7 7

Elliott was parked in his vehicle down the street from his and Janaya's home. He originally had plans to go home to Chanel. But the way Janaya stormed out of his office made him reconsider the choice. He picked up his phone to tell Chanel that he was going to be working a double.

"But I told you that I had exciting news for you. For us! Being with you is so frustrating. I understand that you work to support us but we need you here."

"I'm sorry baby but I really wanted you to visit your family in Alabama. You've been talking about being homesick for the past few days. I wanted it to be a surprise you with a trip home for new years." He lied easily.

It was getting difficult to maintain a healthy relationship with both Janaya and Chanel. He was uncertain how long he could keep his charade up. For now, his priority was his wife. She couldn't find out about Ja'Mira.

"Are you serious, babe? I had no idea." Chanel cooed. "I've been nagging you and you've been nothing but a blessing to me. Can you forgive me?"

"I'll forgive you if you let the breadwinner take care of everything at home. All you need to do is finish your online schooling and take care of my daughter. If you ever want anything, all you need to do is ask."

There was a sting in her heart as she heard the words from Elliott. Granted she was about to graduate from a university. She still felt like a robot who let a man dictate her doings. She wasn't even married to Elliott but felt like a wife caged inside their home.

"Just come home after work so we can talk face-to-face."

After hanging up with Chanel, Elliott powered off the phone and locked it in his glove department. He retrieved his main phone from under the seat and proceeded to drive to his main house.

When he opened the front door, he immediately noticed a packed bag. Observing the contents in the bag he noticed that the belongings belonged to Janaya. Janaya was startled when she noticed her husband standing over her packed bag.

"I wasn't expecting you tonight. You know with all of your double shifts." She taunted.

"The hell are you doing? Why are your bags packed?"

"You should know why."

"Don't start this with me. Go take this stuff back to the room."

"I'm not doing anything but leaving. Maybe we just need some space to think. To see what we really want out of this relationship."

"What are you even saying right now?!"

"It's clear you don't need me! You are never home and you never have time for me. Clearly you need someone that's going to put up with your bullshit."

Although it was an assumption, Janaya felt that something was wrong within her marriage. She had no proof of any wrong deeds, so she was acting on pure assumption. She felt bad but she couldn't hold back. All of this could simply be her overthinking again.

"I don't need anything but you. You not leaving me and that's final!" Elliott rushed to her side, engulfing Janaya in a hug. "I refuse to lose you. What do you want? Do you want me to cut back the hours at work? I can open up more. Anything you want from me, I can give you. But I won't lose you."

"Get off." Janaya attempted to shove him.

Elliott held her closer to his body. "Need I repeat myself? I'm not losing you again."

It was hell watching Issac kiss the female he loved. He promised himself to never witness such a sight again. There was a brief silence, as Janaya processed his words.

"Let me see your phone."

Elliott quickly agreed. He showed her he unlocked the second iPhone which only contained texts from close friends and his wife.

"See. Janaya. There's nothing to worry about. So let me continue grinding while you continue to be a dope ass wife. If we do that, everything will be just fine. I promise you."

"I'm sorry."

Elliott helped her unpack her belongings. He was relieved that their confrontation was easily solved. Although he was relieved, sooner or later he was going to have to choose. Everything that's done in the dark will eventually come to light.

Meanwhile, at Issac's and Kyla's home, Kyla was going through the text messages between her husband and Janaya.

"Whatcha doing, wifey." Issac walked in the room nonchalantly and plopped on the bed.

"Why are you still talking to J as if you still have feelings for her? You didn't even bother deleting the messages."

Issac was an open book. So opened that he could leave his phone around the house while it was unlocked. He was never the type to hide anything from Kyla.

"What's the point of deleting those texts. If I had done so then it would be considered sneaky."

"But you're texting another woman while you have a whole wife right here. Do you still have feelings for her?"

"I mean, yeah. I'm not going to sit here and deny it. However, my feelings for her are not as deep as my feelings for you. It's not like I'm secretly meeting her behind your back. They are just simple words."

"You would tell me if it was something more right?"

"There's nothing to tell. J is happily married to one of my best friends. I wouldn't hurt you or their relationship..."

Kyla could only blame herself for allowing the two to become so close. After they schemed with each other back in high school, they grew closer. She felt jealous at times but she knew that nobody could love Issac the way that she loved him.

No matter the words that came out of Issac's mouth, she still loved Janaya. It was confusing.

***

Chanel was going through the listing for new houses closer to Atlanta University. She previously called an assistant manager there, acquiring about a job position. The gentleman-Antonio had agreed to interview her since she only had four months left before graduation.

Before she went to visit Elliott, she attended an interview. Twenty minutes after she left, Antonio called her to reveal that he was so impressed that he couldn't wait to deliver the news.

Chanel was officially hired. Her direct supervisor was an unknown marketing manager who she would later meet.

She was one step to becoming independent again. Her mother agreed to watch Ja'Mira until she started school, which would only be a couple of months. From there, she would be attending daycare for an hour. She had everything planned out and wanted Elliot to be included. But he was never around.

Maybe Elliott didn't have to work so much and could finally spend time with his family.