Keeping Secrets (Completed)

Twenty-Four

Alexandra Phillips

"He is going to be okay, we took the bullet out before it did any damage. However, he lost a significant amount of blood which is why he is going to have to spend a couple more days in here, until everything is back to normal." I nodded as his nurse explained everything to me, "he is a lucky one, that much I can say."

"Can we see him?"

"Not as yet, we have to bandage him up first, then I will let you know when he is ready."

"Thank you." I wiped away the tears that filled my eyes as she walked away. Eazy rested his hand against my back as he led me back to the waiting area. It was hard enough being in here for one person I cared about, but having to be in here for two was not my idea of a perfect birthday. I had to bounce back from the presidential wing back down to the lower class, doing rounds and making sure everything way okay. "I'm so happy he is going to be okay."

"I didn't expect anything else... I know Alonzo, he is a fighter." E smiked to whatever memory popped into his head then turned his attention to me, "you should really call up a friend and get them to bring some clothes down here for you." I looked at the gown the hospital gave me, since the robe I had on was covered in Alonzo's blood and dirt from being thrown on the ground last night.

"My girl is on the way." I said, I got up and stretched away the discomfort from being in that seat all night. I walked over to the elevator and made my way up to go check on Charlotte.

-

I got up to the presidential wing and the guard let me through, I got to her room and knocked the half-opened door.

"Hey Alex, come in." I accepted Mrs. Evans invitation inside and glanced at charlotte in her hospital bed; her head was wrapped and she had a mask over her mouth. "still no progress, the nurse said to give it some time." I nodded and brushed my thumb over Char's warm hand. "How's your friend downstairs?"

"They told us he was going to be alright," I smiled and looked over at the two of them glaring at me. "they took out the bullet."

"Great!" Mrs. Evans sat on the edge of the bed and looked at Charlotte. "I'm happy to hear that my dear, now we just need some good news for my baby girl and everything will be perfect."

"I agree." I ran my fingers through my hair, "and Mr. Evans?"

"Oh, he's doing well, just in rehab trying to recover before he gets home." She sounded very hostile when she spoke about him. "then I will be a nurse to both of them."

I nodded and before I could say another word I saw a young man knock the door, Mrs. Evans gestured for him to come in, in his hands he held up a bag of McDonald's which seemed to light up her whole face. "Thank you so much, I was starving!" he handed her the bag then he glared at me, as if he had seen a ghost, his face seemed very familiar to me as well. "Alex this is Anthony; one of Charlotte's close friends. Anthony this is Alex."

"Nice to meet you," I stretched my hand to shake his and as I examined his appearance he looked to have been distressed; his clothes mismatched, and his eyes were puffy and red. Yes, he was handsome, but something was off. "I've heard Char speak about you a lot. It's nice to finally meet you as well," he said.

"Anthony where is my drink?" Mrs. Evans barked with her mouth filled with the fries for the bottom of the bag.

"I think I left it in the car."

"Get it please." Anthony sighed and grabbed his keys, I decided I would make my way back down as well. I didn't want Khloe to come and not find me where I said I was.

Both Anthony and I filed into the elevator and as we went down I began to examine his features; I was determined to figure out were I knew him from. As the elevator opened up; I saw Khloe dash right past, making her way towards the waiting room. "Khloe!" I yelled, as I got out; she turned around to face and stared at me like she was staring at the devil. I looked behind me to see Anthony staring at her that way as well. "Khloe," he said.

"Such a small world, you guys know each other?"

"No. I don't." Khloe spat out so coldly as she handed me the bag, "there you go Alex. Message me if you need anything else."

As much as it hurt to watch her go, I didn't want her to feel as uncomfortable as she looked. I watched her walk through the sliding doors and I groaned inside seeing Rochelle come in. I would've had words for her but she held Nya in her hands and I didn't want to be disrespectful. Rochelle saw me then her eyes wandered up to Anthony next to me, and they widened; giving him the look that Khloe had given him before. What the hell was going on here!

"Rochelle?" I heard him let out. "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" she got closer to us and Nya reached for me, I took her and watched Rochelle fold her arms in from of her chest. "I've been trying to get a hold of you for a week."

"I know, I am sorry Ro. I've just been so busy." He answered.

"No, no, no. after so many years you walk back into my life. We have a magical night and then you disappear ... again!"

"Can we talk about this in private?" he looked around, trying to hush her.

"No, y'all can talk about this right now." I looked over Rochelle's shoulder to see Khloe making her way back inside; she had her arms folded as well. "I want to hear this."

"And how is this your business?" Rochelle asked, turning her attention towards Khloe. Eazy and Chris heard the commotion and walked over to us, to see what was going on.

"Well I'm his wife for starters!" Khloe spat out, "that's why it is my business."

"Is, that right?" Rochelle laughed to herself and shook her head at Khloe, then returned her attention back to Anthony. "so, Anthony... does that mean she knows?"

"Know what?!" Khloe yelled.

Rochelle licked her lips and smiled as she turned back to face Khloe, "just about Anthony's past."

"I know everything I need to know about his past."

"Oh really?" Rochelle snickered then took Nya away from me. "Well then, I guess I don't have to tell you. Meet Nya, Nya say hi to your stepmom."

"WHAT?!" I heard Eazy yell out and it seemed as if the space had grown way too small, I was trying my best to figure this whole thing out. I zoned out of the cussing going back and forth and looked at Anthony, then I remembered... the summers when Rochelle would visit my house to sneak out with her older crush... his face brought back all the memories and all the secrets she had forced me to keep in the past. One being that; Anthony was Nya's real father! How could I have forgotten?!

"Code blue!" I barely heard Alonzo's nurse yell from the area where his room was. The group around me was way too loud. "Move!" another nurse yelled, pushing me out of the way as she dragged a crash cart behind her.