by Jahquel J.
“What are you doing back in New York? I thought you were in Cali doing it up.”
“All good things come to an end. Why are you smoking in my house? Put that shit out and open some windows.” Minka demanded while choking. Unlike Ashley, Minka was a master at smoking and she was inhaling every bit.
“What happened? You wanna drink?”
“I wish but I’m pregnant. Micah found out about Austin and broke up with me.”
“Damn, I’m sorry, Minka. I have to kill Juelz so I don’t have to pay back Snuff thirty grand or lose my life. To top it off, I lost my damn job at hospital because I lost track of the days I work and I didn’t show up the other day,” Ashley said nonchalantly revealed.
“Wait, what? You have to kill Juelz? Wasn’t you in love and kicking me out because of it?”
“First of all, you left and yeah, he’s a fucking crack head, Minka. I came home with Ashland and he had Kola on my bed fucking her while high as hell. She was screaming for me to help her but I just left her where she was and came here. I haven’t been back home since.”
“Where’s Ashland?”
“At Tamia’s house, until I deal with Juelz I don’t want him around. I’m supposed to be meeting with Snuff later on tonight.” Ashley finally opened the window and plopped down on the couch.
“You’re actually going through with this? That’s good…leave him the person who you owe money to,” Minka said sarcastically. “Why do you owe him money anyway?”
“Snuff is a fucked up individual but he would never harm a child. Juelz owes Snuff money, so now I have to pay him back.”
“Who’s to say Snuff won’t hold this over your head and make you do more shit for him? He could black mail you if he wanted to.”
“I don’t know but I need to make this move so I could get the fuck out of New York. I just want to move away and start over with Ashland and forget shit ever happened.” Ashley exhaled.
“I’m going with you. We ride together and we die together. Hold on,” Minka said then walked into her bedroom. She went in her closet and put her code in her safe. She took out the Desert Eagle with the rhinestone grip handle. Ashley followed behind her and almost lost her mind.
“Where the fuck you got a gun from?”
“Austin. You didn’t think I fucked a Texan and he never taught me how to shoot? That was the first thing he taught me. When I got my license to carry, he got me this. I haven’t shot it in a while but I’m sure my aim is still on point.” Minka winked at Ashley. Ashley had a plan but Minka had her own.
***
Minka and Ashley cruised into the parking lot in Minka’s BMW truck. Minka had on a black hoodie and black leggings with a pair of black construction Timbs. Ashley had the same thing on but her Timbs were the wheat-colored ones.
Minka was in the backseat behind the driver’s seat while Ashley was in the driver’s seat acting like she was alone.
“There go Juelz.” Ashley said never moving her lips.
“Where is Snuff ain’t he supposed to be with him?” Minka became a little worried.
“He in the car with Juelz. After, I’m supposed to drop him off back at his house. Ashley got out the car carrying her tote bag like it was a regular day and knocked on the window so Juelz could let her in the back seat; Snuff nodded his head letting her know he knew it was about to go down.
“Ash, what the fuck you doing here?” Juelz stuttered confused as hell.
“I work with Snuff. Where this nigga at anyway?” Ashley gave Snuff the signal.
“We waiting for this nigga now.” Snuff solidified the signal.
Minka climbed out the car, careful not to slam the door. She crouched down and walked behind her truck. Ashley was two cars away, so she crouched down until she got to the back of Juelz’s truck. Minka shook her head at the situation she was put in; she was two months pregnant and about to bust her gun.
POW! POW! POW!
Minka knew it was her time. She waited for Snuff to get out the car and cocked her gun back and shot him in the leg
POW!
“What the fuck are you doing, bitch?” Snuff shrieked in pain, unable to make out who shot him. He looked back and saw Ashley hauling ass to a white BMW.
“I'm ending you, bitch.” Minka mocked him before she shot him three times in the face; disfiguring his face. Minka ran back to the truck to find Ashley gasping for air and holding her stomach.
“Ashley, get in the car now! Throw up in my truck, I don’t care! But don’t throw up here, that’s fucking evidence. Did you wipe down the car?”
“No, I forgot to,” Ashley panicked.
Minka ran back to Juelz’s car and wiped everything down. She collected all of the bullet shells from Ashley’s gun and her gun and lit Snuff’s clothes on fire, hoping it would all set on fire. She hopped in the car and pulled out the parking garage. She was happy she parked away from the cameras and shot Snuff from behind the truck so she wasn’t visible. Ashley was in the back seat hyperventilating and crying.
“Stop the fucking crying! Juelz set you the fuck up to take his fall and Snuff was going to hold on to that shit until you eventually turned yourself in,” Minka screamed at Ashley.
“Minka, you didn’t see his fucking face! He was crying for his life and his son and I just closed my eyes and shot him. Then if that’s not the bad part, you fucking killed Snuff.”
“You think I wanted to commit my first murder because of your dumb ass being with Juelz again? But you’re my girl and I got your back,” Minka huffed, pulling down some back blocks.
“What the hell do we tell Tamia? That’s my niece’ and nephew’s father.” Ashley whimpered, Minka steered the wheel with one hand while she used her other to slap the hell out of Ashley.
“We are gonna tell Tamia that he didn’t meet you and you’re picking up Ashland.”
“I can’t go in there like this Minka. I feel like I’m falling apart. We just killed my son’s father and my nieces’ and nephew father. How I could face her like that?”
“Bitch, please! Your sister up and left you after y’all mom died. You were pregnant and she followed Snuff down south thinking she was chasing a money train when, in fact, she wasn’t. Everybody know that nigga beat Tamia’s ass and don’t break her with no bread. She better off without him.” Minka stated as she turned down Tamia’s block.
“Take your hoodie off and put them flats, I got in the back, on. You look like you just came from killing somebody.”
“It’s fucking January.”
“I got a coat back there, too.” Minka smiled.
Ashley put the shoes and coat on and got out while Minka stayed in the car. Ashley took small breaths as she walked up the stairs. She could hear Tamia screaming at the kids outside as she rang the bell. Tamia looked out the window and hurriedly opened the door.
“What happened? Where Snuff at?” Tamia asked worried.
“That’s why the fuck I’m here. I went to where he said to go, which was McDonalds on Atlantic, but he was a no show. I don’t have time to do this run around. I’m picking Ashland up and spending time with my baby. I miss him.” Ashley tried to fake a pissed attitude.
“ASHLAND!” Tamia yelled upstairs.
“Tell him to call me when he wants to do this,” Ashley informed Tamia as she grabbed Ashland’s hands and got in the car. Minka pulled off and hopped back on the highway, excited to see Ashland.
“Hi, Auntie. I missed you.” He was excited to see his second favorite person in the world.
“I missed you too. Guess where you, me and mommy going?” Minka questioned, sure of the plan she mapped out.
“Where?” Ashley and Ashland answered at the same time.
“To California.” She answered excitedly.
“YAYY!” Ashland yelled.
“Word, Minka? Where we gonna live?”
“I’ll find a way.” Minka winked at Ashley. She left them before but she wasn’t doing it again.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Minka laid across her bed, enjoying the beautiful May weather that was coming thru her balcony doors. She rubbed her stomach feeling her baby girl move around. She felt so at peace and rested that she felt she could take on the world. Her pregnancy made her feel beautiful and energized. She was seven months pregnant and her stomach was big as a house. The doctors said her baby girl was growing big and she would most likely have to have a C-section by the time she hit nine months.
She hadn’t spoken or seen Micah since the day he kicked her out his house. She sent Sharlean the engagement ring. She heard through Sharlean he was dating again. Minka didn’t mind. She knew her past would come out the closet someday and she happened to have lost the love of her life because of it. She kept in contact with Sharlean and Charles and updated them on the baby, in addition to whatever new she was doing in life. Minka promised to visit them the next time she came to Florida which was in a couple days for Meghan’s wedding and her baby shower.
Milan wrote Morocco off after she dumped her on Minka and didn’t call or send her a gift during the holidays. She now was living in a condo in L.A. with Minka. Milan dropped out of college, forfeiting all of Minka’s money, but paid her back when she got her first advance check from her record label. She was modeling as well as singing while Donovan was managing her. Minka wasn’t mad. College wasn’t for everybody and as long as Milan stayed out her pockets, she was good.
Ashley and Ashland were living across the hall from Minka and their relationship was better than ever. Ashley started dating Aaron again. She was also in therapy to cope with the nightmares she still had from taking Juelz’s life. On one hand, Minka was fine and didn’t regret bussing her gun, but on the other she felt for Ashley’s situation with Ashland.
Minka sublet her apartment in Manhattan. She wasn’t going back to the city anytime soon. Snuff’s brother was still looking for the people who took out his baby brother and wanted whoever’s’ heads on a platter. Tamia moved down south with her girlfriend. She wasn’t as dumb as everybody thought. She had a taken out life insurance on Snuff years ago. She had a good chunk to start over in Atlanta with her kids and new love.
Minka partnered in Donovan’s second studio that he opened in L.A.. She made good money from her investment and she didn’t have to work as much; in addition, her money had doubled over time. Ashley had transferred her nursing license and now worked for a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills. Minka planned to get some work done after the baby. Edna and Harry hadn’t seen Minka in a couple months and were excited to see her growing belly. They would also be meeting Milan for the first time.
“What time is our flight tomorrow?” Milan asked sitting on Minka’s bed with yesterday’s clothes on.
“In the morning, so have your stuff packed. I don’t wanna miss our flight.” Minka advised walking to her closet.
“Why so early? You know I don’t do mornings.”
“It’s a lot you don’t do. Don’t go out tonight, I don’t need you getting lost.”
“Alright.”
Minka finished packing. She had gained weight but it went in all the right places. She was all belly, as people said. Her face was a tad swollen. On her feet she was still rocking seven inch pumps and working them.
“What’s going on Minkas?” Ashley sat down on the chaise lounge.
“Packing… did you start?”
“I will tonight probably.”
“Good,” Minka said as she continued looking through the maternity section of her closet to pack in her luggage.
“I can’t wait to go to Florida. Ashland is so excited to go to Disney World since you know who didn’t take him.”
“Does he ask about him?” Minka questioned.
“Yeah, but I tell him he went to take care of something and he will come back when he’s ready.”
“Stop lying to that boy, Ash,” Minka warned.
“Yeah, whatever. But your birthday is tomorrow and we will be in Florida so what do you want to do?” Ashley quickly switched the subject.
“Turn up with this big belly and all. I can have one glass of wine so I will be drinking that glass.” Minka pranced around.
“I'm turning up, too,” Milan said twerking her ass and intruding on their conversation.
“Girl, put that thing away.” Ashley slapped Milan’s ass.
“We will have fun. I can count on that.” Minka giggled.
***
Minka walked into the studio to do some work from her office. She didn’t dabble in the music business but she did take care of the books so she came in the office occasionally to check on the books. She put her bag down and logged on her computer when her phone started ringing. She fished her phone out of her bag and answered before it went to voicemail.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Good afternoon. May I speak to Minka Santos?”
“Speaking. Who is this?”
“My Name is Marcus Goldberif and I have some documents for you left by George Collins.”
“What does George have to give me that’s so important? I haven’t spoken to him in over a couple months.”
“Mr. Collins died in his sleep two weeks ago. He gave me important instructions to give you these documents.”
“Oh my god! Are you serious? Where are you located?” Minka asked.
“Connecticut. Yes, I’m sorry to break this news to you.”
“I'm in L.A. And I won’t be coming to the east coast for a while.”
“I can send you the documents by mail and have them to you in a couple days.” Minka gave the lawyer her address to the studio and thanked him as she hung up. She continued with her work although she was distressed about George. He was a good old man and she respected him, Minka had grown to like the old man and enjoyed his company even when she wasn’t pleasing him. She was typing on her computer when Donovan came in her office and took a seat, staring at her.
“What?” Minka requested, wondering why he was staring at her.
“You know you’re gonna see my cousin at the wedding this weekend.”
“What do I care? What me and Micah had is over and he made that clear when he called me out my name and threw me out his house. So as far as me and Micah, the only thing me and him have in common is this baby and he thinks she’s not even his.” Minka reminded Donovan.
“You know I believe you, right?” Donovan sincerely declared.
“Yea, I know. I wish he did. But enough sulking, my birthday is tomorrow and my baby shower.”
“I know. I got my god-daughter some official shit.” He bragged getting gassed.
“You forever spoiling her. I already got to kick Milan out so I can do her room.” Minka chuckled. Milan gave up Donavan’s condo to be closer to her sister.
“She’s coming right home with daddy where she belong.” Donovan grinned.
“Eww. I don’t want to hear that,” Minka squealed, throwing a paper clip at Donovan.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Baby, I need to get a dress for the wedding.” Lisa walked into the bedroom fully dressed.
“We can go tomorrow if you want. I got to check out my moms and pops today, so I’ll be gone for most of the day.” Micah rubbed Lisa’s ass.
Micah was in a tough situation. He had feelings for Lisa but he still loved Minka. Micah felt the more he and Lisa spent time together, the more he fell for her. Lisa was the daughter of the owner of the Miami Dolphin. Micah met her during one of the games and the two hit it off right away. He was looking for a way to forget Minka and he ended up falling for Lisa.
Micah questioned Donovan about Minka. Donovan never volunteered too much information; just enough where he didn’t violate Minka’s trust. Micah wanted to know if she was dating. Also, if she was still pregnant? Was she still the most beautiful woman he ever saw? He missed her so much but couldn’t get past the fact she played him.
Micah was excited about the wedding. This was his chance to see how she looked, ev
en though she probably hated his guts. Micah was confused about his situation with Lisa. They never put a title on what they had, nor did Lisa ever pressure him to.
Micah settled in Miami fast. He found a mansion to lease until his mansion in California sold. He was having the best season he’d ever had and managed to get a couple more endorsement deals. Micah lost some weight from all the juice cleansing Lisa had him doing. He was slowly losing the weight and quickly building back muscle.
“Baby, are you listening?” Lisa gently tugged Micah’s arm.
“Damn. Sorry, bae, I was in deep thought. What happened?”
“I was telling you not to forget the banana and spinach smoothie I made. I’ll be with my father today and I hope to see you later.” Lisa kissed Micah’s lips and left.
***
Micah pulled into his parent’s driveway and killed the engine. He loved living in the same state as his mother but also hated that she popped up anytime she wanted unannounced; that’s how she found out about Lisa. Sharlean wasn’t mad she was more disappointed. In her mind, Micah was expecting baby with Minka and had jumped straight into a relationship with Lisa. She felt that men always jumped into something new without tying the loose ends with their last relationship. Charles was sitting on the porch with a cigar lit relaxing on his only day off. He loved his career, but he loved days he could sit back and enjoy his wife’s cooking.
“Hey, pops, what’s going on?”
“Nothing but life, Micah. Take a seat.” Shannon offered Micah a seat.
“Where mama at?”
“Cooking dinner. We had reservations but she wanted to stay in and chillax.”
“I'mma go check her. See you before I leave, pops.” Micah got up and went into the house where his mother was going H.A.M. in the kitchen. She had pineapple upside down cake, hush puppies, Chicago dogs, macaroni and cheese with fried fish and greens with ham hocks.
“What’s the occasion, ma?” Micah questioned.
“Me and your step-pappy going to have some good food and enjoy each other’s company, that’s all. What you up to this weekend? You know Minka’s birthday tomorrow.”
