Chapter 7 #2
Cali breathed a sigh of relief. “So, it’s over?”
He nodded. “Yes, for now.”
Wearing pinched brows, Cali asked, “Why did you say for now?”
“Because I don't know when you're going to get the urge to ruin your life again, Calia. At thirty-five years old, I would think you would make better decisions. I don't think you understand the severity of your actions.”
“But I do. I’ve been regretting everything that happened.”
“Regretting is one thing, but you had an affair for years. You caused Rio to be seriously injured and he’s angry about that. As a man, I can say that I don't blame him for wanting you killed.”
Cali didn’t think it was possible to feel worse than she already did. Her life was a result of her actions. She tried to right her wrongs and failed miserably. Now she had nothing to show.
“What am I supposed to do?” she asked, frustratedly. “I don't know how to make things right. If I could go back and make better decisions, I would.”
“Well, that won’t be necessary because Rio is filing for divorce.”
Cali’s chest felt like it had been punctured by a blade.
A divorce had always been a huge possibility but hearing it confirmed shattered what was left of her heart.
In some delusional way, Cali thought she could fix her marriage with Rio.
She assumed that if she could have one conversation, that he would give her a do-over.
“I mean, you expected that, right?” Bria asked.
Cali was unable to verbally lie, so she nodded her head. “I just…” She paused, trying to find the right words. “I don't know. Maybe I was hoping Rio would give me a chance to—”
“Chance to what?” Douglas interrupted her. “A chance to fuck him over again? Cali, Rio will never trust you. He will never look at you the same. You're a liability now. No one wants a woman who don't know how to keep her legs closed.”
Taken aback by his harsh words, Cali’s eyes watered without warning.
“Do you know how much I just had to pay because of your bullshit?” he continued ranting. “Hundreds of thousands. I just paid a shitload of money for your safety. Be glad that Rio was willing to accept that because most men would’ve had your head on a platter.”
She cleared her throat, hoping the agony would go away. “It sounds like you didn’t want to pay.”
“Of course, I didn’t!” he shouted. “Do you think I wanna give away money of that magnitude because you were out giving away your body to other men?”
Bria held her finger up and asserted, “It was only one guy.”
Douglas cut his eyes at her. “We don't know how many it was since all she does is lie.”
“Wow.” Cali was stunned. “So, now I’m a lying whore, got it.”
“Oh, don't you dare turn this on me.” He pointed at her with his index finger.
“You caused all of this. This was your doing. You portrayed yourself as a woman who fucks around on your husband and put him in harm’s way.
So, yes, you look like a whore who constantly lies.
Don't get mad at me for the way you have presented yourself. Be mad at you.”
If Cali had a knife, she would have sliced her wrists and watched herself bleed out. That way, the pain of what she had done would’ve stopped. She didn’t think she would ever heal from all the chaos she’d created.
“Now, what I advise is that you stay out of the way. I will send some people to get your things from the house you once shared with Rio. Are you going to be staying with us?” he asked.
There was no way Cali could bear seeing the disappointment on her parents’ face.
“No, she’s going to stay here with us,” Bria answered for her.
Cali appreciated that since she didn’t have anywhere to go. Her job had sent an email, requesting to terminate her employment earlier in the week. So not only was she getting a divorce, but she was jobless as well.
“Fine by me.” Douglas stood. “I have to go. You girls be safe.”
Bria walked their father to the door while Cali sat in despair.
She would’ve given anything to go back and savor her last moments with Rio.
Life had a way of humbling her. She’d roved through her marriage, not appreciating what she had.
She’d foolishly invested in Braye, who turned out to be her biggest enemy.
With his help, Cali ruined her life to the point where she would never be the same.
“Well, at least you can move around freely.” Bria smiled at her.
Cali scoffed, inhaling a deep breath. “What good is that going to be when I have nothing? No house, no husband, and no job. I’m really a bum out here.”
Bria chuckled. “I think you're being a bit dramatic.”
“Dramatic? Do you not see what my life has turned into? I have nothing. The way Dad just reminded me if how much of a fuck-up I am didn’t make me feel better.”
“Girl, forget him. He’s got his shit, too. We just don't know about it.”
Cali rested her elbows on her knees and rubbed her tired eyes.
She could’ve used some sleep, but it never visited her when she tried.
Her nights were spent ruminating over the moments she and Rio shared.
She missed the feeling of his arms wrapped around her.
His scent was engrained in her senses. Those eyes of his…
she missed the way he looked at her when his desire arose.
Cali missed Rio and knowing that she would never get the chance to be with him again, tore her to pieces.
“How am I gonna get my life back?” she whispered to herself.
“First thing’s first, you're going to look for another job, which won’t take a lot of effort since you have a degree and experience.
Secondly, you gotta let Rio go, sis. Ain't no coming back from what you did. Thirdly, forgive yourself. You're not the first wife to have an affair and you won’t be the last.”
“Forgive myself.” She chuckled. “I don't think I can bring myself to do it, especially when Rio had to suffer behind my actions.”
“He did and you were wrong. Still, you have to forgive yourself or it’s going to eat you alive.”
Bria made it sound so easy, but Cali would never forgive the part of her that had been selfish. Rio deserved better than what she’d given him. He was a great husband, and now that she had been exposed, Cali knew a love like that would never visit her again.
“G, you ready to come home?”
Noble stared at the screen, watching Kenji destroy some apples and peanut butter. He had one more week before his son came back home and he couldn’t have been more excited. Drowning in his presence would be the remedy to smooth Noble’s uneasy disposition.
“Yep, can we go to Jungle Fest?”
“Yeah, where else you trying to go?”
“I wanna go to Juicy’s to get a burger.”
Kaliste snickered in the background. “I wonder who got him hooked on Juicy’s.”
Noble eyed her, making her snicker turn into a full-on cackle.
“Yeah, we can do all that, G.”
Daysha: Answer the fucking phone. Your bitch attacked me.
Noble read the text, confused. While posted at the logistic company, she had been calling him nonstop all day. Since Kenji was out of town with his grandparents, he saw no need to rush and answer her calls. Considering she was only calling to question him about Irish which wasn’t her business.
“A’ight, G. Hit me later on before you go to bed, okay?”
“Alright Dad, bye. Bye, TT.”
“Bye, baby. See you soon,” Kaliste cooed before Noble ended the FaceTime call.
“This week has been so busy,” she noted, typing on the computer. “Then some of the shipping packages have been delayed because of that accident on Route 35.”
Noble frowned. “Some of the trucks were in the accident?”
She nodded. “Yeah, one of them were. That’s why the shipment was delayed.”
“Why y’all didn’t tell me? That’s something I should know.”
Kaliste gave him a knowing look. “Noble, you hired us to take care of things like this. We have it all under control. I notified the company and sent another truck to deliver the shipment. It should arrive in the morning.”
Noble nodded, willing himself to relax. Since his love life was in shambles, his paranoia had kicked in with the other parts of his life.
“A’ight, my bad.”
Kaliste side eyed him. “What’s going on with you? You seem stressed.”
The woman that I want is no longer in my life. That’s what’s wrong with me.
“Too much shit is going on. Plus, I miss Kenji.”
“Aww, you miss your lil’ twin,” she teased. “Noble, you're such a damn dad. He’ll be back in a week.”
“I know but I wanna go get him now.” He smirked.
“Man let that boy hang out with his grandparents. He’s probably having a ball.”
According to Kenji, he had gone fishing, to the water park, and learned how to park a car. Every night, Noble ended his day with a FaceTime from his son. He secretly counted down his return.
“Hey, you know what would be nice?” Kaliste asked.
“What?”
“You should take Mama out to lunch so y’all can talk.”
The grimace on his face made Kaliste roll her eyes.
“Hell no.”
“Why not? You two need to have a real talk.”
He shook his head. “I'm strai—"
“Aye”—Nuke entered the office, extending his phone toward Noble—“it’s for you.”
His brows pinched, immediately. “Who is it?”
“Daysha. She said it’s an emergency.”
Noble exhaled sharply and grabbed the phone. “What?”
“Why aren’t you answering my calls?” she barked.
“Because you don't want shit.”
“Actually, I do. Your lil’ bitch attacked me earlier. Did you get my text?”
“Oh, yeah?” Noble was suddenly amused. “What bitch are you talking about?”
“Oh, you know who. Irish’s dumb ass. Don't act like you ain't playing her side nigga. You know exactly the bitch I’m talking about.”
Growing tired of her voice, he asked, “So, she whooped your ass?”
“Hell no.”
“Cap. If she didn’t beat you the fuck up, you wouldn’t be hittin’ my line like this. What you do to provoke her?”
“I didn’t do anything to that funny-looking-ass girl. She got mad because I was speaking the truth about your ass and attacked me. I handled my own, though.”