Page 43 of Love Delayed
“Listen, I just stopped by to chat, that’s all. A friendly mother to future daughter-in-law chat,” she replied with a half-smirk.
“Okay, let’s chat. I don’t expect much foot traffic at this time of day,” I told her, looking down at my watch. “So, we have time now.”
“Well, I’ll get right to it then,” she said, clearing her throat. “A little birdie told me that you are fucking a tattoo artist on the south side of Chicago. Now, I don’t go by hearsay. So, I came to the source, and before you lie to my face, Eliana, don’t even think about doing it.”
“I…I…I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about, Mrs. Coleman. They clearly have me mixed up with someone else,” I replied, trying not to appear nervous despite becoming nauseous with the bomb she just dropped on me.
She mumbled something in Spanish before addressing me again––this time, with a full smirk.
“Little girl, I didn’t come here to hear any lies or play games with you. Now, you have two options. Option A: you can admit you’re guilty, cut things off with the tattoo artist, and give my son the best life he could ever have by being his faithful wife. Or you can choose Option B, which is to call off the wedding and stay your snake, whore ass away from him. All I need to know is which one you want to do. If you’re mixed up in some shit you can’t get out of, let me know, and I’ll help. But don’t think I would be doing it because I like you, because that’s not the case. Hell, I didn’t like you the first day I met you. It would only be because I want to see my son happy. It’s all I want for him, and I know how much he loves you. However, if you don’t truly love Marcus, disappear from his life. If you refuse to do so willingly, I’ll be forced to expose you. And trust me when I say I have receipts. The choice is yours, my dear.”
Inside, I was trembling. I knew she was not playing with my ass, so I decided to play along, but with my own set of rules.
“How much are you willing to pay to make me disappear?” I asked.
She laughed.
“Qué la puta!” she yelled, then paused to squeeze the bridge of her nose and release a big breath. “Are you insane or just plain stupid?” she asked, looking at me like I was indeed a dumb-ass bitch.
When I didn’t answer, she gave me a once-over from head to toe before picking up her purse and turning to walk away.
“So, if you didn’t come here to negotiate, why didn’t you just go to Marcus and tell him the truth?”
She stopped in her tracks and turned around to face me.
“Because the last thing I want is to see my son hurt. Let me tell you something. I have friends in high and low places. I know somebody that knows somebody that knows somebody who is hip to all the shit Rush has going on. And I’m sorry to inform you, but you’re not the only trick he is using to do the same thing you were trying to do to my son. I also know that Olivia and the other old fart are not your real parents. Shall I go on? Of course. I need you to know just how serious I am.
“The only other thing you have besides this mediocre boutique is your degree,” she continued. “I was shocked to learn you actually went to design school. However, you are broke as hell. You rent this space, not own it. Your credit score is in the pits of hell, and you are thousands of dollars in debt. I have found out everything I need to know about your sneaky ass, but I’ll keep all of this away from my son if you walk away quietly,” she said, easing her bright red lips into a wide grin. “Now, do you really want to play games with me?” she challenged.
Dumbfounded, I could not form any words to speak. I stood there frozen and confused.
“You have twenty-four hours to come clean with my son, and if and only if he forgives you and decides to stay with you, I’ll support his decision. But know that I’ll never like or respect you!” she spat, then vacated my store.
I fell to the floor in a rage and damn near hyperventilated.Whatin the entire fuck just happened?I felt like I had been knocked down by Mike Tyson and was out for the count, but I willed my body to get up. I had to get to Rush’s lying ass. How could he be keeping other hoes and not say what it was to me? I trusted his ass, and he was scheming on me!
After locking up the shop, I headed straight for my car. Trying to save face, I decided to take Marcus’s mother up on her offer. Walking away from the bullshit with Rush sounded sweeter and sweeter to me, so I called Marcus but got his voicemail.
“Listen, baby, I know shit has been off. I’ll admit your history with Zamora had me feeling jealous and insecure, but I love you so much, babe. We need to talk. I can come by your place tonight. Let me know what time is good. I love you, and I’m so sorry for everything, Marcus. Believe me, I am,” I cried into the phone, leaving a message for him.
When I reached Rush’s place, I parked on the street and barged into the tattoo shop.
“Where the fuck is he?” I roared at his employees.
They all looked my way but then turned their attention back to their clients as if they hadn’t heard me. Daring anyone to stand in my way, I marched through the shop and snatched the door open that led to his upstairs apartment. When I got to the top of the steps, I found this muthafucka deep inside another woman, fucking her from behind. This is what he was doing while I was out trying to secure a better life for us!
“You bastard!” I yelled and charged at him, causing all three of us to fall over on the bed.
That’s when I got a glimpse of his dick and saw he wasn’t wearing a condom.
“Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!” I cried, climbing out of his bed.
As soon as I stood, I vomited at the thought of deep-throating him and letting him inside me raw while his ass was doing the same with some other bitch.
“What the fuck, El? What the fuck is wrong with you?!” he blasted like I was the one in the wrong for the way I reacted.
By then, the room was spinning. I was more nauseous, and my vision was blurred. I made my way to the steps, but something happened. Everything went black as I tumbled down the stairs.
Chapter Twenty-Three