Pain, Pleasure, and Lies: An Urban Romance Thriller

by Qiana London

  Observing the looks on my clients’ faces, they were curious about who Diandre was. He’d only visited the salon a few times and on each of those occasions it was late, so most of my clients never saw him. Under normal circumstances, I would’ve introduced him to everyone, but I no longer felt it was necessary. He walked up to me, brushed the hair back that was covering my eye and kissed my cheek. If they hadn’t known who he was before, I’m sure they had an idea now. I cringed on the inside, but managed to maintain my composure. I walked back over to my client and resumed braiding her hair. I tried to act normal.

  “Tina, would you mind taking those into the kitchen and putting them into a vase for me? There’s one under the kitchen sink.”

  My client took the flowers from Diandre and I pointed to the kitchen. Diandre had taken the liberty of sitting himself on the couch as my brother came down the stairs. He saw Diandre and began walking in our direction. Preparing for the worst, I asked the client whose hair I was braiding to join the other one in the kitchen. I told her to help herself to some food while I wrapped up some unfinished business. Once my client was in the kitchen and out of earshot, I turned my attention back to the two men in the living room.

  “Nigga, you must be crazy,” Donte said.

  “Come again?”

  “You know what the fuck I’m talkin’ about. I didn’t like your ass from day one. What in the hell made you think you could put your hands on my sister?”

  “Dawg, you’re in some business that doesn’t concern you.”

  “It became my business when you blacked her eye.”

  “I don’t owe you an explanation.”

  “What?”

  Donte began walking closer to Diandre who was now standing. I stepped between the two of them. Donte tried to push past me, but I used all of my strength to stop him. He was not thinking rationally, so someone had to. He had been the main one telling me to stay calm and be careful, but he had become the first one to jump bad. I feared my brother was only making matters worse. I had to think fast.

  “Look, both of you need to calm down. I am working here, and all of this is far from professional.”

  “You need to check your brother, Dezzy.”

  “Diandre, I can deal with my brother later. Right now, I need you to either take your seat so we can talk or leave.”

  He studied Donte hard then took his seat. My brother didn’t want to leave me alone with him, but I believed I would be safe, especially since he was already walking on thin ice. And my clients were in the next room. He assured me he and Raijean would be back and not to hesitate to call should I need him. He walked to the door and shut it slowly behind him.

  “Why are you telling our business?”

  “Diandre, I didn’t have to say anything. My brother took one look at my eye and knew I didn’t do this to myself.”

  “Who else knows?”

  I ignored his question.

  “Diandre, why are you here?”

  “Well, I hoped I’d come over, and we’d work everything out.”

  “What for, Diandre? What good is a relationship without trust?”

  “I agree, but we can start over. There’s no need to dwell on the past. Now is as good a time as any to have a new beginning.”

  “True. And maybe a new beginning would mean us going our separate ways.”

  “So much for a future together, huh?”

  “You should have thought about our future before you jeopardized it.”

  I was trying to find the right time to tell him about the baby. He seemed open and willing to communicate. I had clients to attend to, so I couldn’t procrastinate much longer. I needed to get it over with and deal with whatever was to follow.

  “Diandre, I need to tell you something.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “Do you remember how I suddenly felt sick yesterday?”

  “Yeah. I knew you were mad, but you didn’t have to—“

  “I’m not finished.”

  “I’m sorry. Go ahead.”

  “I threw up.”

  I was having a hard time communicating my thoughts with words. Diandre could tell I was avoiding something, but he didn’t press the issue.

  “I’m going to the doctor tomorrow because I haven’t had a period in a while.”

  He removed his hands from his pockets and sat on the edge of the couch. He knew what I was trying to say, but he didn’t mutter a word. Instead, he watched me and waited for the conclusion of this drawn out explanation I was about to give.

  “Diandre, I’m pregnant.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I took a test and it was positive.”

  “Have you already decided what you’re going to do?”

  “I don’t believe in abortion.”

  His facial expression didn’t reveal how he felt about my decision. I expected him to be somewhat delighted. He lowered his head and remained quiet for what felt like an eternity. When he did speak, he announced his departure. He leaned toward me to get a kiss, but I backed away. He didn’t press the issue. Instead, he silently walked past me and out the door. I went into the kitchen to get my clients so I could get them taken care of. I wasn’t sure what to think about Diandre’s reaction, but I decided I wouldn’t rack my brain trying to figure it out.

  *****

  After I walked my last client to the door, I retreated to my room to relax. I wasn’t in the mood to mingle, so I let Donte and Raijean have time to themselves and kept my distance. My brother had given me pamphlets about pregnancy and breastfeeding that he’d picked up while waiting for Raijean during her doctor’s appointment. I decided to take this alone time to read through them.

  I enjoyed a hot shower while listening to Anita Baker. I could hold a tune, but I sounded especially decent in the shower. Once I’d finished, I burned incense and candles around my room then sprawled out across my bed to air dry. I’d finished reviewing my second pamphlet when my phone rang.

  “How’s everything going, Mommy?”

  “Hey, Lee. How are you?”

  “I’m fine now that I’m not dealing with those patients. How are you?”

  “Decent. I told him.”

  “What happened?”

  “He didn’t really say anything. He stood up and left.”

  “Left? He was actually there?”

  “That’s a whole different story.”

  Judging by my tone, Lee didn’t bother to question me further. She remained silent and gave me the option to tell her when I felt ready.

  “He showed up unannounced again. I wasn’t too thrilled about that, but I played nice because I had clients at my house. He said he came to patch things up. You and I both know that ain’t happening.”

  “Right. It’ll be a cold day in hell first.”

  “Exactly,” I affirmed. “Lee, I just don’t understand what happened. I honestly thought that Diandre was the one, and that we would be together. This shit wasn’t supposed to go this way.”

  “I know, but everything is going to be alright.”

  “I never thought I’d be a single parent.”

  “You’ll have all of the support that you will need. Trust me.”

  “And I’m definitely thankful,” I began to cry. “It’s not the same, though. I always wanted my children to grow up in a two-parent household-“

  “And that can still happen. Don’t let him be the reason that you give up on love.”

  I began bawling. I’d never felt so alone in my life. Granted, I had friends and family who would do everything in their power to assist me, but it wasn’t their responsibility. Any chance of reconciliation with Diandre was nonexistent as far as I was concerned. If he wasn’t going to be there for me now when I needed him most, I knew I couldn’t depend on him for anything else. Lee consoled me to the best of her ability, but there was nothing anyone could say to soothe my fears. It’s amazing how one can think they knew someone only to learn they know nothing at all. As I’ve always believed, peop
le can’t be given too much credit because they never cease to fail you.

  “Dezzy, I know this isn’t the ideal situation, but you can do this.”

  “I know I can and I will. I don’t want to do it alone, though.”

  “You’ll never be alone. Besides, you know too many people. Between all of us, Diandre’s shoes will be filled and then some. Don’t worry yourself, Dezzy. Your time and energy is much too valuable, and can be put into other things.”

  Lee always knew the right things to say. My tears soon went away, and I began to feel much better. We conversed about other events happening in our lives. There was no reason to belabor the point. Talking about all of the unknowns wouldn’t serve any purpose. I had to focus on what I did know. I was going to do what was best for me and my unborn child. We wrapped up our conversation as Lee’s doorbell rang.

  “Dezzy, girl I have to go. I’ll pick you up at nine for your appointment.”

  “Who’s at your house?”

  “Girl, I’m grown. I taught you what you know!”

  “Whatever! I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I hung up the phone feeling as though I didn’t have a care in the world. With new found energy, I got up and put on a pair of pajamas. Sitting around feeling sorry for myself wasn’t going to change a damn thing. I blew out the candles, opened the windows, and turned out the lights. Occasionally, I had the opportunity to enjoy a clear, midnight blue, moonlit sky from my bedroom window. This was one of those nights. I sat in the window sill and peered out the window. Normally, I would sit there on a night like this for hours on end, but after a while an awkward and eerie feeling came over me. When I looked down below, a car was in the middle of the street with the headlights off. Fortunately, my lights weren’t on, so I hid myself in the shadows as I continued to watch. Coming from the opposite direction was Diandre’s Mercedes. He pulled next to the car and held conversation. Gestures were made toward my house. I couldn’t make out the person behind the wheel of the car facing my direction. When Diandre handed an envelope through his window to someone in the other car, Justine’s face came into clear view as she received it. A knot formed in the pit of my stomach as my mind began to run wild. Diandre continued up the street to the stop sign then made a left. He was no longer in my view. Justine coasted past my house then turned off in another direction.

  I wanted to believe I hadn’t seen Diandre and his accomplice casing my house, but I knew my eyes hadn’t deceived me. My suspicions were confirmed when my cell phone began ringing across the bedroom. Diandre’s number appeared on the caller ID. I decided I wasn’t going to answer it. Instead, I jumped up and threw clothes and toiletries in an overnight bag. I took off my pajamas and put on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. I was down the stairs informing Donte of everything I’d seen in a spilt second. My brother and Raijean wasted no time getting dressed and grabbing the bare necessities. Between the three of us, we secured the house, set the alarm, and headed for a hotel until we had an opportunity to contact Donte’s father.

  At this point, I wasn’t sure where we were headed, and I didn’t want to know. I left a message for Lee to cancel the doctor’s appointment and didn’t mention anything more. The less everyone knew, the better. I sat in complete silence and prayed to myself until we finally reached our destination. My brother got us a room at the Hilton near the Oakland Airport under an assumed name. Granted, I was aware Diandre had an undisclosed past and was capable of more than I could ever fathom, but I hadn’t accepted the fact that my life was in jeopardy until now. My mother always said God wouldn’t give me anymore than I could handle. Now, I only prayed He’d have mercy.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Donte left me and Raijean in the hotel room while he went out to meet up with his father. He had called thirty minutes earlier to inform us that they would return shortly. In the meantime, Raijean and I had breakfast in the room. She put a dent in her food while I poked at mine with a fork. I knew I needed to eat something, but my nerves had me on edge. Although I wasn’t paying attention to the program on the television, I pretended to be engrossed. Donte had forgiven Raijean, but I was still having a hard time. I didn’t want her trying to bond with me. I knew I would need to eventually get over it, but she had really taken my brother through unnecessary drama, and whether she had intended to or not, I went through it too.

  The phone sitting next to Raijean began to ring. She answered it. Her expression immediately turned to one of panic. She sat motionless while listening to the person on the other end. Before I had a chance to question who was speaking to her, she handed me the phone.

  “Why are you running from me?”

  “How did you find out where I was?”

  “Haven’t you figured it out by now? I have pull everywhere I go.”

  His tone was cocky and taunting.

  “Look, Diandre, I thought I made it clear I no longer want to have a relationship with you. Why don’t you make your point or I am going to hang up the phone.”

  “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “You’re clever. Figure it out.”

  That was it. I was tired of being on edge. This man had caused me to completely shut down and become another person. I hadn’t led a normal life in what felt like an eternity. I decided whatever was going to happen was destined. I wasn’t going to run any longer. I was fed up. It was time to face the music. I had to fight back.

  “Man up and tell me.”

  “Oh, is little Dezzy trying to step to me?”

  “I’m trying to be an adult about this. Either you’re going to cooperate or I am going to end this call.”

  “You really don’t know who you’re dealing with.”

  “I think I have an idea.”

  “I’m capable of many things.”

  My body was beginning to fill with so much anger that I started trembling. I knew it was only a short matter of time before the police caught up with Diandre, so I decided to play criminal mind games. I intended to get even for all the hell I’d been through.

  “I want you to know I don’t expect you to do anything for my baby. There’s no need for you to come around.”

  “Dezzy, I know you don’t mean that. You don’t even know what it’s like to be a parent. Shit, you probably haven’t even given any real thought to that baby.”

  “Oh, I’ve given more thought than you know. In fact, I’ve come up with a few names… If it’s a girl, Kimberly… If it’s a boy, Anthony.”

  The silence was thick on the other end. Seconds later, I was greeted by the dial tone. It didn’t matter. I knew I’d gotten under Diandre’s skin. For the first time in a while, I felt as though I had some control and peace within.

  I was hanging up the phone when Donte and his father walked through the hotel door. It had barely closed before Raijean, and I began blurting out everything about the surprise phone call. Donte feared I may have acted too soon, but Mr. Sutter gave us the news we’d all been waiting on. The other hitman had been captured, and both were talking. They’d already agreed to testify against Diandre in court and had been placed in protective custody away from the other prisoners. Donte’s father explained a warrant for Diandre’s arrest would be available before the day ended. As soon as he had the warrant in his hand, he’d pay the conniving bastard a visit. Once Diandre was in custody, Justine would soon follow.

  I was so ecstatic, I felt like I was floating. All of the pieces of the puzzle were finally falling into place. I couldn’t wait to sit in the courtroom and watch justice be served. Diandre had finally messed with the wrong woman, and now he was going to pay. His dark past had finally caught up with him.

  *****

  Normally, I would dread leaving a hotel room like this one, but I was eager to return home. Though there wasn’t much to return to in terms of my material belongings, I looked forward to starting over. Everything that was at Diandre’s house would remain there. That was now the past, and I wasn�
��t looking back. It was time to move on, once again, and get my life together. I was going to undergo some serious changes in the future and this time I would make sure I was ready before I got involved with anyone else.

  Mr. Sutter planned to remain at the house with me and Donte until he received the call confirming the warrant. He spent the majority of this time with us making phone calls to expedite the process. After he wrapped up one of his calls a short while later, he shared comforting words with me, shook his son’s hand, and walked out the front door.

  “See Dezzy, no worries. Everything is going to be fine. Mama will be back tomorrow, and she doesn’t have to know any of this ever happened. Well, not every detail at least.”

  “Unless I decide to tell her. What should I do with the ring?”

  “Get your coat. I know a place where you can get the value of the ring and then some. You can put the money toward my nephew’s college fund.”

  “Yeah, I’m sure your niece will appreciate it.”

  “Whatever!” Donte playfully shoved me out the front door.

  Moments later, we were in Donte’s truck and headed to an underground location.

  *****

  Blood is thicker than water. Donte never ceased to amaze me with the way he stayed dedicated to his family. There was nothing and no one who could ever break the bond that my mother, brother, and I shared. I realized I was fortunate, so I promised myself I would never associate with anyone who threatened that bond again. This was one promise I intended to keep.

  I let Donte do all of the talking inside of the pawn shop. It’s unfortunate, but there is an unspoken respect men automatically receive over women. Since I knew this to be true, I allowed my brother to get the better deal. When the agent realized Donte wasn’t going to back down, he surrendered. I politely collected the cash then Donte, and I headed to the bank to open a savings account. The money was for the baby, and if it wasn’t easily accessible it would be much harder to pinch off of.

  In honor of starting over, my brother and I decided to celebrate. He treated me to lunch at Baker’s Square in Pleasanton then we headed to Stoneridge Mall. He and I put a hurting on our wallets purchasing clothes for both of our unborn children. Once the bags exceeded our arm capacity, we retired for the evening. We returned home and would remain there until we received the call with the good news.