Taeja

15. Chapter 15

15

She exhaled a breath as she looked at the house before her. The last time she was here, things didn’t go well. Neither of her boyfriends was here now, so she hoped things could be better this time.

Turning the vehicle off, Taeja exited and walked toward the door. She pressed the doorbell several times before the door swung open from the inside. To her surprise, it was Teddy.

Teddy scowled as she looked at Taeja from head-to-toe. “What are you doing here?”

“I live—” Taeja paused. “This is my dad’s house.”

“My son’s house,” Teddy corrected. “And you are no longer welcome here.”

“Yu cya tell mi seh mi nuh welcome ina mi father place! Mi nuh deh nuh weh fi yu!”

Teddy parted her lips to reply but slammed it shut when footsteps approached her from behind. Taeja did a scan of her father. He looked better compared to when she saw him last. He only had a bruise on his lip and above his eyebrow.

It pained her heart to see him like this.

“What are you doing here?” Jerry asked as he stopped beside Teddy.

“Can I talk to you?” Taeja murmured, scared he’d shun her.

Jerry nodded, then rested a hand on Teddy’s shoulder. “Let her in.”

Taeja smirked as she pushed past Teddy. She followed Jerry into the living room and rolled her eyes when Teddy entered the room as well. “We cya have likkle privacy?” Taeja spat. “Jerry neva tell yu seh him want security.”

“I am free to go wherever I want to in my son’s house,” Teddy argued, lowering herself onto the sofa beside Jerry and keeping her posture rigid.

Taeja rolled her eyes. “Nuh know why yu feel seh yaa smaddy.”

“ Taeja ,” Jerry chastised, laying his head back with a heavy sigh.

“Are you okay?” Taeja asked, her voice laced with concern.

“Do I look okay?”

“You look… better,” she admitted. “Are you going to sue Damon?”

Jerry peeked open an eye. “Why would I sue your boyfriend, Taeja?”

“I thought you would because he— Never mind. Sorry.”

Jerry exhaled a breath and closed his eye. “What do you want?”

She cleared her throat. “The bank says you closed my account and took my money—”

“Have you ever worked a day of your life to have a claim to any money?” Teddy hissed.

Taeja’s hand curled into a fist atop her lap. Refusing to look at her grandmother, she remained focused on her father. “I wanted to work, but Jerry always said no.”

Jerry sat upright, opening his eyes while running his hands down his thighs. “Yes. I closed the account.”

“Why?”

“Because you left. You have another man taking care of you now, so you do not need to have access to my money,” he answered, and Teddy nodded fiercely.

Taeja’s mouth dropped. “Seriously, Jerry?!” she exclaimed. “A so yu look pon life?! A from mi ina high school mi a beg yu fi mek mi work fi mi owna things, and wa yu always tell me? No . And now you’re cutting me off? Just like that?!”

“Yes.”

“Wow…” Taeja looked at the ceiling, blinking away tears. “Just wow.”

“What is there for you to just wow about, little girl?” Teddy asked condescendingly. “It is my son’s money! You never worked a day of your life, so you have no right to be angry!”

Taeja dragged her eyes from the ceiling, holding her head low while her shoulders slumped. “Sorry…”

Teddy nodded and relaxed into the seat.

“A neva this yu want, Taeja?” Jerry asked, and Taeja shook her head, unable to speak. “Then come home,” he said. “Or stay with Teddy until you learn how to behave. I am tired of telling you that you are acting like a whore.”

Taeja’s head snapped up, anger burning in her teary eyes. “Wow,” she said, her voice cracking. “I’m your only child, and all you do is belittle me.”

Jerry was unmoved by her tears. He always was. “I am not belittling you. I am trying to change your behavior—”

“ Change my behavior ?” Taeja scoffed. “You were never here for me when I needed you most, so nuh seh yu raise me when the two a wi know seh a tha broad face bitch deh and nanny raise me!”

“Who are you calling a broad face bitch?!” Teddy exclaimed. “You should be thankful that I took care of your ungrateful self after Cassedi dumped you on us! No wonder you are like this! You never had a good role model to begin with!”

Taeja pointed a shaking finger at Jerry and yelled, “Tell her that I’m like this because of you! And you’re mad at me? Me ?! Know what—” Taeja stood, her hands clenched tightly at her side. “—fuck you, Jerry. Mi man shuda mash in yu face. And for your information, dutty Teddy, when Cassedi was in my life, she was a better role model than you’ll ever be!”

Teddy gasped, moving a hand to lie flat against her chest. “Jerry, are you going to allow her to speak to me with such disrespect?”

Jerry glared at Taeja. “I am tired of telling you to respect—”

“She ano mi nun. Mi done wid ar, and mi done wid yu, too!”

“See? This is why you need me. You got a man and forgot who brought you this far in life.”

“A two man mi have, and mi nago ever need yu again, Daddy ,” Taeja spat the last word with a sneer before stomping out of the room, leaving them with their eyes wide. She slammed the front door shut and ran to Zain’s car before slamming the driver’s door shut, too. Her fingers curled around the steering as she laid her head on it and cried.

Why was she even crying ?

Because her father didn’t want her to have freedom at her big age?

Or because her grandmother had a deep-rooted hatred toward her?

Taeja didn’t know anymore.

Deciding she didn’t want to be here any longer than she should have, she lifted her head and dried her tears. More rapidly took their place, but at least her vision wasn’t as blurred anymore.

She started the car and blindly reversed the vehicle. With a million and one thoughts running through her mind, Taeja went to Zain’s house.

Her mind urged her to call Damon. She craved his comfort, but she didn’t want to disturb him from work again. Zain was out of town, and she had no idea how long it would be until he came back.

Taeja sighed as she dropped herself on Zain’s bed, tugging a pillow to her chest while sobs rocked her body.

Two hours crawled by. She was consumed by self-pity until a sudden disturbance jarred her back to reality. It was a text from Aaliyah.

Do you still have that purple dress with the small slit at the side?

No. It’s at Jerry’s. Sorry.

That alright. Mi deevn buy anything suitable the other day so mi will see if nun a dem old dress here nice enough.

Wa yaa wear?

IDK.

Yu nuh start get ready yet, don’t?

LOL! How yu know so?

I’m gonna get ready right now, though.

Do you want me to send you the address? Or do you want us to get you?

You know.

SMH! Shame on you as a big twenty-year-old bout yu cya drive good.

Mi lick Jerry mailbox when mi leff him yard earlier.

Murda! Watch how the madman ago wul yu by yu nuff hair and turn yu ina mop! You better come get one of my nail polishes so we can cover the scratch before him seet.

Wait deh… Wa? Why did you go to that man’s house, Taeja?

He’s my dad…

Looking at the text, Taeja’s frown deepened. She wanted so badly to talk to Aaliyah about what happened, but she knew she couldn’t. Aaliyah’s plate was already full.

No comment.

I’m gonna get ready.

Alright. Mason is on his way to my place, so send mi the madman’s address. We’ll come and get you in two hours. I’m gonna get fucked first.

Look at you now when just the other day you were saying Mason is boring.

Was trying to fool myself so I didn’t end up back in his life, but look at me now.

As a cocky termite.

LOL! That’s all you!

Taeja chuckled while exiting the chat. She hopped out of bed and made a beeline for the shower. Taeja didn’t dare to look at her reflection; she didn’t want to see her swollen eyes or dried tears. “I’m not going to cry about Jerry anymore,” she promised herself, despite knowing she’d break it.

Finished with her shower, she wrapped herself in a towel and stood before the mirror. She looked more refreshed.

She freed her hair from the high bun and styled it into cornrows. Then, she went to Zain’s closet. It was smaller than her closet at Jerry’s house and Damon’s closet, too. That made her smile. “I love how humble Zain is,” she mused while looking through her clothes.

She decided on a stunning, white formal dress that exuded elegance. Reaching for it, Taeja paused to raise a brow at a mustard yellow mini dress. “Aaliyah nuh realize mi tek ar dress?”

After making a mental reminder to give Liyah the dress, Taeja continued getting ready. She paired the dress with red jewelry and white heels. She agreed that she probably looked a little over the top for a simple family dinner, but when had Taeja Marley not looked her best?

Taeja headed downstairs. She sent her guys a text about where she’d be while she entered the garage. Looking at the back of Zain’s car, she groaned. “Look how the man ago fuck mi kill mi—” She paused, a smirk sneaking onto her face. “Maybe I should crash the car for real so he can handle my pussy the right way.” She considered doing it, but her phone rang. She smiled at the caller ID before answering. “Hey! ”

“Hello,” came the voice on the other end. “Have you left yet?”

“No.”

“What are you doing?”

Her eyes darted to the small scratch on the bumper. “Um… Nothing.”

“Taeja.”

She rolled her eyes as she headed back into the house. “Yu know mi nuh like when yu call mi Taeja, Damon.”

“You’re spoilt. Do you know that?”

“Yes,” she answered truthfully as she sat on the sofa and put the phone on speaker. She went to a furniture site and started scrolling. “Are you still at work?”

“Yes. Where else would I be?”

“I dunno… Crying because you miss me.”

Damon chuckled. “I do miss you. I’m coming over to Zain’s tonight.”

“That sounds exciting,” Taeja said and bit her lip. “I missed you last night. Why can’t we all stay in the same house?”

“Zain usually stays at my place, but he won’t right now.”

She sighed. “Unu still a argue?” she asked, but he didn’t answer, and it made her sigh again. “I think you should listen to Zain, Damon…”

“Are you taking sides?”

She rolled her eyes. “No. I feel the same toward both of you, and it annoys me when either of you asks that. You guys weren’t asking me this until you started arguing,” she snapped before realizing how harsh her words were. “Sorry—”

“It’s fine,” Damon answered, but his tone said the opposite.

“No, it’s not. I’m sorry,” she insisted. “Can you just not ask me that again?”

“I won’t.”

“Thanks. I’m trying my best to get used to this new dynamic, so I’m sorry if either of you thinks I prefer one of you over the next,” she said. “When you come over tonight, can we talk? All three of us.”

“We’ll do whatever you want,” he said, making her smile. “I have to go—”

“Wait,” she rushed out. “Do you know if Zain likes yellow?”

“He hates yellow. Why?”

“He said I can redecorate his house. ”

Damon paused. “Oh…”

Taeja’s brows knitted. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No, baby. You’re perfect,” he said, and she imagined him smiling. “He likes dark earth-tone colors.”

“Noted.”

“I’ll see you later. I have to get back to work.”

“Bye, babe,” she said, but he didn’t hang up. “Damon?”

He was smug when he said, “I prefer babe.”

Rolling her eyes, Taeja laughed. “Bye, Damon !” she teased and hung up.

In a slightly better mood, Taeja walked around the house with a notepad she found lingering around. She jotted down notes and drew little images of how she pictured a room before moving on to the next. She’d never had control before to decorate anywhere except her bedroom, so she was happy Zain gave her this opportunity.

Minutes dragged on until a car horn blared from outside.

“Wonder if dem know that blowing the horn nago mek mi come any faster?” Taeja muttered while pulling out her cornrows. With gentle strokes, she ran her fingers through her curls, savoring the sensation, before using a comb to bring out the fullness and volume of her curly afro. It framed her face elegantly. Her dangling earrings disappeared into her cascading hair, but their shimmer managed to break through the strands. “So gyal fi look!” Taeja blew a kiss toward her reflection before grabbing her purse and heading downstairs. She locked the front door before strolling toward the car.

Liyah whistled as Taeja settled on the back seat. “You’re making me question my sexuality.”

Taeja laughed as Mason drove off. “That’s all you! I love your dress. You have to let me borrow it one day.”

Liyah smiled while admiring her blue formal dress that had a light silver glistening. “I told Mason I didn’t have anything to wear, and he bought it before he came over.”

“My standards just went up,” Taeja said before directing to Mason, “You have taste. ”

Mason smiled. “I know. My older sister taught me a thing or two.”

“She used to dress you up?”

“Every day.”

Liyah laughed. “When we get to your family’s house, you should show me more of your baby pics.”

“I showed you some already—”

“ No . Those were from when you were six. I wanna see you when you still had a cute butt.”

Mason scoffed. “It’s not cute now?”

Taeja scowled. “Unu stop it! How much longer until we get there?”

“About twenty minutes if the traffic stays like this.”

Taeja nodded and looked at her phone. Zain had yet to answer her, but she didn’t make much of it. He was probably still in the meeting he told her about.

Her gaze remained fixed out the window for the rest of the journey, the never-ending parade of cars flanking the highway offering no respite from the mundane view. Liyah blasted Caribbean music while conversing with Mason.

Moments later, they arrived at a gate, and Liyah disconnected her phone from the car. The security confirmed Mason’s identity before allowing them to pass the gate. They drove another five minutes before they arrived at a mansion. It was a large two storey, looking like something straight out of a movie.

“Wow,” Taeja said in awe, her eyes darting between the luscious green lawn to the formally clad valets, waiting for Mason’s car to park.

Mason chuckled. “It’s neat, huh?”

Taeja nodded. She was accustomed to wealth, but nothing like this. “I didn’t know colonial architecture was still a thing.”

“It’s, uh… been in the family for a few generations.”

Taeja looked at Mason, watching his skin redden. “I see…”

Mason parked at the entrance. He handed his keys to the valet once he stepped outside. Another valet opened the door for Taeja, and she smiled when she laid her hand on his. These people were treating her like royalty, now she didn’t regret dressing up this fancy.

“Thank you,” she said to the valet as she looked around again. Music drifting from inside the house filled the air, overpowering the casual conversations of the people walking by.

“Tae,” Mason said, snatching Taeja’s attention. “Ready?”

Taeja walked toward them, and they entered the house together. Taeja’s lips parted as soon as she stepped through the doors.

Lights streamed off the chandeliers hooked to the high ceilings. Idle chatter, laughter, and a live violinist left no room for silence. Ladies were dressed to impress, their evening gowns and high-end jewelry serving as a testament to their wealth and status. Dressed in tailor-made tuxedos, men carried themselves with such pride and poise that it was clear they belonged to the uppermost echelons of society.

“Mason,” Taeja whispered. “Why yu neva tell mi seh a so yu people dem rich?”

Mason chuckled as he used his free hand to hold hers and direct them through the throes of people. People would smile or throw a greeting in his way, but he’d only smile and nod. He stopped when they were in a corner, away from the lively crowd. “Can you ladies wait here? I’m going to get you something to drink.”

“Okay,” Liyah said with a small smile, leaning into Mason as he laid a kiss on her forehead before disappearing into the crowd. Lowering her voice, she said to Taeja, “Now yu see why mi always scared fi come here?”

“I don’t,” Taeja replied.

“Everybody here is… filthy rich. Jesus. Dem nuh pretentious toward me, but sometimes I feel like they’re secretly judging me because I’m not in the same tax bracket as Mason.”

“Nuh do this to yuself tonight, Liyah,” Taeja scolded. “You’re beautiful, and you love Mason with or without the money. His family would be stupid to judge you because clearly with all that Mason has—” She looked around, glimpsing an ice sculpture of an angel. “—some gyal wuda afta him just for the money.”

Liyah sighed. “I guess you’re right, but… you don’t see it how I do. You don’t feel how I feel.”

Taeja’s brows crinkled as she looked at Liyah. “Wa yu mean?”

“You come from money too, so you don’t look at certain things how I do.”

The light in Taeja’s eyes dimmed. “I don’t want to talk about Jerry… ”

Liyah forced a smile. “Okay.”

“Get out of your head, please?”

“I will if you get out of yours.”

Taeja snickered, about to say something, when Mason approached them with an older man and woman by his side. Taeja realized Mason’s black suit had a blue tie and pocket square the exact color of Aaliyah’s dress.

Handing a flute of champagne to his girlfriend, then Taeja, Mason said, “Mom, Dad, this is Taeja. She goes to our school. And you’ve already met my girlfriend.”

The older man chuckled. “How could we ever forget Aaliyah? Mason forced me to take days off from work so I could help him find you, and now he talks about you nonstop.”

Taeja watched as Liyah nervously laughed while bringing the flute to her lips.

“And Taeja,” said the man as he offered a hand to her. “I’m Gordon, and this is my lovely wife, Delany. It’s our pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise,” Taeja replied, smiling as she shook their hands. When she released their hands, she moved the flute to her mouth, looking at Liyah while tapping the stem of her glass with her index.

“It’s so nice to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. MacMillan,” Liyah said, smiling while pinching the flute, making it slip to a different position in her hand.

“Aaliyah, please. Just Delany and Gordon,” Delany urged. “Mason told us you’ve been busy and don’t have as much time to visit us.”

Watching everyone easily slip into conversation, Taeja smiled. It was obvious that Mason’s family loved Liyah. Taeja hoped one day Liyah could learn to step outside her box of comfort.

Taeja forced down a sigh as memories hit her. “I’m sorry to interrupt. Where’s the bathroom?” Taeja asked while feigning urgency.

“Go straight,” Mason said while pointing a hand. “Turn left, another left, make a right, then it’ll be any of those doors in that hall.”

“Whoa…”

Delany laughed. “Guests get lost all the time. Do you want me to show you where it is?”

“No, that’s fine. Thanks,” Taeja said before walking away. She placed the flute on a random table before finding the bathroom. She made her way to the mirror and inhaled a deep breath.

Dinner wasn’t served yet, but she desperately wanted to leave. She hated that she tended to ditch Liyah at the most random times, but Liyah fitted in well.

She just wanted a breather. With her guys.

She texted Damon, asking him to come get her, and he said he’d be there soon. She smiled at the text before texting Liyah an apology.

Did a start fi wonder how yu nuh ask fi leave yet.

Still in the bathroom? Gordon is offering to get you a police escort home.

Tell him that won’t be necessary. Damon’s coming for me, so I’ll go get some fresh air and wait for him at the gate.

Let me know when he comes. Thanks for coming with me, Tae.

I’ve got you forever, Liyah. Do you remember what I showed you with the different forks and stuff? Or do you want me to give you a quick rundown?

I remember those. Thanks for earlier.

Have fun and nuh do nun that I wouldn’t do.

Taeja chuckled before she put her phone away and retraced her steps outside.

She sighed while leaning her head on Damon’s shoulder. They were at Zain’s house, sitting on the balcony. The night was awfully quiet, minus the wind’s low and gentle whistle in the air.

“I don’t know what to do,” she complained. “Do I actually want to meet her, or is it best if I let things be?”

“Depends.” Damon threw an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer. “Can you handle the truth?”

“I don’t know…” Taeja sighed. “Get my mind off it.”

His finger trailed down her arm, tantalizing her skin. “I have a few ideas.”

“I want my pussy ate.”

“Stand,” Damon said, and Taeja jumped to her feet. He chuckled. “My head between your thighs makes you this excited?”

Taeja nodded. “I’m getting wet already. Come, taste me.”

“Spread your legs wider.” Damon dropped to his knees before her while she leaned against the metal railings. Damon lifted the shirt, pressing his thumb between her folds through the panties. “You’re this wet already for me.”

“I’m always wet for you, Damon.” She looked at him, tugging her bottom lip between her teeth as she watched him pull her panties to her ankles. “I love the things you make me feel.”

“Tell me what you love to feel more. My tongue in your pussy or the way I make your legs shake when you come?”

“Both,” Taeja panted as Damon trailed his tongue between her inner thighs. “ Damon , just fuck me already.”

“I like hearing you beg for it,” he taunted, placing a kiss right on her pussy.

A shiver ran up her spine as she tossed a leg over his shoulder. “Please,” she begged, her clit throbbing with growing need. She longed to yield to his mercy. If he wanted her to beg, she would plead like the perfect slut.

Damon smirked at her before his head dipped between her thighs, his fingers parting her folds while his tongue explored her. He licked from her hole to her clit, swirling his tongue around the throbbing bud and tearing breathy moans from her mouth.

“ Oh . Just like that,” Taeja moaned. She held his head and pressed his face into her pussy, wanting him buried inside her if it meant pleasing her more than how he was already.

These sensations drove her body crazy .

The way Damon thrust a finger inside her. Followed by another. Then slid them in and out while his talented tongue lapped at her.

“Yu tongue ago mad me!” she screamed, loving how he nipped and sucked on her sensitive clit. The pleasure sent her on a blissful high while she rolled her hips on his face, painting him with her juices.

Freeing her clit from his mouth, Damon pulled away and looked at her. His face was wet, and it made Taeja soak his finger even more. Pressing his thumb against her clit, Damon smirked. “You like that?”

“I love that,” she panted. “More.”

Smirking, Damon moved his thumb and took her clit into his mouth again. He pressed a long kiss before sucking it. Hard.

Taeja’s back arched off the railing and her hands curled tighter around it. Damon touched a nerve. One that had never been touched before.

Tossing her head back, she closed her eyes. Getting sucked into oblivion, she wondered how erotic this scene must’ve looked beneath the stars.

With this man between her legs, fucking and sucking her into a sweet orgasm.

With her knees weakening and his fingers sinking into her skin.

Her climax was so close that she could almost taste it.

“I’m so close. Don’t stop.” Moaning, Taeja dragged her gaze from the stars to look at him, but a scream ripped from her mouth instead. “Lavender!”