The Black Effect 2, page 6
I could’ve said more, but I knew with my raging temper I would say something that would murder Nadir’s feelings. My bust rose and fell at a rapid rate as I watched him scowl at me. I finally read his eyes, and at that very moment, he was displaying pain. Nadir was hurt, and I didn’t feel bad about telling him what had been on my mind for years.
“Damn,” he mumbled. “I guess I'm not shit then.”
“You're not,” I confirmed.
I couldn’t lie and say I wasn’t stunned by Amai’s rant. The way she spewed her lethal words, told me that she meant what she was saying. She made me feel like I wasn’t shit. As if I had been this terror toward her during our marriage when that wasn’t the way I felt. I thought I provided Amai with everything she needed. I believed I was attentive to her needs and sensitive to her triggers. But now, she had me all the way fucked up, and I wasn’t going to allow her to paint this unfair picture of me.
“If I'm an abuser, Amai, then your ass is a user.”
Her forehead creased. “I never used you.”
“You fucking used me as a way out from your parents. You don’t think I know that shit? I was your way out, and you know it. You didn’t want to marry me because you liked me and wanted to build a life with me. You married me, so you could get out of your dumb-ass parents’ house. I knew that all the while and never checked you for it because I wanted you so bad. So, you're not all innocent in this marriage. You had your own fucking agenda, too.”
Her eyes watered while her bottom lip quivered. “That wasn’t… I never.”
“Shut up ‘cause I don’t want to hear the lie that’s about to come out of your fucking mouth. As a matter of fact, let’s get this shit over with, so she can move on from my woman beating, no-love-showing ass.”
“You know what? I’ll own the title of being a user, but let’s not forget how you paid my parents to stay away from me. What kind of man are you that you would do something like that?”
“What kind of man, am I?” I barked. “I'm a fucking man that wanted to protect his wife from her crazy-ass parents. You wanna know what they told me after we got married? They said they would make your life hell for choosing me. Your mother was going to pop up any and everywhere just to ruin whatever happiness you were going to have with me. She told me that shit out of her own mouth. So, what did I do? As a man, I told myself that I couldn’t have you stressed out because your people wanted you miserable. Amai, you need to be thanking me because I could’ve done worse shit than pay their fake asses off. Shit could be much more unfortunate, if I didn’t offer them that.
“And how are you mad at me, when your raggedy-ass people are the ones that took the money? They don’t give a fuck about you. They decided money would be better than having a relationship with their daughter. You got a lot of fucking nerve acting like I'm the bad guy, when their wannabe religious ass are the ones that accepted money in exchange for you. If you're going to be mad at me for that, then make sure you're giving them the same fucking energy.”
I was so enraged that my underarms were dewy. Amai had me fucked up if she thought I was going to take the blame for her parents. The only thing I was trying to do was protect her ass and it wasn’t fair I got all the shame for doing that.
“Um, let’s just continue,” Avery said quietly.
I glowered at Amai, who was holding tears on the brim of her eyes. There was once a time that the sight of her crying would make me want to take all of her pain away. As of now, I didn’t give a shit about her tears.
“Oh, and you should be thanking me, instead of talking shit about my character,” I added. “I did a lot for the people you think are innocent, but I guess you’ll never acknowledge that, huh?”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that your pops could be sitting in a jail if it weren’t for me. I'm the one that kept his ass on the outside and put some money in his pocket. But I’ll let him fill you in on the details. Lord knows I don’t want to be painted out to be more of the monster than you think I am. Go ‘head, Avery.”
“Okay.” Avery exhaled. “So, now that I can clearly see that you two have mutually agreed to end your marriage, we can move on to split the assets. Mrs. Black, in the contract, Mr. Black has agreed to pay you the sum of one million dollars.”
“I don’t want his money,” she shot with venom.
“That shit is non-negotiable,” I interjected. “Now, continue, Avery.”
I had made a pact with myself that if my marriages ended for whatever reason, I would always make sure my wives left the marriage with something. I couldn’t have them out here bad in spite of our union ending. As badly as Amai had offended me, I still wouldn’t let her be without some kind of money. I was sure she had become accustomed to my lifestyle, and I did want her to sustain some of what I had introduced her to.
“What about my clothes?” she questioned.
“Write down your address, and I’ll have your shit delivered.”
Avery nodded. “Okay, we’re getting somewhere. As far as assets, the only thing I have on file for you, Mrs. Black, other than the million dollars you're set to get is a truck. Are you okay with that?”
“I don’t need the truck. I bought my own car.”
“Very well,” Avery noted. “Mr. Black, is there anything you would like to add? Is there something you want to request?”
“Nope, I'm good,” I replied, ready to storm out of this fucking conference room.
“Great. Mrs. Black, if you can leave an address with me, I’ll make sure my client gets your belongings to you.”
Avery passed Amai a notepad and pen so she could write down her address. Her eyes cut at me before she jotted down the information needed. Once she gave the paper back to Avery, I stood to leave. Before I walked out the door, I opened my suit jacket and grabbed the envelope that was sitting inside the pocket. I turned and slid the card across the table to Amai.
“What's this?” she questioned, holding it up.
“It’s from Raye,” I simply replied and exited the room.
On my way out the office, Nate looked at me but didn’t utter a word. I was angry and since he was there, I decided to take my rage out on him.
“I see your pathetic ass tried to act like I made y’all take the money from me. You ain't shit just like that whore you call a wife. I should get your ass locked up for trying to play with me. Nah, better yet, I should kill your weak ass for even playing on my name.”
He cleared his throat. “I didn’t act like anything. I only told Amai the truth.”
“And what the fuck was that?” I asked, standing over him like the pussy that he was. “You always wanna be a victim. Man the fuck up and take some responsibility, bitch. You sold your daughter out for a monthly payment. I didn't make you or Phia take shit. Y’all took that money freely and now you want to sit here and act as though, I made you do that shit. You're a fucking bitch, and I see why your wife fucked with another nigga.”
Nate remained quiet, and I was glad for his sake because with the wrath that was coursing through me, I was bound to knock his bitch-ass out.
“That’s what the fuck I thought. Now, stay the fuck out my way and don’t let me catch you in the streets. I'm liable to do what I started to do to you and end your punk-ass.”
I left out the office with a bruised ego, nasty mood, and a broken heart. Amai had fucked me up, and I didn’t know if I would ever forgive her for making it seem like I had been this horrible man all these years. Granted, I wasn’t perfect, but I wasn’t half the shit she was saying about me. I was good to her, for the most part, except when I put my hands on her. I regretted that shit and wished I could take it back, but I couldn’t. I owned what I did, but what I wouldn’t do is own all the shit Amai had said about me because I knew it wasn’t true.
Just when I thought I would be okay; my heart was shattered within a twenty-minute meeting. Nadir had left me broken and feeling like I was unworthy. Broken because he had ejected bitter words that were a harsh reality. I felt unworthy because my parents did sell me out for money. It almost felt like Nadir knew which buttons to press of mine. He knew what to say to get me feeling like a piece of shit, and I despised him for it. He didn’t lie and neither did I. We both unleashed toxic words that were laced with truth. I didn’t want to accept what he had said but I had to. I had played a part in the demise of our marriage, and I had to acknowledge that.
“Is that it?” I spat to Avery, not wanting to spend another second in that room.
I didn’t mean to take my anger out on him, but he was team Nadir, so at that point, I really didn’t give a fuck about giving him attitude.
“Ah, yes. We’re all done here.”
I grabbed the envelope that Nadir had given me before he left and rose from my seat. I walked out the room, feeling like my shoulders had weighed a ton. Once my father spotted me, he stood up.
“How did it go?”
Suddenly, the words from Nadir surfaced in my mind. He had reminded me of how flawed my parents were. His rant fueled how much I hated them for shunning me out of their lives for a total of three years. The sight of my father created more rage for me and unexpectedly, I didn’t want to be around Nate right now.
“How do you think it went? Just like I expected. Nadir hates me, and I hate him too. But the one thing he said makes so much sense when it comes to you and Ma.”
“What are you talking about, Amai?” he asked, visibly confused.
“You sold me out for money. All it took was a couple dollars and you agreed to stay away from me. How could you do that to your only daughter? I needed you and Ma, and y’all cut me off for a measly payment. You two are the worst.”
Nate softly planted his hands on my shoulders. “Amai, sweetie, we already talked about this. I regret the decision to take money from Nadir. I'm sorry. Don’t let him get inside your head and turn you against me. We can get past this, Amai.”
I roughly brushed his hands off my shoulders. “Well, I'm not over it, and I don’t want to talk to you. Leave me alone and stay out of my life.”
I hurried out the office and boarded the elevator before my tears could drop. I knew the meeting wouldn’t be filled with roses and bubbles, but I didn’t anticipate me leaving the office feeling this low. It was official. Me and Nadir were no longer one, but two people voyaging into different spheres in the universe. I couldn’t call him for my needs. I couldn’t rely on him to make things right, when my life got complicated. Nadir wasn’t my go-to guy anymore and while I was relieved by that fact, I was also saddened.
My mind went to thinking on how this was my new beginning. Maybe the breakup of my marriage was a way I could rediscover who I truly was. Get to know the woman, who had been hiding for most of her life. This was my moment to stand on my own two feet without Nadir, Raye, Jaide, or my parents. While the timing wasn’t ideal, I felt it was necessary. This was the end and as painful as that reality was, I was accepting it.
I didn’t want to converse with anyone anymore. The only thing I wanted was stillness, so I could collect my thoughts and attempt to make a life without the people, who had been a part of my universe for the last three years.
I got off the elevator and walked outside. Thankfully, I had driven myself here, so I got inside my car and drove toward my house. I had to mourn the loss of a man that I still loved but despised at the same time.
I had pressed send and slid my phone back inside my pocket. Ever since I bailed Amai out of jail, she had been ignoring my calls and texts and that shit had me feeling like a sucka. Only because I was there for her when she needed someone to get her out of jail but now that I was calling, trying to see if she was okay, I wasn’t good enough to respond to. I didn’t want to totally write her off because I knew that the situation between her husband and his family had to be weighing down on her, but at the same time, I felt like she was being rude by not responding to my efforts.
I sighed and got out of my car. Since I hadn’t been to the coffee shop in a couple days, I decided it would be good to show my face. As soon as I walked in, I was pleased to see several customers either sitting at the table enjoying their coffee drinks or standing in line to order. I walked toward the back and gave my two employees a head nod of acknowledgement. I then entered my office and took a seat at my desk.
Ever since I could remember, I always wanted to be a business owner. My desire had always been to work for myself and create wealth for my family. I only had two businesses so far, but I knew by the end of the year, I would more than likely have two more.
Suddenly, there was a knock at my door.
“Come in.”
The door opened and Nicole, who was the manager, walked inside.
“Hey, Canton, I'm sorry to bother you but someone named Money is here to see you.”
My brows furrowed immediately. “Money? Why is she here?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, but she has other women with her.”
I bit my bottom lip, trying to figure out why Money had come to my shop. I had only seen her once in my life and that was in passing. After a couple seconds of pondering, I said, “Send her back here.”
“Okay.”
I watched her disappear as I opened my laptop. A minute later, Money, entered with two other ladies right behind her. They looked to be her bodyguards as she sashayed in my office. My eyes engulfed her as she took a seat without my permission. Money’s face was void of emotion but beautiful as hell. Her eyes were hazel like mine, and her blonde bob complimented her honey complexion well. Her perfume swiftly took over my space as she crossed her leg over the other. I was so engrossed by her presence that the room became awkwardly quiet.
“Are you Canton?”
I blinked out of my trance and nodded. “Yes, I am.”
“Well,” she paused. “My name is Money, and I'm here to talk about a very important business factor.”
“Such as?”
“Your tax.”
“I paid that already for the month.”
“Yeah, I noticed, but the amount has changed.”
I quickly sat up in my seat, trying to calm the attitude that was threatening to surface.
“What do you mean the amount has changed?”
Money smirked. “Your new tax has tripled, so you're behind by $2,000.”
I shook my head in complete fury as I stared at this woman, who held a smug smirk on her face. I didn’t even know who the fuck she was, and for her to come in demanding more tax was not going to cut it.
“I'm not paying more,” I declared.
“Oh, yes, you will,” she insisted. “This shit ain't up for debate. I didn’t come here to negotiate with your ass. This is the law, and you will be paying $3,000 a month instead of $1,000. Now, tell me what you want to do.”
I stared at this bitch, not believing she had waltzed her ass in my business to demand more money. My eyes drifted to the two women, who were standing behind her. They looked like they were ready to kill me on command.
“How are you going to come in here and tell me that my tax is changing? How come I didn’t get a warning or no shit like that? And who are you supposed to be anyway? The president or some shit?”
She smiled but it was laced with evil. “For your sake, I'm going to act like you just didn’t get fresh with me. I'm the bitch you never want to upset. Now, as far as the reason for your tax changing, there is no reason. It just happens from time to time.”
“But that shit ain't fair,” I argued.
“Mothafucka, life ain't fair. Actually, life is a bitch named Money. So, I will expect my payment by the end of the business day.”
“And if I don’t?” I challenged.
“Well, this place will be shut down along with your dispensary. Don’t fuck with me, Canton, because I'm not the one to play with. You want to play hard ball? Well, guess what? You won’t win. Now, be a good man and do what I say.”
She stood and strutted out the office without saying another word to me. Her two henchwomen filed out right behind her. I was pissed as I shook my head, trying to grasp what had just happened. I paid my monthly tax on time every month without any problems. I was enraged that this woman just demanded that I pay triple and didn’t provide a reason why.
“Fuck man,” I huffed, now in a bad mood.
“Can you please explain why Jaide is at a condo and not at the house with her family?” Lena demanded.
I held the phone while I downed my drink of D’usse. I had been dodging my mother’s calls all day, and she had gotten smart and decided to use my father’s phone, knowing I would answer for him.
“Mama, what did I tell you about getting in my business?” I asked calmly.
“Oh, please. You are my business. Jaide told me how you kicked her out because Raye didn’t want her there.”
I smacked my lips. “I didn’t kick her out. Her and Raye needed space, so I sent Jaide away for a couple days. Plus, she was getting on my fucking nerves and she still is.”
“Jaide has done nothing but be loyal to this family. It’s Raye and Amai, who you need to kick the fuck out because they don’t know what loyalty is.”
I snorted and rolled my eyes. “Listen, stop calling my phone, asking why I did something. I'm a grown-ass man, and I'm not about to explain nothing to you.”
“You need to because Jaide called me in tears. She doesn’t deserve what you're doing to her. Your father would never handle things like this. I don’t know where you learned this shit from.”
