Chapter 55
Daniel
Andrea and Jordan soon arrive with loads of smiles and cheers. They are hugging and inspecting her arms like they needed to make sure nothing has changed since they last left her. I sit back and let them talk to her.
“When is the doctor discharging you?” Andrea asks.
“I don’t know yet, but I hope today. I don’t want to stay here,” Anu replies, her voice still raspy.
“I got you, MAK. We have your room set up and ready for you,” Jordan says. I get up from my seat and turn to him.
“She’s not going home with you guys,” I say. “She’s coming home with me.”
“That’s not happening,” Jordan says, shaking his head.
I move to the door. “Let’s talk,” I say to him as he scoffs and turns away from me.
Andrea pushes him towards the door. He steps out with me, finally. I lead him to the small cove where I spoke with Bruce yesterday. He stands defiant, like nothing I can say will change his mind. I decide to tell him anyway.
“I need you to be honest.”
He scoffs. I accept his attitude as a nod to continue.
At least he’s not walking away. “Imagine Andrea tells you she and her best friend are going to a wedding in Canada.
She also tells you her ex-boyfriend, who you despise, is also going to be there, and she assures you that she has absolutely nothing to do with him ever again.
So, you trust her, and she goes on this trip.
She returns a week later, and you ask about the trip.
She tells you about all the fun that happened and doesn’t mention her ex, and you don’t ask about him either.
Five days after her return, you receive pictures on your phone from an unknown number.
It’s all pictures of Andrea and said ex-boyfriend in bed, like fucking compromising pictures. ”
He leans on the wall.
“You ask her about it, and she says, she knows nothing about it. You guys fight, and you leave because of how upset and angry you are.”
I watch him exhale.
“Be honest, if you were in my shoes, would you have reacted differently?”
I wait for him to answer. No rush here.
“I can understand how angry you must have been about what happened, but what I saw was MAK in excruciating pain and refusing to take meds. She was trying to die. That was beyond painful to watch. Nothing and I mean nothing would ever justify that to me.”
He’s shaking his head, still relieving the horror of her screams.
“I went to my place. I couldn’t stay there. But I came back, telling myself I’d forgive her, but she wasn’t home, and I figured she was with you or Nkem and eventually she would come home, and we could talk. Only I got a call from Andrea. Can I please ask you not to be upset with Andrea?”
He nods “No one can stay mad at Andy for long.”
I chuckle.
“Alright, I get it. You should know that MAK is my girl, and I’ll always look out for her. You may be forgiven but I’m not forgetting any time soon.”
I nod, at least I’m forgiven, guess I have to prove myself again.
“Andrea is your girl. MAK is my girl, but she’s your friend,” I correct.
He can’t call Anu his girl, we need to clarify that.
“Fine, she’s my people and I got her back.”
“I thank you for having her back, and she’s coming home with me.”
“Okay, I can agree with that.” He puts his hand out and I take his hand. “Did you find out where the pictures came from? Something ain’t right about the whole set up.”
“Yes. It was her ex, and the only way he could have gotten those pictures is because he drugged her.”
He turns to me, stunned.
“Motherfucker!” he sneers. “Get me his info. I’ll have Malik take care of him.”
“When I’m done with him, you can have him.”
“Cool. Make sure he feels the gravity of what he did. I thought I was going to watch MAK die before my eyes. It was fucking scary.” He sighs.
“I’m sorry you had to see that. And yes, he will feel the pain,” I firmly state. “We good?”
“Yeah, for now, we are good.”
We shake hands again and return to the room.
Andrea and Anu are quiet when we walk in.
“Everything alright?” Andrea asks.
“Yeah, everything is fine.” I answer and Jordan nods.
Andrea jumps to give Jordan a hug, and another hug for me too.
“The nurse said the doctor will be in soon, but you know, it could easily take two hours before the doctor shows up,” Andrea says.
“You guys won’t leave, right?” I ask.
“No, will be here till she’s discharged.”
“Great! I need to take care of something, and I’ll be right back to take her home,” I remind.
They both nod. I move closer to Anu, taking her hand. “I’ll be back soon, Princess. Call me if you need anything.”
She nods. I kiss her forehead, shake hands with Jordan and wave at Andrea. I leave. I call Zack to let him know I’m on my way out. He’d texted earlier that he was here. I’d sent him home last night with Patrick once I knew Anu might sleep through the night.
He pulls up as I’m getting out. “Drive to Bruce’s building,” I say the moment I get in the car.
“Is Ms K okay?”
“She’s awake and getting better. We’ll be back to pick her up.”
He nods. I call Patrick.
“Morning, boss. How’s Ms K?”
“She’s good. I’m going to be out all day today. Ping me if anything urgent comes up.” Because right now, I have one last important thing to take care of. I read the text from Bruce again.
Bruce: We have him, and we’ve cleaned out his devices of all the pictures. He sent it to two of his friends. Working on that.
Me: Thank you. She just woke up and told me he mailed copies to her and threatened to send them to her dad, unless she broke up with me.
Bruce: Motherfucker, he’s getting destroyed.
Me: Where is he?
Bruce: Basement of the building.
Me: I’ll be there once Jordan and Andrea get here. I don’t want to leave her alone.
Bruce: No rush, he’s not going anywhere.
Me: Thanks, brother.