Just Listen

Chapter 33

Uncanny's POV

Things with Kamilah haven't been quite easy. Moreover now that Michael is hospitalized. I don't know what to do or whom to vouch for more. I love Michael, yet I also think I might also love...

"Excuse me." I heard Marley's sweet voice. I was doing some paperwork in my office when she showed up with a box. All her equipment in there. I was confused. She stood at the door. I rose from my chair and walked to where she stood. "Marley, what's going on?"

She gave me a sad smile. "I'm resigning."

My eyebrows furrowed. "What? Why? Did I do something wrong?" I asked.

She chuckled, "You're always doing something wrong Uncanny. Except, this time it's my choice. I'm leaving the city."
I gasped. My eyes bulging out of their sockets. "But, why?"

She sighed, "You know I can't have children." She looked down. "But, there's someone who wants to help me. I'll do anything for the ability to have kids. My husband and I are leaving. His support means a lot to me."

I held her hand. "Don't leave me Marley. Please." She placed her other hand on mine. "You're not alone. You have Michael and Kamilah." I looked away. "All you have to do is just fix things. Talk to Kamilah. Be her friend."

I closed my eyes shut. My right hand that laid on my chest balled into a fist. Why couldn't she understand how hard this is for me? "Uncanny, just stop being so uptight. Love a little-"

"-But how Marley!?" I interrupted her with a cry. I hated how my emotions were all over the place. "You don't understand." I whispered, showing her my back. "Of course I don't," she began. "But that doesn't mean I care less. I'm you're friend, but, you've shut me out long enough. You're always snapping at me. If you can't tell me what's wrong, why should we be friends?" Her voice cracked.

I was speechless. Her words felt like a double edged sword. I spun around, I saw her teary face. "Marley," I tried reaching for her hand and she stepped back. Adding another blade. My mouth hung open. "I'm tired, Uncanny. I want to start over. With less drama." I nodded slowly. "You're a good friend, but you need to get your act together. I'll see you on the flip side, Bonnie." She sighed. She was about to walk out when I had a nervous break down.

"I've been abused." I blurted. My hands balling into fists. Tears streaming down like a waterfall. My lips quivering. She slowly turned around, holding the door. She just stared at me. "I just couldn't tell you. Heck, I still can't because it still taunts me. I can't help but despise Kamilah." I cried.

"No!" Marley objected. "No matter what life throws at you, your child should never be subjected to negligence. Ever!" She pointed at me, tears staining her round face. Her fingers trembled. Without warning, we both slumped to the floor. "Marley, if it wasn't because of her, I would have protected myself." I defended. She snorted, "If you hadn't betrayed Onica and or fallen for her brother, none of this would have happened." She said quietly. I was speechless and disheartened, I expected her to understand.

"Look, Uncanny. I don't hate you, I just hate how you chose to handle things, especially concerning Kamilah. Michael even had to fake his own death for you." She paused.

"Marley, you don't understand how hard it has been for me."

"Make me understand. I'm tired of having to put up with you. I get that you'll talk when you're ready, but when will that be? When will you step up?" She breathed.

"Right now I could honestly care less about what you do, because I'm leaving. Veronica will be joining you though, she said that she'll merge the companies." Marley spoke as she stood up, wiping her tears off. I was taken aback when I saw her hand in my face. I took it and she helped me get on my feet. "You'll always be my friend. I love you. Right now I just want to deal with my own stuff." She gave me a weak smile. "Look at you,
Thirty-four and you don't look a day over 25." We both laughed lightly.

"You have a great kid. Perhaps a future husband too. You'll be okay. We're okay. Just get help. You got this." We hugged it off. I watched my only friend walk out of my life before I closed the door. I sighed heavily as I sat back on my chair. Fixing my curly hair and long black cardigan over the thin cashmere elegant bodycon sheath in red inside. Before I knew it, Kamilah barged in. I sighed, what now?

Her face held so much fury and I saw a little bit of myself in it. "Kamilah. Take a seat." I gestured for her to do so. Using the intercom, I asked my PA to bring us something to drink and maybe eat. Her classes ended an hour ago, I'm pretty sure she was hungry. "What do you want?" I tried to be nice as possible.

"Answers." She replied bluntly. My left eyebrow rose. I folded my hands, rested them on the table; leaning on them. "I want to know about my grandparents." I admired her outfit. A white tennis skirt with a long sleeved V neck top. I took in her appearance. Kamilah was neither plump or plank, she was quite a looker. She reminded me of myself in my teens.

"Which ones?"
"Your parents, dammit!" She banged on the table with her tiny fist. How cute. I couldn't help, but feel infuriated by her being bossy. "Kamilah, I'm gonna have to ask that you leave my office. This is no place for a child. Why don't you go visit your dad?" I suggested.

"You have got to be kidding me. Why would I want to see the man who chose you over me. His own daughter!" She threw a fit.

"God, you're so annoying. That bitterness doesn't suit you sweetheart." I said to myself. "Excuse me!" Crap. I face palmed. She squinted her eyes, "What? Did you kill them already?"

"Enough!" I exploded. "I will not tolerate any disrespect kiddo." I seethed. "Oh really, mommy?" I hated her mockery. "Get out." She stared at me, unaffected. "I said, GET.OUT."

Her chest began rising and falling rapidly. "Why do you hate me so? Does my appearance bother you? I never asked to be brought into this world. That was not my choice. All I ever wanted was a woman brave enough to hold my hand and walk with me through life's hellfire. Someone to nurture me. Give me strength. Hope. Faith. Love. Support. To be my mother."

I was going through a certain file when she began to vent. "Yeah, tell that to someone who cares." I responded mindlessly.

"You know what? I don't believe that you once loved my dad," I averted my eyes from the file to her. Glaring at her through hooded eyes. "All you know is how to hurt people. Use them and ditch them. I don't know how or what he saw in you, if it were up to me, I would have preferred him blind. Maybe then this Javan guy would hav-"

"I told you to freaking leave my office! What more do you want?" I breathed fire. Rising from where I sat. "You torment me. The sight of you makes me relive all those days and years..." I paused trying to catch my breath.

"If I hadn't conceived you, I wouldn't have had to spend nine months of my life trying to protect you whilst waltzing in a furnace. If he could have killed you, I would have died too, Kamilah! Infact, I died, trying to protect your sorry a**. I died when I saw my own sister lying in a pool of blood in my parents' kitchen. I died in order to protect May. I had to leave my hometown. To leave my family. I was only sixteen goddammit! Forced to live on the run. But I could never hide from him. He always found me." I choked on a sob, staring at her thin lined lips. Her tears streaking down. Her jaw was tense. I turned around, to avoid her eyes. Eyes that made me feel so guilty. I am a terrible mother.

Her chair screeched back, signaling that she had stood up. I could tell she wanted to say something but instead, I heard the door open and close. She left me all alone. That's all I wanted right? So, why did I feel empty?