Page 7 of Saved By the Game

“It’s alright. I plan to make you forget about all the pain he caused you. If you let me.” He commented and kissed her cheek. Then he instructed Malik to drive them back to the hotel.

“Adonis, I have a question for you.”

“What’s up, beautiful?” He replied to her as she lifted her head from his chest.

“What made you want to play basketball professionally instead of pursuing other career paths?”

“Girl, what?” He darted his eyes toward Bella with shock. “Basketball is all I’ve known since I was five years old. Growing up, my dad woke me up every morning to train. He used to put a basketball in front of me, like my mother put a bottle in front of me. Basketball allowed me to turn my lifelong passion into a purpose-driven journey, challenging my limits, building resilience, and creating a legacy through dedication, teamwork, and the love of the game.

“I want to give you some history about my childhood. My parents also taught me that academics were important. My mom was a middle school teacher, and she taught Sunday school at church. My dad worked odd jobs, and he sold weed to make ends meet. They didn’t want me living paycheck to paycheck like them. So, I was also made to read every single night. My dad taught me that basketball was my ticket out of poverty. I’d always been made fun of by my peers. They told me I was too smart to make it to the NBA. The kids would taunt me because my dad was tough on me. If I was on the phone with friends, they would crack jokes that I needed to do my push-ups before my dad beat my butt. My dad made me resent him for how tough he was on me. Now I’m thankful for him. In high school I was recruited by an AAU team at the age of thirteen to play with a varsity team. I went on to become the best recruit of myhigh school class. ESPN and 247Sports ranked me in the top five of my class. Then my dream came true when I was offered the chance to play for Duke University. I committed to playing for the school’s D1 basketball team. My first year of college I always knew that I would make it to the NBA because I lived and breathed the game. The game of basketball saved me. Basketball helped me through so many highs and lows in my life and God helped me throughout all the suffering. I went from being government fed to now being able to feed my neighborhood. I give all glory to God.”

“Wow, you have an amazing testimony. You’ve endured so much.” She replied. Hearing you speak about your dad makes me miss my father. He died about four years ago from a long fight with cancer. My dad was the hardest worker I know. If he were still alive, I wouldn’t have to worry about dealing with domestic violence. My dad played for the New York Knicks, and he had a respected reputation. He was known for his fiery competitiveness and fearless play, wasn’t one to back down-but he rarely engaged in full-blown fights during games. I can recall one moment during a game. My dad got into a confrontation with another guard after a hard foul and some trash talk. The two exchanged words and had to be separated, but it didn’t escalate into a physical fight. Both players were given technical fouls. My dad typically let his game speak louder than his temper. Also, if anyone looked at his family wrong, he would put them in their place. My dad was the man.” Bella proudly announced.

“I’m sorry for the loss of your father. I want you to know that you are not alone. I want to support you. I believe God allowed us to meet for a reason. I’m here for you now. I hope you give me the chance to help you.”Adonis declared.

“Awe, thank you babe. You make me want to be with you. I appreciate you so much for being here for me and making me feel safe. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you in these circumstances.”

“Then will you move in with me? I know it’s too soon to ask, but I want to remind you that you have the option still.”

“Can you give me a little more time to think about it? Everything is still fresh. Let’s not rush things too much more. I don’t want us to ruin what we have now.”

“Of course, I’ll give you time Bella. Just choose right.” He voiced and gave her a wink. He was making plans in his mind to pull out all the tricks to win Bella’s love.

3

Kybella Vonshire (Bella)

Bella went to sleep in the car on the ride home. A bump in the road awakened her and she darted up screaming. As soon as she began to look around, Adonis took her in his arms. He sat beside her stroking her hair to calm her down. His loving touch was amazing. Ever since he pulled her from the darkness-steady hands lifting her from pain she thought she’d never escape-something inside her had shifted. In his presence, she felt safe, seen, understood in ways words could never capture. The urge to be close to him wasn’t about touch; it was about trust, about surrendering to the warmth he gave so freely. She ached to bridge the space between them, to let him feel the depth of what he’d awakened in her-not just desire, but the kind of intimacy born from gratitude, healing, and quiet lust. She was in distress because her ex-boyfriend beat her. She didn’t want to come off as desperate to have another man so quickly. Game came to her rescue while she was in a crisis. Bella thought about how she would have to let him know that she appreciated him, but she wouldn’t move in with him. I refuse to allow a man to come in my life as a Prince Charming. She thought about how he could give her the world and then turn around and control her life. It could all be a front. Her past taught her that sweet words oftenmasked hidden agendas, so now she couldn’t shake the feeling that Adonis’s charm was just a front to pull her into his control.

Her mind recalled how Brian tricked her into thinking he loved her. She remembered how he love-bombed her throughout their entire relationship. His most famous quote to her was,I’ll change for you. Every time she would threaten to leave him that was what he said to keep her there. They’d originally met in the club. He bought her a bottle and dinner that night to get her home with him. She fell for his lies and promises of giving her a good life. Brian’s home was beautiful and once she moved in with him permanently, he became a different man towards her. His mask would come off and he would begin the mistreatment. The first week that she moved in with Brian, she made him dinner. Steak, potatoes, greens, and yams. As soon as she handed him his plate, he slapped her in the face. He said the steak wasn’t done and threw the food on the floor. The memory was vivid like it happened yesterday, although it was many years ago. The disrespect hurt her feelings badly, more than the hurt from the physical abuse.

Bella trusted Brian enough to share her life with him. After he hit her the first time, he gifted her with a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon to make up for the abuse. She accepted it and the cycle repeated numerous times afterwards. Adonis seemed like he was different, but it could all be an act to get her to commit.

As she turned to exit the car, Adonis began to put a necklace around her neck. Bella looked at the necklace in amazement. It was a Dolce & Gabbana Gold Rosary necklace. It had glossy black beads all around the necklace and a gold cross pendant that hung low.

“Oh my God, thank you so much for this necklace! I love it!” She announced then she kissed him on the lips. “You didn’t have to buy me this. You already spent a bag on the wardrobe.”

“I know that I didn’t have to buy the necklace, but I brought it for a reason. The beads on the necklace symbolize the prayers said by the faithful, the crucifix is the passion and death of Jesus, and the centerpiece is the Virgin Mary. I’m not Catholic but I saw the necklace in the store and thought you should have it. I thought it would help you to keep your focus on the life of Jesus and the teachings of the church. I also thought you could use it as a symbol of God’s protection.”

“Now, that you have explained the deep meaning of it, I’ll never take my rosary off. I appreciate the gesture very much. I don’t believe I’ve received a meaningful gift like this before from any man.” She responded and gave her new man a big hug.Bella knew she hadn’t been with Adonis but one day. Most people would say they were moving too fast, but it just felt right. It was love at first sight for them. At least Bella knew it was love at first sight for her. She’d always been his fan, but she looked at him as much more than a basketball star. He was more like her own person. The person God made specifically for her. She’d been praying to God that she would meet someone to change the way she thought about men. Her prayer was that Game would treat her better than Brian.

Adonis showed her in one day of meeting that he wasn’t playing any games with her heart. She had faith that God was answering her prayers. God did his big one when he made Adonis Ferguson. He was handsome, fine, brilliant, emotionally intelligent, God-fearing, and charming. She wanted to praise dance so badly, but she would save her praise for church. Deep down inside her heart was doing cartwheels.

“Um, babe, are you okay?” Adonis asked, snapping his fingers toward Bella.

“Yes, I’m fine. I was just considering your invitation.”

“So, do you accept my invitation?” Game asked while rubbing his hands together.

She looked into his eyes and smiled. “I still need a little more time to think about it. You’ve given me many reasons to go with you. I must say you treat me like a queen. I’d hate for anything to mess up the connection we already share. What if I go home with you and you get too comfortable and begin to mistreat me like Brian did? I’m scared Adonis.”

Adonis pulled her closer to him, then brought Bella in for a soft kiss. “Baby don’t do that to me. I’m just being me. Don’t push me away, girl. Don’t put me in the same category of a man-child. I’m a grown man and I promise to always give you queen treatment. If I ever slip on treating you with the highest regard, I want you to call me out on my bullshit. I got you. I promise with everything in me. I don’t want to force you to do something that you don’t want. So, please by all means, take your time in thinking about going back to Texas with me. Baby, we don’t have but two more days in Paris. Time is running out.”

Bella looked at Adonis in disappointment. He lifted her chin and planted a kiss on her lips. All she could do was kiss him back passionately. Malik had slow jam music playing on repeat. It was getting hot between them, so she stopped the kiss. He held her hand until they got back to the hotel. He was incredibly insightful, grasping her emotions as if they’d been together for years. Bella wasn’t an affectionate woman with any of her exes. She couldn’t remember desiring a man as much as she wanted to kiss all over him.

She certainly didn’t recall twisting tongues with any man in public before. She could get used to the love he gave. She sat quietly, with an unfocused gaze, as her mind wandered into a vivid daydream. In this imagined world, she had transformed his hotel room into a space that mirrored her own. Soft lighting, scented candles flickering on the nightstand, and her favorite playlist humming low in the background. A delicate lace lingerie set, new and untouched, was waiting draped across the edge of the bed like an unspoken invitation – deep wine red with satin straps that whispered elegance and danger all at once. In the closet, hung neatly, were fresh outfits she’d handpicked; fitted jeans, silky tops, even a pair of heels placed by the door. Everything was new, none of her old clothes were there. Not a single worn sweater, not even her favorite hoodie. They were all still at her ex-boyfriend’s room; where she had left them, like fragments of a life she hadn’t walked away from. It was like her old life still lingered in the closet. Bella was anticipating getting back to the room to shower and wear the new lingerie he’d bought her. If he allowed her the privacy to take a shower. She was looking forward to some alone time. Plus, it seemed like Brian wasn’t worried about her anyway. It’d been a whole day since she’d seen or heard from Brian. It was important that she stay alert and on the lookout for him. As Adonis and Bella walked back to the room with their hands locked tightly, she was constantly looking out for Brian.

“Girl, I see you looking out for that man. I told you that you’re safe with me. My bodyguard is right beside you. Stop tripping out.” Game insisted. All Kybella could do was smile at Adonis. She let him run the show and didn’t say anything back. Adonis was an alpha male, and she loved it. She wasn’t afraid of what he would do to her, unlike the fear Brian had instilled in her. Now that she’d been around Adonis, she knew her exdidn’t stand a chance with him. Adonis took boxing lessons, and he often participated in matches. So, Kybella believed he would beat Brian’s ass if they ever had a meet up.

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