Chapter 51 Asia
Bella and Blake's Jack & Jill barbecue was blessed with perfect weather—sunny, but not too hot, with just enough breeze to keep things comfortable.
Nyree and I had discussed how much we would give toward their wedding while ordering a few items for our nursery.
Things between us felt good—better than they had in weeks.
"You ready?" Nyree asked, grabbing his keys to head to the car.
I nodded, smoothing a hand over my floral sundress. My baby bump was barely noticeable, but I swore I could already feel the difference in how my clothes fit. "Ready as I'll ever be."
The drive to the park was pleasant, with Nyree singing along to the radio and reaching over to squeeze my hand. It felt normal—like we were just a regular married couple heading to a friend's celebration. Not a complicated mess of secrets and surprises.
When we arrived, the park was already bustling with activity. Bella had gone all out—colorful decorations hung from trees, tables were covered with bright cloths, and a massive grill was already smoking with what smelled like Blake's famous barbecue ribs.
"There they are!" Bella called out, waving us over. She looked radiant in a white sundress, and I had never seen my best friend so happy.
We headed toward her, ready to add our bills to the money tree, but halfway there I felt Nyree stiffen beside me. Following his gaze, I saw who had caught his attention.
Que. Standing near the drinks table, casual as could be, nursing a beer.
"What the fuck is he doing here?" Nyree muttered, his voice tight with anger.
"Nyree, don't—" I started, but it was too late.
Before I could stop him, Nyree was stalking across the lawn, his entire body tense like a predator. I followed as quickly as I could, but I wasn't fast enough.
Nyree reached Que and, without a word, swung his fist, connecting with Que's jaw with a crack that seemed to echo across the park. Que stumbled backward, spilling his beer, but recovered quickly and lunged at Nyree.
"Nyree!" I shouted, jaw dropping in horror as the two men grappled with each other.
People scattered around them as punches were thrown, both men cursing and grunting with effort. It wasn't until Bella's brothers, Tyree and Tyrone, rushed in from opposite directions that the fight began to break up. Blake appeared seconds later, inserting himself between the two men.
"Yo, what the hell is going on?" Blake demanded, one hand firmly on Nyree's chest, pushing him back.
Nyree was breathing hard, his lip bleeding where Que had landed a punch. "Ask this snake," he spat. "Ask him why he was screenshotting messages to Isis about our engagement, trying to sabotage my relationship!"
Que wiped blood from his own mouth, glaring at Nyree. "Man, you don't know what you're talking about."
"The hell I don't!" Nyree lunged forward again, but Tyree and Tyrone held him back. "You knew what you were doing. You're supposed to be my friend, but you were feeding information to Isis to try and break us up!"
Blake looked between them, his expression hardening as he processed Nyree's words. But it was Bella who spoke next, stepping forward with fire in her eyes.
"Is that true, Que?" she demanded.
Que hesitated, and that moment of silence said everything.
"I think you need to leave," Bella said, her voice cold. "Now."
"This is bullshit," Que muttered, but he didn't deny the accusations again. "Fine. Whatever."
As he stalked away, still muttering under his breath, I moved to Nyree's side, taking his hand in mine. His knuckles were already starting to swell.
"You okay?" I asked.
He nodded, though his jaw was still tight. "I'm sorry for making a scene at your friend's party."
I shook my head. "Don't apologize. Not for defending us."
The tension dissolved as people returned to their conversations and the music resumed. Bella and Blake insisted we stay, and slowly, the celebration returned to its previous cheerful atmosphere.
About an hour later, as I was helping Bella fix plates for a few of her family members, a murmur went through the crowd. I turned to see an elegantly dressed woman making her way through the party, turning heads as she went.
"Is that...?" I started.
"My mother," Bella confirmed, her voice tight. "I invited her, but I didn't think she'd show."
Roxanne approached us with a smile that seemed hesitant.
"Bella," she said, her voice softer than I'd imagined it would be. "This is beautiful."
Bella's posture was stiff. "Thank you for coming."
Roxanne glanced at me, then back at her daughter. "Could we speak privately for a moment?"
Bella hesitated, then nodded. "I'll be right back," she told me.
I watched as they walked a short distance away, standing beneath a tree where their conversation wouldn't be overheard.
I couldn't hear what was being said, but I could see Roxanne's expression—sincere, apologetic.
At one point, she reached out and touched Bella's arm, and to my surprise, Bella didn't pull away.
They spoke for a few minutes, and then, in a gesture that seemed to surprise both of them, Roxanne opened her arms. After a moment's hesitation, Bella stepped into the embrace. It was brief but significant, and I hoped that it meant there would be genuine change in Roxanne’s toxic behaviors.
When Bella returned to my side, her eyes were damp, but she was smiling.
"She apologized," she said. "For everything."
"That's huge, Bella."
She nodded. "It is. I'm not naive enough to think everything is fixed, but... it's a start."
We both glanced over to where Roxanne was now chatting animatedly with one of Blake's friends—a handsome man in his forties who seemed thoroughly charmed by her attention.
Bella shook her head. "Some things never change. But at least she made the effort to be here, you know?"
I squeezed her hand. "I do."
The rest of the barbecue passed pleasantly. Nyree's mood improved after Blake pulled him aside for a long conversation that ended with both men laughing. By the time we headed home, loaded with leftover food and tired from a day of socializing, I felt oddly at peace.
***
Two days after the barbecue, my phone rang with a number I didn't recognize. When I answered, I was surprised to hear the voice of a recruiter for a position I applied for.
"Asia? This is Monique from Altitude Creative. I'm calling about a remote position that just opened up. I remembered your portfolio and thought of you."
My heart skipped a beat. Before all the chaos with Nyree and Isis, I'd been hunting for this kind of opportunity.
"I'd love to hear more," I said, grabbing a pen to take notes as she described the role.
By the time we hung up, I had an interview scheduled for the following day. When Nyree got home, I shared the news over dinner.
"That's dope," he said, his eyes lighting up with genuine excitement for me. "It sounds like what you've been looking for."
"It does, on paper," I agreed. "But I don't know... we’ll see how it goes."
Nyree reached across the table to take my hand. "You should go for it if it's what you want. I’m sure the company will be happy to have you."
I squeezed his hand, grateful for his support but still uncertain. "I'll do the interview at least."
The next day, I dressed in my interview outfit—professional on top for the video call, comfortable sweatpants on the bottom—and logged in two minutes before the scheduled time.
The interviewer was friendly, the questions straightforward, but as I answered them, I felt a strange disconnect.
The passion I'd once felt for this career path seemed dimmed somehow, overshadowed by the more immediate concerns in my life.
When Nyree got home that evening, he found me sitting on our patio, staring out at the sunset.
"How'd it go?" he asked, pulling up a chair beside me.
I sighed. "I think they liked me. But..."
"But?"
"But my heart wasn't in it," I admitted. "I kept thinking about the baby, and you, and I’m not sure if I want to take on any major responsibilities right now."
Nyree was quiet for a moment, giving me space to continue.
"I don't know what I want anymore," I said. "Career-wise, I mean. I used to be so sure, but now everything feels different."
"That's okay," Nyree said. "You're allowed to change your mind. You're allowed to want different things as life changes."
I turned to look at him, struck by the wisdom in his words. "When did you get so insightful?"
He laughed. "I have my moments."
We sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching as the sky turned from orange to deep purple.
"You know," Nyree said eventually, "I'm willing to support you in whatever you want to do. If you want to pursue something else, I'll take care of us. If you want to be a housewife, I'm down for that too."
I stared at him, taken aback by the offer. "Are you sure?"
He nodded without hesitation. "Absolutely."
"How are you going to do that when you and Isis have a baby too?" I asked, voicing the practical concern that had sprung to mind.
He shook his head firmly. "Don't worry about that. You're my wife and this is our household. I'll take care of you."
There was such certainty in his voice, such unwavering commitment, that I felt tears spring to my eyes.
"Hey," he said, reaching out to brush a tear from my cheek. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I said, laughing a little through my tears. "It's just that you never cease to make me feel safe. You're turning out to be a pretty amazing husband."
He smiled, pulling me into his arms. "I'm learning as I go. But I mean it, Asia. Whatever you decide baby, I got your back. Always."