by Tiece
“Well, that’s good.” I guess, she thought quickly. “I just wanted to speak since I saw it was you.” Candy said just as Monica noticed her big, shiny sapphire ring.
“Wow, that is a beautiful ring. Where did you get it from?” Monica asked reaching down for Candy’s hand to get a better view.
“Oh, thank you. It was a birthday gift.” Candy replied. She held it up so Monica could see it.
“I love it.” Monica stated as the name Candy began to run through her mind. Candy, huh? She asked herself. Nah, it couldn’t be, because she wouldn’t be this nice to me. Thoughts continued to run through Monica’s mind.
“Well, we are about to get outta here. We’ve done enough shopping for the day.” Candy stated.
“It was good seeing you. Maybe I’ll see you around.” Monica said with a smile on her face. “Oh yeah, when was the last time you saw Mona?” She asked quickly trying to see if she could peep out some information quickly on Mona’s pregnancy.
“We are still best friends and like you, she’s pregnant also. She’s happy and doing well. I’ll let her know you asked about her. She’ll be surprised to know that I saw you today.” Candy stated as Monica thought.
Not at all, I bet.
“So, congrats on your baby, is this the first one?” Candy asked.
“Yeah, this is my first and it’s a boy.” Monica said smiling. She was hoping to get a little more information from Candy.
“Awww, that’s nice to hear. I have a three and a half month old son and he’s a hand full, just like his daddy. We call him MJ. He’s a junior, of course.” Candy grinned. She wanted Monica to know that Monty was MJ’s father and that he was off limits regardless of her being pregnant.
“Oh, do you?” Monica said quickly. “Was he your first baby?” She asked assuming that this was the Candy who came between her and Monty.
“Yeah, but Monty and I plan on having one or two more in the future.” Candy verified it as she spoke his name loud and clear with no ands, ifs, or buts about it. Monty’s name rang out in Monica’s mind and she took in a deep breath.
“Did you say Monty; my ex-Monty?” She asked playing it off.
“Yeah, the one and only,” Candy rubbed it in.
“Wow, lil Candy and Monty. Who would’ve ever thought that?” Monica asked being funny.
“I’m sure you wouldn’t have, but I’m very happy to say that we are together.” She said knowing good and well that Monica didn’t like it one bit, even though it was clear that she’d moved on by the size of her stomach.
Monica cleared her throat. She wanted to tell Candy just what she thought about her, but knew in her condition she’d better just leave it alone for now. So, she played it off calmly saying.
“Well, tell everybody I said hello. I’m sure I’ll see you around.” She said rubbing her stomach.
“And what does that mean?” Candy asked raising her voice a little since she noticed Monica’s body language.
“Cuz, do we have a problem here?” Dee asked interrupting them. She’d walked over and stared Monica down.
“Nah, we don’t. I was just talking with one of Monty’s EX-girlfriends, but we can go now.” Candy said.
“Okay,” Dee paused, continuing to stare at Monica. “And if she knows like I know she better stay an ex, too.” She stated. She rolled her eyes at Monica. Even from afar, she could see that the conversation was getting heated between the two of them. That’s why she walked over.
“Have a lovely day, Monica.” Candy said before she walked off.
“Likewise,” Monica replied as she turned up her nose. Bitch, she thought. You won round one, but let’s see who’ll have the last laugh. Monica couldn’t figure out why Candy didn’t mention anything about her calling that day talking shit about Monty and about Rico being the father of her baby. Something just ain’t right about that whole encounter, but I’ll get to the bottom of it real soon. Monica thought. The conversation between the two of them had her heated and she was ready to go.
Chapter Sixteen
Rico and Mona lay on his bed watching Love Jones. It was one of her favorite movies, but Mona couldn’t even get into it, because she was too busy thinking about Monica. She picked up the DVD remote and pressed the pause button looking over at Rico.
“Baby, what are we going to do?” She asked knowing that Monica was definitely in for a fight if she thought that she was gonna swoop in and take her man.
“Baby, there is nothing that we can do right now. I mean, I know you’re concerned, but you don’t have to be. I’m not going anywhere and I don’t want you to think that I’m gonna hide things from you concerning Monica. That’s why I wanted you to stay while we talked earlier.” Rico grabbed Mona’s face and pulled her close to him. He kissed her softly on the lips and she melted in his arms. She felt so safe with him, but still couldn’t shake Monica out of her thoughts.
“Is it gonna be that way when her baby is born?” She asked as she twirled her fingers in the covers.
“Yes, nothing is gonna change. I keep telling you that. Please, believe me.” He said trying to reassure her again. He already knew that reassuring her was something that he’d be doing for a long time, but he was willing to do whatever it took to make sure that she understood that Monica was not going to come between them.
“Okay baby, I believe you.” She said, still feeling uneasy, but she laid back, relaxed and pressed play on the remote to start the movie again. Rico thought that it was time for some love making so he leaned over and began to kiss her passionately. Mona was ready for whatever Rico was about to give her, but they were interrupted when his phone rang. Rico answered while Mona listened closely.
“When did this happen?” He paused, then… “How long have you been there?” He’d pause again, then… “What did the Doctor say?” Mona was anxious for him to hang up and tell her what was going on. He continued. “Is everything going to be okay?” He asked then another pause… “Are you okay?”
Mona was thinking as he continued. What is up with all these questions? Is who gonna be okay? She asked herself. It better not be that bitch, I know that.
Before Rico hung up he then said,” I’ll be there shortly.” Mona sat there with a frown and before he could say anything to her she asked.
“Who was that?”
“That was,” he paused. “Well um, that was Monica.” He said already knowing that the shit was about to hit the fan.
“Well, what did she say and where are you going?” Mona asked hating that Rico had to deal with her.
“She’s in the hospital.” Rico said, putting his shoes on. “She says that she started feeling lower back pains and cramps in her stomach. When she got to the hospital she was told that she was having premature labor pains. She’s been in there about an hour and a half.”
Mona sat there staring at how quickly he was moving. He was actually trying to get to where that bitch was and he’d just said that she wouldn’t come between them. Bullshit, she thought.
“Come on, baby. I want you to go with me.” Rico said reaching to help her off the bed.
Mona sat there with the thought about being pregnant herself and going to the hospital with her man who was there to see his other pregnant baby mama. Hell no, she thought.
“Baby, you know what,” she said. “It’s getting late and I trust you. Go ahead and see how Monica is doing. I’m gonna have to trust you with her at some point, so why not start now.” Mona hated to be saying that, but she was telling the truth. She had to prove to Rico that she’d be as understanding as possible and allow him some time with Monica in hopes that he wouldn’t betray her trusting him.
Rico looked at her strangely. “Are you sure?” he asked, raising his eyebrows.
“Yeah and I’ll be here when you return. I’m staying the night so hurry back. She looked at the clock. It was 8:32pm and she definitely was timing him.
“Okay baby, I’ll be back before you know it.” He kissed her on the lips. “Thanks for und
erstanding,” he said and walked out to leave. Mona fell back on the bed with her head hitting the plush pillows as she sighed with disgust.
__________
Monty walked in the bathroom and sat on the foot stool as Candy showered. His head was full of thoughts since he was trying to come out with the truth about Monica.
“Hey baby, I’m back.” He said.
“Oh, hey baby.” Candy said as she washed her body.
“I left MJ at Mama’s tonight. She felt lonely, because Mona was over Rico’s and is staying the night.”
“I’m surprised you left him over there, but it’s all good. I bet she loved that.” She began to rinse off the Dancing Waters bubble bath by Bath and Body Works as she continued. “Well, Dee and Maurice went out tonight. She just left.” Candy said.
“That’s good and I believe she’ll like him. Maurice is a cool dude.” Monty said. He changed the subject back to his mama. “Well, you know Mama talked me into letting MJ stay. I will be picking him up in the morning, though.” He scratched his head and watched his beautiful lady get out of the shower. She dried off and looked in his handsome face.
“What’s up, sexy? Is there something you want to talk to me about, baby?” She thought about Monica and the look on his face was telling her that he did.
“Well, I…” She interrupted him to help him out a little bit.
“Have you seen any old friends, lately?” She asked, knowing that Monty was hiding something. It was just that woman’s intuition. She thought about the look on his face when he got to the office earlier as they were about to leave. Something told her that he’d been up to no good then, but she played it like a G and didn’t show her insecurity in front of Dee.
“I do have something to tell you, but I want you to understand and know that it’s nothing and it ain’t ever meant nothing.” He said.
“Just tell me, Monty.” She said. She put on a short, white satin, night gown. She knew that what she was about to hear was not going to be nice. “Just spit it out, Monty. I don’t have time for merry-go-round talk. I already know, anyway. So tell me, how long have you known that Monica was back in town?”
Monty’s eyes said more than they should have as he swallowed hard. Damn, has Monica talked to her already? He thought quickly.
“What do you mean?” He asked trying to figure out what to say next.
“I saw her today in the mall and not only was she pregnant, but she was asking crazy questions.” Candy informed him.
“What?” Monty asked knowing that it was no telling what Candy knew if she had saw Monica personally.
“You heard me and I let it be known that you and I were together and the look on her face was priceless. She tried to play it off, but I knew something wasn’t right. So, I’m asking you only once Monty have you been in contact with that bitch?” He sat there thinking that now was just as good a time as any to come clean, but could Candy really handle the truth about him and Monica.
“I’m gonna be honest with you and I want you to know that no matter what, you’re the only person that I want to be with.” Monty dropped his head because he knew that the truth was gonna be harder to tell than he imagined. Candy sat on the side of the tub as her heart raced. She knew that this was not gonna be easy for her; whatever it was that he had to say. The main thing that she was concerned about was Monica’s baby and if Monty fathered it.
“I saw Monica earlier today.” He said with his head hung low. “Candy’s heart raced faster. “It was right after y’all left the office. She pulled up to talk, but not to me if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Candy frowned. She wanted to know what the hell he was talking about.
“Baby, I don’t know how to say this.” he said with hesitation. Candy just watched him squirm to get the truth out. “Monica was one of my pawns back when you were pregnant. This was during the time you had left me to go to Atlanta.” Candy’s mouth dropped wide open.
“Wait one minute. What did you say? Come again and say that a lil slower.” She said as she stood up. Monty cleared his throat, knowing that he was in hot water now.
“It’s not what you think. She was a new pawn and, at first, I didn’t know who she was. She didn’t even know who I was. We met up through another pawn I was messing around with.” He shook his head, knowing that none of what he’d just said made sense or sounded good. Candy walked out of the bathroom. She was speechless. Monty followed her.
“Baby, please listen to me. I never wanted Monica like that. She was just a pawn. I made a lot of money off of her.” Candy turned to him with her eyes full of tears. He knew she couldn’t handle the truth.
Candy shook her head. “So she paid you just like the rest of them, huh?” She asked with her arms folded. In some sick sense, she felt a little better.
“Yes, she paid me better than any other pawn, but Monica is not the same person that I knew a long time ago and I had to find that out the hard way.” Candy’s thoughts began to focus on Monica being pregnant as Monty continued. “She’s very conniving and she’ll stoop to the lowest levels to get what she wants.” Candy’s stomach turned. She began to think that Monica was pregnant with Monty’s baby. She couldn’t take anymore of his explaining.
“Monty is that bitch pregnant by you?” Candy yelled out getting up in his face. He was surprised that she’d just come out with it, but knew that her concerns were definitely justified.
“No, baby, I used a condom every time we fucked.” Candy hated to hear him say that he was fucking Monica, but she knew that condoms weren’t baby proof.
“Monty don’t fucking lie to me. We both know that condoms aren’t always baby proof. I just can’t believe you were fucking with your ex. That shit sickens me.” She was so steamed that she went and sat down on the bed, pressing her face in the palms of her hands.
“She’s not pregnant by me.” He said. “She is pregnant by Rico.”
Candy’s face appeared from behind her hands. Her eyes were red from crying. “She’s pregnant by who?” She was flabbergasted.
“By Rico, I said. They were sleeping around during and after the time that she and I was. Apparently, he wasn’t using anything at all and she got pregnant on purpose to try to hold on to me.” Candy was relieved, but baffled.
“Huh,” she asked. “I don’t get it.”
“She was using Rico as bait to get to me. She knew that I wasn’t leaving you and so she tried to act like she was pregnant by me, but it was really by Rico.” Candy couldn’t believe what her ears were hearing. She sat in silence for a few minutes and tried to catch a grip on what Monty was saying.
“Damn, how the hell did she and Rico hook up?” She asked. “That really is a dirty bitch, isn’t she?” Candy stated trying to figure out all the details Monica had going on in her life.
“That’s a long story, but as far as I know the baby is his, I guess. But, he’s having a blood test, anyway.” Monty said feeling a little better that the heat was cooling down.
“Wow, does Mona know?” She asked out of concern for her best friend.
“Yeah, Rico was a man about it and told her. Mona has forgiven him for his fuck up. Strangely, she and Monica met up today at the office. They ended up there at the same time to see Rico. Mona wanted to beat her ass, but Rico intervened, because they’re both pregnant.”
“No wonder Mona didn’t want to come shopping with us.” Candy sat there feeling bad for Mona. “I need to call her.” Monty felt good to have everything out in the open. He knew Candy was still upset, but not as much with him anymore. Candy looked up at him and she wanted more answers concerning him and Monica.
“Well lover boy, I still have a few questions for you, right now.”
“Okay, shoot.” Monty said feeling a little more confident to answer her questions.
“When did you first sleep with Monica?” She asked trying to make sure that Monica wasn’t having his baby, because maybe she just didn’t know who the baby’s daddy was. He was not eager to ans
wer that one, because he knew that Candy wouldn’t be so willing to let that one ride. “Monty,” she said snapping her fingers at him. “I asked you when was the first time y’all slept together?” She asked again.
Damn, why the hell she had to go there? He asked himself. “Can we just leave that alone? I don’t even wanna think about her like that, anymore.”
Candy put her hand on her hip. “I’m listening whenever you’re ready to tell me. I got all night.” Monty hesitated, but knew he’d better tell the truth or he had a funny feeling that one day Monica just might tell her with her nasty ass.
“It was the night of my birthday party.” He got quiet since Candy was mean mugging him.
“Are you serious?” She asked dumbfounded. “Wow, after you put me out, huh?” She asked, interrogating him. “No, don’t stop now. Keep going.”
“It’s nothing to talk about. I didn’t even know who she was. It was just a mere coincidence that she messaged me right after I put you out. So yeah I went over to her house, but out of anger and I’m sorry. I can’t take it back now, but I’m truly sorry.” He said.
“So, you lied to me back then, which I already knew, but you were with that bitch.” Candy became furious. “I can’t believe that you were with that bitch. You jeopardized our relationship for that bitch!” She said.
“Baby, please it’s not how it sounds. I didn’t even know it was her.”
“But when you found out it was her, you could have left.” Candy replied. Monty knew that she was telling the truth.
“You’re right and I was wrong.” He said trying to hold her hand and explain. She snatched her hand back.
“I can’t believe you.” She didn’t think in a million years that he would have been with Monica on the night he put her out. “I want you to leave right now.” She thought about Monica having one up on her over and over again while she stayed in Atlanta hoping her man was gonna come to his senses.
“Baby, please,” Monty said trying to reason with her. “I didn’t have any feelings for her. It was strictly business.”