by Zi'ere
As hate began to churn in my heart for Tory, compassion took hold of me for Laini’s sake. Throughout the night I had attempted to contact her several times in many different ways with no luck. It didn’t take long to figure out that the calls and messages I thought I was sending Tory, were being routed to Laini. Whatever the electronic trick had been to pull that off was no longer intact. Every call, inbox message, text message, and even face time chats went directly to Tory. The way Tory attacked me every time I attempted to reach out to Laini made me see the two women as polar opposites. Laini had simply been unlucky in love, the same way I was. She wasn’t a parasite to any man. Laini just wanted a man to love her simply because she was a woman deserving unwavering love.
Now that the sun had come up and shone bright through the drapes of my hotel room, I had many things to accomplish in such a short time. Knowing that Laini had genuine feelings for me was refreshing. I would be a divorcee soon and I could honestly say I wanted to get to know her like she knew me. I began to make some calls to my business contacts to see if I could get information on Laini. I knew where her office building was in the city, but I also knew there would be paparazzi lurking. I mean unless you had been living under a rock, you knew who Laini Jefferies was. I looked up to get a better look at my face. Laini was in love with me. My personality, my work ethic, and personal appearance had all been factors in keeping her interested in me for years. My chest stuck out in pride but just as quickly deflated when I remembered how much pain she had been in last night.
After two phone calls I was advised that Laini was at Cedars Hospital by her sister’s side. Apparently Zoey had been in a bad car accident. I remembered years ago the women had lost both their parents in the same manner. My heart began to ache for her even more. I decided that it would be best if I talked to her face to face. In her present condition she may block any other form of communication from me for fear of it being unauthentic. The next call I placed was to my personal attorney, Terrell Haywood. I needed to get a change of custody for my children by the end of business Monday. With what I paid him and with his connects, I was prepared to have my children with me by Sunday if not sooner.
I had to make one more phone call before I could leave the room and put my thoughts into action. Before I could do anything, I had to see my children. Tory had done a great job hiding them from me last night. Today was a school day and I knew she couldn’t turn her tricks of the new day if the kids were not in school. Things were going from bad to worse with me from one minute to the next. Imagine my surprise when I called the pricey private school to set up early dismissals for my kids, I was told they had been withdrawn six months ago. I didn’t want to think about the fifteen grand I sent Tory every month for child support. If I had been upset with Tory at the airport, I was able to restrain myself. Today she would not be so lucky. My next call was to the most truthful person I knew that had any association with Tory, her sister Yvette.
37
Quese
“This is Laini Jefferies assistant Yvette, how can I help you today?” I was sure someone could knock me off my size twelve feet with a feather.
“Yvette as in Tory’s sister, Yvette?” Yes, before she could confirm it, I already knew the answer.
I was positive that she had recognized my voice by now. Yvette had been the link between Tory and Laini.
“How could you let Tory string you up into this mess? You’re Laini’s assistant? What in the world did the poor woman do you either of you?”
“Sir, I can handle that issue for you but I am going to have to contact you back with the information. Our building is in the middle of a lockdown and I have to make sure certain points have been taken care of at the moment. Can you give me your contact information?” Yvette had to be in earshot of someone else, she was a natural professional.
I had a hard time figuring out if I wanted to give her my number. I had always wondered how Yvette was the sweetest God fearing woman and her sister danced with the devil daily. I gave her my cell phone number without waiting for her to confirm it. I needed to get to Laini. If Yvette was the leak, not only would Laini’s heart be in shambles but her business would be as well. I owed Laini enough respect to do my part to fulfill the duties of damage control in every way that I could.
38
Zoey
I feel no pain. In fact, my body feels light and airy. I was walking in a meadow that was full of beautiful flowers and my bare feet felt the thick grass with each step. I stepped to the edge of a stream and I caught a glimpse of myself. My skin was beautifully smooth and my face was a little fat. I smiled. Laini and I both had pie faces to begin with. Remembering Laini made me cry within a matter of seconds.
“There is no sorrow crying here baby girl.” My mother’s voice spoke even though I didn’t see her mouth move.
Mom and dad had settled on either side of me. They placed their arms around me and began to rub my round stomach at the same time. In that moment I realized I was pregnant. I looked behind me to search for Mekhi.
“He’s not here baby girl.” My father’s voice as I had always remembered went into my ear but I felt it in my heart.
“Zoey, you can’t stay here. It’s not time for you to be here.” My parents spoke in perfect unison.
“It feels so good. It’s so beautiful.”
“Yes, you are right. In His word He told us all that it would be the most beautiful thing we had ever seen, didn’t he?”
“Yes sir.” I touched my father’s handsome face. He was still, if not more handsome than he had ever been.
“I love the hair little girl, that haircut looks nice on you.” My mom brought my attention to her.
“We can’t stay long baby. We needed to tell you that you have to go back.” They began to speak in unison again.
“Those little boys in your belly have a lot of things to accomplish in life. They are going to need their mom with them. Plus, Laini will not be able to live without you.”
“I want to stay here. Me and my babies can stay here with the both of you.” I looked deep into their eyes one at a time.
“We understand how you feel, but it’s not time yet. We will still be here when you get here.”
Before I knew it, my parents were on their feet. Hand in hand they began to walk away. My mom stopped short and turned to speak to me again.
“Raise those boys just like we raised you and your sister. No matter what happens, all you two have is each other. Don’t let anyone destroy your relationship with your sister. You’re going to need her help just like she needs you.” Suddenly she began to walk away again.
“Noooooo! Mama please don’t go! Daddy can’t you stay a little while longer I haven’t said everything I needed to say?”
“You can’t stay here. Go back and enjoy your babies and your niece and nephews.” I watched them walk away until I couldn’t see their lights anymore.
My chest began to hurt. I did not want to go back. This place was so calm. I wanted this kind of peace in my life every day. The only way I could have that was if I stayed here. My decision was final. I was not going back.
39
Emani
The peace and tranquility I was hoping to gain while hiding out in my office would not come. I knew that I should have been on the way to the hospital to see about my sister but my heart wasn’t in it. I felt that my world was about to come tumbling down. The façade I had built with everyone was no longer valid. Everyone now saw me for what I really was, a witch. I was standing at the window, looking out at the world I once held by the reigns. I had to do something to gain my position back. I would show all of the ladies that I was a nice person and that I was capable of having genuine feelings. I could not let Laini pull the rug from under the Barton Agency because it was the only thing keeping us alive. I had taken some risks with the business that had left us in financial ruin. The only part of the business that wasn’t in the toilet were the stakes Zoey and Laini held in the company. No matter how many
times I tried to come clean to Amina, I could never get up the nerve to actually say the words.
I could only bank on the hope that she would be out long enough for me to rectify the situation. My mind went back to the envelope on Amina’s desk from Darrell. I couldn’t take it while there were so many people in there before but now was the perfect time. Good thing I was slow to walk away, I began to see groups of people come out of the building and head to the parking garage across the street as if it were five pm. I took long powerful steps to reach Felicia’s desk. She was frantically writing and confirming facts from the computer screen to the notebook she had in front of her.
“Felicia, what in the hell is going on? Why is everyone leaving like I have blown the whistle on the workday?”
“I thought you had left for the hospital.” She looked irritated that I was bothering her.
“Well as you can see, I’m right here! And I am demanding to know why all of my employees are leaving!”
“Laini called and gave the order for the building to be locked down until further notice. All employees are on a paid sabbatical for now.”
“So what you are telling me is that Laini has not only closed down her production but she has shut down mine as well?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Felicia rose from her seat.
She powered off her computer screen as I watched her gather all of her personal things. Her last move puzzled me. She took her office key off of her key ring and placed it into an agency monogrammed envelope.
“Do you want me to turn in your key for you?” She looked up at me, with a smirk.
I had the feeling she was enjoying seeing me follow someone else’s orders for once.
“Uh, um…no, I will turn them in myself.” I had no idea what Laini was thinking but I felt I needed to get into Amina’s office quick.
“Before you go that way, I should go ahead and tell you that you won’t be able to get in. The locks on the three doors have all been changed. Yours will be changed when you leave for today.” With her Purple Label signature bag on her shoulder she moved across the floor to the area where Yvette and Jamel were executing Laini’s orders.
The sounds my heels made as I stormed away made it clear to the ladies that I was less than happy with the decisions that had been made without my consent. Now that I was paying attention to what was going on around me, a security guard stood at each of the three office doors. They supervised the installation of the new locks as if they were protecting the President. There was no way I was going to be able to get the envelope now.
40
Emani
I made it back to office and slammed the door shut in frustration. My hands were shaking so bad I had trouble pressing the numbers on my cell phone to make a call. I decided I needed help to make it through this day. I pulled out my bag and found the bottle of prescription Xanax. Instead of my regular one pill dose, I took two with a sip of bottle water sitting on my desk. The phone barely completed the first ring before it was answered. She must have been expecting my call anxiously.
“Yes, Emani. What can I do for you today?” I had just about enough of Laini’s attitude.
“Can you tell me why you have shut down my agency when it is your company that is smeared in the press today?” I tried to calm myself.
“I shut down my building and everything in it, is what I did. Anything that needs to be done will be completed by me. Unfortunately I could not be there to make an announcement myself but then again that is why we each have capable executive assistants.”
“But what does my agency being up have anything to do with you and Purple Label?” I should have asked this specific question first.
“Girl, don’t get on this phone and try to act brand new with me. You know damn well you don’t have the stock or shares to call the agency yours anymore. You have five minutes to leave the building before you will be charged with trespassing.”
Everyone thought I was the cold- hearted bitch in the building. I collapsed down to my knees when I heard the call end.
41
Laini
The day had gone by in a matter of seconds is the way it seemed to me. Liam helped me get Zoey’s room in tip top diva functioning order. We both took turns talking to her about the big things in her life. Somehow I knew in my heart that she would probably decide to stay with our parents. I latched on to Liam for dear life. He was all that I had left. I wanted to leave and check on Amina’s condition but there was no way I was going to leave Zoey’s side. While the nursing assistant was giving her a sponge bath, I had an opportunity to fill Liam in on all of the revelations I had stumbled upon in the last week. The only leg I had to stand on was the one he gave me earlier this morning when he said he wasn’t going anywhere, ever. He had reaffirmed his position every time I was on the brink of a breakdown.
Instead of wasting precious time, I decided to put him to the test quickly. Why would I have to wait on love if it was standing right beside me? I started off by telling him the complete truth about what I thought I knew and then what I found out to be true about Que. I went into detail about the things Tory had said to me. I wanted him to understand that I was going to find Tory and Que Calhoun and hold them accountable for their actions in any way that I could. I told him about the ring I had purchased from George. I told him about the venomous moves that were being carried out by Emani. He needed to hear the words she used to describe me and about the contempt she held in her heart for me. The ‘tell- all’ story ended with the fact that Zoey and Amina were now in unhealthy waters. I had no idea how either story would end.
His response was to hold me in his arms as tight as he could without hurting me. I right ear was pressed against his chest and I could distinctly hear his heartbeat. It was the most beautiful music I had ever heard. As upset and scatter brained as I was when I started confessing to him, I was now under a calm wave that took over my entire body. Liam must have been feeling what I was feeling because he stepped back just enough so that he could lower his head to kiss me. The small and neat kiss reminded me of the spanking he had put on me the night before. Chemistry, passion, wanting, needing, and addiction flowed between us even though we still held each other tight.
The kiss ended when someone walked into the door. We both turned to see Que standing in the door way with a vase of hot pink roses in hand and yellow roses in the other. Liam released the hold he had on me and stood in front of me as a barrier of protection once again. Because Liam was so big, I had to move around him just so that I could see Que.
42
Laini
“Wow, I actually thought that you weren’t like the other girls Laini. It hasn’t even been a full twenty four and you are playing tonsil hockey with the next guy.” Que’s words were laced in jealousy.
“You know what? I will take that back. I deserve to see you kissing someone else today. I can be a man about it. Here, these are for you and this dozen is for Zoey.” Que handed me the vase of hot pink roses. In the same fluid moment, Liam took the vase out of my hands and sat them on the window seal. I felt my pinky toe itch, this was not going to end well. I could see blood, x-rays, and even police involved.
“Laini, I have some important things to tell you. I know you might not want to listen to me or possibly see my face, especially since you have high yella in here with the hazel eyes.”
He was jealous. How cute? A day late, an interview question, and an answer short, but still kinda cute.
“Excuse me? Aren’t you the same Quese Calhoun, married to Tory Calhoun? The one who told me yesterday the only thing he knew about me was what he learned in the media? The one who walked off from me in a sea of sharks, yet still knowing damn well I had no idea what was going on?” My hands were on my hips as I threw daggers with every question I asked at him.
“Look, my man. Can you give me and my lady..”
“Your lady? Who is that? Son, there are only two women in this room and I can promise you neither one of them is
your lady!” Liam was trained for this type of situation.
“Laini, can you call off your lil bodyguard. I just want a chance to talk for a second?” Que looked at me, waiting for an answer.
“When you get back she will be able to break everything down for you. Just in case you have any questions or need further clarification, I will be available to you as well.” Que spoke to Liam as if he was a homeless guy on the street.
His attitude was so unattractive to me in that moment. I had never seen such cocky and arrogant actions from him.
“Here, take this twenty spot and get yourself some lunch.” He held out a folded bill in front of Liam.
“Laini you better tell pretty ass Quese I ain’t the one he wants to do it with.” Liam was speaking to me but he never took his eyes off his opponent.
“Que, you are totally out of order coming in here like you have been given the right to be here. Liam has been nothing but a well- respected friend to me for years. Some of those years included the years I thought I was in a relationship when I was really single and could have been mingling the entire time. But one thing is certain, he has never left me in a time of need. You do not get to disrespect him.”
“Laini, I don’t mean to disrespect you or your prince charming here. I just need some time to talk to you. In private. There are a lot of things you need to know and I have to be the one to tell you. I won’t leave until you have heard my side of the story.”
“Hearing your side of the story would have been a nice start for you last night! I am dealing with too much today! You, your wife, and kids- that has nothing to do with me. I’m telling you that you need to leave right now!” For the second time she was putting someone out of Zoey’s room.