My head still throbbed, and my shoulder ached from Syris slapping me to the floor. He had me hostage in the mansion for weeks, and finally, he’d agreed to let me close my store my way. It was all my ploy to say goodbye to Muse.
He deserved a face-to-face farewell rather than a text. Syris did a number on me, but I gave it back as good as I got it. I sat at the table where Muse and I had shared quite a few meals together as I watched him race from his SUV, then into my store. I tried to shield my face, but he still saw my old bruises.
“What happened to you? Did that muthafucka put his hands on you!” he yelled as his large handheld my chin and examined my face. I remained quiet. “Answer me, Era!” he demanded.
“Yes!” I screamed. “He beat my ass, and this wasn’t the first time, but it was the first time in a while that I felt strong enough to fight back again. I’m sorry I called you here so late, but I wanted to tell you face-to-face that I will no longer be able to help MJ, spend time with you, or even operate this store. Syris is shutting all this shit down.”
“He can’t do that!” Muse yelled.
“He can, and he did!” I wiped away my fallen tears. “Do you think I wanted any of this for my life? This was not the life I imagined, but I have no choice. That man is a fucking lunatic. An absolute lunatic, that would kill me and won’t even hesitate to kill you.”
“I’ll kill him dead for you right now, just say the word, baby.”
“His guards would shoot you dead before y’all even make eye contact. No, thank you. I could never live with myself if something happened to you.”
“So, I’m supposed to just be cool with never seeing the woman I love again?” At the admittance of his confession, my heart smiled harder than a sunrise. I wanted to say it back so bad, but it would only make this situation more difficult.
“It’s for the best, love.”
“No, it’s not. It’s what’s best for you two. Meanwhile, my heart will break every day without you.”
“I’m torn as well, but the only way I can cope is pretending like you and me never happened, so I won’t break down and give in further to Syris.”
“Mizz Lady, please don’t do this! You can’t open me up and make me start feeling again, showing me all this romantic shit, and sharing all these intimate moments, then just leave me hanging. There has to be something we can do. We can run away.”
“There is nothing we can do. I tried running away twice, and I paid a hefty price for it.”
“And during which time was Poppy born?” he questioned, and my gaze dropped to my feet. “What, you thought I wouldn’t notice how Poppy looks exactly like you? Yeah, she has some of his features, but baby girl looks just like you.”
My tears came full force, and I stood and screamed loudly! “Ughh! I knew you would know, but what am I supposed to say?I didn’t wanna be around my own child because she was born out of rape instead of love? Syris raped me after one of the times I tried to escape. Do you know how horrible I felt for hating her for the first two years of her life? I did nothing for her, and I’m doing the bare minimum now because every time I look at her, she reminds me of that night. It’s not only her, but it’s my entire life that I hate.”
“I hate it! Syris is holding me against my will and forcing me to be with him. Every time I try to leave, he hurts me more. I’m tired of the abuse and fighting all around!” I sobbed while my tears fell quicker.
“I’m sorry, Muse, but I gotta go.” My wet lips savored his and he kissed me back with so much vigor and passion. He didn’t want me to leave, and God knew I didn’t want to.
Slowly we separated, and he looked deeply into my eyes. “If you can’t find the strength to survive for yourself, then do it for Poppy. Regardless of how she got here, you still brought her into this world, and she needs your love and nurturing. Don’t give up on her like Starry did MJ. Remember, whenever, wherever, whatever, I’ll be there if you want me to.”
I rushed out my store and drove away. Just like that, the Era of Muse was gone. My heart was shattered and gone was the air I needed to breathe.
CHAPTER
EIGHT
Muse
Three months later
“Mr. Boxers? Mr. Boxers?”
I snapped out of my daydream of Era and focused back on MJ’s therapist addressing me.
“My apologies. I’m just a little distracted. What were you saying?”
“It’s no worries at all. I was simply saying that MJ has made a lot of progress over these last six months. You’re doing a great job with being patient with him and building up his confidence. Please continue to keep him motivated. I’ll see you guys next month.”
“Thank you, Doc. We’ll see you then.”
I helped MJ with his book bag then we exited her office and next, the building. Once we were buckled in my SUV, I pulled off and drove through the downtown area. I hated coming down here because I always had to drive past Era’s closed and for sale storefront. My heart ached every day for her. I missed her loud laughter, honey hued eyes, wide smile, and carefree demeanor.There wasn’t a dull moment with her, but I missed our hugs mostly. She gave the best hugs.
