Forbidden Fruit

by Nika Michelle

  "Goodnight Maya, and I apologize for bangin' on your door and yellin' and shit," Diablo said.

  She nodded. "It's cool," she said and walked out.

  "Yanna. Let me in baby," Diablo pleaded with his eyes.

  "A'ight, but I ain't leavin' wit' you, so don't even ask. I'm stayin' right here."

  I let him in and closed the door.

  "You comin' wit' me Yanna. You my woman and you belong wit me."

  "I ain't your fuckin' woman. Shit, you made that perfectly clear tonight." I crossed my arms across my chest defiantly.

  He let out a frustrated sigh. "What you want me to do Yanna? Huh?"

  "Leave me the fuck alone," I snapped. "Since you couldn't keep your dick in your pants."

  "You don't want me to leave you alone. You love me, and you know I love you," he said nonchalantly.

  "Fuck love Ablo. What the fuck is love anyway? You use the word freely. Like it ain't shit. You probably told that bitch that you love her. You said that the shit you said to her was bullshit. How the hell do I know if this shit you talkin' ain't bullshit too? Shit, as far as I know you been runnin' bullshit on me since day one nigga."

  "You know Yanna. We been together for almost seven fuckin' years. Why would I stay wit' you that long if I don't love you? Tell me how much fuckin' sense that make?"

  I shrugged my shoulders. "I'll answer that question when you tell me why you cheated on me...again."

  "Cause I'm a stupid, triflin', sorry ass, no good nigga," he said. "I'm sorry."

  "Yep, you sho' is. Sorry as hell."

  "I deserve that shit baby, but I do love the hell outta your ass. That ain't no bullshit."

  "Stop sayin' that shit Ablo. "Cause if you love me like you claim you'd try to be faithful. What's wrong wit' you? Don't you know that I catch your ass every time? Ain't you figured that shit out yet? There's nothin' that you can do wit' out me findin' out about it. I got tabs on you nigga. Just like you got tabs on me. Ain't you the one who told me the streets be watchin'? Well, the streets be talkin' too. And all you can say to me is you sorry, and you fuckin' love me," I mocked him. "Ablo, you can have that love shit, if it's goin' always be like this. Instead of sayin' it you need to show it. Givin' me some good dick and some money ain't showin' me love. Knowin' that you can hurt me by cheatin' on me and then doin' it anyway ain't showin' me you love me Ablo. So, it's hard to fuckin' believe it when you declare your love for me," I said.

  Diablo grabbed my hand and attempted to kiss it. I jerked it away. "Yanna, baby, that's why I love you. You so much more than these streets baby. You take me away from the craziness every time I look into your eyes. At first I was just hustlin' 'cause it was all I knew. Now I do that shit for you, for us. To keep my promise. I watched you grow from a wild teenage girl to a beautiful, strong woman. I know you bay, and my love for you is real. I'm sorry 'bout that shit that happened earlier. It was meant for you to catch me shawty. To open my eyes up to what the fuck I already got. I don't know what the fuck I was looking elsewhere for, when I got it all right here."

  That nigga thought he had game. I felt the shit he was saying, but I couldn't let it go that easily.

  I stared at him for a few seconds without saying a word. Then I started clapping. "Oh, now that was good Ablo. You should get a Oscar for that," I chastised him.

  "How you goin' play me like that Yanna. Here I am pourin' my fuckin' heart out to your ass, and you jokin'," he said angrily.

  "Ain't that what you been doin'? Playin' me? Takin’ this relationship for a joke? You still ain't answered my question. Why'd you cheat on me again?" I asked. My eyes were fixed on his.

  "I ain't play you bay, and I ain't got no reason for cheatin'," he said.

  "I would feel better if you at least had a reason for doin’ it. Well, why should I believe that you ain't goin' cheat again? I mean you did tell me that the last time I caught your ass. You lied then why the fuck should I believe you now?" I asked.

  "Cause, I don't wanna be wit' out you. I know that them other broads ain't worth losin' you."

  I shook my head. "What if the tables were turned and I was cheatin', huh? What then?"

  Diablo frowned up his handsome face. "I don't fuckin know Yanna. I would flip the fuck out and blast that nigga."

  "Would you stay wit' me?" I asked.

  He didn't say anything, but he shrugged his shoulders.

  "Oh, so you don't know? Okay, well you had your chance to talk and I listened. The thing is that you ain't told me shit that'll change my mind. Bye Ablo. I'll be there tomorrow to get my shit," I said walking him to the door.

  Diablo laughed. "Uh huh, so you callin' the fuckin' shots now. Okay. If you think it's that easy Yanna, try it. I bet your ass after one week you'll be back wit' me. As a matter of fact I'll give it 'bout two or three days."

  "You'll see where doubtin' me get your ass. It don't matter nigga, but I want to know one thing."

  "What?" He asked as I opened the door.

  "Did you fuck her because I don't satisfy you sexually?" I asked.

  "Hell nol. Believe me baby, a man can have the best pussy in the world at home and still cheat. You got some good shit, and I can't complain because you do satisfy me. You got the best pussy I ever had," he smiled admiring my body as he walked out.

  "Too bad then. 'Cause you'll never even smell this pussy again," I smiled back at him and slammed the door in his face.

  Chapter 5

  It had been almost two weeks since I'd broken up with Diablo. I had every intention of taking him back, but I was enjoying the grace period. Every single day he came over to Maya's with a gift for me. Flowers, money, jewelry, and clothes just to name a few. He was begging like Keith Sweat at a strip club and I loved it.

  On this one particular day Diablo showed up at the door with an agenda that even I wasn't prepared for.

  "What do you want Ablo?" I asked pretending that he was bothering me. The truth was I missed him so much.

  "Can I come in?" He asked politely.

  I stepped aside and he walked in.

  "Yanna baby, you done proved your point, so come home wit' me," he said.

  "Ain't we just a little bit cocky? We not together no more Ablo. I ain't tryin' to prove shit. Deal wit' it. Shit, you did it. You broke us up when you fucked Carmen."

  Diablo grabbed me and pulled me toward him. "A'ight now Yanna I been lettin' you get the last word in long enough. Now you fuckin' listen to me. I love you and that's one thing I know. In six years this is the longest time we been apart. You know what? I don't like it. You belong wit' me. I'm sorry about that shit that went down wit' Carmen and every bitch before her. I know you heard this shit outta my mouth before, but this time it's for real. Yanna, I can't stop thinkin' 'bout you. You here," he pointed to his head. "And here," he pointed to his heart. "I can't fuckin' escape you baby. You every fuckin' where. I can't sleep. I can't eat. Baby, I can't breathe, 'cause I'm drownin' in you." With that said he reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a small, velvet box. "Marry me Yanna," he said opening the box and revealing a five carat uncut diamond in a platinum setting. "I got it from Tiffany. I know how much you love their jewelry and shit." He smiled at me like he had just won the lottery.

  I was standing there with my mouth wide open, and tears streaming down my face. "I don't know what to say. Are you doin' this just to get me back Ablo? Or do you really wanna be wit' me forever without them other bitches?" I asked.

  "Say yes baby, and the rest will speak for itself," he said pulling me into him for a tight embrace.

  "Yes," I whispered in his ear. When I pulled away I continued. "But you gonna have to show me that you serious Ablo. If you cheat on me again the engagement is off, no questions asked and no chasing me down tryin' to get me back. Don't nobody need to know we engaged right now."

  "Well give me the ring back then," he laughed. "What's the point if can't nobody know. I want every fuckin' body to know that you goin' be my wife."

  "Hell no! I'm wea
rin' this fuckin' ring. You just gotta prove to me that you worthy of bein' my husband. I'm gonna stay here until I decide that I'm ready to move back in wit' you."

  Diablo didn't like that comment because his reason for proposing was so I would leave with him.

  "Yanna damn. What the fuck a nigga gotta do?" He asked looking confused.

  "You gotta show and prove instead of just sayin' it. I mean c'mon Ablo. I can't count how many times you cheated on me, and I ain't even kissed another nigga. See, ya'll niggas don't know what to do when you got a real bitch. Shit, men ain't never satisfied," I complained.

  He sighed and looked at me. "Don't compare me to no other niggas, and when the fuck you get all independent?"

  "It ain't even 'bout that Ablo. You just don't seem to get the shit. I deserve respect from you. You s'posed to be my man, and you claimed that you was gonna protect me. So protect my heart too Ablo. I love you to death, and I wanna be your wife, but you gotta change. No more cheatin Ablo and I mean it. If I ever catch you cheatin' on me again you goin' fuckin' choke on this ring."

  Diablo laughed, but when he saw that I was serious he stopped. "Yanna, I already apologized for hurtin' you. What else do you want from me?"

  "How many times do I have to say it. All I want is for you to be faithful, or at least honest Ablo. I can't marry you if I can't trust your ass. What's the point of that? It'll never work."

  "Okay, a'ight. I hear what you sayin'," he said.

  "But are you listenin' to me Ablo or am I just talkin' at you. I mean, is the shit really gettin' through your thick, hard ass skull?" I joked.

  He nodded yes, but remained silent. I hated when he did that.

  "What's on your mind baby?" I asked.

  "Yanna, baby, I need you home. Be for real now, don't you miss me?" He asked looking all sad.

  "Of course I miss your ass, but that's beside the point. You still my nigga, but we gotta live apart for now."

  Diablo sighed in frustration. "Damn, you make me wanna choke you."

  I laughed and punched him playfully in the arm. "I love you papi, and I been wantin' to fuck the shit outta you for the past week and a half. I gotta stand my ground. I gotta demand my respect, and I demand that you be faithful to me too. If I keep on takin' the shit you dish out you gonna keep doin' it. Do you understand what I'm sayin'?"

  "A'ight Yanna. I'll wait as long as it take for you to come to the crib. I gotta make sure some shit is taken care of at the spot so I'll call you in a lil' bit. I wanna see you tonight okay," he said and kissed me softly on my lips. "I do feel you baby. I been a selfish mufucka and I'm sorry for hurtin' you. I know you love me, and I been takin' your love for granted. I know that you want me to get up in that thang tonight too,” he winked at me and gave me one of those sexy looks.

  "I can't front baby. Yes I do," I licked my lips in anticipation.

  "Damn, this shit 'bout to drive me crazy. Give me 'bout a hour and I'm goin' call you. I love you," he said and kissed me again before he left.

  I was feeling good although I knew that the marriage proposal was a bunch of shit. That wasn't the first time he'd proposed to me. The ring would become part of my massive jewelry collection. I didn't doubt that he loved me, but he was scared of commitment. He had the dog in him and I didn't know how to chase it out.

  Later that night I got up with the girls for a night out. Diablo called me, but I told him that I wanted to go out with the girls and I'd get up with him later. It was me, Maya, Shamira, Princess, Teji, and Daren. We were looking fly, and I do mean squashing any so called competition like roaches. It was hot as hell so I was wearing a sheer black Prada net dress with a short, slinky pair of black shorts and a cute lacy halter to match. The sharp ass Prada sandals I was sporting were black with three-inch stiletto heels. I had the hair, nails and toes freshly done.

  Teji and Daren had been part of our crew since I was sixteen. They had both left home and stripped at the same club with Shamira. Of course Shamira was twenty at the time. Teji and Daren were only seventeen then, but they had fake IDs. They got away with it long enough to stack some real paper.

  Teji was very beautiful with her dark, mocha skin. She stood about 5'8, and was as graceful as any model. Her thick lips and high cheekbones were both proof of her mixed ancestry. He mother was born in Nigeria and her father was full blood Cherokee Indian. Her parents had split up when she was thirteen and she moved with her mom to Atlanta, two years later. Her long thick, jet black hair coined her nickname Pocahontas. She had sharp, piercing dark brown almond shaped eyes that put men in check and made women feel intimidated. The body on her didn't hurt her image either. She was truly a 'brick house'. Her 155 lb frame was firm and tight as well as voluptuous in all the right places. As beautiful as she was she was also feisty. She'd cut a bitch in a flash, and drink any man to shame.

  Now Daren was the total opposite physically. She was half Irish and black with a thick, red, curly fro. Her high yellow skin, cute freckles, and button nose made her look innocent. She had sexy, pouty lips and gray sensual eyes that told that she was all woman. She'd never met her father, who had killed himself before she was born. Her mother became a prostitute in order to support them. Eventually Daren was put in foster care. After having enough of her foster parent's son raping her almost every night, she ran away to Atlanta to live with an older childhood friend. She was barely sixteen. Three months later she had been arrested six times for assault and petty theft. She had a bad ass temper, but was a good and loyal friend. She stood about 4'11 and weighed about 125 lbs. She had one of those J-Lo figures; no waist and all ass. She contributed that to her mother.

  "Let's ride the train. What's up? Ya'll already know traffic goin' be a mufucka," Teji said polishing off another Skyy Blue. "This shit is fuckin' Kool-Aid," she complained.

  "We ain't alcoholics like you," Daren laughed. She had a thick Boston accent. We loved how she talked and the men got off on it too. We were chilling at her apartment.

  "Look now. Where the hell we goin'? It's already past ten. We need to make a decision," Maya said. She sounded all excited about going out. I guess it was because she hadn't been out in a while.

  "Your lil' young ass don't need to be goin' nowhere," Teji joked.

  "Little where?" Maya asked posing. "Tell me where I'm little at bitch? I bet my pussy bigger than yours."

  "Just 'cause you pushed a baby out your pus' don't mean nothin' lil' mama," Teji slurred. She'd had one too many Skyy Blues. She was originally from Florida and was wild as hell. "Shit, I got a kid too.” Her daughter Yazmin lived with Teji's grandmother down in Jacksonville, Florida.

  Maya rolled her eyes and drunk out of a bottle of Courvoisier. I'd never seen her drink like that before. I didn't know what the hell was up wit' her ass.

  "It's cool, but we need to move," she said standing up. The short ass skirt she had on barely covered her white sheer thong.

  "Don't you think that shit too short?" I asked.

  "Don't trip Yanna. You got on fuckin' underwear," she said with an attitude.

  "Chill shawty," I said calmly. I knew her. She was still pissed with Mel over his little disappearing acts.

  Maya sighed. "Can we just go? I'm ready to shake my ass." She twirled her curvy hips.

  "A'ight Maya damn," I said initiating our exit as I stood up. My girls followed me to the door. "Oh yeah, Princess, have you heard anything else about La La's stupid ass?"

  "Nol, ever since she shot D she been missin' in action. I told you the bitch is on the run and shit," she said.

  "Word. So we takin' the train?"

  "Yeah," they all said at the same time.

  We headed to our destination.

  * * *

  "The block hot ain't it yo'!" Ace said as Diablo pulled up to one of their trap houses in Bankhead. There were two police cars parked on the side of the road. There wasn’t much work going on.

  "Damn!" Diablo said angrily. "They ain't good for business."

  "I thought we had the po
lice on our dicks. What they want? More dough?" Mel asked from the backseat.

  "We goin' have to take care of that shit later. For now we gotta get the hell outta here and hit the club. We can lay low for a minute and in the meantime rub up on some ass," Diablo said.