Checkmate 2: Let the Games Begin

by Tiece

  “MiKayla, let me say something,” he interrupted.

  “No, just let me finish please.” She insisted. She stood to her feet and walked into the kitchen to fix a glass of wine. Monty followed her.

  “Have some?” She asked as she got another glass out of the cabinet.

  “No, thank you. I’ma pass on the glass of wine today.” He stated with a smile. He sat on the bar stool and watched her pour her drink.

  “Okay, but you might need one.” She said smiling. She walked over and sat next to him as she immediately began to talk.

  “Candy is a very pretty lady.” Monty looked at her in silence, but quickly thought to himself. Where is this coming from? She continued. “I could see it on the picture in your office, but in person she really looks flawless. I could see why you’re drawn to her.” She said, stalling for time.

  “Yeah,” he paused. “It’s more than just her beauty that draws me to her.” He stated.

  “And, your son is so cute. He looks just like you.” Monty smiled, watching MiKayla as she tapped lightly on the side of her wine glass. Her eyes were dazed as if she was all of a sudden in another world. She took another sip, slowly nodding her head.

  “I would find myself looking at the picture of the two of them in your office on a regular basis. I always wondered what my son would have looked like.” She stated. Monty’s eyebrows rose out of curiosity, but as he cleared his throat to say something, she continued.

  “I envy your relationship with Candy.” She hesitantly smiled a little. “My life could have been the same if Chad wouldn’t have left me.” She said drinking the rest of her wine. Monty cleared his throat again, this time jumping right in.

  “Who is Chad, MiKayla?” He asked while watching her pour another drink.

  “Chad,” she reluctantly smiled. “Chad was once my fiancé.” She paused taking a drink from her glass, slowly looking up into Monty’s eyes. She had the prettiest eyes he’d ever seen. It was like they could speak to him without one word parting from her luscious lips. She continued as he waited to hear where those old feelings were coming from.

  “We were so happy and in love. We’d been together for three and half years and, in that time, he made sure that I didn’t want for nothing.” She was off in her own little world as she continued. “When we found out that I was pregnant, he asked me to marry to him. That was the happiest day of my life.” She smiled. “The plan was to be married by the time our son was born, but that never happened.” She drank more wine as Monty sat there unable to move. He was in a zone of listening to her. MiKayla took in a deep breath as she recalled the day it all ended.

  “It’s been over a year and a half since my dreams were shattered. Thinking back, that day started out lovely. Chad woke up and cooked me breakfast and we sat in bed and ate together. He was excited about the day, because he had an important deal taking place that would surely get him out of the drug game once that final transaction was made. Being pregnant with our son gave him an epiphany. He realized that it was very important that he be here to help support me and raise our son together. This made me a very happy woman, because I’ve always known that dealing with the amount of drugs that he was dealing, for long period of time, would get him caught up in the worst way… prison or death.” MiKayla sighed as the smile on her face was only there to cover the pain she felt inside.

  “I remember him kissing me on the lips and telling me that everything was going to be different when he got back.” She turned the glass up, drinking the rest of her wine. She reached for the bottle to pour more, but Monty grabbed her hand.

  “MiKayla, I don’t know where you’re going with this, but please don’t do this to yourself.” He sadly stated.

  “No, you don’t understand… I have to,” she insisted as her voice shook, but she fought the tears as she’d always done. “Chad left home that day and never came back.” She sighed. “He never came back, Monty,” she whispered. Monty could clearly see that this was painful for her. He grabbed her hand and held it as she continued. “As the hours went by and my phone calls went unanswered, I knew that something had happened. My sister, his mom, and his younger brother came over to our house so that I wouldn’t be alone. They asked me the same questions over and over again and I had nothing different to say that could lead us to where he was, because he never told me exactly where he was going. His mama led us in prayer for, at least, an hour as she tried her best to think positive. Even though no one wanted to show it, all of us feared for the worst. The next morning had gone by and no one still had heard from or seen him. I was four months pregnant and deep down inside, I knew he wouldn’t leave us like that. But, I swear I would have felt better if he had left me for some other chick or just left me to do his own thang. At least, I would have known that he was alive and alright.” MiKayla sat there and her leg shook uncontrollably. It was as if she didn’t even realize that it was shaking like that. Monty sat in silence not knowing what to say. With her head hung low, she continued.

  “A week had passed and no one still had heard anything. For me, no news was good news. At least, that’s what I made myself think. The police had been notified, but they were of no help. He’d had a few run-ins with the law and to them he was just another drug dealer off of the streets. In the meantime, the days turned into months with no appearance or news about Chad. I’d somehow fooled myself that he was still out there watching over us from afar. Maybe he was caught up in something much bigger than we knew about and couldn’t be around us or we’d be in danger, too. So he stayed away to keep us safe.” She smiled looking back up at Monty. “That’s what I told myself and for a long time I believed it. Three months after he disappeared and two thousand miles outside of where we lived, his black Suburban was found. It was located in a Chop Shop that was being raided by the FBI’s. A detective called Chad’s mom a couple of days after and said that Forensics had been going through his vehicle looking for anything that would give them a clue of Chad’s disappearance. The only thing that they could find was blood on the carpet behind the driver seat. It had been there for quite some time we were told. It was later determined that the blood that they tested was an identical match to Chad’s. And even though they didn’t find his body, my heart was broken and I felt as if I was left to care for our baby alone.” Monty was shocked. He had no idea that she had gone through so much grief. She had a way of hiding her feelings very well. He was speechless as he continued to listen.

  “I lived in our home until after I had our son, Chad Junior, who was born a week after the Forensic tests came back. I was so stressed that I couldn’t keep him safe inside me and he was born premature. I had him right at seven months and his little lungs weren’t developed enough to survive. I let him down; just like my mom did me. I’d always thought that when I had a child of my own that I would never compare myself to the poor parenting skills that my mom had, but that day, when my baby died, I compared myself to her.” She looked at Monty as the tears fell from her eyes and lowered her head back down. “I could’ve saved him, but I was too selfish and let my own feelings interfere with his well being, and his health.” She wiped her tears, not once looking back up into Monty’s face. He was still speechless. This was starting to be too much for him and even though he wanted to stop her right there, he could tell that she needed this weight to be lifted from her shoulders. So, he continued to listen, still holding her hand. She grinned a little, to his surprise.

  “You know, Monty. All that time I had never packed up Chad’s things. His bedroom shoes stayed right where he left them and I tried my best to suppress the thought of him being gone and go about my life as if he was coming home some day. That dream came to an end when I lost our son. I felt then that they were together and at peace. So, after coming to terms with losing Chad and our baby, I went home and packed up our things. It was very tough, but definitely time for me to move on. Strangely, while packing, I ran across a key that Chad left me, hidden in the bottom of his drawer with a note that r
ead…

  “This key is to secure your future. Take care of yourself, my love. I’ll always be with you and our son. I love you more than life itself, Chad.”

  The key was to a safe hidden in our attic. Let’s just say that when I found and opened it, it contained enough money to hold me financially for a very long time.” She grinned. “Funny huh,” she said. “He said he’d always take care of me.” She cried and Monty pulled her close to him while he hugged her.

  “Wow, MiKayla… I’m so sorry to hear this. I know that this has been hard for you, but what I’ve learned while being around you is that you’re a very strong person. You’re stronger than what you give yourself credit for.” He continued to hold her close as she cried in his arms. She backed away from him as she wiped her eyes.

  “I’m so sorry. I’ve never allowed myself to go this far in telling anybody about this.” She paused. “Hell, I’ve never allowed myself to cry. I didn’t even cry at my mom’s funeral, because I didn’t want to feel anything for her.”

  Monty couldn’t believe his ears. Damn, her mom is dead, too. He quickly thought. She turned to look at him and noticed his confused facial expression. She never talked about her relationship with her mom and Monty never asked. The only person he knew was her sister. He didn’t want to pry, but he did want to know what happened to her mom, but he wasn’t going to push her to talk about it if she didn’t want to.

  “I’m sorry, Monty. I know its more things about my life that you don’t know about and over time I was intending to tell you. I do feel better that I’ve opened up about the more important parts of my life, though. If time permits, maybe someday I can tell you more.” She poured herself another drink. Monty stood there as he watched her drown her pain with one glass followed by more glasses of wine.

  How could I end this without throwing salt on her wounds? He asked himself.

  “My gut feeling is almost always right and I have a feeling that your main intensions were to come here and ask that we slow things down or end it all together. Am I right?” She asked with her arms slightly folded. Monty cleared his throat.

  “Well, baby,” he paused. “I wasn’t expecting to come here and hear all of this, that’s for sure. That changes some things for me, because I don’t want to add to your pain.” He stated while looking into her glossy eyes.

  “One thing I’ve learned over time is how to let go.” She responded as a tear fell from her eye. “Wow, I’m not even an emotional person and look at me, I can’t stop crying.” She said wiping her tears again. She grinned trying to cover her pain. “What’s up that?” She asked. Monty knew she was trying her best to accept what he was trying to tell her as she continued. “Look, Monty. You don’t have to say a word. The family you have with Candy is what I’ve always wanted. I can’t blame you for realizing that before it’s too late. I’m not going to make this any harder for you than I’m sure it already is. From this point on, it’s best that we go our separate ways.” She said trying to lighten his conscience as she picked up her glass of wine.

  “But, I don’t want to.” Monty stated. MiKayla turned to look at him. She was somewhat surprised, but knew what was best for her and him.

  “I’m sorry if what I told you made this harder for you, but I only opened up my heart to you, because somewhere deep down inside I really want you stay. If you knew what I’d gone through then maybe you’d want to stay. I was so wrong for that and I don’t want you here on those terms. I want you to stay because you really wanted to be with me and not out of sympathy.” She drank from her glass. “I know you love Candy. I saw it in your eyes today when she stood in your office. Besides being caught off of guard, you were as happy as can be that she and the baby came by to spend the day with you.”

  “I can’t deny that.” He confirmed.

  “But, you can’t have your cake and eat it, too. You can’t give me what I need and I’m not going to be this vulnerable person that you feel you have to look after. It’s not going to work like that. I’m sorry.” She said. Monty knew that she was right. And even though he hated to leave her, he knew he had to. He walked over to her and to his surprise she reached out for a hug.

  He gently embraced her. How could something feel so right; be so wrong. He thought to himself. He felt bad as hell about leaving, but kissed her softly on the lips, then turned and walked out. When the door closed behind him, MiKayla threw the empty glass; it shattered up against the back of the door. She fell to the floor on her knees and cried. Another man that she allowed herself to love had left her once again.

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Mona laid her head in Rico’s lap as he ran his fingers through her smooth red hair. The music was playing softly throughout the house and she felt good to be around him. Lately, things had been tense between them. Rico was anxious to find out the results of the DNA test results and therefore stayed busy at the office trying to keep his mind off of it. Mona stayed at her mom’s house most of the time, because she couldn’t stop thinking about Monica and the baby. The thought always made her sick to the stomach.

  It had been five days and Monica and the baby were still in the hospital. She had been running a slight fever and the baby had symptoms of yellow jaundice. Rico made a call to the hospital to check on the two of them and found out that they would be leaving later that day. He figured he’d go to the hospital before they left so he could sign the birth certificate; depending on what the DNA results revealed. Those had come back too, but he and Monica decided to wait until he arrived at the hospital so that he could find out if the little one was his.

  For the time being, he was enjoying his quality time with Mona. He was happy to have her come over to his house, because he knew he had a lot of making up to do and for a long time coming. He smiled at her while staring into her sexy eyes.

  “So, what time are you leaving?” Mona asked as she rubbed her stomach. She was showing more and more as the days went by.

  “I ain’t in no hurry.” He replied. “I’m just happy that you are here.” He smiled at her. “I’ve missed you.” He sincerely said.

  “And, I’ve missed you,” she commented. “I’ve missed us and the time we spend together.”

  “I know and I’m gonna make it all up to you. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make you see that I truly do love you and want to someday marry you.” He said as Mona smiled. “I’m serious. I’m gonna keep asking you to set a date until you do.” He said. She held up her hand, showing the glistening ring. She smiled very big, showing her pearly whites.

  “There is nothing funny.” He said, rubbing her stomach. “I’m happy to see my ring still on your finger.”

  “Yep, and I’m not taking it off for nobody. Not even your other baby mama.” She stated, really wanting to call Monica a bitch, but she didn’t want to ruin the mood. Rico laughed and shook his head.

  “Will you stay here with me tonight? I’ve missed holding you when I sleep.”

  “Yeah, I’ll stay. I’ve missed feeling you holding me when we sleep. I really want us to work things out and become closer. I don’t want things to change if this baby is yours. Yeah, it’s gonna hurt, but I love you and I know that time will heal my wounds.” She said.

  “I’m gonna help you get through this and make this as easy for the both of us as possible if he is mine.” He smiled and leaned down to kiss her. “I love you, baby.”

  “I love you, too babe.” She said kissing him back.

  __________

  Monty and Candy were on the sofa watching the sitcom, The Game, as they quietly sat next to one another. Monty had stayed the night and Candy felt confident about him finally deciding to move back in with them. She felt that his feelings were stronger for MiKayla than she expected, because ever since he’d broken things off with her he’d been a little distant. It was like his body was there with her, but his mind was on the other side of town. She knew he loved her, but was concerned that the love they shared may not be as
strong as she hoped it was. She looked over at the side of his handsome face and smiled. He was too caught up in the show or, at least, acting like he was to even notice that she was staring at him.

  He’d been so preoccupied thinking about MiKayla and her situation until that was almost all he’d been thinking about lately. He felt bad for her and was hoping that she would call or text him, but she hadn’t done neither. Maybe she was strong and could hold her own, but finding out that much about her made him curious to know more. He just didn’t feel right leaving things the way that he left them with her. There was something that he had to do and he knew exactly what it was. He looked over at Candy who was still watching him and smiled back. He was too consumed in his thoughts to even feel that she’d been watching him this whole time. Candy cleared her throat, shaking her head.

  “Where were you just then?” She asked out of concern.

  “Huh,” he asked, not realizing what she was talking about.

  “What were you thinking about?” She asked again. “I mean your mind was obviously somewhere else. What’s going on with you?”

  “Nothing, I’ve just been thinking. You know, we’ll be opening the office doors in a few days and my thoughts are surrounded on how that will actually be. It’s exciting and nerve racking at the same time.” He tried to play it off, because everything was legit with his business. He couldn’t have been more excited about that.