Ch. 6 | She Knows

Ch. 6 | She Knows

Aaron

Attorney’s Office

10 a.m.

“This is really what you want Gabz?” I asked looking between her and her attorney taking time to carefully examine her features, Tori is a spitting image of her. When she first brought divorce to the table I can’t lie and say that it didn’t catch me off guard. I mean yeah we fight, we argue, hell we’ve even been separated, but divorce was never something I considered.

Gabby is my one and only love, with all the women I’ve fucked with over the years none could hold a flame to her. I hate to admit it, but she’ll always have my heart. For as long as I can remember she’s always been all I had and the only one to show me what love really is, but I never could reciprocate the feelings like I should have. I always manage to drop the ball somehow.

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” she shrugged nonchalantly, but her eyes said something else. I’ve never seen her look or act so coldly towards me. This is a new woman sitting before me and it doesn’t sit well with me.

“Fine,” I said shifting in my seat to look at my attorney. I’ve never been a fan of any type of legal battles with my line of work I can afford it. The last thing I need is to have any man of the law snooping through my finances or asking too many questions, Gabby and I both know that well.

“Give her whatever she wants,” I waved to my attorney making him look at me like I had grown another head.

“Are you sure about this? You haven’t even heard the terms she’s offering and you're agreeing to it!” he barked turning tomato red in the face.

I smirked at him and turned my attention to Gabby, “What do you want baby?”

She scoffed and rolled her eyes making me smile internally, if I know Gabby like I think I do she’ll be rational about the situation.

“I personally don’t want or need shit from you, we can split all our assets evenly if need be. As far as the kids we’ve been co-parenting so I don’t see why that can’t continue. As far as the house you can do with it what you want Trey, Tori and I are moving into a smaller condo. We don’t need too much extra space,” she said curtly as if she had rehearsed her terms many times over.

“So you’re telling me you don’t want anything, no spousal support, no child support, nothing?” My attorney asked truly in disbelief. I guess he’s never dealt with a woman like Gabby before. Shit I’ve never dealt with a woman like Gabby before, one that’s never depended on or needed me for anything.

“That’s what the fuck I said right!” she growled. Seeing her so agitated had me ready to bend her over this thick oak table and make her forget all about this divorce nonsense she’s talking. She’s well aware that she’ll always be mine regardless of what some fucking paperwork says.

“Aaron knows where his responsibilities lie, I don’t have to tell him how to step up and be a man for his children. As far as myself I’ve always been a go-getter the last thing I want is to be supported by his ass like I’m his child.

I don’t need nor want any paper trail that leads back to his bank account. I’ve always been able to support and provide for myself, ain’t shit changed, but the weather,” she said flipping her curls over her shoulder making me smile.

My wife really is a one of a kind woman and somehow my dumbass managed to let her slip through my fingers for good and the more this divorce talk swirls around the room the more I’m beginning to regret my choices.

“You just worry about the necessary paperwork and call my attorney when you’ve met my conditions,” she said to my attorney as she rose from the brown swivel chair she was sitting in and began to head to the door.

I ignored whatever my attorney was telling me as I sprinted from my chair to catch her before she could reach the elevator.

“Gabz!” I yelled as she continued to ignore me and frantically push the down button at the same time.

I had to smile to myself as I jogged up behind her as composed as she would like to appear she’s nervous as hell, but I can’t lie she damn sure has a great poker face.

“Baby why you doing all this?” I said softly while wrapping my arms around her waist from behind and resting my chin on her left shoulder. I made sure my manhood rested right on her thick ass, I missed the feeling of having her so close.

She tried to wiggle away, but I only tightened my grip making her let out an exasperated sigh and eventually gave up.

“Aaron let’s be honest here you haven’t been a loyal or faithful husband in quite sometime. I’m sick of being the one who always gets the short end of the stick in this marriage. You go out doing God knows what, with God knows who while I sit at home with our children playing house waiting for your black ass to come home.

I’m mentally, physically and emotionally drained. I can’t, no I refuse to be your doormat any longer. I’ve been with you too long and I’ve put up with a lot, but enough is enough A. I just can’t,” she said flatly letting out a sigh and it ate at me.

Gabby is my rock; my everything.  She’s always had the ability to keep me stable no matter what the circumstance, how could I be so blind to my actions.

“You know what Trey asked me the other day?” she chuckled dryly while I shook my head no on her shoulder as we watched the elevator come and go.

“Are you and daddy still together because you don’t seem happy anymore mommy?” she said and that hurt me more than anything. My son has always been intuitive even from a very young age. So the fact that he’s picking up on my bullshit was like a punch to the gut. I’m really fucking up.

“My baby is only 4 and he can see that I’m not happy which makes me question why you, a grown ass man can’t see that I’m not happy and I haven’t been for sometime. Yes my business and my children mean the world to me, but I’m missing something and I can’t say I know what it is,” she said truthfully.

“So us getting a divorce is going to help you figure it out!” I said raising my voice. I was starting to get heated; she’s ready to just throw everything we built away. Just toss it out the window.

“What if this isn’t what I want! I love you Gabrielle and I’m still very much in love with you. I’m a dog, an ain’t shit dog. But I’m willing to fight for you and my kids if need be. How can I make this right baby just tell me what you need me to do,” I said almost on the verge of tears.

I felt my phone annoyingly vibrating in my pocket, but whoever was blowing me up would have to wait for once I’m finally putting my priorities into perspective.

“Aaron baby,” she said finally turning around and gracing me with her beautiful face, she took some time staring at my face and using her thumb to stroke my bottom lip.

 “I can’t tell you what to do to make this right because I don’t think you can. Deep down part of me really does want our marriage to work and weather this storm, but I’m tired of being the only one putting up a fight to do so. Right now I need to focus on me and the kids because you’ve been focused on you for quite sometime,” she said dropping her hand and sighing.

 Before either one of us could register what was happening my lips crashed into hers. I needed her to understand me and I couldn’t think of any other way to express myself. When I felt her body relax into mine, sighing against my lips I knew that this was what she needed too. I kissed her how a husband is supposed to kiss his wife with love, passion and admiration. She’s my woman, my love, my wife and I’ll be damned if I just let her go.

 “Gabz I promise you this and I put this on my Grammy’s grave and my kid’s little heads, I’m going to get us right again and you’re never going to have to question your trust or love for me ever again. I fucked up bad and I’m sorry, I really am,” I said pulling back from her lips now plump and swollen.

 She studied my face trying to gauge the truthfulness of my statement and simply nodded her head while detaching my warm body from hers. I instantly felt cold and empty, I’m not used to feeling alone, as I watched her turn and head for the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator to come back up.

 It’s finally dawning on me; I’m losing my wife. The annoying buzzing of my phone broke me from my trance. Gabby had been gone for a minute, but I was still staring at the staircase as if she’d walk back through it.

 From Nami:

            We need to talk ASAP. Meet me at Lotus Blue for lunch.

I instantly felt like shit while reading the text. A sudden foul taste washed through my mouth. This needs to end today if I really want to make things right with Gabby and my family I can’t have any loose ends. Nami is just that a loose end that needs to be cut. I don't need the stress.

Dutchess

Nasir’s House

11 a.m.

“Noooo,” Nas whined and I couldn’t help but giggle at his cuteness.  I was hoping that last night’s little sexcapades wouldn’t make our interactions awkward, but he’s acting as if it never happened. Thank God.

 He woke up extra early and made all of my favorites, crispy smoked bacon, extra fluffy scrambled eggs and chocolate chip  pancakes topped with a scoop of his homemade chocolate ice cream, I swear he makes me never want to leave. Even though I really want to sulk in bed all day, his delicious breakfast made my morning way better than it could have been.

“Just stay in bed with me all day we can watch that lame ass show you love and pig out on food all day,” he said as he nuzzled he face into my neck and threw his arm over my torso pulling my body closer to his without hurting me.

“First of all The Golden Girls are far from lame, they’re shade connoisseurs take notes youngin’,” I said while poking his side making him fight the urge to laugh. How he wanna be a thug, but he’s ticklish?

“Second of all I need answers Nas, if Nami is pregnant then everything changes,” I said dropping my voice making his bring his face from the crook of my neck to look at me. His eyes read pity and it made me drop my eyes from his intense glare. I really didn’t want his pity or anyone else’s for that matter.

“Baby I’m here for you and I’ll be here for you in anyway possible. I got you,” he said using his thumb to graze my cheek making me smile bright at the small gesture.

“There’s my girl,” he said mirroring my smile before pecking my lips, well what started out as peck but quickly escalated into something more heavy. I’m not sure how I’m supposed to feel about him kissing me, but I don’t think I want him to stop.

“Mmm,” I moaned pulling away before things could go any further, still smiling.

“You like that?” he smiled. I could only nod and blush at how attractive he was being. Over the past few weeks I’ve been seeing him in a new light, I’ve honestly never been attracted to Nas. Probably because we’ve always been strictly friends he respected that I was with Nami and I respected that he had hoes.

The sultry, huskiness in his voice had the wetness between my legs starting to pool making me clench my thighs, which he took notice to. I had no idea he could have this type of effect on me.

“You’re something else you know that?” he chuckled and shook his head before plopping his head back onto the pillow.

I couldn’t stop myself from running my finger along his jawline it had to be my favorite feature of his. It’s perfect; so masculine. I find myself finding any excuse to touch him nowadays, not like he minds.

“I think I’m gonna link with A today,” he blurted out.

“Why? You want work, I can make some calls if you need me to,” I told him, halting my finger along his jawline.

“Nah bae, something about him and Nami don’t sit right with me. I feel like they’re both hiding something and if he’s really my mans than he should be able to keep it 100.”

I’m starting to see clearly that Nami isn’t shit, but Aaron? We’ve been thick as thieves for years what could he possibly have to hid from me? I’ve always held him down and looked out for him. Hell, I was one of Gabby’s bridesmaids when they got married and I was there when both Trey and Tori were born.

They’ve been the closest things to family I’ve had in years so to think that he’s hiding something from me genuinely bothers me.

All I could do was nod my head at what he said simply because my mind was once again all over the place. Something about isn’t adding up and I need the solution to all of this.

 “I want to do something special for dinner, you think you could make it home early tonight bae?” he said completely changing the topic.

I had completely forgot that I have a lunch date with Beau, Nas mentioned it to me this morning over breakfast and it completely slipped my mind. My thoughts have been so consumed with Nami that I forgot about my lunch “date”.

“Yeah Nas, I don’t see why not. You want to tell me what you have planned?” I said cheesing at the thought of a surprise. He always seem to have something up his sleeve these days.

“Stop smiling so hard, your face is gonna get stuck like that,” he busted out laughing as I mugged him.

“Nah, but I will tell you dinner will be hands on tonight and very messy,” he said wiping a nonexistent tear from his eye.

“Messy? Will I need a bib?” I said jokingly.

“Yeah actually you will.”

Before I could open my mouth to say anything more or protest he cut me off, “Come on let’s get you dressed so you can hurry home.”

One thing about Nas is he keeps me smiling and laughing when I really want to sit in a corner and cry. It’s refreshing. 

"Home" never sounded so good before.

Beau

Lotus Blue

2:15 p.m.

“I’ll have the shrimp and pineapple fried rice, no peanuts I’m allergic,” she told the waiter handing him her menu. Making a mental note of her aversion to peanuts.

“I’ll have the same with flank steak instead of shrimp,” I told him before he walked off to put in our order.

/“How’d you know that Lotus Blue was my favorite Chinese spot?” she smiled while tilting her head to the side revealing a deep set of dimples that I instantly fell in love with. I couldn’t help biting my lip at the sight of her. She’s gorgeous, why wouldn’t I?

“Obviously you’re a woman of great taste because Lotus Blue is one of the best Chinese spots in the city and one of my favorites as well,” I told her in between sipping my water with a lemon slice floating on top. I swear this restaurant does the most with this bougie shit.

“I’m glad you agreed to meet me today. After last night’s debacle I was apprehensive about seeing you today,” I told her honestly.

She instantly waved me off, “I’ve always been a pretty good judge of character and you don’t seem like the type to cause someone harm intentionally.”

I instantly started to cheese at how forthcoming she was being. I’m glad we’re finally making some progress.

“So how has the recovery process been so far?” I asked genuinely concerned an intrigued.

“I have my days, some better than other. My doctor is saying that my ribs are healing exceptionally well and I should have my casts off both legs in a few weeks although I won’t be walking yet. I’m glad though my legs itch so badly with these things on,” she said while pointing to her legs.

“I’ll still be in my wheel chair until my legs get acclimated to walking again, but aside from that I’m just happy that it hasn’t been too strenuous. I try not to think about that night it hurts that I can’t remember what happened,” she said looking away making eye contact with the waiter bringing our food.

I didn’t want to bring up anything that would upset her. Everything seemed to be going well, I really just want to get to know her and get used to her having me around because honestly I don’t plan on going anywhere.

Over the next hour we talked about everything under the sun and enjoyed some good laughs. Hearing her laugh and be herself so freely showed me another side to her, one that I really enjoy. Dutch really is a cool ass woman and a goofball, I can’t say I don’t enjoy her company.

After she filled me in on part of the situation with her “girlfriend” I can’t fathom why someone would cheat on her. She truthfully is a good person and I could already tell she’s loyal. Why someone says they love her would shit on her like that  is beyond me.

Everything about her exuded sexy, 

the way her heavy Brooklyn accent flowed,

those deep set dimples,

the wrinkle on top of her nose when she was deep in thought, I noticed any and everything about Dutch. I have yet to find a flaw. 

“I should bring Nas something to eat,” she said to herself, but it came out louder then she anticipated. I instantly tensed at his name being said. There's her flaw, that nigga. It’s not that I don’t like him, but it’s not like I like him either.

“Is he your man?” I asked curiously, I honestly wanted to know where they stood. Not that I cared to be honest because once everything is said and done Dutch was going to be Dutchess Wade so that nigga can go somewhere. Once we get together he'll be nothing, but a distant memory.

“No, he’s not. But he is someone who has a very special place in my heart,” she stated flatly while looking over the menu for something to get him.

“THE FUCK YOU MEAN GET RID OF IT? I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU! WE MADE THIS BABY TOGETHER, THIS IS OUR BABY AND I’M KEEPING IT!” I heard a familiar voice screeching from behind me. It was too familiar, but I couldn’t put my finger on whom it belonged too.

Before I could process the voice, Dutch was rolling herself in the direction of the commotion that had everyone in the restaurants attention.

  Nami

Lotus Blue

3:25 p.m.

It was like a Mexican standoff between Aaron and I. He frantically looked between my face and the sonogram of our daughter. Even though she’s only 15 weeks old due to her body position my doctor could easily see her sex.

Aaron and I have been messing around for one year out of the three years that Dutch and I have been together. I know I’m selfish and sleazy for cheating on Dutch with A, but so the fuck what I want my cake and to eat it too. I honestly fell in love with them both and if I had it my way I’d have both of them. I watched his every move and all of the emotions written on his face.

“So, you aren’t going to say anything,” I said picking over the food on my plate. This pregnancy has my appetite fluctuating. One minute I’m puking up my guts the next I’m ready to eat like a 500 lb. man at a eating contest.

“You can’t keep it,” he blurted out almost making me choke on the noodles I was eating.

“Come again? Cause obviously I didn’t hear you,” I said to him pushing my plate aside giving him my undivided attention. Obviously this nigga got me fucked up if I heard him correctly.

“I said you can’t keep it. I’m trying to get shit right with my wife and kids, you know keep my family together and here you come with this baby shit. I can pay for the abortion if you want, but I don’t want anything to do with this baby shit you talkin’,” he spat coldly. The man I fell in love with has completely flipped the script and  is telling me to kill our child as if what we had was nothing to him.

I couldn’t help, but cackle at the utter bullshit that flowed from his mouth. No just a regular cackle no, no an ugly ass Eartha Kitt sinister cackle.

“Nigga fuck that bitch! You wasn’t thinkin’ bout her when you was nuttin’ deep all up in my shit, now all of a sudden you care about “her and your kids” I said using air quotes matching his tone.

“You know how many times we were raw dawgin’ it? Were you thinking about your family then?”

“Watch your mouth,” he warned and chuckled dryly.

“No, nigga you watch your mouth, I’m having our daughter and that’s that. You got some nerve telling me to get rid of her when you damn near fucked up everything being with me. Now all of a sudden you expect me to just throw it all away? Believe it or not I cared about you, shit I loved you.

Just like you I put up everything to be with you, do you have any idea how crushed Dutch is going to be when she finds out about us? How we both went behind he back and shitted on everything she’s ever done for us?” I growled at him while I watched him sigh and run his hand down his face. I knew I struck a nerve bringing up Dutch.

Dutch brought both of us in and helped us make more bread than either one of us would ever see working a regular 9 to 5. Being that Aaron knew Dutch way longer than me I know for a fact that when she finds out she’s definitely going to cut him off and leave him for dead.

“Like I said Nami you need to get rid of it! I’m not dealing with you or that fuck ass baby you carrying,” he barked while pointing to my stomach, “I don’t need the stress you bring or another baby!”

“THE FUCK YOU MEAN GET RID OF IT? I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU! WE MADE THIS BABY TOGETHER, THIS IS OUR BABY AND I’M KEEPING IT!” I yelled while slamming my palm down on the table, not giving a fuck who heard us or who turned around to see. I’m sick of playing this little game with him.

“Y’ALL NOSEY MUTHAFUCKAS NEED TO MIND YOUR OWN FUCKING BUSINESS!” I barked at the few patrons who turned around to see what was going on at our table.

“Aaron I’m having our baby and that’s that. I ruined everything being with you and I’ll be damned if it was all for nothing. Whether you’re seeing it or not our baby is a blessing and she’s going to need her daddy so get your shit together and man up.”

I heard a slow clapping coming from behind me and I looked up at Aaron’s face and he looked as if he saw a ghost. His coco brown skin now flushed to an ash brown, his eyes wide as saucers. I instantly turned around ready to snap on whomever had his attention, but my face soon mirrored his.

Damn I didn’t mean for her to find out like this, but at least she knows. Right?