It's Above Me Now.

11: I Am My Own Boss

Margo's back? Say it ain't so. Hell nah it can't be. I had to see this with my own two eyes. This one I had to see to believe. I damned near tripped over my own step as I rushed into the Moss mansion, ready to land my eyes on this bombshell Bud and Lou dropped.

I hastily looked all around the house, going from room to room with a quicken pace. Dylan gave me a look that I couldn't quite describe, and I knew this all seemed strange to him. I wasn't the type to get all flustered or amped up about anything. But Bud and Lou should've known better than to just come out and say something like that. That lady meant too much to me. If Bud and Lou were playing around, then this was really one sick joke. 

"Looking for me?"

Glancing up, I sighed restlessly at the sight of my mother. Veronica was dripped down in the latest Fendi evening attire, and the bright yellow color of the dress made her skin glow. She looked astoundingly beautiful as usual, but her fixed screwed expression ruined her entire physique.

"Your precious Margo is in the guesthouse's shower." Veronica said irritatedly. "We've invited her to dinner tonight so we can see what she wants. But don't you dare think we're allowing this blast from the past to stay here. This ain't no damn shelter!"

I frowned, folding my arms. "Is all of that really necessary? Coming from the same woman who placed her son in a type of shelter? And what if I really did want her to stay? This house is ginormous. An additional guest won't hurt nobody."

Dylan cleared his throat, making Veronica and I look over at him. My brother looked like he's had enough of me and my family's bullshit, and I honestly couldn't blame him.

"I'm leaving to attend to my daughter. Chance, I'll be back later. Bud's in the car and he's ready to go." Dylan announced.

Dapping my brother, I told him to be safe but my eyes were steady on Veronica's icy presence. What the hell was her problem? Why was she acting like this? She was just so cold and mean spirited. I was starting to miss the first time I met her. Because this version of Veronica ain't it.

Ruben entered the living room we were all currently in, giving Dylan a pat on the back as he left. My father looked at the situation at hand, and instantly grabbed a bottle of liquor and a glass from the small bar that was stationed in the room. He then proceeded to sit in a throne chair that was made specifically for him and him only, and cleared his throat.

"Chance, would you like to tell your mother about this grand purchase you've made today?" Ruben stated, kicking his house shoes off and pouring himself a glass. "Or should we first talk about that fight you got yourself into that had Page 6 calling me for a comment? Yeah, you're all over the damn blogs. This is the work of Karin, I can feel it. Bud and Lou couldn't conceal it quick enough. This wasn't how we were planning to introduce you to the world but now we have to rectify things. We left you here for three motherfucking days! And you've managed to make a whole ruckus of our name and everything we stand for. Do you know how hard your mother and I have worked to keep the angry black woman and man stereotype they like to throw at us, away from us? Little man, you owe us a fucking explanation. You got way too much shit to lose now. Start talking!"

Damn, he was big mad. Veronica took a seat in her own personalized chair opposite from her husband, watching me intently. Taking off my jacket, I sighed heavily and took a seat on one of the sofas. Well I'll be damned. Never would I have thought the day would come where I actually had to explain myself to my parents. I felt like such a chump.

"I pulled up on my ex girl Chanel to make things right. We've been down the breakup road before so I knew what we were going through was just another bump in the road. I felt like I needed to get things back on track because I was finally becoming the man she wanted me to be, and it felt damn good. Come to find out, she's pregnant by some other man and the motherfucker got the nerve to be laughing in my face about it. And I guess I just lost it. And I don't regret that shit, he better hope we don't cross paths again. But I knew that wasn't my finest moment and that you two would eventually find out. I had to fix it. So I took your advice mother and found a business venture to add to this legacy you two keep chatting about. I had to show y'all that I too am capable of making moves." 

My parents were looking at me like I just told them the stupidest story ever. Ruben chuckled in disbelief, and Veronica lapped her legs. My mother took the beverage my father was indulging in and downed the whole thing. Shit, I don't even think what I did was that bad. Veronica gulped that liquor like I did something tremendously unsettling.

"Good for Chanel, she got off the struggle love bus. I'm proud of her." Veronica mused. "I have my sources, and they all told me you treated that girl like shit. I didn't expect anything much, because it's not like you've ever learnt how to love properly. You've made a complete spectacle of yourself and you need to get your shit together. Now. This gutter shit ain't gonna cut it."

I made a face, gearing up to respond but Ruben shushed me. Of course they were gonna use this moment to try to control and handle me. If only they knew how long gone their chances of authority were. Veronica was tryna chastise me into being her perfect little prince, but I was far from that. I couldn't be confined.

"Buying the orphanage was smart. That's why Bud and Lou gave you access to funds." Ruben said. "It'll help give good press. And that's what you desperately need right now. I can also see it helping us in the long run. Let your impulsiveness be a gift, not a curse."

"I don't know about all that." Veronica returned. "I think him buying an orphanage in the heart of his old hood is not only too swift but irresponsible. It's childish! We don't need him thinking he can just spend ridiculously wildly with not a fuck to give. There are consequences to every action. We shouldn't tolerate what we can't control."

"Let's not forget dear. My first business started out as a emotional response towards you. And that made us millions. Don't you remember what that money did for you?" Ruben sleazily asked.

I watched the tense interaction between my parents after Ruben's comment and raised an eyebrow. Come out things, come out. Veronica hissed, and I could tell she was holding herself back from saying something she'll probably regret later. Damn, what a way to ruin the fun.

There was a knock on the living room's door, and we all looked up to see one of the house maids Stacy standing there pleasantly. I've been familiarizing myself with the domestic servants, and Stacy was in my top five. She looked way too damn happy all the time. And I knew she couldn't be that pleased working for these getups I had to call my parents. I couldn't wait for the day Stacy snapped at them both. I really hoped to be there front and center.

"Dinner is ready." Stacy quietly said. "Your guest is already seated."

Ruben nodded. "Thank you, Stacy. We'll be there in five minutes. We're just wrapping up with our son."

Stacy nodded and disappeared just as sudden as she came. Ruben looked back at me, and his facial expression changed.

"So tell me, grown ass man. How are you gonna handle this new business venture?" Ruben asked, smiling. "Am I gonna have to hold your hand through this, or are you gonna show me what you're really about? I can see that hunger in you, and my gut rarely lies. Listen, I know your mother and I may come across a bit harsh. Life made us that way. But we honestly just want the best for you."

I chuckled lightly, glad that the rigidity in the room was easing up. "You can sit back and relax, I got this. If I need your expertise I'll holla at you but besides that, this one is all me. I need to do this for myself. Ruben, you've got big shoes to fill. But trust me, I'm gonna get there with time. I'm not perfect, and I can't fit into this box you two want me so desperately to be in. But just watch, I'll surprise ya. Let me do my thing. My way."