I rolled my eyes. Mario surely had me in a situation that I didn’t want to be in, but for the time being, I would deal with it.
“As I said before, I understand how you feel. You won’t have any problems with him stepping up to do what is necessary. If you want peace and solutions going forward, I suggest you speak to me. Mario isn’t real happy about all of this right now. All you’re going to get from him is disrespect. So, again, let’s talk when I get back from vacation. Okay?”
“That’s fine. See you soon, I hope.”
The call ended there, leaving me in deep thought. I had been that other woman before, had been that little thorn in the side, and had been that bitch who many people simply wanted to go away. In this case, however, Mario nor Camila would win. I’d make sure of that.
We returned home nearly two weeks later. I was still riding high from our vacation. The kids were with Jaylin and Nokea. She had officially moved back in with him. I can’t say that I was surprised, because I wasn’t. I always expected the two of them to get back together, and whether Travis was dead or alive, it would have eventually happened. In no way did it pain me anymore to say this, but I was happy for them. My feelings for Jaylin would always remain, but when you know where a man’s heart is, it’s best to let go and stop yours from breaking into a thousand pieces. I didn’t want any more heartbreak. That was why it was so important for me to expeditiously deal with this situation with Mario and move on from it, if I had to.
I had reached out to Camila, again, and was on my way to a restaurant to meet with her. Thoughts of what she looked like in person consumed my mind, and I wondered if she had ever seen me. I was sure to make myself look flawless today and displaying much self-assurance, I walked into the restaurant with my head held high. Like always, approval was granted by the men who watched me as I made my way to the table where Camila sat. My hips swayed from side-to-side; even she couldn’t keep her eyes off me. She greeted me with a fake smile; I shot her one in return. The first thing I thought . . . cute, but in no way was she as gorgeous as me.
“Hello, Scorpio,” she said, extending her hand to mine. “Thanks for inviting me to come here.”
“No problem.” I shook her hand, but when my eyes dropped to her belly that clearly showed she was pregnant, I eased my hand away. “Nice to meet you. Sit down and let’s talk.”
Camila took a seat, and within a few seconds, she started giving me the scoop. “I’m surprised you didn’t bring Mario with you. I’ve spoken to him since the two of you have been back from vacation, but I didn’t tell him we were meeting. Did you?”
I was surprised to hear she had spoken to him, but my expression showed that it didn’t bother me.
“I’m glad the two of you had another chance to talk. I expect for you to keep him informed about the baby, and you should, especially if he’s the father.”
“He is the father,” she confirmed. “We didn’t necessarily talk about the baby. We spoke about something else.”
See, I hated to play games with silly women. She was beating around the bush, hoping that I would sit here and beg her for information. That wasn’t going to happen. She was dealing with a pro at this. The sooner she realized it, the better off she would be.
“I’m not concerned about the details of your conversation with Mario, and as I said when we talked before, my concern revolves around your child. The baby will determine how I intend to move forward in my marriage. If it is his child, I have plans that will make me a very happy woman, possibly, you too.”
The smile on her face grew wide. She was beaming even more. I could already sense that getting me out of the picture was her goal. She reached into her purse, pulling out a small recorder.
“I know you said you’re not concerned about what Mario and I discussed, but just so you know that I’m not the one pursuing and bugging him all the time, I wanted you to hear this.”
She hit the play button and we both sat silently, listening to Mario speak. “Hey, babe,” he said. “I’m home now, so when you want to talk, let’s talk. I can come over there or you can meet me somewhere private. I’ve been missing you a lot, and we need to talk about what to do when my child is born. I can’t make you any promises because I do love my wife. But I’m finding myself thinking more about us too.”
Camila clicked the stop button and looked at me across the table, probably searching for tears. What she saw was me blushing and thinking about my exit plan. Unfortunately, I had to wait until the baby was born. That way, I could pretend to be the distraught wife who was damaged beyond repair and whose husband had truly wronged her. I expected for Mario to give me more ammunition, and stupid Camila would provide me with all the evidence I needed to build my case against him.
“If you don’t mind,” I said, holding out my hand. “Can I have that recorder? I won’t share it with Mario, but I need it for closure in the near future.”
She didn’t hesitate to give it to me. She wanted me out of the picture soon. This time, I didn’t mind giving up my spot in the bedroom. I started to see what kind of man my husband truly was, so she could happily go live in hell with him. Until everything was finalized, I’d keep my spot warm for her.
“Thanks for giving this to me.” I tossed the recorder in my purse. “And any time you want to let me know what Mario is doing behind my back, please call me. I can’t stay for lunch, because my housekeeper sent me an important message about the kids. I am, however, glad we had a chance to meet, and this time, lunch is on me.”
I gave Camila twenty bucks to take care of her meal. She kept checking me out, staring as if something was wrong.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“I . . . I’m fine. You’re just so pretty. I didn’t think you would look like this. Mario should be ashamed of himself for betraying a woman like you.”
I looked at her thinking what an idiot she was. Mario would run all over this fool for sure. “I’m more than just a pretty woman. Simply gorgeous would classify me much better. My pussy taste pretty good too, and I’m a lot brighter than what you may think. But none of that matters when it comes to men like Mario. It doesn’t matter to most men, so I advise you to wise up soon, because that baby in your stomach will not stop him from dragging you through the gutter.” I bent over, whispering close to her ear. “Remember, this though. When a cheating, no good motherfucker go low, you go high. Real high and know that the sky is your limit.”
I had no other advice to offer her; hopefully, she understood. I waved with my fingers as I left the restaurant and headed home to play the good wife role for my husband. The second I walked through the door, I saw him chilling by the pool. He was pouring himself a drink; I asked him to pour me one too.
“Vodka and cranberry juice would be nice,” I said, squinting as I glanced at the bright sun. “What a beautiful day it is, isn’t it?”
“Indeed it is. Why don’t you go put on your bikini and swim with me? Then we can have dinner and go dancing at Rizzo’s.”
I threw my arms around Mario, giving him a juicy kiss. “That sounds great, and since I’m in a good mood, why don’t we throw in a little car shopping too? I also want to get Mackenzie something special for her birthday. You don’t mind if we go look for her something, do you?”
Hey, gotta look out for the kids too, I thought as Mario handed me the glass of Vodka.
“Of course I don’t mind. Just hurry up and go change.”
I sipped from the glass then placed it on top of the bar. While prancing away from Mario, I damn near danced my way inside. He had no idea what was about to come. I would choose money over marriage for sure, and for the first time in my life, I would have the wealth my heart has always desired. No, I wasn’t a gold digger—referring to me as one would be incorrect. What I was, and had always been, was a woman who made decisions that I thought was best for me and my kids, who sometimes utilized my goodness to get what I wanted, and who refused to allow wealthy and broke-ass men to have their cake and eat it too, w
ithout giving up something in return. There was a reason why I often required a man with money—this was it. And if more women thought like I did, they could be on top of the world, too, instead of dealing with slick men who often left a trail of broken hearts. Jaylin had done enough to wake my ass up, and at this point, Camila’s baby couldn’t get here fast enough.
JAYLIN
Nokea and I returned home to energetic kids and a nanny who was delighted to see us. The only person missing was Nokea’s mother, but in due time, we expected her to make a move this way. Meanwhile, I had my baby officially back at home with me. She wasn’t going anywhere this time, and it was left up to me to make sure I handled my business and treated her like the queen she truly was. I, too, reflected back on our relationship quite often—why did Black Love have to be so difficult? Too many mistakes had been made, but I was glad we were able to finally understand why this journey had been chosen for us. Timing was everything, too, and the man so many women wanted me to be, during a certain period in my life, I couldn’t be that man. Change for everyone comes at different times, and realistically speaking, age isn’t always the number-one factor that brings about change. I just had to get real with myself, finally take responsibility for all that I’d done, and I realized that I never, ever wanted to lose Nokea again. She was, and had always been, my biggest blessing. Believe it or not, I had been hers too. And as we sat on the beach, watching the kids play volleyball, she admitted it.
“Did I tell you how thankful I am for you today?” she asked.
“Nope, but what exactly are you thankful for?”
With her white bikini on, she stood and started massaging my shoulders. A floppy straw hat was on her head, a smile was etched across her face.
“I’m thankful that you’re going to help me accomplish one more little task on my bucket list.”
I cocked my stiff neck from side-to-side. “No, Nokea, I’m done. I promise you I am done with your bucket list, with the exception of building the kids a treehouse.”
“Awwww,” she whined. “It was only one more little thing. At least you should find out what it is, before you shut me down.”
“I don’t care what it is. I’m sure it has something to do with me jumping from somewhere, risking my life or getting run over by a train.”
She laughed. “Come on, Jaylin. I wouldn’t ask you to tie yourself to a train track, so stop being ridiculous.”
“Then, what is it?”
“Are you sure you want to know?”
“I really don’t. I’m pretending like I care just to stay on your good side.”
She laughed again and released her hands from my shoulders. She then gave me a piece of paper, telling me to open it. The title read: Bucket List Finale. Underneath it she had written: Become Mrs. Jaylin Jerome Rogers again. Legally!
This time, I laughed and tossed the paper back to her. “Nope. You can’t have my name again. Not after the way you broke my heart when you divorced me. In case you forgot, I cried and everything.”
“Poor baby,” she said, giggling. “I’m so sorry, but you, uh, did make me go there.”
“Maybe so, but why do you want my name again? What benefit is it to you, legally?”
She started massaging my shoulders again. “Please. Do you have to ask? Being Mrs. Rogers again will enable me to inherit your good fortune, should something unfortunate happen to you. It will allow me to compete with Scorpio, and if she can have it all like she does, why can’t I?”
I turned my head sideways to look at her. “You need to come up with a better reason than that. I’m not feeling your answer.”
“Okay. Maybe you’ll feel this. Being your wife would be an honor. I would be sooo happy, and no one could tell me anything because I would be married to the most sexiest, intelligent, super loving, richest, romantic, God-fearing and handsomest man I know.”
I smiled and nodded. “Keep it coming, baby. Make the case for why you want to be Mrs. Rogers.”
She made the case by lightly smacking me on my head. “Forget it,” she said. “Don’t worry about it. I’m good, as is.”
I pulled her into my arms and laid her across my lap. Kissed her, at least, a thousand times, before telling her the pleasure would be all mine. I offered her real change this time, and two days later, she was legally given my name again. Nearly a year after that, Scorpio divorced Mario and found her happily ever after with Mr. Money. It was the one thing, the only thing, she loved more than me and Mario put together. Kudos to her for learning some valuable lessons from our relationship and for making me even richer than I already was.
I finally got my happily ever after too, and perfect or predictable ending or not, we deserved to be happy. I wasn’t so sure if we would ever reach this point in our lives, and in no way would I ever allow this story to fully depict the true pain I experienced from losing the woman I loved. Nokea, however, came through for me. We never knew that our love story would wind up being this interesting, but it is my hope that the message from Naughty came across loud and clear. What you dish out will come right back to you, and change can only happen when one is ready. Relationships aren’t always easy—shit can get real messy at times. But whenever you find love, be patient with it, enjoy it, and more than anything, respect it. Y’all feel me? Yeah, I know many of you do, simply because I am the one, the only, and the real J.J.R. Love me, hate me, hate to love me or love to hate me . . . I’m honored. Peace and I’m still hoping to see everyone at the movies.
Jaylin Page 27