GhettoChild

"Secrets"

Short is the joy that of which the guilty pleasure brings ~ Euripides

Jealousy is a hell of a disease. Caused by pain, nurtured by hate brought out in a time of weakness. Hopefully our girl is stronger than the disease itself or she too will fall as those before... Understanding the issue is first.

The real question is how weak is too weak?

Let's continue.

Chapter 5: Secrets
August 25th
Tuesday

Jai'yanna's POV:

I wasted no time getting up and heading to my car. I tried to hurry up and park beside my Granny before she could get up to see me out here doing all this. She might think I'm high, knowing her, she always tries to blame something on the weed.

I grabbed the purse Aria gave me, and instantly, a wave of anxiety washed over me. It felt like I was holding a passage of rights to the declaration of the hood or something. Once I acquired the purse, the next part of the mission was to get back in the house unnoticed.

I retraced my steps through the side gate and headed straight for my room. "Sly as a fox," I chuckled, my training proving useful. Upon reaching my room, I locked the door and placed my purse on the bed.

Taking a deep breath.

I opened the bag and found a folder inside. The ruffled and torn cover made me frown. "What on earth is this?" I wondered, flipping past it. Inside, I found a sealed paper document with a plastic cover on the front. The front read 'marriage proposal.' My mouth went dry as I continued to read. "Please..." I began to pray. "Don't be what I think you are..."

I read the biggest paragraph on the front page.

The Fernandez Family and the Martin Family will be coming together in Matrimony—a ceremony that will bind the two powerful families together in a lifetime. Oh no—I struggled reading the next line.

We will be celebrating the special day of Jai'yanna B. Martin and Christian G. Fernandez!

It wasn't just a business proposal; it was my wedding invitation. My heart pounded in my chest as I frantically searched my purse for anything else. Inside, I found a small journal, labeled with a sticky note that read, "Brace yourself!"

I flipped past the cover.

It was Arias' notes about a warehouse on the upper east side. Apparently, it was run by Tommy and Wait, who is that?

•••

I was being shaken from side to side.

"Jai Jai!" A pair of tiny hands kept shaking me side to side, stirring me out of my sleep. "Hmm," I waved my hand at whoever to stop, but it just continued.

"Hmmmm...."

I opened my eyes to see my Granny, Anthony, and Chloe standing in front of me. "What on earth is wrong with you all?" I jumped, making them laugh.

"Alright, that was funny..." My granny chuckled and gently pushed them out of my room. "Go get dressed and hurry up!"

"Are you raising stalkers now?" I frowned as she approached my door and closed it. I already knew that was code for we had business to attend to. I took my time sitting up and stretching my arms out.