Chapter 7 #2
I couldn’t even really focus on my relationship with Asad, because I was so wrapped up in what was going on with my girl.
Karima had been going over there nearly every day.
She was the only one Maui would talk to.
We all gathered together last night, trying to decide what to do.
Angel thought that we should go over there and cook some of her favorites and have a girls’ night.
I didn’t know how that would work, though, if she wasn’t even talking to us.
We still had the book signing to get ready for. Kindred Stories in Houston had offered to help, so maybe they could still pitch in, but the shit was next weekend. With Maui in seclusion, I didn’t know how Yendi and I would handle everything without her.
“The day is almost over, baby. It’s been fucking depressing around here, so I’m ready to get out of here too,” my mama said. “You wanna go to therapy tomorrow?”
I didn’t have to look at her to know what she was talking about. I slowly shook my head and said, “Hell yeah. I could use some retail therapy. Where we going?”
“This shit we’re dealing with warrants a trip to Houston. The Galleria is calling my name.”
“Is it cool if I call Asad to meet us out there?”
“Yeah. Of course. How’s everything going with y’all?”
“Good so far. I’ve been neglecting him this week. With my girl in seclusion, I realized I’ve been doing the same thing. We’ve only talked for a few minutes every day,” I said as I glanced at the flowers he sent to the office this morning.
She gave me a tight smile and went back to her excel sheet.
The business was still growing by leaps and bounds.
We were going to need more help in the office soon.
Malia, Uncle Marcus’s daughter, was working here part-time to learn the ropes.
Nesha came in from time to time also, but we needed at least two more full-time people.
When the phone rang again, I stared at that shit and wanted to throw it against the wall.
“Thank you for calling Henderson Ranch and Farms. This is Chasity. How can I help you?”
“Thanks, Chas.”
My mama gave me the side-eye as she spoke to the customer.
I knew she wouldn’t be able to say anything back while she was on the phone.
I chuckled, then went to the lounge area to make myself a cup of tea.
We had some instant tea that I’d picked up from the African store in Beaumont when I had to go to UPS.
The shit was somewhat spicy like red hots, but I noticed it was helping with my fatigue.
Sitting in this office all day wore me the hell out.
I was too young to be fatigued. I tried to work out at Brix’s gym on Saturday and Sunday mornings, but I knew that wasn’t nearly enough.
I was going to have to make a conscious effort to go at least four times a week.
I couldn’t wait until my house was done.
Then Asad could stay with me sometimes. The only inconvenience for him staying with me was that he would be away from Jayceon, but most times, he didn’t see him during the week.
Mila wouldn’t allow it. She was a stupid ho.
If the father of my son wanted to spend time with him, I would allow him all the time he wanted, especially if he was a good father like Asad.
He was limited to his weekends, unless him having Jayceon benefited her in some way.
It was ridiculous, and I truly wished his attorney would hurry up with that paternity case.
Asad had petitioned for full custody, and apparently, my daddy knew some shit about her that he didn’t tell me. He gave that info straight to Asad.
As far as I was concerned, she’d been radio silent.
If she was giving Asad problems, he didn’t tell me about it.
He knew I already wanted to get at that ho, so he wouldn’t dare add fuel to my already raging fire.
Actually, that shit was contained for now.
Thankfully, she didn’t get Royal for more than what she did, or there would have been nothing Asad could have said to keep me from finding her ass.
After I got back to my desk, I heard the door open. I was so done with work today. It was two o’clock, but my brain was saying, “It’s Friday! Let’s close up early!”
Hopefully, no one was coming in to give us more business.
I heard the receptionist talking and laughing with whoever had come in, so it was probably family.
I released a sigh and resumed looking at the budget for marketing.
When I saw Maui and Uncle Storm walk through the door, I damn near wasted my tea all over the place.
I hopped up from my seat and ran to her, picking her up and swinging her around as she giggled.
I could tell she wasn’t really happy, but she was here. That had to count for something.
After placing her back on her feet, she smiled at me, but it didn’t reach her eyes. I hugged her again and whispered in her ear, “Please don’t shut me out. I’m here for you. I love you, girl.”
She kissed my cheek as I clung to her, allowing my tears to flow down my cheeks.
Her mental well-being was weighing so heavily on me.
When I finally released her, I hugged Uncle Storm.
I clung to him too, because I knew this was heavy on him.
Maui . . . I just didn’t know. She was headstrong.
This extreme level he’d gone to may have all been for nothing.
I knew it killed him to practically hold her hostage in the house, watching her every move.
I could imagine she thought him treating her that way was treating her like a kid, but he thought it was necessary. I’d been calling her, but I wondered if she’d even had her phone. Still, I went over there every day after work, and she wouldn’t see me. That hurt so bad.
“It’s going to be okay, Shani,” Uncle Storm said in my ear.
He understood just how close we were. I felt like she was my sister instead of my cousin . . . her and Milana. I released him and went back to my girl as he said, “I’ll be back at five, Maui.”
She nodded and swallowed hard as I watched her.
My mama gave me a head nod, knowing that I needed to talk to my girl away from everyone.
I grabbed her hand and led her to a private room that I could lock.
Once I did, I couldn’t stop myself from hugging her again.
She broke down in my arms, and I broke right along with her.
“I hate this, Shani. I just want to be happy. Mythic makes me happy.”
“I’m sorry, boo, but I have to know. Is there something you’re not saying?
I think everyone is having a really hard time understanding what attracts you to him.
I mean, he’s nice looking. We all know that.
He does have that swag that we all like, but the shit he does is things we never wanted for ourselves.
When we used to build our perfect men when we were in high school, we steered clear of everything he represents.
I mean, I know we’ve matured to know that no man is perfect, but that nigga is the total opposite. ”
She lowered her head for a minute, then looked up at me.
“He’s not the total opposite. He’s trying to leave that life behind.
Daddy and I talked, and he said if he starts seeing positive changes in Mythic, he would be open to it, but under watchful eyes.
I’m sure he meant that literally and figuratively.
He probably has Watchful Eyes watching Mythic, and he’ll be watching me.
I just . . . I see his heart, Shani. I know he’s the man for me, just like we know Asad is the man for you. How’s that going?”
I shrugged. “It’s going fine. We just haven’t talked much this week. I’ve been so worried about you and depressed to where I didn’t want to be around him. I need you in my life, boo. If you aren’t good, then neither am I. We’re a package deal. You know that.”
“I’m sorry, Shani. I thought if I was alone for a while, I could refocus and try another approach to get what I wanted. I hated arguing with Daddy Mayor,” she said with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood a bit. “It killed me inside too.”
I hugged her again, and said, “We have to get this depression off you, boo. What are you doing this weekend?”
“Nothing. Daddy Mayor doesn’t trust me anymore.”
She broke out in tears again, and I cried too. This shit was so hard. I dried my face, thanking God I didn’t wear makeup today, and said, “Well, how about we come to you? Uncle Storm has that private room upstairs. We can have a girls’ night. Angel had recommended it earlier this week.”
She smiled slightly as she wiped her tears. “Okay.”
I hugged my friend again, realizing that she never really answered my question about what she really saw in Mythic that attracted her.
Potential and him being sweet wasn’t enough of an explanation for me.
As far as I knew, she hadn’t even had the dick yet.
That was okay though. I just needed my sister back and tonight would be the first step to that happening.