Feenin': The Ballad of DeVante and Serafina

Chapter Nine: "I Didn't Mean It!"

DEVANTE POV

I went downstairs to check on Serafina. She just doesn't want to act right! Ya'll think I like hitting on my girl? I wouldn't have to put my hands on her if she would just listen to me!!! My face went into complete shock when I realized she was gone. The door was wide open and I let out a groan. Dalvin, Jo-Jo, K-Ci, Mary, Treach, and Cube came rushing down.

Cube: Why is the door wide open, dawg?

Jo-Jo: Better yet, where is ya girl at?

Me: She had a little too much to drink and I took her downstairs to sleep it off. I don't know how she got out! She does sleepwalk so....

Mary: Should we call her parents and let them know?

 Me: No. I'll go find her. Ya'll go have a good time, she'll be okay. 

I left the house and drove back home. I looked in every room and she was gone. Like damn, she didn't even stop to get her things. Then I realized I gave her money earlier. SHIT!!! She used it to go back home!!! FUCK! I can't tell the crew what happened because they'll clown the hell out of me, and I really can't tell her folks because they'll lock me up like a mofo. What am I going to do?

ONE MONTH LATER...

SERAFINA POV

I haven't seen, spoken to, or even THOUGHT of DeVante since what happened in Malibu. My parents got me my own personal phone with the answering machine, and DeVante has left me message after message, begging me to talk about what happened. I told Latisha that we were on a break because I didn't want her to know the real reason I left him. Since it's the weekend, I decided to lay low and relax at home. Since my homework was finished, I took a long, hot, shower. When I got out, I was clean but my body was dirty with the cuts, bruises, and bite marks. I went back into my room to hear yet another message from DeVante.

DEVANTE'S VOICEMAIL: "Come on baby, I said I was sorry. I love you. I-I just get so angry. I know that ain't an excuse but it's the truth. We can work it out, I promise things will be different. I had no right to hit you, I know. You are the best thing I've ever had in my life, second to my kids, and I want us to be together for a long time. I see a future for us....just forgive me. You're a good girl and you don't deserve to be hurt like this, but where have I been? Right there with you. Give me some credit. I just want you to know I love you, and I didn't mean it baby. I didn't mean it!"

I rolled my eyes and lied back on the bed. I was about to drift off into a peaceful sleep when someone was knocking on the door. 

Me: Who is it?

Whitley: Your sister? Whitley, remember?

I jumped up, swung open the door and hugged Whitley tightly. I haven't seen her in over two years since she got married to her now ex-husband. I missed her so much.

Whitley: Hey baby girl, how are you? Mom and Dad left you alone again?

Me: I've been....well.

I noticed that Whitley was staring intently at the cut on my lip. 

Whitley: Is there something bothering you?

Me: No.

Whitley: Are you sure?

Me (voice cracking): No....

From there, the tears flowed down my face. Whitley put her arms around me and comforted me as I wept loudly in her chest. If it's one thing I've learned, it's that I can't get over on my sister. She knows all!!! I told her I had a boyfriend, but I didn't tell her that he was DeVante Swing from Jodeci. 

Whitley: What the hell is going on?

Me: I...he....I don't know what to do!

Whitley: What's this cut on your lip?

I looked away. She lifted up my shirt and saw two bruises. 

Whitley: These bruises? He's hitting you!

Me: He's just stressed, Whitley!

Whitley: And that makes it okay for him to hit you!? You do know I just got out of an abusive relationship!? DO YOU!?

I nodded yes and wiped my tears.

Whitley: What's his name?

Me: De...DeVante.

Whitley: DeVante what?

Me: DeVante Swing.

Whitley's eyes went so wide I thought they were gonna burst. 

Whitley: The nigga from Jodeci? Ad-libbing ass nigga? I don't care how you met him, and why you ended up with him, but I'm gonna have a talk with Mr. Swing when I go to work tomorrow, BELIEVE ME!!! 

Me: Don't tell Mom and Dad, please.

Whitley: Under the condition you break up with him.

Me: Okay. 

Whitley works as a secretary for Uptown Records, the label in which Jodeci is signed to. I pray that she doesn't act a fucking fool because Whitley can go from 0-100 VERY QUICKLY, especially when it comes to the well-being of her baby sister. 

THE NEXT DAY.....

WHITLEY POV

I was so fucking peeved by what Serafina told me yesterday. I drove to work, and it's a good thing I did because Puffy is having a meeting with Jodeci today. I walked in the office with the usual coffee, donuts, napkins, etc. Just looking at DeVante made me sick! Goddamn celebrities thinking they can do whatever the fuck they want because they have status. Because Puffy wasn't in the room, I took the opportunity. 

Jodeci: Hey Whitley!!!

Me: Boys. 

Jo-Jo: Everything good?

Me: I don't know. You guys tell me. Which one of you is dating Serafina Phillippe?

Jo-Jo: Um, DeVante is, why?

Me: Well, I knew she was in a relationship, but when my little sister told me she was dating a member of Jodeci....I went through the roof! 

Dalvin: She's a sweetheart.

K-Ci: Yeah, DeVante is lucky.

Me: Well...he was lucky to have her. How long did you think before I wouldn't notice the bruises?

The other members looked at DeVante in confusion.

Me: I mean, you haven't been dating her for a year and you got my little sister looking like she lost a Mike Tyson fight. 

Dalvin: What is she talking about, D?

DeVante: I don't know....

Me: So why are her things still at ya place?

 He fell silent.

Me: I just came to tell you that you're going to stop seeing my sister. She's done with you, and that's that. Either you're as you think you are and you'll just go away, or else things are going to be harder than they have to be. 

I got up and walked out. For 12 years I was married to an abusive man, and I'll be damned if I sit back and watch my little sister go though the same thing.