#11 :: Double Standards

Chapter 32.

Orlando

It's been a few weeks since I saw and spoke to Sasha. It's like she's just disappeared off the face of the earth. Her phones off. I don't see her at the nursery. When I've asked for her they say she's off sick. But something isn't right. I know.

Today is Mya's 1st birthday and she said she would be there for that. So I'll be expecting to see her.

I couldn't focus on that for too long as I had a house full of guest. So many kids running around having fun. My daughter didn't really know what was going on but she was the centre of attention nevertheless.

"You've done so well. Aunty and Uncle would have been proud." One of my cousins said and the rest of the family agreed.

"Thanks guys. Mya is my world. I do this all for her." I said.

The party was in full swing so I decided now would be a good time to cut the cake.
We was singing happy birthday when I noticed someone who wasn't invited.

Once we cut the cake I made my way over to the unwanted guest. I signalled to them to come to my office. They followed.

"Nice place, you're doing well for yourself." Marcus said.

Marcus was a detective. A dirty one at that.

"I don't see no present in your hand so clearly you're not here for Mya."

"Yeah. I'm here on some other important business."

"Well come back tomorrow. Today is Mya's day."

"You don't have until tomorrow. Furthermore you don't have the right to tell me what to do. A case that was closed, is being reopened. New findings..."

"A case?"

"Your case."

"I have no case."

"That's because I kept your name clean."

"Which you was paid well for."

"Yeah... see, that money was for that time. I'll be needing more for this one too. Or else, by the end of tomorrow the police will come knocking."

I laughed. I then walked over to the door and locked it.

Why is someone ALWAYS trying to test me?!

"So... you think... you can come over here and demand more money?"

"No money, no silence. I'll sing like a pretty bird."

Dirty cops really make me sick.

I walked over to Marcus, grabbed him and pinned him up against the wall.

"Now.. the pressure I have on your neck, if I stay pressed you will pass out. Listen carefully, considering you know what I did; I'm even surprised you're here trying to extortion money out of me. On my daughters birthday too? That's what's really PISSING me off. I'm NOT putting not one more penny in your pocket. You WILL make sure my name does NOT come up. Or..." I let go and let Marcus drop to the floor. I then walked over to my filing cabinet and took out a file. I handed it to him. "...That's just a photocopy."

"How... how... where did you...?"

"Do you really think I would get into bed with a dirty cop and not know everything they've done. Understand this... you're MY BITCH. Now.. don't come back here. Because I might not let you leave next time. And Marcus... if I do happen to get arrested. It's not just you're dirty work that you will have to worry about. Your wife, you're two daughters and your mother. The 4 females who mean the world to you. Considering you know what I'm capable of, it wouldn't be wise to test me. Now fuck off."

Marcus scrambled out. Just as I was about to go back to the party my brother walked in.

"Hey Dre. Everything okay?"

"That's what I should be asking you. Who was the guy in the suit?"

"Nobody."

"You've never been a good liar."

"It's nothing man. Just that thing trying to rear its ugly head."

"I told you that you wouldn't get away with it."

"Oh I'm getting away with it alright. I just had to show him what insurance I had on him. Everything's sorted now. Now can we go back to my daughters birthday?"

"Yeah. But where's your Mrs?"

"I don't know. Haven't heard from her. It's been 2 weeks now."

"Maybe she realised she couldn't do this."

"No. She wouldn't do me like that. She wouldn't do Mya like that."

"Oh yeah? So where is she then?" Dre asked before leaving my office.

Then I remembered; today was also her anniversary. Maybe she decided to make it work with him.

I shook that thought. She wouldn't do that.

Would she?