A Woman's Worth

by Jahquel J

  “Tyrisha, you’re pregnant? Why the hell you didn’t tell me?”

  Just looking at her worried face, I could tell it was going to be about some drama. So, I put Madison on the carpet. I needed her to fill me in.

  “’Cause it’s not Tone’s,” she said, looking down at the floor.

  Chapter Three

  Tyrisha

  Keeping my pregnancy from Tiffany had been the hardest thing for me. I was nearing my eighth month in my pregnancy and I still didn’t know what to do.

  Around a year ago, Tone got a new connect down in Little Haiti with some guy named Moses. Tone never brought business home, but Moses was a business man as well.

  Looking at his sexy ass, I was hooked. He had that kind of swagger to him that drove me wild. He was 6’3” with a dark Caesar and a pair of thick lips. I could imagine myself fucking him. He had a toned body with a six pack that was outlining his suit. His arms were big and buff. He could be on the cover of GQ, if you asked me.

  One day, Tone was working late at the office and he left a package at the house for Moses. He gave me clear instructions. I had to hand him the package myself, not to leave it to the maids. So, there I was — home cooking in my booty shorts, dancing to Drake’s “Started From The Bottom”. That song summed up my life to a tee.

  Moses walked into my kitchen. I could’ve killed Jonathan, our butler, for not announcing his arrival.

  “Something smells good,” he said, taking a seat at the counter.

  “I’m just cooking for Tone. Whenever he decides to come home.”

  “I see work’s occupying his time lately. He couldn’t even meet with me to make a business exchange.” He chuckled.

  “Sorry. You know how Tone is with his businesses. He puts his all into it. I'm sure that’s why you got in business with him,” I said over my shoulder, while looking for my seasoning in the cabinet.

  “Well, at least, I’m in company of a beautiful woman, so that makes it better.”

  “Thank you. You’re not too bad yourself,” I said blushing, knowing it was wrong to be in the kitchen I shared with my boyfriend, flirting with his business associate.

  It was wrong but it felt so good.

  Tone had been putting in extra hours at work and was hardly home. He barely paid me attention, and in between both our businesses we were like two ships passing in the night. So, some male attention was what I needed right about now.

  “I’ll go get your package. You can wait in the formal living room,” I said as I walked in the direction of Tone’s office.

  He walked to the living room. But the way he walked was like he had no care in the world; yet he was the shit at the same time. With his Blue Jean Versace cologne lingering in the air, my panties was soaking wet.

  While I went to retrieve his package, I was instantly interrupted by a beeping sound in Tone’s desk. Being nosey, I opened his draw and found another cellphone.

  “What the fuck this nigga got another phone for?” I looked in his phone and went immediately to his text messages. It was a number saved under Mez with a baby and bottle emoji, My jaw almost hit the desk as I read it,

  When can you come and spend time with me and AJ?

  Who the fuck was Mez? Who was AJ?

  I was going to get down to the bottom of it. I was going to hand Moses the package and go back into Tone’s office to do some detective work. Since his office was off limits and he wasn’t home, I was going to take full advantage and go through every square root of his office like I was a detective solving a case on Law and Order.

  I walked back into the formal living room. Moses immediately figured something was wrong ‘cause I looked like an angry mad black woman. I handed him his package as he looked at me strangely.

  “What’s the matter? You look like you lost your best friend,” he said, touching my cheek.

  I could’ve melted from his touch.

  “Well, if you only knew,” I sighed.

  He handed me his business card. “If you ever wanna talk about it, you have listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.”

  I smiled and walked him to the door.

  I wound up using his card. I called him up and now, approximately eight months later, I was pregnant with his child. I didn’t know how I was going to explain this to Tone. The thought of what his reaction would be when our baby came out looking black instead of mixed, was something I didn’t want to think about.

  It really shouldn’t have mattered because Tone had knocked up a stripper named Mezzie from the King of Diamonds Club in Miami for the second time. She already had their one year old son whose name is Antonio, Jr. and was now five months pregnant with their daughter.

  She and her son are living in a nice condo down on Miami Beach. Tone was paying for her rent. She was riding around in my old Audi convertible. Shit, it didn’t matter because I decided to upgrade to my Mercedes SLC Coupe.

  He even had the nerve to give that bitch a black card. She was charging like it was going outta style. This bitch was living the life off of my man and my money. Little did she know, I was making just as much as Tone, if not a little more, from a small, New York sneaker store I invested my money in.

  I found out all this information that day I went snooping in his study. I know now why he never wanted me in there. I had been so stupid. He had the title to my old car, which he was supposed to sell to his so called friend, but he clearly didn’t. The money orders were made out every month to that apartment that bitch stayed in, which he managed to put in my name. Never again will I be so stupid to sign my name on something without reading it. I basically cosigned for that bitch and that bastard to be staying up in my shit.

  I didn’t know who to call after it was all said and done. Tiffany was in New York with her own problems, so I didn’t want to bother her. I called Moses and he came to comfort me. Ever since then, we’ve been fucking.

  I was in love with him and that led to me getting knocked up by him. Moses was excited to be a father and wanted me to leave Tone, but I couldn’t leave the one person who took me out the hood, gave me a career a beautiful house, and had me driving the newest whips. Moses could do the same thing, probably more, but it was the loyalty that prevented him from doing so.

  I knew I had only two months before giving birth. Moses said he wasn’t going to let me pretend like this was Tone’s baby much longer. He very much wanted to be a part of his child’s life and made it clear if I didn’t tell Tone, that he would.

  Chapter Four

  Reshawn

  This fucking bitch went and took my daughter away from me. I know I wasn’t the best nigga, but I kept her in the best clothes, shoes and whips. It wasn’t my fault she stopped dressing herself up after she had our daughter.

  She never wanted to dress, so how was that my fault? All she wanted to wear were sweats and sneakers. Can you blame a nigga for wanting to stick my dick in so many different women? My main bitch, Melissa, was pregnant and looking to move into the house since Tiffany was gone.

  If I moved her in the house, she was going to have to step up to the role she was given and keep this 5,454 square foot house cleaned, laundry done, and dinner cooked, even if I didn’t come home. She was feenin’ to trap a nigga with a baby. Ever since she found out I had bank. Now, here she was, four months pregnant.

  She thought my ass wasn’t going to get a DNA test when that shit was born. She thought wrong. As soon as the baby was born, I wanted them to swab the baby’s mouth, swab mine, and then let me know if I should stomp this bitch out or embrace my new child.

  Tiffany was my heart. She was the glue that kept me together, even though I knew I didn’t deserve her, she still held a nigga down when she was there. When I got knocked and had to do a year, she was the one that came up to see me every week. She put money down on my books when it was needed. I stayed with her, out of loyalty. What kept me with her was when we found out she was pregnant. It wasn’t my first child, but she didn’t have to know that.

  I ha
d about three kids during our relationship. She found out years later, but she still stayed. This time, she took off and left me without even saying goodbye or letting me see my daughter. This was some bullshit and fucking dramatic, as always, on her end.

  My daughter was my world and she took her away from me. I had three sons by three different baby mothers, but when I found out I was having a daughter, I swore all of the cheating and abuse would stop. But, just like every other promise I made, it was broken and went out the window.

  Tiffany kept asking about other bitches I was fucking behind her back. Like the old saying goes, what’s done in the dark comes to the light and I couldn’t keep my shit in the dark for too long. I never could.

  Tiffany was really getting on my nerves, sending me to voicemail every time I called her. I needed to know where she was. How would she and Madison live? Where were they living? I didn’t even know where Tyrisha moved to. I know that’s the only friend she trusted. It wasn’t like I cared to ask before. I kind of wished I did, ‘cause that’s the only place Tiffany would be heading.

  Deep in my own thoughts, Melissa came walking in the kitchen with a see through nightgown on. She was a sexy girl, but unlike Tiffany’s pregnancy, she didn’t carry well. She was always sick and was breaking out on her face and arms. I felt it was a job just to fuck her between her complaining, moaning, and groaning about sucking my dick. I figured it would be better to go and find a freak bitch than put up with this ‘Negative Nancy’.

  She immediately asked where I was last night and started going on and on about how I needed to make her and the baby a priority and come home at night.

  “Bitch, you just moved in last night. How the fuck you trying to dictate how it’s gonna be around here?” I yelled at her.

  She must’ve knew I wasn’t in the mood this morning ‘cause she caught the hint and went to cook breakfast while I flipped the channels to ESPN. I had money on a basketball game.

  Ten minutes into my game, I got a call from my brother in Miami. He was doing it big down there. He had a couple of houses and his money was tied up in investments, but he always managed to dabble in the drug game. He was my supplier. He would buy it from his supplier and then send it to me. I flipped what I got from him and we shared the profits.

  He was my half-brother. We had the same mother, but different fathers. He moved to Miami after his father died. He inherited his car detailing business and decided to move to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and live the life in Miami. I hadn’t been down to visit him in years.

  Tiffany never knew I had a brother because I never discussed family. She only met my mother and grandmother.

  “What’s up, Moses. How’s life, my fucking nigga”?

  Chapter Five

  Tiffany

  After the bomb shell Tyrisha just laid on me, I was shocked to say the least. Here, I thought she was playing house, and here she was playing a desperate housewife of Miami.

  How could she not tell me this information first before I got there? She was pregnant, and she was pregnant by another man. The fact that it was one of Tone’s business connects shook me. Tone would go crazy if he knew she was pregnant and in love with the other dude.

  It seemed to me that Tone worshipped Tyrisha. They seemed happy. I felt deep down maybe there was trouble in paradise and Tyrisha just didn’t want to bother me ‘cause I had my own problems at home with Reshawn. I just never said anything to her because I wanted her to come to me on her own.

  Now, I was here and I wanted to help my girl as best I could because she was my friend. I hoped it would play out cool ‘cause I didn’t come all this way to become the host of Jerry Springer.

  “What the fuck you mean it’s not Tone’s?” I damn near screamed.

  “It’s not his. Me and Moses have been messing around for a while and I really think I might be falling in love, Tiff. Besides, Tone has a one year old son and a daughter on the way by a stripper who’s driving my old Audi around town and living in an apartment that’s under my name,” she said nonchalantly like it didn’t matter or that she didn’t care her first love was cheating on her.

  “What the hell is this? Tiffany comes to town, so let me drop this huge load?” I got up to pick Madison up.

  “Sorry, Tiff, but you were always bugging about Shawn. I never felt I should burden you with my problems.”

  Looking at Tyrisha, I could tell she was carrying a lot of stress. She just needed her friend to be there and tell her it was going to be alright.

  “How about I look into nannies for Madison today because you know I need one anyway. Then, we will be able to catch up.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Let me show you the guest house. I know you like you privacy and I do too.”

  “Honey, I rented me a nice suite at the Marriott. I’ll be having my own place soon. Plus, with the drama around here, I may need to keep my distance,” I said laughing.

  She hit me on the arm, took Madison, and started kissing her face. Madison slobbered and laughed.

  I went back to our hotel suite, unpacked our clothes, and started looking up potential nannies for my baby girl. I decided on two of the best that the agency sent me. I set up a meeting at a café on Ocean Drive.

  After I finished that, I decided to bathe Madison and put her down for bed. It was 7 o’clock and I wanted to spend that one-on-one time with Tyrisha. She needed it so badly and I hadn’t been able to give it to her.

  My phone started ringing.

  “You’re gonna live a long time,” I said once I answered.

  “Why? You was talking about me to Madison? Who else you gonna talk to?” Tyrisha asked sarcastically.

  “You coming or not? You got the room number, right?”

  “Yeah, I remember the number. I’m in the car now. I should be there shortly,” she said and then ended the call.

  I knew it would only be about thirty minutes before she arrived, so I unlocked the door and decided to take a shower. I washed and blow dried my hair.

  “I’m here!” She yelled, walking straight to the fridge and grabbing water. “I can’t wait to have this baby, so I can have my shape back. It’s tiring and I can’t see my toes,” she complained as she slipped her Ugg slippers off and plopped down onto the couch.

  “Well, what are you having? Are you gonna tell me?”

  “A baby boy. That’s another reason why I’m stressed. Moses wants me to name it after him,” she said, sipping her water.

  “That is a tough situation to get out of. I can’t really think of a way for you to get out of this without looking like a whore,” I blurted out before I could think about it. I knew she was hurt by the comment but she just shrugged it off like it didn’t matter when, in fact, it did.

  After talking for four hours, it was in the late night and Tyrisha was tired. We ended up cuddling in the bed together and falling asleep just like old times.

  “Love you, Tee,” she said turning over.

  “Love you, Tiff.”

  We drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Six

  Mezzie

  I’m getting so tired of hiding from Tone’s little wifey. We had been messing around for four years, ever since he came to Miami. I was dancing at King of Diamonds at the time, looking for a come up. I didn’t want to have to keep staying with my aunt and uncle in Palm Springs. They were cool, but to commute there and back late at night was like another job.

  Tone walked into King of Diamonds and all I smelled was money. He ordered bottle service. I was determined to get a private dance with him. I hooked it up to where he would be treated to a private room and in return whatever tips I made would be split between me and Angel, the club manager. I blew his mind in that private room. Ever since then, we have been seeing each other.

  My son and I lived in a beautiful four bedroom condo, overlooking Miami Beach. I went from stripping to flossing. His wifey was standing in my way, preventing me from moving into that big house of theirs. I think he loved her mo
re than his own kids and that’s why he made sure to hide me for four years. He even hid his son for a whole year. I wanted to figure out why he was hiding us.

  I was a good looking. I had a big ass, big tits, and small waist. I was a thick red bone. How I got my name was because when niggas saw me, they were mesmerized. So they called me Mezzie for short. I favored that porn bitch, Pinky, but I was way prettier. I rocked my natural hair, black with caramel highlights.

  I know trapping him wasn’t good, but I had to make sure I had a financial future. Just giving bomb head wasn’t going to secure a financial spot on Tone’s payroll.

  When he found out I was pregnant, his dumb ass never got a DNA test. Unlike other strippers, I wasn’t fucking around. I knew AJ was his. He looked just like his daddy with his curly brown hair, soft grey eyes, and his caramel completion. My son was a spitting image of his daddy. Tone knew it. That’s why he never questioned me.

  I was pregnant with another baby, a baby girl. I was excited, but was caught off guard. I only wanted one baby to secure my financial future. This pregnancy was a surprise. This was a way to have more money in my pockets. I already had an account set up, just for rainy days. AJ had a college fund put up for when it was time for college. Call me all the hoes you want, but I was a smart stripper. I loved my son more than life itself. Just because I wanted to come up didn’t mean I didn’t love my son.

  I went to my doctor’s appointment by my damn self. Tone was supposed to come with me. He missed all the appointments for the new baby and never cared to give a reasonable explanation as to why he couldn’t make it.

  I was growing tired of his ass. I just wished I could tell his bitch about us, so he and I could be together. Knowing Tone, I would be cut off from the money if I did. I couldn’t have that.