Ch. 13 #4
“First, I need somewhere to crash until my house is renovated in Dew Valley. So, I’m looking at maybe three to six months of room and board. Second is a job. I need something to do instead of sitting around blowing bread.”
“You’re reading my mind Jason. I guess it’s like old times. Toneshia is here as well,” I said pointing to the wall to my left acknowledging Nesh’s office next door.
“Word? I can’t wait to see my girl. Oh, she made the broads upset the way she stepped for you. We need to go drink and catch up, all of us,” he suggested.
“I wouldn’t mind. I’ll hit her and tell her you’re back in town. Did you bring your boy toy with you?” Jason kept a man on his side but the last two years we worked together, he entertained a designer named Relic who had just got noticed and was on the uprising fast.
“He’s in Japan right now. He should be back in three months. I was hoping our home was done by then. He sends his hello’s. You know he always wanted you in his clothes.”
“I know. Maybe after I drop my baby boy we can put on a show and have the kids’ model for him. I think it’ll be dope, especially since his name is running through the celebrity’s circles now. A lot of us are having kids and needs some pieces for the little ones.”
He nodded saying, “I like that. I’ll run it by him for real. So, on the room and board?”
Laughing, I said, “I have a room for you, and I don’t need money. Your hard work here should be more than enough to cover your board. I’ll have Deena draw up some paperwork for you.”
“You’re a saint, you know that,” he said clasping his hands together.
“Be prepared to work, Jason. What made you move to the Springs? We’re overpacked as it is.”
“It’s where Relic wanted to settle down. He’s ready for a quieter life than what New York and LA provides. I thought of you instantly and remembered all the stories you told me when we were working. I’m just trying to be a good husband to my husband,” he chimed.
“At least one of us saw the altar. How long has it been?”
“Three years under this ring girl. He’s ready to adopt and everything. My submissive ass can’t tell him no so here I am following his orders and making a home for when he returns. Never thought I’d see the day. We were true playa’s back then.”
“We had a time indeed. I got you though. Get with my assistant right outside my door and go from there. That stack of paperwork on my desk is calling my name,” I said standing.
Jason followed suit giving me one last hug before thanking me.
“Thank you, C’for. I really do appreciate your hospitality.
I have a hotel room for the rest of the week, so I’ll give you time to think on it some more.
With you being pregnant, I want you comfortable before I even move in.
I’ll leave my new number with your assistant and just hit me when it’s okay. ”
“I will. See you later, Jay.”
He stepped out, and I turned to the tower of files and outdated mail.
I knew a headache was to come just from the way all three piles slanted over.
Releasing a deep sigh, I rounded my desk and took a seat.
I truly didn’t know where to start. I feared the second I opened up one file a domino effect would start of chaos.
The first file I gave my attention to was surprisingly not that demanding.
It was a simple signature requested. I learned the further I got down in that stack was a pile of that alone.
Toneshia’s signature was there already and mine was left to seal deals.
I went through them without breaking a sweat.
It was the pile of mail that caused my anxiety to spike.
A lot of it was in fact outdated. However, a lot of it still required my attention.
For instance, the mail I couldn’t seem to stop trembling from was from the courthouse.
It was a victim/witness notification letter reminding me that the father of my child was there because of me.
Lately, anytime I thought about Black, I cried.
I didn’t know how to express my emotions for him any other way.
I’d shut myself out from the world forgetting that this day was coming.
I ripped the envelope open and scanned it quickly looking for a date.
My heart damn near beat out my chest when I realized it was two days away.
This entire time I thought I successfully ran away from it.
“Shit. Shit. Shit!” I gritted slamming the letter down on the desk. I was angry with myself for taking it as far as I did, especially after enjoying him the way that I did.
I felt like I was suffocating the way every memory from those three days swarmed me.
The way he held me, the way he helped me, the way he spoke to me, it was his way of showing some form of care and consideration.
My son was created from that and now I had to face him in court and tell those folk that he indeed held me against my will, but I truly didn’t want to be released.
I fell for him and that would have to be explained sooner than later.
“Knock, knock. So, Ja… Cheyonne? Oh God. Breathe. Breathe!” Deena screamed running over to me.
She pulled me to my feet and rushed me over to the window. She quickly cracked it, and the cool breeze hit me in the face. I gasped taking in as much air as I could. Why was this one thing drowning me the way it was? I just wanted it to be over with so me and Malachi could be happy moving forward.
“Thank you, Deena,” I said still trying to catch my breath. She was a life saver.
“What is going on, Cheyonne? What happened just now?” she asked scanning my body as if she could detect something.
“I don’t know,” I lied. “I just felt boxed in and panicked. I’m okay now. Where’s Toneshia?”
“She’s on her way in. The flowers you ordered just arrived as well. Cheyonne, if you need to go home, then do that. Me and Toneshia can manage without you here. You need to be resting it seems like.” Worry and concern was all over her face.
“No, I’m fine. I’ll wait for Nesh to get here. A glass of water is all I need right now.”
Nodding, she rushed to my fridge, removed a bottle of water, flipped over one of my glass cups from the bar, and poured me a glass. She was back in my face moments later. I downed the water and slowly gained my composure. I felt like my regret was haunting me now the way I couldn’t escape it.
“Cheyonne, are you sure? You’re sweating right now.” Deena dabbed tissue at my face trying to help me clean myself up.
“I’m good, just give me a minute, please.” Walking back to my desk, I took a seat and placed my hand on my stomach.
“Are you hurting?” she questioned.
“No. Deena, stop asking questions. I am fine. When Toneshia arrives, send her in. You can head back to your desk. Thank you,” I dismissed her.
She was hesitant but she left the same way she came finally giving me some space.
No one would understand besides those that knew of the situation at hand.
I had the bright idea to call Royce as if he could make this all go away.
At the end of the day, all I was good for was carrying his nephew. His loyalty lied with Black, not me.
My desk phone ringing startled the hell out of me causing me to jump. I placed my hand on my chest shutting my eyes briefly. I was too jumpy and nervous for things to be catching me off guard the way they were.
I snatched up the receiver calming my nerves as best as I could before answering with, “This is Cheyonne Afor.”
“I called your cell, Brat. Why you ain’t answer?” Royce had to have some type of telekinetic bullshit going on or something cause he always called when I was indecisive about calling him.
“It’s in my purse, Royce. I must’ve forgot to get it out when I arrived at the office. What’s up?” I asked trying to see his reason for calling as if he didn’t expect an update every day.
“Just checking on you and nephew. What’s new?”
“Nothing… I have a letter from the court to appear for Genesis. I don’t want to go, Royce. He’ll see that I’m pregnant, and I’m not ready for that yet,” I confessed.
“You want him to sit or what?” I didn’t quite know street or slang like that, but I was assuming he was asking if I wanted him to do the time or not.
“I don’t want him in jail anymore, Royce. I’ve regretted it for months now.”
“Then don’t show up. I’ll handle it from here. You need anything?” It was normal for him to end one topic of discussion and throw in a new one.
“No, I’m good. I uhm, I had a slight panic attack from reading the letter a few minutes ago. The appearance is in two days. Will you have enough time to do whatever it is you do?”
“That’s more than enough time. Do you need me to stop and make sure you straight?” Klarity really lucked up finding such an attentive and caring man. He loved the women in his family, and he extended that same love to me.
“No. Toneshia is on the way, so she’ll be here if I need anything. Thank you though. You’re always so kind,” I said showing my appreciation.
“Oh, Luca Brasi gon’ hold it down. Call me or Klarity when you make it home.”
“Will do. Thank you again, Royce.”
“Always.” He hung up with the line going dead. I placed the receiver down and sat back.
One thing I did know was Black mirrored Royce’s gentleman ways. He fussed and disguised it a lot by talking shit, but that man was just as attentive as his brother. If only he could forgive me once he was released.