Chapter o022

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"Maia, you have been an absolute delight!"

Evelyn laughed as she led me on to the back patio of the large mansion. Reuben woke me up insanely early this morning, stating that he had some business to take care of and he thought it would be a great opportunity of me getting to know Evelyn-Whom he affectionately calls 'Mum-mum', which I think is adorable.

He probably doesn't call her mama because the egg-donor probably would have berated him if he called her that. True. Even though she's the closest thing to a mother he has.

"This has been a good time, I tell you."

I laughed along with her while carrying a glass pitcher of ice water, and she, a large platter of homemade beignets. Turns out Evelyn is on diet; she was trying to lose weight for her and Dick's vacation to Paris but when I revealed to her that I have never had a beignet... She was appalled and demanded that I allowed her to make us some... with her famous apple rum sauce.

Mmmm!

They smelled of heaven!

We sat in the kitchen laughing and cooking majority of the morning. She was so easy going and down to earth, very sophisticated. Complete opposite or Veronica's bitch ass.

There's a reason why the Michaelson children adore her and are revolted by their actual mother. We know Reuben's story, I bet the others share a similar tale as well.

"I have been craving these things for the last three months, and you have granted me the perfect opportunity to have a cheat day and have them." She smirked as she sat them on the deck's glass end table. "Consider yourself used, Sweetie." She laughed some more.

"Use me, Girl, shoot." I laughed as I sat her glasses down. She smiled as we both took out seats. "Where's Ash and the boys?"

She thought for a moment.

"I think Ash is out with some of her girlfriends, Nate is somewhere on the property with some his friends, and Ethan is a mystery." She looked over to me. "He's my loner... Love it when he comes to visit, but he does his own thing all of the time."

She had a sadden look in her eyes. I could tell Ethan being so distant really did hurt her.

"Well, enough of that," She snapped out her trance as she reached for a small saucer and placed a beignet on it. "Tell me, how is life with our Reuben?"

She smiled as she handed me the plate, then repeated the same task, serving herself. I thanked her then tried to think of a politically correct answer.

"And, baby doll, don't lie to me."

I smiled small then said with hesitation.

"Things could be better."

She nodded her head.

"I mean, I love me some Reuben... But-"

"He's a secretive, control freak who loves to have his way. Water, dear?" She stood up to pour us a glass.

She knows him well, ey?

I smirked. "How'd you guess?"

Evelyn cackled as she handed me glass.

"Well, I raised him..." She said sighed as she retook her seat. "And unfortunately, Dick is the same exact way. Nick, too." I shook my head. "Nick has gotten better because Torei gets in ass and she has left him... One thing about a Michaelson man, their biggest fear is losing the women they love." She stopped and took a bite of the powered goodness. "Mmmmm... Like a pillow!"

I took heed and took a bite as well, oh my sweet Lord. Talk about delightfulness. I decided to devour the whole piece, doing a little dance in my seat as I did. Evelyn in turn did the same thing, making me laugh.

"That was pretty darn tasty, if I say so myself."

"No arguments from me, that for sure!" I nodded as I grabbed another, and she did the same. "If you don't mind me asking, why haven't you married Mr. Michaelson yet?"

She chewed for a minute, but I can tell the question sent her into deep thought.

"Hmm..." She took a sip of water. "I haven't married the love of my life because I was scared to."

My eyes bulged at her response.

"Loving Richard Nicholas Michaelson has to be the most rewarding, pain in my ass." She stopped then cackled at the thought. "I was determined not to love him, nor get involved with him romantically but when I tell you this man pursued and 'wooed' me," She stopped then giggled while shaking her head. "He never takes no for an answer. And it did not help that I lived in his house, caring for his kids. I always told myself he was in love with the things I did and not for who I was. I mean, he married this gnarly whore... Made babies with her, she mentally scarred every one of them."

She closed her eyes then let out a shuddered sigh.

"When I was hired by Dick's mother, I had no clue of the Hell I was being tossed in to. All I knew was that the father was a work-a-holic and was always gone, the mother was absent in every way and the kids were in dire need of love and attention. I can handle that, I love kids-Not to mention my biological clock was ticking and I thought nannying would give me great practice." She shrugged. "But the kids were not accepting toward me, especially Nick and Reuben, those two were heavily guarded and overprotective of the youngest two... Veronica was pregnant with Ashley at the time. But quickly Ettie became my baby!" She gushed. "He was attached to my hip, once Nick and Reuben saw I was not going to harm him then they started opening up to me. Dick would just brag all the time on how well the kids behaved while I was around. I could get them to do anything without fussing or asking twice, Dick just openly compared me to Veronica-This caused them to come to blows all the time. She resented me, but instead of improving herself as a mother, she further focused on her life and desires and not on her children. Then when I find out these two bastards had an open marriage and flaunted their affairs in front of one another, that pissed me off."

"Did they bring their sidepieces around the kids?"

"Mhm! Well-they hosted freak parties! I was to hide the kids off somewhere until their nuts were busted-Excuse my French-then the kids and I could come back around." She rolled her eyes. "I'm all off subject, I am supposed to be talking about why I am afraid to marry this man but, to be honest... I did not like either one. They were my employers and nothing more, I did not leave my job because I was in love with the kids. I woke up and put up with bullshit every day to make sure those babies were taken care of. But what made me start to like Dick was when I checked him about how he and his wife were conducting their marriage. I walked in on some whore giving him a blowjob in his office and I went ballistic! I cussed that bitch out then I went all the way off on him." I smirked. "I mean I went all the way off-Called him out his name, told him he was a fucked up person-I said some shit that should have gotten me fired-"

"What was his response?"

She rolled her eyes. "He begged me for forgiveness-Like I was his wife or something. He begged me not to leave him or the kids and he promised to change his ways."

She took another drink for her glass then leaned back leisurely in her seat. "He stopped having any and everyone in and around his kids-He stopped flaunting his affairs, he started spending more time with the kids. He would take the kids on vacations, without Veronica, but would always ask me to go-Which I thought was odd, but when I asked him about it recently this man told me that was his way of 'visioning' himself with the family he should have given his kids." She pursed up her lips, causing me to laugh. "My baby is so full of shit! But I mean, it worked-Look at me now, got the nerve to think I can be Mrs. Richard Michaelson-"

"But why are you scared to marry him?"

"Because I often use think I was over my head. I have been his main squeeze for nearly sixteen years, he's asked me to marry him several times, but I've always turned him down. But what I've come to realize that I am here, I am present, I am worthy of anything great coming my way despite others may think or feel... I am deserving of a man that adores me and loves me." I smiled small. "It took me nearly two decades to figure that out, Maia, don't be me. Reuben is flawed, of course... He has his problems... And you don't have to be a victim of them. You can love him and not a victim of his bullshit, I told Dick a long time ago there is business, there is them, then there is us. Business is his professional life, 'Them' are those people he chooses to associate with, 'Us' was home. Don't bring me and my kids into your bullshit is what I used to tell him. This is the same thing Torei had to do with Nick-Now, I am passing this on to you... Loving a Michaelson man is hard but it's worth it. But you must let them know where you stand and don't waiver your feelings for nothing. You get me?"

I smiled widely at her.

"Yes, Ma'am." She nodded her head and smiled.

"Reuben Edward Michaelson loves you, but he needs a little steering from time to time. Don't be afraid to do it. Correct him and love him-- That's all we can do. But baby, if it becomes too much for you or he refuses to meet you in the middle, don't marry him-- And if you have to let him go... That's okay, too."

Now, that is real talk.

"I feel you." She smiled then grabbed another beignet. "Can I have another?"

"Girl, yes-we are eating nothing but carbs and talking shit on our men all day today-Rules are rules."

We both busted out laughing.

I like 'Mum-mum'. I do too.

Scanned through Jacquee's phone as David instructed the cleaning crew, our dearly departed friend's body was tossed in an incinerator. I wonder where Tierra would like for the ashes to be spread?

I wonder if she cared at all.

Smirking inwardly, I was satisfied with the abrupt decision to execute the bastard. When he chose to come after my honey, he chose his own fate. The hold Maia had on me intoxicating. I loved more than words could describe, my intentions were to scare the living shit out of Jacquees and use him to help me lure out Greg, but when I got ahold of his phone when David dragged him in, those filthy, sick messages exchanged between him and that asshole drove me over the edge.

Maia was nothing but a pawn in his game of greed.

Well, he should have known better to think I was going to allow anything to happen to her.

Fool.

"Reub."

I looked up from the phone as Nick came walking toward me taking a TracFone out of a box then tossing it over his shoulder.

"It's time to claim your prey, Brother."

I smirked as he smiled down at me as he handed me the throw-a-way phone. I was about to answer when I saw Opal calling me once again.

"Michaelson."

"Mast-Reuben?"

"I told you, Opal-I am no longer your Master. Please do not address me as that any longer."

She grew silent.

"I apologize, a force of habit."

I nodded my head as stood up and walked out of the room.

"Understandable. But how can I be of service to you? I did not get a chance to call you last night, but I see you are still in need of my help... What's up?"

"Gregory Shaw."

"Oh, so you know the bastard, too-He seems to be making quite the name for himself these days."

This cockroach is irritating me.

"He is attempting to blackmail me and you, he claims to know about you being my dominate-He wants quite a lot of money."

"Opal, this dickhead is on the top of my shitlist. Any threat he makes is not anything for you to fear, though I do wonder who told him about our past endeavors-However that won't mean shit in a few hours because I am exterminating him."

I could hear her gulp, she knew me, and quite well.

"But, do go to the safe house-Just in case."

"O-okay."

"Have no fears, Opal, I have this all under control."

With that, I hung up.

The sound of windchimes blared loudly, causing me to jerk awake in my sleep. I with one eye open searched the room only for it to dawn on me that it was my phone going off. Growly in annoyance, I flipped over to my side and threw a pillow over my head, but the call ended then immediately another call came through.

"It's my goddamn day off, why are you hoes calling me?!"

Kicking my legs like a madwoman, I threw the covers off of me then sat up on my knees in the middle of the bed and snatched my phone off of the charger, still muttering obscenities.

"Man-Fuck is this?!" I sniped into the receiver.

"Drea?!"

"WHAT?!"

"Girl, it's Nikki!"

"So, the fuck what?! I don't know no Nikkis on my friggin day off!"

"If you don't shut your ol' ogre acting ass up and listen to me-" I rubbed the sleep outta my eyes. "Maia is in some serious shit!"

"No shit." Muttered as I yawned, pulling my legs from underneath me and sitting down full on my butt. "What? Did she call you or something?"

Nicolette grew silent for a moment, causing me to get irritated.

"Nikki, I know you ain't call me to listen to your ass breathe!"

"Andrea, Greg is after Maia."

My eyes bucked.

Now I was awake.

"Wwwhat?!" I screamed. "How you know this? Does Maia know?!"

Nicolette explained to me the whole plot of Jacquees and Greg, with Tierra's ass being the center of it.

"Do you have the ability to get in touch with Reuben?"

"No-But he needs to know, I don't want to tell Maia because I don't want her scared-This weekend has been stressful enough and I cannot have her down there in fear."

"But he's in New Orleans, how knows what fuck up shit he's planning for her!"

I let out an exasperated sigh, I got to get to my sister. I wanted to so badly to call Daddy and let him know, but this situation would stress my father all the way the hell out. When Greg got out of prison, Maia had a mental break down, it had my father so upset and worried about her that he damn near had a heart attack. I cannot do that to him, or Mama.

"Look, I'm going to figure some shit out-I'll get back with you once I have an idea, I'll hit you up."

"Sounds like a plan."

With that, I hung up with Nikki then dashed to the bathroom and took a fast shower. I dressed, gagged myself with the toothbrush since I was moving around so fast... I peeped my bank balance and if I decided to take this last-minute trip to Louisiana, this was going to clean out my entire savings. But my sister mattered more than any damn money in the bank.

I was on the LAX app trying to book a flight when I heard a faint knock that the door then it dawned on me...

"OPAL!"

I rushed out of my room and seen that my front was vacant...

"Op--?"

Knock-Knock-Knock!

Where in the hell did she go?

The cover was perfectly folded and there was a note sitting upright on the coffee table. It had my name written neatly atop of it. I grabbed the note and started to unfold it as I walked to the door. I slowly opened the door and seen an extraordinarily sizable bouquet of wildflowers then I notice the young man holding the said flowers.

"Andrea Jones?" I nodded my head. "Special delivery just for you." He handed me the large vase, I looked at them bewildered. "Sign here, please?" He handed me a clipboard, I signed then he was on his way.

"The hell?" I just examined the flowers then seen an envelope sticking up from the middle. I looked to the note in hand and decided to read the message from Opal first because I was very concerned.

'Andrea,

Words cannot express the gratitude and appreciation that I have for you saving my life tonight. But I cannot risk putting you or anyone else you love in danger.'

What the hell did she mean by that?

'Please do not worry about me, I will be fine. I hope we cross paths again one day, I owe you a homecooked meal, now as well. 😊 I pray that you are not too angry but please understand that the type of lifestyle I live is not an easy one, nor always safe. As you saw last night. Thank you once again, dear friend.

Love,

Ophelia 'Opal' Valentine'

I sighed then shook my head. All I could do was pray that she was safe and well. She was not in great shape, but I was impressed she was able to leave without me knowing.

Sitting the note back on the table, I brought my attention back to the mystery flowers, perhaps they were from Opal? A token of her appreciation?

I grabbed the envelope and opened it.

'Meeting you was a treat; I am hoping to see more of you soon. And by soon, I mean this weekend in New Orleans.'

I gasped as I pulled a round trip first-class airplane ticket out of the envelope, what a twist of fate but now I was even more perplexed and confused.

'Please join me, I promise I will be the upmost gentleman-Unless, you don't like nice guys. Then I can anything you want me to be. Hahaha...

Best regards,

Zeek Michaelson'

"Oh, my damn-No, not this bullshit." I slapped my hand on my forehead. "He is trying to buy me and it's gonna work because I'm going to NOLA to see my fucking sister-I'll pay his cute ass back when I get paid!"

I rushed to pack a bag, or two-Maybe three-Shit I got to be cute when I get down there.

"Pick up your phone, Davenport!"

I growled as my call went straight to voice mail.

If this fucking fool was playing me then I was going to have to fuck his ass up! I helped him with his part of the deal and now it was time he delivered on his part for me. He had access to all of the events that Maia would be attendance for this weekend, tonight was the night he was to deliver her into my hands and now he's not answering

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