by B. Love
“And I told you that was bullshit.” Not confirming or denying, Reina continued to stare at her mother. “So if I go out there, he’s going to tell me that in one month’s time the two of you met, fell in love, and got engaged?” Reina remained silent. It wasn’t until she pushed herself off the stove and tried to leave the kitchen did Reina grab her arm and pull her back.
“Listen,” Reina gritted softly. “I have a good thing going on right now and I am not going to let you fuck this up for me.”
Laditra smiled as she took a puff of her cigarette, blowing the smoke in Reina’s face. “What have you gotten yourself into, Ray?”
Releasing her, Reina looked behind them. “I’ve been paid to pretend to be his fiancée. He thinks we were together a while before the accident. And you are not going to tell him or make him think otherwise.”
Laditra leaned back against the stove with a wide smile. “What are you going to do to ensure that?”
Reina’s eyes closed into thin slits. Boiling with fury, she gritted her teeth and clenched her jaw so hard it hurt.
“The hell do you mean what am I going to do to ensure that?”
“I mean how much are you going to pay to keep me silent? Because I’ll go in there right now and tell him what the deal is.”
Reina went limp. Her heart stuttered, and there was this… spinning, dropping feeling consuming her. For a while, all she could do was look at her mother. At the woman that birthed her. Waiting for Laditra to say that she was just playing. But that never came.
“Why do you hate me so much, Ma? What have I ever fucking done to you?”
Laditra rolled her eyes and walked over to the other side of the kitchen to grab her drink. “Spare me. You haven’t been putting in since you left, and Bentley told me about the money you’ve been giving them when you visit them at school. So I ask again, what are you going to pay me to keep your secret?”
Not wanting to risk trusting her mother to do the right thing, Reina asked, “What do you want?”
“Ten thousand on the first of every month.”
“Fine,” she gritted before briskly leaving the kitchen.
Furious, she went to the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. When she was sure she wouldn’t spazz on her mother, Reina left the bathroom and made her way back into the living room. As soon as she sat next to him, Hudson asked her if she was okay. Forcing a smile, she nodded as he took her hand into his.
Wanting to get this visit over with quickly, Reina shared with her family the reason for her visit. As soon as she told them that she’d been accepted into Woodwick, Rico was the first person to stand and congratulate her. Her younger brothers had no idea what the hell that even was, but they were happy for her too. To her surprise, Laditra seemed to be genuinely proud, mumbling about how her tough love seemed to have finally paid off.
After that, the rest of the visit went smoothly. Rico and Hudson got to know each other for a while, while Reina gave Wykeem and Bentley her full attention. By the time they were getting ready to leave, neither of them wanted to say goodbye. They asked if they could go home with her, and Hudson told them that they were always welcome to come over any time.
Quick on his feet, Wykeem asked if now was one of those times, and Reina laughed before she could even agree. She told him they could as long as it was okay with Laditra, and she said she was cool with it, so the boys hurriedly went to their room and packed a bag. Even though Rico was invited as well, he decided to hang back… until he heard about the bowling alley game room and theater Hudson had. That changed his mind real quick.
About thirty minutes later, they were all heading out, with Laditra yelling out at Reina that she would see her come the first of the month. But Reina was in too good of a mood to even let that bother her. She had her man and her brothers plus an amazing future ahead of her.
What could be higher than this?
Chapter 8
Reina
By the smile on her face and look in her eyes, no one would have known that Reina’s day started out like shit. A month had passed since she’d been accepted into the ballet school, and she’d given her mother the second payment today. Laditra ended up demanding the first payment when Reina took the boys home, and there was nothing she could do other than pay up.
It was the second day of April, and Laditra had started to blow Reina’s phone up at midnight about her payment. Reina couldn’t believe Laditra would stoop so damn low, but she shouldn’t have been surprised. Paying her mother yesterday had completely slipped Reina’s mind. Her birthday was two weeks away, and she’d spent the bulk of the day researching places she and Hudson could go. When she was done, she went to the dance studio and practiced until Hudson left work.
By the time they both made it home, she’d completely given her attention to him.
But after waking up to ten missed calls and several threatening text messages, Reina knew to never make the mistake of being even a few minutes late making that payment again.
When Hudson came home today, he immediately shared news that lifted her spirits. As an early birthday present, he got them both tickets to see Nerderlands Dans Theater in Paris for her birthday. She’d always wanted to travel the world to watch and perform ballet recitals, so that alone was enough to make her forget any other troubles she had.
Now, they were seated at a bar like area, right in front of the kitchen of Santiago’s restaurant, watching the chef prepare their meal. Hudson had rented the entire restaurant out, so they had it all to themselves. She’d never experienced anything like this before. Hell, she’d never experienced a man like Hudson before. Even though he had bank, it didn’t make him. He never flashed his wealth or prominence in the city, and he only used his influence when he absolutely had to.
“Are you enjoying yourself?” Hudson asked, refilling her wine glass with a smile.
“Of course! You make me feel so special, in the smallest and biggest of ways.”
He gave her a quick wink before refilling his own glass. “Can you really see yourself spending the rest of your life with me, Reina?”
Even though yes immediately crossed her mind, Reina didn’t reply right away. She instead thought over his question and the reason they were together. Even though their relationship was based on a lie, she had truly fallen in love with him over the course of a little over two months. More than anything, she fell in love with his giving, supportive spirit.
Hudson always made her feel safe, secure, loved, and appreciated. He was a great listener, and he was always a man of intention and action. No matter how busy he was, he made sure Reina knew on a daily basis that she was one of his main priorities. Add in his handsome looks, charismatic charm, crazy personality and sense of humor and sex game… yes… Reina was sprung as hell.
Confidently, she answered him with, “I can see myself with you for as long as you will have me, Huddy. I love you.”
Expression still just as serious, Hudson leaned forward and kissed her before declaring, “I love you too, Golden.”
Though it was discreet, Hudson gave the head chef a nod. The chef nodded, and shortly after, five men walked over to the small stage area. One sat at the piano, one sat at the drum set, one stood behind the microphone, and the other two stood next to him holding a guitar and saxophone. The first song they performed was “Love Calls” by Kem – one of her favorite artists.
She was unable to dance in her seat for too long. Eventually, she was up, two stepping in front of Hudson as he watched with a smile. Taking him by the hand, she lifted him from his seat and wrapped her arms around him.
They danced, kissed, and laughed as the band switched to “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” As he held her waist and nibbled her neck, Reina buried herself in his chest. In his warmth. In his security. In his love. Taking her hands into hers, Hudson put some space between them.
She pouted, missing his closeness already. Hudson spun her around. And when he pulled her back towards him, he got down on one knee. Droppi
ng his hand, Reina covered her mouth and tried to take a step back, but Hudson kept her from doing so as he mumbled, “Stay here with me.”
Her eyes watered as his hand went into his pocket. “What are you doing, Huddy?”
He smiled with one side of his mouth as he pulled the black velvet box from his pocket. “I don’t remember proposing to you…” Because you never did… “So I want to do it again.”
Setting the box down on the floor next to him, Hudson took her left hand into his. He took the ring off that Harold had given her and put it on her right hand.
“I don’t care about time, rhyme, or reason. When I’m with you, nothing else exists beyond you and me. I can’t remember what we were like before the accident, and it doesn’t matter, because I feel like my life now is better just because you’re still in it. I feel like I’m better because of you. I sleep better and am at peace because of you. And I know I’ve already asked you this, but I need to know now…” Hudson inhaled a deep breath and picked the box back open. As he opened it, he asked, “Will you marry me, Reina?”
Licking her lips before they formed a smile, she nodded as tears escaped her lips. “Yes, Hudson. Of course I will marry you.”
He slid the ring onto her finger then stood and took her into his arms. Connecting his lips with hers, Hudson began to sway them from side to side as the song changed to “Share My Life.” And that’s exactly what Reina intended to do – share her life with Hudson… no matter what.
Reina was surprised to hear the knock on their bedroom door. Hudson had left moments earlier to see to a client. Apparently, he was one of their million dollar stock investors, and he’d gotten a tip that the main stock he invested in was about to crash the following morning. Hudson left to meet with him briefly, promising to be back in a couple of hours so they could celebrate their engagement properly.
When they first made it back home, Reina showed everyone the new ring Hudson had given her, and everyone was happy for them – including Rose. After putting on her robe and sitting on the chaise, Reina told whoever was behind the door to come in. At the sight of Rose, she smiled.
“Is everything okay?” Reina checked, motioning for Rose to sit on the small sofa that was next to the chaise.
“Yes. Everything is good.” Rose sat down and turned in Reina’s direction. “I wanted to come in and let you know that I appreciate what you’ve done for Hudson. I can see a change in him, and I know it’s because of you. He’s a lot happier now than he ever was with his previous fiancée.”
Tugging on her ear, Reina rolled her tongue over her teeth before sucking them. Her eyes narrowed as she leaned forward in her seat.
“Previous fiancée?”
“Yes. That’s why you were brought in. Harold didn’t tell you?”
Reina’s head lowered as she chuckled. “No.” Her head lifted and tilted. “He told me that Hudson had suffered a bad breakup before the accident, and he was worried that he would get really reckless and end up doing something to ruin his life and the business without a distraction.”
Rose’s eyes widened as she clutched her chest. “Oh no, baby. Hudson was engaged to a woman before the accident who, honestly, looked a lot like you. Your features are more striking, and your eyes are lighter. She was shorter and thicker. But yes. You two favored. She was in the car with Hudson that night, and she died upon contact with the mountain.
Everyone feared that if Hudson knew the accident was the cause of her death, he would sink into a deep depression and blame himself for it for quite some time. The same thing happened when one of his cousin’s wives was murdered because he didn’t give the robbers his wallet. He was so sick over it that he ended up committing suicide.
Harold and his father, Henry, didn’t want the same thing to happen with Hudson. So Harold came up with the idea to completely wipe her from his life since she was already technically wiped from his memory. Everyone that was close to him agreed to never mention Tierra unless Hudson regained his memory.”
Reina sat back in her seat, trying to absorb everything that Rose had said.
“If it makes you feel better, you’re a much better fit for Hudson than she was. I felt like she was with him because of what he had not who he was. While I wish she was still alive, I’m glad he’s free of her.”
“Thanks for letting me know,” was all Reina could think of to say.
Rose stood, and after giving her a kiss on the top of the head, she left. Reina wasted no time grabbing her phone and calling Harold. She had to call three times before he answered, but as soon as he did, she almost yelled, “You lied to me!”
“What are you talking about?”
“You didn’t tell me you were trying to replace me with a dead woman! Tell me the whole truth now, Harold, or I will leave and never come back.”
Reina listened intently as Harold told her the whole truth. Hudson and Tierra were engaged when they had the accident. They believed they were arguing and Hudson was going fast around the mountains. In his right mind, Hudson would never speed around the bends so quickly, and there was no alcohol or drugs in his system.
As he crossed another sharp bend, another car passed, lights bright and swerving in the middle of the lanes. Apparently, it was their first time taking that route, and their nervousness of the height and bends of the mountain’s curves made them drive in the middle of the two-lane street. To avoid hitting them, Hudson swerved to the right, but because he was driving so fast, his wheels spun out, and the sharp turned caused them to crash into the mountain.
Tierra, who wasn’t wearing her seatbelt, was ejected from the car.
Hudson hadn’t been able to see the damage to the car, otherwise he would have known he wasn’t alone.
They even went as far as to urge him not to try and read news articles on it or the police report.
By the time he was out of his coma and going into rehab, the case had already been settled, and the person who caused the accident had been given six months in prison and three years on probation.
Harold also shared that it was important for Hudson to get married, because when he did, he would have to retire as CEO. Then, Harold’s son, Lamar, would take his place. While Hudson would be able to start, run, and invest in any other business ventures, his marriage would automatically lead to his retirement from the family business.
Though they were big on their finances and creating generational wealth, the Gray family was about just that – family. Not wanting work to ever override the priority of family, the retirement clause was put in place to ensure a healthy balance. Some of the family immediately started having children, spending their days traveling, or simply enjoying the married life while others opened their own businesses.
“I knew if he knew about Tierra, that would be his excuse to throw himself even deeper into work. And that would keep Lamar from elevating.”
Reina chuckled in disbelief before she disconnected the call. If she said anything, Reina was sure it would be something she’d soon regret. Harold immediately sent her a text asking her not to say anything to Hudson, and she agreed, only because if she did, she would implicate herself in his scheme. She also told Harold not to send her anymore payments.
At this point, she was genuinely in love with Hudson, and she didn’t need any other reason to be with him.
Besides, the thought of what Harold had done made her sick to her stomach. And she hated herself even more for being a part of it.
No longer did she see him simply as a caring uncle who wanted the best for his nephew. Now, she saw him as a scheming opportunist who was trying to do whatever it took to take care of his son.
Needing to drink her thoughts away, she called both Jessica and Brooke and asked if they could meet her at her favorite bar ASAP. More than anything, she didn’t want to be home when Hudson came back… hoping he’d be sleep so she wouldn’t have to look into his eyes and see the reflection of her lies staring back at her.
Reina was tipsy, but she wasn’t so tipsy
that she couldn’t recall how to use her key. When the door didn’t open immediately, she stood there for a few minutes before remembering it also had a deadbolt lock that only opened from the inside with a keycode when activated. After pulling her phone out of her purse, Reina dropped it onto the floor by her feet and sent Hudson a Facetime request.
He answered, shirtless, looking good as fuck with a frown on his face. Even though she’d left the house to avoid seeing him, Reina smiled at the sight of him. Originally, her plan was to stay out until he was home and asleep. She didn’t have a backup plan for if he came home and locked her ass out for being late.
“Huddy,” she called before chuckling. “My key won’t work.”
“That’s because it’s three o’clock in the damn morning, Reina. Where the hell your ass been?”
With a roll of her eyes, she poked out her bottom lip as she shifted from one foot to the other. “I gotta pee. Come open the door.”
“Where you been? We agreed we would be home before one. You’re late.”
“Hudson. If you don’t open this door I’m going to pee on the porch.”
He stared at her for a few seconds, and when she realized he was in no rush to get up Reina groaned as she disconnected the call. Before she was able to unzip her tight-fitting jeans and properly squat, she heard the sound of the deadbolt lock buttons being pressed. With a smile, she pulled her pants back up, but she wasn’t able to get them zipped before Hudson was snatching her and tossing her over his shoulder along with her purse.
“Stop going so fast,” she whined, squeezing as she added, “You gonna make me pee on myself,” which only made her laugh and have to squeeze harder.
Hudson rushed up the stairs, taking her to the bathroom in their bedroom instead of the three other guest bathrooms he’d passed on the way. As soon as he released her, Reina quickly tugged her jeans down and sat down on the toilet. She thought he would at least give her some peace and alone time while she emptied her bladder, but he leaned against the doorframe and stared at her instead.
