After midnight
Taraji got in by Fantasia's backdoor. She saw the little candlelight coming from the kitchen and went there...
Fantasia was sitting in the dark shades, drinking.
"You paid the electricity bill right?" Taraji asked. Fantasia laughed. It was the drunk laughter then she turned on the light. They looked at each other
She then turned it off.
"I just prefer the dark," Fantasia said blowing the candle off.
"This is ridiculous," Taraji said turning to leave. Fantasia turned on the light. "okay, I will leave it on" She said. Taraji lit the candle and turned off the light.
"Better?" she asked. "much better," Fantasia said. Taraji sat down "You have 13 minutes to tell me everything I need to know about the case," Taraji said.
"That's not why I called you here," Fantasia said. "Why am I here?"
"I missed your touch!" Fantasia said shamelessly. "I just want you to touch me"
"How much did you drink?"
"I'm not drunk. I'm tipsy and I can hear myself. Not only can I hear myself, I actually control the words that are coming from my mouth."
"Fantasia you are facing lockup"
"so what? Is not like other than Jack everybody does care at all. Halle is not here, my sisters are not here, you are not here. So why should I care if the people I live for don't? What is the purpose of freedom if I can't love or be loved? I don't care if I go to prison Your honor, shove me in a prison cell for the rest of my life" Fantasia yelled,
Tears filled her face, which was why, she preferred talking in almost dark, she was hiding her tears from Taraji.
"Your sisters and Halle care, they are just way across the world right now, working. Saving lives and Halle got an exam and she hates me, but it doesn't mean she doesn't wanna be here, she will be here, and they will all be here eventually"
"What about you? What about you your honor? Do you care?"
"I do. You are the mother of my kids, of course, I care what happens to you. I don't wish death, deadly disease, or Prison on you Tasia, I wish you health, Happiness and wealth, and mostly love, I wish you love"
"Love?" Fantasia laughed. "stop wishing me to love my dear, I don't believe in love, I don't want it in my life, Love sucks, love stinks, love is fucked up. Love is a migraine I don't wanna feel, I hate it. I hate love I hate it, I hate it. I hate it so much, I hate--- I just hate everything" Fantasia cried.
"You can't hate Everything. Surely there is one thing in this world except your kids that you still love"
"Yes, You!" Fantasia said. "I still love you, even though you crush my heart like mashed potatoes, I still find it dreadful that I love you," Fantasia said between her sobs. "Taraji I love you!" she added.
Taraji swallowed hard and rose from her chair. She went to the big refrigerator and opened it. The light illuminated Fantasia, she hid her face from the light.
"Have you eaten?"
Fantasia stood up.."This is Pointless, thanks for coming" Fantasia said walking out. "Why is it pointless?"
"I just opened my heart to you and all you got for me is 'have you eaten?' are you fucking kidding me right now?"
"I-- I don't know what to say to that"
Fantasia scoffed
"wow, you really fell out of love with me, then why are you here? Women don't sneak in by the back door to risk their jobs for somebody they don't love. So since you really don't love me why are you here?"
"For my kids, my kids love you, that's the only reason I'm here." Fantasia slapped her. It was a hot slap, birds would fly.
Taraji gasped rubbing her cheek. "Oh baby I'm so sorry... I-- I" Taraji devoured her lips with hers. They kissed.
It was a long, hungry, nasty but passionate kiss. Fantasia moaned a little.
They pulled from each other. Fantasia blushed. Taraji rubbed her cheek again. "ou!" She finally muttered. "I'm sorry baby!" Fantasia said. Taraji looked into her eyes and kissed her again.
"do you want some ice?"
Taraji laughed. "I will live, plus, I deserve it," She said. "but I really--"
"shhh- baby it's okay. I would have slapped me too" Taraji said. Fantasia felt bad.
Taraji's watch beeped. "what's that?"
"Timer, I gave you 20 minutes, time is up. I need to get home, I'm not sure who's watching you or me, I could get us both in trouble. Plus I can use a bag of ice"
Taraji said leaving.
"Raji!"
"yes!"
"thank you for coming"
"is not like I can say no to you. But you are welcome. Lock up okay? Whoever killed captain might be coming for you next"
"in my home? Oh baby you know how that will end"
Taraji chuckled. "lock up!"
"yes Your honor, at least call Jack when you get home. I will take his phone"
"Okay," Taraji left.
She got home and then called Jack's phone.
Tasia: you got home alright?
Taraji: I'm In bed. Did you lock up?
Tasia: Damn it, I forgot, hold on...
Fantasia went downstairs locked the backdoor and then double-checked the front door.
Tasia: done. Do you think somebody might come for me?
Taraji: I don't know what to think. I'm kinda shaken up.
Tasia: I hope not, 'cause I don't think I'm competent to fight right now.
Taraji: you don't always have to fight for yourself you know.
Tasia: who will fight for me?
Taraji: I will.
Tasia: why? You don't love me anymore, you said that yourself.
Taraji: oh yeah? Well, maybe I just love fighting.
Tasia: (she kept quiet)
Taraji: you are loved okay, stop speculating. You are loved. Very much.
Tasia: why is it hard for you to say it
Taraji: I-- let's not talk about this okay...
Tasia: what should we talk about? The kiss?
Taraji: what kiss?
Tasia: oh so that didn't happen either, great I've officially lost my mind.
Taraji: I see that you have. See you in two and a half days. Make sure your lawyer is ready. It was good talking to you, Tasia.
Tasia: whatever...
Taraji hung up.
Three days later
Trial:
Taraji was nervous like it was her Trial. Lana couldn't hold anything in her hand without shaking.
Halle and Jack tried cheering each other up. Paris and Hailey were there too. Kassie came. Paige happened to be shooting in New York, she was staying at Taraji's
Fantasia's father came. Her sisters couldn't though.
Taraji breathed heavily in her chambers before putting on her Judicial Robe. "your honor, there is something you need to know"
"What?"
"She's being framed and I know who is framing her, and I know why he's framing her"
"Lana, what did I say about doing the lawyer's job for them? Of course, she is being framed, she's my wife I know she didn't do this" Taraji yelled her frustrations out.
"Your honor you said wife!" Lana said.
Taraji shot her a look. She raised her hands in the air. "by the way your honor, I didn't do any work for anybody. I slept here so I could hide. I know this because I heard them talking. Maggie is Cole's wife, they are framing Fantasia because that's how they make their money. Killing and framing. She is a hit girl in a lawyer's robe, and he's a hitman in a suit. I didn't say this on time because they saw me when I overheard them, they threatened to slit my throat and kill everybody I care about. I tried tipping off Halle, but she thought it was you sending me, she hung up on me, I'm sorry"
Taraji sat down. "You didn't have to go through that alone Lana. You should have said something. I already know about their little business. I did my own research last night. I too, didn't know how to warn Fantasia. So I called my son and his lazy ass only got back on me this morning. I'm frustrated because they gonna shoot their shot in front of other judges today and I might not be able to get her out of this mess without proof., I'm still looking for proof" Taraji said. "Meanwhile, the woman that I fucking love might go to prison for something she didn't do"
Lana smirked. "Rub that smug off your face yes I love her okay? I never stopped. I love her, gosh I need to get her out of this mess" Taraji said.
Court:
"All rise! New York City High Court, Court 101, first-degree murder, Judge Henson, Judge Bailey and Judge Benedict presiding." The bailiff yelled. They rose from their chairs as the Judges walked on the high Bench.
"Let's take our seats!" Judge Benedict (an old white man) said with a firm voice.
They all sat down.
"This is court case 275. First-degree murder. Councilors, present and try not to waste my time"
He said.
Fantasia narrowed her eyes at him and then looked at Taraji, she gave her the "he is worse, brace yourself" look.
"calling in my first witness, The owner of the murder scene, Cole Casier," Shannon said. Fantasia gasped turning around, she looked at Maggie who gave her a stinky look. She knew then she was toast. Her jaw was hanging and so was her children's.
Cole took a stand and swore.
"Mr Casier it says here you left the boat the night before the murder, is that correct?"
"Correct"
"But you are an eyewitness, how did you see this event?"
"I came back early, I walked in on her stabbing the victim. I tried to hide and call the cops, but she didn't see me, I called the cops and took pictures of her trying to cover for murder!"
Shannon presented the pictures to the judges.
"Then the cops showed up on time and I ran for my life, I thought if she knew I was there she would come for me next," He said, his wife nodded, gesturing that he was doing great. Taraji saw it, she clenched her teeth.
"no further questions," Shannon said.
"Your witness," Benedict said to Maggie. "No question your honor," She said. Fantasia turned rapidly to her.
"Well, with all evidence presented to us, we will take a recess and come back with the verdict unless there is something else the councilors would like to say"
"no your honor"
"no your honor"
"What the fuck Maggie? How is this fair? She presented nothing for my case. How are you taking a verdict?" Fantasia yelled.
"Miss Barrino, you are not to address the court," Judge Bailey said. "How about the court be fair to me first--"
"one more word from you I will hold you in contempt," Judge Benedict said. "How about this... She's fired, I will present for myself. I was there I know what the fuck happened and I think I know who killed the captain"
"You are not to use that language in my court" Benedict yelled.
"I am angry Your Honor, you and this court, are not treating me fairly" Fantasia shouted.
"Quiet!"
"Judge no!" Fantasia said. "That's it, you are in Contempt, bailiff, cuff her," Benedict said.
"Bailiff stand down!" Taraji interjected.
Benedict shot her a look. "What?"
"This is My court Judge Benedict. and I say if the witness wants to present her case, she may. Nobody is gonna hold the defendant in contempt for standing up for herself against the case that is unfair to her in the most twisted ways, Something is not right and you Judge Benedict are simply enabling criminals to walk free and innocent people to rot in prison. Well, not on my watch. Court is in Recess until tomorrow, the defendant may present her Case then." Taraji said.
"Are you overruling my ruling?" Benedict asked Taraji. "I'm ruling a fair ruling if that's overruling you then Judge, I am overruling you," Taraji said.
This time her kids were holding their breath.
"You are fired!" Benedict said. Taraji chuckled. "oh really? let's call the president and hear what he has to say because you, my friend have no power over me, you have no power to fire me. I'm not going anywhere, bailiff call it!" Taraji shouted.
"All rise!" Taraji and Bailey walked out. Benedict was all red on the face. He stormed out. Fantasia turned to Maggie.
"You have no idea who you dealing with, do you now? Baby girl I will set your wig on fire and shove your head right on that dickhead bustars's crotch. Ask about me bitch, I'm Fantasia Barrino, you fuck with people I love, and you poke my eyes, did you see that woman who was out there fighting for me and risking everything? You may Have hurt her job and that's my wife. I will fuck you up. I'm gonna fuck you up" Fantasia said to her. Halle and Jack's eyes were wide open.
"I got a bullet with your name on it bitch and I'm gonna fire it right on your head, and I never miss" Maggie Challenged Fantasia.
"bullet? I'm not scared of bullets? Sweetie I got scars everywhere on my fucking body, my organs are bulletproofed, I don't die bitch I got seven loaded lives like a fucking cat" she said with her teeth clenched.
Halle turned to her brother. "tell me I'm not the only one who is witnessing how cool both our moms are" she whispered. "You are definitely not the only one, babe," Paris said on behalf of Jack. Jack folded his arms. "shush, you interrupting my show" Jack said. "I'm cooking dinner tonight and you are gonna help me have both my mothers on the same table, is family time bitches" Halle muttered.
Fantasia walked out after her confrontation threats with her "Lawyer". Her children followed her. Maggie was so angry. She was one minute away from bursting her stink.
This might be war...