Chapter 14
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“As I live and breathe, Layla fucking Garrett… gotdamn baby every time I see you still look good enough to make a nigga’s heart skip a few beats.”
Layla laughed, remembering how those smooth ass lines once had her wide open. “Nouri Zaman, still disarming the ladies with that smile, I see.”
“I don’t do it on purpose. That’s just the Zaman smile.”
“Oh, I know. I raised two boys with that same enchanting leer.”
“Speaking of which, how have things been since Barbados?” Nouri questioned finally taking his seat at the table.
“Well, ummm, I haven’t even been back home yet.”
“LaLa, come on now… what you mean you haven’t gone back home yet? You haven’t talked to them?”
Layla had to take a moment to regain her bearings. Cross her legs, say a quick prayer, anything to take her mind off the memories flooding her brain from Nouri calling her LaLa.
“Say what?” She couldn’t even remember the damn question.
“I said, why haven’t you been home?”
“Oh, because… shit, Onyx has a lot going on with his upcoming wedding, the label, his son. And Kas… Kas is just a hot ass mess, and they were so pissed off with me. I just sprung everything on them.”
“Sprung it on them?”
“Yes. Hi babies, I know y’all haven’t seen your father in over two decades, but he and I have been talking, and surprise, here he is… he wants to talk. What the hell was I thinking?”
“How else were you supposed to do it, La? As ashamed as I am to say it, the fact remains that I haven’t seen my sons since Kas was 5 years old.
Ain’t really no way to sugarcoat it. I fucked up and don’t even deserve the title of father, as far as they’re concerned.
I want to make it right for my boys though.
I also want to make it right for me and you as well.
You’ve done a damn good job with those boys.
I’m attempting to come in at the 11th hour, but I’m here…
I’m trying to make amends. Don’t obstruct the opportunity for me. ”
“I’m not trying to do that, it’s just…”
“You’re used to being their everything and don’t want them to know me because you know they’d love me.”
“No Nouri, that’s not what it is. Actually, Onyx clearly fucking hates you, and I’m not even being funny.
I know my big baby, and he loves hard… so hard he has difficulty grasping the difference between love and hatred.
He wastes no time trying to balance himself on that thin line…
he tracks right on over to that hate side. ”
“We can fix that, though.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.”
“And Kasra?”
“Um, my baby boy and Onyx have plenty of similarities, but in so many ways, he’s the polar opposite of his big brother.
Nyx… he won’t be easy. It’s going to take him a while to come around.
Hell, he may not come around at all. Kas though, once he feels any aspect of love or a bond, he’s gone chase it. ”
“He’ll have no choice but to feel the bond. He’s the flesh of my flesh, the blood of my blood. That shit can’t be denied.”
“I’ll guess we’ll have to see.”
“When? I’d prefer sooner than later.”
“Uh, just a few more days, okay? I promise I’ll go back home and try to straighten things out. Then we can set up something for a meet up. Hopefully, Onyx won’t punch you in the face.”
A hearty laugh fled Nouri’s mouth. “I’d let him get one off on the strength that I deserve it. Anything after that, though I’d have to lay his ass out.”
“I wish you would put your hands on my son. I’d kick your ass.”
“Yea, I don’t doubt that.” Nouri smiled. “But you gone be by my side for the meet up, right? I might need you to hold my hand.”
Whew Lord, give me strength. “Yes, I’ll be there.”
“Then that’s settled. Now, let’s order because I’m hungry as hell. Tell me… is there a man in your life?”
It was Yanna’s second official day at WCMG, and her list of tasks for the label’s mixer had doubled since Onyx first gave it to her.
She already felt that in the two short days she’d done way more than she had any day working in the club.
So far that morning she’d finalized contracts for caterers, bartenders, and decorators.
She’d ensured the audio and visual connections were up to par and also measured every inch of the lower level where the mixer would be held.
To say she was beat would be an understatement.
About two hours into her shift, she’d ditched her five-inch heels and replaced them with a pair of slides.
Now, at nearly noon all she wanted to do was find Kas so he could buy her lunch.
Since she was on the lower level, she hopped on the elevator, figuring he’d be in one of the studio suites.
Once the elevator stopped on the fourth floor, she stepped off, heading down the hallway.
Her search for Kas was short-lived when she noticed him walking in the opposite direction.
Aside from being tired, Yanna had otherwise been in good spirits.
That changed when she noticed Kas walking with Zahra.
The girl was wearing a smile a mile wide while touching Kas’ arm, and to Yanna’s irritation, Kas’ smile was nearly identical.
The moment he spotted Yanna, the smile tumbled from his face, and he put a few feet of space between them.
When he approached Yanna, he wrapped her in his arms, squeezing her in a tight embrace.
Yanna took a moment to revel in his grasp before noticing Zahra was still standing there.
“Oh, Yanna Boo, this is Zahra, a singer Onyx is scouting for the label.” He made the introduction since it hadn’t been done the first time they were in each other’s presence.
“Yea? And what are you, the welcoming committee?”
“Something like that.” Kas smiled.
“I bet,” she retorted. Turning her attention to Zahra, she held her hand out for a shake. “How rude of me, it’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too, Yanna.”
“I’ve heard some of your music. You have potential. Once you get over that problem with singing through your nose the way you do and your inability to hit high notes, you’ll be a force to be reckoned with. Just remember, the key to great singing is pulling your breath from the diaphragm.”
“What? My singing is nasally?”
“Only all the time. I wouldn’t obsess over it, though.”
“Aye, I’ll get up with you later, Zahra.” Kas interrupted, pulling Yanna away, barely able to contain his laugh. “Why the hell would you tell that girl that?”
“Somebody needed to tell her. How can she get better if she doesn’t know her problem areas?”
“Onyx was going to tell her when they had their meeting with the vocal coach. Yo ass always doing something. My brother is already skeptical about us working here together, and you just proving why he should be. Then gone be looking crazy in the face if he fire yo’ ass.”
“Oh please, Onyx would not fire me.”
“He’d fire the fuck out yo ass without thinking twice about it before he let you start shit in here. Making his artists uncomfortable.”
“That bitch should be uncomfortable calling herself an artist.”
“Cut it out, Jaiyanna. Anyway, how your day been?”
“Your brother has been working me like my name is Kizzie Kente. Look, I broke a nail and everything,” she complained. Holding up her finger so Kas could see her chipped nail. “I need to go to the nail salon.”
“Yea, you need to do something about them feet too.” Kas joked, looking down at Yanna’s exposed toes in her slides.
“Ha ha, nigga you’re not funny. Just for that little joke, you’re paying for my nails.”
“As if I don’t already pay for them anyway.” Pulling her into him, Kas embraced Yanna in a hug. “You looking good as hell today too. Come in one of the empty studio suites with me real quick, let me tell you something.”
“You always trying to tell me something with your dick.”
“I’ll tell you with my mouth too, c’mere.”
“Kas, no, watch out. I’m not even about to play with you in one of those suites to have Onyx on my head. I just want to get my nails done and relax.”
“Want me to pay for nails, but I can’t get no ass. Let me grab my stuff, man. I’m coming,” Kas grumbled before heading to the suite.
Yanna laughed at his dramatics while waiting for him to collect his things.
She noticed Zahra glancing at her through one of the huge glass windows.
Always on her petty shit, Yanna offered the girl a roguish smirk before waving at her.
Adding insult to injury, Kas didn’t even acknowledge her as he exited the suite and rejoined Yanna in the hall.
Yanna offered one last taunting smile before she and Kas boarded the elevator hand in hand.
Zahra waited until Kas and Yanna were out of sight before sticking up her middle finger.
She wanted Kas badly. She could tell Kas wanted her, and she’d almost had him in her grasps until Yanna walked up.
The girl thought she was being funny insulting her singing, but as far as Zahra was concerned, she was just a hater.
She couldn’t care less about Yanna. She wanted Kas as much as she wanted a record deal and was determined to get both by any means necessary.
Within thirty minutes, Kas and Yanna were seated in Pedicure chairs inside a Colonial Heights nail salon.
Kas never made bones about getting pedicures and manicures because he felt as a man it was important for him to keep himself well groomed.
His only caveat was that he didn’t want another man rubbing and massaging his feet.
He tried to relax and allow the warm water to relax him, but the noises Yanna was making deemed it hard.
Her head was tossed back, and eyes were closed as the small Asian man kneaded her feet in the pedicure tub.
“Why the hell you making all that noise?”
“Because he massaging the shit out my feet.”
“Put ‘em up here and let me do it. I don’t like that shit. Aye bruh, you can stop.” Kas snapped his fingers to get the man’s attention.
Fully understanding what Kas was saying, the man laughed and rubbed her foot harder, prompting Yanna to squirm in her seat.
Smiling up at Yanna, he asked, “That boyfriend? He pay for nails?”
“Boyfriend beat yo ass. That’s what he gone do.”
“Kasra, please.” Yanna was a fit of giggles because Kas was dead serious.
Though she’d never voice it aloud, she adored how stingy he was with her.
He wanted to be the only man to make her feel good, even if it was something as simple as getting her feet scrubbed.
“No, he is not my boyfriend, and yes he pay for nails.”
At that, Kas turned to Yanna, face filled with fury. “For real?”
“What?”
“Fuck I tell you ‘bout that?”
“About what?”
“He is not my boyfriend, you love screaming that shit.”
“Did I lie?” She questioned with a raised brow. Kas glared at her for a bit longer before turning in his seat. “Kas.” She reached out and tried to touch his arm, but he snatched it away.
“Don’t touch me. I ain’t yo’ nigga.”
“I know you’re not mad.”
“Stop talking to me, Jaiyanna.”
Kas pulled his phone and AirPods from his pocket, drowning Yanna out by listening to a few beats he’d made over the past few months.
He remained silent throughout the rest of the appointment, and when they were finished, he paid and exited.
Still refusing to say anything to Yanna.
He was tired of her always screaming he wasn’t her man when all he tried to do was show her why he should be.
Kas entered his house, not bothering to wait for Yanna to enter. He closed the door and tossed his keys on the side table. Seconds later, Yanna burst through the door then slammed it closed.
“Why would you shut the door in my face? What the hell is wrong with you?”
“It trip me out how you always doing some shit then act like you don’t know what the hell is going on.”
“If I knew, I wouldn’t ask. You just got a pissy ass attitude out of nowhere and started ignoring me. And I know your ass heard me ask you to stop for food.”
“That’s some shit a boyfriend should be doing.”
“Wow, that’s what you’re mad about?”
“Fucking right, that’s what I’m mad about.”
“I mean, you act like I said something that wasn’t true.”
“Ight, Jaiyanna. You keep saying that shit, and I’mma start believing it.”
“Maybe you should.”
“What the fuck is yo’ problem? Why you always acting like you scared to let a nigga love you? Do yo traumas really run that deep?”
“You know what, I’m not doing this with you.” Yanna affirmed, moving to grab her keys she’d left on the coffee table, but Kas was once again able to grab them before she could. “Really? This again?”
“You really trying to leave right now?”
“Yea, I am. Give me my damn keys.”
Kas scoffed, looking at Yanna like he was surprised by her actions, but he shouldn’t have been.
She’d been acting like this since the very first time he messed up.
Kas had done all he could to make up for the things he’d done in the past; now he was tired.
“Ight, take yo ass on then,” he conceded, tossing her keys back to her.
Yanna caught her keys before they hit the floor, shock keeping her from moving immediately.
She was so used to Kas doing the most to keep her in his presence.
Sending her on her way was something new, and it low key hurt her feelings.
Deep down, Yanna knew she deserved it. A woman with more emotional intelligence would’ve stayed, attempted to talk out the problem, but not Yanna.
She snatched up her purse and made her way to the door, knowing she was pushing Kas away.
If only she knew how right she was, perhaps she’d try to get over her illusory feelings and try to make things right.
At that point, Kas was just about over her shit.
Yanna couldn’t help but wonder how long it would be until Kas completely gave up on her.