CHAPTER SIX

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Ray Wentz

"I know this bitch is lying." I laughed to myself as I looked down at my phone in disbelief before trying to give her another call. Without an automated prompt or even her usual answering machine, the call ended yet again. "I know good and well that this bitch is lying! She just has to be."

I leaned back in my office chair and went ahead to opened up my Instagram app. I didn't have to search her name because she was the last person in my recents; a simple tap of her name brought me to her profile and to my surprise everything had changed. I scrolled through taking note that her entire page was wiped of every single memory of me, the fact that my initials was taken out of her bio was just icing on the cake.

                I tried my best to contain my anger, being as I was still at work. Messing this promotion up was the last thing I wanted to do especially after working so hard to get to where I was today. But, keeping it together after seeing something like this was definitely easier said than done.

I loosened my tie and cleared my throat, reaching for the glass of water that sat on my desk. I drank every last drop of it trying as hard as I could to calm myself down. I cracked my neck along with my knuckles before pushing my phone away from me and returning my attention back to the computer screen before me.

I clicked through a bunch of emails and closed off a couple of accounts, hoping that maybe it would distract me. However, out of the corner of my eye; I couldn't fight the urge. I angrily picked up my office phone and dialed the number that I knew by heart. I listened as it rung, making me more upset as if that were even possible at this very moment.

"Hi, you've reached Shai-Anna Louis. I am sorry that I am unable to come to the phone right now, if you leave a detailed message along with your name and number, I will be sure to get back to you as soon as possible! Cheers!"

My jaw clenched as the beep tone came through and I looked up through my office door that I always left open a tad. I wanted to come off as the manager who was available to talk whenever, so I practiced the habit of never closing it unless I was in a meeting. Times like this however; it was a risk.

Thankfully, everyone seemed to be focused on their own work for once. "Shai-Anna..." I said lowly through gritted teeth, "Baby girl, you know better than that. You and I both know that you know better than that. I understand, you didn't leave on the greatest terms with me but as I said earlier... I need for us to talk this out. It's not an option, I'm telling you. I'm not giving up on us, not this easily. So, when you stop listening to those dumb ass friends of yours who told you to block my number and get some kind of free time... call me back!" I slammed the phone back down and huffed out a sigh.

"I swear to God." I mumbled, typing away at an email. "I don't understand why this bitch had to make my life harder than it had to be."

"Mr. Wentz!" my secretary said over the intercom, causing me to instantly roll my eyes.

"What's up?" I clicked the button, and said in the best tone I could possibly pull together.

"Your client, Mrs. Dest-."

"Send her in." I interjected before she continued. I stood to my feet and adjusted my suit while walking over to the door to await her arrival. By the looks of the turning heads that I witnessed from one end of the office to the other, I could tell that she was nearing. I kept my head down and listened as he heels clicked against the tile floor, distracting everyone from doing their work. As the sound grew closer, I raised my head to take a good look at her. As usual, she knew exactly how to steal a room but unlike the rest of the men practically drooling at the sight; I, knew how to keep it together.

Destiny stepped past me, walking into the office and I followed in right behind her. Making sure to shut the door. "How are you doing Destiny?" I asked, as I made my way over to my chair. She, who knew my office all too well put her trench coat up on the coat rack before sitting down in the leather seat across from me.

"Could be better and you know why."

"Oh, I'm a mind reader now? Huh?"

"Don't play smart with me Ray, you know what I want."

I ran my hand down the side of my face and groaned aloud, "Every week you come here on the same bullshit, expecting a different reaction from me. I don't understand why."

"Well, this time around I come with what you've been asking for." She placed an envelope onto my desk and pursed her lips as she brought one leg over the other; displaying the fact that she had on no panties under neath the skin-tight dress she wore.

Playing it off as if I hadn't seen, I reached for the envelope and tore it open. Pulling out the first sheet of paper. I ran over the details at the top before continuing down to the important part. "Shit." I hissed.

"There you go baby daddy." She placed her hand against her stomach, "no more denying your seed this time around."

"I sucked my teeth returning the envelope back onto my desk. "How much do you want this time?" I pulled open the drawer by my desk, pulling out a cheque book.

"Who said I wanted anything?"

"When do you not?!" I chuckled while reaching for a pen.

"This time." she answered. "I'm tired of giving them up Ray... I'm ready to keep it."

I laughed so hard that it caught me off guard, it wasn't until I looked up that I was able to see that she was being serious. "Destiny, stop your shit."

"Ray. I'm being dead ass."

"Why all of a sudden do you want to magically keep a baby? We've been through this before, minor slip up, minor removal. You know the drill."

"Yeah but I'm getting older, not getting as many shifts at the club anymore. I think I'm ready to settle down and start a f-."

"You know I'm dating Shai! She's your sisters' best friend."

"Let's not act like I don't know there's trouble in paradise. Not to mention that if you cared, we wouldn't be in this predicament, now would we?"

"One drunken night doesn't change my relationship status, Des."

"Yeah well how about three?" she tilted her head to the side and shot me a look. "Every time you say you're done; you keep running back to me."

"And if you noticed, each time I've been pissed drunk or upset about a fight I had with my woman!"

"This isn't just some fling, no matter how much you try to make it seem like it is. It's been two years... I don't want to hide anymore. I want us to be happy..." she reached across the table but I quickly moved my hand. 

"Hide what? I said it before and I will say it again, there is nothing between us!" my brow furrowed. "I can give you money for the abortion and money to buy yourself something nice if you need to, but nah. I'm not going to sit up and act like I want something serious with you. Come on, you know this. You're a stripper why can't you just play your role correctly?"

"Why can't you just stop denying your feelings?!" she spat out, her volume growing louder than desired. I raised my brow giving her a look of disapproval and by the way she lowered in her seat I could tell she got the message. "Ray, why? Why can't you just choose me?"

I exhaled deeply and tapped the pen against my temple as a tactic to keep my annoyance at bay. After about a few needed breaths, I smiled. "Because I am happy where I am, with who I am with. I've told you time and time again that I plan on marrying Shai-Anna."

Over my dead fucking body!" she laughed, "and watch you be miserable?"

"I won't be miserable, because I love her."

"More like you love the idea of her. Cut the crap Ray, remember that I know about her mom being sick and the money she plans on leaving for Shai. You told me the last night you came over."

"I didn't tell you anything." I denied.

"You told me all about finding the Louis family's accounts on file during your internship at this place, you told me how you found a way to squeeze yourself into their daughters life and win her over, you told me about the cancer that her mother was hiding from her along with it being the reason they relocated, you told me about how you turned her against her family so that you would have a secure position in her future and a shot at getting half. Hmm, what else? Oh, yes. You told me about how much you wished you could've pursued my sister Kira instead but your love for money stopped you! You preferred a free meal ticket over a shot at love..." she glared at me with pure evil in her eyes. "Let us not forget that I was your diary at one point in time. The only one selfish enough to actually not make you feel bad about it. I know all your dirty little secrets Ray, what do you not understand."

"What I don't understand is how you could know them yet still try shit like this. We both know what my hands alone are capable of, yes or no?"

"You wouldn't hurt me..."

"Come between me and that money and I just might."

"I don't get it. You worry so much about me, but not about Kira who knows just as much if not more?"

"Kira and I have our own understanding. You don't gotta worry about that."

"Ah, now I see." She shook her head and laughed. "So, you did choose her over me."

"I chose my woman, over the both of you."

"You think I was born yesterday..."

"Destiny, I don't understand why you're here!" I groaned, "if you want to have the baby, go ahead. Have a field day! Hey, I'll send you an invoice for being a sperm donor; even... do whatever you want, just leave me the fuck the alone?"

"Karma's a bitch Ray. You may not realize it now but people like you have no choice but to feel it sooner or later. As much as I could care less about Shai or whatever money she's got up her sleeve... I just hope that she wins at this little sick, twisted game scheme you got planned out."

"Oh, so now you want her to win." I laughed, "before you were all for the idea of counting up all the money with me... us being on an island together... having sex on a beach." I reminded her of every single word, the look on her face making it clear that she was sick of her own self. "If karma's coming to get me, I can assure you that you will get just as much of it as me, simply by association."

"Fuck you, Ray."

"Already did." I yawned. "Now, are we finished here or do you have some more begging to do?"

"I don't understand why I'm even loyal to your ass. I should just tell Shai everything... maybe even get a cut for my honesty!"

"Simply because you can go missing in a heart beat, that's why. Your sister tried that before... now she can't even look me in the eye because I had her ass dangling over a bridge begging me for another chance." Destiny's brow twitched and I watched as she swallowed the lump in her throat. "Bet you didn't know that, huh?" I snickered while leaning forward, "There is no stone that you can unturn that I won't be ready for. You know how far I'm willing to go, you know what I'm capable of. Stop tryna fuck with me before you get fucked up. Iight?" She let out a stifled breath before she nodded ever so slightly. "That's what I like to see. Now, if you could let yourself out... it would be greatly appreciated and try your best not to come back anytime soon. I don't need the people in this bank talking about me anymore than they already probably are."

Destiny got out of the seat and gathered her things, making sure to have her jacket on before she made it over to the door. "May I say something before you go?"

"Might as well get it out from now..."

"What if this time around, you can't stop her from leaving you... I mean, you've tried it all. You've done the wining and dining, you've purposely given her chlamydia, you've tried to lock her into a lease, break down her confidence, cried, promised... you've done it all. What makes you think you'll be able to stop the cycle? What could you possibly do differently this time around?"

"Simple." I smiled, opening the drawer of my desk once again. I took out the small velvet box for her to to see the precious cargo that sat under the light. "I show her that I mean business."

"All this... for some money. Huh? What do you even need all of it for, you've got an amazing job... you're well off? I just don't understand."

"We all got our demons Des. Money just so happens to be mine." I returned the box back to where I had it, "now, if you could leave. I got some work to get back to." She silently cracked open the door and I cleared my throat. "Thanks for doing business with us!" I said loud enough for most people to look up.

Once the coast was clear, I picked up my phone again and dialed another contact while I walked over to the door to shut it. I placed it against my ear and instead of getting back into my chair, I decided to take a look out at the view that my corner office was so blessed to have.

"You know you can't be calling me while I'm on vacation with all of them!" Kira whispered into the phone, "what do you want, Ray?!"

"I want to know where my girlfriend is!"

"I don't know, why don't you call her?"

"Do you think I'd be calling you if I didn't?"

"Oh my goodness." She sucked her teeth, "she's back at the villa, she wasn't feeling well earlier. We're all at a day party and should be returning within the next hour."

"Good, when you get back; I want you to tell her to unblock my number."

"Absolutely not! How am I supposed to just do that? And have everyone look at me like I'm suspect or something?"

"Kira... you're making it seem as if it was a request. I need you to realize that I messed up badly and I gotta make up for it before it's too late."

"You do know that I don't owe you my help, right?"

"You.... You what?!" I threw my head back and laughed. "Kira, the amount of dirt I have on your name. the fact that you could say that so seriously, is beyond me."

"In her eyes you'll look like a liar. Tell her about my dirty laundry, I could care less."

"It can't look like a lie when I got receipts to back it up. Shakira, don't play with me..."

"I'm n-."

"I'll be looking forward to hearing from her later tonight. Thank you for all your help." I ended the call then looked down at my watch, it was perfect timing. All this unnecessary stress made me hungry. Thankfully, I had plans to go out for lunch with my father today.

I switched off my computer screen and set my phones to busy before picking up my messenger bag and heading out the office.

After a quick little elevator ride, I hit the busy streets outside of my work building and joined the downtown foot traffic that buzzed by. With one hand in my pocket, I took out my second phone from out of my messenger bag and powered it on. It began to ping with all the texts I had missed since being at work. I scrolled through them all while making sure I didn't bump into anyone at the same time.

With a smile on my face, I hit the contact and popped my Airpod in so that I didn't have to hold it. A second later, her soft voice appeared on the other end. "Who knew hearing from my big brother would be this hard?"

"I'm sorry, you know how demanding work has been lately."

"Mhmmm." She hummed, "off to lunch?"

"Yes ma'am."

"I spoke to dad this morning. Heard he was taking you out!"

"He is!" I exclaimed, "news travels fast in this family."

"Well what do you expect. You've been so busy lately with this new promotion that I have no choice but to reach out to members of the family in order to know that you're alive. I can't help but worry."

"Trust me, I'm always good. I don't want you stressing. You've got enough on your plate as is."

"Hopefully soon this'll all be over, huh?"

"I got a good feeling that it will be before we know it."

"How sure is that feeling this time around? I mean, I don't want to make it seem like I don't trust you. But... it's getting rough in here and as cozy as you've gone out of your way to make me feel. It still is prison and I can't help but start to lose hope."

"Don't, please don't. I know I've been saying this for a long time now but I just need you to trust me."

"We've been appealing for a while now. I can't help but to grow tired of being in and out of court. My lawyer's suggesting that I take a plea and just serve the fifteen."

"No! I said I got this, iight? Soon, I am going to have the money to pay off that bail and you will be walking free. Dad and I already took care of the last witness. As I've told you many times before; I'm not going to have you paying the price for my mistakes... okay? I owe to you. Mark my words, I'm going to get that money."

"I hope so R-... let me call you back." The line went dead and being as this was normal. I knew it meant that a CO was doing their rounds and would probably see the phone. Not that getting another one in there would be difficult, we had done it so many times before; but the hassle was something we didn't want to deal with.

All we wanted, was to get my sister home. I needed to stop messing around, regardless of how stressful it got. This was what I had set before me and I needed it to be completed, enough was enough. I was so close... I could feel it. Soon, this entire charade would be over and I could finally live my life.

"God can that lady just die already?" I muttered to myself, before shoving the phone into my pocket and picking up the pace. 

Kingston Hines

"My parents are pretty accepting but he... just never seemed to be their cup of tea." Shai explained as she laid on her side. I, too laid on side so that I could face her also, leaving a respectable amount of room between us meanwhile still finding a way to run my hand against her exposed back. I couldn't help it and luckily enough, she didn't seem to mind.

"No offense but he sounds like he couldn't catch a break with your people. How did you guys last so long?"

"I don't know... I guess because I'm not much of a quitter and he, wasn't much of a one either. So, we just kept trying."

"Was it worth it?"

"Well, I'm single now... so, clearly not." She sighed.

Well, remember what I said about everything having a lesson attached to it."

"Yeah. I agree, that's probably the only thing I can really say is true. I could write a whole book on red flags and what to avoid."

"You should!"

"I'm kidding, I'm

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