11. Blythe #2
Two shots right to his chest. I screamed and covered my ears with my blood stained hands. His body hit the floor with a loud thud. My mom dropped the shotgun and ran towards me wrapping her hands around my body burying me in her chest.
“It’s okay baby. It’s okay.” I cried in her chest until our front door was kicked in by police. They handcuffed my mom and placed her in the back of a police car before a female officer placed me in another car and took me to the police station.
I was placed in the custody of my aunt and at my mom’s trial we sat in the front row when Judge Williams sentenced her to the maximum of thirty-two years for second degree murder under the classification of heat of passion.
I was permanently placed in my aunt’s custody along with my brother who was already staying with her.
“The appeal has been presented over and over for years but it kept being rejected for review. I know it has everything to do with Judge Williams. But now that his old ass is on his death bed, they are considering it. All these years I should have been walking free. Judge William’s being Calvin’s grandfather was a conflict of interest. And they allowed him to be the judge on my case.
Of course he would give me the max time.
I swear they are all crooked as spines.” My mommas rant brought me back to the room.
“Well, it’s finally time to get you out of here.” I made a mental note to send a text to Counselor Rosewood as soon as I left.
“Yes, it is. I need to be home with my baby. I need to see her walk down the aisle and make partner.”
“Well, I don’t know about getting married but...”
“What? You made partner?” She was damn near on the edge of her seat with anticipation.
“No, not yet. But I feel close momma. I was invited to shadow at the St. Louis office for a couple weeks. Mrs. McCallum said she has narrowed down the candidates, and she has high hopes for me.”
“That’s great baby. I know the roll is yours.” She touched my hand and squeezed gently.
“Yea as long as her son stays out of my way.” I rolled my eyes
“Somebody is coming for your spot in her family?”
“No, not exactly. Pharaoh is.”
“Oh Pharaoh, that’s a nice name.” She smiled
“Yea sure. But he is the CEO of the St. Louis office, and he has been here helping with our office. He is arrogant and gets on my damn nerves, but he may have some say so in if I get the position or not. He is who I will be shadowing in St. Louis.”
“Well, is he cute? Can you flirt a little bit to stay on his good side? Use spending time with him in St. Louis might work to your advantage.”
“Maybe. We just can’t get along. And him being attractive don’t even help.”
“So, he is handsome. Girl flirt yo ass off. That job is yours and you deserve it but nudge him along by playing sweet.” I smiled at my mom wiggling her brows and shoulders showing how to flirt.
“I will think about it momma. But if he gets under my skin any more than he has I may end up in here with you.”
“You will be fine baby. I told you I feel something good is gonna happen soon. Maybe he plays a big part in what I see coming.”
The rest of our time was spent talking about all the things she wanted to do when she came home.
Top on her list is visiting her and Aunt Ruby’s favorite bakery for some red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting.
Next was the aquarium. I stored that to memory and continued to listen to her plans for freedom.
I was excited to know my momma would possibly be freed soon, and I can have a piece of my life back and things can be somewhat normal.
Mistress Venin: I would like to switch things up a little if you are down.
Counselor Rosewood: What do you have in mind? Your wish is my command Mistress Venin.
I smiled down at my phone and the text thread I had just sent on my Dom phone. Thinking about my plan and how my life will be much better coming very soon had me on cloud nine. After so long I would finally have some peace and I couldn’t wait.
Exhausted wasn’t even the word for how I felt.
I had just gotten off the plane in St. louis and flagged down my car.
It took forever to find my luggage and the start of my cycle had me with the worst attitude and cramps.
I just wanted to make it to the hotel, take an extra hot shower and order room service.
When I finally got home from my visit with my momma, I had a little over two hours to get home, pack up all my last-minute stuff and get to the airport.
Luckily, I was a planner, so everything was lined up and ready to be placed in my already packed bag and my ride was at my door right on time.
Everything was smooth sailing until I used the restroom and discovered evil aunt flow showed up.
My emergency kit in my purse came in handy but it just added on to my exhaustion.
A relaxing evening was more than deserved.
Riding in plush leather seats of the car I admired the city lights.
Everything looked so different and new. I was excited to have some alone time away from the office and explore a new place.
I didn’t feel as up tight and irritated here.
That was new for me and I kind of enjoyed the feeling.
Pulling into the hotel I decided I was going to take my mom’s advice and try to make the most of this experience.
“Good evening, ma’am. Name on the reservation?” The older gentleman asked at the check in counter.
“Good evening. The reservation is under Blythe Livingston.”
“Thank you for that. Give me one moment.” I nodded and stood back waiting patiently. I admired the decor and bright lighting. Huge chandeliers hung in varies places all over the main area giving it a ballroom feeling. “I am sorry Ms. Livingston but it looks like your reservation was cancelled.”
“No, that’s not accurate my assistant called and confirmed this a few days ago. I have the reservation information.” I tapped on my phone screen looking up the email.
“Yes ma’am. I am sorry for the confusion.
The reservation was cancelled this morning.
I have a note here that says please cancel reservation and do not rebook...
PM?” His brows scrunched at the last word trying to decipher what it meant, but I knew exactly what it meant.
They were damn initials for my boss’s asshole of a son, Pharaoh McCallum.
“Okay, give me one moment to figure this out, please.” I tried to be polite, but I wanted to scream and punch shit. I swear whenever I felt like shit would be smooth between us, he reminds me how much of an asshole he is.
Walking off to a corner I exhaled a few times to calm down.
What the hell was wrong with him. This had to be illegal for his ass to call and cancel my damn reservation.
He was the got damn worst. Who raised this bastard?
Pausing in my thoughts I had an epiphany.
I quickly unlocked my phone and scrolled through my contacts.
If his ass wanted to play, he would meet his got damn match.
“Blythe sweetheart, it’s late, is everything okay?”
“I am so sorry to bother you so late in the evening Mrs. McCallum, but I just arrived in St. Louis, and it seems Pharaoh has cancelled my hotel reservation and requested they not rebook.” I put on my fake sad voice and added extra exaggeration to my tone.
“Oh no. Why the hell would he do that?”
“I have no idea. I know you and I discussed me coming in Monday evening because I had a standing appointment that I just couldn’t miss. Was that not correct?”
“Yes, I remember honey, and I said that was fine. Let me get him on the line. This is so unprofessional. Hang tight love. He will be there to fix this shit very soon.”
“Yes ma’am, thank you.” I hung up and smiled big. Checkmate jackass.