(continued...)
I focused my attention on Eric who, in this situation, was the lesser of the two evils.
"I was told you wanted to talk." I said. He hasn't said anything since I entered the room but his expression told me he had a lot to say.
"Care to give us a minute?" He mumbled to my father. While his head was turned I looked over his injuries. He was in a hospital gown so I couldn't see much from his neck down. He had a cast around his neck and his face was pretty bruised. Other than that he looked fine.
"I'll actually be leaving. I have a few things to take care of before I head off back to Philadelphia." He was speaking to Eric but he stared at me the entire time he was talking.
He stood up then looked down at Eric. I looked down at the ground and cleared my throat.
"It was nice visiting with you. Consider what we talked about then give me a call." Was all he said before he walked towards the door. I expected a smart remark but none came. He walked out and shut the door behind him.
"How are you?" I asked. Taking a seat close to the door. "You care, because?" I rolled my eyes and sighed out of annoyance. "Any decent human being would ask someone who is laying in a hospital bed, how they are doing." I said.
He laughed sarcastically and the undertone of bitterness was very loud.
"Listen," I said while rubbing my hands on my thighs, "I don't have time to play games with you Eric. What did you want to talk about?"
He pressed a button that lifted his bed so he could sit up. He tried to hide the grimace on his face and tried to hide his groan with a cough, but I took note of both.
"A few things, actually." He spoke after taking a drink of what I am assuming is water. "I'm divorcing you." I was suddenly interested in the conversation but I tried to mask my excitement. "For what reason?" I asked, as if I cared. He laughed loudly then shook his head.
"You have always been a character." I crossed my legs and looked away so he couldn't see the smirk on my face. "Other than the obvious," He said, putting emphasis on obvious, "I am in love with another woman who is baring my first child. Something you failed to do for me."
I was shocked not only by the news but because of his attitude. He knew the reason I never bared his children and claimed he didn't want them. "Congratulations!" I said, deciding not to pick a fight with him. We're both getting something we want so I'll leave it be.
"Mhm. The other reason I wanted to talk to you was the house and what is inside of it."
The smirk on his face gave away his antics and I sighed already feeling an argument on its way. "Giving that I bought everything, you'll get nothing." I felt my blood starting to boil and I started to tell him exactly what I was thinking but he stopped me before I could, "Or you can take me to court and you'll still get nothing." He laughed a very annoying laugh. One that made me want to scratch his eyes out.
"That's fine," I said even though it was a lie. Nothing about this is remotely fine, "I don't need a damn thing from you. You want to be that bitter and take from my baby? That's al-fucking-right. I almost felt sorry for your pathetic ass, but you know what? You got exactly what you deserved." I couldn't cover the anger or hurt in my voice but I didn't really care at this point. There is a line you don't cross and he's been dancing on it for a while.
"Nicki, Nicki, Nicki" He said while shaking his head and laughing, "You underestimate how powerful I am, don't you?" I rolled my eyes and scoffed, "If taking from a child makes you feel powerful then you're even more pathetic than I originally thought." I said.
I don't care about my things. If having a peaceful divorce means I don't get to keep my name-brand things then he can keep them and do whatever the hell he pleases with them. Rich's belongings are a different story. How do I explain to him that he doesn't get to keep his clothes, toys, or the things he has collected over the years? How could he possibly understand?
"You're inconsideration is surprising. You're lucky I'm letting you go this easy. You're also lucky your dad persuaded me to let you keep the boy. Count your blessings."
I stood up with my mind set on hurting him but my mindset changed when I quickly remembered where we were.
"You're the one who is inconsiderate. I know enough to tear your company apart. Did you forget that?" If nothing else I have said got to him I know that did for certain. There aren't many things he cares about but that company is his pride and joy. "Test me, Eric, I wish you fucking would. Don't ever think using my baby against me is okay. I'll blow the place up myself if it comes down to that." I said.
He inhaled and exhaled sharply and looked away from me. "Get out before I have you escorted out." Was all he said.
"Gladly." I said.
I stormed out of the room and down the hallway not caring who looked at me or what was said behind my back.
Once I made it inside the elevator I threw my head back and groaned.
I made it down to the first floor and walked out to see my father standing against the wall.
As if today couldn't get any worse.
"I don't have the time." I said walking past him already knowing he would follow me. "Likewise, so let's agree to make this quick."
Once we made it outside of the hospital I turned to face him, "What?" I asked.
He shoved his hands in the pocket of his coat and looked out towards the parking lot.
"There's a house and car with your name on them, paid in full, along with enough money in your bank account get you by for awhile and put little Richard through college too. I'm going to buy you out of your contract for that condo as well. How does that sound?"
I leaned my head to the side and squinted my eyes. "That sounds like bullshit." I said.
He frowned but didn't say anything. "What's the catch? There's always a stipulation that comes along with everything you do for me."
He nodded his head and looked back towards the parking lot, "We both know the stipulation." I immediately shook my head, "No," I said, "I'm a grown woman. Who I choose to be with is none of your concern. Keep the car, house, and money. I don't want it." I started to walk away but when he spoke up I stopped in my tracks. "Listen to me before you storm off." He said, "This is going to get messy. No child of mine needs to be mixed up in it. Doesn't look good for you and definitely doesn't look good for me. If you do this for me, as bad as I hate to," He sighed and rolled his eyes, "I'll get Robert off free of any charges, save his company, and I might throw in a promotion for the favor."
I looked down at the ground and sighed.
"I don't expect an answer today. Here," He pulled some papers from inside his coat and handed them to me, "Take my offer into consideration and have an answer by next week."
-
I pulled into the driveway and shut Rihmeek's car off. I picked up the papers from the passenger seat and started to open them but failed because my hands were so shaky.
This is about to get messy
How do I believe a man that has manipulated me my entire life? Then again, he said this wouldn't look good for him, meaning his reputation that he cares for so much is at stake.
I know he would do anything to save his butt.
Deciding opening the papers wasn't even worth my time I slid them in my purse and got out of the car. When I walked in there were toy boxes all over the floor. "Mommy!" Rich yelled as he ran towards my legs. "Me and Daddy went shopping." Rihmeek walked in and I questionably looked at him. Considering they didn't have a car to go shopping in, how did they go shopping? "You did?" I asked Rihmeek more than Rich, "What did you get?" I looked down and rubbed his head. "Toys"
I watched him run out of the room to go find a toy to show me and I looked at Rihmeek and smiled. "Toys?" I laughed. "Clothes and shoes too, but he didn't really care about that."
I nodded my head, "I see." I said while walking towards him then I wrapped my arms around his waist and leaned my head against his chest.
"Thank you." I said as I closed my eyes and inhaled his scent, that alone calmed my nerves.
"Just doing my job baby." I laughed at his analogy. "See mommy, we got cars that I can build myself. Me and daddy made this one." He handed me a model of an old car that I knew nothing about but he soon informed me that it was 1957 Ferrari 250. "There are only twenty-two cars like this in the world." He said, his astonishment was amusing "Real ones, not toys like this I mean." I laughed, already knowing what he meant. "I got a 1962 in there too but we waited to put it together so you could help."
I looked over the car again then handed it back to him, "That's so cool, Rich." I said.
He ran off to play with his toys and I looked noticed bags to the left of the room. I might be wrong but I don't think he bought my baby anything from Chanel to play with.
"What did you do?" I asked, walking towards the bags. "You didn't think I'd forget my biggest baby, did you?" I side-eyed him before peeking in the bag. "I ain't no baby, Rihmeek. I'm a grown ass woman." I said matter-of-factly. "Yes you are." I seen him nodding his head while looking me up and down. Shaking my head I pulled the box out of the bag and opened it. "Rihmeek!" I whined, already knowing this cost him a fortune. The purse was beautiful though and I couldn't deny that I wanted it. "I didn't need this." I said.
He walked over to where I was standing and lifted my hair off my back and began playing with it. "No, but I wanted you to have it."
There were plenty more bags for me to go through and I didn't even want to know how much he spent today. "You're my girl now and I might not have been able to spoil you back in the day but I'm gon make up for that now." I looked up at him with tears in my eyes. How am I supposed to make a decision now?
"You don't have to do that." I said as my voice cracked. "Shh" He said before kissing my lips.
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I DID IT GUYS, I GRADUATED!!! 💃🏻🎉
I hope y'all are ready for drama. I'm warning you all now, some of y'all aren't about to like me but it won't be for long.
Please excuse any errors 😘
