by Keisha Ervin
She smacked the shit out of me, and when Parker jumped between us, she turned and ran away. I held my cheek in disbelief and Parker stepped up to me. “Are you okay? Why didn’t you tell me she’d spoken to you before?”
“Because I didn’t want you to know that she’d threatened me. You said that I didn’t have to worry about her so I felt as if you had everything under control.”
I entered the car on the passengers side and Parker closed the door. As soon as he got in, he tore into me. “You should have told me, Rochel. She may not do anything to me, but now that she knows we’re seeing each other, I don’t know where she’ll turn her anger. I cannot allow her to get any evidence against me, and we might have to keep things on the down low until our divorce wraps up.” He turned my face and looked at the swelling underneath my eye. “Does it hurt?”
“No, not really. I’m sure an ice pack will do the job. And I agree about us chilling out on seeing each other. I’m game for however you want to handle this.”
Parker pulled off and when we got back to my place, instead of coming inside, he dropped me off and left. I was glad about that, because the soin-love attitude I had to keep up was working my nerves. Truth be told, I hated Parker for the man he was. I hated everything about him and my negative feelings increased with each moment we spent together.
For the next few weeks, I talked to Parker almost every day. We hadn’t seen each other, though, and for now, that was how he wanted it. I continued to follow his every move, and he was back to visiting his other women and spending numerous hours at the casino. I figured Vivica had another private detective on the case, and at the rate Parker was going, it wouldn’t be hard for her to get the information she needed. Hell, if she could get pictures of me and Parker in the Bahamas, why didn’t she take the evidence she had and present it to her lawyer? The shit just didn’t make sense to me. Why the hell wasn’t it adding up?
I sat outside of the casino, looking at Parker through a pair of binoculars. He had just gotten out of his Hummer and was entering the casino with a woman. He already had another woman entertaining him in another room, and having two women at the same hotel at once had become a habit. This was nothing new for Parker; “risky” was his middle name.
I had seen him before with this woman, and after I snapped a picture of the two of them, they went inside.
While looking through the binoculars, I followed them up the escalators and assumed they were headed to his suite. I then got caught off guard when my binoculars connected with someone else watching them. A man with a swollen face looked at me and I looked at him. I pulled the binoculars away from my face and noticed him abruptly walking away. I was dying to know who had hired him and why he’d been watching me. I hurried out of my car and ran toward him. While turning to look behind him, he kept moving forward. I was on his trail, and when the elevator wouldn’t open fast enough, he went for the stairs. I followed, and that’s where I caught up with him.
“Stop, please,” I yelled. “Ca . . . can we talk?”
He removed his dark glasses. “Ma’am, I don’t know you. I don’t know what you’d like to talk about—”
I reached for the tall black man’s trench coat and pulled on it from behind.
“Please,” I said. “Tell me why you’re following me. If you don’t wish to talk here, please give me your card so I can contact you later. This is so important, and whatever you’re being paid, I’ll double it.”
Surely, that got his attention and he handed over his card. I thanked him and he rushed off.
I lay across the chaise in my bedroom and held the business card in my hand. The man I’d seen earlier, Terrance, was on his way to see me. He claimed to have valuable information for me and I couldn’t wait for him to come. When it came to a private investigator, I knew offering more money was the key to getting information. This situation had become even more personal to me, and I agreed to lay plenty of money on the table. When Terrance got there, I learned so much more about the woman who had hired me to do her dirty work.
“So, you’re telling me that Vivica already knew about my past relationship with Parker?”
Terrence nodded. “Yes. She used you because Parker always compared her to you. She knew how he felt about you and how much he regretted marrying her. I’d been following you for a while and when I found out what kind of business you were in, she took that opportunity to go after you.”
“That bitch,” I said, slamming my hand on the table. I felt like a fool. I should have known better than to trust her and involve myself in such away.
“Well, now you know. I don’t know what her plans are for either of you, and all I’ve been asked to do is keep my eye on the two of you. She’s obsessed with bringing down Parker, but I think she might be attempting to bring you down, too. Make sure you watch your back.”
The information Terrence gave me was extremely helpful. I gave him some cash and promised him even more.
“All you have to do is disappear for a while and drop yourself from the case. I’m sure you know Mr. Rhodes is loaded with money and I could possibly gain a whole lot of it, if this thing goes according to my plan. You’ll earn a substantial amount of it if you do as I ask.”
Terrence’s choice was easy. He turned over most of the evidence he had and told me his phone would be disconnected. He also gave me a timeline, which gave me three weeks to wrap it up. He said he’d been in contact with me then.
I was on Parker like white on rice. Literally. I convinced him that I was miserable without him and was anxious for his marriage to be over. We started to see each other again on a daily basis, and he broke the news to me about Vivica agreeing to their divorce. I figured her options had run out on her, and with Terrence no longer willing to participate anymore, the million that Parker had offered her started to look better by the day.
“So, when are we going to do this marriage thing?” Parker asked, kissing the ring on my finger as we sat at the museum.
“Soon. I was hoping that we could possibly celebrate this Friday at your favorite little suite at the casino, get married sometime next week, and take off for our honeymoon following that.”
“You got this thing all worked out, don’t you?”
“I’ve waited a long time for this, Parker. You just don’t know how happy you’ve made me.”
“I do my best.”
I laid my head on Parker’s shoulder and licked my ice cream. “Baby, I know you’ve offered to give Vivica a million dollars for not fighting the divorce, but I’m concerned about our future. That’s a lot of money to give away and I hope that it doesn’t leave us without.”
“First of all, I’m not going to give Vivica a million dollars. I got plans for her, and you need not to worry about our future. Vivica will not be a part of it.”
I pulled away from Parker. “Are you planning to do something to her? I don’t like for you to talk that—”
He kissed my forehead. “Don’t worry about it. All you need to worry about is us getting married and figure out where we’re going to go on our honeymoon.”
I smiled and lifted my cone for Parker to lick my ice cream.
“I love you,” I said.
“I love you too.”
Doomsday . . . Again
Friday couldn’t have come soon enough. Parker started the day off with having dozens and dozens of red roses sent to my house, and attached was a card that implied his anxiousness for us to be together that night. I slid into a black-and-white fitted dress that had white ruffles at the top and a slim black fit at the bottom. My curves were in full effect, and as I stepped in my three-inch heels, I looked and felt like a million dollars.
At the hotel, I slid the key in the door and the green light came on. When I opened walked in, I saw Parker standing by the tall glass windows, looking out. He looked dynamic in a black single-breasted suit and silk black shirt underneath. His shirt was opened and revealed his chest that I admired so much. I had a moment of lust for him, and
when his eyes connected with mine, my heart dropped. I took in a deep breath and focused on my purpose.
“Hey, baby.” He smiled with a glass of iced vodka in his hand. He set the glass on a table and stepped up to me. “You look sexy as ever. I can’t wait for you to be my wife and I wish like hell I would have made that happen a long time ago.”
I placed my arms on his shoulders. “I’ve always told you to stop referring to the past. This is now and the future is what we have to look forward to.”
Parker agreed and escorted me to a nearby table he had prepared for us. It was beautifully set with fine china, candles, and wine. The steaks, string beans, and potatoes looked delicious and a full belly is what I needed to calm my nerves. Parker poured our wine, and when his phone rang, he said it was business and stepped away to take the call. By the time he’d returned, I had already bitten into my steak and had finished my second glass of wine.
“What took you so long?” I asked.
“I’ve been buying up a lot of rental property and one of the guys I have working on them for me got some issues. I apologize, but I needed to take care of that.”
“I see. I didn’t know you were investing your money in buying property. When we get married, I have a lot of ideas about investing money, too, but now is not the time for us to talk about it.”
“I agree,” he said, taking a seat. “All I want to talk about is what I’ll have to do, as a husband, to keep you happy for the rest of your life.”
“That’s easy. Just keep on being you. You know . . . there was a time I never thought you’d change. I thought you’d be a womanizer forever and I’m so grateful that you’ve decided to change your life around for me. I love who you’ve become, Parker, and I’m glad that I’m the woman who’s responsible for this change in you.”
Parker couldn’t say a word. He knew that he was still a dog-ass fool, and for him to sit there and not man up to what he truly was was gut wrenching. I didn’t expect him to come clean because he was such a coward. And it bothered me that he thought I was even a bigger fool than he was. Did he think I was that stupid and couldn’t see him for the man he was? I admitted to falling for his mess before, but now, my eyes were wide open and I could see the person . . . animal he’d become.
“What’s on your mind, baby?” he asked. “You seem awfully quiet tonight.”
I picked at my string beans with a fork and looked down at my plate. “I don’t know, Parker. I have to be completely honest with you about my feelings. For you to treat your wife as you have, I’m concerned about you treating me the same way. I don’t know much about your relationship with her, but I can’t help feel as if I can’t trust you. You’ve hurt me before and—”
Parker got up and came to my side of the table. He kneeled in front of me and took my hands. “I know how hard it is for you to trust me, but you can. My word is bond. I married Vivica because she was pregnant. Let me correct myself: she told me she was pregnant. I later found out she lied about the baby and our marriage had been on a down slope ever since. I never loved her like I loved you. Like I said, I tried to tell you how I felt, but I couldn’t find you. Eventually, I stuck with my decision and it was a decision that brought nothing but misery to me.”
Parker’s words were on point. It was like he had a twin brother, one who was kneeling before me and being the loving man I always dreamed he could be. But then there was the one who was a bold-faced liar who had to have his women and totally disrespect his wife. This seemed so easy for him to do—almost too easy, and was quite scary. I knew what kind of man I was dealing with so his comments were falling on deaf ears.
“Just don’t hurt me,” I said, staring deeply into his eyes. For whatever reason, I wanted to let him off the hook. “If you have any doubts whatsoever about us being married, just say so. We can always be friends, Parker, and you wouldn’t be committed to me in any way.”
Parker got angry and slammed his fist on the table. “Damn it, Rochel! How can I prove myself to you? It’s as if you’re looking for an excuse not to marry me, and if you’re still in love with that other—”
I touched his fist to calm him. “No, this has nothing to do with him, Parker. I just want you to be sure about this, that’s all. Are you sure?”
“I’m very sure,” he said. His eyes began to water. “I’m more sure about this than I have ever been about anything in my entire life. That says a lot.”
We finished dinner, and while cuddling each other on the floor, we danced. I wished like hell that the feelings he had for me were real, as well as the feelings I had for him. I guessed that if I could be as fake as I was, then he could, too. Sadly, for both of us, our time was soon coming to an end.
I changed into my silky popping-peach negligee and waited for Parker to come out of the bathroom. I heard him on the phone again, and when he came out, he still had on his clothes.
“Rochel, I’m really sorry about this. I gotta go see about the property I mentioned to you earlier. Just that fast, some fool done set my shit on fire. Give me about an hour or two and I’ll be right back.”
I didn’t really know what Parker was up to, but his excuse smelled like a big fat alley rat. “Would you like for me to go with you?”
“Nah, stay right here. It shouldn’t take long and I will rush back as soon as I can.”
I encouraged Parker to take his time, and as soon as he left, I cracked the door and watched him walk down the hall. Several times, he turned to watch his back, and when he didn’t see anyone behind him, he pulled out a card and entered another room down the hall. I pretty much had this thing all figured out, and closed the door.
Nearly an hour-and-a-half later, there was a knock at the door. I figured it was Parker, but when I opened the door, Vivica stood on the other side. She rushed the door so I wouldn’t close it and came inside.
“Where is he?” she yelled, looking very unstable and out of control. I remained calm, and still in my negligee, I walked over to the bar and poured myself a drink.
“Would you like something to drink?” I asked.
She snapped. “Bitch, don’t be nice to me. Just tell me where I can find my husband.”
“If you’ve been keeping a close eye on him like you have, then you should know where to find him.” I took a sip from the glass of iced cognac and gave my body a shake. “Whew, this is too strong. But, the stronger, the better, right?”
Vivica walked up to me and snatched the glass away from my lips. She pointed her finger at me and left no breathing room between us.
“You listen to me and listen to me good. Parker and I are never going to get a divorce and if he’s telling you that we are, you’re a fool for believing him. For the record, we reconciled our differences, and I’m surprised to see that he’s still creeping with you.”
I chuckled and shoved Vivica away from me before taking my place on the couch. I crossed my legs and relaxed. “You know what, Vivica? Women like you make me so damn sick. You go around making threats to other women, trying to protect a man like Parker who could care less about you or me. All you’re doing is making a big fool out of yourself, and at the end of the day, Parker is still going to be the ho who he truly is.”
“And what are you going to be? The ho who tried to destroy his marriage? You can say whatever you’d like, but I already know how much you love Parker and your willingness to do anything for him. You’re dying for me to divorce him, just so you can pick up where you left off. It ain’t happening, honey, and I’d rather see him dead than see him with you. Now, where is he?”
This dingbat just wasn’t getting the picture. I reached for my purse and pulled out my cigarettes. I tapped one from the package and lit it. “Would you like one?” I asked.
My calmness angered her and she plopped down on the other side of the couch, threatening not to leave until she saw Parker. I looked at my watch. “I’m expecting him in any minute now. We’ll both get a chance to confront him together.”
She loved that idea, a
nd with her being “the wife” I expected for Parker to sing a new tune. I heard whistling on the other side of the door, and it soon came open. Immediately, Parker’s eyes zoned in on me and Vivica sitting on the couch. She rushed off the couch and ran up to him, swinging.
“I thought this bullshit was over!” she yelled. “Why’d you lie to me, huh?”
He grabbed her arms and pushed her backward. “Calm the fuck down! What the hell are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you I needed some time to deal with Rochel?”
I laughed to myself. I guessed dealing with me meant marrying me. “This kind of atmosphere doesn’t look like you’re dealing with your situation,” Vivica said. “With her sitting over there half naked, it looks to me like one romantic hell-of-a night.”
“Tell ’im, girl,” I shouted and continued to work my cigarette. “After all, you’ve seen it with your own eyes.”
Parker turned his head and let out a soft chuckle. He slid his hands into his pockets and sighed. Vivica pushed the side of his face and demanded an explanation. “Tell me, Parker. Is it going to be her or me? Now is the time for you to put up or shut up.”
He pushed her back on the couch and she had one dramatic fall. He dared her to get back up and his tone was enough to keep her in place. He looked over at me, then back at her.
“Let’s clear up something.” He put his hands back in his pockets, presenting himself to be almost professorial. “Did either of you bitches think that you could fool me? From the beginning, I knew about the setup. My wife hired you as a pawn to trap me, not knowing that you were my ex. I hope that you were able to get enough pictures of us and taping me, Rochel, was quite impressive. It’s too bad, though, that this plan has faltered. It’s over, ladies, and unfortunately, the times that we all had together must come to an end.”
