Coveted

by Mychea

  “D, don’t be that way. We shared a moment at the house. Come get it baby, its here for you.” I hold up a pierced nipple for him, showing that I had added a little something extra since the last time he saw me.

  “Stop calling me fucking D. You are not entitled to call me that ever. I’m not your baby either.” He moves to the other side of the office.

  “I mean it Emeri, put your shit on and get out of my office before I have to put you out, and you will not like the way I handle it either.”

  My nice demeanor immediately shut down. “Don’t you ever threaten me,” I tell him in a menacing voice. I get up and walk over to him. When I reach him, I put my hand to his throat, pressing the blade between my fingers against his Adam’s apple.

  “Let me explain to you how this is going to go. You are going to fuck me the way I want to be fucked. Do you understand?” I can feel his heart beat faster.

  “Good I see we understand each other.” Still pressing the blade to his throat, I use my other hand to cuff his hands together. “You like that don’t you?” Silence follows. “Answer me damnit!” I press the blade harder until I see a thin line of blood drip down his neck.

  “Yes, I like it.” He obliges, with anger.

  “Good baby. I knew you would. That was just a little taste of what is to come. You got off the hook today but do not worry I will be in touch.” I put my dress back on and head out the door, and blow him a kiss before I exit.

  Damir 21

  My life was getting way out of control. How does a man go from one woman and having no drama, to having three women with nothing but drama? I was supposed to be the good guy. How did all of this happen? Where did I go wrong? I felt trapped. There was no way that I could tell Naima how crazy Emeri was acting. The first thing she would want to know is why she was acting that way and what was I supposed to tell her, that I let Emeri suck me off in the sunroom while she was tending to her hurt child. That was a disaster waiting to happen. I cannot believe I did something so stupid. Who could have known that Emeri would turn out to be a bonified class “A” psycho, the type of woman that I was trying very hard to avoid. Now the question was how was I going to deal with it.

  I walked over to the mirror so I could examine my neck for about the fifteenth time today. Staring at the thin scratch on my throat, I wanted to kill that bitch. I had wanted to do her bodily harm in my office yesterday when she held the blade to my throat but I knew that she wanted me to retaliate so she could do something even more drastic. Who knows if that psychotic bitch had a gun in her purse or not? This whole situation was my fault. I should never put anything past a woman. But this was new to me. I am not one that is used to dealing with drama. I have no idea what to do. The one thing I did know was that yesterday would not be the end. Crazy was crazy and one thing that I definitely knew is that Emeri is crazy and that she would not stop until she was stopped. This would continue until I found a way to end it and since I had no way of knowing how I was going to do that, I think the best thing to do is to cool my relationship with Naima for awhile. I did not know exactly what Emeri’s psycho ass was capable of doing and I did not want Naima caught up in the middle of something she had nothing to do with. What could I say; her sister was definitely a loony chick.

  I went down to the basement to get a drink from my bar. Picking up the glass I made of vodka and tonic on the rocks, I stared at the ice. I was in love with Naima. I had been looking for a woman like her all my life, a woman with class, beauty, a brain, ambition, a good mother, sincere personality and eyes that could seize your soul. I finally find her and I ruin the whole damn thing. All it took was an exotic woman, a turned back, a weak moment, a little persuasion and I threw it all away. Just like that. I was disappointed in myself. I thought I was stronger than most men were. When presented with an opportunity like that one, I should have had the common sense and the strength to walk away, too late for regrets now. Either way you look at it, I knew I had to let Naima go.

  Tossing the glass up, I downed my drink in one swallow. Putting the glass back on the bar, I reached for the phone, might as well call her and get this whole ordeal over and done. The sooner I could cut her off, the sooner I could find a way to deal with Emeri and the sooner I could see if there was a way to get Naima to understand why I had to put us on hold for a minute.

  Dialing her number I leaned on the bar stool waiting for her to pick up. She answered on the forth ring. For a second there I thought I would be off the hook and could leave her a voicemail.

  “Hi Baby, I was just thinking about you.”

  “Good things I hope.”

  “Very good things.” I could hear the smile in her voice. It made what I was about to say that much harder. I had to clear my throat twice.

  “There is something I need to talk to you about.”

  “Better not be any more pregnant ex-girlfriends, ok,” she laughed, “I’ve given you your one gimmie. Anything outside of that are grounds for a fight.” I couldn’t seem to get the words to come out.

  “No, it’s not another pregnant woman, shoot; the one that is pregnant was an accident. But it has nothing to do with that.” I cleared my throat again.

  “Baby, you’re starting to scare me, it can’t be that bad. Just spit it out.”

  “Ok,” I paused for a moment and then continued slowly “I can’t see you anymore.”

  There was silence on her end. It was almost as if I could hear her heart breaking on the other side of the phone. I hated myself at that moment. She was going through a separation with her husband and I was supposed to be helping her forget all about him. Instead, here I was, another man that was hurting her, however unintentional it may be, I was hurting her nevertheless.

  “Naima? Are you still there?”

  “Yeah, I’m here. I was just coming to grips with reality. My reality seems to be a shallow well that I keep falling down and there does not seem to be a bottom. I mean, I just keep falling. There is no end in sight and nothing for me to grab onto to break my fall.”

  I could hear the pain in her voice.

  “Naim-”

  “Damir just forget it ok. You had your fun. You got what you wanted let’s just let it go, alright.”

  She hung up the phone. I sat on the stool holding the phone up to my head. Damn, my life was fucked the hell up. My ex was pregnant, I had to let my current boo go and I was stuck with the spawn of Satan. I finally hung up the phone and did something that I should have done long ago. I got on my knees and prayed.

  “Lord, please forgive me for all the wrongs that I have committed. I know that I deserve punishment for the things that I have done but I pray that you will show me mercy and save me from myself. I don’t know where my life is headed but I pray that you will guide me in the direction that I need to go and make me more aware of the choices I make. Amen”

  Lying in bed, watching my favorite episode of Martin that night, I thought I heard a knock at my front door. Looking at the clock it was eleven o’clock. I wasn’t expecting any company, so who would be stopping by. I got up, walked over to the window and pulled the curtain back to see if I could see anyone at the door but there was no one there. I went back and got in the bed. My mind must be playing tricks on me, or maybe I was stressed out, it had been a long day. Not even a minute later, I heard another knock. This time I got up and went to the door to see what was going on.

  I opened the front door and there on the step was a single white rose with a note. Stepping out, I looked around to see if I saw anyone lurking in the shadows. But there was nothing. Everything looked calm and in place. Picking up the rose and the note, I went back in and closed the door.

  I opened the note and right there in bold red ink it read, “I will be the one and only.” That’s it. I turned the note over to see if I could find any indication of who may have left this at my door. It was probably Emeri’s psychopath ass. I would not put it past her. The woman was just plum crazy.

  Naima 22

  Sitting
at my desk, watching the rain drops that are coinciding with my mood, I cannot believe the emotional rollercoaster that is my life. Men just could not be trusted with women’s most valuable asset, our heart. I thought Damir was such a nice guy, and I believe he still is, but how could he just call me up and end things like that. I mean, I accepted the pregnant ex-girlfriend with no problems. How many women would have done that?

  Lightning illuminated the sky and I could hear the thunder rumbling in the distance. Something has to be wrong with me. I’m staring down the barrel of a failed marriage, a failed new relationship, a corrupted best friend and a half sister that I think is a little on edge. Will the silver lining elude me forever? Resting my chin in the palm of my hand, I twirl the ends of my hair with the other one, when I hear a knock on the door.

  “You can come in.” I say to the visitor.

  I glance up as Camille enters with two bouquets of blue roses.

  “These were just delivered for you, Ms. Vaughn.”

  “Really.” I said as I stood up to smell the bouquets, “Was a card left with them?”

  “Yes, there is a small card in the front of this one.” Camille said as she handed me one of the bouquets and placed the other on my desk.

  I reached for the card, smiling to myself, blue roses were my favorite, maybe Damir had come to his senses and this was his way of trying to apologize. Either that or he was trying to soften the blow. I was wrong on both counts. The card was from Kaden. Opening the card, it read:

  Naima, This has been a long time coming. These days I sit and reminisce about all the things in my life that were not real, but that I thought were the greatest things in the world at the time. The league never offered me any love. As soon as I got hurt, went through rehab, and they realized that I would never be the same; I was no longer a hot commodity any longer. That cut me to my core. Football has been my life since I was a little boy. Coaches teach you how to be a great athlete; they do not teach you how to cope with reality once the dream has ended. I felt like a failure, as if I couldn’t be the man that you needed me to be. You have no idea what it’s like to be in the spotlight and then have that light taken away. I know you saw my daily struggle and wanted to help. But baby, you just couldn’t understand what I was going through. Sometimes I barely knew what I was going through, so how could you possibly know? I wanted to be there for you, but I took the punk way out and decided to wallow in my own self-pity. Despite what you think, I do love you and our children. I love them because they will bond you and I forever, and through that bond I will always be able to have a piece of you in my life. What I failed to realize at the time, is that there is no life for me without you in it.

  I would like to explain the women; I know that’s where the last straw was drawn in our relationship. Naima, I have never stopped loving you. The sun rises and sets with you for me. The women didn’t mean that I didn’t love you; they had nothing to do with you. It all had to do with me, and the changes I was going through in my life, the selfishness of wanting to have my cake and eat it too. We became parents so early, and then further deepened that connection by getting married young. The carefree feeling I had while on the road, feeling as if I had no responsibility at home, even if I knew it was temporary, was an escape for me. None of that was then or is now your fault. I still had a lot of growing up to do. What can I say, being young, dumb and full of cum will get you every time.

  One thing I do know, I know your love was real. The rest of that was a lie, the women, the money, the spotlight, but you have loved me since high school. I believe you love me now; I’ve just hurt you so much that you want to break ties with me and what can I do but respect your wishes? I can’t say that I blame you. I’ve put you through so much as it is, but I’m still here and I will do whatever it takes to have you back in your rightful place, standing by my side with me.

  I’m asking for a dinner. One night, you and I. We’re not going to talk about the children or your parents. The night will be dedicated to you.

  While this does not excuse my actions over time, it is my intention to show you that I am serious by letting you in and understanding the struggle that I continue to deal with on a daily basis.

  I love you, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes.

  Kaden

  I closed the card and put it on my desk. Kaden was a trip. I glanced over at the other bouquet and there was an envelope in that one as well. While I was opening, the envelope two photographs fell out upside down on the floor. Reaching down and picking them up, turning the first one over, I almost burst into tears. Kaden had kept a photo of he and I while I was pregnant with Namiyah. It was the one we had taken after one of his football games, he was still in uniform and had come up behind me and placed his hands on my swelling belly. My hair was longer then and was falling gently over his arm as I had tilted my head to laugh up at him with a sparkle in my eye. I absolutely loved this picture. I hadn’t seen it in I don’t know how long. Looking at it again, we look so happy. He was my knight in shining armor back then. I remember what it was like to be the envy of all the girls in high school that imagined themselves to be in love with Kaden at one time or another. I wonder what they were all doing now. All had probably found a good man to love them and were living a nice normal balanced life, while my life was all over the place. Life is not always sunnier on the other side of the street.

  Looking down at the other photo in my hand, it was the one taken at the hospital when I had just given birth to Kalani. Lying in the hospital bed with my hair pulled into two side ponytails holding Kalani with one arm and Namiyah’s cheek pressed next to mine and Kaden’s arm wrapped around my other arm, all smiling at the camera, we looked like one big happy family. It’s amazing how looks can be deceiving. Looking at my eyes in the photo, there is no sparkle to them like there was in the other photo, where I had been so in love with Kaden.

  I could barely wrap my thoughts around the photos and the letters, when I heard a buzz and then Camille’s voice came over the intercom.

  “Sorry to interrupt Ms. Vaughn”

  “That’s alright Camille, what can I do for you?”

  “Mr. Fairchild is on line one.”

  Chuckling to myself while bringing the phone to my ear, I started speaking without saying hello.

  “I mean if I was trying to duck you, you are making that very hard.” I said into the receiver.

  I heard the low masculine laughter and smiled. I could not lie to myself there would always be a comfort level that Kaden and I would share with one another.

  “So, I take it you received the bouquets. I know how you like blue roses.”

  “Yes, I did receive them and they are gorgeous. Thank you for thinking of me. I really needed a pick me up today.”

  “Happy to give you a pick me up.” He cleared his throat then, “I was calling to see if you were going to take me up on my offer for dinner?”

  I switched the phone to my other ear so I could remove my earring and then returned the phone and sat into my chair. Something told me I would need to be as comfortable as possible for this conversation.

  “Dinner huh?” I said leaning back in the chair and balancing my knee on the desk.

  “Yeah, dinner,” he said, “You know, when people sit down and socialize and have a meal together.” I could hear the smile in his voice.

  “Well, I do have some free time tod-”

  “Done.” He said interrupting me. I laughed then.

  “My goodness, can I get the sentence out first?” I said grinning to myself.

  “I just didn’t want you to talk yourself out of it. Tonight, I’ll pick you up around seven.”

  “No sir. I will drive myself and meet you there.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll agree to anything as long as you come tonight.”

  “Kaden, I will be there. I’m going to transfer you back to Camille and you can give all the details to her ok?”

  “Ok,” he paused for a moment, “Naima, thank you for taki
ng the time to meet with me tonight. I really appreciate it.”

  “It’s not a problem, really,” I gave a short laugh, “I mean, we still have children to raise together for the next hundred years. A dinner with their dad isn’t going to kill me.”

  “Ok, tonight. I’ll let Camille know where.”

  “Bye, Kaden.” I said as I transferred him to Camille. I leaned back up in my chair to return the phone to the cradle.

  The restaurant that Kaden chose was a nice intimate spot located in Old Town Alexandria, VA. From Potomac, MD, I did have to travel a little ways. But that was fine. It gave me time to reflect on my day and this party for Damir that was coming together rather nicely. Even though he had all but kicked me to the curb, it was still my job to ensure that his party popped off without a glitch in the system. I’m all business first and a dissolved personal relationship was not going to reflect badly upon my person.

  Looking around the restaurant as I gave the greeter my name, they escorted me to a private room in the back. I walked through the door and stopped short. The room was decorated with five copper floor to ceiling columns that had been placed in a circle and wrapped around each one was a vine of blue roses. In the middle of the circle was a table for two with tan place cards in blue trim. The champagne flutes were filled almost to the brim and there was soft music playing in the background. I was literally dumbfounded. I cannot believe that selfish Kaden had done something so nice for someone other than himself.

  I said thank you to the host and begin to remove my wrap, when I felt warm fingers brush against my skin.

  “Can I help you with that?” A familiar voice whispered into my hair.

  I closed my eyes and let him remove my wrap, and for one second in that room, I didn’t want to be angry anymore, I wanted to let him hold me like he used to, I wanted everything to be right with us. I wanted the man I had fallen in love with and the best friend with whom I used to share my secrets. Thinking about Haven jolted me back to reality. I opened my eyes and moved away from him a little.