Whispers in the Night by Brandon Massey Read Free Book Online

himself into an elevator and rode it downstairs to the lobby, then dashed out onto the teeming city streets, into the flow of pedestrian traffic. He leaned against a light pole and inhaled deeply several times, finding himself inexplicably wishing he had a cigarette even though he’d never smoked a day in his life. The voices were quieter now, but they were still there whispering hateful things to him. It had been a long time since they had come on this strong and Malik knew the reason for their renewed vigor: that damned office assistant with the Halle Berry smile and complexion. Despite his anger, he could not ignore the fact that he’d been immensely attracted to her, and Kelly and Jennifer had known it too. That’s why they had attacked him.
    Those fucking bitches! Why can’t they just leave me alone?
    Malik gnashed his teeth together, the squeaky grinding sound drowning out the sonorous echoes in his skull. He whirled suddenly and almost jumped out into the street, pinwheeling his arms to stay on the curb as a cab rushed toward him, his eyes fixed in horror at the beautiful light-skinned office assistant who’d just placed her hand on his shoulder. She reached out for him again to help him regain his footing, pulling him back onto the sidewalk.
    â€œI’m so sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
    â€œYou almost killed me!”
    She continued smiling at him despite the bristling rage and hate boiling off him in waves. She was oblivious. She probably expects the world to love her , Malik thought as he struggled to calm his galloping heartbeat.
    â€œI just wanted to introduce myself,” she said.
    â€œWhy?” Malik found himself backing away from her in horror as if she were something dangerous that might attack him. The woman took a step closer with every step he took in retreat until he was once again teetering on the edge of the curb.
    â€œWhat do you want?” he asked.
    â€œMy name is Danika.” She held out her hand and Malik had to take it to keep from falling off the curb into traffic.
    â€œI’m Malik.”
    â€œI know. The girls in the office already told me about you.” She swept her eyes down to his feet and back up to his eyes again, and once again his body tingled everywhere her gaze landed.
    â€œWhat did they tell you about me?”
    â€œThey said that you only date white girls.”
    â€œWhat? That’s stupid. I date plenty of black girls. I date all kinds of girls.”
    â€œThen why haven’t you asked me out? How come every time I look at you, you look like you want to run away? Do you think I’m ugly or something or are you just scared of me?”
    Why is she doing this? “I’m not afraid of you and you know you aren’t ugly.”
    â€œThen what’s the problem?”
    â€œWhy would you want to go out with me?”
    â€œWhy? Look at you! You’re gorgeous!”
    Malik paused and looked closely at Danika’s face to see if she was serious, hunting for any sign that she was putting him on or patronizing him.
    â€œWhat, do you have some kind of bet with your friends or something?” he asked. “Is that what this is about?”
    â€œLook, I just think you’re fine as hell and I’d like to get to know you. But if you’re not interested, I ain’t going to beg you. A sista does have her pride. If you prefer those white girls, then that’s just your loss.”
    She turned on her heel and started walking back into the building.
    â€œDanika?”
    â€œHmmm?”
    â€œHow about tonight?”
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    The date was going well. Malik was surprised by how much he and Danika had in common. Even the voices in his head were silent for once. Malik was enjoying himself. Each time Danika laughed he laughed with her. She reached out and took his hand as she told him about how her grandparents had to flee the South sixty years ago with the