by Linette King
“Bitches won’t let me be great!” I tossed over my shoulder as I walked out of my room. I headed straight to the bathroom.
“Hey Rashard.” I called out but got distracted. He stood upright with his shirt off as he waited for me to say whatever I was going to say.
My clit jumped at the sight before me. I walked out of the bathroom and laid Armad in his bed then returned to the bathroom. I walked all the way in and closed the door behind me.
“Wait a minute na.” Rashard said with his hands extended to me. I turned around and locked the door then stripped down to nothing. I hopped on the sink and slid my finger down between my legs and began to play with my pussy.
Rashard stared at me with lust filled eyes as I took care of myself. I used my free hand to motion for him to come closer. He wiped his hands off on his pants then made his way to me.
I watched him look down at my pussy and lick his lips. He grabbed my legs and pulled me to the edge of the counter then squat down in front of me. He blew lightly on my clit. I moaned out in pure ecstasy and in anticipation of what was to come. He began to spread my pussy lips apart and lick slowly on both sides of my clit before taking it in his mouth. He sucked aggressively until my legs started to tremble. For the first time in my life, I was afraid of the orgasm that was coming. I tried to close my legs but he used his arms to pry them back open. He looked up at me and winked as he continued to suck the life out of me. I closed my eyes so tight as I braced myself for the nut that was about to shake the fucking planet.
“Man what the fuck you doing?!” Rashard snapped at me.
I opened my eyes and snatched my hand out of my panties. My face flushed with embarrassment when I realized none of what I had imagined had actually happened.
“I’m, I’m.” I couldn’t get it out. I wanted to apologize. I needed to apologize. But I was stuck. Rashard continued to give me the look of death as I backpedaled slowly out of the bathroom’s doorway.
My son started to wiggle in my arms and that’s when I realized, I had never taken him in his room to begin with. I couldn’t believe myself. I had done so well these last 6 months not having sex at all. Then Dave come through and I revert right back to the Armani I use to be.
I heard someone suck their teeth and when I looked up, it was Candy. I sighed because I was just happy that it wasn’t Tamia. I ran to Armad’s room, laid him down then ran out the door.
“Armani where you going like that?” Candy asked. I didn’t respond as I ran past the elevator and to the stairwell entrance.
It wasn’t until I made it in the lobby that I realized why Candy asked where I was going like that. I thought she meant with an attitude but she meant with what I had on. I quickly closed my robe as the people in the lobby gawked at me with their noses turned up.
“Wait a minute. Is that?”
My breath got caught in my throat as he turned around slowly. I took slow jagged breaths as I backpedaled towards the door I had just run out of. This can’t be life right now. I tried to make a clean getaway back up the stairs without being seen. It was like everyone grew quiet except for slight whispers. Some people pointed at me while others pulled their phones out. I knew all of this was going on but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him.
I backed up as slow as possible but when I opened the door, it made a loud squeaky noise. That’s when our eyes connected. I froze in place as if being still was enough to hide me. He smiled brightly so I knew he knew exactly who I was although we had only encountered each other once.
All of a sudden, my flight or fight senses kicked in and I high tailed it back up the stairs. If he was looking for us, he obviously didn’t know exactly where we were or he wouldn’t have been in the lobby.
I ran non-stop until I got back to my house. I burst in, slammed the door and locked it. It wasn’t until I felt safe again that I began to catch my breath. We can’t go through this again. It’s been a year of no drama for Christ's sake so why now?
“What’s wrong?” Candy asked as she looked at me with a confused look on her face. I just stared at her. None of this would have happened if the people from our past would have just stayed where they were.
“Tamia!” Candy screamed.
I jumped up and dove for her to cover her mouth. She stepped out of the way and pushed me down on the floor.
“The fuck is your problem?!” She screamed at me.
“Ssssh!” I begged her to be quiet.
“What the fuck going on?” Tamia asked. A knock on the door stopped me from answering her question.
Michelle
Medusa beat me for hours on end like I was a fucking child. I begged Missy to help but she never came to my rescue. For the first time in my life, she wasn’t there for me. Missy had always protected me and I’ve always taken her for granted. It may be time for me to let her take over or learn how to protect myself.
As Silk stared down at my bruised body in disgust from the door, I began to wonder what would Missy do? Had Medusa come in here with a belt and hit Missy, what would she have done?
“Go take a bath.” Silk demanded as he shook his head at me.
I just laid on the ground and stared at him. I know this nigga know I can’t fucking move. Why won’t they just go on about their business?
“Go. Take. A. Bath. NOW!” Silk demanded. I didn’t care how loud he screamed at me, it won’t take the pain away. If anything, it's going to give me a headache. I rolled my eyes and sighed heavily. I allowed my body to lay completely back on the floor.
I heard Silk’s footsteps coming towards me at a rapid pace but I didn’t budge. He snatched me up from the floor aggressively. Again, I wished Missy would take over but she didn’t. I couldn’t help but think this is all karma from all the pain I’d caused and helped cause in people’s lives. Between Missy and I, I’ll probably be reaping what we’ve sowed until I die.
Silk carried me into the bathroom by my arm. I didn’t kick, scream or fight as I dangled in the air. He tossed me into the empty tub. I groaned out in pain as my body collided with the porcelain tub. I watched Silk through teary eyes as he placed the stopper in the tub and turned on the hot water. It was so hot that my nose started to sweat from the heat as the water filled the tub and soothed my aching body.
He turned around, grabbed bath beads and sprinkled them in the water. I was beyond confused but I knew this was a kind gesture. In his own way, he thought he was helping me. For that, when I kill him, I’ll make it quick.
I closed my eyes and relaxed in the tub. That hot water felt so good that I stayed in it until it turned cold. I bathed slowly in the cold water then climbed out of the tub. My body ached something serious but I knew I couldn’t stay here. I walked out of the bathroom and got dressed in the clothes that I had on when I first arrived here.
I laid down in the bed and listened for any noises but didn’t hear anything. That wasn’t unusual though because everyone is oddly quiet all the time. I don’t know how Medusa trained those other girls to do that but I’ll never be able to be quiet all the time. I never even hear them talk to each other. I stayed in bed for about two hours then I crept out of my room. I didn’t bother to peak in anyone’s room because I know they’re all in bed already. I’m just trying to get myself out of here, fuck them other bitches.
I made sure I stayed on the black carpet until I made my way into the kitchen. I found two knives and used my shoestrings to tie them to my ankle in case I needed to defend myself. I walked out of the kitchen and up to the front door. Disappointment set in quickly once I realized that nobody can open these doors but Silk. Is it not Medusa that’s the boss? I reflected on every time a door opens, it’s because Silk opened it.
“What the fuck is going on here?” I asked myself out loud as I stared at the door.
“You tell me.” Silk said from behind me. I whipped around and stared at him but didn’t respond.
“What are you doing?” Silk asked with an unreadable expression on his face.
�
��I just want to leave. I don’t want any problems.” I said with my hands up.
His facial features softened as he nodded his head.
He walked towards me but I didn’t budge. He stopped directly in front of me and clenched his jaws. I’d been through so much in life that it would take a lot more than a little jaw flexing to scare me.
“You want to leave and go where?” He asked. At this point we were so close that I could feel his breath tickle my forehead as he waited for me to answer his question.
“Anywhere but here.” I replied honestly.
All I wanted to do was get the hell away from him and Medusa and these weird ass dates! I did not have time to be getting beat the fuck up for nothing. Hell I’m the one that had a mission that I’m just about ready to get back on.
I’d been so focused on staying off the radar that I completely lost sight of why I was staying under the radar in the first place. If it wasn’t for Tamia and Rashard, I’d still have my man and sweet job at Carte Blanche. Now I bet they’re somewhere living it up, probably married with kids by now. Meanwhile, I been underground and now that I’ve resurfaced, I’m still doing underground type of shit. I don’t know where these crazy fucks came from but it’s a whole lot of them around here. I need to leave here and catch a bus to Detroit so I can finish what we started.
“Ok.” Silk said and I gave him a confused look.
“I can go?” I asked. I couldn’t help but think that this is some type of joke. Why would they keep me in a place with no fucking door knobs, beat me and force me on weird ass dates then just let me go?
“Yes. It’s against the law to hold anyone against their will. Remember, you came willingly. Those dates, nobody forced you.” He said to me. I couldn’t help but think that everything he was spitting was bullshit and as soon as I left, he would kill me.
“Are you going to kill me?” I asked seriously. He shook his head no then walked past me. I watched him walk up to the door and place his hands firmly against it.
For the first time I heard a click, then they opened slowly. He gestured for me to leave with a simple head nod. I looked at him suspiciously as I past him and walked onto the porch.
“Y’all not going to come looking for me?” I asked just to be sure. He shook his head. “And just so we’re clear. None of you are going to kill me?” I asked as I pointed towards the house.
“No.” he paused then glanced behind me. “They are.” He continued then slammed the door.
Tamia
I was beyond aggravated with everything that had taken place in this short amount of time. I know they say when it rains, it pours but damn! Can I please get a break? Like an actual happy break. Maybe take a vacation and get away from the everyday stresses of working forty plus hours a week while trying to start my own clinic. All I want is time to be happy with myself. I don’t need Rashard to be happy because I love myself enough to go anywhere in this world alone and make it. Self-love is the best love. I’ve had a wall up my whole life and for good reason.
I know people have called me selfish but those people don’t even know me. If focusing on school to better myself and leaving my boyfriend without a second thought after he cheated makes me selfish, then I guess I am. If going off to college and graduating with honors in order to get the degree that I knew I deserved because I worked my ass to get it makes me selfish, then I guess I am. If not letting the actions of others bother me to a point that I break down every time some shit pops off make me selfish, then I guess I am. I disagree with the fact that I’m selfish completely though. There’s not a selfish bone in my body. Hell yeah I care about myself more than I care about anyone else, but so should you. I don’t have children or family, so please enlighten me on who I should love more than me.
As I looked at the scene before me, I couldn’t help but think that I shouldn’t be here. This shouldn’t be my life. Candy stood against the wall with a frown etched on her face, so I’m sure she felt the exact same way. Rashard looked like he wanted to throw up on Armani. Then when my eyes landed on her, she looked like she had seen a ghost. Her skin grew pale as whoever was at the door continued to knock. I looked between her and door as I tried to figure out if I should answer it or not. Clearly, she wasn’t going to answer it.
“Who is it Mani?” I asked but she was stuck on stupid.
She just stared at me and shook her head as fresh tears stung her cheeks. I couldn’t understand why she was so afraid. The only person she had ever been that afraid of was Steve and he was long gone. Dead as a door knob. I walked up to her and got on my knees in front of her.
“It’s going to be ok. They can’t take us all.” I said in her ear as I hugged her tight around her neck. Her body went limp so I pulled back and looked at her face.
“I thought you killed him T.” she said as she looked at me. “I think he’s here for you.” She continued. In that moment, I think my heart stopped as a huge lump got lodged in my throat.
Here I am trying to comfort her when the man at the door is here to kill me. Maybe not kill me. Well shit if I tried to kill him, then he has to be here on some revenge type of shit.
I stood to my feet and looked back at Rashard. He hadn’t heard anything Armani had said and neither did Candy, so they were standing there waiting to see what would happen next. The knocking on the door continued. Again, I looked from the door to Armani. She shook her head in an attempt to warn me. I gave her a soft smile and stepped over her so I could get right up to the door.
He knocked harder just as I looked through the peephole.
“Oh my gosh.” I said out loud as shock registered.
“What? Who is it?” Candy asked.
“I got this.” I said to Candy as thoughts of what Brandon had done to her and Myra flashed through my head. I could not allow him to come in here and hurt anyone here because of me.
If all I have to do is surrender myself to him then I will, but he won’t hurt any of the people in here. I looked at Candy and smiled because she had a confused expression on her face.
I got back on my knees so I could whisper something to Armani. Her eyes got big as they filled with tears. “Please.” I begged as I looked at her. She nodded her head and hugged me tight. I stood back up and looked at Rashard who had a frown on his face. Armani stood to her feet as well. I knew she was getting ready to do what I asked her to do. I took a deep breath just as he started knocking on the door again. I thought it was strange that he never said a word as he knocked. How does he even know he has the right door? I moved towards Rashard and wrapped my arms around his neck. He hugged me tight then looked down in my eyes. I kissed him like I’d never see him again, because I probably wouldn’t.
“I love you.” I said to him for the first time. He frowned slightly as his eyes filled with mist. “I-” he paused and cleared his throat.
“I love you too.” He said without breaking eye contact.
I stepped out of his embrace and backpedaled to the door. I nodded my head at Armani, smiled at Candy then turned around.
“What’s going on?” Rashard asked just as I placed my hand on the doorknob. I didn’t respond. I sighed heavily as I fought to keep my tears at bay.
I opened the door, stepped out into the hallway and closed it behind me. I heard the door lock as soon as it closed. I released a breath of relief then looked up to face him.
“Did you know I was coming for you?” Brandon asked as he grabbed my arm and pulled me towards the emergency exit stairwell.
I didn’t respond to him. There was no need to. I didn’t even know he was alive; so how would I have known that he’d be coming for me?
“I didn’t think it would be this easy.” Brandon said with a voice filled with excitement as we walked briskly through the lobby.
I could feel someone staring at me so I looked around the lobby.
“Oh you think someone’s coming to save you?” Brandon asked once he noticed how I looked around the lobby.
My eyes landed on a fami
liar face just as he looked up at me. I thought he was dead as well.
“What the fuck is going on?” I thought to myself as I continued to stare at him with a questioning look in my eyes.
Rashard
I don’t know what the fuck just happened but all I could think about was the way Tamia looked at me when she told me she loved me. Although it was her first time saying it, it felt like a final goodbye. I didn’t know what to think or do as she walked out of the door but I knew something wasn’t right. Armani stood guard at the door like I couldn’t move her if I needed to. I just didn’t know what was going on.
“What was that about?” Candy asked Armani who continued to stand at the door like a guard dog with tears streaming down her face. “Who was that?” Candy asked once she didn’t respond.
She lowered her eyes to the ground then my phone started to ring. I pulled it out and glanced at the screen. It was Natasia but she would have to wait.
I stuck my phone back in my pocket as I waited for Armani to tell us who Tamia stepped outside of the door to talk to.
“Brandon.” She said then Candy gasped.
I looked over at Candy who had started crying instantly at the mention of his name. My eyes shot back over to Armani as she stood in front of the door.
I walked up to the door but she continued to block my path.
“Move.” I said to her as calm as I could in that moment. She shook her head no. “Listen to me carefully. I will knock yo mufucking ass out without a second thought if you don’t move.” I promised her.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t put my hands on women but I will knock this bitch out if she don’t move so I can make sure Tamia is ok.