Tiny Tales: Book One

Tiny Tales: Book One

Makala Thomas

Copyright 2020 by Makala Thomas

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please download an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not download it, or it was not downloaded for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and download your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

TINY TALES:

(BOOK ONE)

By Makala V. P. Thomas

Hello and welcome to Tiny Tales: Book One!

Something magical is bound to happen when you read a good book. Indulge yourself in Tiny Tales while travelling, while away for a holiday or even just at home relaxing :)

Enjoy this day’s weather (no matter the kind) with this book at hand! Settle back and relieve your mind of your current worries and stress for a little while as you read these short stories and snippets. You won’t regret it!

Tiny Tales Included in Book One:

Unrequited Love

Eternal Love

The Moon Sword

A Dangerous Game (Snippet)

Winning Roses

The Book Of Shadows

The Link: Colette’s Return (Snippet)

The Link: The Betrayal (Snippet)

The Shifter

Happy Reading!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNREQUITED LOVE

ETERNAL LOVE

THE MOON SWORD

A DANGEROUS GAME (SNIPPET)

WINNING ROSES

THE BOOK OF SHADOWS

THE LINK: COLETTE’S RETURN (SNIPPET)

THE LINK: THE BETRAYAL (SNIPPET)

THE SHIFTER

CONTACT MAKALA THOMAS

UNREQUITED LOVE

Tamera smiled as he entered the hotel suite from the dining area, holding two glasses of champagne.

For me?

Who else? Jamal replied huskily, and her smile grew.

I can’t believe we’re doing this. Tyrese is going to go nuts if he ever finds out.

What Tyrese don’t know can’t hurt him, Jamal pointed out, and Tamera nodded.

I know.

Drink your champagne, he said softly, and she smiled and took a sip.

It’s lovely.

Not as lovely as I’m going to make you feel…

* * *

Hey baby.

Hey, Tamera said softly, and Tyrese kissed her tenderly.

Good day at work?

It was great. Me and the girls went for a drink together afterwards.

I can taste it on your tongue, Tyrese said seductively as he moved to kiss her again, but Tamera turned her head away. What’s wrong?

Nothing, she lied. Um. I just need a bath and a nap. I had a long day at the office, I’m tired.

Tamera’s mobile went off in her bag. Tyrese frowned as she hesitated, then he asked Are you going to get that, babe?

No, not now. I just want that bath.

Tyrese nodded, Tamera stepping out of her heels.

Should I get dinner started?

I’m not hungry, Tamera replied as she walked out of the living room, and Tyrese said ok.

* * *

What did I tell you about calling me at home? hissed Tamera as she closed her bedroom door behind her, and Jamal chuckled.

There’s no fun without a bit of risk involved. Loosen up, Tam.

Tamera smiled, then she said You called while Tyrese was practically next to me. Stick to texts, ok? That way I can pass it off as a work email.

Jamal sighed. We’ve been going like this for five months now, Tamera. Don’t you want something more?

More? Tamera repeated, curious. More like what?

Like us two being together.

We are together.

You know what I mean, said Jamal, heat rising. I can’t stand the thought of you going home to him and you know that. I want it to be me you come home to.

What about Tyrese? I’ve been with him for nearly four years, Tamera said as she went into her bedroom-bathroom, running the water in the bathtub and shrugging off her dressing gown. I love him.

Don’t say that!!

Why? she snapped. It’s the truth!

Yeah? Well the truth is I love you!

Tamera froze. What?

You heard me, breathed Jamal. I love you. I want to be your man, your life, your everything. The one you come home to after work. The one you spend Christmas with, the one you introduce to you mother!

Tamera didn’t speak for a minute.

Tam? Jamal said worriedly. Are you there?

Tamera took a deep breath, then she said Ok.

Ok??

Yes, shrugged Tamera. Ok.

Is that all you have to say?!

Well what do you want me to say??

Uh, how about you love me too?!

We agreed to have a bit of fun, snapped Tamera. This was meant to be a no strings attached thing. And now you go attaching duct tape. Why the hell did you have to complicate things??

Well I can’t help how I feel, Jamal snapped back. So now you’d better choose who you want to be with right now. And if you choose Tyrese, this bit of fun is over.

I choose Tyrese, spat Tamera. So I guess me and you are done. Bye!

Wait! Tamera-

She hung up before Jamal could say anything else, then she almost immediately received a text- from Jamal.

"I won’t let you leave me."

Tamera scowled before she sent a reply.

"I’ve already left you, Jamal."

"Yeah? Well you haven’t heard the last of me."

Tamera frowned as she began typing, a sense of dread creeping up on her. Suddenly she felt things were going to go real bad with Jamal.

What do you mean?

"I mean if I can’t have you, no one will. Not even

your precious Tyrese Jackson."

Almost ten seconds later:

This isn’t the last you’ve heard from me.

Tamera felt a cold chill run down her spine. Not answering Jamal, she turned off her phone.

* * *

Tamera slipped into bed beside Tyrese, snuggling up to him. Hey.

Hey, Tyrese responded, and she kissed him. Tyrese started to kiss her back, then he felt her body trembling. He broke the kiss, staring at her. Tam? She didn’t answer. Babe, what’s wrong?

Nothing, she lied, and he scowled at her. What?

Don’t lie to me. I know something’s bothering you and it has all night. Now what’s up?

I just… I’ve been treating you like crap for the last couple of months. You didn’t deserve that. I just…Ty, I’m really sorry.

Hey. Come here. Tyrese put his arms around her. I know work can be challenging.

Work??

Yeah, Tyrese said. You said your boss was a jerk and always makes you work those late hours, right?

Oh, said Tamera, remembering when she told that lie five months ago. I… yeah. Yeah, work. It’s challenging. I’m not sure I can take it. I was happy being a house girlfriend.

The hell you was. Tyrese burst out laughing. After we was together for like eight months you was complaining about being alone all the time. That’s why you started working, remember? And you love your job. It’s the new boss who’s a jerk.

Tamera sighed and nodded. Let’s go to sleep.

Not until I get some sugar from you.

Tamera was worn out from her antics earlier with Jamal.

Baby I’m tired. Let me rest, ok?

Tyrese sighed. You’re always tired these days. Never wanting to make love to me.

Because I’ve been making love almost every day to someone else, Tamera thought to herself, but she didn’t say it.

Tyrese took the silence as some kind of guilty feeling she was having. Smiling at her, he said I love you baby.

I love you too, she said softly, and he kissed her again before he turned out the lights.

Tamera laid down in his arms, thinking about Jamal and his threat. Did he mean it? Or was he just angry?

She didn’t know why, but she was starting to grow nervous- and nothing had even happened. She wasn’t used to being threatened, and she didn’t like it.

* * *

Tamera’s alarm went off for six a.m.

She snapped awake, Tyrese mumbling something before he rolled over, going back to sleep.

Tamera edged out of bed quietly and quietly walked into her bathroom to get ready for work, walking into the bathroom to apply her face mask and then get settled with a book and mug of coffee before she got ready for work.

Once she was downstairs in the kitchen, she sat facing the windows with her book and coffee, smiling as she listened to the birds sing.

Tap.

Tap.

Tamera frowned, glancing at her garden door.

She could make out the line of a figure standing there- they raised their hand and knocked again.

Tamera sipped her coffee and stood nervously as the person growled Tamera?

She froze, staring at the door.

Tamera, I know you’re in there. Come out please. I just want to play.

Play? she whispered, then a hand touched her from behind. Aaaargh!!

Hey! Easy, Tam! Tyrese grabbed her as she dropped her coffee. What’s wrong??

There’s someone out there, Tamera said frantically as he held her, shaking like a leaf. There’s someone out there!

Tyrese looked at the door, then he strode over the broken mug and pulled open the back door.

Look, see? There’s nobody out here.

Tamera joined his side and stared out at the garden, heart pounding.

The garden was clear.

There was somebody right outside the door- I swear it! They knocked on the door and called my name and-

Tam, it was probably just the wind-

It was not the wind! she snapped as she knelt to clean up the mess she made. I was reading my book and they knocked on the door and called me-

Tamera, calm down. You’re shaking!

You would be too if someone was at your door before seven in the morning!

Tyrese chuckled; Tamera glared at him.

What’s so funny?

You, baby. You’re too sexy when you’re het up.

Tamera sighed. Can you clean this up for me? I need to get ready for work.

Sure, go on up.

An hour later Tamera was back downstairs in her work clothes, a black suit with a white shirt inside and reasonable heels on her feet.

Ok babe I’m off to work. She was still on edge. If you hear a knock on the door again-

Tamera, seriously- Tyrese started laughing. You was half asleep-

I didn’t imagine it, Tamera said angrily. Someone was out there and if I find out it was-

She stopped, Tyrese looking at her curiously.

Who?

Some kid playing a prank, she muttered; Tyrese laughed again.

At this time? Tamera shrugged and he laughed again. I’ll see you later, baby. Have a good day at work. You going out with the girls again?

Tamera said no. I’m coming straight back to you.

Tyrese was surprised. Really?

Yes really. Now come and give me a kiss goodbye.

Tyrese laughed before he gave the love of his life a tender kiss. Sighing, Tamera said I’ll see you later.

* * *

Tamera sat with her girls from work, Mary-Anne and Sarah.

They were in Starbucks, having a quick coffee and a sandwich. Tamera was relaxed, laughing, having fun. She didn’t think anything when a woman came up to her, holding a muffin.

Excuse me, this is for you.

For me? Tamera repeated curiously, and she said yes.

The gentleman over there asked me to give it to you.

Tamera, Mary-Anne and Sarah looked across the floor, but they saw no one.

There’s no one there.

The woman glanced behind her, surprised.

He was there a moment ago! He said it’s for Tamera James?

That’s me, Tamera said, unnerved, and the woman smiled and handed her the muffin.

There you go. Have a nice day.

Wait! What did the man look like? demanded Tamera, and she shrugged.

Tall, black jacket with a lion on the back. He said he knows you.

Sounds like a freak, Mary-Anne said, sipping her coffee. Don’t eat that, Tam. He probably liked the look of you, that’s all. Don’t accept food from strangers-

He said he knows her, Sarah interrupted. He knew her name. So obviously he’s not a stranger-

Tamera said nothing, mind spinning as the woman’s voice played in her head.

Tall, black jacket with a lion on the back…

Jamal, whispered Tamera, and they looked at her.

Did you say something, Tamera?

No, lied Tamera. Um. Let’s go back to work. You know that jerk will grill us if we’re even ten seconds late.

Mary-Anne scowled with Sarah, and they both stood up.

All right, let’s go.

Tamera was staring down at the muffin, mind racing. Was it a coincidence a tall man in a black jacket with a lion happened to be where she was with her work mates? Or was it Jamal?

Jamal had a black jacket with a lion on the back. He wore it all the time, Tamera thought frantically. This was no coincidence.

It was him, she whispered, so quietly no one heard her.

What? said Mary-Anne, but Tamera shook herself and plastered a smile on her face, saying Let’s go.

* * *

Tamera’s work phone went off in her office.

She picked it up quickly, saying You’re through to Benign Housing. Tamera James speaking.

Hey baby.

Tyrese, she said, relieved. How’s work going, baby?

Good. I’m just calling to check on you. Your mobile’s been off all morning.

Oh- I forgot to turn it on, lied Tamera, and Tyrese said ok.

So are you still coming straight home?

Of course, she said. Do you want me to bring in dinner?

I’ll cook, Tyrese replied, and she could hear from his tone of voice that he was smiling. Name any dish you fancy and I’ll make it.

There was a knock on Tamera’s door and a member of staff at a lower position than her entered holding a gorgeous bouquet of flowers.

Miss James?

Baby I have to go. Tamera placed her phone on her receiver before she said Yes?

These flowers are for you.

Really? Tamera stared at the flowers, then she smiled. Are they from a man called Tyrese?

No Miss. They’re from a man called Jamal. He left just a moment ago.

Tamera stared at her, visibly beginning to shake.

Miss James? the woman stared at her. Are you all right?

Throw those flowers away, Tamera said quietly. And if that man comes back here, ask him to leave immediately- and if he doesn’t, call the police.

Yes Miss.

Humbly, the woman closed Tamera’s office door behind her as she left.

Tamera leant back on her office chair, taking a steady breath.

Jamal was playing with her head and it had her on edge. Just how far was he going to go with all of this? She knew he had something to do with the cake at Starbucks, and she knew she hadn’t imagined someone being at her garden door at the crack of dawn.

Tamera picked up her phone to dial the reception and she ordered a large coffee to be brought to her.

She couldn’t wait to get home, to the safety and love of Tyrese.

* * *

Tamera picked at her food, rolling a cherry tomato around her plate with her fork. Her mind was full of today, and everything that happened.

Tyrese frowned at her. Tamera? Are you ok?

What? she glanced at him, and he repeated himself. I’m fine.

You’re not eating, Tyrese said, and she glanced down at her pretty much full plate. Plus you haven’t said much since you got back from work.

Oh. I’m sorry, she said softly. I have a lot on my mind.

I can tell. Tyrese smiled at her. Want to share?

It’s nothing, babe. Just work-related stress.

Tyrese frowned again. If your boss doesn’t stop being hard on you I’m going to have a word with him.

Forget it, Ty. You get nice managers sometimes and you get jerk managers a lot of the time. I have a jerk manager, Tamera said, shrugging. No big deal.

Tyrese smiled at her. Ok. Just tell me if he’s giving you too much trouble.

I will baby. I’ll be a good girl and eat my food now.

Tyrese burst out laughing as Tamera forked some food and popped it in her mouth.

Good girl.

* * *

Tamera shifted closer to Tyrese as they watched a movie together, her arm snaking around his waist as she murmured I missed you.

I haven’t gone anywhere, Tyrese answered amusedly, and she shifted closer and kissed him. Mmm. What was that for?

For everything.

* * *

Tamera’s mobile went off at six in the morning.

Mumbling in her sleep, she rolled over and rejected the call, Tyrese pulling her closer and kissing her forehead.

Tamera’s mobile went off again and she swore before she reached for it.

Hello…

Tam, it’s me.

Yawning, she said Me who…

Jamal.

What the hell do you want?! Wide awake now and sitting up in bed, she said I thought I made it perfectly clear that-

Tam, just listen to me for a minute!

I want nothing to do with you, why is that so hard to understand?! Tamera almost screamed the words as she stood, Tyrese startled as he said Who the hell is that??

Nobody!

If it wasn’t nobody you wouldn’t be-

Ty, just be quiet for a minute while I talk to this person-

But who are they?

Tell him, Jamal said. Tell him who I am and end this. Then we can finally be together-

Tamera tried to regain her cool as she took a deep breath, then she quietly said Leave me alone and I mean it.

I just want it to be how it used to be! said Jamal angrily. Why can we go back to how it was?!

Things will never be how it was! Now leave me alone!

Tamera hung up the phone, furious as she stormed around the bedroom, trying to think, but Tyrese started: What the hell is going on, Tamera?

Nothing!

Was that a guy on the phone to you? demanded Tyrese, and Tamera said It’s nothing, ok? I promise. Go back to sleep, Ty.

She could tell that he wasn’t going to let it go, and cursed Jamal violently inside her head before she softly said Please. Forget it.

Tyrese opened his mouth, then he closed it and nodded.

Thank you.

Let’s go back to bed, Tyrese said, a little coldly. It’s not even eight in the morning. Whoever it was obviously didn’t want to wait until a decent time.

Tamera got back into bed with him, snuggling up to him and closing her eyes, pretending to sleep.

She waited until Tyrese’s arm around her slackened and his breathing slowed, a sign he was fast asleep. Then she cautiously reached for her mobile and deleted all texts from Jamal, all messages from him on Whatsapp, and all calls in her call log. Then she added a passcode lock to her phone as well, just in case of anything.

There.

If Tyrese wanted to know what was going on, he sure as hell wouldn’t get any answers from her mobile.

* * *

It was almost three in the afternoon.

Jamal stared at Tamera’s house from the seat of his car, wondering if he should be bold and ring the bell. He knew Tyrese was out working.

He could just go and talk to his baby, try and sort things out for the hundredth time. He didn’t mean to blurt he loved her. That wasn’t meant to happen. He just panicked, thinking he was going