Love & War (Editing)

Chapter IV

Earlier that same day with Chenille...

Chenille's POV

I sat up in my bed searching for my phone. After flipping over a few pillows, I finally found it. I had 2 missed calls, one from Janelys and one from an unknown number. I also had a text message from the same number. I didn’t feel like talking to anyone so I didn’t bother checking the message or returning the call. I figured that I would just call Janelys later to see what she wanted. I looked at the clock and it was 12:30 PM. I sighed to myself, got out of bed and started my morning routine.

After showering and putting my hair up in a sock bun, I put on some eyeliner and lip gloss. I was never really a big fan of makeup. After I was done in the bathroom, I went to my closet to pick out my clothes. It was nice out so I decided to wear my royal blue, long sleeve, backless dress. It stopped about mid-thigh and flowed loosely from the waist down. It fit my shape perfectly. I accessorized with a gold necklace and bracelet, I slipped on my blue and gold sandals, sprayed on some perfume grabbed my phone, purse and car keys and headed out the door. It was now 2:30 PM. It takes me about a half an hour to get to downtown Miami from where I live so I started heading out.

As I was driving down the highway, my phone started to ring. I answered it not even looking to see who it was.

Me: “Who is this?” I said into the phone.

Him: “Damn that’s how you were taught to answer the phone?”

I rolled my eyes at the sound of Alex’ voice.

Me: “How did you get my number?”

Alex: “Don’t worry about how I got it, you of all people should know that I have connections everywhere.”

Me: “What the fuck do you want Alex?” I asked getting more and more annoyed with him by the minute.

He chuckled lightly and took his time answering, which only pissed me off even more.

Alex: “What are you about to get into? and why didn’t you tell me that you and Janelys owned the club we was at last night?”

Me: “None of your damn business, how did you even know I was out?” I asked. Is this nigga keeping tabs on me now? I thought to myself. “I thought you had connections everywhere, if you wanted to know then you would have taken the time to find out now get off my line!” I said hanging up. I was now pulling up into the parking lot of the club.

We didn’t open until ten tonight so the club was empty. After going behind the bar and pouring myself a glass of henny, I walked up the stairs to my office. As soon as I walked in something felt out of place then I saw the chair behind my desk move. Before I could even react the chair swung around completely revealing a smiling Alex.

“Oh my fucking goodness, Alex what the fuck do you want from me?!” I said throwing my hand in the air, being careful not to spill my henny. I was starting to feel like I was going to need more than one glass to deal with this nigga. “Well hey to you too sweetheart. You look nice,” he smirked looking at me up and down. “Get out!” I yelled. “Awww c’mon baby girl don’t be like that, I know you missed me because I damn sure missed you,” he said licking his lips and leaning back into the chair. I hope this mutherfucka didn’t think he could come up in here talking some bullshit and think all would be forgiven because if he did he was sadly mistaken. “Nigga I wouldn’t admit to missing you even if god himself threatened to strike me down!” I laughed coldly.

He rose from the chair stepping closer to me. I stepped back until my back was pressed against the wall leaving me with nowhere to run. He stood in front of me and placed his hands on the wall behind me. “Look ma, I know what I said to you before y’all left was pretty fucked up and I regretted not telling you how I really felt everyday since then, but you gotta understand that I was young and I let my pride and ego get in the way.” I wasn’t sure if he was apologizing or simply making a confession, but either way it was too much for me to handle. I just wanted to get away from him.

“And I’m here to tell you that I’m truly sorry for any pain that I’ve caused you,” he continued tilting up my chin to look him in the eyes. My words were caught in my throat. “Do you forgive me?” Still no words could seem to leave my mouth yet. I had so much to say. I wanted him to know how bad he hurt me that day, I wanted him to know that he was reason I never let any man get close enough to hurt me like he did, and I wanted him to feel the pain I felt boarding that plane and leaving all that I ever knew to start a new and better life. I wanted to know why he would hate me for wanting better for me and my best friend and why he wouldn’t come with me. Me and Alex had more than just a friendship we had a bond. Aside from Janelys, him and Anthony were all I had to fall back on when shit hit the fan. I mean yeah I had my parents and house to go home to, but what good was that when they were never around and never made time for me? As far as I’m concerned I raised myself, they were just around to make sure that the bills were paid. “Say something baby girl,” Alex spoke softly taking me out of thoughts.

I gently pushed him back so I could sit at my desk. Still not uttering one word, I sat down in my big leather chair and took a deep breath, finally finding the words to speak. “You want to know if I forgive you? Well the answer is no, I don’t fucking forgive you!” I spat glaring at him. His apology only made me hate him even more, mainly because regardless of all of the pain I was put through from that day, as much as I wanted to stay mad and say fuck him, I couldn’t. My heart forgave him a long time ago, but my mind still tells me to play tough even though I know deep down I want nothing more than to hug him and tell him how much I’ve missed him. He chuckled lightly. “You know I see so much of myself in you, I guess that’s why I’m so patient with you, but you can cut the whole tough guy act. I know you well enough to know when you’re putting on a front,” he said walking towards me until he was standing over me. He spun my chair around so I was facing him. “I learned it from you,” I said in a mocking tone looking up at him. He kneeled down in front of me, his hands now touching the exposed part of my thigh. “I like this dress you got on baby it compliments your shape,” he said biting his lip. I felt the butterflies make their way to my stomach. His fingers were making a relaxing circular motion on my thigh making my eyes close, forgetting that I was supposed to be mad at him.

        “I’m so sorry baby, if I could take back all that shit I said to you, trust me I would,” he said still rubbing my thighs. “Look me in my eyes and tell me you still don’t forgive and I’ll walk away right now and leave you alone.” I looked into his eyes and saw something I’ve only seen once before now, vulnerability. He looked as though my next words would make or break him. I took my time before answering. “I forgive you Alex.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I felt every barrier I’d worked so hard to put up, crumble to my feet. I opened my eyes to a smiling Alex. He pulled me up from my chair and hugged me tightly and for the first time since he’s gotten here, I actually hugged him back. “Thank you ma,” he said before placing a kiss on my forehead and releasing me.

He moved around me and sat down in my chair and pulled me onto his lap and went back to rubbing my thighs in that gentle calming way only he knew how to do. I leaned back into his chest and breathed in his amazing scent. He stopped only to wrap his arms around me, making me melt into his strong embrace. “Damn I’ve missed you girl,” he said burying his face in the crook of my neck. “I’ve missed you too papi,” I said making him look up at me with a smirk. I shifted my body so we were now facing eachother. “I could get used to the sound of that,” he said. “Well don’t it was a one time thing and don’t think that because I forgave you all is well nigga. You have a lot of lost time to ma-” I was cut off by his lips crashing onto mine shutting me up completely. I was shocked, but I didn’t fight. I enjoyed the feeling of his lips on mine. Alex was the only man who could ever deal with me and my bad attitude. He knew what buttons to push to piss me off and what to say to make me smile and vise versa. I finally pulled away for air smiling and leaning back into his chest. I didn’t know what was going to happen after this, but I’m welcoming any and all possibilities.

***Picture of Chenille's dress in MM***