Qasim
This dinner was doomed before it started. The way my day started confirmed it. Mia and her sister were on some bullshit. I was two seconds away from letting Baby girl take them down. She claimed her lawyer had some shit for me to sign. Come to find out, Mia had me on a dummy mission the whole time. Her ass never talked to the lawyer. And currently I was refraining from punching O dad in the face.
The first five minutes were okay until he pulled out my arrest records. This man had the nerve to go down the list of everything I have been arrested for.
"Blaine, you are aware that you have done far worst than Qasim- right?"
I sighed and tugged at my beard. I knew what he was he doing. He wasn't slick. Everything he was showing Honey, I already told her. I wasn't into secrets and hiding shit. Even if it wasn't necessary for future growth. I never wanted anybody to be able to throw shit in Honey face.
"I humbled myself, and I grew from those situations. I don't think he's humbled himself, or grown" he stated.
I felt the monster brewing on the inside. I really wanted to beat his ass- but out of respect for Mrs. O and my baby I was taking these jabs.
"With all due respect sir, I have grown immensely. If I hadn't grown or learned anything- then I would still be making illegal money. I mean some people go straight, and still have dealings with the street" I responded.
He narrowed his eyes at me and gave me a stern look.
Yes, I was taking shots. I knew all about Blaine Ortiz. The biggest drug lord on the east-side of Columbus. Got in the game at 15 and worked his way up. Taking out anybody he felt was a risk to his empire. He helped his family get through college- but all his accomplishments were far from clean. It was all built with drug money. The feds were still watching him. One wrong move, and all his shit could go up in smoke. They received a stipend of 30 million a month. Yet, the ones he couldn't bribe were still trying to find a way to take his cocky ass down.
"Are you trying to imply something son?"
"No, it was a general reference. Most individuals that were raised in the streets never leave it alone. They either keep childhood friends around, or they keep their hands in certain activities. Regardless of the consequences. Like the old adage, you can take a person out the hood, but you can't take the hood outta them"
He chuckled and took the documents off the table. Mrs. O looked at me and intervened.
"So, baby how is your store going?" she asked.
Smiling between the three of us. Mrs. O was a natural born peace maker, but I knew she could raise hell if need be.
"It's going really good mama. I want to open another location outside of Ohio. I was thinking maybe LA or something. Um, Q also sparked my interest of wanting to go to cosmetology school. Only for the makeup part though"
The smile on my baby's face was ridiculous. Anything with fashion, hair, or makeup made her light up like a Christmas tree. Shit made my heart swell.
Her dad scoffed and waved the waitress over. Once he ordered his drink, his eyes locked on Honey.
"For all that, you could have gone to medical school. Better money, benefits, security. This shop and makeup are a waste of time. I don't understand. College years wasted!" He mumbled.
O tensed up beside me and started to stir in her cup. I poked at her leg and she looked at me. Mrs.O cleared her throat.
"Blain, come to the bar with me"
"Yes dear"
O stirred in her cup once again. I poked her leg and she looked up.
"You have all that mouth with me. Where is it now?Stand up to him. I'm trying to be respectful- but he is really pissing me off" I admitted.
She only gave me this weak attempt at a smile
"O, I'm serious. Like he's an asshole. And I say that with as much respect as I can. Dude is a real asshole. I mean look at how he treats ya mom"
She stirred in her drink and licked over her lips.
"It's pointless. He raises his voice, I raise mine. Nothing is ever solved when it comes to us" she mumbled.
"He will know how he makes you feel though"
She was about to speak until her dad walked up. He took a seat, and Mrs. O looked around. Staring at her she simply smiled. My jaw clenched involuntarily.
"He putting hands on you?" I questioned.
Mrs. O shook her head quickly and bit her lip. That's where O gets that shit from. I couldn't stand lying.
"This ain't your property son" he snarled.
This guy was ignorant
"She isn't property. Why would you even call her property. That's your fucking wife, the mother of your daughter. You're supposed to treat her with the utmost respect"
"Same way you treating your mama, you probably out here treating my daughter like shit. The way you treat your mother is the way you treat your women, right?" He questioned.
I saw the smirk on his face. He thought he won. Little did he know this was just getting started.
"Actually, your wife taught me everything I know. Secondly, I treat your daughter with the utmost respect. Don't you ever accuse me of mistreating her. Mistreatment is the way your ass talks down to her. Diminishing her accomplishments because they aren't some pipe dream idea you had for her."
He laughed like some shit was funny. Leaning towards me he sized me up.
"I see she's got you fooled too. I used to be fooled, but she's nothing more than a liar and a manipulator. You, you're nothing more than a common thief. People like you never become anything. Mariah has always liked trash. Just like her mom, I wanted a boy to carry on my legacy-not some spoiled fashionista" he interjected.
O stood up from beside me, and I went to grab her arm but she pulled away.
"You know what, I'm tired of your shit! Mom has done nothin but love you unconditionally. Loved you through all the bullshit. I have tried to be the child you wanted. Hell, I have tried to be the child that everyone wanted. I can't fucking please you, I can't fucking please the family. In this moment, this time, and this instance- I only care about pleasing my damn self. And mommy needs to leave you. Leave you, with your miserable cant be pleased ass. Another thing, I am doing damn good for myself! My stores do damn well. I never asked you for a fucking dime. Everything I own and built, was built off my money. Not yours! Do not criticize me because I followed my fucking dreams. At least I'm not out here bringing it in illegally. Lastly, if you knew me well- you would know that I tried the classes and I panic at the sight of blood. That's why I never went into the medical field you asshole. Hate is a strong word, but I strongly dislike you. But being that I know God he will take care of you in his own time.
Looking down at me she grabbed my hand and squeezed it. Letting it go, she pointed at her dad.
"This right here, this is mine. For you to sit down and judge him off of his past actions is unfair. Regardless of what he has done, he is making a hell of an effort to keep his hands clean. I know personally, that it is hard as hell working a 9-5 when you are used to having money every night. However, I applaud him for proving statistics and stereotypes of black men wrong! And he loves me damn good. Treats me like a queen. God blessed me with a man who has the biggest heart ever. He's shown me and taught me how to love outside of myself. I'm not alone, and I am good enough. The relationship I don't have with you, or your family is your loss! I'm not little anymore. I refuse to take the blame for any damn thing going wrong in life.
Looking at her mom, her face softened
Mama I want you to leave with me. Please, all my life you have put him before yourself. Put yourself before him mama. You deserve it for once.
Blain hissed and sucked his teeth.
"The woman is weak and pathetic. Why do you think she has put up with me for this long. Cheating, lying, the physical beatings. She's a weak minded bitch"
Mrs.O and Honey both lunged at him. At the moment, I wish I had more than two arms. Thankfully, the guy behind us grabbed Mrs.O.
Hey babies, I'm not done with this. I caught writer's block towards the ending. Anyway, I'll post the second part sometime tonight or early tomorrow. School has officially started back for me. But I will still try and do a chapter a day or so when I get downtime. Blain is in the media.☺️ Also, please excuse any mistakes. -Pacino