KAREEM'S POV

Friday rolled around pretty quick and my week had gone perfectly. Everything was still normal except for the lingering thoughts of the sexy bookstore owner from a few days back. I'd tried to get her out of my head but it was useless. I even thought about passing by the bookstore again just to get an excuse to see her but that would seem stalkerish so I talked myself out of it. I just had to find a way to forget her and leave her in the past.

Letting myself into my sisters apartment early in the morning I went directly to the kitchen where I always found her making breakfast.

"Morning sis."I greeted taking a seat and uncovering the plate which I knew had my breakfast.

I always passed by every morning to have breakfast and take Nuru to school. I practically had all my meals at my sisters except for lunch at work.

"Morning bro, sleep well? "She asked.

I just grunted in reply filling my mouth with food so I didn't have to talk.

She just rolled her eyes at me and continued packing Nuru's lunch. Speaking of the little munchkin, she came in a few minutes later dressed in her blue school uniform dragging her backpack behind her. Jamila had done her hair into cornrows and put little colored beads at the end.

"Morning uncle."She greeted politely as I helped her up to the stool.

"Morning sweetheart. Ready for school?"I asked.

She didn't reply just started eating her breakfast just like I'd done to Jamila.

"See what I have to deal with. You're rubbing off on her."Jamila scolded and I laughed.

"I'm a good influence."I retorted but she didn't even answer me.

"Uncle we're going to the game park next week and I need money."The little minx demanded.

"How much?"I asked without thinking.

"Nuru you already asked me and I said no, why did you have to tell your uncle?"Jamila scolded making Nuru tear up.

"I'm sure it's not a lot of money. I can just pay it."I offered and Jamila shot me a look.

"It's not about the money. We took her to the game park for her seventh birthday, why does she have to go twice?"Jamila asked.

"It's a different experience going with us versus with her friends, let her go Jamila. I'll pay for it."I concluded.

"It's like you're not even listening to me. You know what, why don't you go ahead and pay for it like you always do. Spoil her but if you ruin her, then don't come running to me."Jamila complained.

I stood up and pushed my empty plate away. I walked towards her and pulled her into my arms for a hug. She resisted but I was taller and stronger than her so she gave in easily.

"Is it that time of the month again?"I whispered.

She burst out laughing hitting my chest.

"There's that smile, now stop stressing. Even if I do spoil Nuru, you are always there balancing it out."I soothed.

"You two gang up on me a lot."She lamented and I kissed the top of her head.

"No we don't, I just like saying yes and you like saying no."

"And that's the problem."She accused.

I just shrugged and let her go. I turned to Nuru who was immersed in her food the whole time.

"Ready to go muffin."I asked and she nodded.

"Okay say bye to mommy then."I instructed gathering both her book bag and lunch box.

She got off the stool and ran to Jamila hugging her legs.

"Goodbye mommy. I love you."

Jamila smiled and bent to kiss her forehead "I love you too baby. Have a great day. I'll pick you up after school."

"Okay mommy."Nuru replied before walking back to me and taking my hand.

"Bye mommy."I teased while laughing.

"Bye you big baby."She replied as we walked out of the apartment.

Being a single mom was hard on anyone but I was happy to be there for both Jamila and Nuru. Nuru knew what happened to her dad and even though I was just her uncle I tried to fill that void so she never missed her dad a lot. I couldn't do much for Jamila, just be there for her and hope that my help was enough to keep her going.

"Muffin is mommy okay?"I asked Nuru.

I knew it was wrong to ask a child about the parent but Jamila would never tell me if something was wrong and Nuru would never lie to me.

"I heard her crying in the shower yesterday but when I asked her she said that she stubbed her toe."She replied and I hummed in response.

"Okay muffin here is the life lesson for today. If a lady is ever upset you buy her flowers, chocolate or a teddy bear. Your mom was upset so what do we get her?"I explained hoping to instill some wisdom in my young niece.

"Chocolate."She exclaimed excitedly.

"Good job muffin and never forget that. So if you are ever upset and your boyfriend doesn't get you either of those things, you call me and I'll whoop his ass."I continued and she nodded her head vigorously.

"Yes uncle but what if he is upset."She asked and I smiled.

The little thing was smarter than I thought.

"You can buy him something too to make him feel better."I replied.

"Like what?"

I thought about her question for a while wondering what guys really wanted. Women were easy just give them loyalty, love, attention and surprises once in a while and she would be content. Men on the other hand required the same things but not many of us liked flowers, chocolate or stuffed animals. I couldn't as well advise my seven year old niece that men liked kinky sex. She would discover that later when I was dead and buried so I didn't have to think about my baby girl having sex.

"Buy him socks or cologne."I replied unable to come up with a better answer.

"Yes uncle."Nuru nodded.

We got to her school which on my way to work and I dropped her off at the gate. She kissed my cheek before jumping out of the car struggling with both her bags. I had no idea why she needed so many books. She was only in class three. Well as long as she got a good education, it was worth it.

I drove the rest of the drive listening to some hiphop and when I got there I parked in the shade, grabbed my gym bag and headed inside saying hello to those that had already arrived. I changed into my work coveralls before diving into work. I would be working on a audi engine all day and to me that was as good as it could get.

Later as we were having lunch I got a message from my boss reminding me to be ready for the auditor who would be passing by later to check on the books. He didn't even give me a name, just told me to be respectful and make sure to accommodate them best I could. I didn't really care about the books, I just did my work and left the rest to Vihaan.

I rolled myself from under the bottom of the audi I was working on when I heard a female voice inside the warehouse. Women were rare in the building and we didn't have any female customers at the moment. I cleaned my hands with the rug on top of the car, tossed it back and followed the direction towards where the voice was coming from.

I stopped in my tracks stunned at the sight in front of me. I almost thought I was seeing things but even rapidly blinking did not erase her from my sight. It was the gorgeous beauty from the bookstore wearing a baby blue off shoulder dress, a black choker, white heels and a backpack thrown over one of her shoulders. Her hair was still in cornrows but this time they were eight instead of four like they'd been a few days earlier. She looked even more beautiful than I remembered with flawless make up and lip gloss on her lips making them more alluring.

She was talking to Manuel holding his shoulder and they were laughing about something. My heart immediately clenched in pain because she had been so curt with me yet so friendly with him. Why was she here? Did they know each other? Why were they standing so close? I was about to approach them and get some answers when Manuel noticed me. He smiled, said something to her and they both approached me.

Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw me. Her eyes raked over my body before meeting mine and a mask of indifference like the one she'd had at the bookstore covered her face. It made me sad that she was behaving so coldly towards me, yet was all smiles for Manuel.

"I was about to come get you boss. Dee says she has some business here."Manuel explained.

I nodded wondering what kind of business she'd have with us. Was Dee her full name or just a nickname he had for her and why were they close enough for nicknames.

"Thanks Manuel, I'll take it from here."I dismissed him.

He nodded before smiling at Dee as he called her and left.

"Nice to see you again miss. How may I help you?"I asked trying to be as professional as possible.

"Vihaan, the owner of this place sent me to audit his financials."She replied shortly and I gave her a quizzical look in reply.

Vihaan had not mentioned that the auditor was female let alone very sexy and one who had been in my thoughts all week.

"I thought you worked at the bookcafe."I replied and her head tilted in confusion.

"I didn't know working multiple jobs is a crime."She replied defensively and I chuckled.

"I didn't mean it like that."I added hoping I'd not pissed her off.

"I'd ask what you mean but I'm not here to chat about my professional life. If you would please lead me to where the office is, I can begin my work immediately so I can be done with it fast."She added.

There was hint of rudeness in her tone but I totally understood for I had insulted her even if it wasn't intentionally. I turned on my heel hoping she'd get the hint and follow me. I had so much to say and had a lot of questions but she had her shields up and I had no idea how to manoeuver them. It had been so long since I'd asked a woman out or even be interested in one. It sucked balls that the first one to capture my attention was feisty, opinionated, independent and with walls so high up, there was possibly no luck for me to get over them. I liked all those traits in a woman, besides the latter of course but it was making it hard for me to make my intentions clear to her.

We got to the office and I unlocked the door allowing her to walk in first.

"Everything you need is on the desk but incase of any questions you can find me and I'll be happy to help."I explained.

She nodded taking a seat where I normally sat. Her dress rode up a little exposing her bare things and my thoughts immediately went to the gutter. Me taking her on that desk and the fact that she was wearing a dress made things harder since it meant easier access. I clenched my fists tight shutting those thoughts away because of how ill timed they were.

"Well that's it, holler in case of anything."I said and realized I was repeating myself so I turned around to leave but her voice had me turning my head to face her.

"Oh and Kareem, for future record I don't work at the book cafe I own it."She said in a sharp dismissive tone.

I nodded before turning around one more time and finally leaving. I walked out of there feeling stupid that I'd not even gotten her name and even more surprised that she knew my name. I'd not introduced myself and Manuel has referred to me as boss. How had she found out my name? Maybe Vihaan had told her when he gave her the work. I could go back there and demand some identification and I would be well within my rights but we had already gotten off on the wrong foot. No need to poke the bear anymore than necessary.

The woman was a mystery and I knew one person who could fill in those gaps for me. I found myself walking towards Manuels section and thankfully he was alone. I didn't want anyone else getting into my business.

"Manuel can I talk to you?"I asked when I was close enough.

He abandoned the toolbox he was rummaging through and turned to face me.

"Sure boss. What's up?"He asked.

"How do you know the lady in my office?"I asked getting straight to the point.

"Who? Dee?"He asked and I nodded.

"She's my cousin. Didn't I send you to her book cafe a few days back to find that book."He asked and I felt like shooting myself in the head with a drill.

How could I have forgotten? In my jealousy filled mind I'd forgotten that little detail that would have cleared things up and prevented my jealous fit.

"Oh yeah, lots going on in my head, must have slipped through my mind."I said casually with a shrug hoping it came out cool and I did not make a fool of myself.

"What's the deal with her anyway?"I asked hoping to get some more information out of him.

He was her family so he knew her and could help me out. She might already be in a relationship, no need to get my hopes up for nothing.

"Why you interested in her or something?"He asked with a laugh.

"Yeah something like that. Only a blind man would not be interested in her."I replied honestly.

"Well you're a nice guy so I'll not tell you off like I do with other guys who ask about her."He started and some part of me became glad when he mentioned chasing off guys but I didn't like the thought of guys being after her in the first place.

"Diana has been single for a while, for about four or five years now. Her last relationship was a long one and it didn't end well so she kinda stopped dating. She owns the bookstore with her best friend who is also her sister in law. She works part time as an auditor so her Finance degree doesn't go to waste even though her real passion is in books. All I can tell you man is that if you really want her then you have your work cut out for you. Many have tried over the years and failed."He concluded.

I nodded in understanding trying to absorb all the information I'd obtained.

"Oh and before I forget. She's the last born girl with three older brothers and her dad was a pretty high end politician before he retired a few years ago so yeah good luck mate."He added giving me a sorry look but honestly the lady in question scared me more than all the males in her family.

"Thanks man. I'll keep all that in mind."I replied and he nodded before resuming his work.

I headed back to my station with my mind made up. Now that I knew that Diana, beautiful name by the way, was single nothing was holding me back from having her. I would get past her walls because I had the same ones myself and I had a feeling only she could dismantle them. Good luck to me I guess, like Manuel had warned, I did have my work cut out for me.

🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻 🌻🌻🌻

I'm literally so excited for this book. It's a little personal for me as are most of my books. But this one is special. I've been planning to write it for a long time and I'm happy that I finally got the time and the right headspace to write it.

Thanks for all your support in the votes and comments.

All my love @Lyssah.