“Dead man walking.” Quan chuckled, soliciting a middle finger from Kas.
Onyx simply shook his head, speeding up to be by his fiancée’s side. He knew the situation with Yasmine would blow up in his brother’s face soon, but he also knew that Quan was right. When Yanna did find out, she and Kas would undoubtedly engage in a toxic back and forth where she’d undoubtedly want get back and Kas would react to that. The inevitable circles theyturned in usually came to a stop, and they’d be good for a bit, but Onyx knew it was only a matter of time before things spun out of control. He loved his brother and loved Yanna like a little sister, but he wanted them to either get themselves together or leave each other alone. Voicing such would be futile, so he tried to coach from a distance, only stepping in when things truly got out of hand. The group finally made their way into the venue, and their breaths were immediately taken away. The venue unfolded like a dream, an open-front reception nestled along the coastline of St. Michael, Barbados. Polished wooden beams framed the airy space, blending seamlessly with the lush tropical surroundings. Billowing white drapes fluttered gently in the ocean breeze, framing a panoramic view of turquoise waves lapping against the golden sands of Carlisle Bay. Overhead, strings of warm fairy lights crisscrossed like a canopy of stars, casting a soft glow that mingled with the fiery hues of the setting sun. The scent of saltwater intertwined with the fragrance of tropical blooms, creating an intoxicating aroma that seemed to envelop every guest in a warm, island embrace. Tables adorned with crisp linens and vibrant centerpieces of native hibiscus and frangipani brought pops of color to the elegant, earthy tones of the décor. The bar, crafted from driftwood and coral stone, showcased a selection of rum punches and island-inspired cocktails. Beyond the venue's open front, the rhythmic sound of steel drums and the faint murmur of waves serenaded the gathering, inviting guests to sway in time with the heartbeat of the island. It was a place where the natural beauty of Barbados harmonized effortlessly with understated sophistication, promising an unforgettable evening under a starlit sky. Yanna and Troi couldn’t believe Maya had planned such opulence in such a short period of time.
The setting was intimate with only about forty-five people in attendance. Aside from their immediate family, a few of Maya’sfamily members had flown out as well as friends from both sides. During their shopping trip that day, Yanna and Troi learned that both of Logan’s parents had passed several years ago, and Maya’s parents had attended the renewal ceremony but decided to sit the reception out so the younger crowd could let loose without worry. They hired a local DJ for the event, and everyone in attendance cheered loudly as he announced the couple who’d renewed their vows after five years of marriage. Their story was one for the books… a tale of deception but also unwavering loyalty. Logan had met Maya about a year before he’d be gunned down by his own best friend. Not only was Maya instrumental in saving his life, but she assisted him in faking his death and nursing him back to health. Their vow renewal was his gift to her because when they first got married, he was technically dead and none of their family or friends could attend. Everyone cooed as the bride and groom shared their first dance. Just about all the closest family and friends stood to deliver beautiful toasts, attesting to the love and tenacity of the couple’s relationship. Both Londyn and Jules mentioned a missing brother, who they all seemed to know of, but Yanna, Kas and their crew were a bit confused about, but still somehow felt the weight of his absence.
By the end of the toasts, guests were overwhelmed by the display of pure love being shown. After all the customary reception activities, a dinner true to Barbados culture was served. The group unapologetically gorged on appetizers of fish cakes and salted cod with breadfruit salad. Then stuffed themselves with flying fish, cou cou, Bajan fried chicken, vegetable curry and macaroni pie. As if the appetizers and main dishes weren’t enough, they all devoured dessert, which consisted of Bajan Rum cake, Sugar Cake and Sweet Potato pudding. In addition to dinner, Rum punch and Mountain Gay rum were served in abundance, so by the time the DJ began to spin continuous music, they were all well beyond drunk. Aftereveryone was all danced out, too full of drinks and had retired to their hotels, the two groups remained, shooting the shit with each other. It was crazy how they all connected in different ways but hadn’t linked together in Virginia. It took them to travel out to the ocean to officially meet and connect. The ladies huddled in a circle, talking about hanging out more once everyone was back in the States. The guys were huddled as well, but the conversation had ventured to the additional ways their company FLMK Industries, could collaborate with Onyx on the record label and other ventures he wanted to explore in the future. Logan was currently pitching points for why he thought their company should partner with Onyx exclusively. Kas had tuned the conversation out about two minutes after they started talking business. The politicking and business talk was more suited for his brother. As far as the label was concerned, Kas was only worried with making beats and working with artists. He’d always have his brother’s back, nevertheless, so he’d endure boring conversations if that’s what Onyx needed him for. Still, he had about two minutes before he came up with a reason to follow Yanna toward the bathroom where he’d just seen her walk off to. While Onyx and Logan droned on, Kas’ brows furrowed as he noticed Layla enter the venue. She was as beautiful as always, draped in a black one-sleeved satin dress. Her hair was pulled into a topknot bun, showcasing her high cheekbones and alluring good looks. His mother’s radiance wasn’t what was giving Kas pause though. The man walking alongside her, arm settled protectively around her waist, was what had him stuck.Who the fuck is that nigga?As Kas eyed the man, he couldn’t help but notice a familiarity. It was like he knew the man but couldn’t identify where he knew him from. The more he stared, the shallower his breathing became. It couldn’t be… could it? He had dark, curly and plentiful hair just like Kas’. Smooth cocoa skin and facial features identical to Onyx’s. Tired of scrutinizingby himself, Kas nudged Onyx in his side, nodding his head toward Layla and the man once he had his attention. Kas watched as his brother’s calm face warped into an enraged grimace.
“What the fuck is she doing here with that muh’fucka?” Onyx questioned aloud, causing Maya, Logan and the others to look in the same direction.
“What the hell… daddy?”
Kas and Onyx’s necks nearly snapped as they turned to Maya.
“Daddy?” They asked in unison just as Layla and her surprise guest approached.
“Mumma…” Kas started.
“Maya, I’m so sorry,” Layla apologized because even though the reception was over, she knew her appearance would put a major damper on the night.
“Aye, Onyx, is there somewhere more privately we can go?” Logan questioned, already piecing the puzzle together and knowing none of the involved parties would want their business on display for everyone to see. Not bothering to offer a verbal response, Onyx walked off, going in the direction of an empty room just off the lobby. Troi, noticing her fiancé seemed to be upset, jogged behind them to see what was going on.
“How big is this damn place?” Yanna questioned aloud as she made yet another wrong turn, this time ending up near an industrial kitchen. She had to have been a little tipsier than she thought she was because the bathroom couldn’t be that difficult to find. Turning the corner to go back in the direction she’d just come from, she bumped right into someone, causing them todrop something onto the floor. “What the…oh, damn, my bad, Kalil--- wait, is that my phone?”
“Oh, s-shit, is it? II um found that shit in the driveway before we left the villa. I figured it was yours, Aunt Layla’s or Troi’s, got in the van and forgot to ask about it.”
“Really, Kalil? I know you’ve been hearing me searching for my phone the past few days.” She squatted down to pick up her phone and hit the power button, surprised that it came on. “Oop, and I have battery. Thank you.”
“Ight,” Kalil stammered before quickly turning in the opposite direction.
“Wait! Is the bathroom in the direction you just came from?” She questioned, but Kalil didn’t answer her verbally, simply nodded his head and jogged off. “He’s weird as hell.”
Happy that she was finally reunited with her phone, Yanna made her way to the bathroom. Once inside, she used the bathroom, then took a moment to regain her bearings at the sink, trying to steady the spinning of the room. She’d long ago lost count of the number of drinks she’d consumed but knew it had to be somewhere in the double digits. A small giggle for absolutely no reason escaped her lips as she leaned on the counter. Just before she could wash her hands, her phone buzzed against the marble. It had been blowing up with notifications since she turned it on. Sure that she had a mass of texts and social media notifications, she picked the phone up. A few texts from her mother, the club she worked at, and some from the few friends she had. She decided to answer them later, not feeling up to starting conversations. Next, she headed to Instagram and started scrolling through her mentions. Her face crinkled and her mouth curled at the sight of her name being mentioned in a post several times. She was confused why people found it necessary to tag her, but even more confusing was who the post belonged to. The screen nameYasLopezstuck out toYanna because she knew it belonged to Yasmine, a girl from LA who had a thing for Kas. Yasmine was a friend of Onyx’s ex, Brea, and had been trying for quite some time to get next to Kas. According to Kas, he always rebuffed the girl’s advances, but Yanna never believed it. In Yanna’s eyes, Kas was a hoe, and Yasmine was a somewhat pretty girl. She just couldn’t see the girl being persistent, and Kas denying all of her efforts. Such was confirmed when Yanna opened the post and laid eyes on Kas. The location at the top of the page was Los Angeles, letting Yanna know the video was recorded a few weeks prior when Kas had gone out to LA. Eyes squinted and heart racing, Yanna let the video play. It was clear to anyone watching what was going on in the video. Kas was exiting a bathroom, zipping his jeans while Yasmine followed behind him, wiping her mouth with a smile. As if the visuals weren’t enough to conclude that the girl had just topped Kas off, her caption, speaking about her fellatio skills, were a dead giveaway.
Not even bothering to respond to the people tagging her, Yanna swiped out of the app and shoved her phone into her clutch. She hurriedly washed her hands and rushed out of the bathroom. It didn’t take her nearly as long to make her way back to the group, or at least some of the group, as she noticed people were missing, including the main person she was looking for.
“Where is he?” She asked Londyn, who pointed to a closed door. Yanna was so heated that she missed the looks of concern and confusion on everyone’s faces. “Kasra, what the fuck is this!” She yelled as she stepped into the room, anger on ten.
Her hands shook, her breathing was ragged, and she was prepared to cause a scene. She had the video cued up and ready, anxious to see what kind of lie Kas would tell to get himself out of the current situation. However, as seven pairs of eyes full of either anger, confusion, or remorse glanced at her then settledback on each other, she surmised that maybe it wasn’t the best time.
“Mumma, you not talking. What the fuck is he doing here!” Onyx asked, speaking to Layla in a tone neither of them had heard before.
“Nyx, just calm down for a second and remember who you’re talking to.”
“Remember who I’m talking to? I’m finding it hard to decipher who I’m talking to. I mean, I’m looking at my mumma, but ain’t no way the lady I know walked in here with this man.”
“This manis your father, Onyx.”
“Since when!” Onyx yelled so loudly that a vein popped from his neck and spittle flew from his mouth.
“Daddy, what is this? These are… your sons?”
“Oh shit,” Yanna uttered at the words Maya spoke.She’s Kas and Onyx’s sister?
“Yes,” their father answered quietly.
“Wow. So, all those times I asked you if…you told me…” Maya covered her mouth with her hand, so stunned that she couldn’t formulate a full sentence. Her husband, Logan, soothingly rubbed her back as tears cascaded down her face.
“I-I thought that it would be better to do this in a public setting, but apparently, I was wrong. Can we maybe just try this again tomorrow once everyone has a chance to get over their initial shock?”
