The Woman Next Door

8

November 11th

Charlotte, NC

Onika "Nicki" Maraj

"Girls, your dad is here."

"I wish it was the weekend. I want to stay here.", Malaysia said.

"Well since it's Friday, when you come back from school and do your homework, you guys can spend the weekend with me."

"Yay. I like that idea.", Heavem said.

"Alright. Now go wash your face and brush your teeth."

They ran out the room and I walked in mine to see Meek holding up a picture. He looked at me then the picture and kept on.

"So, anything you want to tell me?"

"Why are you going through my stuff?"

"Why are you hiding shit from me? You never told me about this."

"I was going to tell you Meek. I just didn't know when the right time was."

"How about when we first talked?"

He chuckled angrily and shook his head.

"What other secrets you have? How do I know that you aren't helping Marcus?"

"If you think that then you're crazy."

"I have two kids Onika. They don't have anybody else so if something happens to me, what happens to them? I think about them way before me."

I leaned up against the door and sighed.

"We can talk all about this later. You have to get the girls to school and I have to work."

"Aight. Girls!"

He looked at me & shook his head and walked out the room.

"Bye Ms. Nicki!", the girls yelled.

"Bye girls. I'll see you guys later.", I said hugging them.

They walked out and I locked the door behind them. I went upstairs and started getting ready for my day.

-

"Morning Onika.", Oscar said.

"Morning Oscar."

I went to the back and he followed me.

"What's wrong? You look stressed and sad."

"You remember Aiden and Eden?"

"Yeah. The cutest things ever, why?"

"Meek found out. I cried myself to sleep looking at the picture and forgot to put it back and he saw it."

"Have you guys talked about it?"

"No. I'm going to talk to him after I leave here. I feel bad for not telling him from the jump O."

"It's okay Nic. Do you know where they are?"

"Marcus and my mom know, but they won't tell me."

"Well we know where we're about to go. Come on."

I smiled and hugged him.

"Thank you."

"I just want to see you smile again."

I gathered my stuff back up and walked out the shop. I got in his car then took my phone out and checked my messages.

"You ready?", he asked and I nodded.