Aaron's Fall (13 page)

Sincerely Ross thanked Asia. Asia smiled and studied his face.

Ross was medium statue, dark-skinned man of average height, with long thick dreads to his shoulders.

“Don’t thank me, you guys are very good,” she said smiling.

Christmas for Asia came and went as it usually did for her. She was invited to dinner at Brie’s, but declined the invitation, telling everyone she had to work at the hotel. She hated lying to Brie but she didn’t want to see Aaron with his new girlfriend. She opted to stay at home to work on some new music. At the loft, she sat at her piano trying in vain to write, but her mind kept visualizing Aaron with his girlfriend. There was not a day that went by that she didn’t think about Aaron. She wondered if he were well, and if he missed her as much as she missed him. Of course, she realized he didn’t. After the night that he so callously dropped her, he had not tried to see her again. That said it all for Asia. It was time for her to get a backbone where Aaron was concerned. He hurt her with the callous way he told her didn’t want her. Although she had to thank him for making her believe she was somebody and she was pretty. Nevertheless, it still hurt because she still loved him.

Tears welled into her eyes spilling over. She dashed them away with an angry swipe of her hand. She had been a fool. She really regretted leaving Macon. At least, thanks to Aaron, she had her music. She had been so looking forward to spending Christmas with her new friends. This would have been the first Christmas since her mother’s death that she would’ve shared the holiday with people she cared about. She had become excited with the prospect of having a real Christmas; instead of the past Christmas when she was all alone. Keeping with the spirit of Christmas, she shopped for gift for her new friends, imploring Tia to give the gifts she purchased for them. Tia tried to convince her to come along, but Asia was adamant about her decision. Her gift to Aaron was a small white envelope.

Everyone that was at the Thanksgiving dinner was at Brie’s house. Aaron stayed to himself. Either sitting in the den alone or just staring out of the window. He was miserable. He really loved this time of the year, but for some reason, it wasn’t the same for him this year. It really got on his nerves when everyone asked Aaron of Asia’s whereabouts, and he had the feeling they were doing it on purpose. He would just shrug his shoulders. He wasn’t surprised that everyone instantly liked Asia. Especially Wayne. He wasn’t certain but he had a feeling there was more to Wayne and Asia relationship. What bothered him was Asia wasn’t here and neither was Wayne. He knew his mother had invited Wayne and Asia to dinner. When he asked his mother if Asia was come to dinner, the look she gave him take a step back. She simple said “Boy get out of my face.” Was Asia with Wayne he wondered?

Aaron was sitting in the den when Tia found him. Still not speaking to him, Tia silently handing him a sealed envelope and quickly turned to leave him alone. Aaron watched as she turned from him before glancing down at the envelope he held in his hand.

“Tia,” he called.

Tia stopped turning to face him. “What?”

“How’s Asia?”

Tia eyes narrowed. “What do you care you just…” she paused. “She’s fine,” she said before walking away from him.

Aaron sighed and sat heavily on the couch he early vacated. Opening the envelope, Aaron read the note enclosed.

Thank you Aaron, for all you’ve

done for me, here is your credit card, and

a payment for all the purchases I made

I’ll send more next week.

Asia

He rose moving to the large picture window in the den and just stared out at the gray cloudy sky when his father entered. Trevet looked at his son’s wide back. Aaron was uncharacteristically quiet which was odd for him. He was no longer the high-spirited man he knew and love. One afternoon, Trevet had ran into Martin. After a few questions Martin told him about the argument they had gotten into and the confrontation Aaron almost gotten into with Wayne when he saw Asia and Wayne together one night.

“You okay Son?” Trevet asked coming to stand beside him.

Aaron lifted the folded sheet of paper.

“She paying me back Dad,” he stated absently, not looking at his father.

Trevet frowned. “Who?”

“Asia’s paying me back for the things I had purchased for her.” Aaron turn to look at his father, then at the white sheet of paper in his hand.

“And that bothers you?” his father stated.

“She can’t afford to pay me back, Dad she doesn’t have much.” Aaron said lowering his head.

“Well Son, she has her pride.”

“Yeah, I guess she doesn’t need me anymore,” Aaron muttered.

“Isn’t that what you wanted Aaron; it seems to me she wasn’t as needy as you thought, it appears to me that she loves you.”

Aaron looked at his father. “So she says,” Aaron stated unemotionally.

Trevet sighed. “Now I see why you left her, she said she loved you, is that right?”

Aaron looked over at his father. “I miss her Dad, that’s all.”

Trevet shook his head sadly. “I’m sorry Son, this you have fix yourself; come on your Mother is ready to serve dinner.”

The night of the Bueto’s New Year’s Eve gala affair promised to be the party of the new year. Asia and “The Coz” had already arrive, setting up and doing sound checks. Wayne arranged for Royal Records CEO to attend the gala to observe Asia performance, hoping they sign her. Asia was in the dressing room preparing for the performance while the band dealt with the other details. She couldn’t help but wondered if Aaron would be here this evening. She told herself, it didn’t matter. It’s already been a month since she had last seen him, and as usual he was always there invading her thoughts. How many times had she cried herself to sleep, praying fervently for God to heal the hurt that course through her whenever she thought of Aaron. Taking one last glance at herself in the mirror, she was glad she let Tia talk her into purchasing the red Kaufmanfranco silk jersey dress. The halter looking gown plunged low in the front, and bare in the back except for the wide straps over her shoulders attached to a large ring at the base of her spine. She felt sexy. She loved the way the cut of the gown emphasized her curvaceous body, and with her hair loosely curled, draping her shoulders, she knew looked good.

“Asia,” Wayne called through the door, “You ready,”

Asia opened the door. Wayne whistled. “You’re beautiful.”

Asia gave him a small smile. Putting his elbow out to her, Asia took it and he lead her to the side where the band was set up.

Asia looked out at all the people dressed in their finery, feeling a little nervous. Wayne patted her hand. “Relax Asia, your going to be great,” he reassured her.

Asia nodded. “Is Aaron here?” she asked looking up at Wayne. He nodded.

“With his girlfriend?”

“Asia I don’t think she’s his girlfriend,” Wayne replied in Aaron defense.

Asia shrugged. “It doesn’t matter,” she replied but in her heart it really did mattered.

The band had started playing, a fast upbeat instrumental, which was their opening number before her introduction.

She had a few minutes before she was to go on stage. She asked Wayne to bring her a glass of white wine. She attached headset microphone around her head.

This was her first public debut with The Coz and the butterflies moved wildly in her stomach. Wayne returned with her glass of wine and she took as sip. Asia looked up at him, “Do I look okay?” she asked nervously. Wayne smiled. “Your beautiful and don’t worry your going to be great.”

She swallowed the glass of wine, handing the empty glass to Wayne when Ross started the introductions.

“Welcome ladies and gentlemen, we are here to get you on your feet, seduce you, and just have a great time as we countdown to the New Year. First let us make an introduction. This lady has the voice of a thousand angels, not only can she sing, women hold on to your men, cause she beautiful, our newest member the beautiful Ms Asia Brooks.”

Wayne offered her is elbow; she looked up at him and smiled, already the wine started to relax her. Wayne lead her to the small steps that lead to the bands platform and kissed her gently on the cheek.

Her first number was “I’m Every Woman,” after adjusting her headset Asia strolled on to the platform all nervousness gone. While she sang she step down to the dance floor, the tempo picked up and she started dancing and singing. She strolled over to a table where four dateless men sat. She extended her hand to one of them, pulling him to his feet. He stood grinning like and idiot as Asia danced around him singing. The other guest clapped to the music as the others laughed at the man uneasiness.

Aaron sat at the table with Martin, Tia, Tracy, Calvin, and his date Shanna, and watched as Asia danced and seduced her audience with her provocative moves. Aaron eyes hardened, his teeth clenched as he watched Asia moved. He didn’t care for the way she flirted with the men at table. She moved through the table, dancing, and singing.

Aaron looked over at Martin with question in his eyes. Tia noticed the hardness set of his face.

“Oh didn’t I tell you, Aaron, Asia’s with The Coz now?” she said sweetly.

Aaron looked at Tia dumbfounded, and then turned his head, looking at Asia as she performed. Tia smiled smugly.

She walk through the tables, stopped to sing at a table where another group of single men sat, she pulled one to the floor with her. The large fullback was grinning from ear to ear, allowing her pull him with her. She danced around him her body rubbing on him, he pulled close into him, she leaned back, still singing, she straighten, kissing on his lips, and left him. Tia watched as Aaron hand formed fists.

He had to admit, she looked beautiful, in the sexy red gown; when she turned her back Aaron’s breath caught in his throat. Tia and Tracy looked at each other smiling, nodding. Aaron rose as if entranced and watched her walk seductively back to the stage.

“She looks beautiful, don’t you think Tia?” Tracy said loudly.

“Exquisite,” she replied, “Don’t you think Aaron?”

“Anyone wants something from the bar?” he asked abruptly, but didn’t wait to see if they did. Tia and Tracy laughed.

Shanna looked at the women across from her and rolled her eyes. She knew Aaron dated that woman before he came back to her. Shanna had to admit she was beautiful, but she wasn’t about to let Aaron get away from her again. He was her bread and butter, if she could just get him in her bed, but lately he was the perfect gentlemen; to her chagrin; which was not Aaron’s style. She noticed right away the change in him the last time they were together. No, she thought, Aaron’s not getting away this time.

Aaron leaned against the bar, and watched Asia performing. Damn, he missed her, but like every one said, he made the choice. Lately he found himself questioning his judgment in leaving her. He still was not sure how he felt about Asia. He did know he didn’t love her. He cared about her, he even desired her, and no woman has ever made him feel like she did. But love her?

Wayne came to stand beside him, ordering a white wine. Wayne looked over at Aaron. Aaron tensed. He knew he was getting that wine for Asia. Was he was trying to get Asia drunk? Aaron wondered. Aaron tensed with instant rage. Since that night he and Wayne almost come to blows, he and Wayne stayed away from one anther. It burned him up not knowing if Wayne and Asia were intimate. Asia was his. He needed to know, and he wanted to know now.

From across the room Martin saw Wayne and Aaron at the bar.

“Come on Calvin,” Martin said, “Wayne and Aaron are at the bar together, you know he thinks Asia is with Wayne.”

Tia and Tracy looked over at them frowning as Martin and Calvin rushed from the table. The stuff would hit the fan if the girls found out about the fight Wayne and Aaron had almost gotten into over Asia.

Martin and Calvin joined them at the bar. “Hey Wayne,” Martin said shaking his hand.

“Asia looks good up there, huh,” Wayne said smiling looking at the stage.

“Yes, she does,” Martin, replied.

Aaron tensed and step to Wayne, Martin put his arm out to stop him. Aaron pushed it away.

“Wayne!” Aaron said coldly. Wayne looked over at him.

“Yeah man,” Wayne said looking over at him.

“Are you with Asia? Are you fu...?”

“I told you before, Aaron don’t say it...” Wayne said in a warning tone, sitting the glass down.

“Not here Aaron!” Martin hissed angrily at him. Calvin stepped beside Wayne.

“You need to stop disrespecting her, before I...”

“Before what? Aaron said heatedly. Wayne took a step to Aaron; Calvin put his arm out.

“Damn it, I said not here!” Martin voiced through clenched teeth.

“Are you and Asia together? Aaron asked angrily.

“Go to hell Aaron, you made your choice so...!”

“Are you fu…?” Aaron interrupted.

“I warned you Aaron,” Wayne said shrugging Calvin’s arm out the way. “But I can certainly mess you up!”

“Take your best shot!” Aaron replied boldly.

Martin and Calvin stepped between them, trying to hold them back.

“Damn it, I said stop it!” Martin blurted out to the both of them.

Both men stood glaring at one another.

Asia saw Aaron and Wayne at each other. She went to Ross, telling him to play “Whip Appeal,” with a long intro. Ross started playing, Asia stepped down from the platform walking over to where Aaron and Wayne were, the partiers making a path for her curious as to what was going on. She stood behind Martin and Calvin. She tapped Martin and Calvin on the back, stepping in front of them. Asia stepped between them, placing her hand on each man’s chest, looking from one to the other, smiling seductively, and then she started singing. She dropped one hand turning to face Aaron, stepping closer to him. Wayne smiled at her backing up. Asia concentrated on Aaron. She stepped close to him, rubbing her body seductively against him. Aaron looked down at her, as she gyrated her body against him, singing; Aaron’s mouth fell open. Asia danced tantalizingly against him. She took his hand, pulling him with her, passing an empty chair pulling it with her placing it in the middle of the cleared dance floor. She stood in front of Aaron, and gently pushed him in it. Asia danced around him as she sang. She sat on his lap, and laid back, exposing her full leg to him and to the guest, still singing. She rose, and stood in front of him singing and dancing, enticingly and suggestively. All Aaron could do was stare at Asia amazed, as his body reacted to her performance. She walked slowly behind him; leaning over his shoulder, her hands gliding down the front of his chest as she sang; kissing him gently on his ear. She was in front of him again, her petite body rolling and waving gracefully. Aaron heart begun to pounded profusely in his chest. He all but shut out the audience they had, focusing only on Asia, and the tantalizing way she was dancing. His eyes raked over her boldly, and Asia knew he was watching her intently. This pleased her. She wanted him spellbound.