Worst Case Scenario

by Chenell Parker

  “Trust me love, it’ll never get that serious. It was one thing for these hoes to play with me. They had the entire game fucked up when they started playing with you too. I apologize though, baby. It was my fault for letting them get too comfortable and I promise that it’ll never happen again,” Nas said as he grabbed her face and kissed her.

  “Okay Naseem, but who does this car belong to?” Stori asked.

  “Oh, shit, I’m trippin’. I’m not the only one who owes you an apology,” Nas replied as he popped the trunk.

  “Ahh! Naseem!” Stori screamed as she jumped into his arms. It was official. Her baby’s father was certifiable. She was probably pregnant with the bride of Chucky. Instead of a christening, her baby would probably need an exorcism.

  “Calm down baby. She’s not dead,” Nas laughed as he looked down at Danni.

  She was in the trunk of her car with black tape covering her mouth, wrists and ankles. She was shaking in fear as tears rolled down her eyes. Nas had his niece pick him up from Stori’s house earlier that day and drop him off to Danni’s house. She was shocked when he showed up because he had never been to her house before. Danni had never even told Nas where she lived and he never cared to know. They usually just met up at a hotel, but he obviously had other plans. Danni thought he was about to be on some fucking shit but she quickly found out just how wrong she was. When Nas pulled out his gun and pointed it at her head, she almost lost her bladder. He was livid about her going to Stori’s shop and Danni regretted ever doing so. She should have left well enough alone and stopped bothering him when he told her to. She knew what he was capable of but she still tested him anyway. When he hog-tied her, she was crying and begging him not to kill her. He must have been tired of hearing her mouth because he taped it shut before throwing her into the trunk of her own car and speeding away.

  “Oh, my God Naseem! What did you do?” Stori asked as she looked down at the frightened woman.

  “I had a little talk with Danni. She has something that she wants to tell you. Speak up! You had a lot to say when you showed up to her muthafucking shop!” Nas gritted angrily.

  “No, baby, it’s okay. I accept her apology,” Stori said as he held her bridal style.

  “The bitch ain’t even say shit yet!” Nas yelled.

  “She has tape over her mouth Naseem,” Stori pointed out.

  “Oh, my fault,” Nas chuckled as he ripped the black tape from Danni’s mouth, causing her excruciating pain. She didn’t let that deter her from what she knew she had to do though.

  “I’m so sorry for everything that I did. I’m sorry for coming to your shop and saying everything that I said. Nas and I haven’t had sex in months and he cut me off when he got with you. I was upset and I lied. Please, don’t let him kill me. I swear that it will never happen again,” Danni cried as her tears mixed with the snot that was running out of her nose.

  “Let her go Naseem. What if she calls the police? Are you trying to go to jail?” Stori asked him.

  “No! Nas, I swear that I won’t call the police!” Danni yelled as she cried hysterically.

  Stori must have been trying to get her killed. Mentioning the police to a nigga like Nas was a for sure death sentence. Danni had learned her lesson and she was done calling or going anywhere near Naseem Donaldson. He was nice to look at and even better in the bedroom. Still, him or no other man was worth losing her life. Stori could have him because she was done. She was sorry that he knew where she lived and worked. She would be looking over her shoulder forever and that was no way to live. She underestimated how crazy Nas really was but she would never make that mistake again.

  “Naseem, please let her go,” Stori begged as she wiggled out of his hold.

  “You know I love you, right?” Nas asked as he looked down at her.

  “Yes, baby, I know,” Stori nodded.

  “We’re a family Stori and nobody is coming in between that. I’ll put a bitch and a nigga in the dirt before I let it come to that. Us breaking up for any reason is not happening,” Nas said.

  “Okay,” Stori said as she nodded her head rapidly.

  She was sorry for making a big deal out of Danni coming to her shop. She felt partially responsible for what was happening to the other woman but she didn’t know that Nas would be so extreme. Stori gasped when Nas pulled a small pocket knife out of his front pocket and moved closer to Danni. She wrapped her arms around his waist, hoping that he didn’t do anything crazier than he’d already done.

  “Are me and my wife gonna have any more problems out of you Danni?” Nas asked as he frowned down at her.

  “No, I swear to God, you will never ever see me again,” Danni sobbed.

  “What’s my number Danni?” Nas asked her.

  “I… I don’t know it,” Danni replied, saying what she hoped he wanted to hear.

  Her entire body trembled when Nas came at her with the knife. She relaxed a little when she saw that he was only trying to cut the tape. Once she was free, Danni just laid there, afraid to speak or move. She didn’t want him to change his mind and end up putting a bullet in his head.

  “Bitches have died for less. Enjoy your second chance at life and make the best of it,” Nas said, giving her the okay to get out of the trunk. Danni’s body was sore from the position that it had been in but she ignored the pain and hurriedly got up.

  “I’m so sorry Stori,” Danni said as she looked at her regretfully.

  “Did I say that you could talk to my wife? Fly away like the bird you are,” Nas said with a menacing glare. He didn’t have to tell Danni twice. She hopped in her car and sped away from her troubles. As far as she was concerned, Naseem Donaldson didn’t even exist anymore.

  “Naseem, that was not okay. God! What the hell is wrong with you?” Stori asked once they were alone.

  “I’m in love,” Nas replied as he grabbed her hand and kissed it.

  “She looked scared out of her mind,” Stori noted.

  “Fuck that bitch. You did a good job on her hair though. That was the best her shit ever looked,” Nas said while leading her inside the house.

  “What’s up bro? You good?” Remo asked as soon as he walked in.

  “I’m straight now,” Nas replied with a head nod.

  “The fuck happened to your face?” Remo frowned as he took in his brother’s busted lip and the bruise that was on the side of his face. They both had light colored skin, so that made everything easier to see. He was out handling business with Kalani earlier and that was the only reason why he wasn’t with Nas on his mission. He was pissed to think that Danni had put her hands on him though.

  “She happened,” he replied while nodding his head towards Stori.

  “What! You beating on my brother girl?” Remo asked while looking at her.

  “Maybe Kalani needs to start beating on your ass,” Stori replied with a roll of her eyes.

  “What’s going on with this wedding? I hope you ain’t change your mind again,” Nas said while looking over at Kalani. Remo told him about his plans to marry Kalani when they were at Jarvis’ house that last time. He told him in sign language because he wasn’t in the mood for another lecture from their big brother.

  “Man, fuck that. Ain’t no more mind changing around this bitch. We got some more black tape and my trunk is big enough,” Remo smirked.

  “I should have known that you were in on it too.” Stori frowned.

  “In on what?” Kalani asked.

  “You don’t even want to know,” Stori replied while shaking her head.

  “So, check it, we’re going to the courthouse tomorrow around ten. Then, we’re going get things straight for Stori’s birthday. We got a spot to look at for the hair stuff and we can grab some food once we’re done. Me and Kalani can do the honeymoon thing after all that,” Remo spoke up.

  “That’s cool with me,” Nas said while nodding in agreement.

  “What are we doing for my birthday? Why do you always make plans without telling me? I have to l
et my clients know when I won’t be working and make arrangements for Toi,” Stori replied.

  “I already took care of it,” Nas said.

  “How Naseem?” Stori asked.

  “Your grandma said that Toi can stay with her and she’ll make sure that she gets to and from school,” Nas answered.

  “When did you talk to my grandma?” Stori asked.

  “Don’t worry about all that. Just know that it’s handled,” Nas replied.

  “What about the shop?” Stori questioned.

  “Stop asking so many questions and check your Instagram. Come on, let’s go. I’m hungry,” he said while grabbing her hand.

  “See y’all tomorrow and don’t be late,” Kalani yelled as they walked out of the house.

  Nas grabbed Stori’s keys and opened the door for her to get in the car. She was too busy looking at her phone to even care about anything else. When Stori got on her page, she was shocked to see a flyer posted with the dates that she wouldn’t be working. She hadn’t been on social media since two days before and she knew that she didn’t post anything.

  “The fuck? How did you get my login info?” Stori asked while looking over at Nas.

  “I’m your man Stori. It’s my job to know that kind of shit,” Nas replied.

  He always made it a point to find out whatever he needed to know. Remo was always quick to act but Nas liked to think things through and be prepared. His contact person at the DMV helped him out with a lot of stuff and that was how he got Danni’s address.

  “You have to stop this Naseem. Didn’t we just have a talk about boundaries?” Stori inquired.

  “No, you talked and I pretended to listen. Don’t trip though, baby. You’ll get used to it just like Kalani did,” Nas said like it was no big deal.

  “And that’s exactly what I’m afraid of,” Stori sighed.

  “You don’t ever have to be afraid of anything with me. In any situation, just know that I always got you,” Nas assured her.

  “I know you do.” Stori smiled.

  “Okay, now what do you feel like eating?” Nas asked.

  Stori called Toi to see if she had eaten before she and Nas decided on what they wanted. Since Toi was okay, they decided to go sit down in a restaurant to enjoy their meals instead of taking it to go. Getting used to a man like Naseem was going to take some time. He was all about a man being the head and Stori had no problem with that. The way he did things wasn’t normal and that’s what she needed him to be mindful of. She would never try to change him but she would definitely encourage him to do better.

  “D amn bruh. This nigga out here living his best life with your wife by his side. That’s some fucked up shit right there,” Corey instigated as he sat in his friend, Irvin’s, barber shop and talked to Gavin.

  Corey and Irvin were locked up together at one time, but Irvin got his shit together after a while. He used some of his dope money and opened up a barber shop and rented out booths to other barbers. Gavin had recently started working there since Corey put in a good word for him. Irvin’s shop wasn’t that big but working there was okay. The money wasn’t as nice as he was used to and the crowd was never as thick. Irvin and the other barbers were cool but Corey was starting to be a pain. He was a low level hustler who was always looking to get something free. Irvin didn’t play that shit with him and he couldn’t even get a free haircut out of him. That’s why he was always at the other shop because his cousin didn’t charge him.

  “Man, fuck that dude and fuck Stori too. Nobody comes before Toi and he’ll see that for himself,” Gavin replied.

  “That lil bitch used to be spoiled rotten,” Corey pointed out.

  “And nothing has changed,” Gavin replied, wondering how he knew that.

  “Damn, they opening up a hair spot and everything. That nigga money must be long as fuck,” Corey said as he fished for information.

  “Who?” Gavin questioned.

  “Your boy and his wife. I mean, your wife,” Corey laughed.

  “That bitch ain’t my wife. We’re divorced,” Gavin said, telling half the truth.

  He and Stori didn’t have very long before their divorce would be final though. After what she’d done to him, he didn’t even care anymore. He hated Stori and everything about her now. At least that’s what he always tried to make himself believe. Gavin tried, but it was hard for him to forget seeing Stori and Nas in the act. It messed with him mentally and he even had a dream about it once before. It replayed over and over in his head like a pornographic film.

  “That nigga is doing it big for her though. They look like some Instagram celebrities. People are calling them a power couple and shit,” Corey said, hoping that Gavin would take the bait.

  When Gavin grabbed his phone from his front pocket, Corey smiled. He saw the anger flash across his face and he knew that his plan was working. Nas had posted pictures of him and Stori on a yacht for her birthday. He’d rented it out for an entire weekend and they looked like hood royalty standing on the deck. He had a video of her opening all the gifts he got her and they looked genuinely happy with each other. Nas also posted pictures of his brother getting married and he was on the boat with them too. Corey wasn’t surprised to see that Kalani was there but he didn’t know that she was messing with Nas’ twin. It was more than that now because she was his wife. The last photo was of a suite that Nas had rented out, saying that it was the future home of their new hair store. He was making money moves and Corey wanted in. Not in a legal way though. He wanted to mask up and take it.

  “Fuck them. Bitch stacked her chips while I was paying all the bills. She got with that nigga and want to open up businesses and shit,” Gavin argued bitterly.

  “You’re better than me, fam. A nigga like me would take their shit and live just as good as they’re living. You lost too much because of him. Nigga took your wife and your job. Ain’t no way in hell are you supposed to let that slide,” Corey rambled.

  He was happy that nobody else was in the shop at the time because he didn’t want to be interrupted. Gavin was easily swayed and that wasn’t hard to see. He wore his heart on his sleeve, even though he tried to act unaffected. Gavin still loved Stori and Corey could easily identify with how he felt. She was his first love and his first heartbreak too. Stori felt like she was too good to even hold a conversation with him now and he didn’t like her new attitude. Truthfully, he wanted her to suffer just as much as he did all those years ago. Hurting her man would hurt her too and that was like a two for one special.

  “That nigga didn’t take shit from me. I already got another job and finding a bitch is just as easy. I just married an undercover hood rat and didn’t know it. I should send somebody in that shop to rob her hoe ass. Bitch never locks up so it won’t be hard,” Gavin fumed.

  “I’m sure that lil shop ain’t even making enough for a nigga to rob,” Corey said as he sat up and gave Gavin his undivided attention. He’d pissed him off just enough to get some information out of him. That was his goal and it had been accomplished.

  “Believe that if you want to. She never walks away with less than five hundred and that’s on a slow day. Besides that, she be selling edibles and shit and that makes a killing all on its own,” Gavin replied.

  He knew that she went into some kind of business arrangement with Nas and Remo but he didn’t know too much more. Now that he thought about it, he really didn’t know much about Nas at all. Besides him being a barber and owning the strip club, Nas was a mystery. Gavin was mad with himself for not putting a stop to Stori’s business dealings with Nas and Remo when it first started. Now, his soon to be ex-wife was making power couple moves with a nigga that he once considered his best friend. She was probably fucking Nas back then too and he was too dumb to see it. Every time Gavin thought about it, he got sick to his stomach. He’d basically given Nas an open invitation to his life and his wife too. The shit was embarrassing and made him look weak. With each comment that he read, Gavin got even angrier. People were talking lik
e they were Jay and Beyoncé or some shit. They were both still married to other people but nobody mentioned or cared about that.

  “Is her shop still in her house?” Corey asked.

  “How do you know all that?” Gavin countered.

  “I’m from the hood nigga. I know a lot of shit,” Corey replied.

  “Yeah, it is. What you got in mind?” Gavin asked him.

  “What makes you think I got something in mind?” Corey smirked.

  “Stop trying to play me for a fool. I can see the wheels in your head turning. Whatever it is, I want a piece of the action. They owe me.” Gavin frowned.

  “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours,” Corey replied with a sneaky grin.

  Once Irvin came back to the shop, Corey and Gavin left to go have drinks. Gavin was all smiles thinking that he and Corey were putting a plan in motion, but he was too dumb to see shit for what it really was. Corey was a greedy nigga and he didn’t like to share. All he needed Gavin to do was give up the info and he would take it from there. Gavin was making a deal with the devil and Corey wore the horns.

  “Hey ma, just calling to let you know that we made it home safely. I know it’s kind of late, so I’ll call you tomorrow. Love you,” Misty said as she spoke to her mother’s answering machine.

  She and Summer had just made it back home from Beaumont and she was drained. The drive was only a little over four hours but Misty left later than she wanted to. Her mother didn’t want Summer to leave and she prolonged their stay. Misty had been there for three days and she got a lot accomplished in that short time. She’d spoken to her old supervisor and she was thrilled that Misty wanted to come back to work. They always got along great and Misty did her job well. She didn’t have to worry about a babysitter because her mother was all too happy to do it. She’d put in for a two bedroom condo and she was waiting to hear back from the leasing office. She looked at furniture and had a good idea of how she wanted to decorate if she got the house. It was two streets over from her mother and things couldn’t have been better. Misty had more than enough money saved and she was hoping to be back in Texas in no more than two weeks.