Page 28 of More to Love

Sitting down in front of my computer, I busied myself until dinner by catching up on emails. As a businessman, I knew the kind of time and energy it took in having your own, so my mind wondered to how Sorimah planned on running her business and taking care of my family. That was a plate full with no room to relax.

Her time here was something I was unaware of as well. I didn’t know her hours, rate, or anything about her reason for work. I was clear on Avi not wanting to be the mother I’d been begging her to be for months. It was going to break her heart in two when she caught wind of another woman playing her role and I had no doubt in my mind that Ri would fill that position involuntarily.

When I heard Princess shout out her mother’s name, I knew the chaos was about to unfold. Avi didn’t know how to hold an adult conversation, especially if she felt targeted. I never told her Sorimah was the woman I cheated on her with so that was the one good thing about this entire situation.

I exited the office with a mug to show my aggravation. Even though I wanted Ri here, showing anything other than me being upset would make Avi try something else outrageous. She was only satisfied with things that got under my skin.

“Let me holla at you right quick Avi.”

“Uhm, sure. Let me talk to Sorimah and Akeera right quick and then I’ll —”

“Now!” The tone of my voice was no longer at a respectable level.

“Okay beautiful one, let’s check on the food while Mommy and Daddy talk.”

Sorimah took over escorting Akeera to the kitchen while Avi took her time coming to me. I made sure not to move a muscle to keep up the facade. Her steps were small, but I stood my ground.

“What is it that you wanted to talk to me about baby? You look and smell good.” She was trying to butter me up.

“You got something you need to tell me?”

“Not that I know of,” she responded in a clueless manner.

“Who the hell is that woman in my house and why is she here?” My tone was elevated again.

“Sorimah is our new nanny. I hired her to help around here and keep my daughter busy. School is getting ready to let out in a few weeks and I wanted her to be able to enjoy her summer break.”

“If that’s the case, explain to me what your purpose is. What has your attention all day that you can’t give a few hours of it to our daughter? She misses her mother Aviana.”

“And she sees me every day. You buggin’.”

“Aviana, you walking on thin ice with me.”

“And your ass is on an even thinner one. Remember who the fuck stepped out on who. Allow me to spend your money in peace or me and my daughter can get the fuck on. Just say the words nigga and I promise you me and mine won’t be a bother any longer.”

I knew she was going to use my baby against me. She was now a pawn in this fight, and I didn’t want her to be tampered with. This lifestyle and comfortability were what caused her to wake up every day with a smile on her little face. I couldn’t interrupt that, not even for my own selfish reasons.

“How much are you paying her and what are her hours?”

“Don’t worry about it just know Akeera and the house will be taken care of. Is that all we had to fuckin’ discuss ’cause I’m hungry?”

Swallowing my pride was going to become my new norm because Avi was determined to have the last word. For now, she was granted that because Akeera under the same roof as me at all times was the bigger picture. I walked off and went back to my office. She more than likely thought she would win this fight, but all I did was set it up to where Ri could stay for a while.

I stayed away from them until I was called in to join everyone for dinner. I sat at the head of the table with the ladies taking the other end. I guess they wanted their moment together, so I didn’t disturb them. The view was nicer from my end anyway.

The engagement between Princess and Sorimah was the one that gained more attention. My baby and her happiness were the most important thing to me. Her infectious laugh filled the room causing me to smile from her comfortability. They never looked my way, and I was cool with that.

“So, I was thinking that you can take a day off to make Sorimah more comfortable. She doesn’t know Akeera’s routine,” Avi spoke after taking a sip of juice.

Hearing Ri’s name is what brought me out of my trance. I looked toward Avi and mugged the hell out of her once more. She was doing any and everything to avoid our daughter and I truly didn’t understand why. Akeera was such a sweet spirited child. Avi was missing out on how great she was.

“I have things to do at work Aviana. Why can’t you show her? Oh, my bad that’s something you have no clue about,” I snapped.

Both Akeera and Sorimah looked between us awkwardly waiting to see how this conversation would go. I didn’t want to argue with her because talking to Avi was like talking to a brick wall. She didn’t care about what anyone else had going on as long as she was accommodated.

“You may be right, but I know a lot about sleeping beside a fuck nigga that can’t seem to⁠—”

“Hey beautiful one, let’s go eat somewhere else and let your parents talk. This isn’t for our ears.”