The Cartel Part 2: A Thin Line

1

Looking in the mirror Kelsey gently dabbed her foundation on to her face, careful to not rub too hard against the fresh bruises that were slowly accumulating on her face.. Her eyes were red from crying but She only had 5 minutes to get herself together before their family would be at her doorstep.. Thanksgiving was going to be held at their home that year and Kelsey was already starting to regret agreeing to it .. She wasn't up for any company, but it was far too late to cancel anything ..

The table had already been set, the maids had cleaned the house from corner to corner, and the food had already been delivered.. All that was left to do was cook, which was why everyone was on their way over ..

Justine, Paris, Celeste, & Natalia were all on their way over to help start the cooking process ..

She could see Shamar through the mirror entering the bathroom behind her, he was buttoning his cufflinks as he stared back at her in the mirror..

Wrapping his arms around her from the back he kissed her cheek, right where a bruise was causing Kelsey to flinch..

"I'm sorry .." He said

Not saying anything Kelsey continued to put on her makeup, that word was something she had heard several times and she was pretty much over it .. It was almost like a routine. The makeup, his apology's, everything was like a daily routine ..

Sometimes she wondered why she stayed, but she was also faced with a million reasons not to leave .. but the word divorce had been on her mind heavier than usual, every since the whole Tia situation she hadn't been the same.. Their relationship hadn't been the same ..

"Your mom downstairs.." Shamar said

Rolling her eyes, Kelsey shook her head .. "I hate that your mom invited her.. you should've told her I didn't want her here .." She said

"Kels by the time she told me she had already invited her .." Shamar replied

"I don't care.. you could've uninvited her.." Kelsey replied as she glared at Shamar through the mirror

Glaring back at her Shamar sighed "I'll be back .." He said as he turned to walk out of the bathroom ..

He knew exactly why Kelsey hated her mother so much, he knew everything she had ever put Kelsey through, had it been any other situation Shamar would have put a stop to it but for some reason he refused to disinvite her mom ..

Her mother never liked her, only until after Shamar showed up did she ever actually start treating her like her daughter.. And the only reason was because she looked at her as a check, she played the part so Shamar would break her off with cash anytime she needed it ..

Kelsey kept the kids away from her, she barely spoke to her, the only time she heard from her anyway was when she wanted money .. Shaking her head at the thought of her she just didn't understand why Shamar didn't turn her around at the door .. but in the back of her mind she kind of knew, she had a hint ..

He was only bringing her around to remind Kelsey of where she came from and where she could be ..

Hearing the downstairs door open and close, Kelsey's thoughts were interrupted as she heard Paris scream her name followed by footsteps up the stairs ..

Quickly applying the rest of the foundation around on her face, she covered up as much as she could before Paris came barging into the bathroom ..

"Now what if I was in here naked .." Kelsey said as she glared at her sister in law in the mirror

"Bitch I've seen you naked, come on downstairs so we can get started .. " Paris replied, giving Kels a quick kiss on the cheek

"I'm in no rush, trust me .." Kelsey mumbled uninterested