by Blue Saffire
I got off the elevator with Harry and he led me to an apartment on the eleventh floor. That’s when I really started to think this was destiny. I used to live on the eleventh floor. I definitely wanted to see Raul now.
Harry opened the apartment door and we walked inside. As we got in the door and to the living room he called for Raul. He came out of the back looking stressed and frustrated.
“What,” he growled.
I pushed Harry out of my way to step around him and ran up the hallway. “Hey baby,” I squealed. Raul’s face lit up as he saw me. I jumped up into his arms and wrapped my legs around his waist.
“Hey, Mama,” he crooned and kissed me like he hadn’t seen me in years. “Baby, I missed you so much. What happened?”
“I was grounded. They took my car and my phones. I tried to call you, but none of the numbers worked. Are you okay?” I asked as I kissed his face. He held me up on his waist, not giving any signs of letting me go.
“Ma, I got knocked that night I followed you. I just got home Wednesday. I was trying to call you to make sure you were alright. I’ve been mad stressed about you,” Raul said in my ear.
“I’m so sorry. Are you okay?”
“I’m good now,” he said and kissed me.
I unwrapped my legs and slid to the floor. Raul pulled my arms around his neck, wrapping his arms around my waist. He swayed me in his arms and burying his face in my neck. It felt nice to be in his arms again. I missed him a lot.
“Can we go home?” I asked.
He bit his lip and looked at me. “Home, Mama, you know I like it when you say that. When you gonna let, me make that your home for real?”
“Are you serious?” I chimed.
“Yeah, Mellie, I had a lot of time to think about things. I’m real serious about you.”
“Ra baby, we need to talk.”
“Come on,” he said as he pulled me to the room he came out of. “I can’t leave right now. We can chill here.”
I followed him in the room and he closed the door behind us. This time he took a good look at me and smiled. He leaned to kiss me and hugged me close. I could tell he missed me. I placed my hands on his head to hold his face to me.
“Mama, I missed you. You look good,” he breathed in my face.
“Thank you. I’m wearing your gift,” I sang and stuck my ankle out for him to see.
“Come here, let me get a better look,” he said as he appraised me. He pulled me over to the bed in the room and sat me on it. He sat down next to me and reached to pull my legs on his lap.
Raul pulled my sandals from my feet. He began to run his hands over my legs. I sat watching him smile at my shiny brown skin as his fingers moved along it.
He looked up into my face, searching. I smiled at him and reached for his face. He leaned in to kiss me and continued to move toward me until my back was against the bed. He slid his hands all the way up under my skirt as he kicked off his shoes and climbed over me.
I didn’t stop him as he slipped his hand in my underwear. Instead, I wrapped my arms around his back and kissed him back. He started to moan and gently pulled my leg around his back.
I panted as he started to kiss my neck. I had meant to come in here and talk to him about us. About how he felt about me, but this was turning into a lot more.
Raul placed his other hand under my skirt and began to pull off my panties. I sat up on my elbows to watch him as he pulled them over my feet. I was nervous and unsure of what he was going to do next. He gently pushed my skirt up as he watched my eyes and slowly moved to place his face in between my legs.
I fell back on the bed the minute his tongue touched my skin. It was just a simple lick of my thigh, but that was more than enough.
When he turned his head, and licked my secret place I bucked off the bed. I had never felt anything like it. What he was doing was driving my body nuts. I wasn’t thinking clearly and I could barely speak.
“Raul,” I whimpered.
The more I moaned and called his name the deeper he pressed his face. My moans grow louder. I didn’t know what else to do. I could hear Raul moaning, while laughing at me.
I begged him to stop, even though I didn’t want him to. I just didn’t understand what my body wanted or what it was doing. Raul just clutched my thighs tighter and pressed in more. When I thought my whole body had somehow exploded, he stopped and moved to kiss my neck.
“You ready Mellie? You gonna let me make love to you, Mama,” he panted in my ear.
“Yes,” I breathed.
I wanted him to. I could still hear Victor’s voice, but I tried to ignore it. There was so much that was telling me this was okay. At least, I thought there was, or at least that was what I was trying to tell myself. I figured if this wasn’t right something would have stopped me.
Raul pulled his shirt over his head, then started to undress me. Once he had my clothes off, he took off his pants and took out a condom to put on. I watched him, nervously waiting as he rolled the condom over his shaft.
Raul wasn’t as big as Vic. I knew that from feeling their erections through their sweat pants. Vic was longer and thicker. I tried to push that thought aside as Raul looked up at me and smiled.
I smiled back slightly as he finished putting the condom on and leaned to kiss me. Just then my phone rang. My whole body stiffened with fear. I was so confused now. I looked at Raul and bit my lip.
“That maybe Aunt Tali, I better answer,” I rushed. He nodded and let me reach for my bag as he laid beside me kissing on my back and my side. “Hello.”
“Get your butt outside, now,” Victor growled into the phone.
“What are you talking about?” I asked nervously. Something wasn’t right, I could feel it.
“You’ve been in that building for twenty minutes. Get outside now or I’m calling my father to tell him where you are,” Victor demanded.
“You don’t know where I am,” I laughed nervously.
“Oh, really, King Towers 1390,” Victor accused. “If you are not out here in five minutes, I’m calling my dad.”
I jumped off the bed and grabbed my clothes to get dressed. I couldn’t believe he followed me. Victor had no business here. I rushed to get dressed as my hands trembled. Raul looked at me with worry on his face. He got up and started to pull on his pants.
“What’s wrong, Ma,” Raul asked anxiously.
“I have to go,” I rushed.
“Is it Alex and Tali? Look Ma, I can tell them we’re together,” he offered as he placed his hand on my waist. I was so confused, was that what we were. Were we together? I never called him my boyfriend.
“No Raul, I’ll call you later or something,” I rushed and ran out of the room.
I skipped the elevator and ran down the smelly eleven flights as fast as I could. My sandals were clicking loudly against the stairs as I ran. I was out of breath as I reached the lobby and ran outside.
Victor was leaning against his car parked next to mine, with his arms folded across his chest. Al was standing right next to him. I ran over to them still in disbelief that they had followed me.
“What are you doing here?” I said in exasperation.
“What are you doing here?” Victor shouted back in my face.
“Yo, relax, B,” Raul called as he ran up behind me. Victor looked down at my wrinkled clothes and frowned.
“Give Alex your key,” Victor hissed. I dug in my bag and did as he said. “Let’s go.” Victor grabbed my hand and started for the passenger’s side of his car.
“Get your hands off her,” Raul roared and reached for me.
Victor turned around and narrowed his eyes at him. Victor took a step toward him and Alex was right at his side. I looked around and I could see La Mafia members coming out of the shadows. This was bad, very bad.
“Victor stop,” I cried, “please, you can’t do this here. You don’t belong here.”
“Word, little homie, you need to calm down. Take her car home, I’ll get Mellie home sa
fe,” Raul said calmly as he wrapped his arms around me.
“I’m not going anywhere until you get your hands off of her, and Mel-i-yah is in that car,” Victor bellowed making sure to pronounce my whole name.
By now, there were La Mafia standing all around us. Vic looked like he was ready to fight them all and Al was ready to help as he stood next to his brother, looking just like his twin as both their faces twisted up in anger.
I never noticed how tall the two of them were until that very moment. They looked like they were towering over everyone. I was so nervous. If anything happens to them, it would be my fault.
“Raul, I’m just going to go,” I whined as I pushed his arms away and move toward Victor.
“Nah, Mellie, shorty taking this big brother role too far,” Raul said sounding annoyed.
“No bodies being her big brother,” Victor hissed and got right in Raul’s face.
Some of the older La Mafia guys started to look at Vic and Al and began whispering to each other. The older guys started to pull the younger ones back as they sorted something out. I knew this wasn’t good. I needed to get them out of here, now!
“Victor, please, let’s go,” I said as I pushed him toward the car.
As I called his name again, I heard the whispers get louder. One of the older guys, I knew from being around my mom, stepped up. I was so nervous and Victor wasn’t budging now that this guy was moving toward us. He was ready to lunge at the first person that attacked.
“Yo, Ra, I know this not Vic kids,” the older guy named Felix said.
“Yeah, man,” Raul sighed.
“Oh, Ra, you know I can’t let you touch either of them. Ain’t nobody out here touching these two,” Felix announced.
“I’m not trying to touch him. He needs to calm down and go home,” Raul said impatiently.
“Yo, sorry about that little Vic, no disrespect. Tell your moms we sorry for her loss. We miss Vic for real, you look just like him, B. Damn, I almost thought I was looking at a ghost,” Felix said.
“What are you talking about,” Victor roared.
“Yo, B, no disrespect, we loved your pops. I would have died for my son. I wish I was there to save his life,” Carlos chimed in.
“Victor lets go now!” I demanded as I pulled him to the car and made him get in as I watched Alex’s face twist up. Al backed his way over to my car and got in.
Victor and Alex started the cars once I got inside. They both took off at the same time. I looked down at my hands in my lap.
I had so many thoughts going on in my head. What was I about to do? Raul asked me could he make love to me, I said yes, but how could he?
I wasn’t in love with him. He said he loved me, but did he really? I wondered if he would follow me to save me from myself the way Vic had. Would Raul be ready to fight a whole gang for me. I was about to make a terrible mistake and Victor saved me from that.
“Did you and he…?” Victor started.
“No,” I answered quickly.
“But you were going to let him,” Victor said through his teeth.
“I don’t know,” I lied. I didn’t want to hurt him.
Victor hit the steering wheel and cursed. I looked out the window as the tears started. Victor turned up the radio and wouldn’t say another word.
I wanted to tell him I was sorry, that I loved him and I just wanted things to go back to the way they used to be. Being in between Victor and Raul the way I just had been showed me the right choice. It showed me who I really wanted to be with.
The whole time they were arguing I just wanted to leave with Victor. I wanted his arms around me. I wanted to be with him.
When we got home, Victor parked behind where Alex parked my car and got out. Al’s face was still twisted as he got out of my car and rushed over to Victor to talk to him. They talked to each other and walked in the house as if I didn’t exist.
I got out of Victor’s car and ran upstairs to my room to take a shower. I scrubbed my skin everywhere I thought Raul had touched me. As if I could scrub what happened away.
I put on a t-shirt and sweats and crawled under the covers. I laid there until it was time for dinner. I didn’t want to talk to anyone or see anyone.
My phone kept ringing. I knew which phone it was and who was calling. Now that Raul knew I had my phone back, he was sure to blow it up.
I was done with my secret life and my special phone. I wanted Victor and that’s who I was going to wait for. Raul was only a distraction from what my heart knew I wanted.
I hoped it wasn’t too late. Victor had to still care about me to do what he did today. At least, I hoped he did.
I heard a knock at my door and I climbed out of bed to answer. When I opened the door, Vic and Al were standing in front of it. I looked up at the two of them and I knew it wasn’t good.
I had been so busy worrying about my silly love life, I had forgotten about what the two of them heard today. My heart sank and my stomach dropped. I couldn’t imagine what must have been going on in their heads.
“Meilyah,” Al started, “we wanted to know if you could tell us what those guys were talking about?”
“No,” I shrugged and looked at the floor.
“No, you can’t or no, you won’t,” Al asked.
“I can’t, Alex. I don’t know enough to tell you,” I whispered.
“See, I told you she wouldn’t help. She only cares about herself,” Victor hissed.
“That’s not true, Victor. I just can’t help you,” I huffed.
“I need to understand, Meliyah. One minute they were ready to kill us the next they were going to protect us from anyone that tried. Who is Vic?” Alex demanded. “Please, Meliyah, I thought we were friends.”
“Alex we are, but I can’t tell you what you want. You better ask your parents. They can tell you the truth better than I can. I don’t know everything.”
“She’s a liar, just like she lied to me earlier. I know when she’s lying. I told you we can’t trust her. I’m done,” Victor roared and turned to leave.
I felt my heart break. I would have told him anything else, but I couldn’t tell him this. It wasn’t mine to tell.
Hearing his words cut me deeply. I wanted him to trust me. I closed the door as Al turned to leave.
I promised myself. If Victor felt he couldn’t trust me and didn’t want to be with me, I was going to be by myself. I didn’t need to be with anyone. Especially if it wasn’t the someone I truly loved.
I got ready for dinner and went downstairs. Vic and Al were still together whispering and looking at me like I had the answers. Aunt Tali still looked tired and I noticed she wasn’t talking as much as usual. Dinner was pretty quiet at first, until Uncle Alex started to speak.
“Vic and Al have you two cleaned your room?” Uncle Alex asked.
“Yes,” they murmured.
“Why do I feel like you two are lying?” Aunt Tali laughed weakly.
“We wouldn’t be the first,” Al grumbled.
“Excuse me,” Aunt Tali hissed as she dropped her fork.
“Alex, did you hit your head, Poppa? Don’t ever talk to your mother like that?” Uncle Alex bellowed.
“I don’t have to listen to you. You’re not even my real father, are you?” Al yelled as he trembled with anger.
“Meliyah, what have you done?” Aunt Tali gasped as she looked right at me.
“So it’s true?” Victor said in almost a whisper. “She didn’t do anything. She wouldn’t tell us the truth.”
“I don’t understand, I look just like dad. I mean is Victor not my brother? They said he looks just like his dad,” Alex asked softly.
“No, you two are brothers,” Uncle Alex started to explain. “Your father was my brother.”
“So his name was Victor,” Vic asked with a strained expression on his face.
“Yes, you two were named after us both,” Uncle Alex answered.
“But why didn’t you tell us? What happened? They said to tell m
om, sorry for her loss,” Al riffled off.
“Who are they?” Aunt Tali sobbed.
“We followed Meliyah today, to someplace called King Towers. These guys there said they thought they were looking at a ghost when they saw Vic,” Alex replied.
“I told you Alex,” Aunt Tali demanded. “I didn’t want my babies hurt. Now look, I didn’t want them to find out this way.”
“Aunt Tali, I’m so sorry. I tried to make them leave,” I cried.
“Meliyah just don’t,” Aunt Tali choked. “Victor, Alex your father loved you very much and wanted you more than anything. He was murdered two months before you were born.
“The cars you two drive those came from money he left you. When you go to college his money will pay for that. Every birthday you’ve had I have made sure your gifts were paid for with the money he left you.
“It was the best way I knew how to keep him a part of your life. He wouldn’t want you two to hurt over him. He wanted your Uncle, my husband, to raise you like his own. I wanted to wait just a little longer before I told you, when you would understand.”
“I look just like him,” Victor asked as a tear rolled down his cheeks.
“Oh honey, you look just like him, you act just like him, so much sometimes it hurts,” Aunt Tali cried.
“What about me?” Alex asked sadly.
“You’re a lot like him too. Just the part of him he never showed anyone but me, Alex, and Meliyah’s dad. He would be so proud of the two of you.”
“Did you love him?” Victor asked.
“So much,” Aunt Tali sobbed and started to look sick.
“How did you marry his brother?” Victor asked and looked at her.
“It’s complicated. I loved your father with all my heart, but I loved Alex too. I was always faithful to your dad.
“He never had to worry about that. I was going to marry him until,” Aunt Tali’s voice broke. “Excuse me.” She jumped up and ran from the room. Uncle Alex stood and looked like he was going to follow her.
“Alexis, please clear the table and you’re to keep this to yourself,” he ordered. “Boys, we’ll talk about this more. There is something I have for you, and a lot more you need to understand. Meliyah, I’ll talk to you later as well.”
