Coveted

by Mychea

  I glance around, notice Kaden walking up, and smile as he approaches. “Hi, stranger,” I say to him.

  He gives me a rushed hello and walks in ahead of me. He must still be angry about our last encounter. He gave my name to the host and we follow her to our booth (I called ahead and placed a reservation for us).

  “How dare you try to blackmail me!” He insists immediately upon sitting down. For the first time I realize that, he is barely containing his anger.

  “I’m not blackmailing you,” I calmly explain to him. “I am merely giving you an ultimatum. Either you leave Naima for good or I’m going to introduce Namiyah and Kalani to their brother.”

  “See that’s the shit I’m talking about right there. That doesn’t sound like blackmail to you? Haven when are you going to get it through your head that I am not leaving Naima? She has been my wife for nine years and we have two children together. We have been together since high school, and gone through so many obstacles together. Do you honestly believe in your heart that I would just let her go?”

  “Yes. I too have had your child,” I remind him. “What has she got going for her that I don’t?”

  “Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to compete with my WIFE? You knew going into this that it was what it was. So why are you trying to place claim now?”

  “Just tell me what is so spectacular about her that you can’t leave. If she is so great why are you always so anxious to sleep with me?” I ask, my ego is taking a beating.

  “Haven let’s be serious. I’m never anxious to sleep with you, you are always throwing it at me and as a guy I take it, plain and simple. It is just sex. Now hear this and hear this good. There is nothing wrong with the way my wife gives it to me, she gives it to me any way I want, when I want. You ask what she has that you do not, and that is class with a capital ’C’. No one will ever come close to Naima. You will never be able to make me feel the way she does. Ever. Now will you please let this go? Let me go.”

  I feel like the air has just been depleted from my body. What do you do when you are in love with a married man who happens to be married to your best friend, and says you have no class? You know what you do? You get even. No this motherfucker did not just say that shit to me. Who does he think he is? Okay, if that is how he wants it, he is definitely going to get what is coming to him, and much sooner than he thinks. Fuck him and his wife.

  “You know what Kaden you are absolutely right. I am letting you go.”

  “Really?” he says in an incredulous tone.

  Hell no I think to myself, but whatever screw him.

  “Really. You no longer have to worry about me trying to seduce you, or take advantage of you or whatever. All you need to do is continue to take care of your son and all will be fine,” I say to him.

  Yeah, all will definitely be fine. Let’s see how Naima reacts when I tell her that her godson really is the sibling of her two children. Let’s see how Kaden gets himself out of that since he professes to love his wife so much. We will see how long it takes before he comes a crawling back to me, and he will because they always do.

  “As a matter of fact, I just realized I have plans and I will not be able to have lunch, but please stay and enjoy your lunch and the rest of your day.” It will be the last meal you enjoy peacefully I think to myself and stand up.

  “Oh, you’re leaving? Is that it? Everything okay between the two of us?” he asks.

  “Kaden everything is fine. No hard feelings. Go home to your wife and children. I have to go.”

  With that said, I turn and leave him in the restaurant. I feel the moisture pressing beneath my eyelids.

  Tears are threatening to fall, but I refuse to waste any on that man. I cannot believe him; after all these years of hoping and waiting, all of this for nothing.

  Well I have something for his ass, I think as I get into my car. No man will get the best of Haven. Just wait ‘til I am done with him. He will wish he had never fucked with me in the first place. He’ll see. I will show them all. Now let us pay a little visit to my best friend shall we, the keeper of my man.

  I pull into the parking lot of Exclusively Divine Events, LLC and park. I sit in my car for awhile to think. Is he really worth all of this? I have known Naima almost my whole life. Does she deserve the way I can change her life in an instant? You know something, this is bigger than she and I. This is about her no-good husband and my no-good baby daddy. I am going to wreck havoc in his world. I love my friend, and she deserves to know just how trifling her man really is.

  I open my car door, grab my purse and proceed into the building.

  I smile at Camille, the receptionist, as I enter. She is such a mousy little thing, with her small features and small voice. The girl does have brains though, she is just finishing school with a bachelor of science degree from the University of Maryland. I believe that she is leaving soon to pursue a career in finance.

  She smiles back at me.

  “Hello Ms. Williams. How are you doing this afternoon?” she asks.

  “I’m good Camille, and yourself?”

  “I’m doing great. Mrs. Fairchild is in a relatively good mood today so she has not been loading me with work. I am always happy when she is happy. Would you like to see her? She has an appointment in about an hour but right now she is free.”

  “That would be wonderful. Don’t announce me. I’ll just surprise her,” I say as I sneak back to Naima’s office where she has the door closed. Like any long-time friend, I enter without knocking.

  She glances up and immediately squeals. Naima jumps up from behind her desk, and runs over to fling her arms around my neck for a hug. “Hey girl! What are you doing here? Oh, who cares? I am just so happy to see you. Where have you been hiding out these days?”

  “I’ve been around,” I tell her as I gently hug her back. How can she be so happy? It is almost sickening. I came to do a job and be a good friend, and tell Naima about her man, and damnit that is exactly what I am going to do. “Naima we need to talk.”

  “Oh no, is something wrong? Is everything ok with Kaven? Are you alright?” she says with so much heartfelt concern.

  “Kaven is fine, I am fine. This is not about either of us. This is about Kaden.”

  “Kaden?” she repeats as her forehead wrinkles, while she gives me a confused stare. “What about Kaden?”

  “I don’t know any other way to put this, so I am going to come right out and say it. I am the girl in college that Kaden had an affair with, and Kaven is a product of that affair. We have continued our affair off and on, until last week or so. Kaden has been a real ass lately, professing to be the perfect husband so I thought you should know what a no-good man you have.”

  I did not even see it coming. One minute I was standing up, the next I was on the floor. That bitch had the audacity to backhand me clear across my face, busting my lip! I tasted the blood with the tip of my tongue and jump up to tackle the bitch to the ground, but I stopped in my tracks. She was bent over her desk clutching her stomach, she was crying and sobbing uncontrollably.

  I feel a small twinge of regret about my decision. I cannot believe that I was selfish enough to let my ego and self-involvement with some man, ruin my best friend’s life. But part of me can’t help but feel a slight stab of satisfaction. Little Miss Perfect has finally had a fall. It is about damn time if you ask me. But maybe, just maybe, I could have done this somewhere else at a different time, in a different way.

  “Naima, I apologize. This was not the time or the place to tell you this, but as a friend I thought you should know the situation and I was wron—.” She cut me off as she was sliding her wedding band off of her finger and placing it on her desk. I wonder if she is preparing to charge me again. I cautiously put my guard up.

  “I cannot believe you have the nerve to call yourself a friend. Friends don’t have affairs with their best friend’s husband. Friends don’t have a baby by their best friend’s husband. And a true friend doesn’t barge into her b
est friend’s job and tell her this bullshit in the middle of the workday. You know what Haven? I have had enough. Between you and Kaden, I cannot take anymore. The two of you have made my life one big lie and you know what you deserve each other. Now get the fuck out my office you stupid slutty-ass whore.”

  I cannot believe the nerve of that little witch. I came to tell her about her no-good husband, and she acts ungrateful. I turn and leave her office. I hold my head high as I pass Camille, who guiltily backs away from the corner as if she has been eavesdropping.

  “Ms. Williams would you like a tissue for your face?” She offers me as she tries to keep from smirking.

  You know what? I never liked that little ho anyway. I ignore her and continue out the building.

  Walking to my car, I think about my actions. Why did I feel like I had a right to do what I did? Naima has always been so gracious towards me and this is how I repay her. I mean a stupid college mistake is one thing, but an ongoing affair is something entirely different. I knew it was wrong but Kaden is so damn sexy and I still want him. Am I so pathetic that I cannot get my own man? I have been chasing after my best friend’s husband all these years. My best friend, I did not even think about that. Our friendship is ruined forever. Who am I going to share all of my childhood memories with now?

  I pull the overhead visor down as I ease into my car to get a look at my face and have to laugh at myself. I look an absolute mess. My short hair is standing straight up on my head. She did more damage than I had originally thought with that slap. The whole right side of my face was beginning to swell, and the dried blood on my lip did not help my looks. This day has just gone from bad to worse.

  Oh well, I guess I will have to chalk it up to the game. She will forgive me. She always does when we have arguments. I will give her a call later and everything will be fine.

  Now I must go and pick up Kaven from school. He is the angel that connects Kaden and me forever.

  Damir 4

  I am with my parents and three siblings, preparing to leave Cedar Hill Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland. It has been a rough morning. Today is the anniversary of the day my baby sister, Alanna, was killed. The pain from losing her has eased up over time, but there will always be a permanent scar that hurts me every now and then. Some days I wake up and I am so sure that I will see her smiling face, or hear her excited, husky voice, but then reality sets in and the anguish takes over. When she really needed me, I was not there to protect her.

  The news almost killed my parents. That was their baby girl; the one we were all hoping would be able to find a path for her life. Alanna was always so full of energy and light. You could tell she was the baby of the family…if she was not the classic example of a spoiled brat, then I do not know who was. That is probably the reason why she was the most out of control of all the children. But to know her was to love her.

  My baby sister had a set of killer dimples, that she was not afraid to use on you to get something she wanted. I miss her all the time, and life just has not been quite the same since she has not been in it. Life must go on. I cannot halt my life because she is no longer here. One day I will reunite with her, and we will have a good ol’ time catching up with one another. “Until we meet again my sweet Alanna you will always live in my heart…from now ‘til forever…I love you…signing off, your big brother D” I say softly as I reach up and wipe a solitary tear that has escaped from my eye. I lay a single white rose on her tombstone that reads We may have loved her with all our heart here, but God loved her best, goodbye Angel. I turn from her grave and walk to my car.

  I have an appointment at an event-planning company for a party I am throwing to celebrate my upcoming 30th birthday, and I am on my way to being late. I stayed at the gravesite much longer than I anticipated.

  My cell phone vibrates on my hip as I am entering my car. I glance down and see the name Amber flashing across my screen. I debate whether I should pick it up. Amber is a woman that I have been dating for the last year, and while she is a nice woman and all, something is missing. I cannot quite put my finger on it, but I know that she is not the one. She will not be my wifey, which she longs to be. Lately she’s been hinting around about the whole marriage thing. I have been trying to wean her off slowly, however, I do not think I’m making much headway. I look at the phone again, and sigh as I pick it up.

  “Hey Amber, how’s it going today?”

  “It’s going okay,” she replied solemnly. “I tried to get in touch with you last night but all I got was your voicemail.”

  There is an awkward pause, and it feels as if her sentence is suspended in air.

  “Well?” she asks.

  “Well what Amber?” I try to say as politely as possible, keeping the impatience out of my voice.

  “Well are you going to give me an explanation?”

  “Do I owe you one?” I could feel my impatience mounting with each passing second.

  “Well you could at least say something.”

  “Amber, I saw that you called last night. I apologize for not being able to get back to you but you know today is the two-year anniversary of Alanna’s passing. I really wasn’t in the mood for conversation yesterday.”

  “Well I was just worried about you and wondering what happened is all. It’s not like you not to call me back.”

  “Once again Amber, I offer my apologies.”

  “Well that’s fine. I was actually calling to see if we were still on for dinner tonight?”

  “Why wouldn’t we be? The reservations have been set.”

  “I don’t know you just seem so distant lately. Have I done something wrong?

  I hear the panic and uncertainty in her voice. Women can be so emotional sometimes. What some men do not understand is that you must handle women’s feelings with care; otherwise, you will have a bonified class-A psycho on your hands.

  “Amber you have done nothing wrong, and we are still on for dinner. I will pick you up around seven, okay? But right now I have to go. I’m pulling up in front of my next appointment.”

  “Okay, see you at seven tonight Damir. Kisses.”

  “Bye,” I say as I close my phone.

  I walk into Exclusively Divine Events, and stop dead in my tracks. How could I not? With a face like that I can envision what the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden must have looked like. She didn’t see me right away; she was leaning on a wall drinking a bottle of Evian with her head tilted to the side, causing a waterfall of jet-black hair to cascade over her shoulder.

  She seemed to be engrossed in her thoughts, and I was going to turn away to not interrupt her. I look at her more closely and discover a tear making its way down her cheek. Normally, I still would have left her to work through her own issues, Lord knows that I have enough, but she was so beautiful I couldn’t bring myself to turn away.

  “Excuse me Miss are you doing alright?” I ask her.

  She jumps, startled, as if surprised that someone has noticed her. She quickly wipes her eyes and looks up at me. The slightly tinted, pink-hazel eyes that she turns up to me, have me drowning, and afraid to ask for help. This is without a doubt the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.

  “I’m sorry,” she manages a smile and gives a throaty whisper in a voice that is coated with honey. “I didn’t realize someone was watching me. This is very unprofessional. Did you come in today to schedule an event with us?”

  Immediately, I have the urge to hurt whoever has hurt her like this. She is obviously hurting and in the mist of it, she manages to give me a smile. I ache for her, something in me wants to protect her from the pain and hold it at bay. I realize that I am staring and have yet to answer her question.

  “Oh, I do apologize. My name is Damir Collins. I have an appointment here today to discuss the arrangements for my 30th birthday party, and you are?” I ask as I extend my hand for her to shake.

  “I am being so rude today; please allow me to apologize once again. My name is Naima Vaughn and I am an event
specialist here. I do recall having you penciled in for an appointment this afternoon. Would you like to come into my office and discuss your event further?”

  I followed her into her office, but discussing my birthday was the last thing I had on my mind. This woman is breathtaking.

  “Sure, that would be great” I respond to her.

  She turns and leads me to her office, and I follow her and enjoy the view. Upon reaching her office, I immediately take notice of the pictures of a pretty little girl, and an equally handsome cuddly baby boy.

  “Either you’re a photographer or an extremely proud mother,” I say to her.

  “I tend to say that I’m both. I think anyone with children all of a sudden becomes a photographer. We try to capture all of their precious moments on film,” she laughingly explains to me as her eyes light up.

  Damn, she has kids, which means she probably has a husband lurking around somewhere. She was just too beautiful not to. I quickly look at her hands, but see no evidence of a ring.

  “Well tell them their mother is one hell of a photographer.”

  “Thanks, I will be sure to do that. Please have a seat,” she offers and waits till I am seated. “So what can I do for you today Mr. Collins?”

  “Please, call me Damir. Mr. Collins is my father, and he is not here.”

  “Fine, Damir what can I do for you to make your party a success? Did you want to toss around some of your own ideas or did you want Exclusively Divine Events to do all the work for you, and make your event as effortless for you as possible?”

  “I just want you to show up is that possible?”

  “Excuse me?” she says and double blinks, while a shocked look registers on her face and I realize that I have spoken aloud.

  “I apologize. That thought was supposed to stay in my head, but now that it’s been tossed out there what do you say?”

  “While I am very flattered, Mr. Collins,” I see she has reverted back to my last name.