Somebody's Gotta Be on Top

by Mary B. Morrison

  “Bankrupt! Darius is bankrupt!”

  “Yup. There’s a company named NyVek which is Kevin spelled backward with a y instead of an i. NyVek has embezzled almost all of Somebody’s Gotta Be on Top revenue and falsified the financial records so on paper Darius thinks he has money. Darius has gained control over Ciara’s companies. Monica, Ciara’s sister has vowed revenge if Darius doesn’t undo the legal mess he’s created. Ciara’s pregnant and in hiding. I’ve got to give it to her. Theo hasn’t even found that broad. But I will. And ... I hope you’re sitting down. Ciara and Darius are legally married. So Ciara legally owns interest in Darius’s company. And ... I hope you’re lying down for this one.”

  Jada sat on the edge of the bed.

  “Some broad named Desire who lives in London is a part of the equation. She’s six months pregnant, says it’s Darius’s baby, and when the baby is born she going to request a paternity test. Babydoll, you know what’s next if the test comes back and Darius is the father. Mo’ money.”

  “Stop! I can’t take any more! Darius is bankrupt! Darius is married! Two women are pregnant!”

  “I hate to interrupt you, babydoll but there’s one more thing . . . Ciara and Monica are responsible for burning down Darius’s office.”

  “Okay, I really can’t handle any more right now. I gotta go.”

  “Don’t you want to hear the good news?”

  “No. I don’t.”

  “Well, babydoll. Just so you’ll know. I had my inside contact at the IRS freeze all of Kevin Williams’s assets. So Theo will make sure that Darius eventually gets his money back. But if I were you, I’d make Darius sweat.”

  “Thanks, Theo. Bye.” Jada hung up the phone, dried her tears, grabbed the tote, and bumped into Wellington who was holding the other cordless in his hand as she walked out of the bedroom. “Shit! You scared the hell out of me!”

  “You care to tell me what that phone conversation was all about?” His eyes squinted so tight all Jada saw were Wellington’s pupils.

  “We’d better sit down and discuss this.” Jada told Wellington how she’d hired Theo to follow Darius, Ciara, Kevin, and Candice. Candice was the only one on whom Theo had nothing to report. Jada reluctantly explained everything Theo had revealed.

  Wellington shook his head. “I don’t believe you.” Wellington stood. Jada grasped his bicep.

  Wellington whispered angrily, “Don’t touch me.” Pulling his arm away, Wellington walked out and slammed the door. Jada jumped. Tears poured. “What have I done?” Jada dried her eyes. “I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself. Darius needs me.”

  On the drive to the hospital, Jada reflected on how she could have handled things differently. Why did she cover up so much from Wellington? Hopefully neither Wellington nor Lawrence would ever find out she had aborted Lawrence’s child during their second year of marriage. Jada couldn’t handle raising another child. Darius was almost in high school. Her business was thriving. Her body was tight. She didn’t deserve Wellington. After his affair with Melanie, actually after their marriage, Wellington was faithful. No unexplained phone calls, numbers in his pocket, or questionable whereabouts.

  When Jada arrived at the hospital, Wellington’s car was parked in the hospital’s garage. Jada parked opposite Wellington’s Jaguar. “Lord, give me strength,” Jada said, entering Darius’s hospital room.

  “Hi, Ashlee.” She looked over at Darius. “Hi, honey. How are you?” Darius had requested to room with Ashlee. Jada patted Ashlee’s hand then kissed Darius’s forehead. Darius clung to Jada’s embrace. For the first time since Ma Dear died, Darius had a tear in his eye.

  “Tell him everything you know,” Wellington insisted. “We have to work this out as a family.”

  Jada nodded toward Ashlee and said, “Wellington.”

  “She’s family. Tell him now, Jada.”

  Jada told Darius what Theo discovered. Ashlee turned her back and wept.

  “I’mma kill that connivin’ muthafucka! I knew I couldn’t trust him!” Darius limped around his bed. “Ashlee, you in on this shit? You knew about this? You giving my money away?! Huh! Answer me!”

  Shaking his head, Wellington said, “Son, lay back down. This is not Ashlee’s fault. The only thing you’re going to do right now is listen to us. We’ve decided,” Wellington looked at Jada, then at Darius, “that the money we loaned you must be repaid by the end of the year. And, since we already know you can’t afford to repay us and you no longer have an office in Los Angeles, we’re taking over your company. And you can’t work for us, Son. You’re going to have to get a job. Working for someone else.”

  “Oh, hell no!” Darius jumped up again. “Ma! You can’t let him do this!”

  Jada frowned at Wellington. His eyes met hers. Wellington didn’t blink or speak to her.

  Wellington continued, “Son, you don’t respect your mother. You don’t respect me. You don’t respect your wife. You don’t even respect yourself. So why should we contribute to you using other people? We won’t. Never again. And if you don’t get a job, we’re taking your name out of our will. You’ll inherit nothing.”

  “Man, this is bullshit!” Darius swung his fist in the air. “I don’t need y’all! I’m going to the NBA!”

  “And, if you curse one more time,” Wellington harshly whispered, “I’ll whup your ass and extend your hospital stay through the New Year. You can watch the NBA on television. But you won’t play anywhere.”

  Darius shook his head. “Just go. Y’all need to get up out of my room.”

  “Boy, you are really pushing me.” Wellington stood over Darius. “Shut up! And lay down! We leave when we get ready. And from the way things are right now, you won’t even own a damn house to live in! I’ll take those too!”

  Darius stepped back and sat on the bed. “Why you always taking up for her?!” Darius pointed toward his mother.

  What? For her. Jada was contemplating how she could help Darius and Darius was turning on her. Jada remained quiet. Tears poured again.

  “Because I love your mother. I married your mother for better or for worse and I meant that. It’s called commitment, Son. Something that you know nothing about.”

  When Darius’s door opened, Jada, Wellington, and Darius turned in unison. Lawrence stood in the doorway and said, “I came to see my daughter. I warned her not to come here. When she’s released, I’m taking her back to Dallas.”

  Ashlee uncovered her head. “Daddy!” Her smile was tight due to the bandages. Ashlee stretched her arms. She couldn’t reach far so Lawrence leaned over and kissed Ashlee.

  Jada looked at Lawrence then at Wellington, grateful she hadn’t given birth to Lawrence’s child. The Lord knew Darius was more than enough. Jada glanced at Ashlee, then at Darius.

  “Lawrence, man. Come in,” Wellington said. “Darius, you owe Lawrence an apology for misleading Ashlee.”

  Darius looked at Wellington and said, “Maybe your wife owes him an apology for aborting his baby.”

  Chill bumps formed over Jada’s body. Oh, no he didn’t. The room suddenly became cold. Jada gasped for air. Everyone stared at Jada. Jada froze. How did Darius know? Her face dropped. Darryl? Candice? Damn. She did talk too much.

  When Jada didn’t respond, Wellington casually strolled out of the room shaking his head.

  Lawrence stared in disgust. “Like mother. Like son. The only thing that will change your lying ways is death. But you’re not keeping my daughter here with you.”

  Jada looked at Darius. Silence. Then Darius whispered, “Ma, he’s right. I am just like you. I don’t want to mess up other people’s lives. But somehow I always do. I love you, Ma. But I hate you too.”

  Jada thought her mother’s death had been the saddest day of her life. But hearing her only son say he hated her shattered her heart into a million pieces.

  CHAPTER 45

  Darius didn’t need Wellington. Wellington could take back his money, the company, even his last name. Darius had Darryl. Af
ter all the cruel words Darius had spoken to his mother, shockingly, his mom continued supporting him. Jada made Wellington leave Darius’s homes, cars, and personal bank accounts in Darius’s name, saying, “Wellington, you can’t strip Darius of everything he’s worked for. You’ll destroy him. And no, my child will not live in a shelter; he’s going back to college.” Darius had bet that Wellington, under the same circumstances, wouldn’t have treated little Wellington the same. That spoiled brat tore up the entire house on visitation weekends and all Wellington did was laugh.

  Darius drove his Bentley to what once was his office building to assess the damages. “Damn. Maybe that’s what Ma Dear meant when she used to say, ‘Is possession a form of ownership, if nothing lasts forever but everything has a price?’ ” Darius sat in his car. The front side of the building had collapsed. The back stairwell, protected by the fire wall stood three stories high. The perimeter was wrapped with yellow caution tape. His records. Contracts. Furniture. Gone. He could replace the furniture. He’d request duplicate contracts from his attorney. Some of his records were irreplaceable. That’s right, those were Wellington’s records. Wellington didn’t know jack about the film industry so sooner or later he’d have to rely on Darius.

  Getting out the car, Darius leaned against the side. Why would Ciara want to hurt Ashlee? When he did come face-to-face with the Monroe sisters, they’d be lucky if Darius didn’t kill them. Why did bad things happen to the women he loved?

  A masculine voice from behind said, “I thought I’d find you here.”

  Darius turned, paused. “Hey, old man. What’s up?”

  “Since when did I become an old man?” Darryl asked, leaning on the car next to Darius. “You okay?”

  “Don’t know what to think right now. With my company gone and all.” Darius was pleased Darryl had found him. “I never expected this to happen. Why would Ciara do something like this? Ashlee could’ve died in that fire. And me too.”

  “Son, a woman scorned will do irrational things. A business partner cheated or threatened will go to extremes. And accidents do happen. Pick one or all three.” Darryl walked toward the building. “How are you so sure Ciara is the one who did this?”

  Darius thought about the day Ciara and Monica threatened him. Shaking his head Darius replied, “I’m not sure.”

  “Well, you’d better keep thinking because this person may still come after you. Now for some good news. Sixteen universities want you. You can start next semester and you’re guaranteed to walk on to any of those teams. We can tour your top five or six colleges together.”

  Darius smiled. For the first time in months Darius had a reason to be excited. “Whoa, are you serious?”

  Darryl nodded then named the colleges. Darius smiled. Ma Dear must have saved him again.

  “Son, if you have wronged anyone, I suggest you apologize and mean it. Because once you go pro, every skeleton you have will jump,” Darryl leaped high in the air, “out at cha. Trust me.”

  “I have a few,” Darius admitted. “You hungry, old man?”

  “No, I’m going to Kevin’s, packing my bags, and heading to the airport. Let me know what schools you’re interested in in three days.” Darryl opened his arms. For the first time, Darius embraced his father.

  Darius sat in his car and dialed Ashlee’s cell number. Darius drove behind Darryl until they went separate ways on the freeway.

  “Hello,” Lawrence answered.

  Darius hung up. How could he apologize if he couldn’t talk to Ashlee? Darius didn’t know where Ciara was. Darius parked in his mother’s driveway, then rang the doorbell.

  The door opened. “Hi, honey. Why didn’t you use your key?”

  Darius was quiet. His arms wrapped around his mother’s shoulders. Darius squeezed tighter. “I love you, Mom.” Darius blinked, washing away his tears before his mother noticed.

  “Oh, honey. You don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear you speak those words.” Jada sniffled as her body trembled.

  “I apologize for hurting you, Mom. I’ll never treat you like that again.”

  Breaking Darius’s embrace, Jada looked up at Darius.

  The tears Darius held for twenty-two years poured. Darius squatted to the floor. His mother sat in the foyer holding him in her arms.

  Darius would apologize to Wellington tomorrow. Between sniffles and mucus, Darius mumbled, “Grandpa Robert is turning over in his grave right now calling me a sissy.”

  “Baby, everybody’s gotta cry, sometimes.”

  CHAPTER 46

  Kevin sat by Ashlee’s bedside. Rubbing her hand. Making her laugh. While Ashlee wasn’t as attractive on the outside, she was still perfectly beautiful on the inside. Her smile was slightly crooked, her eyes puffy and red. The nurse said that after the dermabrasion Ashlee’s face would almost appear normal. And after the lawsuit that Kevin would help Ashlee to file against Darius, Ashlee would never have to work again.

  Kevin reached into his pocket. A modest diamond ring, one and half carats, set in ten-karat gold, sparkled. Ashlee wasn’t a flamboyant woman. She didn’t need the riches to be happy. Kevin wanted to spoil Ashlee with money and love. First he’d have to convince Lawrence that, unlike Darius, he’d take good care of his daughter. Hopefully Kevin had made progress by visiting Ashlee each day.

  “Ashlee Anderson.” Kevin gently touched Ashlee’s foot. The lower parts of her body weren’t sensitive to pressure. “Will you marry me?”

  Ashlee stared. She didn’t frown or smile so Kevin waited for a response.

  Shaking her head, Ashlee said, “You can’t be serious.”

  The sensitivity in Kevin’s heart softened the look in his eyes. “I’m very serious. I love you.”

  “You feel sorry for me. You don’t love me. You’re competing with Darius. I’ve had enough of your lies.”

  “Competing? What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You’re brothers. You’re always in competition. For business. Women.”

  “Ashlee, I swear. I’m serious. I wouldn’t lie to you about something like this.” Kevin walked around the bed and knelt before Ashlee. He showed her the ring. “I would like an answer.”

  “Let me get out of the hospital. Get through rehab. Become as healthy as I can. So I can move as far away as possible from you and Darius. No, I will not marry you.”

  Kevin pressed two fingers against his lips, then pressed the same two fingers atop Ashlee’s big toe.

  Ashlee smiled then laughed. “You are so silly.”

  “Only with you, my love. Only with you. I’ll be right back. In about thirty minutes.”

  Kevin raced to the lobby. Surprised to see Darius and Jada, Kevin ignored them and dialed Darryl’s number.

  “Hey, Dad. I have great news. Ashlee and I are getting married.”

  Darius stood over Kevin. “You are not going to marry Ashlee.”

  “Mein, step back. I’m not talking to you.”

  Darius moved closer. “Make me step back.”

  Jada bridged herself between Kevin and Darius. “Break this mess up! Kevin, Darius is right. You will not marry Ashlee. You broke your lease in Harlem, and stole one million dollars from your brother’s company, Somebody’s Gotta Be on Top. I guess you thought that somebody was going to be you. Riding high off of someone else’s wealth. Well, I’ve told Tony everything. And I’ve had all of your bank accounts frozen. You will repay my son every penny you owe him plus interest. Because you see we, my husband and I, loaned Darius a million dollars to start his business! And I’ll be damned if you or anyone else is going to steal it from him! You are truly your daddy’s child! Gimme that damn phone.”

  Jada snatched the phone from Kevin. “Darryl, you’d better come and get this child before the coroners have to. Kevin has stolen a million dollars from Darius. Darius’s company nearly went bankrupt. And thanks to NyVek, Kevin’s fictitious company, Wellington and I had to put money into Darius’s account so his business wouldn’t fold.” Darius smiled as Jada
handed the phone to Kevin. “Your daddy wants to talk to you. Darius, let’s go.” Jada looked back at Kevin and said, “If you lie to Ashlee, I’ll tell her the truth. The whole truth.”

  Kevin squinted because he wanted to call Jada a bitch like his father had done years ago when he’d said, “All you bitches are just alike,” but he couldn’t. Because Ashlee was nothing like Jada. Nothing like any of the women he’d met.

  Kevin exhaled, then said, “Yes, Dad.”

  “Is Jada telling the truth? You stole money from Darius?”

  Kevin sighed. “Well, it was more like a loan.”

  “A loan my ass! A loan means someone gives you the money. You’re stealing if you take the money and only pay it back if they find out. So that’s how you bought that house. The car. Boy, you wait until I see you. I’m not boarding this plane. I’m on my way to your house right now and you’d better be there when I get there.”

  “But, Dad. Some of the money I earned honestly from working for Darius.”

  “I knew you were up to no good when you moved to LA but I had no idea.”

  “I was tired of working, hustling, and still living in a one-bedroom apartment in the ghetto. I wanted to live rich like you. Like Darius.”

  “Boy, that’s the stupidest thing I’ve heard. I work for the things I have. I have a job.”

  “Yeah, but you’re working extra hard to get Darius into the NBA so you can quit your job.”

  “Kevin, that’s not true.”

  “Dad, we’re too much alike. I know you. It is true. You never helped me like that. Bye, Dad.” Kevin hung up the phone.

  How in the hell did Kevin’s whole life fall apart in fifteen minutes? Kevin speed dialed the eight hundred number to his bank. He keyed in his ten-digit account number. “Please hold while we transfer you to an operator.”

  “Thank you for holding, may I help you?”

  “I’d like the balance on my account number five dash. . . .”

  After verifying the last four digits of Kevin’s social security number and place of birth, the customer service representative replied, “Your balance is nine hundred fifty-seven thousand, six hundred eighty-two dollars and twenty-one cents.”