Ch. 13 #3
“Thank you. I know it’ll take a lot of convincing for his father, but I’m good for now,” I jested.
“That criminal will never be accepted,” my father reiterated. He wasn’t going to let me think otherwise.
“I think he will. Just give me some time to wear you down. I always do,” I said chuckling.
“Seriously, Cheyonne, is that a man you see yourself with? He kidnapped you and held you at gun point. You let us come and see you once after it happened. We were worried and couldn’t sleep most nights baby girl.
You weren’t the only one going through the motions.
Now you pop up months later with a protruding belly.
I understand now why we kept at a distance with just a phone call, ” my father expressed.
Parents always had a life built for you and the kind of person they wanted you to marry.
Black was nowhere near being the upstanding guy they envisioned for me.
He defied everything about it, but he cared for me in ways a man never had.
So tough but the softest nigga with me. They would grow to like and eventually love him much like I did.
“I have hopes that he’ll forgive me for what I did. My assumptions put him there and he just let me do it too. He didn’t object to it knowing it wasn’t him. Mama how do I apologize and drop a bomb like this when or if he gets out?” I questioned pointing to my belly.
“Be a woman and don’t run away from your problems. If this guy is as nice as you say, let him know about Malachi and go from there. We don’t live in fear, Che-Che. You know this,” my mother advised.
There was a lot of things I knew but none of them applied to my view on Black now that I had time to reflect on the entire situation.
Having an incurable disease and not expecting much from anyone had always been my mindset.
However, Black did what a stranger wouldn’t.
I think I fell for him unaware of the things that laid ahead.
“He makes me nervous with his unpredictability, Mama,” I whined.
“You don’t know each other baby. You won’t really know him until you live with him and that’s the God honest truth.
Take your time and just see what each day brings.
Being in this kind of space at such a young age seems so chaotic.
I won’t tell you not to be with him, but I am warning you on the stress that lies ahead.
You see the path he’s on now so keep that in mind,” she advised.
My mother was going to tread lightly every time while my father just didn’t give a care if it hurt my feelings or not.
A path I sent him down.
“Thanks Mama. I’m heading upstairs to get some rest.”
“Are you not eating with us?” she questioned pointing to the pot on the stove.
Shaking my head for the umpteenth time today, I said, “Not right now. I’m a little tired. Let me nap and I’ll be down to spend time with you guys.”
“That’s fine. Get some rest and join us when you can. Obasi and I will be in the family room.”
Nodding, I gave them both hugs and headed upstairs to my old room.
Sticking up for my child was draining but worth every second.
I’d always been a confident woman and now that I was a mom, that trait skyrocketed several levels.
I was confident in my love for him, in protecting his peace, and making sure he received genuineness all the way around the board.
I wasn’t second guessing a thing behind him or if someone wasn’t for him.
Sitting on my bed, I placed my hand on my belly and smiled. I went from being nervous and unsure to knowing for certain what kind of life I wanted us to have. Malachi Afor Atkins had a mother that would and could give him the world. All he needed to do was live and I had the rest.
It had been quite a while since I showed my face at LOL Modeling Agency.
After everything hit the news, I was embarrassed and disgusted with everything.
More cautious than anything afraid that Black’s family would retaliate.
As soon as I found out he was an Atkins, I thought of the rumors Nesh informed me on and just knew they were coming after me.
It was a shocker that they didn’t. It was even more surprising when I got a Royce different from others.
Walking through the revolving doors, I expected many to stop and stare for two reasons.
The kidnapping must’ve been hard to hear but seeing me walk through with a belly was going to spark conversation for real.
However, I was no longer ashamed of the things that transpired. I could face them and many more.
The first person to stare was Halona. Her eyes were as big as saucers, and I was sure she had thoughts that couldn’t process.
Not to make it more awkward than it already was, I decided to break the ice and speak to everyone in the lobby.
I might as well had got it over with in one setting than to prolong it.
“Good morning, everyone. Halona, how are things around here?” I questioned her.
“E-Everything’s good, Ms. Afor. Wow. I was not expecting that,” she said aloud. Her hands flew to her mouth covering it seconds later. Her intrusive thoughts won.
“No one did. Before the questions fire off, I am a hundred percent okay. Some things hit the news so if you were worried, thank you. I am truly fine and yes, I am pregnant,” I stated slowly rubbing my stomach.
“Let’s keep in mind, my business is my business.
Let’s not let it get you fired. Have a good day everyone. ”
The smile stayed as I strutted to the elevators.
It was nine in the morning and my first appointment was in thirty minutes.
Getting back in the saddle at seven months was crazy, but I still had a business to run.
I sent so many flowers to Toneshia this morning for carrying the company on her shoulders during my leave.
She was my lifeline in more ways than one.
Stepping onto the elevator, I pressed the button for my designated floor. As soon as the doors opened, I was hit with a familiar face I hadn’t seen in years. A smile creased my lips while my cheeks hiked. I instantly threw my arms around them and squealed with excitement.
“Jasonnnnn! What are you doing here?” I screamed.
“What’s up loca? I ain’t think you were ever going to show. I was trying to surprise you, but your assistant just told me she didn’t think you were coming. I guess I lucked up,” he said and hugged me back.
“I would’ve been back days ago if I knew you were looking for me.”
Jason was one of the many mixed-race men that entered the modeling world because of his looks.
The nerve of him to be Blexican and gay.
Nothing about him was attracted to a thing a woman possessed.
We could beat his face but not his meat.
He played no games. And the funny thing about it all, he dressed like your average guy.
First glance you would think he’d be ready to take you down when really, he was interested in the nigga beside you.
You would never know if you didn’t come with the right inquiries.
We walked several shows together and even did shoots together. He was more like a gay best friend than anything. Seeing him here meant he was on a hiatus from the modeling world. I didn’t blame him if he was.
Stepping back, I gave him a once over as he did the same for me with his eyes resting on my protruding belly.
My pregnancy was a shock to everyone else, so I knew it would be no different for him.
He smirked as his head tilted to the side.
We addressed the conversation once during our younger days but never revisited it.
It was a thing where we both voiced our opinions on kids and left it where it stood since we both agreed they weren’t anything other than a financial headache.
“Seems like you changed your mind on kids after all. I guess the headache is manageable now, huh?” He touched my stomach, and I nodded joyfully.
“Very,” I answered still holding onto my smile. “I’ll see how much hell he gives me in a couple months. He’s on his way out soon.”
“He’s lucky. Once you love something there’s no tearing you away. Let me walk you to your office so you can get off your feet.” He stretched his arm out, and I looped mine with his.
I was ushered across the floor still gaining eyes from the personal assistants that worked the floor.
Deena had to take charge and assure the rest of her colleagues there was better things to do than stare at me.
She clutched when I needed her to. I had no doubt in my mind her wheels were turning, and she was creating her own list of twenty-one questions.
Entering my space, I dropped my purse and coat off at the wardrobe closet before taking a seat on the sofa.
Jason sat across from me taking in my office.
I would’ve mind him joining the team as a male agent.
Jason Torres had a few accolades himself and knew how to separate business from personal much like myself.
“You’ve done well for yourself C’for. I heard about LOL through friends of friends and the haters of course but to see it… I wish nothing but more success. Are the kids as passionate as we were?” he inquired.
“I think they’re more passionate if I’m speaking honestly. They show up ready to work and put their best foot forward. I couldn’t ask for better kids. You know, we’ve been getting a lot of boys lately. You should come by one day and see if joining the crew is something you can do.”
Sitting up, he rubbed his hands together as if I’d hit the nail on the head. “Well, since I’m moving to the Springs, I was wondering if you could spot me in several ways.”
“What does that mean, Jason?” I was curious to know what all favors he needed from me and how far they stretched.