Chapter 3 #2
Her gaze drifted to the table as realization settled in her mind. Rio had put out a hit on her. Death was inevitable and due to his status in TLM, his people wouldn’t hesitate to lay her out.
“See, I told you. I told you.” Enya shook her head.
“Shut the fuck up!” Cali screamed at her. “You make every situation worse with your know-it-all ass. Go the fuck away!”
Cecilia stood. “Calia, sit down and be glad that you have someone in your life that will tell you the truth. Enya didn’t tell you nothing wrong.
In fact, you should’ve listened to her. You shouldn’t be mad at nobody but yourself.
You're the one who dishonored your marriage.
You're the person who put your husband in a position to be harmed.
This was all your doing so if you're going to be mad, be mad at yourself.”
Silence engulfed the room, making Cali’s tears return.
Slowly, she sat in her seat and put her head down.
Life had come at her at a rapid pace. She had it all figured out, once upon a time ago.
Unfortunately, reality had turned into a night terror.
What she once knew had vanished like vapor mist in the air.
Cali needed a way out, but she had to sit in the litter she’d created.
“I need a minute,” she announced and headed to the backyard.
The sky was painted in shades of gray as the scent of rain lingered in the air. The weather mirrored her inner being. She was clouded with guilt. Her insides burned from the act of treachery she’d caused. Cali was dying on the inside and there was no one around to resuscitate her.
“Hey, sis.”
She turned around at the sound of Bria’s gentle tone.
“Do you need a hug?”
Cali nodded and fell into Bria’s awaiting arms. At that second, her sister’s embrace felt like the safest on earth. She just wished it was Rio’s arms instead of Bria’s.
“Look”—Bria held her face in her hands—“I know you fucked up, and I do know you tried to right your wrongs. I was there when you made the commitment to give your marriage a shot. I was present when you were by Rio’s side, and I was there when you tried to sever ties with that crazy nigga.
I know you're not this stone-cold bitch everyone thinks you are.”
“But I’m never going to live this down. You see the way Dad looks at me. And look at how Enya is enjoying this. I wish I could just disappear.”
“Don't listen to them. They ain't perfect. They got skeletons in their closets, too. The doors just ain't been opened yet.”
Cali wiped her face with her fingers. “What am I going to do, Bria? Rio wants me dead and Braye’s in the wind, knowing he just ruined me.”
“Look, Dad is going to handle Rio. He’s mad now but there’s no way he won’t protect you. In the meantime, I want you to come stay with me.”
Cali shook her head. “No, I don't wanna impose on your family, especially when there is a hit out on me.”
“Girl, please.” Bria pursed her lips. “Lo got our house locked down like Fort Dix. Ain't shit coming through there. You’ll be safe, and he’ll protect you while Dad gets everything sorted out.”
“I’m scared of Lo, though.”
They both laughed, disrupting the emotional scene.
“Girl, Lo’s not gon’ do nothing to hurt you. He’s cool until somebody try him. Then, he turns into a beast. Other than that, he’s not going to bother you.”
“Are you sure it’s cool for me to come there?”
“Yeah, ‘cause I know you don't wanna stay here with Mama and Dad.”
Cali silently gagged at the thought. She loved her parents so much but knew they would’ve been on her ass if she were to stay with them.
“No, I don't. I can’t take Dad looking at me in disgust and Mama telling me what a horrible wife I am. No, thank you.”
“Then, it’s settled. You’ll come stay with me. Koda and Dallas are going to be so happy to have their Auntie around.”
That was the only thing Cali had to look forward to—bonding with her nephews.
“Yeah, I guess, I’ll come. I just.” She wiped her aching eyes. “I wonder how long I’m going to suffer. You know, how long will God whoop me for causing all this drama.”
Bria sighed. “I don't know, sis, but you gotta go through it. There’s no way around it. You caused this so you have to know it won’t be easy on you.”
Cali exhaled, knowing Bria was right. She had to take the hard road because there was consequences she had to suffer.
Her actions required a payment and unfortunately, she couldn’t decline it.
Karma had come to visit and no matter how Cali tried to shoo her away, she’d made her life it’s temporary abode.
It took Irish so much strength to sit there, waiting on the love of her life to come.
The burden she once carried felt heavier as her thoughts flooded her mind.
Before, she had made a decision. Noble was it for her.
She wanted his love and desired to give him the same.
Still, Jovanis was there. He sat on the sidelines piercing her with a stare that expressed pain and need.
He needed her and a part of Irish needed him.
But Noble was essential for her, too. He filled the voids in her life and kept her full of his love.
The opening of the door pulled her out of her mind.
She rose, anticipating his presence. Seconds passed by, and Noble emerged from the hallway.
The expression on his face was impassive.
Irish wished she could read him. She’d called and hyped him up about choosing him, but his aura didn’t mirror one of a man who had been chosen.
He advanced toward her and stood before her.
Irish would never be able to get over how attractive he was.
Fuck handsome, this man was beautiful to her.
His milk chocolate coating was blemish free.
His eyes were spells of brown, captivating her every time she gazed into them.
Noble leaned forward, blessing her with the touch of his lips.
If she could’ve savored them forever, Irish would’ve in a heartbeat.
Noble pulled back, inspecting her with a dubious gaze.
“I need to talk to you,” she muttered.
Stepping back, Noble sat on the couch with her right next to him.
“What happened tonight?” he asked.
Irish was slightly taken back. “Why did you ask that?”
“Because Jovanis came to see me.”
Her ginger brows furrowed. “What did he say?”
Noble smirked. “He told me to stay away from you.”
Irish’s mouth gaped, not believing Jovanis had stepped to Noble on her behalf.
“So, what happened tonight?” he asked once more.
Fumbling with her fingers, Irish looked down at her hands. “He found out about us… he was furious and said that I wasn’t shit.”
Noble scoffed. “Fuck that nigga.”
She peered at him. “He feels betrayed, which I knew he would. Seeing him hurt affected me but… I don't know.”
Noble’s eyes narrowed at her statement. “Know what?”
“I just… I need some time to calm him down. It’s so much that… I don't know.”
Noble angled his head. “You don't know what? Just a few hours ago, you were sure. Now what’s the change? Because he knows? So, the fuck what? That nigga is a grown man. He’ll be a‘ight.”
Irish wanted to explain her dynamic with Jovanis, but it was too much to reveal.
His warning had her spooked. The reminder that this was more than a marriage of convenience evoked painful memories to emerge.
She couldn’t move recklessly with Jovanis, no matter how much she loved Noble. Irish needed to handle him with care.
“It’s more than that.” She exhaled, looking him in the eyes. “I just need to make sure me and him are good before I take it there with you. You understand, right?”
Noble peered at her with another deadpan expression before he cocked his head.
“What he got on you?”
She gawked. “What?”
“You heard me.” He grabbed her chin, forcing her to give him direct eye contact. “What does he have on you?”
“Nothing.”
“Don't lie to me.”
“I-I’m not lying.”
“Fuck,” he spat, standing. “This man got you tied up into some shit, don't he?”
Irish peered up at him, slightly worried. “What are you talking about? I’m not in anything.”
“Irish, you know who you talking to? I ain't get here by being a na?ve-ass nigga. I know how to read the fuck outta people and you ain't no exception. You don't think your undying loyalty to this lame give out red flags that he’s got you into some shit.”
Irish stood, panicking on the inside. “But he doesn’t.”
Noble shook his head, clearly annoyed at her denying his claims. “If you wanna keep being a weak bitch, then go ‘head.”
Her head slightly jerked back, appalled by his disrespect. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me,” he argued. “You keep giving up your life for this man.
And for what? ‘Cause his ass like fucking niggas.
You willing to keep letting life pass you by because of a selfish-ass man who don't mind keeping you held up.
Then, do that shit. Don't come here explaining to me that you need more time ‘cause you free. I ain't holding you back.”
Irish’s tears came without warning. Noble was always diplomatic. He always offered her understanding yet in this instance, he was unwilling to reason with her.
“Noble, don't,” she whispered.
“Don't what? I’m not about to sit on the sidelines and watch you cater to a nigga that’s lowkey abusing you.”
“Abusing me how?”
“He’s taking advantage of you, Irish. That’s emotional abuse. You ain't give that man no boundaries with you. You just let him do what the fuck he wants. When you get outta line, he reminds you of whatever he has over you and keep you locked down. Why the fuck you don't see that? You that stupid?”
“Don't talk to me like that.”
“Like what?” he countered. “Like a dummy ‘cause that’s what you acting like.”
Her lips parted as a breathless scoff projected from her mouth. “Wow, so now I’m a dummy to you?”
Noble sat back on the couch with his arms stretched on top of the cushions. “In this moment, yeah, you doing dumb shit for someone who really don't fuck with you like that. If he did, he wouldn’t keep you hostage but this shit ain't my business no more. I wish you the best.”
The tears she tried so hard to keep fell down her freckled cheeks.
Noble had dismissed her. The man who had captured her heart gave her walking papers.
She didn’t think their discussion would have ended like this.
Irish had psyched herself into thinking that Noble would’ve been more patient and allowed her to cruise through this situation without his assistance.
But he was done. The look on his face told her their journey had come to a close.
“So, that’s it? Just forget about everything that we built. What about the plans we made? The love we have for one another. How am I supposed to just walk away from that?”
“Why don't you ask Jovanis? I’m sure that nigga will help you through this.”
Noble had officially broken her heart. Or maybe it was Jovanis who had initiated the first crack. Despite that, both men in her life had managed to break her in one single night.
“Why are you doing this right now?” she questioned, clearly frustrated. “I never said I didn’t want to be with you. I want you, Noble, but I can’t just walk away from Jovanis like he hasn’t meant shit to me either.”
Noble shook his head, exhaling a deep breath. “You don't even wanna share with me what he’s holding over your head. How the fuck you expect me to keep faith in you?”
“He’s not holding anything over me.”
Noble hopped up and towered over her. “Lie to me again. I dare you.”
Irish tucked her lips before looking to her right. The menacing side of Noble had surfaced, and she wasn’t going to keep trying him.
“Exactly like I thought,” he spat. “That man got a hold on you, baby. I’m not mad about it but you ain't about to keep leading me on. I’d rather let you go than have you play me.”
“I’m not playing you. I want to be with you.”
“Then prove it. Leave that nigga where he stand and come to me. Can you do that, Pumpkin?”
Ugh, why did he have to call me Pumpkin?
That name performed sorcery on Irish. It was endearing and she’d grown to love it. The possibility of not hearing him call her that made her chest ache.
“So, what’s it gonna be?” He cocked his head.
Every part of Irish’s existence wanted to be with Noble. She wanted to have his babies and wear his last name proudly. Still, she needed to make sure she and Jovanis were good. She couldn’t leave that situation a mess no matter how badly she loved Noble.
“Like I thought,” he sneered. “See your way out.”
Just like that, the bliss she had been wrapped up in for the last several months was snatched out of her life.
There was so much finality in Noble’s tone.
He left no room for her to wonder if he’d change his mind.
Wanting to keep what was left of her dignity, Irish nodded and grabbed her purse.
Her heels clicked against the marble tile as she walked toward the door.
Reaching for the knob, she paused, contemplating if she should fight for Noble.
Looking back, Irish noticed he didn’t even look her way.
Noble was done so she had no choice but to follow his lead and put their love affair behind her.