To heal is to touch with love that which we previously touched with fear ~ Stephen Levine
Monae Lockhart, a 23 years old baker with a past not as sweet as her treats. On her journey towards healing she crosses path with Nasir King, a broken soul wi...
"I'm sorry Mo, I told him you didn't want to see anyone, but you know Cairo" Nique rushed out.
"It's fine Monique, thank you" she nodded before glaring at her cousin and walking out. Rubbing my forehead I could feel a headache coming on.
"What are you doing here Cairo?" I whispered observing his bloodshot eyes, was he drunk?
"Really, Mo? I asked if we could talk and all you did was shoot me some half-ass text and refused to answer my calls!! Then I get here, and they say you don't want to see anyone but you're in here with some dude!!?" He shouted as I flinched and stepped back but stopped as a warm body came up behind me.
F**k, I almost forgot he was still here.
"It's obvious she didn't want to see you, Knight" Nasir hissed Cairo's last name and slipped his arms around my waist pulling me into his hard chest.
Do they know each other?
"Are you still bitter I fucked your wife King?" Cairo smirked as I gasped and flew out of Nasir's hold as I spun to face him.
"W-wife?" I stuttered out as a dark look took over his face as he glared at Cairo who matched his glare.
Whattttt? What the hell is going on?
"Ex-wife" he emphasized as his face softened when he looked at me "And I don't give a f**k about you and that bitch, Knight but what you're not going to do is come in here and talk to Monae anyhow" he finished.
"Aww, he's defending little old Mo?" my subconscious swooned, and I shook my head getting rid of the thought.
This is too much.
"I'm not in the mood to deal with all this testosterone, so can you both leave please?" I rubbed my head walking to the washroom in my office as they just stood there glaring at each other. When I exited the washroom, Cairo was still there sitting on the couch.
"What are you still doing here Cairo? I asked you to leave." I rolled my eyes.
"Monae please, j-just please talk to me" I heard his voice crack as I stood there staring at him before walking to the couch sitting beside him.
"Cairo look, you didn't do anything wrong. It's just me, I'm f**ked up and that's the reason I never pursued anything with you despite our attraction. I didn't want something like this happening" I looked away.
"You're not fucked up Mo, and I'm sorry if I fucked shit up. I shouldn't have tried to sleep with you, we were drinking, and I shouldn't have taken advantage of the situation like that. I'm really sorry, I hope you can forgive m-"
"You did what?!!" his words got cut off by Ma'ryah who stood at the door with a deadly glare on her face.
If looks could kill.
"Ry-" he attempted, but she raised her hands stopping him before closing the door behind her.
"What the hell is wrong with you Cairo?" she asked calmly and I knew she was anything but calm.
"Ryah, it isn't a big deal, we just had too much to drink and things got out of hand," I said trying to diffuse the situation.
"It isn't a big deal Monae?!! Then why are you cutting again?" she asked causing me to tense up.
"What?" I heard Cairo ask and I rolled my eyes getting up and walking to my desk.
"I don't know what you're talking about Ma'ryah, I stopped before we came to L.A." I turned my back to her as tears came to my eyes, I didn't want to see the disappointed look on her face.
"Cairo can you wait for me out front please, I want to talk to Mo alone" I heard her mumble before the door opened and closed.
"Monae.. look at me please" that was all it took before I broke down as she wrapped her arms around me.
"I'm so sorry Ry, I tried to stop, I did but I can't. I feel like it's the only thing keeping me sane. Every time I close my eyes I keep reliving the first time he raped me" I sobbed in her arms "Please don't be disappointed in me".
"Look at me Monae" she raised my head wiping my tears "I would never be disappointed in you, I know how hard you're fighting to get over what happened so don't ever think I would think less of you, so you understand me?" she stated firmly and I nodded in response.
"Thank you for being here Ryah, and don't be hard on Lee we honestly just had too much to drink" I smiled as we stood up.
"I'll always be here bestie, and I can't promise anything, he knew better" she stated seriously and I couldn't argue with her.
Later in the evening
After talking to Ry and Cairo, I felt much better. I sent Mama D a message to schedule an appointment so I can get back on track. Hopefully, she can help me and my old friend part.
You're stronger than this Monae, don't let him continue controlling you.
I thought as I looked down at the razor that I gripped in my trembling hands before dropping it in the sink.
"I was wondering when you were going to show up" I turned around facing the familiar face that stood behind me.
"I'm sorry it took me so long, but I see I arrived the right time Fenice" he nodded to the razor in the sink, and my eyes watered at the nickname.
I didn't feel like a phoenix right now, it felt as if I wasn't rising from the ashes.
"Come" he stated, and I approached him as he led me to the bed "when was the last time you slept properly, amore?".
"I don't know, 2 weeks ago?" I whispered unsure as I watched him remove his shirt.
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"Well you need your rest amore, the opening isn't going anywhere," he said as he laid in the bed pulling me to him and I placed my head on his chest.
I won't even ask how he knows about that with his stalker ass.
"I missed you Gio" I sighed out before I succumbed to sleep.
