Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Amena
M y money was running low, but I put in a few calls to some of my old friends in the fashion industry to see if anyone was interested in bringing me on as full-time stylist. I loved working with people who let me do what I wanted without question based on their personality. After I did another walk through the condo and talked with my brother and parents, I decided to go with the place—even though Laikin was only a few doors down. Brett was fine since he thought it would provide me with some security in case anyone messed with us. Personally, I doubted that we could even coexist,let alone work together. On the outside, he was acting like he was fine with his PR team asking me to style him again, but his flat answers gave me pause before I signed my name on the lease. Also, the cost seemed really low, and I wondered why the owner didn’t put up a fight when they found out I was a single mom starting over. The building came with a lot of amenities like a gym, juice bar, and business area. Ultimately, I wanted to have a house for me and Kayne, so staying for a few years to build up my name again meant more than jumping into purchasing a home right now. Standing in the middle of the room, I smiled with glee, taking in the two bedroom, two and a half bath one story unit.
Grabbing my purse and keys, my hand wrapped around my ringing cell showing Winter’s name. Clicking the answer button, I was ready for the harsh words. “I should smack you.”
I snorted at her statement. “Why, friend?”
During the last few years of school, Winter came into my life and helped to keep me sane. Winter was my closet friend, next to Laikin and my brother. She was a feisty, spunky, smart, 5’4” tall redhead with warm, honey brown skin.
“Friend my ass, Where is my baby Kayne?” Winter argued.
“At daycare.”
“Are you all moved in yet?” Winter had never liked Virgil. Many times, she’d questioned whether I was ready for what he wanted. I used to think that she was like my parents, who hated all my relationships. Truthfully, they were right.
I was hard. Winter was strong. “I am.”
“Is he still calling?”
“Of course—from unknown numbers—and making statements like we’re a happy family.”
“Girl, that man is crazy. How is he getting away with that?”
“A few times his team has put up video or pictures showing us out of town and saying I’m taking care of family, and our marriage is good.” Virgil’s family had a vested interest in looking good for the public.
“All lies.”
I stood in pleased surprise at everything coming together. “It sure as fuck is all lies from his camp.”
“Glad you got away and free to get your man back.”
I locked up and went to the elevator. It opened, and the maintenance manager got off. We both smiled in acknowledgement.
I pressed the button for the main lobby. “What man, Winter?”
“Amena, stop being dense. Laikin is your man.”
“He’s not.”
“Well, according to me, he will be if you stop acting stupid.”
Laikin looked pissed that me and his mom were getting along so well and then to see me again at the condo? I figured he would tell Brett to find me another place. “Laikin and I are friends.”
“Friends that want to be more.”
“He did get me the job on his commercial. Plus, his team wants me to do another styling job.”
“See, already making sure you get paid. Look at God!” Winter barked in laughter.
I came out of the building as soon as the elevator doors opened. I strolled to my car, jumped inside, pressed my phone into its holder, and put it on speaker.
As dramatically as she acted, Winter was right about him making sure I got back on my feet and I would thank him with dinner soon as an appreciation.
“Where are you headed right now?”
“I have to get to the store, grab food for my place, then order some furniture and pick up Kayne.”
“Then I will come by once you make it back home and we can catch up.”
“Okay, let me text you my address.”
“Please don’t go missing. Again, friend, happy you’re back.”
Passing through the streets in my parents’ second car, I made a note to thank my dad for letting me use it.
“I won’t, friend.”
Hanging up with Winter, I accidentally tapped on an incoming call. “Hello.”
“Amena, you've had your fun, time to come home,” Virgil growled. A loud slamming noise came though the phone.
“Virgil, we are divorced.”
“I told you to death do us part and I hold those promises.”
“Kayne and I are no longer your priority. Please go be with the woman and child you’ve kept hidden. She probably would love the limelight.”
“Bitch!”
“Goodbye, Virgil.”
Before he could say another word, I ended the call, tossed it in my purse, and pulled up at Kayne’s daycare.
I stepped out and placed my visitor badge on purse shoulder, then ambled inside and headed for his room. I knocked on the door and the teacher opened it to step outside.
“Hi, Amena. What are you doing here?”
I frowned at her statement. “I came to get Kayne. Is he sleeping?”
“His father picked him up.”
“No, how can that be?” I reached around her, yanked open the door, and ran in, scanning the room to find Kayne.
“He came about ten minutes ago and said you were working.”
“He doesn’t have permission to take my son!” I yelled.
Some of the kids stopped playing and started to cry.
“Amena, please step outside.”
“I can’t breathe.” What I knew at that moment Virgil was getting more and more possessive and if he hurt Kayne to get to me, I would never forgive myself. I took out my phone and dialed his number. It went straight to voicemail, and I dialed again.
Kayne picked up. “Hi, Mommy.”
I smiled at hearing his voice. “Hi baby, where are you?” I tried to get Kayne to give me any clue.
There was rustling on the line, and then the gravelly voice of my ex. “He’s with his father, the same place you should be.”
“Virgil, we both know you barely had any interest in my son when he was born.” I ran out of the building and jumped in my car.
“My son is going to be raised in a two-parent home.”
I wiped the corners of my eyes with the back of my hand. “How when we’re divorced?”
“We’ll get remarried.”
“Where are you?” The best way to get him to agree was to stay calm.
Virgil loved to torment me. “Meet me at your parents’ house.”
I jerked back, in shock that he’d go to my parents’ home with my child. “What games are you playing?”
“Come and find out.” The dial tone came through and I blew my horn racing through traffic.
* * *
As soon as I crossed the highway, I made it to my parents’ home in less than twenty minutes. I left the car running and hopped out to see a limo parked out front, along with my mother’s car in the driveaway. His security detail stood outside ignoring me.
“Kayne!” I shouted as I ran through the front door and paused at my mother and father sitting with Virgil.
“There she is,” Virgil said.
My mind blocked out everything other than getting Kayne back. “Where’s Kayne?”
“He’s fine. Take a seat.”
I walked off and headed upstairs to search for Kayne. “Virgil, we’re not doing this here.” The thought of my parents helping Virgil crossed my mind.
“He’s not leaving with you, Amena.” Virgil jumped up from the loveseat and followed me.
“Amena, we’re on your side, honey. Virgil says you blindsided him with the divorce,” my dad said as he stood from the couch.
“He’s lying and trying to manipulate you. Virgil knows that his controlling attitude and possessiveness was too much, and I wanted out. On top of him using us as props.”
Honestly, deep down, I knew it had been my choice to stay with him after the first few years of our marriage—even after I saw the red flags of him working nonstop and missing meals, wanting me to put on a fake smile for people on the campaign trail, shaking hands with strangers and making it seem like he was the best man in the world, the one who would bring Atlanta into the future.
Every moment of our life together played in my head from what I ate to only being with his friends and family. He raked a hand down his beard, his brows pinched together, clearly hating that I was putting our business in the public eye. Virgil growled and stalked forward. I moved back. “The only thing I have done is try to give you a better life. You’re the one who wanted something different. You were tired of your parents running your life.”
“Virgil, watch how you talk to my daughter in my house,” Dad barked, stepping in front of me and blocking Virgil.
“Ma, Pops! Where are you at?” Brett coming over right at this moment was not going to end well.
“Let’s go, Amena,” Virgil commanded, then turned to walk back down the stairs and I followed, hearing Kayne laughing. I stopped at the sight of Laikin, Brett and Kayne, playing around. A flash of anger streaked across the face of Virgil as his fists clenched. The years of terror were still locked deep inside me. Virgil made it seem like his love had brought me into a bigger world, but I couldn’t have a life outside of it, and he never supported my dreams.
“Kayne, say goodbye to your mother,” Virgil said and extended a hand for him to take. Kayne looked from his father to Laikin.
I closed my eyes, stomach clenched at the pause in his reaction.
Kayne had no clue of what was happening. If looks could kill, the antique pieces on my parents’ wall would be shattered by Virgil’s head if my brother had a say. “Laikin is my friend; we’re playing video games.”
Virgil went to grab Kayne and Laikin blocked him.
“That’s not how it’s going down.” Laikin stood in front of Kayne, blocking him from his father.
“Aren’t you Laikin Trenton, the guy who races cars for a living?”
“Virgil, please go, and I will call you,” I insisted, moving around the living room to pick up Kayne.
The atmosphere was so thick, and I knew that at any moment, Virgil could call his men inside and make it a bigger problem. My parents hated drama, and right now, I was bringing nothing but conflict into their home.
My pulse quickened, I snatched up the keys, pulled Kayne by my side, and started for the door. “Amena, where are you going?” Mom came up beside me.
“Virgil, you and my sister are divorced the last time I heard.” Brett's intense stare gave us all pause. I tore my eyes away from Mom to see Virgil and Brett with balled fists at their sides.
“Brett, leave it alone. He’s only going to use it as a way to take Kayne from me. Mom, we’ll talk later.”
“What happens between my wife and me has nothing to do with you.” Virgil remained uncomfortably still, then bumped shoulders with Laikin and walked towards the front door to leave. He stopped and glared at me. “Kayne, I will be back for you.” Virgil held the doorknob and gestured for his security to follow him to the car. The entire time, my parents’ eyes were on me.
“Before you two start, let me take Kayne home and get him fed and into bed. Virgil took him from daycare without telling me, so right now I can’t take a lecture.” I spilled my entire guts, not letting them answer, then walked out to my car and got Kayne situated in his car seat.
I buckled him in and shut the door. I leaned up and released a breath, then bumped into a hard chest and almost fell before warm hands came around my waist.
“Give me your keys.”
“Laikin, no,” I said, then backed up to put space between us.
“Amena, I’m driving. You are upset, and Kayne needs you to be clear minded.” Laikin held a hand out for my keys, and I sighed.
“Okay.” Slouched in the car, I covered my face with my hands in thought, listening to Kayne talk to him from the backseat. A few minutes went by, and Laikin reversed out of the driveaway.
* * *
What I didn’t think would happen was Laikin making us come to his place. Once we got home, I took a nap so I’d be in a better headspace. His place was clean and modern, with opulent Chinese art on the walls. A mixture of warm leathers and bright prints.
Laughter echoed throughout Laikin’s living room. I watched him sit with Kayne on his game console, teaching him how to play and distracting him from what had gone down. Rather than cooking, he ordered burgers, fries, and chicken strips and that let me have some free time to order furniture for our place and avoid the three voicemails from Virgil.
The money I had was enough to get everything for my baby’s room and the living room basics. With the money from my commercial shoot with Laikin, I bought more clothes and toys for his room.
Shutting down the computer, I stood and headed to the kitchen to set up the food on the table, then poured water for Kayne and grabbed a beer for myself.
“Kayne, time to eat.” The clock hanging on the wall read eight-thirty. Normally I would have him showered and in bed by now.
“Yes. ma’am.” Kayne stopped playing the game and came over to the table with Laikin trailing and pulled a chair out to sit down.
“Thanks again for driving us back.”
“Mommy, is Daddy coming back for me?” Kayne ate his chicken strips, soft eyes looking at me in wonderment. Protecting him from any harm, including his father, was my job and I refused to let Kayne become like Virgil.
I leaned over to cut up his food. “No, baby. Your dad is not.”
“Laikin can be my dad.” Kayne grinned.
The last thing I wanted was Laikin feeling obligated to take on the responsibility of being Kayne’s father. “Finish your dinner, then bedtime,” I rushed out, grabbing the glass of beer and taking a sip. Kayne continued his conversation with Laikin about the next time they would play the game. I listened and smiled at the joy he’d felt in the short time they’d spent together. In another world Laikin and I could have been a family if I had never left to marry Virgil.
* * *
I heard a knock at my window, dropped the clothes in my hand, and jogged over to let him in while I had the guts to see his face. As usual Laikin pulled me into his arms and tried to kiss me on the lips. We hadn’t talked since I caught him at the party. He tried calling and talking to me at school, but I avoided him. My friends told me I was too serious about dating him when I should be single. Besides, so many girls had tried to break us up by making it seem like he’d slept with them behind my back.
“Amena, you’re still on that party shit?” Laikin sat down in the chair at my desk and stretched his hand out to pull me into his lap.
“Laikin, we need to talk.” I rubbed my arms, not ready to tell him the truth.
“Where are you going?” Laikin jumped up from the chair and tossed my shirts to the side of the bed.
“I met someone.”
“What?” He hiked up his pants that kept falling down from not wearing a belt.
I avoided eye contact. “I’m sorry, but we can’t do this anymore.”
“What are you saying?” Laikin closed the space between us, picked up my hand.
“I met…I think it’s best we see other people. My parents never wanted me to date until I was older and keeping this a secret from them and my brother is too much.”
He shook his head. “Amena, please don't do this to us.”
“The party gave me clarity. I think we’re both young and being too serious.”
His nose wrinkled in confusion. “All this time, you’ve been seeing someone else? Is that what you’re saying?”
“You need to leave.”
“Amena, talk to me baby.”
I grabbed my suitcase and phone. I felt the vibration of Virgil’s text thread. He was outside, waiting. My parents weren’t home for the weekend, and Brett was staying at his girlfriend's house. I marched downstairs and paused at the front door, turned the knob, released a long-held breath.
Laikin grasped my hand tight. I glanced over my shoulder, back to opened front door to see Virgil’s blacked-out Mercedes. He was in the process of following in his father’s political footsteps. He was older than me at twenty-eight, and I admired how he was going after what he wanted.
“Laikin, I promise to call when I get settled.” I strolled out of the house, as Laikin trailed behind me outside.
“Who the fuck is that in the car?” Laikin released my hand and marched down the steps. I ran to jump in front of him.
“Amena, we have to go.” Virgil stepped out of his car, smirking at Laikin.
“Who are you?” Laikin balled up his fists.
“Nobody. We need to go, Virgil.” I tossed my bags into the backseat and climbed into the car.
He started the engine. “She’s my fiancée.” Virgil pulled away from my house, and I looked back through the mirror, seeing Laikin’s heart sink, triggering a bitter knot of pain in my chest.
Ever since that day I’d left the memories of us in the past and avoided asking Brett about Laikin. Until the last year or two after I learned about his new career and loved how much he’d become what he set out to be.
The weekend I left home, my parents blew up my phone, but I was over eighteen and could do as I pleased. In the beginning, being with Virgil felt like a dream. He introduced me to his parents, we traveled, and he proposed right after. I started looking at schools to get my degree in fashion.
Over time, I learned his true intentions, then I grew distant and planned my escape.
* * *
As soon as we finished dinner and cleaned up, I took Kayne home to rest on the air mattress, tucking him in. I wandered into the empty living room filled with boxes and scattered clothes. Laikin’s tall figure leaned against the front door, both hands in his pockets. His heated dark brown eyes clashed with mine, and I released a sigh, ready to hear his thoughts on Virgil.
Too many emotions swirled within my head. “Say it.” I battled with wanting to fight or take flight.
His nostrils flared, his deep scowl disappeared, and he stepped away from the door. Laikin knew his presence sent a tingle up my spine. “Place your anger at the right person, Amena.”
“My anger? Laikin, I am not doing this with you.” I headed back to my room to shower, and he captured my arm, pulling me back.
“Do like you always do and walk away from me.” The harsh growl in his voice, I knew deep down, came from hurt.
In response to his grip, I pulled away. “Virgil was a mistake, but my son is not.”
“Tell me why you walked away from me.”
“Because—” My breath hitched, my stomach dropping in panic.
“Because what?”
I glanced up at him, and my throat tightened. “I wanted to get away from my parents but never meant to hurt you in the process.”
“Not like you cared about me.”
I craved every inch of him. Blatantly lying, like I never loved him, was ridiculous and childish.
When that car drove off that night I felt remorse, something in my gut said to turn around, but my head and heart never aligned. “Laikin, you were my first everything. How can you say I never cared?”
He raised a hand to slap his chest. “Because you allowed them to break our bond. You were my fucking everything,” Laikin seethed, pointing to his heart. We started into each other’s eyes feeling each other’s pain.
“No amount of time could have stopped me from loving you, Laikin. I made a mistake and let myself get wrapped up in Virgil’s words. I am no longer that naive twenty-year-old.” Exhaustion poured through my veins. After the surprise visit, trying to work on my relationship with my family and raising my son was too much. I only wanted Kayne to be happy.
I watched my words pierce through him as he dragged a hand down the back of his head.
“ Mommy ,” Kayne whined from the bedroom.
Hearing Kayne, I walked off and left Laikin there alone.
I peeked in on Kayne, the covers were off the bed, his little body curled up on the edge. I pulled the covers back up and left the door slightly ajar, coming back into the living room to find it empty. The entire day had been draining. I was starting to clean up when the doorbell rang.
“Who could that be?” I yanked open the door, smiling at Winter holding a bottle of wine. I moved to the side and shut it. “I forgot you were coming tonight.”
Winter’s brows squinted together. “What’s wrong?”
“Girl, a lot. Please open that bottle.”
I had paper cups until I had a chance to get the dishes sorted. Winter poured a full cup for us each, kicked off her shoes, placed her purse on the top of the island.
“Talk to me.”
We headed to the balcony with the door open.
“Virgil came to try and take Kayne from me.” I drank some of the red wine, staring up at the night stars.
“Babe, you should have called me or the police.”
My body locked up with rage at Virgil going to these lengths to hurt me. “I know.”
She rested her chin on her palm, looking over the city night life. “Is he trying to fight for custody?”
I yawned, rubbing my strained eyes. “Hell, no! He’s using our son to get me back. He went to my parents’ house.”
“Virgil knows you’re rebuilding your relationship with you parents.”
Heavy silence filled our brief moment. “Exactly. The coldness in his eyes today told me I was right about leaving him.”
“What did your parents say?”
Remembering the look of hurt in their eyes made me want to call and explain everything. “Guilt probably ate them up, but they were on my side for once.”
“Well, that’s good—I mean, not about the guilt.”
I chuckled. “I know what you meant. Laikin was there and my brother.”
Lines of smoke swirled in the air. A few young celebrities lived in the building and I’d learned they threw parties all the time.
“Brett and Laikin kick his ass?”
I swallowed the rest of the wine in my cup. “No, Virgil tried to snatch up Kayne, and Laikin blocked him.”
“That’s a good man, Savannah,” Winter teased me a reference of the movie Waiting To Exhale, and I bumped her on the shoulder.
Tomorrow if we ran into each other, I had no clue what to say. “He is not my man.”
A grin curled her lips. “Which is stupid,You both want each other.”
“How do you know?”
“I can tell.”
“He hates me.” The words lingered in the air.
Winter stretched her arm around my shoulder and pulled me along with her to walk back in the condo. “Give him space.”
“I just want our friendship back.”
Winter grabbed the bottle to top off both cups, then gulped hers down. “Is my godson asleep?”
“Yes, he is and please don’t wake him up.”
If she had her wish, he would stay up all night playing, with her spoiling him. Winter had no kids—and no man, as far as I knew—so spending money and giving Kayne everything he wanted was her Godmotherly duty.
“All right, party pooper, let me get out of here and let you sleep.”
“Thanks for coming over.” We hugged each other, and I walked her out.
“Best friends are for venting and drinking,” Winter said as she waved goodbye.
I watched her get on the elevator and leave. My eyes scanned Laikin’s door out of curiosity and then I stepped back inside to shut and lock mine. Like I planned to do before she came, I headed to my bedroom to shower and go to bed, with thoughts of Laikin on my mind.