Mesmerized By A Street King 2

by Belleza

  “What you going to do?”

  “I had a talk with auntie and what she said made sense. At this point, it doesn’t matter who’s her father. I’m all she knows and that ain’t changing.”

  “Good because I will kill that bitch for you if she thought she was taking my niece away from me. Fuck is up with her anyway? She comes back after all these years on some bullshit. Where her other baby daddy.”

  “Apparently, the nigga is dead, and she came back to Philly because she couldn’t live the life she was living in California. I don’t know how he did it but Qwinae was a secret relationship, and the woman he was with got everything once he passed. She packed up and moved back here and wants to be a part of Za’naa’s life.”

  “Did that all come from her?”

  He shook his head. “Nah, she had her mom call auntie pleading that case, but the bitch is sneaky, and I know there’s some hidden agenda. I’ll figure it out once I cross that bridge.”

  I knew that shit bothered Zayne, but if he was chillin for now, then so was I.

  “How’s my baby girl?” I questioned him.

  “Speaking of her, you mind watching her for a few hours? I’m going to slide out with KeKe to her people’s crib for a dinner and Unc is taking auntie to a cabaret.”

  “You know you don’t gotta ask. I’ma more than likely have Mill with me so we can be chilling together.”

  “Oh, that’s you? How Nina feel about that?”

  “I don’t give a fuck about Nina’s feelings bruh, but yeah Camille is all me.”

  “See maybe you should start listening to me more often. She’s a good girl, so don’t fuck up.”

  “I got this. What you told me worked, but I don’t need your help from here.”

  Zayne laughed, and we sat around shooting the breeze as we passed a dutch. Who would’ve known we both be enjoying this relationship life at the same time?

  KEKE

  “Behave yourself daddy,” Za’naa reached up to give her father a kiss and he crouched down to her level. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his forehead and he did the same to her.

  “I’m always on my best behavior. Make sure you are good for uncle Asahd.”

  “And my aunt Milly Rock.”

  We all cracked up laughing because she was serious about calling Camille that which was so cute. Messing around with Za’naa, there was no room for no other woman in her daddy and uncles lives because she took claim to us quick.

  “Aye, you can’t be giving people nicknames, Naa. I feel a way,” Asahd fake pouted and she released her dad and rushed over to her big bad uncle that was currently acting like a baby. I enjoyed seeing them all interact.

  I used to be the first to say I ain’t care for kids, but it was impossible not to fall for Za’naa’s sweetness. The way that they loved each other was magnifying and actually had me thinking about if Zayne and I added a little bundle of joy to the bunch.

  Yup, love had a funny way of making you think differently.

  “You ready?” Zayne asked me breaking me out of my daydream, I looked up at him instantly turned on from the way he looked, and the smell of his cologne didn’t make it any better.

  “We can just stay home and have some alone time,” I said not really caring to be with Alexander and his family. His birthday or not, I still felt it was wrong to be around him and that woman.

  “When we get back. Stop trying to find a way to avoid this,” he told me and led the way out of the house. After he locked up, he opened up the passenger seat to his car and I got inside before he went around to the driver’s side.

  “My father might ask you all these questions,” I informed him.

  “I’m good with that. I have nothing to hide.”

  “And his wife is different.”

  “What do you mean different?” he questioned me.

  I laughed not really wanting to say. “You’ll see when we get there. She’s extremely uppity so pray that I don’t slap the shit out of her tonight if she says anything outta pocket.”

  “I got this. Your father seems like he wanted us there so it should be a good night. I’m a good judge of character and the Zayne you know isn’t the only side of me.”

  “You don’t gotta pretend to be something you’re not. Either my father accepts you or not. It will not change how I feel about you.”

  Zayne lifted my hand and brought it to his lips. “There’s a time and place for everything. I don’t gotta act like a hood nigga around the clock. I got a little class and charm.”

  “Well rub a little of that on me. I think God forgot to give me my ration when he made me.”

  Zayne smiled making me smile as well. I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this happy. We always had a good time when we were with each other, but to know you had something solid made everything so much better. It wasn’t about the money or his name that had me intrigued by him. Zayne was the definition of a real man. Truth be told, I admired the fact that he was well rounded. He was a hood nigga through and through, but just like he said he knew how to turn it off when he needed to.

  When we got to my father’s house in Manayunk, we pulled up in the driveway behind this newer model C-class Benz. The home was immaculate and made the house we lived in once upon a time look like a shack. They moved there about three years ago and this was actually my first time being here.

  As we waited for someone to answer, Zayne took my hand in his and squeezed it. “Make sure you behave yourself.”

  “You sound like Naa,” I joked even though I was telling myself to remain level-headed. I already felt the heat rising in my body.

  Seconds later the locks were undone and the door pulled open revealing my father. He beamed when he saw me and I remained stoned face. I really didn’t fuck with him.

  “I’m happy you made it.”

  Alexander opened up his arms for a hug and I proceeded inside of his home. I stood to the side and him and Zayne shared a handshake. He pointed us to the direction of where I assumed we were eating.

  I didn’t move until he walk ahead of us and Zayne took my hand in his again. In the dining room sat Allison and Rachel at a table full of food I was sure she didn’t cook.

  “Keira!” she said excitedly with a fake ass smile as pale face flushed and she looked me up and down. “You look nice.”

  “I know I do,” I responded and Zayne squeezed my hand.

  “Don’t you think a nice skirt would’ve been better?” she questioned.

  “Rachel,” my father said to her.

  “If I wanted to wear a skirt, I would’ve put one on. Mind your damn business.”

  This time Zayne didn’t squeeze my hand because we both know her ass was getting beside herself. This is why I didn’t want to come around Alexander or his fucking wife.

  “Stop it Rachel. All I wanted was a good night with my family. Can I get that please?”

  Rachel held up hands up reached for her glass of wine.

  Zayne and I sat down at the two chairs that sat across from their family. Allison didn’t say anything to me and I wasn’t parting my lips either. Everything was quiet and awkward as we all dug into the food.

  “So who’s your friend Keira?” Rachel asked after the moment of silence. You would think she would know by now not to say shit to me.

  “Zayne is her boyfriend,” my father spoke up after I grilled her.

  “Zayne? That’s a nice name. Is it African?”

  “Why because he’s black?” I shot back at her ignorant ass. Zayne tapped my leg under the table. I dropped my fork and crossed my arms under my chest glaring at her stupid ass. It was no secret that we didn’t care for each other and regardless if it was my father’s birthday I wasn’t playing nice.

  “Depending on how you spell it could be Arabic or Hebrew.”

  “Nice,” she smiled. “So what do you do for a living?”

  “I’m an investor. I have commercial and residential property throughout the DMV.”

  �
�Impressive,” she gushed lifting her wine again. “I take it that you went to school.”

  “I did. I graduated from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.”

  “I like you. I always told my daughter Allison that there was nothing like a good education. What school is it that you dropped out of Keira?” She looked my way and I picked up my glass of wine and tossed it her way.

  She yelped as she was drench with the liquid and my father scrambled to get something to wipe her off.

  “You little bitch!” she said through clenched teeth. I shot up from my chair to go show her what bitches did to fuckers like her, but Zayne grabbed me and stood up as well. Dinner was over and at least I could say was that I tried. I really did.

  “Keira wait!” my father called out but we kept walking.

  “Are you really calling her after what she did to me, Alex!” Rachel exclaimed.

  Together we headed towards the front door and I stopped in my tracks after hearing my father pathetically calling out for me.

  “Did you have to stoop that low and throw that wine on her?” he questioned me as if he didn’t see her act shady the moment I stepped foot in their splendid dining room.

  “Why am I not surprised you’re taking up for her?” I shot back.

  “Right is right and wrong is wrong. Now I have to talk Rachel out of pressing charges against you.”

  “Man, fuck both you! All this fucking time you expected me to sit back and watch you live a fucking lie! If you think I was ever going to sit back and accept her after you broke your vows and hid a whole baby?!”

  My father's mouth dropped and he shook his head even though we both knew what I said was true. He cheated on my mother for a white woman that controlled his life. She manipulated him so bad that she easily turned him against his own child. This moment solidified how much I was done with him.

  “Keira, just give me a chance to explain, everything isn’t exactly what you think it is.”

  “So is Allison your biological child?” I snapped waiting for a response and he dropped his head because there was no way he could deny her. Not at 24 years old and married to her evil mother.

  “It’s none of your damn business little girl. Alexander see your daughter out and you can finish your birthday dinner with your family,” Rachel said stomping off. She knew to pop all that shit from a distance because I was ready to tear her ass apart. Luckily, for her, Zayne had a strong grip around my waist.

  Rachel was trying to hurt me with her words, but the truth of the matter is, she couldn’t tear me down with something I already came to terms with which is why I packed my shit up and lived with Camille and her parents.

  “Keira, let me get a chance to figure everything out, and I will call you so we can talk,” my father said lowly not looking me in my eyes.

  I hated to admit my heart broke into a million pieces. How can a man choose another human over his own flesh and blood? How can anyone do that shit? It wasn’t even about Rachel being caucasian because if the bitch was black, purple or yellow, I would still hate the fact that she played a role in breaking up my father’s and I bond.

  Before my tears fell from my eyes, I spun on my heels and walked out of his home. When we got to the car, Zayne wrapped his arms around me and brought me back into his chest. It lessened the hurt I was feeling, but the pain was still present.

  “I’m sorry,” he mumbled kissing away my tears. I was so angry that I was crying, but it hurt because as much as I disliked Alexander for betraying my mother, I was all he had left of her and he didn’t care one way or another if he lost me.

  For years I had to bite my tongue because I was taught to respect my elders. Rachel belittled me every chance she got. It was like she was torturing me for all the years she played number two. She always gloated about how Allison was such a great child and got good grades. School wasn’t my thing, and I passed with a few C’s where her love child was on honor roll and was sent to attend a prestigious school in the country. My father was a professor, and I only attended school for him, but I no longer was going to waste my life to please someone that didn’t care about me one way or the other. He had Allison, he didn’t need me. This is the second time Alexander had me crying, and I was not going to let it be a third.

  After we stood in complete silence I pulled away, and Zayne walked me over to the car. He helped me inside and got in on the driver side. I reclined the chair back and closed my eyes enjoying the memories of my mother. I didn’t realize I dozed off into a deep sleep until I felt Zayne undressing me.

  Once I was only in my bra and panties, he took off his clothes and brought me to his chest kissing my forehead and my lips.

  “Is this the part where I have to talk about it and explain myself?” I mumbled after listening to his heartbeat. Zayne circled his strong arms around me kissed me again.

  “Nah, I know everything that I need to know. I’m proud of you that you tried. Somethings are out of our control, and we can only focus on what we can change. Just know that I got you no matter what. You’re not alone, and I don’t want you to ever feel that way.”

  His words eased my soul because I knew he was speaking from his heart and it was the truth. As much as I hated to admit it, all these years I was full of hurt longing for my father to love me the way he loved his mistress and love child. It was like he was in a tug of war to please us all and he chose to spoil me with money rather than to support and uplift me with love.

  I was fine with that because I would rather someone love me because it was what they genuinely wanted to do with my flaws and all than someone who did it out of obligation. Father or not, I didn’t need Alexander Perry or his money.

  JOHAN

  I sat patiently watching Tabitha in the restaurant of the hotel she was at enjoying a meal by herself. Spencer located her easily and gave me the information I needed on everyone that was affiliated with Ernestine. Even with all the information, the only person that could piece together the puzzle was my wife.

  It was almost an hour into her relaxing in the four-star eatery eating shrimp, lobster and more than likely sipping on the finest champagne before she was done and left money on the table for her bill. My eyes followed her as she strutted over to the elevator. All eyes were on her. Tabitha’s natural beauty and body easily pulled anyone’s attention. I almost expected her to be here in New York with another man.

  When I saw the light above the elevator getting closer to the lobby floor, I made my way to her and stood behind her.

  “Out of all the places to hide, you run to New York?”

  She spun around quickly, and her mouth fell agape as if she saw a ghost. She frantically looked from side to side probably thinking of a way to escape. I wasn’t going to hurt her. I just needed answers. Once the bell chimed, the door opened up, and I moved her to the side so the people could get off and I guided her onto the elevator.

  Tabitha coward off to the corner and was shaking.

  “I’m not here to hurt you,” I said pressing the button to the floor where I knew her room was.

  “I don’t believe that Johan.”

  “Really? What could you possibly have done for me to hurt you?” I quizzed, and her head dropped to her chest. She had nothing to say, and I was hoping whatever she had to tell me wasn’t fucked up to the point where I couldn’t keep my word.

  When we got off the elevator, I followed her to her room, and she let me inside. I took a seat at the chair and sat on the end of the bed nervously twiddling her thumbs.

  “Let me start off by apologizing for the way I just up and left. I didn’t know how to face you and I was scared you were going to kill me,” she mumbled.

  “Why would I kill you?”

  She shook her head. “It’s complicated, but I know once you find out what I need to tell you there won’t be a me and you.” She pulled the ring set of her fingers and held it out. I leaned over and took it from her.

  Tabitha sucked in a deep breath of air and released
it. “I have been cheating on you, Johan.

  As much as I wanted to get out of my seat and strangle her ass, I stay planted in the chair and bared down on my teeth. I squeezed her wedding ring in my hand until I felt wetness form in my palm which had to have been blood.

  “The person I’ve been seeing at the jail isn’t related to me, but they’re somewhat related to you.”

  “Ernestine. The fuck you doing visiting her?” I asked knowing how grimy her ass was. She ain’t care for my brothers or me, and I would think if anyone was loyal to me it was my damn wife.

  Tabitha burst out into tears and fanned her face as if the cool room we were in were full of flames. “Please don’t hate me, Johan,” she cried.

  I didn’t respond. I allowed her to get whatever it is she wanted to get out because revealing the truth was hurting her more than I possibly could for her infidelities.

  “The person… the person… I’ve been cheating on you with is Ernestine. I love her and want to be with her.”

  “Is this a fucking joke.”

  She shook her head from side to side wiping her eyes. “It’s not Joey. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for it to happen but I couldn’t help it.”

  I didn’t know how to feel. All this time I told myself if this bitch was up to no good I was going to kill her and whoever she was involved with, but at the moment I was stuck. Maybe because I was in shocked because I never expected my wife… the woman I loved and changed for the past years would be gay. I thought this was some shit that happened in movies. How you go from loving dick to loving pussy if that was even the case because Ernestine was far from feminine, she was just as much as man as Uncle Ern was.

  I blocked out her sobs and thought back to all the times we were all together and couldn’t really pinpoint anything shady. They got me good.

  “Jo…” she murmured. “Please say something.”

  I glanced up at her wet face. My heart was void of all the love I had for her. I needed time to think and make sense of everything she laid out on the table. Dropping her wedding set, I rose to my feet and walked out of the hotel room. This definitely wasn’t what I was expecting.