.

"Very well. Thank you, Mr. Baras," Harem answered politely. 

"Sir!" All three guards greeted. He recognized the trio, they accompanied him and the boys whenever they leave Spencer or the country. 

"Hi, guys. We're headed to the Lower Eastside. Put an eye on Taylor's house," he returned. Baras was still nearby and quickly helped him into his grey wool coat, keeping pace with the group's speed. 

"Yes, sir," one answered going straight to his phone. Harem clutched his coat tighter as the light chilled wind assaulted him instantly upon stepping outside. The blacked-out luxury SUV sat idly at the end of the walkway with the valet holding the back door open. With a sharp nod of his head to the guy who was probably seven years older than him, he entered the pristine SUV and prepared for the drive to Stacia's place. 

**

Stacia Fletcher opened the door to the spare room to look in on her guest for the thousandth time. She was settled at the edge of the bed in a fetal position, still asleep with the oversized sweatshirt and pants still on. The backpack she brought was beside her on the bed in which she didn't unpack. 
Stacia met Taylor when she began to work at Gil's a few years ago, she was a year older than the petite blonde and was in dire need of a job. Being a runaway foster kid in New York was a risky thing, Gil, the owner took pity on her and hired her on instantly. 
Taylor befriended her quickly, showing her around the diner and even how to work the register. The two did homework together over their joint breaks, confided in each other, and even indulged in boy talk. She can distinctly remember Taylor constantly talking about Harem and his cousins, she always had an amusing story to tell her when they worked together. All that ended when Taylor quit working at the diner a year ago, her calls and texts stopped, girl nights were canceled then everything went silent. 

Until last night.

Seeing her friend, thin, bruised, and scared on her doorstep sent shockwaves through her systems. Warning signals began blaring when Taylor began to peek out the window, pacing the floor and becoming hysterical by the moment. She only calmed down when Stacia asked if she should call anyone. Harem's name was the first and only name she uttered. After their talk, she saw how calmer Taylor became, it made her eager and anxious to know the guy. 

Moving to the kitchen, she got out the makings of a light breakfast for both her and Taylor. Worry began to gnaw at her, her friend wasn't talking and those bruises on her face were surely not self-made. Someone struck the blonde teen, but who?
She was about to carry a tray to Taylor when the doorbell sounded at her townhouse. Checking the time on the kitchen clock, it was nearing nine, a bit early for visitors, not that she has many. Placing the tray back on the table, she slowly made her way down the hall to the door, caution brewing her because of her friend's present state. Reaching the door, she peeked through the peephole and spied the tall frame of a very handsome and rich-looking man before he rang the doorbell once more. 

"Who is it?"

The man stepped back giving her the unobstructed view of his profile of styled brown hair and handsome features though his eyes were hidden by dark designer shades.

"Harem. Harem Kertalis," the man answered.

Stacia's jaw dropped. This 'man' was Taylor's childhood friend? This teenager looked more to be in a board meeting than in a high school.

"Prove it. This is New York after all," Stacia returned. A  chuckle escaped him, reaching into his coat pocket he produced a leather wallet and took out his ID. Positioning it to the peephole, she took in the babyface picture of the 'man' before her. 

"Are you alone? What are you doing here? You didn't mention anything about coming to New York and that was extremely quick," Stacia voiced aloud.

"I have my guards and I'm here for Taylor. Please let me in," he demanded not asked. Unbolting the deadbolts, she quickly opened the door and in, strode Harem Kertalis. It was still unreal to her. He was a few inches taller than her and gave off the whole rich and powerful vibes. 

"Where's she?" he asked. Off came his long wool coat, gloves, and shades to reveal his lean muscular frame in a knitted sweater and tailored slacks. 

"Up the stairs. Down the hall, last door on your left." He didn't wait any longer, he bounded up the stairs two at a time to go in search of his friend. A tinge of jealousy hit her, it must be nice to have a friend like him. 
"Must be nice," she muttered to herself. 

**

Pushing the image of the redhead downstairs in shorts and a thin vest, Harem quietly entered the room his friend was staying in. 

"Tay?" he called out. 

Harem called out to her again, this time she did rouse from her sleep but when she turned to face him by the door, all the breath left his body. He rushed to her side and gently cupped her heavily bruised face in his hands.

"Who did this to you?" he growled.

Blinking away the sleep from her eyes, tears quickly followed upon seeing her best friend, "H! You came? Why? Oh, Harem." She was stumbling over her questions with each one getting harder as she cried. Joining her on the bed, he held her as she cried. She flinched when he tightened his hold, Harem made no comment but the anger kept on building up. "Tell me, Tay. Who did this to you? What's going on?" he asked softly.

Taylor pulled away from him slightly and simply watched him. Her friend from pre-school all the way to middle school. They protected each other when bullies made them their targets, his family helped her when she lost her dad in the line of duty and their friendship survived when he moved to Spencer. Harem was her hero. Pulling her hands from around him, she placed them between their bodies. Neither said a word, tears still filled her eyes, thinking of ways to tell her friend what has happened to her over the past year or so. She knew he was pissed and disappointed when she refused to join him on holidays and was curious about her random contact. Taylor was ashamed of herself. She once prided herself in being independent and strong but what she went through, made all those attributes paint her a fraud. 

'I love you so much. You're truly a best friend anyone will love to have.'

Taylor reverted to ASL (American Sign Language) in fear of crying more than talking. 

'I love you too, Tay. You're the best to me also. I hate seeing you this way. Please let me help you.'

'I can't.' she signed nervously.

'Why not? Do you see yourself? Someone hurt you, really hurt you and you don't want to give them up?' he returned.

'You don't understand, H.'

'Then make me, Tay. God. I'm so close in letting the guards search for whoever did this,' Harem said while talking. 

'Wait. No. He doesn't know I escaped. He probably does by now but don't go there. He's.... vicious,' she signed quickly. Taylor got to her knees and held Harem down as the tears fell onto his face. He could have left if he wanted to but her unspoken words floored him.

"Escaped? Don't go where? Taylor?" he asked in dismay. Gingerly he reached towards her face, she flinched outwardly and removed herself from him. Harem slowly got up and faced his friend. All his doubts and bad feelings were coming to light. At the back of his mind, he knew the answer to what he was asking wasn't going to be nice. 

'Who's this he, Tay? Is he the one who did this to you?' he signed angrily.

'I can't. I just want to go anywhere but here. Please. That's all I ask, H.'

'Let me help you, Tay.'

She held his gaze and saw the truth and trust in his eyes but she didn't want him to get hurt nor have any knowledge of what was done to her. He will go to lengths to care for her, not only him but his family also. 
Should she say something? 
He said he had connections in high places and no one will believe her if he does get caught.
Taylor bent her head in shame and disgust. Maybe she can tell him enough so they can help her mother. She couldn't leave her mother in that house after she helped her to escape. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Her mother and herself trusted this man. She had to save her mother. Enough of self-pity, she had to get to her mother. There are other days in which she can give in to her pain, today wasn't one of them.

"My stepfather," she whispered.

"Excuse me?" Harem asked in disbelief.

"My stepfather. He's the one who did this to me," she repeated. 

Harem went ballistic.

And that was an understatement.