by Tina J
“What happened to you?” I sucked my teeth at Eddie who was standing there.
“Stop the attitude Ariel. I messed up by promoting those lies but I do care about you.” I blew my breath and took a seat on the bench while I waited for the Uber.
“Let me take you home.” I rolled my eyes.
“I’m serious. It’s the least I can do.” He smiled and I laughed. I canceled the Uber and waited for him to pull the car around. He helped me in and off to my condo I went. Haven had the nerve to call me back to back. I shut my phone off. Fuck him.
Haven
“Clean this shit up.” I told the janitor who was here cleaning up after the club closed. Ariel threw the bottle against the door and glass was everywhere. Usually he came during the day, but he requested tomorrow off, which is really today. He had to take his wife to the hospital for tests.
“Ok sir. I don’t want no problems.” He put his hands up.
“My bad yo. I’m not mad at you.” I said and handed him $100. He tried to give it back three times until I yelled.
“Girl problems.” He laughed.
“Something like that.” I picked up my drink and took a sip as I stared down on the empty dance floor.
After Ariel left outta here crying, I stayed in my office for the remainder of the night. Marlena tried to come back to fuck again but I told security not to let her up. My head was messed up after seeing Ariel hurting. All the years Juicy and I were together she’s never caught me with another woman. Why do the words I hate you hurt when someone says it?
I definitely had strong feelings for Ariel, but I kept pushing them away. I didn’t wanna fall hard and she does me the same as me ex. Brayden told me to leave her alone if I was gonna cheat but I couldn’t after getting the first taste. It’s like we were addicted to one another. Plus, I didn’t want anyone else to have her. Of course it’s selfish but I never thought I’d get caught. To be honest, we were together so much lately I didn’t have time to be with another woman.
Marlena’s a stripper and I’ve fucked her numerous times. The sex is decent and she’s been begging for me to dick her down but I never did. Tonight, the drinks were in my system and I couldn’t pass up her fat ass. I’ll never blame the alcohol because I’m fully aware of where I stick my dick but it doesn’t help when you’re being tempted.
“You good?” I asked the janitor. When he said yes, I rushed out to go home to shower and change. I needed to speak with Ariel. She was beyond hurt and the least I could do is explain. I admit she had me at a loss for words but I’m good now.
“Boss, how’s Ariel?” One of my security dudes asked. I placed my gun on his temple and his hands went up.
“Tha fuck you mean is she ok? You let her upstairs to catch me with Marlena.”
“Oh boss, I didn’t know that happened. I was asking because she fell down the steps and one of the other guys came to get me.” He said with a concerned look.
“What?” I pulled my gun back.
“They said she rolled down the stairs. I tried to walk her to the car and offered to call someone but she refused.”
“Was it bad?”
“Her arm swelled up pretty quick and she cried walking to her car.”
“FUCK!” I put the gun in my waist.
“Thanks and my bad for pulling the gun out. I’m going through some shit.”
“It’s all good. I’ll make sure to let your sister know when I get home.” I laughed because he’s my sister’s fiancé. They’ve been together forever, and he’s actually cool as hell. I should’ve known he wouldn’t let me get caught but Ariel had my head fucked up.
“Got damn snitch.”
“I’ll be that. Also, I accept the invitation to take paid days off.” He laughed, hit me up with the peace sign and left.
I picked my phone up and called Ariel back to back. She had the audacity to shut her phone off.
I jumped in my car and raced to the hospital. By the time I got there the nurse said she left twenty minutes ago. I didn’t waste time going home and decided to stop by her house. On the way out, I noticed Armonie’s car but why is she here? If Ariel is gone, I don’t know why she hasn’t left. I called her phone and she let it go to voicemail each time. I hit Colby Jr up and had him try to reach her.
I parked in front of Ariel’s condo and there was a car behind hers. I never seen it and since Armonie’s at the hospital, I know she doesn’t have company. I stepped out, walked to the door and used my key to get in. I know they’re moving but I still had mine.
There was no one in the living room and I could hear noises coming from upstairs. I took the steps two at a time and went straight to her room. It was like de ja vu all over. Clothes were spread out on the floor and the shower was going.
“I told her not to fuck with no one else and here she is showering with the nigga.” I spoke to myself as I followed the clothes in the bathroom.
“Shit.” I heard her say and my anger went from 0-1000 real quick. I took my gun out, cocked it back, opened the shower curtain and placed the gun on her head.
“You thought I was playing?”
“HAVEN!” Her eyes got big as hell.
“Nah, it’s the fucking Reaper.”
VJ
“I know he’s fucking the bitch from Jersey and if he’s not with the dirty one, it’s his cousins’ friend.” Mecca said to her shiesty ass friend Lily. Yup, the same one who tried to fuck.
“But why you mad when you almost fucked Raheem?”
“Sssssh. Bitch be quiet.”
“What’s the difference if he is fucking someone?” Lily asked and I waited for the answer.
“The difference is I won’t ever sleep with another man. I messed up even allowing Raheem to kiss me but when it comes to touching; absolutely not.”
“Kissing is touching.”
“Are you on my side?” Mecca asked.
“Oh course. I just don’t understand if you feel like he stepping out, then do the same.” I stood in the doorway of Mecca’s bedroom listening to her talk to her friend.
I returned from Jersey a few days ago and today is the first day I stopped by to see Mecca. Between work and tryna figure out if I wanna move to Jersey, she wasn’t on my to do list.
Then, I get here and she wanted to have sex. As soon as I said no, she caught an attitude. I ignored it and fell asleep in the room. I woke up to her and Lily’s conversation. It didn’t matter to me one way or the other at this point if she were with another man because I’m done.
After spending all that time with Armonie, it only verified me being over Mecca and its not because I took her virginity. Monie was smart, held intelligent conversations and had no problem putting me in my place if I made her mad. The thought of another man touching her is something I never wanna envision which is why I spent my days in Jersey with her. I hadn’t broken up with Mecca yet, so I understood why she was upset.
I left her the note because I knew she wouldn’t speak to me after her dumb ass ex accused me of sleeping with his sister.
The day he’s speaking of was a week before he showed up at the hotel. Mycah and I stopped by some chicken place and Latifa was there. She caught an attitude when I told her to beat it. What do you think she did? Yup, went and flirted with Mycah. He’s a straight dog and when she offered the pussy, he took it.
We went to her house, they fucked, and I passed out on the couch from drinking with Freddy’s pops. Its crazy how Freddy’s dad was cool and he was a fuck nigga.
Long story short, I got up the next day and walked out to start the car. Mycah had already came down and told me she was about to give him some head real quick and he’ll be right down.
Freddy was coming in from somewhere and smiled when he saw me. I knew for a fact he wasn’t with Monie because I spoke to her the night before and she was staying at her parents. She even called me on facetime as he walked in, still at her parent’s place. I wish she would’ve let me explain but she was too upset. I wasn’t sure if she to
ld Ariel yet, so I didn’t call and ask her to speak to Monie. I did have Ariel check on her though because she ran out and I couldn’t find her. Its all good though because I’m leaving in a few days to go back to check on her.
Vanity and I had a long conversation and she’s moving in a couple weeks. I’m gonna wait an extra month or so and then see where my head is.
“What you doing here Lily?” Mecca jumped and turned around while Lily stuck her finger in her mouth like she was sucking a dick behind her back.
“Came by to check on my girl. I’m out.” She grabbed her expensive ass purse and left. I shook my head. I thought she would’ve been kicked out by now but she came up with the rent for the next couple of months.
“Hey baby. You feel better?” I looked at her.
“There’s nothing wrong with me.” She ran her hands up my chest from behind.
“You don’t usually turn down sex, so I thought something was wrong.” I turned to her and stared.
“We’re finished Mecca.” She backed away.
“What?”
“You heard me. This relationship is over.”
“Why now? Is it because you found someone in Jersey?” I popped the top off the water bottle and took a sip.
“Why you say that?”
“Because we were on good terms before going there. Now you’re ready to break up. Its obviously someone else.”
“Actually, I’m not in love with you and never have been.”
“Excuse me.” She was definitely offended.
“You heard me. I care and have love for you but that dangerous type of love people have for their significant other isn’t there for me.” Her mouth fell open. I went in the room to get my stuff.
“I thought it would come eventually but the longer we were together, the further away I felt. All the arguing and fighting over stupid shit took a toll on me too. Then, to hear about this Raheem dude is a blow to my face; especially when we hang around the same crowd.”
“No, its because of those bitches in Jersey.” I shook my head laughing.
“This is what I mean. I’m tryna talk and tell you why its not working and you assume its someone else.” I folded my arms.
“And even if it were someone else, you let her slide right in because all you concerned yourself with is tryna keep me on a leash, when you should’ve been loving me the right way.”
“I… I… don’t know what to say.” She stood there lost.
“Ain’t nothing to say.” I glanced around her place.
“I don’t have anything here that I can see. If you find something, you can toss it.” I opened the front door and bounced. I sat in my car and picked the phone up to facetime Monie. It’s been a few days so she should’ve calmed down by now.
“You better be dying if you’re calling me.” She spoke with an attitude.
“Whatever. Where are you? Its dark as hell out there and its late.” It was after midnight and the time zone is the same.
“None of your business.”
“Armonie don’t play with me.” She sucked her teeth and told me at the hospital with Ariel. My cousin fell and she brought her in. Ariel told her she could leave and she did but went back because she felt bad.
“Ok but why you outside?”
“Duh. I was about to get out until this taken man called my phone.” She turned her lip up after getting smart. I laughed at her being petty.
“Well this taken man is on the market again.” I started my car and placed the phone in the cup holder. She was still on facetime and I’m about to tell her I’ll be there soon. We had some making up to do.
“Oh yea? How is that?” I noticed her constantly turning her head.
“I told her I wasn’t in love with her. Who are you looking for?” I asked. She was making me nervous and I wasn’t even there.
“No one but I feel my car moving; like someone’s pushing it.”
“WHAT?” My heart started beating fast as hell.
“VJ, I think someone is out here.”
“Start your car and pull off.” She went to do it and outta nowhere, her car door swung open and her body was yanked out. The phone must’ve fallen because I couldn’t see anything, but I could hear.
“Ahhhhh. Please stop. VJJJJJJJ! Help me. Please stop.” I heard and was about to dial 911 on the other line. I couldn’t hang up and something else happened.
BOOM! BOOM! Someone knocked on my window. I looked up and it was Mecca. I put my finger up and dialed 911. I had them on the phone and felt like shit because I didn’t know the name of the hospital to send the cops. Monie’s phone hung up when I clicked over and it infuriated me more because I had no idea what was going on. I called back over and over but it rang and went to voicemail. I sent Brayden a text asking him to go to the hospital.
BOOM! BOOM! I rolled the window down to a crying Mecca.
“What’s up?”
“I love you VJ and I’m not about to let another woman have you.”
“Go head Mecca. I got other important things to think about.” I turned my head when a notification popped up and felt something sharp digging in the top of my shoulder and then my neck. I turned around and this bitch had a fucking pair of scissors in her hand. I grabbed my neck and blood started pouring out.
“Are you crazy?”
“Crazy over you.” The bitch jammed the shit so hard in my collarbone, I thought I was gonna die. I opened my car door and started chasing her with the scissors still in me. The bitch was screaming like a maniac.
“Fuck!” I said to myself as dizziness washed over me. I dropped to my knees and hit the pavement head first.
Mecca
“Shit. Shit. Shit.” I yelled out when I ran inside my house.
After VJ announced he was leaving me, I don’t think it registered. I mean, I heard him but wasn’t sure if he meant it. Then, he left without giving me a hug or even really explaining why he never fell in love. How does a man stay with you for an extended amount of time and not fall in love? What am I missing?
I grabbed the sharpest pair of scissors I had and ran out the house. I assumed he left; yet, there he sat, in his car on FaceTime with the bitch from Jersey just like I suspected. VJ was so engrossed in the conversation he had no idea, I stood there. I’m not sure which hurt more; him leaving me or him running out the house to call her. Whatever the case, when he rolled down the window, I stabbed him repeatedly. It was only a few times in actuality, but it felt like a lot.
I thought he would kill me after jumping out the car. However; the amount of blood pouring out must’ve slowed him down because he dropped to his knees and then hit the ground. His head bounced off the pavement and as bad as I wanted to check on him, I hauled ass in my house.
I ran in my closet, grabbed a few duffle bags and some garbage bags from the kitchen to pack my things. I threw any and everything in there I could.
By the time I left the house, cops, ambulances and mad people were out there. Silently, I prayed VJ died because if not, I’m gonna need to hide or go on the run. He’s not the type to let me use insanity and heat of the moment as the reason I did it. He’s definitely going to kill me and if he doesn’t, his cousin Brayden will.
VJ isn’t in the street life but his cousin and the people he hung with are. If they find out I did this, there’s no doubt I’m a dead woman walking.
I can’t forget his stuck-up ass sister. The bitch thinks she’s better than me, but her hands are serious. I’ve seen her rock bitches to sleep. The guy she’s with have these men out here scared to death to speak to her and he’s not even from here. The amount of power and money rolling within those families are ridiculous.
“Ma’am did you see anything?” A cop asked as I put things in my car.
“No sir. What happened?” I pretended not to know.
“A man was stabbed.”
“Oh my God. Is he ok?” I put my hand on my chest to play it off.
“It’s pretty bad. Not sure if he’s going to make it. A
re you sure you didn’t see anything?” He asked again.
“No. I wish I did. That’s horrible. If you’ll excuse me.” He tipped his hat and allowed me to pass and return inside my place. I picked my phone up, put it against my ear as I grabbed the last of my bags and locked the door.
“What up bitch? I’m about to go on stage.” Lily spoke in the phone. I walked back to my car and sat there watching the cops interaction.
“Oh my God. Something happened to VJ outside my house.” I used a fake cry and everything.
“What? Are you ok?”
“Yea somebody stabbed him. What if they’re gonna come after me?” I should get an award for the way I carried on.
“Shit. Go stay with my cousin and I’ll come see you when I’m done.”
“Lily we stopped speaking and...” She cut me off.
“I’m about to call him. Just go there.”
“Ok. I’m scared Lily.”
“You’re gonna be fine. Hurry up.” I had a huge smile on my face.
“Ok.” I played the shit outta my role. I hung up and sat in my car. I watched the cops go around asking more questions and shook my head. After seeing the ambulance pull off, I left too. There’s nothing to stay here for.
*************************
“You a’ight?” Some guy asked outside of the bodega. I stopped here to grab some chips, a soda and condoms. Of course her cousin is gonna want to fuck if I’m staying there. Especially; after the way we ended things and I’m not getting pregnant. What if VJ survives and finds me? I will not leave a child alone in this world.
“I’m ok. Thank you.” He held the door open and I stepped out. When I got to my car, I realized my phone had a few missed calls and a text message. I opened the text and it read:
Call me Mecca. This is Brayden. I need to know if my cousin is ok. I dialed the number and he answered right away.
“Mecca is my cousin ok?” How did he get my number? He never calls.
“I don’t know Brayden. He said he was going to the store and would be back. After a while when he didn’t return, I got worried. Some cop knocked on my door and told me there was a stabbing. I go down there and it’s VJ.”
