I turn to Nkem once we hang up, I want to say how stupid I was for not thinking that Teni would have drugged her. For not realizing what had happened, but she’s scrolling on her phone.
We sit in hostile silence, waiting for Anu.
About an hour later, Bruce arrives. Nkem doesn’t acknowledge him. Her impression of him being my friend means he’s on her shit list was blatant.
Bruce and I step into the hallway.
“What’s going on? MAK’s friend looks like she wants to kill us both.”
“I’ll explain in a second.” We moved a small cove out of ear reach, and I start to tell him everything from when the pictures arrived on my phone till he arrived here. I leave nothing out.
“Are you certain it came from her ex?”
“He’s the only person that would do this. Please, find out but whoever it is. I want him or her destroyed, and every picture deleted and cleaned off every device.”
“Are you sure you want to go down the path of destroying this person?”
“Without a doubt. They put her at the gate of death and made her wish for it. I’m granting them the destruction they thought was for her.”
“Okay, I’m going to need your phone and her phone.” I immediately hand my phone to him. I know he will keep it safe. I go into the room to search for Anu’s phone. I find it in a bag inthe closet and hand it to him. “I’ll get started on this, and have one of my guys bring it by in a couple hours, but use the other phone and ping if you need anything. And text when she wakes up.”
“Will do. Thanks, brother.” He nods and leaves.
I take my seat by Anu’s bed.
About thirty minutes later, Nkem turns to me. “I need to make a quick stop to my store. Will you stay with her till Andrea gets back?” She asks
“I’m not leaving,” I say.
She scoffs.
“We don’t know that for sure, because your track record proves otherwise,” she retorts.
“I’ll be here, Nkem,” I answer without malice.
I understand her anger, and I’m not about to make matters worse by picking a fight with Anu’s best friend. She leaves and I’m alone again with her. I hold her hand for a while, then she stirs. I’m immediately up, but she doesn’t wake up, but at least she stirred. Few hours later, one of Bruce’s men shows up with the phones and dinner for me. I thank him and eat while waiting on Anu to wake up.
I pace around in the small room, watching her. Jordan and Andrea show up later in the evening.
“Any changes?” Andrea asks soon as she walks in.
“No, she’s she still sedated. The doctor stopped by earlier and said her test came back fine and her meds are working. We just need to wait for her to wake up.”
“That’s good news.” She exhales. Jordan doesn’t speak to me, he just moves closer to check on her. Andrea turns to me and mouths “He means well.” I nod.
I’m not angry at Jordan. I’m angry at myself for not believing in her and storming out. I made the situation worse; I should have protected her. She was horrified when she saw thosepictures and I yelled at her, adding to her dismay. Until I get a chance to apologize, I’m going to feel lost.
We sit quietly, not talking. Jordan steps out for a few minutes to take a call. The moment he’s out, Andrea starts to talk.
“You can’t get mad at him,” she explains.
“I’m mad at myself. I understand his anger, and I understand he’s protecting his friend. I just need her to wake up so I can fix things.”
She nods.
“She will, and I hope she’s willing to listen to you. When Jordan and I got here before she was sedated, her pain was hard to watch, and I know that’s what Jordan is feeling.”
“I understand, and I want to thank you for calling me, despite what MAK said to you.”
