fallin' out of love (stemxstud)

20

Anaela

"The first one's dead," Brett told me, a line of sweat over his eyebrows as he stared at me in my office.

"Good. Which one is that?" I inquired.

"Sierra Walker otherwise known as-

"Sissy," I smiled at him, staring up at my henchman as my elbows rested on the table. "Tell me...how'd you kill her?"

"Well, first I-

Two sharp knocks fell on my door.

Surprisingly, this time my mother didn't barge in. It seemed like she was waiting on my command to let her in. "Has she finally found some respect for me?" I shrugged, giving Brett a little smile. I gently moved all of the files on Sissy, Teece, and Valentine off of the desk, out of my mother's evasive sight. "Tell me who else you've killed, or who's next, before she comes in."

My mother knocked twice again.

"You can wait!" I called out, sighing and rolling my eyes.

"Sissy is my only kill. I'll be moving onto Teece and Valentine once I leave. I figure they'll be together."

"Right, well-

My door flew open and Brett fell smack dab down in front of me. His head hit the desk with a thud and I stared down at his still form in shock. "Still...got it in you, huh Mother?" I said slowly, my eyes carefully moving up to hers as I held my hands in the air.

"Sorry, I'm sure you liked him," she shrugged.

She swung the door close, kicking him out of the way and pulling up a seat, "But he had to go."

I dropped my hands as she rested her pistol in between us on the desk. "And here I thought I was the leader now. Every time I gain a little power you wanna knock me down," I stated.

I could grab the gun and just-

"That's the way it has to be between a mother and her daughter," she told me regally, her gaze cold.

"Mm," I kissed my teeth, staring back at her.

"I couldn't allow you nor him to kill Valentine Booker," she stated. "I know that was your next move."

"Oh fuck," I threw up my hands. "First you wanted us apart, now you're protecting her? Are the two of you fucking now?" I demanded.

"No. A contract was made-

"Yeah, yeah. It's in the vault. Brett mentioned it," I shrugged, trying to keep my eyes from drifting to his body. "What the hell does that have to do with me getting my revenge and putting all this drama to a rest? The people I care- cared about are getting hurt. It has to be done, Mother."

"A contract was made. I signed it and so did her mother."

"How'd you find out that I wanted her dead?"

"I have eyes and ears."

"And a mouth too," I rolled my eyes.

"I don't care who you kill. But you aren't allowed to kill her, per the contract, Anaela." My mother stood up. "Even if I have to kill you."

"Why?" I frowned, letting the rest of her comment go over my head. "Is she your secret daughter or some shit? What's so special about Booker that you'd take out your own daughter for?"

"When I make agreements, I don't handle them lightly. Maybe that's something you should learn," she frowned.

"Apparently I have a lot to learn," I scoffed. "If you know about Tino then you know about Dom then."

"Dom?" she frowned. "Oh...that troublesome girl."

"Yeah- She's dead," I nodded, "and it's my job to make sure she rests peacefully. She didn't deserve to go out the way that she did. You were snooping in my room, you saw the graphic pictures."

"A lot of people...don't deserve to die the ways they've died, but will you go out and chase revenge for them all, Anaela?"

"I knew Dom," I said protectively. "She was like a sister to me."

"You have sisters. And how many people in a day do you encounter that you know who will probably die in ways that don't deserve? Will you avenge them all?"

"I'm sure I have plenty of sisters because of your affinity for married men, but you know what I mean, Mother."

"I'm sorry if I'm not afflicted with your level of sympathy," she pretended to sniffle, "I hope your hunt goes well. A little birdie tells me that Valentine and Teece have gotten into a bit of trouble again. I'm sure they'll be headed your way very soon."

She said she'd kill me if I tried to kill Valentine...and yet she's happy that Valentine's on the way.

You want me dead, Kenasha?

"Did you know me and her weren't related?" I asked, standing as she paused in front of the office door.

My mother stood there for a moment.

"How's that?"

"Got my own analysis ran. Teece, the little bitch you mentioned, switched up the results for the analysis you and Valnetine's mother made and she also got Tino's ex killed by framing her."

"Huh," my mother chuckled a little. "Sounds just like Teece..."

My eyes narrowed as my mother left my office.

Just like Teece...what does that mean?

I went to my bathroom quickly, staring at the mirror hard. "Where were you AS? Why were you so quiet?"

Now all of a sudden you need my back every time your little feelings get hurt? Every time you get a wittle boo boo?

"What?" I was taken aback to be honest. "Where's this coming from?"

You've done fine without me all this time.

"AS, what are you tryna say?"

You're becoming different...now. Sometimes I wonder where the fine line is between something I would do and something that you would. I think it's time for me to keep some distance.

"But I need you right now more than ever. You heard my mother- Valentine and Teece are on the way."

Are you going to kill them, Anaela...can you do it?

"If I kill the two of them...will you come back?" I asked tentatively. "Or at least...one of them?"

Kill Valentine.

My eyes widened in the mirror as I registered her words.

Don't act so shocked. Isn't that what you had planned on doing all this time? Or...were you really planning on torturing the poor girl and not being able to pull the trigger on the loveee of your life?

"I- I was planning on doing that. It's just...still shocking to hear," I mumbled, laying my back against the wall and sliding down to my ass.

Remember you saying you hated me?

"I never said I hated you, AS. I just told you to don't make me hate you. Wait-Wait, is that what this is all about? You think I hate you?"

Yes...

"I don't hate you. And I don't want to kill Valentine either."

I want her dead.

"Then what else can I do if I don't kill her?" I asked myself out loud, quite literally ignoring myself simultaneously. I had a total light bulb moment, wrapping my arms around my knees.

"I think we can come to a compromise, AS. Maybe a little...this," I said softly, "a little...that. It'll be enough to satisfy me. Her death isn't what I want."

Well...then I guess we finally disagree, little leader.