August's Empathy

Dangerously In Lust

AUGUST'S EMPATHY

Tremane sighed while looking at a concerned Debarge. It was an hour until the flight left and Bianca had still not made in. They were becoming worried. Tremane hoped that she had not got herself into any trouble. He also hoped that the investigation had died down. Debarge, on the other hand, was deeply afraid, feeling like she was creeping and not with Monique at all.

But his assumptions were somewhat wrong. Bianca unwrapped her arm from around the pillow. Her eyes fell upon Monique's body. She sighed in relief after realising that the two of them did nothing that would cost her-her relationship. She remembered small details from the previous night. As much as she wanted to, she knew she couldn't take advantage of an intoxicated Monique to get her to snitch on Debarge.

Looking at the time on her phone, she rolled her eyes. It was time to leave. She knew she had to go back to being the holy aunt and sister. She had changed her mind about Atlanta after spending time with Monique. There was actually people here that enjoyed her company. She didn't want to leave but she had left a whole life back in New Orleans.

Grabbing her clutch from the drawer, she spoke with the taxi driver. Bianca shook Monique lightly, waking her up from her peaceful slumber. "Check out time is eleven. Do you want to catch this taxi, Mo?"

"Yeah, yeah." Monique wiped her drool from her mouth and then flipped the covers off of her. Bianca sat at the edge of the bed looking at all of the text messages Debarge had sent. They were definitely the text messages of a guilty man. He was apologising for no reason at all. She could no longer go on without avoiding the truth. She made a mental note to ask him was he cheating, which she knew the answer to.

Monique mumbled, "I got an interview today."

"I have to fly back today."

"When you go back, tell Tremane that I would appreciate if he packed my things and sent them to you. That way when you visit again, you'd have my stuff."

"I'm sure he won't let me... He still loves you and hopes that you come back."

Monique laughed lightly. The pair exited the hotel while talking about the previous night. It was a new friendship between them. They made a promise to visit each other whenever they could. Monique wasn't sure if she'd go home anytime soon. Bianca didn't want her to because that would risk her knowing who murdered her mother.

The knob twisted and then the door popped open. Debarge wasted no time jumping up. He was on Bianca like white on rice. "Where the fuck you been? I was calling your phone all last night. I sent you text messages and all. Ain't no way you didn't see them. You was just doing something you ain't have no business doing. If you gon' be out like that, you need to let me know beforehand. I see how you do it, though."

Bianca rolled her eyes. "You want me to notify you befo' I go out with my home girl? We went to drink and get away. The whole point of getting away is to keep to yourself. My phone was the last of my concerns. My brother knew where I was and that was all that mattered. Thank you, Tremane, for packing my things."

Tremane looked the other way. He pursed his lips once he heard Debarge kiss his teeth.

"I packed that shit! If I go out, I'm constantly letting you know where I'm at just in case some stuff pop off-"

Bianca yelled, "Shut up with that damn lie! I never get a call from you when you're out with your boys. And don't think for a minute I was dumb. You really think I ain't know about the little female you had on the side? You come in here with her all on you and have the nerve to touch me, and tell me you love me. Get out of my face wit' your wanna-be protective ass. It was Mo and me last night and we discussed this already. She tried to look out for you but I am done with you. I already got a taxi for us so you can take your ass back to her house. C'mon Tre!"

Debarge moved aside as Tremane pulled his things out. He looked around the empty room in disbelief. It ended just like that? "Wait, hold up, so you just walking out on me off of something you're assuming? She already told you I'm not cheating. Where is this coming from?"

Tremane sighed, taking his sister's bags then walking away from the situation they had. It was attracting the attention of others, plus he had no idea who this "Mo" character they were discussing was his ex-girlfriend.

Bianca rolled her neck. "Debarge, I knew you was cheating the minute I got into this city. You wouldn't even let me come into the club with you my first day here! Let's not forget how you kept magically disappearing at August's house when your phone rang. The signs was right in my face but I was the dummy who voluntarily got hurt by you."

Debarge ran his hands over his face. He didn't know what to do to defend himself. He didn't want Bianca leaving the city with pressure on her chest. Yes, he did cheat but he would gladly leave Nikki alone at any time. He had just got ahead of himself and got greedy, getting used to the attention and money. He didn't mean to lose his rider.

"You stuck now?" Bianca continued, "I bet that shit hurts, too. Don't even explain to me. Hell, I got my faults, too. As much as temptation called my name when you were gone, I slept with August. I never thought about other men but, damn, he knows how to treat his women. You played me but all is good and well. It all gets better. Karma is a bitch."

She adjusted her purse before walking off.

Monique grabbed August's laptop, opening it up. She looked over the pinned items on the menu, seeing the pictures tab. Instead of being nosy, she continued to go through her E-mails. Debarge burst through the door with tears in his eyes.

"Where the fuck is he?!" He looked around.

Monet caressed Reynard's cheek while laying on his chest. He was fast asleep with his arm propped behind his head. She thought of how far she'd come. She had found someone who was deeply in love with her. She knew the fast life wasn't worth it anymore. Losing her mother had opened her eyes.

"I'm ready to marry you," she mumbled.

And it shocked her when Reynard spoke, "I'm ready to stop sneaking you through my back door."

She smiled, tracing her fingers along the tattoo of prayer hands on his forearm. She knew that something good was coming towards her. First, she had to better herself and she was starting by confronting her sister for the final time.