Chapter 11
Rosalina
Walking in my hotel room I’m not sure what I was expecting but seeing the bed completely untouched and some of Ed’s things missing, had me wondering where he was and why didn’t he come to the room last night. Yes, I was gone as well but not until three in the morning and he wasn’t there.
Grabbing my things, I went to shower since Cairo’s brunch was in two hours. At least I’ll be ready and able to help if there’s anything left to do.
In a way it was a good thing because I never would’ve had the nerve to go see Felix.
The way he made love to me and put my body in multiple positions had a bitch ready to fight any woman who looked at him.
The only obstacle in the way of us being a couple in public was Cairo.
I loved my brother to death but sometimes he could be overbearing and make things more than what they were.
Yes, my ex best friend and ex-boyfriend had two kids together right under my nose.
At the time, he was my first everything and could do no wrong in my eyes.
My mother said it was me being in denial but Cairo said it was me being dumb because I should’ve known when they’d show up at my house at the same time.
Or all the times he’d leave and then a few minutes later she’d go too.
Maybe it was denial because why would I even think they’d do something like that to me.
Anyway, he was from the streets and the reason I swore those types of guys off.
That hurt and pain took a long time to go away and in my mind, I assumed all street guys were the same.
Hell, Cairo, Raul and Manny were all treating women like shit and I didn’t want to fall in that category.
Felix managed to keep his indiscretions private but like the saying went, “Birds of a feather, flock together.” There was no way Felix didn’t do the same so to avoid going through the cheating scandals I preferred corporate men; safe ones or so I thought.
Ed was the corporate man who had his own money, place, cars and people at his job respected him.
He held a certain power within his company and after watching my father and brother hold the same power but in a different occupation, it let me know Ed had a good head on his shoulders.
He wasn’t in the streets and treated his family, especially his sisters like princesses. Why wouldn’t I want a man like that?
Lo and behold, after being with someone for a while their true colors come out.
Ed started going on more trips without me, his behavior towards me changed as far as how he spoke and treated me.
I wasn’t allowed at his home unless he called me over and that was after he changed his locks.
His request for threesomes became regular which I’d never do for no man.
And now he embarrassed me by kissing on some woman outside the hotel bar and from what I can tell, not even having the decency to come back last night.
Fate really stepped in and sent me to Felix’s room.
I’ve always known about his crush and never paid him any mind until two years ago when the flirting was constant.
I noticed him never bringing a woman to any events and he’d try to comfort me if he ever thought something was wrong.
If I didn’t know then to try and make it work, I knew after we slept together.
BOOM! I shook hearing the door slam which was weird because how do you do that with a hotel door. Rushing to take the soap off, I turned the water off, reached for my towel and wrapped it around my body.
Thankfully, the thick plush robe was behind the door and I could throw it on to cover the hickeys. They were on one side of my neck and I was able to cover them.
“ROSALINA!” He shouted. I could hear him outside the door. Opening it, he had a deranged look on his face. Pushing past, I walked over to grab the lotion off the dresser.
“Where are you going?” He tried to grab my arm but I snatched away.
“To Cairo’s birthday brunch. You know, the one we’re supposed to go to as a couple but you decided to stay out all night with your mistress.”
WHAP! I didn’t even see him coming to try and avoid that slap. My head turned the other way and all I could do was quickly fix the robe and move my hair back. If he saw those hickeys it was no telling what he’d do.
“Just like a man to attack when they’re caught.” I continued putting lotion on as if blood didn’t seep in my mouth.
“Keep talking shit.” He was standing in front of me breathing fast.
WHAP! WHAP! He slapped me a few more times and my eye instantly started to bleed. I ran in the bathroom crying. Cairo was going to kill him if Felix didn’t find out what he did first.
BANG! BANG! He was trying to break the door down and I didn’t know why until I opened it.
“I’ll kill you in your sleep tonight if you mention one word to your brother.” He wrapped his arm around my throat.
“Are we clear?” Staring at him in the mirror, I took one final look at the man I use to love because he knew that once anyone in my family found out what he did, he’d be gone. That threat of killing me in my sleep did nothing to scare me.
“We’re clear.” He let go, kissed my cheek and stripped to take a shower. I knew damn well he didn’t think we’d go to the brunch together.
Once he stepped inside the shower, I ran out the bathroom, put my clothes on, and left the room with a towel on my eye.
I’ll get the rest of my things later. Pressing the elevator it opened right away.
Just my luck Sariah and her friend Kateri were on it.
Neither were dressed as if they were attending the brunch and I thought Raul said she was asleep.
I stepped on and immediately turned around to press the button. They were looking down on the phone and I was hoping they didn’t pay me no mind.
“I know damn well she didn’t just get on and not speak like we didn’t almost help her beat that cheating nigga up.” I knew Sariah’s voice because she had a deep and raspy one. Kateri had a soft voice but she made sure to be heard when popping shit.
“Is that blood on the floor?” Kateri asked, spinning me around. Both of them had horror written on their faces.
“It’s that bad?” I asked after seeing their reaction.
“I hope you said bye to that man because when your brother sees your face.” That’s when panic set in.
I knew my family would kill hm if they found out he was putting hands on me but I really wanted them to kill him for something else.
My conscience didn’t want Ed dead or his death to be because of me.
“Can you help me clean this up? Pleaseeeeee! I’ll pay you.” I was acting desperate at this point and both of them struggled to answer.
“Hell no! Your brother literally broke my hand; I mean the doctor said I had pins in it. Do you have any idea what he would do to me if I got involved? I can’t even imagine dying before having kids or a husband.
” Kateri went on and one while Sariah pressed the elevator door closed once it opened and told me that she’d do it.
When we got in the room, Kateri was panicking thinking my brother or Raul would come and see me. Lucky for her, I knew where they were and let her know to calm down. She did after Sariah gave her some weed to smoke and told her to blow it in her direction since she couldn’t indulge.
“I can’t believe you got me helping her cover up being abused. That nigga already hate me; I’m gonna be dead by morning. Lawdddd help me.” Kateri complained, helping Sariah with the makeup. Once they finished, I looked in the mirror and unless you were in my face, you’d never know.
“Thank you.” I rushed out the room because I had fifteen minutes to be at Cairo’s mansion before they sent someone looking for me. Hopping in the car, a frown came on my face seeing Ed already waiting. Where did he come from and why was he in here?
“You cleaned up well.” He gripped my hand in his, gave it a tight squeeze and rested it on his lap. I really hope Felix wasn’t outside because he may assume something that it’s not and I didn’t want that. He was the man I wanted and I’ll make sure of it tonight.
“The brunch was nice but this is better.” One of my younger cousins said drinking at the bar.
We were at a hotel inside the ballroom celebrating Cairo’s birthday.
There were tons of people, along with our family and of course strippers.
My mother had to pull my dad away from dancing with two of them.
It was harmless but she said wasn’t no need for temptation.
“Yea. Where’s Cairo?” I searched the ballroom and couldn’t find him.
“Right here. Walk with me.” He reached for my hand and led me to a small table in the corner.
“Sit.” He held the chair for me like a gentleman. Cairo could be very nice and charming when he wanted and then again, he could be an asshole that you never wanted to speak to or be around.
“Mr. Romano would you like a drink?” One of the waitresses asked. She was damn near drooling over him.
“Nah. We good.” He shooed her away and held my hand in his.
“You loved that nigga so much you were letting him beat on you?” Instantly my heart started to race and I glanced at the crowd to see if Ed was in it.
“What are you talking about?”
“Sis, I have eyes on all of my family at all times.” I swallowed hard.
“At all times?” He chuckled and pulled a black and mild off the side of his ear.
“At all times; on the elevators and even at three in the morning.” I almost choked on my own spit. Was he telling me that he knew about me and Felix?
“Before we get to you and Felix linking up, how long the nigga been laying hands on you.” He lit the black and mild and waited for my answer.
“Over the last few months. A few smacks here and there and some punches but nothing I couldn’t handle.” He grabbed my face with his free hand and studied it.
“That busted lip, and the liquid band aid on your eye ain’t doing shit because blood is starting to seep through. And the fact your eye is turning black and blue is showing he did more than what you’re saying.” I just started crying. I heard him call someone over to bring a wet towel.
“Cairo, I’m sorry for not telling you. He was my problem.” I knew Ed was a dead man but I’d rather not know it was done already.
“Well now he’s no one’s problem.” I didn’t need to ask questions. What’s understood didn’t need to be explained.
“Now.” He took a few more pulls of the mild.
“You and Felix are grown and I’ve warned both of you; mainly him not to fuck with each other.” He blew smoke in the air as I took the wet towel from the woman and placed it against my eye.
“I don’t wanna hear shit if it don’t work out and I’m telling you now, friend or not, I’ll kill him too if he hurts you.” I smiled because Cairo was telling me in his own way that he had no problem with me and Felix. I scooted my chair closer and rested my head on his shoulder.
“You’re my only sister and I’ll go to war with anyone over you, right or wrong.” He wrapped his arm around me.
“But all that keeping secrets shit ain’t cool. He could’ve killed you and no one would’ve known.” Shaking my head to let him know I understood, Felix walked up looking sexy as hell.
“Come dance with me.” He went to grab my hand but I didn’t move.
“Cairo said my face was messed up.” Felix grabbed me out the chair.
“That shit don’t matter. He was dealt with and there’s nothing wrong with how you look.
” Turning around to Cairo, he nodded his head in approval.
If I had known then that he’d be cool with me and Felix being a couple, I would’ve been with him.
Then again, it wasn’t our time and Felix had to get all that sleeping around outta his system anyway.
“About got damn time you two got together.” One of my uncles yelled out.
“Wait! What Cairo say? Did I miss it?” Raul thought it was funny until Felix said he was ok with it. Raul caught an attitude because he bet Manny that my brother and Felix would have it out over me. I’m glad they didn’t because I’m not sure we’d work if Cairo had an issue.