Page 179 of Own It

“Stop it!” He roared in my face, menacing eyes zeroed in on me, but still, he didn’t hit me.

Sniffling as I panted heavily, I questioned, “So that’s just it? The life we built and everything is just . . . done, over, and meant nothing?”

“Yes, Mia. I’m done.” He finally released me, then plopped his big ass back down on the couch. “Go back to Rah if he’ll have you.” He popped open the decanter sitting on the table in front of him. “Or maybe he’ll make you his side chick.” He filled his glass and put it to his lips.

“Maybe I will,” I tossed out, knowing damn well I couldn’t.

Snatching my purse up, I hurried out before I could burst into tears. I didn’t even make it to the elevator before I broke down.

My life lately had been one disappointment after another, but I couldn’t wallow. I had kids to care for.

My thoughts made me gather myself just before the elevator opened to the lobby. I strutted off, slipping my Fendi shades onto my face.

A family lawyer would be my first call top of the morning. Rakim was right; the least I could do was get some child support. I didn’t have babies by a rich nigga for nothing.

TWENTY-ONE

kasia

THE SAME DAY . . . ACROSS TOWN . . .

I was at work in the back office when one of the waitresses, Kelly, knocked and entered. I could tell by the distressed look on her face that it was about to be some shit. However, it was expected because we had a higher volume of patrons on Fridays and therefore, a higher volume of complaints or pretentious ass people who felt they were king because they spent ninety dollars on a steak.

“Hey, Kelly. What happened now?” I turned in my swivel chair as she tittered through her stress.

“Customers at table fifteen want a refund for their food, but they ate like three-fourths of it, Kasia.” She put a hand on her small hip.

“Oh goodness. Okay. Did they complain about their meals at all beforehand?” I queried, rising to my feet and wanting to be equipped with all the information I’d need before approaching the patrons.

“Nope. Didn’t say a thing until I dropped that bill off.”

“Okay.” I nodded, gesturing for her to lead me to the table.

As we meandered through the restaurant, I noticed Tarin, her kids, and some other woman were dining here, and after running the restaurant map through my head at full speed, I was able to figure out that they were table fifteen.

Fuck, I thought, praying Tarin wasn’t here to start some shit.

“Hi, ladies. Here is my manager, Kasia,” Kelly introduced. “I’m gonna check on my other table then circle back.” She patted my back then sauntered off.

“Hi, I’m the manager. What seems to⁠—”

“She already told us that,” Tarin’s friend with the tired red wig chimed in.

“Right.” I feigned a smile. “What seems to be the problem?”

“Didn’t she tell you?” Tarin looked up at me, ignoring her kids who were currently fighting over the children’s menu that you could draw on.

“She did, but I like to hear both sides.” I stared deeply into Tarin’s eyes, and she did the same to me. We were sparring somewhat, though no words were being exchanged.

“Well, this fucking food was nasty, and I’m not paying two hundred and fifty dollars for a meal I didn’t enjoy.” Tarin lifted the edge of the plate and let it clatter against the table loudly.

Russell’s was a high-end restaurant and, therefore, other than the low jazz music playing, it was rather quiet in here. By saying that, I knew Tarin was attempting to create a disturbance on purpose.

“Okay, and was this both of you guys’ meals?” I inquired.

“Ye-yep!” The friend stammered a bit, checking with Tarin through eye contact to be sure she’d said the right thing.

“Okay, well it does look like you ate most of your food. And according to my waitress, you did not complain once it was delivered and not even after when she took the order for your desserts I assume.” I gestured toward the half-eaten brownie cake in the middle of the table. “So because of that, I wouldn’t be able to comp the meal. What I can do is take off the dessert and drinks, but the meals would need to be paid for. This would also be a onetime instance though,” I explained.