Chapter Ten- Dior #2
I could tell what I said came as a shock the way her face dropped. “Oh, I didn’t know Ph— Mr. Ricci had no plans of returning. He never mentioned it to me.” I lifted an eyebrow at her boldness.
“You know what, why don’t you get me a glass of that sparkling water after all. You can put it on the desk in my office, thanks,” I stressed on the word my purposely so she’d get the meaning of what I was trying to say.
“Of course, let me get that for you, Mrs. Ricci,” she said with a forced smile. I returned the favor, giving her one of my brightest and widest fake smiles before she turned and walked out of the bathroom. The moment she walked out the door, the smile was erased from my face.
“You think you’re slick, mothafucka, just wait until your ass gets home,” I muttered to the empty restroom.
I fixed my appearance before I walked out of the restroom and back to the office.
When I stepped inside the room, there was a glass of sparkling water waiting for me on the desk, straw included, courtesy of Diamond.
I studied it closely and gently pushed it aside with my index finger.
For all I knew, that bitch probably spat in my shit; I wasn’t about to drink that.
Sighing softly, I took a seat in the chair, rolled up the hoagie sandwich in the wrapping paper, and put it away.
I’ll try to eat it again a little later.
This pregnancy was definitely kicking my ass; without a doubt, this baby was just like its father. Just difficult for no damn reason.
By the time it was 5 o’clock, I was officially over this day.
My stomach refused to settle so much that I hadn’t eaten anything all day.
I was tired, and all I wanted to do was go home and lie down so I could drift off to sleep.
The ringing of my phone was a welcome distraction.
It was my aunt Debbie, and I answered her call immediately.
“Hey aunty,” since our arrangement, things have been running pretty smoothly regarding her caring for Chanel.
I have been visiting my sister despite everything I’ve been dealing with.
I’ve been sending my aunt money to care for her, and I would make groceries and have them delivered or drop them off myself.
All was well with my sister, so I’m guessing my aunt was calling because Chanel needed something, or maybe she just wanted to talk.
“Dior, did you tell Lewis that it was ok for him to pick Chanel up from school?” My aunt’s voice was flustered, and the question she asked immediately sent a cold chill down my spine.
“No, I didn’t. What happened, aunty?”
“Oh no, I went to get Chanel from school, and she wasn’t there.
When I enquired about it, they said her father picked her up because he’s allowed to.
I’ve been calling to reach him, but he refused to answer.
He only just picked up, and he said Chanel is his daughter, and he’s taking her back, and if you had a problem with it, you could come see him.
” Aunt Debbie explained what was happening.
I got to my feet and began putting my belongings inside my handbag as I prepared to leave.
Lewis must have lost fucking mind. I blamed myself because I should have changed who was allowed to get Chanel with the school principal.
That was my bad, but Lewis taking my sister and then saying if I had an issue, to come see him.
That mothafucka had me fucked up; he was up to something I could sense it.
“Aunt Debbie, I’ll get Chanel and bring her right back to you; don’t worry about a thing,” I reassured her before ending the call. Marching up to Franklin, I informed him that I had an emergency and that I had to leave.
“Is everything alright?” He asked with a worried look.
“Yeah, everything is fine. I have to go get my sister is all. You and Diamond can lock up, and I’ll see you both tomorrow,” I gave him a genuine smile before I began making my way toward the door.
“You and Franklin will lock up, I need to leave, and I’ll see you all tomorrow,” I said, stopping when I approached Diamond. She frowned a bit but didn’t bother to question me. She just nodded her head before I continued to head out the door.
From the moment I stepped outside, I dialed Lewis’ number and waited for him to pick up. He answered on the third ring.
“You sure do have a lot of fucking nerve taking my sister, nigga.” I wasted no time chewing into his ass.
“Do not speak to me like that. I am still your step-father, Dior,” my steps came to a screeching halt when he said that shit because he must be joking.
“Lewis, you stopped being my step anything the moment you allowed me to be kidnapped to save your own sorry ass! I’m coming to get my sister, and when I do, you’ll pack your shit and get the fuck out of my mother’s house!
” I shouted into the phone and then hung up on him.
All this toxicity was not good for my baby.
As I continued making my way toward my car, a vehicle driving out of the parking lot caught my eye.
I stared at the driver's side through the window, squinting through the tint.
The car drove by quickly, but I could have sworn that was Catalina behind the wheel.
I blinked twice, but by that time the car was gone. Was that Catalina? Or am I tripping?
I shook my head because I had bigger issues. I hurried over to my car. Alessandro got out and approached me when he saw me coming.
“Is everything ok, ma’am?” he asked, waiting for my answer. I’m thinking he saw my expression and got concerned.
“Yeah, it is. I just need to make one stop before I go home. I’ll need you to follow me,” I gave my instruction before unlocking my car door and getting behind the wheel.
The ride to my old home seemed to take forever, even though it was less than thirty minutes. Lewis’ car was parked in the driveway, so I knew he was home. I did notice that his lady friend's car was no longer around like the last time I was here.
I hopped out and walked over to Alessandro so that I could talk to him.
“Do you need me to come in with you, ma’am?”
“Na, but if I come outside to get you, I want you to march into that house and fuck that man up for me. I hope it won’t have to reach to that though,” I replied.
He nodded at me to let me know he understood before I turned and walked off.
Pulling my key out for the front door, I opened it, praying this interaction wouldn’t get ugly.
I marched inside the house and headed straight for Chanel’s room, but before I could get there, Lewis suddenly appeared in front of me, blocking my path. I stepped back a little and gave him a look that said I was not intimidated by him.
“Where’s my sister Lewis?” I asked him.
“Well, if it isn’t the prodigal child on her return,” he said, smiling like he said something funny.
“Is Chanel in her room?” I asked, pointing in the direction. “Chanel!” I shouted over his shoulder.
“She can’t hear you; she has that headset thing on her ears; she’s deaf to the world,” Lewis said, looking me up and down, taking in my clothing and shoes.
“Let me get by, so I can get Chanel and leave. You had no right to take her from school, and I will be changing that with the principal. You will no longer have permission to pick her up when school is dismissed,” I held my ground, knowing I couldn’t get too riled up.
Lewis narrowed his eyes at me as if I were speaking a language he had never heard before.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know a father needed permission to take his own child from school.
Who the hell do you think you are? I see them, Ricci men, have you feeling yourself.
Driving around in a fancy new Mercedes, wearing all these fancy clothes.
I bet you’re probably taking all sorts of fancy trips on their private jet too. ”
“Move out of my way, Lewis, or I swear to God…” I didn’t finish my sentence; I just gave him a warning look, hoping it would work. Instead, he took one step closer to me, forcing me to back away.
“Do you know the last time you showed up here, you ruined things for my lady friend and me? You ran her off with all your crazy antics,” Lewis said, angry lines transforming his forehead as he glared angrily at me.
“I ruined things for you?” I asked, pointing at myself with a look of shock.
“Lewis, you keep blaming everyone but yourself for all of your screw-ups and misfortunes. None of this is my fault. If you want to blame someone, go stand in a mirror. Now move out of my way so I can get my sister to take her to Aunt Debbie’s,” I said, trying to get by him, but again he blocked my path.
“Aunt Debbie? I think you forgot that she’s my sister.”
“Oh, now you remember. You didn’t seem to recall that she was your sister when you dumped Chanel over there with no care in the world. You weren’t even providing for your own child. You are such a worthless excuse of a man,” I said, eyeing him up and down with disgust.
“Yeah, I heard you’re giving Debbie real good Ricci money every week.
So now that I have Chanel again, you’ll need to give me that money instead,” Lewis said, pointing at his chest. My neck jolted back at what he said, because I do believe Lewis had gone mad.
What he said was so unbelievably ridiculous that I started laughing like a crazy person.
“So that little stunt you pulled, taking Chanel from her school, is all because you’re hoping to get money from me. This is so fucking…I mean, the audacity of you is just…wowww!” I covered my mouth in awe because there was no way I was having this conversation with this lunatic right now.