My lip disappeared between my teeth as what he said broke me. A tear rolled down the side of my nose. He gently kissed my tear. “Don’t cry, just do what you said, love me, please.”
I scooted under him, hugging him tightly. All the things Scooter said were now making sense. Braylen had never been protected, and I had always been protected. I wanted him to feel the love that I exuded, but because he didn’t say it back, I wouldn’t say it again. We held each other and kissed until we both dozed off.
Today was a big day, and I needed to make sure all the bells and whistles were put together. I had just finished adding lipstick to my lips to finish off my look. I hurried out of the room and down the hall to the master bedroom. I gave a light tap before opening the door. When I peeked inside, I noticed a freshly made bed as if Bobbie hadn’t slept in it. He had to be here; it was his son’s birthday, and he and I, for once, needed to come together to make things right.
I had gotten a call late last night from Mister, telling me that the Zoo had found them and that they had lost money. Not only that, but the check I had written to him had bounced. Everything that I had worked so hard to build was crumbling, and the only way to fix it was to put my pride to the side and make things right between not only me and Bobbie, but Braylen as well.God forgives sinners, right?
I made my way down the steps and stopped one of my maids, “Have you seen Mr. Laureaux?” I asked.
“He said he will be back later this evening.”
My head flew back, “Evening? Did he say where he was going?” I asked.
She shook her head as she walked off to continue what she was doing. The doorbell rang, and instead of allowing the maid to answer, I did. I opened the door with wide eyes. “Hello,” the woman said with a smile.
I patted my hair nervously. “Well, hello. How can I help you?”
She pushed past me and entered my house. “This isnice,” she said as she and her big hair spun to face me. “I see you’re a fancy bitch. I mean, I’m not mad at it. I’m Zaria, Zaria Calloway,” she said as that beautiful smile turned into something sinister.
I closed the door as I stepped closer to her. “It’s nice to—”
She shook her head. “It’s really not, Fiona, is it?”
She began to walk around, looking at the pictures on the wall. “My husband, you know him, June, the one you chose to watch once a week, every night, yeah, him. When he told me, at first, I didn’t think anything of it. Like, maybe, she’s probably visiting someone in the area. Then he told me he saw you again, and I started to think. Hell, he even told me not to worry, and he would handle it. Normally, I let him do what he has to do because he is the fuckingking, but that night I saw you sitting there,” she paused as she laughed wildly. “The first thing I, Zaria, wanted to do was to shoot your shit up. Then he popped up at your window. I gave it a few days and something in my spirit said no, him talking to you wasn’t good enough so,” she shrugged as she had now walked back in front of me. “I’m here.”
I clutched at my stomach as I cleared my throat. “I don’t want your man. That issue has been resolved. Please leave.”
Zaria came closer. “I don’t like bitches like you. You’ve been watching him like a certified fucking stalker, but stand here and tell me you don’t want him. Bitch, it’s disrespectful, and I don’t do that. See, he won’t put his hands on you, but I will. Am I crazy? Maybe, but I will also beat a bitch ass,” she paused as she drew her hand back and hit me in the face.
My head flew to the side, then snapped up, “You bitch!” I shouted as I launched at her.
Her feet shuffled back as she gritted. “You Toussaint bitches have been treading a fine line!”
Whap! Whap!
She struck me again as I pushed her against the wall, causing the back of her head to slam into it. Not just once, but twice. I kneed her in the stomach when she sent her head flying forward, slamming against my forehead. I stumbled back slightly, dizzy. My ankle snapped from side to side, sending me falling to the floor. Zaria rushed over to me and grabbed a handful of my hair. “You bitch!”
Whap!
“Stay away from him. Stalker ass hoe!” she roared.
Whap!
I went to swing, but she twisted my hair, pulling me through the foyer. “You thought he was crazy? No, bitch, it’s me. I’ll drag your ass until the end of time over mine.”
Suddenly, she let go. Our loud panting crowded the open space. When I glanced up, I saw that Bobbie had gripped her arms. “What the hell is going on in here!” he yelled.
Zaria came out of his grasp. “Tell your bitch to stay away from my husband, or next time I’ll light this muhfucka up with her and everybody in it,” she finished as she walked out of the house.
Bobbie’s confused face glanced at the door, then at me. I reached out to him, “Help me up, damnit!” I shouted.
“Help yourself, Fiona, just as you did to the hundred thousand dollars you tried to pay Cornelius. I don’t know what trouble you started, but it won’t be here. I need you to leave.”
“Bobbie, you can’t kick me out. I’m your wife, it’s you who needs to leave.”
He squatted down in front of me and smiled. “Ok,” he said as he tapped my chin.
He stood and headed toward the stairs.“Bobbie!”I shouted.“Bobbie!”I called out again, but he didn’t answer.
