Bʀᴏᴏᴋʏʟɴ

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 3: ᴛʀᴏᴜʙʟᴇ

11:01 p.m., i've been watching the clock every since I got home. The kid's did their homework, ate, & now they're asleep. I'm waiting for Michael to come home. Its been three hours, he didn't even called. I'm extremely pissed off now. Michael has alot of explaining to do. This Zomnique woman has some balls to come at me like that today. What is she an ex? Is she out to get me like Brandy? Or is this apart of Brandy's revenge? Why does Michael's exes find me a target? Do I make them feel threatened or something? I haven't done a thing to either one. Hell, I don't even know the second one. She just came out of the fucking blue with these lies. I hope their lies! I haven't done anything to anybody. Does the universe hate me that much? Am I being punished for something? Whatever this is, could possibly put me through another coma. So, I need answers now. I don't want to go through another long coma again.

The door opened causing me to stand up from the couch. Michael came in with his bag over his shoulder. His straight hair was now curly due to the pouring rain outside. (Which I failed to realize because of my frustration.) He wasn't wearing his usual gym clothes. He was wearing a suit, a suit that I've never seen before. Never in the laundry or in the closet. Did he just bought it?

"Where have you been? Its 11 at night, you didn't called."

"I was at work like any other human being would be at" He said sarcastically as he took off his bag. I sense some attitude. Well I have one too.

"Michael, i'm not up for the bullshit tonight. I'm pissed off."

"The fuck is wrong with you now?" He frowned as he took off his wet jacket.

"A lady came in the bank today to deposit some money into her new bank account. She's new around here."

"Okay, and your pissed off why?" He arched an brow in confusion.

"She knows you, personally. Not by name or the stories but personally."

"I'm not following, Holli."

"Zomnique McNeal, does that name ring a bell?" I folded my arms across my chest.

He froze on spot. He didn't say anything. His expression was spooked like he seen a ghost. His face went pale as if he was sick.

"Hello? Michael? Say something!" I snapped my fingers in his face.

"W-what's this woman's name again?" He asked not sure of my response.

"Zomnique McNeal" I repeated.

He wiped his mouth before pacing back & fourth. He was mumbling under his breath about death & drugs. I grew worried & walked over to him. Did I trigger a bad memory? Michael would go into panic attacks if something from the past triggered him. He could get unresponsive or passed out.

"Michael, are you okay?"

He looked at me still pale "Did she have porcelain skin & long curly black hair? Always wore sunglasses no matter what time of the day?"

"Yes, that's her I suppose."

"Holli, I need to tell you something."

"What is it?"

He lead me to the couch & sat me down. He moved some of his wet curls away from his face.

"Long before Brandy, I wasn't Darryl. I was just Michael. I dated Zomnique in the beginning of middle school. My parents forced me to be with her. I had no choice but to date her. Me & Zomnique are what you called "every couple's dream". But behind closed doors she was very controlling & pushy. She wanted me to do things I wasn't ready for or didn't want to do. There were times where she would get me in trouble just because I spoke my honest opinion. I put up with her for years. I tried to break it off with her but she wouldn't let me go."

"So, she's a crazy ex like Brandy?"

"Oh no, she's beyond crazy. You don't know what Zomnique is capable of. She comes from some very dangerous people."

"Are you serious?" I arched an brow.

"Yes!"

"How dangerous?"

"Deadly. Her family is the Mafia! The fucking Mafia!" He stuffed his face into his hands.

"The Mafia?"

"McNeal Family, the family owner of the famous jewelry store in twenty states of United States."

My expression remained blank "Never heard of them."

"Did she say anything to you?"

"As a matter of fact, she did." I stood up from the couch & walked over to the fireplace. The words couldn't come out of my mouth at first. But I sallowed my pride & reopened my mouth.

"She said you had a child. A baby girl to be exact" I finished.

Silence was all that came from his mouth. His brown eyes went dark. No expression or a shimmer. He leaned back into the couch. He's extremely stunned by my statement.

"Michael? Did you hear me?"

Still no words from his mouth. But his eyes were starting to water then tears fell down his face. He begin to sob like a crazy. My nerves is starting to work up. I walked back over to him.

"Is it true, Michael? Do you have a another child?"

"I.....I....'" He said between sobs.

"Is she lying?"

He sobbed louder into his hands. Something tells me this woman is telling the truth. Otherwise he wouldn't be sobbing like this. My heart was pounding as tears begin to form up in my eyes as well. I felt myself getting hot all over, I quickly fanned myself.

"Michael, please say something. Please tell me this isn't true. Tell me this woman is just lying to get at me."

He still didn't say anything. She wasn't lying, its all true. My anger got the best of me because I blacked out. Before I knew it, the living room was a mess. Broken glass, ripped paper, and couch stuffings all over the floor. I don't know how that happened. Now, I found myself in our bedroom with a suitcase. I was throwing anything I could possibly find in there. I can hear Michael's voice in the background. Begging, pleading, crying for me. I couldn't see though, everything begin to get blurry. After that, I'm in the car. Serving off the road trying to wipe away the hardcore tears. I don't know where I was going. I just kept driving on the dark road with a broken heart.