TEACH ME NOT 2 HATE LOVE

17

👧Tajea POV 👧

So, there I was, minding my own business and doing my job. Then, out of the blue, some unknown, over-baked fake Barbie dared to attack me with her filthy opinion. As if I cared about that.

But I can't just let this uptight fly-by-day and pitch-by-night vulture insult me or my lovely fashion sense. Therefore, I had to put that unscrupulous, heartless b*tch in her place.

She gave up her child for money and wants to attack my dress code. Humph. Obviously, you don't need me to state what's worse.

And I should have done more than slap her five times. I noticed that that jackass seemed so amused by this. Something tells me he schemed the whole thing. Maybe.

There was a knock at my room door. I hope it's not that prick. I don't want to see his face right now.

Oh, thank goodness, it's Ms. Radnor. She was just checking up on me to see if I was well. She also wanted me to prepare a meal for the boy that wh*re gave up for money to eat. The poor thing. Having such a b*tch for a mother.

You know, there should be a test for when people want to have children, and if they fail, then they are prohibited from being parents. Let's face it. Some people are just not parent-material.

I took the boy with me to the kitchen. And now that I get a good look at him, he's so handsome and sweet. I just hope he doesn't grow up to be rotten like his dad or mom. OK, that's not nice. Hope for the best, Taj. Remember, he's just a kid with a big future ahead of him. I'm sure with proper guidance and teachings. He can turn out to be a great man someday.

I pray that Jackass does a good job of raising him. If he doesn't, I'll personally kick his ass.

I quickly prepared a chicken sandwich for the kid, and he devoured it all in a flash. It's like he hasn't had a meal in days. Why am I not surprised, though? That thing that gave birth to him is an irresponsible, worthless piece of shit.

"Hey, sweet boy." I start a conversation with him. "What's your name?"

"Nikolas," he answered politely. Awe, he's just the cutest thing I've seen in a long time. "What's yours?"

"Tajea," I responded. "Nice to meet you, little Nik."

"You too," he replied, shaking my hand. He then began yapping away. "That nice lady, who said she is my grandma, told me that this is my new home. And that my mom and dad left on a long trip to a faraway country. Is that true?"

How should I know? But I guess it's somewhat true. "Yes. That must be hard for you, though."

"Not really. I barely get to see them anyway." The poor thing—I just want to hug him. I did hug him. "But it's OK." He feigned a smile, and this just broke my heart even more. "I'm used to being moved around and staying with strangers for weeks. Sometimes months. My mom said that I was too much work and a burden. And that is why we can't stay together all the time."

That is just cruel. If I ever encounter that b*tch again, I'll kick her ass from the earth to the moon and finish her on the sun. I mean, how could she be so cruel to such an intelligent and sweet boy?

"I'm sorry. No kid your age should have to experience that."

"Yeah. But my grandma promised that I'd be here for as long as I wanted. And I hope that's true because I really hate moving around."

"I'm sure Grandma and Uncle Prick—I mean Nick—will take very good care of you." I softly pinched his cheeks, which made him laugh. Such a sweet boy. "But don't tell him I called him that."

"Pinky swear." The boy held out his little finger, and I did the same, sealing a promise.

Kids are just so adorable. To think I had hoped to have one or two of my own one day, but that's gone up in flames.

"You want to go watch some cartoons?" I suggested and he nodded excitedly.

"Come on." He followed me to the living room. I turned on the huge television and let him watch cartoons.

Afterward, I went back to the kitchen to clean up the mess he made while eating.

"Uncle Prick, really?" A familiar yet annoying voice sounded behind me.

"How long were you eavesdropping?" I took a deep, deep breath before I asked.

"Not long."

"Didn't your mother teach you that eavesdropping is wrong?" I scolded.

He laughed and then smiled, like really smile. I wonder what's got into him. "You know, you are really great with kids."

"You mean Nikolas? He's a good kid. You better take good care of him," I warned.

"I will," he promised.

"I know it's kind of stupid to ask this question, seeing as the boy's parents are worthless scum. But why?"

"Why what?" He furrowed his brow.

"Why do you feel a sense of duty to take care of the kid? I mean, I know he's your nephew and all, but—"

"I'll have to tell you that story another time. If you work here long enough, that is."

"Oh, I don't plan to work here forever. Unless you are paying me ten times the amount, we agreed on." Look at us having a somewhat civil conversation. How's that for a change?

"Well, who says I want you here forever?" He scoffed.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes, and he laughed.

"I love that boy as if he were my own," he stated seriously, and I believed him. This is a shocker. I normally don't trust a word from a man's mouth.

"Well, he's cute, like his uncle." Damn, what am I saying?

"You think I'm cute?" He seemed caught off guard, stunned.

"OK. Don't make this weirder than it already is."

"I made it weird," he feigned shock, laughing at me even. "You are the one who said I was cute."

"I didn't say that." I just compared the two, that's all. There is no big deal in that, is there?

"Yes, you did," he continued, laughing at me, getting me even more upset.

"Well, I take that back. You're an ugly jerk!" I screamed at him.

"And you're crazy."

"You're damn right about that." Why deny the truth?

"Can I have some lunch?" He asked out of the blue. This made me look at him like he was an alien who had just landed from outer space.

"Why? You always order takeout because you think I want to poison you."

"Don't you?" he joked. At least so it seemed.

"Oh, I thought about it so many times," I jested. Hope so.

"So, are you going to make me lunch? One of those chicken sandwiches you made, Nikcaleon, would be nice."

"Ni-cay-Leon?" Who the hell is that?

"That's Nikolas Jr.'s new name," he answered.

"OK then." What an odd name. But it's not terrible. It could have been worse.

"Does that mean you will make me the sandwich now?" Clearly, he must be joking.

"You're a grown-ass man. I'm sure you can make your own sandwich."

"Why should I when I have a maid?" He teased.

"Well, sorry to disappoint, but this maid is officially on a break. Starting now." I left to go watch some cartoons with that adorable kid.