by Zi'ere
“What’s the matter Mrs. Haywood?” Carlos caught her with the worried look on her face.
“Heavy stuff babe, I was just thinking about the hard decisions I am going to have to make today.”
“Whoa, I thought the decision was made at the first meeting. Then you confirmed your family position last night.”
“I’m not talking about that baby. I’m speaking on essentially choosing Laini, Zoey, and Steph over Emani.”
“I wish there was something I could do to ease your pain babe. Maybe we can give Emani a chance to get on the straight and narrow before we completely write her off. You could suggest that to the Double Mint twins and I will talk to Bonnie and Clyde two- thousand thirteen.”
Amina couldn’t help to laugh at the description of what had to be Darrell and Steph. If nothing else in the world was true, his title fit like a glove. She hadn’t figured out how the cold- blooded Cedric fit into the dynamic duo, but she was convinced his role was more than a Robin to his wife’s Batman position. Cedric was only newly out of the streets. Men like Cedric would always have the pull of people who made themselves ghost riders in life. Amina’s mind couldn’t help but remember when Cedric was arrested and charged for the murder of his kids mother Leslie. Amina was also reminded that Cedric was released with no charges, and then came straight home from the precinct to this wife and kids. Leslie was now six feet under, never to hinder the new life he had built with Steph ever again. The thought gave her chills.
Amina ate the big spread her husband had prepared for her. She was positive that he had doubled the portions from what he had been fixing for her a week ago. She wasn’t going to spend a minute worried about her figure. She would tackle that after her babies were safe, sound, and fat. After all that is what trainers and the gym was for. As usual, she cleaned her plate in minutes. Carlos had been married long enough and taught better by the Haywood women not to mention a woman’s appetite or weight. He was a lot of things but a fool he was not.
After her food had settled, Carlos helped his wife into the bathroom. He undressed her while he waited for the hot water to kick in.
“Do you want me to put your hair up in a clip babe?”
“No, it’s dirty. I actually need you to wash it for me until I can work out some sort of arrangement with CeCe about coming here to fix it.”
“Don’t worry, I got you babe.”
He helped her out of the clean everyday sling and into a mesh sling designed to get wet. Husband and wife totally naked entered the double shower head stall. After Amina’s body was completely drenched she stood with her eyes closed as her husband squeezed shampoo onto the top of her head. He stood before her massaging her scalp, ensuring that her shoulder length hair was scrubbed clean. Amina could have passed out into a deep sleep in that moment. Carlos was strong handed but his fingers felt so good. She could feel his man hood grow and poke her in the stomach. The intimate act was obviously fueling him as well.
As she let the conditioner set into her hair, Carlos washed Amina’s body with a loofa. Every nook and cranny was cleaned carefully. When the time came, he spread soap across the horizontal scar now in her chest. He kissed the scar. Amina began to cry. She’d never had a scar anywhere on her body. The scar in her chest could possibly hinder her from modeling again. Modeling should not have been on her mind. Modeling and running the Agency were not going to be feasible for her once she had three babies at one time. She had zoned out but she recovered when the water was shut off.
As if she were a small toddler, she stood still while Carlos went to work on her body. He dried her skin and then moisturized her from neck to toes. He wrapped her hair in a towel as he moisturized her face and set about plucking newly grown hairs from her perfectly shaped eyebrows. She giggled on the inside. The man was too thorough. Amina focused on how her husband showed her daily that she was the most important person in his life. There was no doubt in her mind that he was completely in love with only her. Carlos taking care of her and washing her hair like a licensed cosmetologist was one of the many passionate love connections they had mad since they had been together.
After a small debate on her clothing for the day, Carlos helped her get dressed in the Juicy Couture sweat suit she demanded to wear. She didn’t feel like being in stuffy clothing. She saw him roll his eyes as he pulled up her pants on her waist. She could care less. According to Amina he should have been happy she was even wearing pants at all. Certainly Zoey and Laini had seen her in her underwear before. Once more wasn’t going to damage their bond. Even though she was completely dry, Amina began to tremble with goose bumps popping up all over her body. She got footie socks and then instructed Carlos to put her silver shimmery Ugg’s onto her feet. Between the boots and the sweat shirt with a tank top underneath she began to feel warm again.
29
Right on schedule like always, Laini and Zoey arrived. The three ladies gathered in the second level sitting room. That bright idea given to her by Carlos meant that Amina’s downstairs sitting room was still in disarray. Amina had to close her eyes and take deep breaths not to get upset about it.
“You look good girl!” Laini exclaimed as she ran over to Amina to give her a hug.
Zoey followed suite afterwards but Amina noticed she wasn’t as excited as Laini pretended to be.
“Look sis, we are sorry about downstairs. Things just happened so quickly and there was movement before we could remember we were in your home instead of in the streets.” Zoey’s apology was sincere.
“I don’t know what you apologizing for! I wasn’t even there and I know you weren’t fighting anybody!” Amina busted out in laughter.
“Touché’ Mrs. Amina! When that wench started talking about Mekhi’s sexuality status, I was hotter than fish grease! You should have seen how many times the men had to pick our butts up and separate us in that room!” Zoey was now laughing as well.
“Girl, it went down in your house last night boo! You ain’t cussing so I guess you haven’t seen the damage. But all that is nothing bad! It’s all good cause I got this under control. Your sister is on some other shit and it is bad for business. She is messing with the church’s money and she must be stopped.” Laini arranged all of her work materials in front of her.
“Carlos told me she was in rare form last night. I just can’t believe she audacity to show out in front of her husband, Steph, AND Mama Anna? Yea, she was doing the most last night.” Amina noticed that Zoey was lost in her own thoughts.
She could imagine the hurt her best friend was feeling. For Emani to through her fiancés name up in the company of all those folk was dead wrong. Zoey and Mekhi had been through some rough patches. Everyone knew that if Zoey was ever going to slow down and have a family, it would be with Mekhi. He was all Zoey had ever known. Amina wasn’t sure how a person would get back a friend in that situation but Emani was a fool to think Zoey was weak just because she was the most prim and proper out of all of us.
“Now to get down to the business at hand so Miss Thing can get back in bed” Laini spoke up. The last time we met you gave me certain privileges to handle Agency business on your behalf. What is your position now?”
Two pairs of slanted, almond shaped eyes were set on her.
“I am going to sell my shares to you. When I have these babies I’m not trying to prove anything to anyone that I can do it all. I want to be here relaxing and taking care of my family for a long time. I can’t deal with Emani’s shit anymore.”
“Are you sure? The Agency has been your baby for too long. Don’t you think you need more time to think about it?” Zoey reached across the table and rubbed Amina’s hand.
“I mean this isn’t something that is going to happen overnight but I certainly need someone looking out for the Agency’s best interest while I am away. I will still have my position for show. I will handle my business end just like normal in actions only. I want this transition of power done now though. I won’t wait on that.”
“So, Laini
will have more say in the company than Emani but we all agree to allow Emani think that she is running the show just like always?” Zoey asked.
“Yes, that is the plan. I already have Terrell working on the contract and bill of sale.” Amina was surefooted in her decision.
“Ok. Then it’s final.” Zoey made some notes on her iPad.
“Next order of business, I totally intend to remain in my position at Purple Label. I know the in’s and out of the Agency but I don’t intend to make it my number one priority. We need qualified people who we can trust to make real time decisions and keep things running smoothly.” Laini looked at each of the ladies as she spoke.
“Yes, it’s time to get ready for the new season. There is no way we can hold auditions and training while meeting the deadlines this one has set for us.” Zoey threw her hand in Laini’s direction.
“Zoey I told you a long time ago, if you need help- hire it! I have no say in who you hire to help with your designs. I do have say so in what is going to be manufactured and sold. Don’t get in here and act brand new with me!” Laini’s patience was thin.
Amina could see how her attitude changed from calm to you better watch your lips in a matter of seconds.
“Now you know good and well Jamel didn’t beg and plead to get the job of assistant to stay there. The man screams fashion and we all know sometimes it takes a male queen to give you the latest and greatest designs. I suggest you use him before I put him on something and pay him double what he is making now!”
Zoey’s eyebrows rose.
“Ya’ll come out the womb merely minutes before somebody else and ya’ll think you rule the world!” Zoey rolled her eyes at Laini.
Instead of responding, Laini gave Zoey a look. Amina had seen it many times between the two. Laini told her younger sister that she was walking a fine line on the border of her bad and good sides with her eyes. Emani was a tough cookie but Laini was straight gutter in her moves. Laini would have things happening in your life and you had no idea why. Zoey knew better to get flyy with her sister. Amina knew better as well. Amina watched Zoey sit back in her seat, she tried to contain her smirk and laughed out loud in her head.
“I was thinking that between Felicia and Mrs. Gert it would the best solution to our problem. Mrs. Gert has had your back and your front, we all know that. Even Emani knows that. Felicia has a bond with you because of how you treat her versus how Emani treats her. I have no doubt that after someone on one shaping around the edges, Felicia can be an asset to the Agency.” Laini laid her idea out in the middle of the floor.
Amina knew without a shadow of a doubt Emani was going to have a stroke!
“That’s a perfect idea hunni bun!” Amina squealed.
“This is going to end badly. I’m not taking anything away from anything. But, this is going to be a circus act by the time the dust settles. I’m just saying.” Zoey had a concerned look on her face as she spoke.
“Oh really now, you weren’t this kind when Emani was talking noise about Mekhi last night. You weren’t concerned with the dust when you lounged for her in my sitting room downstairs. I heard you knocked over my crystal angel last night. I got that as a wedding present from Zi. God only knows where she got the priceless art from because I wanted more but even I can’t find it! Then you were too distraught to go home is what I heard. Is that not the truth?” Amina challenged Zoey.
The look on her face told the truth that she’d never expected Amina to come at her like that. She was expecting Laini.
“Now, since you are in agreement to the business matters we are making right now- you can get on that iPad and find me another angel and four more for me to symbolize the family of five I am about to have. Let me know when you’ve found it!” Amina rolled her eyes as she focused on the task at hand once again.
“Ok, so I am going to have Mrs. Gert and Felicia start coming to the house tomorrow. Felicia is going to quit working for Emani today. I will have a similar contract for her ready by the end of the week. After they fully understand the ins and outs of what we need them to do until these babies are born, Mrs. Gert will set up business in my office. Felicia will take her desk.” Amina spat instructions as Laini took notes.
“I have already looked into a program for Yvette to move up on the Purple Label chain. I could also check into getting Felicia educated in business administration as well. If she is committed enough, by the time all the changes have been made public she will have the education and training to take on her position with minimal supervision.” Amina was impressed with the plans Laini was making.
“Are you sure your Nana will be okay with the increase of responsibility, Amina?” Zoey asked.
“My Nana will do whatever is asked of her with no questions asked.” Zoey was getting on Amina’s nerves with all the negative doubt.
“Bug, you know this game is not for the faint or weak at heart. If you feel you can’t be present for this cut-throat restructure we are about to do, you need to say so now. We cannot afford another weak link!” Laini was on her feet.
“It’s sad to say but our family consists of the three of us now. We have to do what we need to do to make sure the three of us are ok. Of course we want you here but instead of being slimy and backtracking like Emani, tell us the truth.” Amina pleaded with Zoey.
“I’m in, ya’ll don’t have to doubt that ever. I’m here ready for whatever.” Zoey offered a small smile.
30
A few weeks later Amina was still in bed per Dr. Frasier’s and now Dr. Carlos Haywood’s orders. She was beyond over having to spend so much time all by her lonesome. This particular night her husband had gone out to the regularly scheduled Haywood poker night. She was sick of being in the bed and even sicker of Carlos fussing over her. She’d literally had to kick him out of the house. She was sitting up with her laptop in her lap. Her iPad, cell phone, wallet, house phone, and remote control were all scattered around her. On her nightstand sat a glass of freshly squeezed lemonade made especially for her by Bella. In between sips of the lemonade she was putting a dent in her sweets bag. Her babies were continuing to grow in her belly with no problems but they gave their mom a sweet tooth that was out of control. Amina had a recycled grocery bed under her bed hidden by the bed skirt that held all of her candy and sweet cakes she craved. Individually wrapped pecan swirl cakes, honey buns, zebra cakes, banana nut muffins, brownies, Nerds candy, Hershey almond kisses, chocolate turtles, Twix, Nestle crunch bars, M & M’s, gummy peach rings, and gummy bears were all filled to the top of her stash bag. The sweet goodies were smuggled into the house by Bella. She knew Carlos would have a fit if he found out how much sugar she was consuming daily.
In the middle of unwrapping a three pack of turtles her cell phone began to ring. Emani’s face popped up on the screen. She continued her task and let the phone ring until it went to voicemail. The cell rang eight more times and went unanswered by Amina. After a few minutes the house phone began to ring. Amina was home alone so she didn’t stand the risk of Bella answering the phone even though she was put on notice that Amina didn’t want to talk to or see Emani. Amina was totally caught off guard with the house phone still ringing as Emani walked into her bedroom.
‘Damn, I forgot this heifer had a key!’
Amina refused to make eye contact with her big sister.
“While you in hear calling yourself not speaking to your own flesh and blood, your poster child for good behavior just had another scandal to break in the media! Turns out Tony is married. We should have a press conference to do damage control on Laini’s behalf.”
“Whoa, hold up a minute. You want to do a press conference about something you heard in the media about someone you consider as close as a sister?” Amina preferred to act as if she didn’t know anything about the scandals her sister was involved in.
“Yea, that’s what I said!”
“Emani what exactly is Laini’s position on this entire mess?”
“I don’t know because she
isn’t answering my calls just like you!” Emani crossed her arms with attitude.
“Are you listening to yourself?”
“Am I speaking in a foreign language tonight or something? By the way, where is your husband? Poker ended over an hour ago.” Emani asked matter of factly.
Amina looked at the clock on the nightstand. While it wasn’t terribly late, it wasn’t all that early into the night either.
“Let me control my man’s whereabouts while you focus on your own marriage that is clearly hanging on by a thread!” Amina didn’t mean for her words to come out so harsh but she was beyond irritated with Emani.
Amina got out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. While going potty she sent a sister-in-law Steph a text message inquiring about the poker game. Just like she knew she would, Steph gave her the blow by blow and put her on notice her man was on his way over to Mama to cash out his chips.
‘That trifling witch!’
Emani had made her doubt her man on purpose.
When Amina returned to the bed, Emani was seated looking at the page displayed on the laptop.
“Do you ever stay within the bounds of not being outright nosey as all get out?” Amina took the MacBook from Emani’s grip.
“Why are you looking at colleges? It’s a lil too early to get start planning for the babies isn’t it? I mean, you don’t even know for certain if they are going to be born yet.” Emani’s tone of voice was calm but it was dripping with disdain.
“You know what- get the fuck out of my house! I am sick of your shit! For you to sit there and cast any doubt on the viability of your nieces or nephews is so slimy you are worse than a belly to the ground snake. Then you have the nerve to be in my house talking to me crazy after all your bullshit the other night? Get the fuck out of my sight right now!” Amina was back on her feet, pulling Emani to the door against her will.
“What a minute! I didn’t mean it like that!” Emani screamed as she shoved Amina away from her.
“Don’t put your evil ass hands on me, get the hell out of my eyesight!” Amina was trembling and her voice was shaking.