CheckMate 4: Winner Takes All

by Tiece

Brendon nodded his head, and then drank from his glass of Patron and cranberry juice. “I see,” he finally said after sitting there for a moment caught up in thought. “How do you feel about y’all’s relationship now?”

  “I feel it’s the same as before. We’re still just cool.”

  “Just cool, huh?” he pondered just as Trina stepped up to the private VIP section where Brendon and Candy sat talking.

  “Bren, we need to talk.”

  Brendon gazed at her with a frown on his face. Trina didn’t mind blowing up his spot. Candy sat there waiting to see what Brendon was going to say.

  “We need to talk right now,” Trina said to get his attention.

  At that moment, Brendon was more interested in seeing what Trina had to say than he was about continuing his conversation with Candy. He looked over at Candy with a nonchalant look on his face.

  “Can you give me Trina a moment to talk?” he asked.

  “Are you serious?” Candy questioned back as she looked over at Trina who was devilishly smiling at her.

  “Yeah, I’m serious.” He said wanting to show her that if she kept playing like she was playing then he’d move on with or without her. “You should go look for Monty. He messaged me and said that he’d made it here.”

  Candy raised a concerned eyebrow, and then said, “Really? Well, okay.” She said looking from him to Trina. And with that, she got up from her seat and walked off.

  Brendon then looked over at Trina. She was standing there looking like an angel in an all white, bell bottom romper by BCBG that tied up behind the neck. Her beauty was like no other.

  He cleared his throat, “So, what’s up Trina?”

  Without saying another word, Trina walked up to him and placed a passionate kiss on his lips. Candy turned around just in time to see it.

  “Is he fucking serious, tonight?” She pondered wanting so bad to go back and say something, but how could she? They weren’t in a monogamous relationship. Plus, she’d just kissed his cousin the night before. She turned her back to them and started downstairs, but she had to glance back over her shoulder one more quick time. “Fuck!” she whispered while fuming inside. Brendon had actually put his arm around her waist. “What the fuck is he doing?” she pondered while having to suck it up as she headed down the stairs. She was trying her best not to run back up the stairs and beat Trina’s ass. On her way down she scanned the crowd, and then spotted Monty and Rico standing over by the wall in VIP talking.

  “Brendon better know what type of game he’s playing.” She said getting ready to head in Monty and Rico’s direction.

  Chapter 16

  As Candy made her way over to Monty, she stopped shy of meeting up with them as she saw Monica walk over to them first. Candy irritably shook her head. She still didn’t like Monica too much, so she decided to head on over to the bar and grab another drink instead. She had a feeling that the night was about to get quite interesting.

  ***

  “Hey Fella’s,” Monica spoke with a coconut drink in her hand.

  “What’s up, Monica?” Rico spoke as he stood there not wanting to give her any kind of eye contact whatsoever; even though she was looking damn good.

  “Hey Monica,” Monty spoke. In his mind he was still thinking of a master plan concerning her property.

  “Hey Rico,” she said looking him up and down like he had a dirty dick. She hadn’t forgotten about Mona coming over while she was on the phone. “You look nice,” she complimented him.

  “Preciate it,” he said. “You do, too.”

  “You don’t mind if I borrow Monty for a second do you?”

  Rico looked from her to Monty with a non-caring expression on his face. “Go ‘head, help yourself,” he said as he spotted Mona on the other side of the club standing by the restrooms. He started making his way through the crowd so he could go say something to her as he left Monica and Monty behind to talk.

  ***

  “Hey handsome,” Monica said to him with a seductive smile on her face.

  Monty raised a concerned eyebrow. “What’s up, Monica?” he pondered.

  “Nothing much, just enjoying the fact that I’m back at work and in the full swing of things.”

  “That’s good,” Monty said with a friendly smile. Where in the hell is this conversation going? he thought.

  “Well, I wanted to first say congratulations on your starting success with your realty company.” She said with a cute smile.

  “Thanks,” he responded.

  “I’m getting ready to do some big things within the next year. I’m only telling you this, because we’d be great allies in the future.” She hunched her shoulders a little, and then apprehensively said. “Yeah, we’d be unlikely allies, but we could be powerful together.”

  Monty stood there quickly thinking it over. The offer was definitely one that he didn’t think about in that nature, but since it had come to his attention, either could work in his favor. For once he actually didn’t mind hearing her out.

  “You should come by the office one day next week and let’s talk about it.” He said.

  Monica slowly nodded her head. “I’ll have my assistant set up that appointment.”

  “Sounds good,” Monty said.

  “It was good seeing you,” she said.

  “Likewise,” Monty responded as Monica turned to walk off.

  Damn, what was that about? He thought. What kind of games are she and Susan playing here? He scanned through the crowd, and as he stood there his eyes landed right on Candy’s backside. He knew that ass anywhere. She was looking exquisite in her all white attire as she stood by the bar sipping out of a coconut. Monty headed over to her, but he scoped the crowd looking for any signs of Brendon.

  I don’t know where Bren is, but he needs to keep his distance from my Candy tonight. He thought.

  ***

  “Sup, Trina?” Brendon pondered as they now stood inside of his private office upstairs. “First you

  come in here kissing me like this was going to be your last time ever seeing me. Then you beg to speak to me in private talking about you got something you got to get off your chest. Come on, woman. I believe I’ve heard it all, but just for entertainment purposes, what you got for me now?” He said with a shake of the head. The only reason he even agreed to their little private meeting was, because he could tell that something was way off with her. The look in her eyes was that of desperation and guilt. In his line of work, he’d seen plenty eyes that reminded him of that.

  “I know you didn’t want me in here to just stand here watching me,” he said to her.

  Trina regrettably shook her head. “I came here to confess to you.” She said, and then you won’t ever have to worry about seeing me no more.” Her voice sounded a bit shaken and slurred.

  “You alright?” he questioned with a worried look on his face.

  “I will be when I tell you this.” She said with a pity smile. “What a weight that will be lifted off me.” She sang like she was on some good dope or something. Her dreamy eyes stared into his.

  “Trina, just spit it out. This is about to drive me crazy.” He said with a frown on his face as he looked at her unusual demeanor.

  “I was the one that was stalking Raven.” She confessed.

  Brendon cut his eyes at her. Instantly the meanest look appeared on his face. “You what?” he questioned to make sure that he’d heard her correctly.

  “I said that I was the one stalking Raven.” She repeated to make sure that he heard her the first time. “I’m sorry. I just wanted her out the picture.”

  “Trina, please don’t do this.” Brendon said feeling sick to his stomach. “Please, don’t tell me this. I don’t even wanna know. Please, just leave.” He said as the tears wailed up in his eyes.

  “Noooo,” Trina said as she stopped Brendon from pushing her out of his office. “I gotta tell you.” She cried. “Please, you gotta know that I never knew that anything would happen to her. I never knew. I promise, I
never knew.” She cried.

  Brendon shook her in his hands as he stared at her with menacing eyes. “You never knew what?” he questioned as the tears instantly fell. “You never knew what, Trina?!”

  “I told my cousins that she would be making a drop that night and that for them to scare her. They weren’t even supposed to be taking the money, because I was paying them.” She cried. “But,” she shook her head as the tears fell. “But, they shot her. They killed her, Brendon. They killed her.”

  Brendon’s eyes saw fire, nothing but fire as the pain of what she’d said hit him like a bolt of lightning. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”

  “I couldn’t,” she cried.

  “Why, Trina?” He cried. “Why would you do that?”

  Trina wiped her tears from her red puffy eyes as she pitifully stared at him. “Have you ever loved someone so much that it hurts?” she questioned.

  Brendon just stared at her with misty eyes, and then angrily said, “That’s how much I loved Raven!” he yelled out as the tears continued to fall down his face.

  Trina disappointedly shook her head with a half smile on her face. She batted her sorrowful eyes at him, and then said, “AND, THAT’S HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU!!!” she yelled back at him, and then without notice that anything else was about to happen, she collapsed on the floor right in front of him.

  “TRINA!” he called out, but before he could catch her she’d fallen. Her head landed hard on the marbled tiled floor. A prescription bottle rolled out of her hand and onto the floor beside her.

  Brendon was shocked. He immediately picked up the empty pill bottle and shook it. A small amount of blood trickled from the back of her head, causing her to bleed from the hard thump when her head hit the floor. “Trina!!” He yelled out falling to the floor to check her vitals. “What have you done?!!” Quickly he swooped her up in his arms and carried her out the back exit of his club.

  ***

  Meanwhile, Monty and Candy were now standing at bar waiting on their drinks. They were having small talk as Mona and Dee made their way through the crowd to meet up with them. Rico followed closely behind Mona as she pulled him by the hand.

  Dee looked back at Mona and said, “If that bitch says one slick thing when we pass them I’m taking it to her ass.”

  “Not in here,” Mona told her. “Just ignore Karen and keep it moving. She ain’t worth the fight.”

  Karen’s head jerked, and then turned around almost like she was on the Exorcist. “Yeah, you should definitely ignore me like your man ignores you when he comes to my house for some pussy,” Karen spat after she’d overhead what Mona said.

  Mona’s eyes widened with pure anger. “WHAAAAT?!!”

  Rico just shook his head, Damn, he thought.

  “You heard what I said bitch!” Karen said and before she knew it Mona had sucker punched her in the face. Karen didn’t stand a chance as Dee and Mona took it to her ass. They beat the brakes off of her so fast that you had to be standing there to catch it. The security broke it up, but Karen already had a swollen eye, a knot on her head, and a busted lip.

  Rico had Mona by the waist trying to hold her back. The good looking man that had caught Dee’s attention had come out of nowhere and was holding her back. Candy and Monty had rushed over through the crowd, but by that time the fight had ended.

  “Bitch, you puttin’ your nose in somebody else’s business. You need to be worried about yours!” Karen yelled at Mona. “Yeah, he might be trying to act all innocent, but he was still fucking his baby mama, too! He told me one time!!”

  Mona was kicking and fighting, trying to get loose, but Rico wasn’t letting her. “Calm down,” he said to her, but he was feeling like shit that Karen had called him out and in such a fucked up manner.

  “Mona,” Monty called out as he grabbed her from Rico to calm her down. “Chill Sis, chill.” He told her. “Don’t let that hoe get under your skin.”

  Candy was now trying to calm Dee down, because she was still cussing out loud and threatening to choke the hell out of Karen if she got her hands on her. “Cuz, calm down.” She said.

  Once things had settled and the music was back on and playing like nothing had happened, Rico walked over by Mona. She stood up by the VIP table in their section. He walked over to her with a pitiful look on his face.

  “Babe,” he said.

  “I don’t wanna talk to you.” Mona said feeling like such a fool.

  “Please, let’s talk about this. Let’s go back to my place and just talk.” Rico pleaded.

  Mona looked out on the dance floor and the first person she saw looking their way was Monica. She quickly turned her head like Mona hadn’t caught her staring at them.

  “So, Karen was the woman on the phone that night?”

  Rico stood there not knowing what to say.

  Mona grinned to hide the pain. “That’s why Big Bruce shot you, isn’t it? You were the one that was fucking Karen.”

  Rico still couldn’t say nothing with his head dropped.

  “Were you still fucking Monica?”

  “Babe,” he said wanting so badly to explain.

  “Don’t muthafuckin’ babe me!” she spat. “Were you still fucking that bitch?”

  Rico still couldn’t answer her. Regardless of what he’d say it wouldn’t make a difference. Mona was already so over it. She pulled her engagement ring off of her finger and placed it in the palm of his hand.

  “You have embarrassed me so much.” She said with tears in her eyes. “I have nothing else to say to you.” She walked off and left him standing there wanting to cry. He went behind her, but it was of no use. Once she was out in the parking lot, she jumped in her car and immediately pulled off leaving him standing there looking sick.

  ***

  An hour later, Candy had made her way back down the stairs where Monty was sitting at to the bar. She was pretty tipsy and very confused about Brendon’s whereabouts. His phone was off and going straight to voicemail. She tapped Monty on the shoulder. “Have you seen your cousin?”

  Monty shook his head. “Nah, I ain’t seen cuz all night.” He responded.

  “That’s strange.” Candy whispered. She knew that he was probably mad at her for kissing Monty, but she never expected him to just flake on her without saying goodnight.

  “Don’t worry about him. I’m sure that he can take care of himself.” Monty told her.

  “I ain’t worried about him.” Candy said with a frown on her face, but a part of her was certainly lying.

  The people in the club had started clearing out slowly, but surely. The party was great, but so much chaos had broken out that people were just ready to go. None of the guests were complaining as the ladies left with white and red roses, chocolates, and feeling good off of the best coconut drinks in town. The men were just happy to be taking a tipsy lady home. He was for sure to get a little bit if he played his cards right.

  “You ready to go?” Monty questioned Candy.

  “I think I am ready to go,” she said. “I know this may be out of your way, but I’ll need a ride home. Dee left with your homeboy from around the way.”

  “Yeah, I told him to make sure that she made it home safely. He’s good people.” Monty said. Candy smiled. If nothing else, Monty would make sure that they were taken care of. “I’m ready when you’re ready. Hell, Kina is gonna close up so we’re good.”

  Candy glimpsed over at him. It seemed that he knew something that she didn’t know. “Well, let’s go.” She said grabbing her purse and following him out of the club.

  ***

  Monty stopped by the store to get some gas as Candy called Brendon’s phone again, and again it went to voicemail. She looked up noticing that Monty was paying for the gas. Quickly she swiped up his phone and checked his call log. She didn’t see where he and Brendon had spoke, so she went straight to his messages. The first message she read was from Brendon.

  Hey cuz, sorry I didn’t get to see you, but I had to leave early. I’m wit
h Trina, but I’ll call you later. Kina is going to lock up with the security guards so you’re cool to leave. Bren

  Candy quickly put the phone back down as Monty walked out of the store. “Damn,” she whispered. “He took that kiss that far that he’d leave with Trina?” she disappointedly shook her head. Playing them both seemed to now be playing out.

  Monty pumped the gas, and then got back inside the car. “Now off to your house,” he said strapping on his seatbelt.

  Candy looked over at him with a smile. “That’s the plan,” she said leaning her head back. The lights at the store danced in circles around her from the buzz that she was feeling. “To my house we go,” she said as Monty pulled off and headed in the direction of her house.