Chapter 44: No one made sacrifices!

No one made sacrifices!

Past 10pm,

  "Eric, I don't understand you at all. One time you're better and other times you're impossible...." I pointed out

  "....Then what? I've been in here for too long, Danni. It ain't cool...its not. Just give her the damn proof, ok?" He almost yelled

I looked at him intensely with disbelief and shock

  "Do you think that this is some sort of game? One leg in and the other leg out? We're doing all we can to get you out of prison, regardless of the murder you committed....I want to see you go back home to your wife, your daughter and all you say is give her the damn proof. So easy for you huh?" I reminded

  "No better way than this. I changed my mind, Danni, I can't always be like you....you're different..." She almost shrugged

  "Its not that!" I yelled

  "Chill! Please!" He tried to calm me down

  "Jamal and I risked it going after some bullshit papers and this is what you have to say? You'd rather give this to her than  Pharrell, right? We'll do just that. And for the record, I'm off your problems. Good thing you'd be out to face them yourself." I stood up pissed off, I didn't know what to tell him

  "Danni, you actually chose to get involved in all of this. I didn't want you close because I knew the shit I was into..." He blurted. Was that even thoughtful, I imagined

  "I know you know. I always warned you about getting off your inhumanity. I did too much and its never going to happen again. Good luck with your new partner, Jada." I said with a smile afterwards then I walked out of sight.

                         **************

  "Hi Jada?"

  "Hi Danielle! Have you thought about it?"

  "Trust me, I don't take chances. Dinner at 8, yeah?" I offered

  "Yeah! See you soon." She hung up.

I sat on the porch of our bedroom in a loosed white shirt, the view and breeze were heaven to me. I watched Jordan play on his little bike, going back and forth. Jamal was in the shower, I sat waiting for him. He came close after wiping off the water droplets on him, he hung the white towel around his neck. He sat on the other side serving himself Hennessey into a glass.

  "What's up baby, are you ok?" When did you return?" He said after leaning over and kissed me

  "Its fine. Its just...." I stopped

  "Talk to me, that's why I'm here. If you got anything bothering you, I'm here. I could fix up anything, you know that!" Jamal assured

I scoffed with a frown on my face

  "I hate people...I hate them. I hate the fact that I'm trying as hard as possible to see them grow, to see them go better than they are but they ain't seeing nothing." I calmly expressed my self

  "Is this about the prison? About Eric?" He asked, this time he looked pissed before I told him the main thing

  "Yes. He asked me to give Jada everything we risked our lives for, you know I actually thought he was smart enough to not do shit like that but I guess....it is what it is."

  "Nah Danni. He's going to pay for that, he almost got us killed, got you killed and this is it? Not even a thank you?" He flared

  "Babe, calm down. I should've listened to you from the very first start, I played the saint and now this." I added

  "I'm not mad at his ass for some foolish decisions but I'm mad at the fact that he couldn't recognize the shit he put you through! Your efforts, Danni! He's an ass and I'm going to stitch it up." Jamal said

  "Chill Man. I'll be meeting Jada tomorrow at 8pm, so all I got to do is get a replica. I'll have go do this my own way." I informed 

  "Don't get too clingy though, call me if you need help or feel some type of way about her."

  "Why not, Jamal? I learnt to do that long ago." 

  "Nah....I'm getting my Mafia for you! I want you safe!" He added with a broad and bright smile

  "I can't say no." I smiled Back

I appreciated the fact that Jamal was always ready to support me. He worked very hard make me feel comfortable and satisfied. At first, I was mad at Eric's negligence but then I realized that it was worth while. And Jada warned me about something like this earlier, like she knew that he would fall for her terms.

 Mandy took up the decision to tell Carol about everything she had and how badly she wanted forgiveness.

  "I need you to forgive me madam Carol, please!"

  "Do you know the lives I've hurt, the lives I have compromised for your sake and you look me in the eye lie to me about everything. Is that something I should forgive? You played me because you knew that Hunter would be the only reason I'd listen to you..." Carol hit Mandy on the face.

Mandy cries out in pains, aside from the bruises plastered on her face before then, new ones came on due to the rings Carol had on her fingers.

  "How dare you? Do you know what I do to people like you, liars like you? Do you?" Carol looked at her "I kill them!"

Mandy pleaded for her dear life repeatedly

  "Who else knows about this?"

  "Danielle! She made me confess everything I had going on. I'm so sorry."

  "How thoughtful of you. Danni was never wrong about you, not for once. I wonder why she hasn't killed you yet? I mean, if the Black Men could take you away then this is a miracle...." She laughed

  "What can I do to make it up to you?" Mandy requested In tears.

  "What can you do? How about you ask me what I want to do right now?"

  "Ma'am please?" Mandy pleaded

  "I just want to strangle you to death, that's all. And don't think of taking Brian because I can't let him go, nah. I can't waste my time trying to groom a fine Man and a low life like you would come in to take him away. No." She blurted

  "I'll see you soon." Carol said as she walked away with her escorts from behind. Mandy fell to ground crying out, that classy girl had turned to a pathetic stock.

Bella came to me running to inform Me about Carol's presence. I came down to meet her with Kareem on my right arm. She rose up with an accommodating smile just like the first day I met her at the mansion.

  "You are here!" I then turned Bella "Please serve the governor's wife something eloquent, we don't want to pay some fines, do we?" I beamed, Bella smiled. 

  "No, its fine!" Carol declined politely

  "No mother, my treat. I've got your favorite, don't say no." I insisted

  "Ok darling. My favorite it is."  Carol added

I instructed Bella on what to do then I turned to her. Her glances could tell that she had now turned sober and remorseful.

  "Can I embrace hold my grandson, please!"

I did exactly what she asked without hesitations. I wondered why she became nice to me all of a sudden.

  "Mother, why are you here? Did I cause another mischief? And seriously, I'd never talk to you about Eric again, I'm off your family's business." I blurted without listening to her first

  "Its not about that. I'm so sorry for everything I did to you, for the inconveniences and ill treatment....I know I changed overtime" She said with remorse

  "You did change, Carol. I didn't expect that from you, and it was crazy how we let power intoxicate us." I added

  "I'm so sorry, I want to be a good and better mother to you, to Jamal and to little Kareem. Give me the chance to do that!"

  "Why are you even pleading?" I was confused at her mood swings

  "Be....Because I think....I feel its the right thing to do. I realized that earlier."

I smiled faintly looking at her

  "I guess you got the message." I said simply

  "About Mandy. You figured everything out and that's what I should have done. I messed up, I thought I could have anything I wanted. Forgive mother." She inquired, her eyes looked dim and really not elegant

  "I already did." I smiled at her while she played with Kareem

  "Finest breed. He indeed got your eyes and your smile. And definitely, his parents' heart." She complimented truthfully as we smiled. Bella a interrupted to inform us about the delicacy she just prepared.

We sat on the table as we pounced on every meal served. After we had eaten a long way, she stirred up.

  "Did you speak to Eric?"

  "Ye...Yeah. Why?"

  "Did he say anything about Jada to you?"

  "About her. Where did she come from?"

  "That's the deputy's first daughter..."

  "And Eliza?" I asked, I didn't know about that part of the story

  "She's the youngest. Only two girls!"

  "Are you not worried about this whole thing, about her?" I asked again

  "I am. Its my fault...that things turned out this way." She admitted

  "I think she's crazy, and really wants to hurt you...."

   "I was hoping Er..Eric would uhm....you know...come by..." She stuttered

  "...Its too late. He's on her terms now, you should've listened to me when I asked you to get him out first. I know Eric, he'd reconsider but I guess I spoke to the old you!" I reminded calmly with a shrug

  "I was overwhelmed. I thought you'd change up and turn me in. I wasn't prepared for that" 

  "Well, you should've thought about that long ago. And besides, why would I want to turn you in....well, I once did." 

  "You were right, I messed up real bad. I want to fight this, I want to fight Elena. And I need someone to help me...."

I cleared my throat

  "First, who's Elena and secondly, who's going go help you?"

  "Jada is Elena and I want you to help me."

  "No. I wasted lots of time trying to fix you and I'm not doing that any longer. I want to focus on my family, my son." I explained 

  "I totally understand you. I wouldn't pressure you." She said then stopped, keeping her silence then she broke it again "Does Jamal know about everything?"

  "What were you expecting? He knows, he's been supporting me effortlessly."

  "Ok, my name is painted black!" She admitted with snap. We ate up then she left immediately.

Two weeks on,

Eric was released. The first thing he did was go the residence to take Kayla with him. Then he met Ada who was attending to Kayla. He was paranoid, he didn't want anything to bring back their old loving memories and how they wanted to raise Kayla together despite the work frames, they made it an obligation which it was.

  "Welcome home, sir!" Some workers exclaimed gently, he only nodded positively as they scurried away. Ada turned to see who it was from a distance, it was her husband, Eric.

  "Eric? Is that you?" She walked gently to him while Kayla threw herself on him with excitement

He turned away from her gaze, she drew closer, this time, she was in front on her.

  "What's wrong! Don't you recognize me? I'm your wife..." She asked in confusion

  "...Just stop it, Ada. I don't want to hear it. I'm here for my kid!" He turned to Kayla "Honey, let's go."

Kayla looked innocent and confused

  "Daddy, is mommy coming with us?"

  "You should go to your room, I'll come get you." He said to her

  "Ok daddy." She left as a maid attended to her. He turned to Ada with a distasteful look. They headed to Ada's room to talk

  "What do you want from me?"

  "What do I want from you? Eric we are married, I still want you back." She began

  "...we got divorced. We are legally not married, remember?"

  "I'm trying to....Eric please don't do this to me. I'm sorry for everything..." She sobbed silently, keeping a firm reaction anyways.

  "Don't give me that, Ada. I don't want no marriage, Ada. I'm done. I'm tired of trying to please you all, the McClure's, I'm doing this for me, I'm trying to put me first. I did you wrong and sorry for cheating on you, I'm so sorry you have to go through this but Ada, I'm done."

  "You got married to me not the McClure's. We were happy, we got a daughter together and now this...we can fix this, right" Ada insisted

  "I can't live like this, I can't live to your expectations. I don't want this! I'm sick and tired of this thing called marriage. I need space, a very lengthy one." He requested calmly

  "Did i ever mean something to you, was i ever enough for you...." She stopped for a moment then continued "But we made sacrifices, isn't that something?" She asked coldly

  "No one made sacrifices. All I want to do right now is take my daughter away from this family. Y'all are wicked to the core, I can't sit and watch y'all kill me when I got a child to take care of." Eric said

  "She's also my daughter, Eric! I got rights to her too." She countered rightfully

  "Don't start with the law shit, I'll take my daughter with or without the law." He said

  "I agree to that. On my terms..." She added wiping off her tears

  "No terms."

  "Then I wouldn't let this go....I'll visit her after every three days, not buts. And If you attempt to digress, you'd see your worse." She requested firmly

  "Ok. That's a deal. You'd only live here while I live at the house, agreed?"

  "Its hard to accept that you'd never be with me, but I accept it regardless." Ada finalized

He nodded as well then he walked out. They headed to Kayla's room where she was set to leave

  "Mom, are you coming with us?"

  "Not yet. For the mean time, I'd stay here with grandma. Trust me, I'd come see you after every three days. Be a good champ." Ada advised  with an affectionate hug

  "Ok. Time to go!" Eric interrupted

  "Are you not hugging like you do?" Kayla said

  "Er...uhm...baby, don't worry about that." Ada added, Eric's reluctance

  "Do it!" Kayla instructed like the boss she was at that moment.

They hugged forcefully, it barely lasted 5 seconds then they departed.

                         **************

I got a call from Ada while I was working on laptop. I was getting some email checked.

  "Hi girl!" 

  "Are you home?"

  "Yeah, why?"

  "Can we go out for a few shots, like tonight? Bills on me" She asked

  "Look at you. Well ok! Talk to you later."

  "Ok... Uhm, I'll just call Lola up."

  "Perfect." I hung up "Something's not right." I soliloquize. I dialed Jamal instantly, and it connected then I turned on loudspeaker while I chose a clothe to wear.

  "Hi baby!"

  "...Honey! Are you good?"

  "Yes I am. Are you closer or something?"

  "...Nah. I'm at Tommie's. We got a..." He began then I interrupted

  "Ok, don't worry about that. I got a date with my friends so I'll see you later ok? Or you could come pick me up. Yes, thank you!" I jabbered

  "...Ba...Babe...Hold on..." He tried to excuse himself

  "Thank you. Bye Honey." I hung up then I exhaled in content