by Mona
“Damn. Still the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen,” Malachi said as he admired her.
Arianna shrieked as she tried to cover her body.
“Dammit, Malachi! What the hell are you doing in here? Can you get the hell out!” As she ran across the room attempting to push him out of the door way she heard Andre Junior’s voice .
“Mom! Mom! Where are you? Grand ma told me to ask you if I can get another piece of pie?” Andre Junior yelled.
Arianna immediately panicked. The last thing she wanted was for her son to see her in her under garment in a bedroom talking to Uncle Malachi. It didn’t look good. Not to mention, he told his dad everything. He would tell Andre for sure.
“Quick get in here,” Arianna pulled Malachi into the room and closed the door. Ushering Malachi behind her where he couldn’t be seen, she reopened the door and poked her head out.
“Hey, A,J. baby, I’m over here.” Arianna called out to Andre Junior.
He slowly made his way towards the door. “Hey, mom. What are you doing up here?”
“I’m getting dress so we can leave, okay.” Arianna said to him.
“Oh, ok. Mom can I get another piece of pie? Grandma said I had to ask you. Mom, I tired of everyone treating me like a kid,” he whined as he rolled his eyes.
“A.J. baby, I don’t have time for this right now. First off, you are a kid, and second, I have to get dressed so we can get out of here because daddy is waiting for us at home. Now go get the piece
I will be right down.” Arianna ordered.
“Okay, Mom,” Andre Junior replied as he made his way back down the stairs.
Arianna then shut the bedroom door and immediately grew irritated when she turned around and found Malachi standing there grinning. Realizing she was still only in her bra and panties, she walked over to the bed and slipped on her jeans, t-shirt and a pair of Michael Kors leather powder blue wedges. Malachi leaned against the door and watched her in silence. Once she was done dressing she walked over to him and faced him. “What do you want from me?” She asked in a voice above a whisper. Malachi remained silenced. He actually was caught off guard by the question. He wasn’t sure how to answer it. He actually knew what he really wanted, but she wasn’t able to handle the truth at the moment. So he told her a different truth.
“I’m not sure, but I’m having trouble fighting what I feel and I know it seems like I’m being some type of a scum or something, but I do care about Dre. I’m feeling torn.” Malachi sincerely admitted. Malachi reached over and touched the side of her face. “Was it that easy?” Malachi asked her.
“What”? Arianna asked.
“Moving on and being with Dre of all the guys in the world?” Malachi asked her as he continued touching the side of her face. “How exactly did that come about?”
That’s another truth she wasn’t able to handle at the moment either. So instead, he played reverse psychology to see where her head was at when her and Andre came together.
Malachi sensed her resistance. “I know his side. I want to hear yours. Tell me the truth. Please.”
Arianna sighed as she closed her eyes. A quick memory came to mind.
1993
Three weeks before senior prom
“We wearing this color to the prom.” Andre sat down at the library table across from Arianna.
Arianna looked at the gold piece of fabric on the table and slowly eyed Andre.
“Excuse you?” Arianna asked confused.
“You heard me. We going to the prom together and this is the color we wearing. Take this and use it to get every thing that you need and that I need. Let me know when I need to go measure for my tux and let me know if this money is not enough.” Andre stood up as she stared at the stack of money he placed on the table next to the fabric. And tell that nigga Al to stay the fuck away from you, you’re not interested. Be ready by 6:30 tonight. Me and you going out to eat and then we taking Ava to Chuck-E-Cheese.” Andre quickly told her as he bent down, kissed her on her cheek and left the table before she was able to protest.
Prom Night
Andre’s house
“Thanks for letting me stay here tonight. My mom is working over night and I didn’t want to be alone.” Arianna said to Andre.
“I’m taking you to the shore tomorrow. I already spoke to your mom so everything is settled. And there’s no need to thank me.” Andre said with a serious expression.
“I know you are only being nice to me because of Malachi. But thanks any way for everything.” Arianna said. Andre didn’t answer her so she continued. “I had a great time tonight.” Arianna confessed with a nervous smile. Andre turned around and stared at her. His eyes roamed her hair, her face and her body. He studied her from head to toe. Arianna felt nervous. Clearing her throat, she headed towards his bedroom door. “I think I’ll go to bed now. I’ll be in the guest room,” she said as she turned to leave. Before she can exit, he grabbed her arm and pulled her back inside the room. Slowly closing the bedroom door, he gently backed her against it.
Reaching for her hair, he gently removed the hair pins and accessories that decorated and held her up sweep. As he removed the last pin. Her long hair slowly fell down her shoulders and framed around her face. Using his index finger, he slowly traced her lips. Once he sensed her body trembling, He took both of her hands and linked them with his. Holding them up, he pinned their hands up against the door slightly above her head. “It’s okay, stop trembling. I won’t hurt you, okay.” Andre whispered to her. She shook her head in agreement.
Looking in his eyes she finally spoke. “What about Malachi?” Arianna asked him.
Andre moved his lips close to hers. “He’s upset and wants you to go on with your life. I think it’s best. Aight.”
Arianna shook her head again. Andre reached over and kissed her slow and sensual. For the rest of the night he held her while they spent the whole night talking as if they didn’t already know each other half of their lives.
****
Arianna snapped out of her thoughts “You want the truth?
Malachi nodded his head.
“No, it wasn’t easy. You pushed me away. You wouldn’t even let me be a friend to you while you did your time. Andre and I became real good friends. We became everything to each other. Not to mention he is handsome, smart, funny and sexy. It’s like I got to know a whole new Andre. I fell in love with him. Before we made it official, he said he went to you and you gave him your blessing. So don’t come home acting like we betrayed you because we didn’t. Now, I thank you for saving my life. Thank you for being there for me and for loving me. But Andre is my husband now and I’m in love with him. Please let it go, Mal. Okay?”
Malachi nodded his head. “Okay,” he then opened the door and they made their way down the stairs.
Chapter Fifteen
The Morning of Andre’s Birthday…
“Okay. So everything is set. The guys should be here soon to pick him up.” Arianna spoke on the phone as she was done making breakfast. Andre walked into the kitchen and sat on one of the stools at the counter table. Arianna watched him as he picked up a piece of bacon. “Angie, let me get off this phone. I will see you in a couple of hours ok?” Arianna said. Good morning birthday boy!” she yelled as she went up to him and kissed his lips.
He smiled. “Thanks, babe”.
“Okay. So, Des and Mal are picking you up shortly, they have some things planned for you and then later I have a surprise for you So I will see you later. Make sure you eat your breakfast.”
As she made her way out of the kitchen Andre pulled her towards him by her arm.
“Does that surprise have anything to do with the beach house you purchased and my big surprise party you throwing there for me?” Andre asked as he laughed hysterically.
Arianna stood wide eyed. “How the hell do you know? Wait, A.J. of course. A.J!” Arianna yelled.
“Wait. leave that boy alone. It’s not his fault he’s nosy. He gets it from his momma.”
Andre laughed. “Besides, you know he can’t keep no secret so I don’t know why you included him in the plans. You must of wanted me to know.” Andre laughed again.
Arianna rolled her eyes. “Whatever Dre. Okay, well, the party still goes on because I spent a lot of money on it. I suppose he told you about the motor cycle too.”
Andre grinned as he hugged her. “Thanks, babe”.
“Uuugh! I’m going to hurt that boy!” Arianna yelled as she laughed.
Andre suddenly stopped laughing. Clearing his throat he looked at her while he held her by herwaist. “Uuhm, that day when you were all at the beach house, Mal was there too, right?” Andre asked her.
Arianna immediately tensed up and Andre felt it.
“Uuh, yes he was. He and Des helped me set the house up.”
“Aight. So A.J. tells me at one point he went looking for you to ask you if he can have a piece of pie. He said he saw Malachi go up the stairs, so he started to call your name and he went up the stairs also, except when he reached upstairs, he didn’t see you or Malachi. He said he was calling for you because he couldn’t remember which bedroom was yours and then you finally opened up a door but you wouldn’t open the door all the way. He also said after he went back down the stairs, you and Malachi went back down stairs together.” Andre said with a slight anger in his voice. “Can you explain that shit to me?”
Arianna tried to move from his hold, but he held on to her unbelievably tight.
“Dre”… Arianna started to speak but he cut her off.
“Dre what?” He asked as his eyes turned somewhat dark.
“Okay, calm down.” Arianna pleaded.
“I am calm. Now answer the question, Arianna,” Andre ordered.
“Arianna, huh?” Arianna looked surprised. He never called her by her full name unless he was extremely upset.
Andre finally let her go as he stood up. He towered over her as he looked in her eyes. “You already know what that shit means because I hardly ever call you Arianna, So I’m going to ask you one more time. What is A.J. talking about?”
“Alright! I’ll tell you! Dammit, Dre. I was in the bedroom I decorated for us. I already have it furnished and even have clothes in there for us. Anyway, I felt sweaty after cleaning and setting up the beach house all day so I went in the room and took a shower. I was standing in front of the mirror when all of a sudden I heard Malachi’s voice. He was standing in the doorway. He entered the wrong room by mistake, I’m assuming. I immediately started yelling at him to get the hell out and I tried to push him in the hall way but I heard A.J.’s voice. I couldn’t let him see that. It wasn’t what it looked like, but he’s a kid. I couldn’t let him see that plus I knew he would tell you. So I pulled Malachi into the bedroom. Then I opened the door a crack and spoke with A.J. After I sent A.J. back down stairs, I had Malachi leave the room.” Arianna explained.
She studied Andre’s demeanor and was afraid to move. Andre’s jaw was clenched and his fist was balled up and when he spoke his voice was unrecognizable.
“Okay, that makes no damn sense. If Malachi was in the doorway what was the big deal in A.J. seeing you and him standing there. Why would you pull him back in the room? “ Andre asked with a confused look on his face.
Arianna was stuck. She knew nothing good would come out of admitting to him she was actually in her damn under garments in front of Malachi in a bedroom, just the two of them.
Andre moved closer to her. “You know I’m really trying to keep my temper in check, but you starting to piss me the fuck off. Don’t insult my intelligence, Arianna. Now I’m going to ask you one more fucking time Why would you pull Malachi back in the room if you were trying to get him to leave?”
Arianna sighed. She really didn’t want any problems in her marriage. So she decided to tell the truth. Reaching up she touched Andre’s face. “I was in my bra and panties, when I was in front of the mirror. He came through the door out of nowhere. I freaked out and went straight across the room to push him out when I heard A.J. calling for me. I knew he was close as he was coming up the stairs, so I panicked. I couldn’t let him see me standing there damn near naked in front of his uncle. So I did what my instinct told me to do at that moment.”
Andre’s jaw was clenched and his eyes remained slightly dark. “So you were practically naked while your back was turned talking to A.J. as that nigga was in the room probably staring at your ass and shit?”
Arianna didn’t even bother responding. It sounded worse when he said it out loud.
Andre stared at her for what seemed like an eternity and then made his way towards the kitchen door. He suddenly stopped with his back turned to her. “I’d like to think I know better because in all the years we’ve been together I can honestly say without a doubt, you never stepped out on me. Even when I was living foul and doing my dirt, I know you were still faithful to me. But with this right here, I just can’t help but to wonder. Did you kiss or fuck him?” Andre asked in the calmest tone Arianna ever heard from him.
Arianna watched his back while the tears formed in her eyes. Remembering the kiss she shared with Malachi two weeks ago at her office, caused her heart to skip a beat. Folks always said the truth shall set you free but in this case, the truth shall get you killed.
“No, babe I didn’t,” Arianna partially lied.
Without another word and looking back Andre left the kitchen.
Jersey Shore Water Front
Andre’s Birthday Party
“You still haven’t heard from him?” Desmond asked Arianna.
“No. I haven’t seen or spoken to him since this morning. I’ve been calling him all day and he never answered me. I even texted him the address and left a pair of keys to this house on the kitchen counter for him.” Arianna replied with a worried look on his face.
“Well, what the hell happened? You two chose his birthday to have a fight?” Angeline asked as Arianna sighed.
“Let’s go upstairs so I can vent and I need a drink. Is the bar set up yet?”
“Yes, girl let’s go and get liquored up and tell me all about it.” Angeline replied as she and Arianna made their way to the bar.
“Wait a minute now. I want to drink and hear gossip too. Plus I need some liquor in me before I tell Dre’s crazy ass anything. I thought he was going to be in a good mood when I tell him he has a two year old nephew, but Ri goes and mess that up.” Ava joked as she followed them.
They laughed as Arianna stopped to turn to Desmond. “Des, can you let me know if Dre shows up and can you show the DJ where to set up?”
“Yeah, no problem.” Desmond replied.
Once each of them grabbed a glass of red wine, they headed upstairs to Arianna’s and Andre’s bedroom. They each took a seat on the mini sofa that was near the window.
“Oh shoot, I left my purse and my keys at the bar,” Arianna announced as she stood up.
“Girl, sit your ass down. Desmond will keep an eye on them for you,” Angeline advised her as she took a sip of her wine.
“Now. Spill it. What did you do?” Ava asked as she took a sip of her wine as well.
Angeline laughed as Arianna rolled her eyes at her.
“What the hell makes you think I did something? How do you know your brother didn’t do something?” Arianna asked.
“Duh. Because if Dre was in the wrong he wouldn’t have disappeared all day. So since he did disappear, that tells me you messed up so once again, what the hell did you do?” Ava asked as she laughed.
“Damn Ari, I hate to admit it but she’s right. So come on, tell us what happened.” Angeline probed. Arianna rubbed her temples as she went on and explained the events that occurred that day in the room with Malachi. Once she was done, Angeline shook her head. “Damn, that negro still wants you, Ari.”
“Uugh! I don’t want to hear that Angie!” Arianna yelled with frustration. “But wait, there’s more to the story,” she continued.
“This morning, I’m telling Dre about the plans and that I
have a surprise for him right, he tells me he already knows about the party, beach house and motor cycle. Then, he reveals to me what A.J. told him about seeing Malachi come up here and not being able to find me. Just everything! Anyway, he’s upset because I was in my underwear in front of Malachi and he had the nerve to ask me if I fucked or kissed him, Can you believe that?”
Once Arianna was done with the story, Angeline and Ava looked at each other and busted out laughing. Arianna shook her head as she sipped her wine.
“You two make me sick, always laughing at something.” She said as she rolled her eyes.
“I’m sorry, but that shit is funny as hell! I told you not to bring A.J’s nosy little ass. You know how close he is to his dad. He loves you too but you know he loves to tell Dre everything. But damn, he needs a butt whooping.” Angeline said as Ava agreed.
