Scared To Love You Again

31

Leila

I've been contemplating on going into my sister's apartment building for about a good ten minutes. I haven't had the urge to talk to her since the dinner at Damian's parents house. I didn't get a chance to really say how I felt because I was so pissed off with not only her hypocritical actions, but the fact that she tried meddling in on my relationship. I might have to put that to side for now due to their breakup so I know she's feeling like shit. Making my way up to her floor, I knocked on her door. No answer. "Imani?" I knock again and still no answer so I bang on it instead. Maybe she really is with Nico.

I hear from the other end of the door being unlocked as it creeps open. Imani answers with wrinkling pajamas on and a blanket wrapped around her body. Her hair's all over the place, no makeup, her eyes are pink and puffy as if she's been crying a lot. Damn, I lowkey wish she didn't answer the door. So if she's here that mean Nico is with someone else. I feel for Imani, but I keep my composure. "What are you doing here?" She asks quietly looking at the floor. Wow, my older sister can't even look her little sister in the eyes.

I brush my way into her apartment. "I'm here to check up on you cause you know sisters do that. You look like shit." She closes the door and drags herself over to the couch. It's a bunch of used tissues and pictures of her and Domenico all over the living room. I pick up one of them. They're both smiling, standing in front of the Eiffel Tower together.

"I'm sorry, Leila."

I pause in my tracks and scrunch my face together. Turning my body towards her, "What?" Hearing those words should be put on a plaque, because I'd never thought I see the day where Imani Michelle Campbell was actually capable of apologizing to anyone.

She sits up and sniffles. "I didn't understand before. Losing someone you love and him not wanting anything to do with you ever again. It hurts." No shit, but I let her go on. "I was wrong for everything I did. I shouldn't have instigated a relationship you didn't want. You wanted to be alone and I should've... I should've respected that. I shouldn't have put my two senses into your's and Damian's relationship either. You two are good together." She finally confessed after all these years.

I exhale a deep breath. "Why'd you do it?"

She looks defeated and shrugs. "Jealousy..." I'm not surprised. "I've watched for years... the way Damian adores you... He listens to you, caters to you.... Protects you. I guess I always wanted something like that." Imani and I have different fathers, so I'm not sure if this stems from the absence of hers.

"You did though. "I folded my arms.

A tear falls from her eyes. "Yeah. I did... and I fucked up." Real bad. "Domenico is probably the best thing that has ever happened to me and now... now he wants nothing to do with me." She breaks down.

Oh fuck. I swallow my pride and rush over to strongly embrace my weeping sister. I definitely do understand what it's like. Crying uncontrollably every day and night when the person you love just completely cuts you off like that. As if nothing ever happened. Physically feels like your heart is being stabbed over and over and then shattering into a million pieces. Mentally and emotionally bashing your head against the wall, because you can't get through to them. The feel of abandonment stays forever and there's no getting over it. You just deal with it.

Imani's still sobbing. "Lei, I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry. I'm such a hypocritical bitch. I know you hate my guts. I swear I don't deserve you, Domenico or anyone. I know this is karma for everything I did."

I pull away from our hug to get her to calm down. "Stop. Imani, stop."

"No, it is karma, Lei."

"Oh yeah. It definitely is, but that's not why I'm telling you to stop." She slowly stops crying. "I don't hate you. I just hate what you did. Whoever I fall in love with is my business. Whatever happens between Damian and I, we'll deal with it. Now for you and Domenico... he's just gonna need some space right now."

"For how long?" She continues to sniffle.

"Only time will tell." I pluck a piece of tissue from the tissue box and hand it to her. "Don't rush it."

"Look at you, growing up so fast on me. I'm supposed to be telling you that."

"Well judging from your record, I don't think you're in any position of doing so. Just let me handle what I need to in my life, in my way, on my terms. Okay?"

She nods. "I'm sorry."

"I know, but I'm not the only one you should be apologizing to."

"Ohhhh, Damian. You think he'll let me after everything I said to him?" I almost forgot she put him on blast. I'm still kind of curious as to what happened while he was in jail, but now isn't the time.

"The Romano brothers can be real stern sometimes when they're feeling disrespected. I mean thank God they're not a part of some mafia." I didn't think our black asses could be pale, but her face looks as if she's seen a ghost. "You'll be fine, Imani. Now let's get you cleaned up."

I help Imani clean around her apartment while she's in the shower. That way she can detox the negative energy in the atmosphere. I pull my phone out to text Damian, but I see he's already texted me.

Damian❤️🔒: Hey, baby. I'm just now pullin' up to Dom's house, so if I don't text back immediately I'm dealing with him. Pray for me.

Me: Thanks for letting me know and good luck baby🙏🏽❤️

Damian❤️🔒: 😘

I pray that he's able to get through to his brother, but whoever Nico was laid up with... I just hope Imani doesn't find out.