by Vera Roberts
Faith studied his two full sleeves and noticed he’d added a few more since she’d last seen him. She didn’t care about those, if she wanted to be honest. She was more concerned if the one tattoo that mattered was still there.
When Eli turned around to check on the sauce, Faith smiled a breath of release when she saw it. Clear as day on his forearm, in old English writing, was her name.
He could’ve gotten it covered up and Faith certainly gave Eli plenty of reason to do so. He hadn’t spoken to her personally in two years and had she not showed up tonight, there was no telling when he would’ve spoken to her.
It wasn’t so much his silent ban towards her that bothered Faith; he never inquired about her at all to anyone. He never spoke of her. It was as if she’d never existed in his life. At least most people could think of an ain’t-shit ex they loved to rag on and Eli did nothing of the sort.
No shade. No subliminals. Just silence.
“I noticed you didn’t cover up the tat,” she finally broke the silence.
Eli focused on kneading the garlic bread. “What tat?”
“The one with my name,” she mentioned. He got the tattoo before they were even married. She sometimes wondered how the other women Eli was with during the breakups felt about the tattoo. “I thought you would’ve gotten it covered up by now.”
“It’s not a priority right now.” He softly answered. Truth was, each time he wanted to cover up the tat, a yearning inside him told him it was the wrong move. “Too busy with events. I have a few tats that I need to freshen up and just haven’t had the time.”
So, he planned to get it covered, after all. Faith noticed the small drop of emotion hit the pit of her stomach and she swallowed some more wine. “I’ve noticed,” she replied, “I heard what you did with the Ferguson Gallery,” Faith mentioned, “I saw the pictures of the garden and it looks incredible.”
It was a last-minute request from one of Nick’s friends, and Eli had to fly out to L.A. to get it all done in an incredibly short amount of time. It was a rose garden in honor of an employee’s mother, and Eli was proud to work on it as a surprise to her.
The result was a garden the size of a football field and filled with multicolored roses from all over the world. Several small benches surrounded the garden as well as a gazebo. It boosted Eli’s profile even higher. He was now one of the most sought-after floral designers in the world.
“Thank you,” he nodded, “it was stressful to do but it was all worth it. I heard the girl broke into tears of joy when she saw it and that was better than any pay day.”
Faith wanted to ask how much Eli was compensated but knew it wouldn’t come out right. As her husband, Eli was happy to share how much a wedding or special event cost. As her ex, he had no reason to divulge.
It also occurred to Faith Eli did the project when he was in L.A. She might have been there at the same time. Even if they couldn’t have seen each other, it would’ve been nice if he called her. “Do you travel often?”
“Not much,” Eli lied. He traveled several times a month and left the kids with his mother or Faith’s parents when he couldn’t be around. He didn’t know if it was a coincidence that Faith was gone at the same time he was or it was just luck of the draw.
He didn’t want his work schedule to give his ex any ammunition against him.
Faith felt the air shift to an uncomfortable tension between them. They both were carefully avoiding the sole reason why she was in his six-million dollar apartment. “I wanted to talk to you about the move.”
“I’m not signing off the papers,” he looked up and met eyes with his ex. A sensual air passed between them, yet Eli ignored it. “So, if that’s what you wanted to talk to me about, I just saved you time.”
Faith took another sip of wine and swirled it around her mouth. The way he stared into her soul like that made her tightly close her thighs as the soft thump of want beat against her panties.
She knew Eli was going to be hard to convince why and it was time to play hardball. “This wasn’t an easy decision for me, Eli. The kids like L.A. They have fun out there. They used to have so much fun visiting Kieran and Tiana when they lived out there.”
“And K and Tee live out here.” The pair moved to New York not that long ago and lived in a very expensive apartment on Park Ave., not too far from Nicola and Art.
“Eli, you can visit the children anytime you like,” Faith shrugged.
Eli chuckled and shook his head. “I can visit the children anytime I like.” He went into the cupboard and grabbed a spice. “That’s rich.”
“Oh?” Faith challenged. “How so?”
“You mentioned I would have to visit my kids if I wanted to see them.” He retorted. “You didn’t mention sending them on a plane or bringing them here yourself.”
“First off, I wouldn’t put my children on a plane by themselves.” She shut it down. “ Secondly, I’ll visit but I just don’t know how often that’ll be.”
“You’re getting thirty-five thousand a month which equates to four hundred and twenty thousand dollars a year. I say that should be all of the motivation you need to get on a plane.” He quietly replied; his baritone voice quivered with a bubbling anger. “Of course, when I file papers challenging the move, I’ll also put in a request to reduce child support. You and your new rich husband don’t need to be eating off my dime, anymore.”
Faith felt like throwing a saltshaker at him. “Jeremy has his own money, Eli. We never lived off you, anyway. He has plenty to go around.”
“Oh yeah?” Eli finished kneading the bread. “How many people is he supporting?”
“Well, me and the kids, but also his parents, sisters, and a few friends.” She shrugged.
“So, how many is that?” He asked.
Faith counted on her fingers. Jeremy was supporting ten people, at least. They all lived richly. “Jeremy can afford it.”
“Him affording it is not the question,” Eli popped the bread in the oven, “it’s what will happen when he can no longer afford it.”
Faith was about to argue how good Jeremy was with his money, but it wouldn’t have been the whole truth. Jeremy spent just as soon as he got it. Eli always saved much of his money in various holdings like real estate, businesses, and stocks. All of the brothers were very good with their money and it was partially because how they were raised.
They grew up poor with barely anything between them. When Nick went to college, he often supported his family by doing tutoring sessions or DJ gigs. When one brother had money, he shared it with the others, no matter how little it was. It was something all of them still did to this day; Eli’s wealth was the family’s wealth.
It was a value Faith hoped he would instill within their children. “I’m moving because Jeremy plays for the Lakers and I just want to be closer to him. I think I could get used to living in L.A. It surely can’t be any worse than living here.”
Eli softly shook his head. Faith was a Harlem girl through and through. She may have traveled here and there but she knew where home was. “You’re born and raised in Harlem,” Eli stirred his sauce, “Harlem is home.”
“Well, maybe it’s time for me to spread my wings and fly away,” she replied, “maybe it’s time I just expanded.”
“What about the shop?” He asked. “You have stylists and other people there.”
“I gave them notice. I told them nothing was set in stone. Once it becomes official, I’ll give them plenty of time to find other employment.” She explained.
“Okay,” he checked on the bread and took off his gloves. Eli sipped his wine glass and swirled the burgundy liquid around before he swallowed. “I’m not signing off the papers. If you want to go to L.A., that’s fine. I’ll make sure the kids visit you but you’re not taking them with you.”
“I had a feeling you would say that,” Faith sighed, “I don’t want to go to court over this, Eli.”
“You don’t have to go to court because you’re not going to tak
e the kids with you,” he restated, “if you want to fight me on this, that’s fine. You’re not going to take my babies from me because of your dick du jour.”
“Screw you, Eli,” Faith sneered, “I’ve been with Jeremy for six months. I don’t have any other man coming in and out of my house at all hours at the night. Whenever Jeremy wants to go on a trip, I’m ready to go. Whenever he wants to fly me to a different city, I’ll make sure you or our parents watch the children while I’m away. I’m responsible and not careless. I take our children into every consideration I do, regardless of how you feel about me.” She watched her ex checked his manicure. It was clear she was humoring him. “Am I boring you?”
“You say you’ve been with Jeremy for six months but has he been with you for six months?” He finally asked.
Jeremy’s groupie exploits were as notorious as his on-court play. While he promised Faith he wasn’t going to cheat on her (anymore), she wasn’t too sure he held up his end of the bargain. “What goes on with my fiancée is none of your concern.”
Eli nodded and stirred his sauce. “Interesting…”
Whenever Eli said interesting, it was short for ‘Are you fucking kidding me?’ and they both knew it. “Spill it, Eli.”
“I cheated on you once, went to therapy to work on our marriage, and you still hung it over my head like a scarlet letter. This nigga cheats on you left and right and you ignore it because you want to be a baller’s wife.”
“Eli, just because you have Black children, Black friends, and you love Black pum pum, doesn’t mean you should be saying that word,” Faith warned.
Eli calmly set down his spoon and cast a sharp glance at his ex, who visibly shivered. “I think me saying that word is the very least of your concerns,” he shot back.
Faith hated how Eli could read her like a librarian. She also hated how he could make her aroused with desire while he did it. “Jeremy is a good guy. I mean, there are things I don’t like about him but that goes for anyone.” She shrugged. “The kids love him and that’s all that matters.”
“Good,” Eli continued to make dinner, “I’m glad to hear.”
“Are you seeing anyone?” She asked.
“No,” Eli replied, “I haven’t been on a date in a while.”
“Really?” Faith hoped the joy in her voice wasn’t obvious. “I thought you were seeing the doctor.”
“We broke up due to scheduling conflicts. Both of us were too ambitious for our own good.” After he broke up with Faith, Eli briefly reconciled with his doctor ex-girlfriend, Erica. He even brought her to family gatherings and she made brief appearances on his reality show. “We saw each other maybe twice a month. Twice a month doesn’t make a relationship.”
Faith didn’t know why she was so happy Eli was single and available. She had a fiancée waiting for her back in L.A. “I’m older now. I’m not going to give up on a relationship because of a single infidelity.” Faith quieted as soon as the words left her mouth. She knew how silly she looked in front of her ex.
She also knew how much he resented her for it. It wasn’t lost on her that was the reason he refused to sign off on the relocation papers.
“As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters.” He finished making her plate and handed it over to Faith. “Bon appetite.”
All I Ask of You
It was like they fell back into a rhythm and the separation never occurred at all.
As Eli laid on the sofa watching sports, Faith scrolled through her IG feed. She briefly hopped onto Eli’s feed and was impressed by the newest designs he’d created for some celebrities and athletes. Rich colors like gold, magenta, and navy blue stood out in the floral arrangements of roses, hydrangeas, and succulents.
Softer colors like peach, light green, and white made weddings seem like a dream and whimsical. A few celebrities even tagged Eli, thanking him for his excellent customer service and the floral design.
After a quiet dinner, followed by one of the best tiramisu cheesecakes Faith ever had, the pair retreated to the living room. Eli made sure Faith was comfortable while he flipped through sports channels.
Then it was silence between them.
Faith was never really into sports and only went to games when Eli and his friends invited her. Whenever there was a game on, Eli either invited his brothers over or went over to one of their homes to watch it. It wasn’t Faith minded; she usually went shopping.
Now, she was alone with him and there was no resolution to their argument about her move.
“If you let me move with the kids, I’ll make sure you’ll get them every summer.” She promised.
“No,” Eli remained steadfast. “They’re not leaving New York.”
Faith put her phone away. “Why are you making this difficult? Is it because you’re jealous of Jeremy?”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” he quietly replied.
“Just admit it, Eli.” Faith turned to him. “You’re jealous of him. He has what you want.”
Eli softly shook his head. “He has nothing I want.” Even Eli knew that was a boldfaced lie. Jeremy had his woman. It was reason enough to punch him in the face.
Eli’s words stunned Faith and she swallowed the feelings that almost released in the form of bile. She felt her bottom lip quiver and she hurriedly blinked back tears of hurt, frustration, and pure defeat. He truly did not care about her anymore. “You mean that?”
Eli got up and went into the kitchen. “Why do you care?”
Faith received a text notification from Krista before she followed Eli into the kitchen.
I had a confrontation with Tony at his shop about you and Eli.
Faith perked up from receiving the text by Krista. Oh?
They’re still pissed about the allegations, Faye.
They can be pissed all they want. It actually happened. He did throw the vase and break down the door.
It happened before E.J. was even conceived, Faye. They lost twenty million dollars.
They what? Faith’s nose scrunched up. Twenty million? That’s an exaggeration.
I dunno. Tony seemed pretty serious about it. I don’t know him to be a liar, Faye.
I’m sure they’ve made that money back. He has no reason to still be angry.
Faye, it’s twenty million dollars. It’s not twenty dollars. It’s not even twenty cents.
Faith glanced over to Eli, who was drinking a glass of water. Damn, how did he become even more gorgeous within the past few minutes? Faith didn’t want to admit it, but a pissed-off Eli was pretty sexy to her, and she found herself softly biting her lip.
She sent a quick text to Krista: I’m over at Eli’s now. I’m trying to convince him to sign off on the move.
He’s not going to do it.
I’m trying to sell him on it. I think he will if I convince him.
Good luck. Let me know if you need backup and I’ll get my cousins to come over.
I’ll be fine.
Faith set her phone down at the table and joined Eli in his spacious kitchen. “How’s Krista?” He asked.
“She’s good,” Faith replied, “she told me she had a confrontation with Tony at his shop earlier.”
“Yeah, I know.” Eli finished his water and set it aside. “Are you thirsty?”
Hell, yeah, I am. Faith realized Eli meant for a beverage. “I can use some water.”
Eli poured her a glass of filtered water. “Here you go.”
Despite his feelings towards her, Eli still treated Faith with the utmost respect. “Thank you,” she took a sip of it, “she told me the family is still pissed about the allegations.”
“Not everyone,” Eli replied, “a couple, yes.”
That couple was undoubtedly Eli and Tony. Whatever issues Eli and Faith had, inadvertently spilled over to affect Tony and Krista’s relationship. Kieran, Nick, and Joey no longer cared because they had their own relationships and families to be concerned with.
It was time to play hardball. “Had you not slep
t with Simone, maybe you wouldn’t have thrown the vase, kicked in the door, and been humiliated on a national level because it wouldn’t have happened to begin with?”
She was testing him. If there was one thing Faith was great at, it was pissing Eli off. He calmly swallowed. “And that’s why you’re not leaving New York with my babies.” He set down the glass and faced his ex. “Listen, I’m doing everything you’ve asked me to. Everything. Even shit I thought was more than a little ridiculous, I still did. Why? To keep the peace. But you will not disrespect me like that. You don’t want to get the courts, lawyers, and media involved, I agree. But you keep up with those games you’re playing, and I will continue to ignore you so hard, you will start to doubt your own existence.” If looks could kill, Faith would’vedied a thousand deaths. “Have anything else smart you want to say?”
Maybe it was the pent-up frustration or all of the anger Faith had bottled up for years. Whatever it was, it exploded out of her. “You fucked up, and yet, I’m the one being punished!”
“You’re being punished?” Eli questioned. “You got the house, the cars, the kids, and my money. Oh, that’s right. You’re no longer a D’Amato therefore, you don’t have any perks. You have pay like everyone else.”
“Screw you, Eli.” Faith countered. “I was known around here before I met you. I was in school, I met with community leaders, and I did a lot of community work.”
“Good for you,” he replied, as he filled up his glass with water, “congratulations.”
“I just don’t understand why I constantly have to be the goody-goody. I was faithful to you for years and I still got cheated on! I have an affair of my own and your family hates me for it! When we divorced, I heard it was everything but your fault!” Faith yelled. “I get called all sorts of names and I’m just supposed to just take it and be silent because that’s what celebrities are supposed to do.
“I would just like for once, I can do something without a bunch of fibroid-pecking hens shaking their heads about me before they go off to their collective groups and gossip about how I’m messing up now. About how I’m not as popular as I used to be. About everything about me but they’ll never say it to my face.