Played Affair

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

       “So is that a deal?” Faith asked driving in the gates of a big neighborhood.

       “But why do we have to go?” Nathanial complained.

       “You will be respectful. And pull up your pants before we go inside.”

       “Whatever,” he mumbled.

       They got out the car and walked to the porch and rang the doorbell. Alex opened the door and greeted everyone. He led them further into the house and was stopped by Melissa.

       “Hello Faith! It’s a pleasure to meet you, formally.”

       Nathanial and Natasha paused as they saw Melissa. “Hey…Principal Parker…” Nathanial said uneasily.

       “Oh, I see you brought your niece and nephew!” She smiled.

       Faith eyed Alex who gave her a shrug in return. It was apparent Alex had not told her anything.

       “Hey you two, there’s a video room with the other kids if you’re interested. First door to the left.”

       Natasha looked at Faith with a smile and left along with Nathanial.

       Alex, Melissa, and Faith stood in the lobby hearing everyone else talk, not aware of Faith’s presence.

       “So…how are we going to do this?” Melissa asked with a shrug.

       Alex rubbed his neck and sighed. “I’ll do it…in ten minutes.”

       “What am I gonna do for 10 minutes?” Faith questioned.

       “You can come with me onto the porch and talk, if you want.”

       Melissa came off as a little too perfect to Faith…Even with a swollen belly.

       “Well it’s a plan. I’ll come back later,” Alex said before disappearing into the living room.

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       “Damn, son! I smoked yo ass!” Nathanial yelled.

       “Nah, I think you cheated!” Dashawn yelled.

       “Dashawn, don’t hate. Bow down to the racing king!”

       “Oh, you the king alright. King of stupid,” Natasha replied not looking up from her phone.

       Dashawn looked at Natasha and rubbed his hands together. “Yo, that’s yo girl?” he whispered to Nathanial.

       “What? Hell naw. My twin sister.”

       “Oh, I a twin. And she fine too!”

       “Please. She ain’t cute.”

       “She got a boyfriend?”

       “Had one. He moved a few weeks before turkey break.”

       “I’ma holla at her.”

       Nathanial scoffed. “Good luck.”

       Dashawn sat next to Natasha and watched her texting.

       “May I help you?”

       “Yeah. Let’s say letting me have yo number.”

       Natasha rolled her eyes. “Not a time waster. No.”

       “C’mon. You know you think I’m sexy,” he stood up and started dancing. “I’m sexy and you know it.”

       Natasha laughed and stared at Dashawn. “Maybe when pigs fly.”

       “Told you,” Nathanial said not looking away from the game.

       Dashawn was about to respond but Alex came in and called Natasha and Nathanial downstairs.

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       Alex and Melissa stood at the front of the living room thanking everyone for their arrival.

       “You got this babe?” Melissa asked.

       “Yeah…” he took a deep breath. “Most of you know what happened to the Wolfe family 16 years ago and that was hard to get past for a few months. Um…Damn.”

       “What does that have to do with anything?” Connie asked.

       Faith could hear her heart pounding as Alex continued to talk. She knew Natasha and Nathanial was in the room listening, not knowing what they was about to be told.

       “And I invited her here today…”Alex said looking into the doorway where Faith appeared.

       Faith stepped out of the shadows feeling out of place already. She felt the stares of some 20 people on her-Including Aliza, Connie, and of course, Adrian.

       Alex cleared his throat and looked Melissa in the eyes. “I also invited two other people-“

       “Michael’s not dead? And Tupac? What about Biggie?” Adrian sarcastically asked before Connie shoved him and stood up and ran to Faith. She hugged her tightly as Aliza also stood up and followed Connie’s lead.

       “No…I invited her twin children…Who are also my twin children.”

       There were murmurs and question in the air. Melissa stared at Alex then hard at Faith. Her image of a perfect family just got shattered knowing Alex had 2 other kids. One of which she had an intense hatred for.