Something New | Taraji x Fantasia

Do you trust me?

Fantasia POV

The drive back to the house had my nerves shot. My position was up straight, with my chest close to the steering wheel, as I created different scenarios of what was going to happen once I got home. I stopped at a red light, tapping my finger on the steering wheel, impatiently waiting for the light to change.

Come on. I grunted. I eased my foot off the brake, maneuvered the car beyond the white line, and positioned the car's nose in the path of oncoming traffic. The light couldn't change quickly enough to keep up with my speed.

Pulling up in the driveway, I see that Taraji's car has not made it yet, and I do a celebratory dance. I leave most of my belongings in the car, grabbing my phone and keys.

I was surprised to find the front door unlocked when I arrived. The ringtone on my phone sent my heart racing. My eyes seeing My Wife 💍 flash across the screen, I knew I was going to hear her mouth. My palms felt clammy, and I just knew that I did not get home before Taraji.

Fantasia: Hey baby, why is the door u-unlocked? I questioned it as a lump formed in my throat, momentarily taking the moisture out of my mouth.

Taraji: Come inside and go to our bedroom.

Fantasia: Babe, where is your car? I asked, trying to delay my entry into our home.

Taraji: If you want the answer, come inside.

Taraji disconnects the call, and I push the door, dragging my body through the doorframe. The front room is dark, and the cold breeze from the AC fills the space, causing the hairs on my arms to stand up.

Baby... As I made my way through the darkness of our downstairs, I called out. Everything downstairs was just as I left it this morning: clean and tidy.

Reluctantly, I place the keys down and make my way to the stairs. Each step felt heavier as I recalled everything that happened just a few moments earlier. The meeting with Sir. was a grave mistake. I thought I needed closure, and the closure would keep him out of my life and out of our lives. I can't gauge how Taraji feels about the situation. I know she loves me, but could this have broken our trust? I make it to the top of the stairs, and our bedroom door is wide open.

I'm used to the house being quiet, but not this quiet. Our bed is made, and everything in the room looks tidy. I walk further into the room and call out for Taraji again. Baby, where are you? I call out from the center of the room, surveying the entire space. I walked to the bathroom, pushing the door open, and to my surprise, it's empty. I turn around, and Taraji is standing in the middle of the room.

Shit, baby, what the fuck? Next time, wear a bell. My heart was beating so rapidly that I grabbed hold of the door handle and took a deep breath.

Why didn't you tell me? Taraji's demeanor was stern yet calm. I shuffled to the bed, taking a seat at the edge. I fiddled with my hands, giving it my attention, trying to come up with a compelling enough reason to explain to the love of my life: why?

I'm sorry, baby. I should have told you. I thought I could handle it; some part of me just wanted closure.

Closure Fantasia was that damn divorce! Did you not remember all the drama he inflicted on you and us? I've been here by your side through all of this shit. What the fuck, Tasia? I watched her break down in the middle of our bedroom. I run to catch her, but she refuses to allow me to touch her.

Do you want this, Tasia? Are you serious about all of this? She looks into my eyes, and I can see the hurt behind the redness. Was she crying on her way home? I watch as tears stream down her face. I crouch down in front of her and reach out my hand to touch her cheek. She grabs my hand, holding it away from her face. She slowly moves her hand closer to me.