Chapter 8
Honesty Bailey
My mouth was still ajar and I was damn sure still stunned, thirty minutes after witnessing who Desiree’s secret boo was.
What was crazy about seeing that it was Jude’s snake ass was that he didn’t surprise me.
I’m not sure how Fame didn’t look at him and get bad vibes, but I could easily tell that he couldn’t be trusted.
It’s kind of funny when you think about it because, him and Desiree were alike, but I was definitely shocked that she would choose him of all people.
Desiree was all about status and clearly loved that fake sense of superiority that came with being the head nigga in charge’s girl.
So, her downgrading to link up with his right hand made my spider senses tingle.
I didn’t trust those two apart because they were snakes on their own.
Together, the pair gave something more sinister than I could ever imagine.
I knew like hell that Fame needed to watch his back with those two but for the first time since meeting him, he wasn’t my biggest concern.
The way that scene with Desiree played out pissed me off for more reasons than one.
First, I felt like she only thought that shit was gon play out in her favor because she had me confused with my sister.
I hated that even in our adult life, Amiyah let people walk over her.
I mean she was literally cosplaying as a bad bitch, with long money and the world at her disposal and she dumbed the role down to appease bitches like Desiree.
Thinking about her caused me to grab my phone and call for a checkup.
I would usually call her personal phone although I knew she wasn’t ready to accept my calls.
Only after I left her a voicemail telling her that I loved her and was proud that she was strong enough to get help, would I call her doctor for an update.
Since there was a bit of time before my meeting, I started my usual process.
Only, for the first time since the swap, the phone didn’t just ring until the voicemail picked up.
Instead, today my heart nearly jumped out my chest when I heard her voice.
“I was just about to call you.” She spoke and tears immediately filled my eyes.
I had never been an emotional person, but If anyone could bring it out of me, Amiyah could.
Today was no exception and it was honestly to be expected.
This was the first time I was hearing her voice since the night she tried leaving me here alone.
I don’t think I fully had time to sit and deal with just how close we were to life changing for the worst until now and clearly it was too much to process as my soft sniffles turned into me flat out sobbing.
Clearly we were in the same headspace because it wasn’t long before we were booth hooting and hollering.
It was a good thing that I was warned that my meeting was gonna start late due to traffic, because it took at least ten minutes for us to compose ourselves.
“I’m sorry…” we simultaneously spoke. “Wait, you’re sorry?
” We did it again. “But I’m the one…” that third time when we did it, we both fell out laughing, as usual.
We had always shared the usual crazy close bond that most twins did and constantly had moments where we seemed to be mirroring each other’s thoughts.
And it never got old and always resulted in us laughing choosing one of us to talk while the other waited.
“Usually, I would say you first, but I have to take the lead on this one.” Amiyah spoke and it was so good to hear her voice.
“Amina you have nothing to apologize for and I feel like shit at the thought of how you must have felt to find me the way you did. That’s the real reason why I never take your calls.
The guilt is tearing me up, because I played right into who I’ve always been.
I selfishly put you in a position to either play the hero role if you saved me or forever live with the guilt that you couldn’t save me, had things went left.
” I knew she was crying when I heard her sniffle.
“Amiyah, it’s okay. It wasn’t your…” I started before she cut me off.
“Mina, I will hang up this phone and block your number if you attempt to justify what I did to you. You have always tried protecting me from me and you always get the short end of the stick because I selfishly allow you to protect me; even if you take the lick that I obviously earned. As mean as he was, daddy never lied to you. His warnings weren’t a reflection of how he felt about me, they were a reflection of what he saw.
When I decided to stay after my hold was up, I told myself that no matter how ugly it got, I would stand in my truth and do the work until I became someone I liked. Standing in my truth is acknowledging that our father hated me and adored you. It wasn’t right initially, as an adult, I get it.”
“Wait what? No, now that’s too far. You never deserved to be blamed for mama, Miyah. It wasn’t an accident that just so happened…”
“Oh no, I’m now aware that it wasn’t my fault sis.
That’s no longer a burden that I carry. He wasn’t shit for how he treated me as a child.
But as an adult, I never gave him reason to change his feelings about me.
In fact, as an adult I proved his point over and over.
I don’t want to fully get into this, because I really need for us both to sit down with my therapist. For two people who speak so much, there are too many things left unsaid that I need you to allow me to say without interruption.
Anyway, daddy saw me for who I was as an adult and our relationship never changed because I became the exact person he made himself believe I was when mommy was killed.
You never saw that I was your downfall because your loyalty to me, wouldn’t allow you to.
That was why you constantly ran into burning buildings to save me, knowing that you would most likely get burnt.
And before those burns could even heal, I was needing saving from yet another fire.
I didn’t deserve how daddy treated me and you didn’t deserve how I treated you.
Simply apologizing will never be enough.
Hell, that isn’t even a start, if I’m being honest.” She giggled.
“You know what, I can’t wait to sit with you and your therapist. I can’t help that I always want to save you, you’re older but you’ve always been my baby. Hell, if I don’t put some distance between me and this case, you’ll finally get to return the favor.” I half joke.
“No, the case isn’t the issue. I was so busy missing you, but running from the guilt, that I started spying on your ass.
There are cameras in the apartment, for my own sense of security.
I never expected to see you and him together.
All in the damn kitchen with the wrong sausage swinging.
” I fell the fuck out knowing exactly what she was talking about.
“I didn’t mention his name on purpose. That car is not yours sis.
It’s not mine either and there’s no way it can be swept for bugs every day.
Going from one side of the law to the other is dangerous, but common so you’re always being watched.
Don’t ever help them build a case on you. ” She warned.
“I understand what you mean but you have nothing to worry about, when it comes to that. My focus is where it should be.” I spoke with fake confidence.
“You know what’s funny? I’m the one that’s always been boy crazy so I thought for sure I would end up fucking this up by being me.
Being a long distance side chick saved me, but your ass got caught up.
I’m not gonna lie, with the news for control that Desiree has, I don’t like you being there.
That girl will stop at nothing to win some imaginary game she’s playing and I refuse to allow you to get caught up in her web. ” She voiced, confusing me.
“I hear you, but sis, you’re there and I’m here. You just heal, I’ll figure this out.”
“No, I don’t think you’re listening to me.
You’re safe right now because Des doesn’t know you’re undercover.
That won’t last for long and then her snake ass will for sure sell you out to DOA.
I’ve learned some things since becoming Honesty, sis.
Made some connections and rubbed some elbows.
Things are about to change and you need to go with them.
This meeting you’re about to have with Sanchez, isn’t a usual debriefing.
Listen to everything he says and be completely honest with him.
Your life and freedom depends on it all working out the way I planned it.
I love you and relax. I have your back the way you’ve always had mine. ”
Just as the call ended, there was a soft tap on the window and I looked up at who I knew was Sanchez. Exiting the car, I watched as he looked me over before shaking his head and laughing.
“Care to fill me in on the joke?” I asked.
“What, like you filled me in on you being Amina and not Amiyah?” I wasn’t prepared for that response and almost panicked until he spoke again.
“Relax. Your sister called I the one favor she’s been holding over my head, and I am happy to wipe that slate clean.
Leave your phone and everything in the car.
We are going to get a room to talk, and we can’t risk anyone overhearing anything.
Things are about to move fast, but if you are half as smart as your crazy sister, we will be good to go.
” Turning around to throw my items in the car as instructed I couldn’t help but to wonder what the hell my sister had up her sleeves and where would that leave me…