India rang the doorbell to Khalil's home. After all the celebrations she had with Daniel over his birthday weekend, she needed some time with her son. Khalil being the active father he was, picked Kimani up from Maria and decided he'd keep their son until she was free.
India looked at Khalil's BMW X6 that sat in the driveway and confirmed that Khalil was home. She rang the doorbell again and shifted her weight on one foot. She dug into her Marc Jacobs tote bag to retrieve her phone when the door swung open. She lifted her head and her eyebrows almost touched her hairline in surprise.
Lacey stood at the corridor wearing a Lululemon set. The stretchy material hugged her slim frame tightly. Her bob was pressed perfectly and she smiled at India. "Hey, India."
India's blood boiled when she looked down at Kimani in Lacey's arms. The baby immediately reached out his hands for his mother. India took him out of Lacey's hold and kissed his fat cheeks. She was trying to talk herself out of blowing up on Lacey.
"Hey, Lacey. Is Khalil here?" India asked.
"Yeah! Come in." Lacey stepped aside and allowed India to walk in.
"Who's at the door, bae?" India heard Khalil ask as she approached the kitchen.
She entered the kitchen and sat her bag on the island. Khalil looked up from the stove where he was cooking something and looked as if he'd seen a ghost.
"Oh, shit. I didn't know you were coming, Indie." He turned off the burner and wiped his hands on a kitchen towel.
India ran her tongue along her top teeth and tilted her head to the side. She adjusted Kimani on her hip and stared at Khalil. Khalil's palms were sweaty. He wiped them on the sides of his shorts. He already knew he was caught red handed and she would have his head for it.
"I thought we had an understanding, Khalil." India spoke calmly. She ignored Kimani's failed attempts to feed on her breasts through her long bodycon dress. He was just slobbering on the material.
"I know-"
"So why is Lacey holding my child after I specifically asked you to give it some time because I wasn't comfortable?" She interrupted.
He ran a hand down his face and looked behind India where Lacey stood. "Can you give us a minute, Lace?" He asked the girl.
Lacey looked between them, confused. "Oh, okay," She responded softly and began walking away.
"No, Lacey," India stopped her. "Stay."
Lacey was nervous but returned and joined them further in the kitchen. She stood off to the side with her arms behind her back.
"Bro, what are you doing?" Khalil asked India. His heart was racing as he wondered where India was heading with this. He was scared for Lacey. He knew how India could be a hothead when she felt disrespected. He was aware he had disrespected her by ignoring her wishes.
"What am I doing? I want Lacey to witness how fucking disrespectful you are. I made it very clear to you that I do not want another woman around our son until I was ready. And what do you do? You have her in this house holding my baby! I specifically asked you to separate your romantic endeavors from being a father, Khalil."
"Lace, I'm sorry. You don't have to stay for this, please." Khalil looked towards her with pleading eyes.
India directed her attention towards Lacey. "You know what, Lacey? I'm sorry too. This isn't a you and me thing. Please understand that. You seem like a lovely person. My problem is Khalil not respecting my wishes. So since he can't seem to comprehend what I mean, I'd like to ask if you would be kind enough to keep your distance from my child. Please? This is not an attack on you personally. I'm still battling some trauma from his ex that made my life a living hell. I just don't trust a woman around at the moment. Do you understand?"
