"You're really pissing me off Joshua! The shit is not funny! You don't make a decision like that without including me!" I yelled. Josh sat back on the couch and chuckled again.
"What's the problem, it's not like we can't use the money."
"Money, money, money! That's all you're thinking about! What about our children?! What about your fucking life?! Have you considered any of that?" I yelled damn near foaming from the mouth.
Josh accepted a position at the Cartel's table and he was laughing at the fact that I was pissed like it was a fucking joke.
"You don't complain when you're spending it though," Josh spat cutting his eyes at me.
I snatched off my Cartier bracelets, Gucci sneakers, and diamond studs and threw them at his damn head.
"I AM NOT MOVED BY THIS MATERIAL SHIT! MONEY DOES NOT MAKE ME HAPPY! WAKING UP TO MY HEALTHY FUCKING FAMILY DOES!" I yelled with tears falling from my eyes. Josh blocked his face with his hands before looking at me with a scowl on his face. I challenged him with my eyes to jump stupid.
"What you want me to do Amelia?! Huh? Be round here struggling to put food on the table and clothes on our back?! You know I ain't the nigga for that!"
"You are a father Joshua! You should be that first! What the fuck do you want me to do?! Raise two kids on my own after someone brings your head to my doorstep? I had to raise Jace up alone, I'm not doing it again!"
"I did what I could, stop throwing that in my face! It wasn't a decision I made that kept me out of his life."
"So what about this decision Joshua? Because this is way worse. What am I to tell our son if something happens, or what about our daughter?"
"Nothing's gonna happen Amelia!"
"You don't know that! You're not God, you can't predict that!" I screamed.
"Lower your tone when you're speaking to me Amelia."
"Do you take me as a joke Josh? Am I like something to play with to you?"
"Mannnnn..."
"I'm not a fucking man, answer the question."
"I gotta go. It's a meeting I have to get to!" Josh stated standing from his seat. I cocked my head to the side in disbelief.
"Joshua, I'm talking to you."
"And I have some place to be, we can talk later." He replied standing and making his way towards the door.
"Walk out that door, and I promise we won't be here when you return." Josh paused for a second with his hand gripping the doorknob.
"I'll be back later," he replied walking out the door. Holding my head back I fought off the tears that were threatening to spill.
Walking inside my bedroom I emptied all of my drawers before heading to the closet and removing my clothes from hangers. After successfully packing my things I went to Jace's room and did the same. Josh obviously wasn't taking me seriously, but I would show him better than I could tell him.
It was one thing to do something detrimental behind my back, but to blatantly disregard what I'm saying to my face, that was something else.
In the beginning of Josh and my relationship we were just two kids trying to make a way together. The road wasn't smooth, but eventually we got around all those bumps and road blocks.
Josh failed to realize that while he was away for five years life was still moving forward for me. With the help of my grandmother and Anastasia I successfully finished school, invested some of the money Josh left me, and now I was looking forward to starting up a business.
We had plans of Josh getting out and doing the same, clearly he forgot all the promises he made. What I wasn't going to do was be stagnant and miss out on my blessings waiting for him to get his mind right. If going was what I had to do to keep myself and my children safe, I was gone.
After collecting some money from the safe I had hidden in my closet I took one last look around. I loved every piece of Joshua, but I was not about to go through this again.
___________________
"I can't believe you actually left," Anastasia said looking at me while playing over her grilled chicken salad.
Jace and I were currently staying at the W hotel, today makes the third day of us being here. I opted out of going to my grandmother's place because I knew that would be the first place he'd look. Josh was furious and blew my phone up every hour.
"What other choice did I have?" I asked Anastasia. She shrugged.
"I don't know, maybe stay and hear him out."
"I gave him the opportunity to talk and he walked out on me. Clearly whatever he has going on is more important than his family."
"I don't think that's the case, I think you're overreacting."
"And I think you're the last person that should be sitting here giving me relationship advice!" I snapped before sighing. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that like that. I'm just... Frustrated. If I would have just stayed home and sucked that shit up it would continue to happen. I'm not having it! I don't know if Joshua feels like he missed out on something and wants to get his glory days back, or what his deal is... But that shit is dead! We are two grown ass people with children now and we have to make decisions based on their future! Josh made his choice."
"So what, you're done with him?"
"For right now, yes! I have to do what's best for my babies and I. Do I love him, with all my heart. The difference is, I love me and my children more."
"So what about the kids? Do you plan to keep them away?" Anastasia asked. I looked through the double doors that seperated the sitting room from the bedroom and saw Jace tuned in to whatever cartoon he was watching.
"No, I let Jace call him every day that we've been here. I only hang up when he starts asking questions about where we are." I sighed.
Anastasia laughed. "Don't you guys have a joint account? You know he can just look at the statements right?"
"I used cash."
"Smart girl," Tasia chuckled. "He's been pressing me about your whereabouts but I've been playing clueless."
"I figured he would. What's going on with you though? It's good to see you walking without your stick." I sighed changing the subject. Talking about Josh only made me miss him and right now I didn't need that.
"Thank God! I'm getting there. I can finally walk and stand for long periods. I think I may continue my little workout because my ass is sitting up nicely." Tasia joked standing from her seat doing a spin.
"I noticed! When I drop this little girl I may need some pointers."
"Are you excited? About the baby I mean?" Tasia asked sadly. I felt bad whenever I would share anything with her about the baby. I could always feel the mood shift to one of sadness.
"I was, but now I'm a little scared. What if Josh can't get his mind right and I'm stuck doing things on my own? I wanted things to be different with this baby, feels like history is repeating itself though."
"Amelia, you're never alone. I know I freak out at times, but I'm working on that with my therapist. I'm finally coming to terms with the loss and now I don't suffer a breakdown when I see pregnant women."
"I still feel some type of way about it though. When are we gonna handle that situation? That's what I wanna know." I saw Tasia's eyes turn a few shades darker once I mentioned that.
She finally told me what really happened that day and I was ready to throw on my timbs and go find them bitches one by one, but Anastasia wanted to do things on her terms.
"Soon enough, first I wanna hit them where it hurts." She stated with a faraway look in her eyes. I had no idea what she meant, but I definitely had her back.
Jason
Anastasia had a nigga deep in his feelings. Here I was laid up on Kayla's couch with a fifth of Hennessy dialing random numbers hoping she'd pick up one of them. Shit wasn't the same.
I missed little shit like her smile, that little vein in her forehead when she yelled, shit, even the cute little snoring she did when she slept.
Kayla tried her hardest to replace Anastasia, but that wasn't happening. She was no competition. It took me really losing her to realize what I had.
When I was with Anastasia all I wanted was to be free to do me, now that I'm free... All I want is to come home to a good girl.
Kayla was a lazy ass bitch! She blamed her lack of cooking and cleaning on being pregnant, but that was no excuse.
Anastasia never went to bed with dishes in the sink. If we ordered takeout one night, she was making home cooked meals the rest of the week. Not Kayla though. All her ass wanted to do was shop and go out to eat every damn day. I offered to go grocery shopping and she asked me who was gonna cook.
It was shit like that they made me compare the two. I really fucked up and lost a good girl.
"You don't smell that trash in there?!" Kayla came around the corner standing in my face with her hand on her hip.
I looked up at her before lifting my bottle to take another sip. Kayla slapped my bottle from my hand.
"Are you fucking kidding me?! You need to get off your ass and do something! You sit around here moping and getting drunk all fucking day and I'm tired of it." Kayla complained as I shot her a warning glare.
"If the smell is bothering you that bad, take the shit out!" I spat sitting up on the couch.
Kayla sighed. "Jason, I'm really trying to be understanding right now... But seriously, you're either gonna have to get your shit together or find you somewhere else to stay!"
I looked up at her and laughed. Not just any ole laugh, one from the soul. She was a fucking joke.
"Find me somewhere else to stay? Bitch, you have somewhere to stay because of me! How soon we forget? If anybody needs to find a place, it's your bum ass!"
Kayla nodded and walked off. I thought her ass was going to the room until I felt a sting across my neck and back.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" I yelled rubbing the back of my neck. This silly bitch slapped me with a fucking extension cord.
"YOU GOT ME FUCKED UP JASON! NOW YOU CAN GET YOUR SHIT AND GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE! YOU WANNA SIT UP HERE CRYING ABOUT THIS LITTLE HANDICAP BIT-"
Before Kayla could finish her sentence I was on her ass. I jumped over the couch and gripped her neck so tight I know I was breaking the skin.
"What the fuck you say?" I asked through clenched teeth as Kayla scratched up my hands trying to get them from around her neck. "YOU KNOW SOME SHIT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO ANASTASIA? HUH?!"
Kayla was struggling to free herself as I tightened my grip. All I was seeing was red as her hands fell at her sides and her face started to turn blue. The only thing that saved her was a knock on the door.
I dropped Kayla to the floor and she laid there puking and gasping for air. I didn't even look back as I made my way to the door.
"What up?" I asked walking out the door and dapping Tone up. I sent his girl to bond him out.
"Nigga you good?" Tone asked looking at me skeptically.
"Yeah, let's just get the fuck out of here before I have to kill this bitch man." I sighed heavily following Tone to his car. He left it at that as we hopped inside and he drove off.
"I been hearing some shit on the inside," Tone spoke breaking the silence. I looked over at him waiting for him to continue.
"Shit like what?"
"Like Nigel ain't the nigga he portray to be. You better watch that nigga fam. The only reason I'm sharing this shit with you is because I trust you, and you did me a solid."
"I been feeling a way about his ass lately too. I fell back some, but I think I need to keep a closer eye."
"Nah, I think you need to stay as far away as possible. Dude grimey Jay. You see how he did me, and I ain't never did that man nothing. He just hate the fact that I'm not willing to ride his coattail like the rest of them niggas!" Tone frowned.
"What you mean how he did you?" I asked raising a brow. Tone looked over at me before focusing back on the road.
"You ain't know?"
"Know what nigga?"
"The day I got knocked, I just so happened to be driving Nigel's whip. He asked me to drop the shit off at the warehouse for him so it could get suited up for a drop, turns out there was already two bricks under the seat. Police pulled me over right before I reached the warehouse." Tone spoke making me frown up in disgust.
"Two bricks, I thought you had a pistol charge."
"That's the thing, I knew shorty who was in the squad car. She stashed the bricks for me, but didn't have time to get the heat before her partner returned. He ended up searching me and I had to eat that."
"Damn, so he basically tried to set you up to get picked off."
"Exactly, that's why I had his ass thinking his plan worked. He don't even know that I wasn't charged for the bricks. Far as he know I got hit for the whole shebang." I couldn't do shit but shake my head at Tone's words. I know some shit felt funny, but damn.
"I don't even know what to say man, I'm sorry I even got you mixed in with this nigga. You always said something was funny about him. So what's the shit you want me to hold on to?"
"A set of keys. I'm leaving the city tonight, getting low. I got a feeling shit's about to get real hectic round here. These keys are to the storage unit I'm taking you to. If anything should happen to me, everything in there is yours." Tone stated eyeing me.
"Chill bruh, ain't shit gon- GET DOWN!" I yelled out trying to grab Tone down. I wasn't quick enough.
Boom.. Boom... Tat... Tat...
Bullets rang out hitting the car as I did my best to get as low to the floor as possible. The car started to spin out of control and I was thrown forward as we crashed into something.
"T-Tone," I spat coughing up blood. "Get up man." I tried lifting Tone's head but it dropped back down against the steering wheel. He was gone.
"FUCKKKKK!" I yelled out snatching the storage key and trying my best to get out of the car. I heard glass crunching as footsteps approached us.
"Think they dead?" Someone asked. I started to smell gas leaking.
"If they ain't, they will be. Call Nigel and tell him it's done." The other one said before they walked off.
I tried my best to get a look at a face, but all I could see without blowing my cover was some custom Jordan sneakers. I knew they were customs because the nigga had diamonds on the tips of his strings.
I slid out of the broken window. I was already facing a wooded area so they couldn't really see me with their backs turnt as they walked away. I felt glass cutting in my side, but I had to get the fuck away from here.
"Hold up," one of the guys said and they stopped. He lit a blunt and threw his Zippo lighter into the car causing it to go up in flames. "Now I'm sure." I heard him say before I rolled down the hill.
Anastasia
"Hey girl," I waved at Ruby as I entered the food court in the mall. Ruby and I had established a little friendship during my small stint in physical therapy.
Tonight Josh and his team was throwing a big party and since Amelia was way too pregnant to come, she had me going on a spy mission.
"Hey boo," Ruby smiled standing from her table to give me a hug.
"How long were you waiting for? Sorry I took so long, Amelia had me running errands. The girl acts like she's a wanted fugitive." I laughed and Ruby waved me off.
"You're fine. I literally just came in and sat down. I had a long day today! Got a client that's worse than you were."
"I wasn't that bad," I laughed causing Ruby to cut her eyes at me. "Okay, maybe a little. You love me now though!" I sighed pulling her into a hug.
"Mhm, where you got me going tonight. It's been so long since I've been out anywhere that I'm so excited for this."
"It's a party at that new club called Premier, that's all I can tell you." I shrugged. I honestly didn't know.
"Oooh, I heard that place is really nice. So what's the dress code?"
"Sexy, with a sprinkle of hoe." I joked as Ruby and I started our Journey to the department stores.
We must have stayed in the mall for three hours and once we were done I was beyond tired. I low-key wanted to abort mission, but Amelia was not having that.
Ruby and I decided to sit and eat in the food court so we'd have one less thing to worry about when it was time to get ready.
"Remind me never to come shopping with you again!" Ruby sighed plopping down in her seat. We grabbed some Chinese and I was ready to dig in.
"At least we got everything we needed," I laughed before putting a fork full of lo mein in my mouth.
"Right, I'm excited to step out. It's been years. All I do is work and go home."
"I hear you, maybe we needed to li-"
"Anastasia!" I heard from behind me. I sighed instantly recognizing his voice. Turning in my seat I looked up at Isaiah.
"Yes?" I asked taking in his appearance. As usual, he looked damn good.
"What up," Zay asked eyeing me. He then turned to Ruby. "How you doin? I'm Zay." He introduced himself sticking out his hand for her to shake.
"Ruby, it's nice meeting you. Ummm, I'm gonna run in Sephora for a second Tasia, I'll be back." Ruby's slick ass smiled before getting up and walking off. Zay took a seat across from me.
"What's goin on?" He asked.
"Nothing much, just doing a little shopping." I shrugged.
"I guess you forgot my number and shit huh?"
"Not at all, just figured there was no use in using it since your little situation." I said nodding towards the children's place bags in his hands.
"Damn, so it's cool for me to be your friend while you're pregnant, but you can't do the same cause I'm having a kid?"
"I just don't need the drama Zay, I've been through enough." I sighed.
"Ain't no drama, we're friends. Why can't two friends chill together?"
"I guess you can ask your girl that question, here she comes." I told him as she stomped over to the table pouting. Zay sighed standing from his seat.
"What is it with you and this bitch?! It seems like anytime she's around you forget I'm in the fucking vicinity!" Porsha spat, I laughed standing from my seat.
"Watch yourself babygirl. You have the right idea, but the wrong bitch. Just check your man... Don't direct that anger towards me!" I told her calmly. It wasn't like I was always popping up on them. I was minding my damn business.
"Bi-"
"Chill out," Zay stated with his nostrils flaring. "Tasia I'll check you later."
"Don't bother," I replied rolling my eyes and grabbing my shit up. I definitely wasn't about to entertain that situation.
I made my way to Sephora and found Ruby purchasing make-up. Once she was done we headed out the door.
After agreeing to meet up at my place and ride to the club together Ruby and I went our separate ways.
I went ahead and sold my house and I was now living in a nice condo in the Downtown area which I loved. Best decision I ever made. I rarely had to drive since I was surrounded by everything I could think of.
I planned to start school pretty soon and I was within walking distance of the university, which was another bonus. Besides the little unfinished business I had with the weak bitches, I was pretty content with my life so far.
**************
"This is nice!" Ruby yelled in my ear as we made our way up to the VIP. Apparently this event was invite only, but luckily Bear was at the door when we walked up and he let us in.
"It really is, and you look good bitch!" I squealed causing Ruby to strike a pose. She was in a burnt orange dress with her entire back out, a neat ponytail hung down her back, and my goodness, her shoes were to die for.
"Well you know, I don't always do it... But when I do, I DO IT!"
"I know that's right," I laughed high diving Ruby. "Let's order bottle service, I really wanna turn up tonight!"
"Come on," Ruby replied waving down a bottle girl. She came over and took our order before running off.
Ruby and I found a table and danced around in our seats until our drinks came. I had just popped the top from my bottle when Josh, Zay, and Mike approached us.
"Fancy seeing you here, who this you got with you?" Josh asked and I introduced Ruby to everyone. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"Why weren't I invited?"
"Shit I didn't know if you would want to do this type of shit. You know this ain't my scene, but being that I'm the owner, I had to show up." Josh shrugged.
"This is your club?" I asked confused. Josh nodded.
"But let me mingle around and shit. I'll be back to check on y'all in a minute. Have Mia put whatever y'all get on my tab." Josh yelled over the music. I shot him a thumbs up.
Josh walked off leaving Zay and Mike behind. I turned my bottle up as Isaiah eyed me like I was a piece of meat.
I rolled my eyes at Zay and turned to Ruby. There was an awkward energy in the air so I wanted to get away as quick as possible.
"Shall we dance?" I asked Ruby. She eyed the guys then looked back to me.
"Sure," she answered as I pulled her over to the dance floor. I could still feel his eyes on me as Ruby and danced on one another.
"Old boyfriend?" Ruby asked wrapping her arms around my waist. Now on the outside looking in it probably looked like we were doing some freaky shit, but we were really just talking shit.
"Not even," I rolled my eyes. Dee came over and tapped Ruby's shoulder causing her to jump up in his arms. I frowned because he was taking away my dance partner.
"Oh my God Demetrius! What are you doing here?" Ruby yelled out jumping in Dee's arms. He held her tight and smiled, first time I ever seen that.
"I live here now. I been trying to find your little ass. What you been up to?" Dee asked.
"So I'm guessing you two know each other?" I cut in feeling salty about their little moment because now I didn't have Ruby as a distraction.
"This is my old best friend who disappeared on me!" Ruby smiled slapping Dee's chest. I could tell she was genuinely happy to see him so I decided to back off.
"Well I'll let you two catch up. I'll be at the bar if you need me." I told Ruby before walking off.
I walked over to the bar and took a seat. I scanned the crowd and noticed that the place was pretty upscale. Josh had done a nice job bringing a modern vibe as well.
"Why are you sitting here all alone?" I looked to the left of me and Mike was standing there grinning.
"Just taking a little break," I smiled inhaling his scent. The man was smelling heavenly. "What are you wearing?"
"What's that?" He asked leaning in closer. His lips grazed my ear causing a chill to travel down my spine.
"Your Cologne, it smells really good."
"Preciate that, it's called Invictus. You wanna join me on the balcony and talk while I smoke this blunt? I just don't wanna keep yelling over the music, and I don't want you to disappear on my ass." Mike laughed. I looked up and saw Zay shooting daggers at us with his eyes.
"Sure," I stated hopping down from my bar stool and following him up to the balcony. At least that's where I thought we were going. Instead we ended up in an office on the top level of the club. "I thought we were going outside."
"I thought this would be better. I wanted us to have a little privacy. If you're scared or whatever we can always leave. I don't bite unless you ask me to." Mike smirked. I took a seat in the chair behind the desk we were in front of.
"It's fine." I chuckled rolling my eyes. I took the time to check his appearance as Mike stood over a desk rolling a blunt. I loved his fashion sense and the way he carried himself.
"See something you like?" He asked looking over at me while licking his cigar. I had to squeeze my thighs together at the sight of that.
"Just checking out your style." I shrugged taking a closer look at his shoes. "You really have diamonds on your strings?" I asked laughing. I had never seen anything like that.
"They're really crystals, it's a thing I'm working on." He said finally sparking up his blunt.
"You're into fashion?"
"Mhm, trying to get a line out."
"Wow, I always wanted to do that. I'm actually starting at the university soon for fashion design, maybe you can give me some pointers."
"Of course, wanna hit this?" Mike asked holding the blunt towards me. I took it and placed it between my lips inhaling. The potency caused me to start choking instantly.
"Whoa," Mike laughed walking over and patting my back. "You gotta be easy with this ma." I laughed as I felt the euphoric feeling starting to take over my body. I bit the corner of my lip while eyeing Mike as his hand rubbed up and down my back.
I pulled him closer before standing up and pressing my lips against his. I sensed some hesitancy which caused me to back off.
"I'm sorry, I don't know why I did that." I said feeling stupid.
Mike ashed his blunt and lifted me from the floor. We kissed hungrily as I tried my best to undo his belt. We were just about to get to until the door flew open.
"Really?" Bear asked shooting daggers at Mike. I was embarrassed as I tried to pull myself together. "Josh is looking for you Anastasia, I'll let you get yourself together and walk you down." I nodded looking back at Mike who simply slipped past Bear and made his way back downstairs.
That was close.