Love Was the Case That They Gave Me

by Mz. Lady P

  “I promise to stop being so stressed. Our baby will be just fine.” I started to places kisses all over his neck.

  “I need to go out of town for a couple of days on business. Skylar is going to come and stay with you. There is plenty of money in the safe for you two to tear the mall down. Don’t look like that. When I come back it will be time for us to tie the knot and live happily ever after.” I couldn’t help but to pout because I hated it when he was gone.

  “I hate it when you’re away but I know you have to go. I love you so much.”

  “I love you too,” he said as he gently laid me back on the bed. He untied my pajama shorts and started to pull them down.

  “I don’t want you to make love to me Jayceon. I want Blockka to do it.” He looked at me like I was crazy but, I was dead ass serious.

  “You sure about that?

  “I’m positive.” Jayceon made mad passionate love to me the rest of the night. We both were so into it we forgot all about being pregnant. If I wasn’t already sprung on him, he definitely had me gone now. Jayceon was a monster in the bed but Blockka was a motherfucking beast. We chilled and fucked in all types of positions for the next couple of days, until it was time for him to go. I couldn’t wait for him to hurry up and come back home. In the meantime, Skylar and I could focus on getting Bennett Reality off the ground and she could help with this damn wedding.

  Chapter 20- Rock

  I was surprised when the nigga, Bones, agreed for us to meet up. I didn’t want to risk being seen with his snitch ass in public so I decided to meet up with him at his crib. I didn’t trust his bitch ass so I had my Glock ready. I had to get in control of my emotions. He was the reason I was sent to prison anyway. The nigga always acted as if he was about that life. In reality, he was a bitch made ass nigga who snitched without hesitation. We had been friends since the sandbox. So to find out this nigga had turned State’s evidence against me had cut a nigga deep, but I’m over that shit now. Bones didn’t do shit but show me that there is no loyalty with certain motherfuckers; even the niggas who you would lay down and die for. I didn’t even call him before going to the address, I wanted to just pop up on his ass. I had to meet with this nigga and get back to the crib with Tina. She would have a damn fit if she knew I was even considering meeting up with him. She has no idea about all the money this nigga owes me. If she did, she would have beat me here trying to get the cash.

  *****

  “What’s good my nigga?” Bones said as he opened the door for me. He extended his hand but I left the motherfucker hanging. We were not friends and I wasn’t about to phony kick it like we were.

  “Ain’t shit good and you know it. Where the fuck is my cut so I can bounce?”

  “Whoahh! Pump your brakes dude. I don’t keep that type of cash just running around like that. As you know my mom passed a couple of years ago, so I had my sister to move it. I have some cash in the back for you but not all of it. I’ll be right back.” Bones got up and went to the back of the house and I immediately jumped up to follow his ass. This nigga didn’t even have a sister. Yeah, he fucked up. His ass became jumpy as fuck when I asked about the cash. This whole situation was very suspect but I was ten steps ahead of him. I pulled out my Glock and slowly moved towards the back of the house. I peeked inside the first two rooms and they were empty. I continued to walk towards the back of the house and that’s when I heard the nigga whispering into the phone. He never even knew what happened. I emptied two into his dome and grabbed the duffle bag he had in his hand, and I hauled ass trying to get the fuck out of there.

  I made it home to the crib in record time. I was happy as hell Tina wasn’t home when I made it there. I headed in the basement and went inside the duffle bag. There were stacks and stacks of dough. Inside the bag were photos of Fatima and another woman whom I had never seen before. There were pictures of Jayceon and his crew coming and going. I dug deeper into the bag and found a cellphone. It was already powered on. His home screen was of Fatima and the same girl in the picture. I opened it up and there were numerous texts between Fatima, Bones, and some bitch named India. Pretty soon all the shit became clear. They were setting up my son. I knew the bitch Fatima was up to no good. After looking at the texts I found out that the chick, India, was Bones daughter. Shit is all fucked up right now. I needed to get to Jayceon and the crew before they headed out to pull off the damn armored car heist. I knew that bitch Fatima was up to no good. It was something about the way she acted the day I came home from prison.

  Chapter 21- Jayceon

  “What the fuck is this shit Pops?” I couldn’t believe what the fuck I was looking at.

  “So, these bitches been working together the whole time,” Tech said as we all paced back and forth. We were all dressed in the uniforms that India had provided for us to wear during the heist.

  “From the looks of it, they have been plotting for quite some time. I hate to tell you niggas this but they probably have been working with them people.”

  “Fuck! I swear I’m going to body those bitches.”

  “Where the fuck is Fatima at now?” Dominic asked through gritted teeth.

  “I’ve been calling her all night. I should have known some shit wasn’t right with this bitch. Since I’ve been fucking her ass she’s been pulling disappearing acts.” Rashad sat down with his head in his hands. From the look of frustration on his face, I could tell he had fallen for the bitch.

  “I’ve been calling her all morning and getting no fucking answer. India just shot me a text and said she’s waiting for us at the employee entrance.”

  “Get rid of them phones right now. Destroy those bitches. I’ll let Tina know what’s up. In the meantime, y’all need to charter a flight out of the country. The laws are going to be on your asses.” I had lost all of my hearing at the shit my Pops was suggesting. How was I going to just leave?

  “I have to grab Bella before we leave. We’re getting married in a couple of days Pops.”

  “You can’t let her know. It’s for the best. Your crib is the first place they’re going. Bella don’t know about the heists, so they can’t hold her for anything. If she doesn’t know your whereabouts then she can’t tell them. Bella is not cut form that type of cloth. She loves you son, but she might not be able to handle being interrogated. We’ll make sure she’s straight while you’re away but she can’t know your whereabouts. I’m not going to tell Sky either. You know I have to tell Tina. She’s going to be worried about all of y’all. Trust your pops on this.”

  “She’s carrying my seed. I’m going to miss out on everything.”

  “I’ll videotape everything, I promise.” After talking for a little while longer, I dapped up with my father and we said our goodbyes. I didn’t know when the next time I would ever see him again. I got us all a one-way trip, from one of my business associates, out of the country. As I sat on the plane to Dubai, I couldn’t help but wonder what Bella would think of me. I feel like shit leaving Bella and my seed behind like this. I know that she will never forgive me for this. In her eyes I would be a coward and that was something that I wasn’t. No matter what happens, I know that I’m going back for her and my seed. I just need to put some shit in place for her. I have nothing but cash in overseas accounts so I know that I will be straight. Bella has access to all of my personal accounts. Not to mention she has her own money, but for the most part she has nothing to worry about. She will be taken care of no matter what. As the plane landed in Dubai I couldn’t help but send her a text. I hope that would suffice but I know it’s not enough. Just thinking of how this shit is playing out leads me to the conclusion that I never deserved Bella from the jump. I’ve changed her entire life and now I’m leaving her. This shit is so fucked up.

  “You cool bro?” Tech asked as we climbed inside the limo that was at the airstrip waiting for us.

  “I can’t believe I’m doing this shit to her.” I felt like a bitch nigga. I couldn’t wait until the shit was over because I was on the f
irst thing smoking back to the states to get Bella and my seed.

  Chapter 22- Bella

  I looked at my phone repeatedly hoping and praying that I would receive a call or another text from Jayceon. It had been three days since he texted me and I haven’t heard from him since. I just hoped and prayed that everything was okay. Today was our wedding day and I was so nervous. The caterers had set everything up. The white and purple decorations were beautiful. Our guests had already arrived and were all seated out back in our spacious backyard. A tear fell as I realized my parents weren’t going to be in attendance. I sent them an email and they didn’t even reply to it. I looked in the vanity in our bedroom and dabbed away the tears that had fallen. I didn’t want to mess up my makeup. I was fully dressed in my wedding gown all ready to walk down the aisle. I rubbed my stomach to soothe my jittery baby. He had been kicking like crazy all day. Sky had been helping me all morning.

  “Have you heard from your brother or Tech?”

  “No. I haven’t heard anything. I’m surprised that Jayceon hasn’t called me. Now Tech’s ass, I’m not surprised at all. This is the type of shit he does when he’s all in his feelings.” Minutes later Rock and Tina walked in with worried looks on their faces.

  “I’m so glad you guys made it.” I jumped up and hugged both of them.

  “Sit down Sky, we have to talk,” Rock said but he was trying his best not to look at me. Tina looked like she was about to cry. My heart started to beat fast as hell. I felt like something was wrong with Jayceon.

  “Jayceon is not here. I’m sorry Bella.” Tina sat beside me and held both of my hands in hers.

  “What you mean he ain’t here Ma? Where is he at?”

  “We don’t know Sky. He’s not answering any of our phone calls.”

  “Let’s just wait an hour or so. I’m sure he’ll be here. Could you guys please go and tell everybody the wedding will be starting a little late. They can eat now if they want to.” They all left out and went to tend to the guests. I stood up and looked in the floor-length mirror that sat in the corner of my bedroom. I was so beautiful in my wedding gown. There was no way in the world Jayceon would miss our big day. I tried calling his phone over and over again with no such luck. Tears came to my eyes when the operator said that the phone was no longer in service. I looked out the window into the backyard and all of the guests were gone. I locked myself in the bedroom and collapsed on the floor. I could hear Skylar on the outside of the door but I tuned her out. I didn’t want to see or hear anything but Jayceon’s voice. I cried for hours until I cried myself to sleep. I just couldn’t believe Jayceon had left me without an explanation. If he didn’t want to marry me he never should have said yes.

  The next morning I woke up still dressed in my wedding gown. I felt sick to my stomach due to not eating the day before. I jumped up and ran to the bathroom, spilling out nothing but liquid. I sat on the floor with pain in my stomach and pain in my heart. There I was on my bathroom floor in my wedding gown, crying my eyes out. A fit of rage came over me as I jumped up and tried ripping the dress off me. After coming out of all the layers, I ran downstairs to the garage to find the gasoline and some matches. I looked on the top shelf to grab it and that’s when something fell off and missed hitting me in the face by inches. I looked behind me on the floor and noticed something shiny on the floor. I got a closer look at it and I almost collapsed. It was the ring I had purchased for him at the jewelry store. Lying beside it was a pair of all black jeans, a turtle neck, and a ski mask. I finally collapsed to the floor when shit all started to make sense. I leaned my head back on the tool chest and that’s when I realized it was Jayceon the whole time. I closed my eyes and all I could see was his eyes and the gun that was pointed in my face. He knew it was him all along. How could he do that to me? The sound of things crashing and being broken in the upstairs of the house made me jump to my feet, but for some reason I knew it was the police so I stuffed the ring inside of a pipe that was in the corner. The clothes that I had found with the ring I doused it with gasoline along with my wedding dress. I lit the match and set it all on fire. I stood in nothing but my bra and panties. The fire burned for a minute before all of it was completely destroyed.

  “FBI! Get down on the floor now!” Dozens of agents swarmed me and the fire trying to put it out but it had all been destroyed. Instead of laying down flat. I dropped to my knees. The pudge that I had was now showing, so it was evident that I was pregnant. Without hesitation I was handcuffed and escorted out of the house. I was so embarrassed and ashamed. I had never felt so degraded in my life. I was standing on the front lawn in my bra and panties. I felt so fucking stupid as I was placed in the back of a squad car. Tears streamed down my face as my mind drifted to Jayceon. It was all a lie. He never loved me. This can’t be life right now. What am I supposed to do without him? I’ve given up everything I know for him. My son kicked and I leaned my head back on the seat of the squad car. I wanted to let out a piercing scream but I silently cried at the thought of raising my son alone.

  ****

  “Where is your fiancée Ms. Santos?” The agent said as he flung pictures in my face. He had been asking me for hours were the hell Jayceon and his crew was.

  “How many times do I have to tell you that I don’t know where the fuck he’s at? I was left at the altar in case you forgot.”

  “Look at these pictures. There is no way you can tell me you had no idea the man you were about to marry was a bank robber and a thief?”

  “I’ve told you a thousand times I had no fucking idea. If I’m not charged with anything, can I please leave? If not, I want to call my lawyer.”

  “You’re free to go Ms. Santos, but don’t skip town. I know you’re aware of Jayceon Bennett’s whereabouts. If I find out that you even have an inkling of where he could be, I will charge you with aiding and abetting a fugitive of the law.” The agent opened the door and I was let go. They had given me a paper suit to put on. I didn’t have a dime to my name so I had no idea how I was going to get home. As I walked towards the payphone in the lobby of the jail, I saw Detective Braxton, the detective who had questioned me in the jewelry heist.

  “Are you okay Ms. Santos?” I blew out a sigh of frustration. That was the stupidest shit he could have ever asked me.

  “No I’m not okay, but you know that already. I’ll tell you like I told you before I have no idea where Jayceon is.” I continued to walk right past his slick ass. I had no time for the games he was playing.

  “I believe you. I stayed out here past my shift because I wanted to make sure you were okay. I heard about what happened and I just wanted to check on you. Trust me I could care less where that nigga or his crew at. The shit is out my hands now. The FEDS have taken over the case. Let me take you home.” I did not want to be bothered with him but on the other hand, I just wanted to get home, so I allowed him to take me home.

  The house was ripped to shreds when I went inside. I started to clean up. My life was in this house and I didn’t have the heart to just leave. In my heart, I knew that Jayceon wasn’t going to come anytime soon. Call me foolish, but the love I have for him would not allow me to give up so quickly. There was a part of me that wanted to just wait on Jayceon. I knew that he would come back for me. That was just wishful thinking. After a week of waiting for him and hoping he would at least call, I grew lonely. I refused to speak with his family. They knew what the fuck was going on, so they were just as fraud as he was. I packed up what I could of my things and left the house that I had fell in love with, only to end up in a place I despised.

  “Look at you Isabella, I cannot believe you’re pregnant.” My mother had been chastising me since I walked through the door.

  “Leave the girl alone Lucinda. She’s been through enough. I’m just happy you’re back home. I knew this was going to happen. You and our grandchild will be well taken care of. I love you Isabella, and am happy that you came back home. Believe it or not we missed you.” My father kissed me on the jaw an
d helped me to carry my bags out to the guest house. I could hear my mother with all of her ‘I told you so’s as I walked out of the back door. I had money to be in my own home but I wanted to go to a familiar place. After all, they were all I had. The way my heart was set up, I needed the love of my parents to get me through, and I felt like any minute I was going to crumble. No matter the circumstances I knew I had to keep it together for the sake of my unborn son. I never knew loving Jayceon would have me in a mental prison. I was lost in his love and he was nowhere around to find me.

  PART TWO:

  Love, I thought you had my back this time

  Keyshia Cole

  Chapter 23- Skylar

  It had been a year since my brother and his crew picked up and left. At first my parents tried to keep me in the dark, but after the police raided all of our houses looking for him, they had no choice but to come clean to me. They knew that I would never tell about my brother’s whereabouts. A lot has happened in this short amount of time. Bella gave birth to a beautiful baby boy six months ago, that she named after him. She has refused to let us see him but she sends pictures all of the time. We’re not mad at her though. The shit is understandable. She feels betrayed and she should. Bella really loved not just Jayceon, but all of us. I hate that we are no longer friends. She asked us to respect her wishes and not try to look for her. I just wish that she would allow us to at least see Baby Jay. At least him and my daughter would be able to grow up together. Surprised huh?