{*}Underneath All the Make-Up{*} A Novel... (+ 11/1/10)

Chapter 17



I thought that I should let you know
That my heart is
Damaged
So Damaged
And you can blame the one before

I woke up Sunday morning my hair all tangled up on Laython’s chest. I smiled as I allowed my fingers to caress his chest lightly. Last night was amazing. It was just what I’ve always wanted. Someone who cares enough not to try me the very first time; I chuckled to myself remembering that he has already had a taste of my goodies.
‘You up beautiful?’
‘Yes...are you?’
‘Let’s have breakfast...you hanging with your girls today?’
‘I don’t know I have to make some calls and see if they made plans without me’

We got up and went to separate bathrooms so that we could have a shower and do our toiletries. He was already in the kitchen in some basketball shorts and nothing else but his bare chest. I grinned as I looked mesmerized. I was in one of his shirts only. We sat down and had breakfast making small talk. Last night we decided that we wouldn’t sleep together. Not until I was sure of what I was doing and I still needed to get over Tyrese. My heart was still in pieces. I wasn’t ready yet to put it back together.

After breakfast I found my phone and called Rachel up. I heard her sleepy voice over the line.
‘Gurl you know what time it is?’
‘Sorry Rache...do we have plans today?’
‘Why? Do you?’
‘No just checking...I’m at Laython’s place’
‘WHAT?’ She was wide awake now and I knew she had a grin on her voice. I heard her say my name over the phone. She must be telling someone who she talking too and I bet I knew who that someone is.
‘Ok we HAVE to meet now...I’ll call Janae and Lisa...You call Rae since you two escaped with strangers’
‘don’t you want to hear it now?’
‘Nops...brunch...my place...urm...is 10 ok?’
’10 is fine Rache’
‘Ok...see you freaky girl’
‘Bye Rache’ I laughed as I hung up and looked at Laython
‘I got plans Lay’
‘Ok...well, I’ll call up my boys and we can chill or something’

After a while I got in my car and drove back to my place to get dressed for brunch with the girls. On the way I called Rachelle. ‘Hey you where you at?’
‘Marcus Cooper’s place’ she answered with a sigh
‘Well...you can tell us all at brunch...Rachel’s place...10’
‘Cool...I’ll meet you guys there...gotta get home and change first’
We hung up just a I reached my house. It was 9 so I had time to clean the house a bit and have a nice bath before getting dressed. My phone rang as I was getting ready to leave so I picked it up.
‘Hello?
There was no answer, just someone breathing down the line so I repeated ‘hello’ numerous times. Eventually it began to creep me out so I hung up and ran out of the house into the car. A text appeared on my phone.
You can run little Kay...
You can go far, far away
But did you really stop and think
About what I’d do when I found the link
You can’t hide from me
Wait and you’ll see
I froze in the car. There was only one person who wrote to me in rhymes. I started the car and reversed out my driveway and sped over to Rachel’s place. What would I do? I was no longer safe now that he is out. I checked my calendar and indeed I had entered a memo to alert me of his release, but I hadn’t heard the alarm. My head was filled with thoughts as I drove as fast I could. I had to tell the girls about this. The situation would get out of hand too fast.

Chapter 18



The sound of my phone ringing is what we woke me up and the only reason I got up from Pooch’s arms was because the ringtone alerted me that it was Rachel calling.
‘What’s up Rache?’
‘Brunch, my place, 10...that’s all I’m saying!’
‘Damn...ok...see you than’

I walked to my bathroom and stepped into the shower after brushing my teeth. I sang a happy tune remembering last night. The feel of his skin rubbing against mine, his lips all over me and the way he felt inside of me. It was amazing. ‘You done?’ I jumped at the sound of his voice from behind me. I had been so caught up in my thoughts of last night that I had even heard me get into the shower with me. I laughed without turning around and I felt him press against me.
‘Are we doing a lift scene all over again?’
‘Did you like it?’
‘Very much’

I turned around and leaned against the shower walls. He palmed by boobs and licked his lips. Soon we were kissing and I reached doing to his member and began rubbing it until he was hard. He lifted me up and pushed me into the wall letting me slide down right onto his dick. I yelled out in pain and delight as he moved me up and down his shaft. He left his marks on my neck and chest. My breasts bounced heavily as he quickened his pace. I felt him hit my spot and I moaned loudly. The water from the shower head hit against us and trickled down our bodies. ‘Pooch...oh...shit’
‘Come for me Nae’ he grunted out loud and my legs began to shake until I released all my juices onto his shaft. He dropped me down and put me on all fours while he knelt down behind me. Without warning he hit my spot repeatedly and I came again. ‘Say my name baby...say it loud’
I said his name in between gasps until I felt him tremble inside of me and he released all he had into the shower. We sat up and looked at each other for a while catching our breathes. Then we bathed one another and stepped out. I glanced at the clock.
‘Shit I’m late’
‘For what?’
‘Brunch with my girls’
‘Guess I better be going then’
I smiled sweetly as he bent down and kissed my lips. ‘Can’t wait to have more of you Janae’

He left me feeling all weak but I had to hurry out right after him into my car. It was almost 10 and I knew there would be some gossip which I didn’t want to miss. My cell beeped twice and I read the message. It was Tasha and she was flying in tomorrow morning. I texted back reminding her of Kwame’s anniversary and she said she’d be there if her flight isn’t delayed. She had some big news for us.

I pulled up behind Rachelle’s car and ran up to the door. I was about to knock when it was opened and Trevor stepped out.
‘Hey Trevor...the girls here yet?’
‘Yep...go right in’ I smiled and walked past him as Rachel walked up to him. ‘Go outside by the pool. They are outside by the table...Lisa isn’t here though. I tried calling her but got no answer’
‘Ok...I’ll try again than’
She turned back to Trevor and I heard her say goodbye. I looked back being nosy and they kissed before she closed the door and caught me looking. ‘Nosy girl’
‘Can’t help it...you two are just too cute. I’m amazed at how you guys just hooked up’
‘You know what they say...Right time...right man’
We laughed together as we walked to meet the girls, by the pool. Everyone was here except for Lisa. No one could get a hold of her and we worried. Rachelle picked up her phone and called Marcus.
‘Hey its me...have you seen Lisa’
She shook her head at us to say he hadn’t.
‘Well...none of us can get her...can you try to call her and if you get her then let me know please’
She hung up and looked at us.
‘This isn’t like her...something is wrong’
‘Call Trey...she was supposed to meet him...I remember he texted her’ I told Rae since she had contact with Marcus.
She texted him immediately and he replied saying he would call him right now.

Chapter 19



I woke up feeling a pain shoot up my back I lay back down immediately. I tried to roll over so that I could get up from my bed. My whole body ached. After tossing and turning I managed to get up slowly and I made my way to the bathroom. I looked up into the mirror and the horror of last night came back. My eyes were black and there were marks under my neck. I touched my face and tears began to fall slowly. There were missed calls on my cell from the girls but I couldn’t call them back. I couldn’t let them see me like this. Who would want to look at me? I got in the shower and bathed slowly trying to remove his fingerprints from my bruised body. I cried silently as I put my robe on and walked downstairs preparing a small breakfast. I removed the phone from the hook and relaxed on the couch with the smell of my scented candles burning softly.

The doorbell rang I jumped. I didn’t move hoping the person would go away. But whoever it was kept ringing the bell. ‘Lisa open the damn door...I know you’re here’ it was Trey and he was looking through the window straight at me. I had no choice but walking to the door and opening it with my head hanging low so he wouldn’t see my face. I walked back to the couch and sat down as he closed the door behind him and came to sit down next to me.

‘Where were you last night?’
‘No where’
‘Marcus been calling me asking about you...Since I was around I drove over to come check on you’
‘Well...I’m fine...you can go now’
He lifted my face with his hands and gasped. ‘Shit Lisa...who the fuck did this to you?’
I pulled away and the tears came without any warning. He tried to touch me but I wouldn’t let him. He called Marcus on the phone and told him to come over straight away. I tried to tell him not too but he wouldn’t hear it. Instead he went to the kitchen and made some coffee for me.

I drank my coffee silently while he sat down and watched me closely until Marcus pulled up. The door burst open and my older brother ran to me and looked at my face. His face contorted with rage. I could see hatred in his eyes.
‘I should have killed that son of a bitch when I had the chance’
‘Marcus...please’ I begged him to stop it.
‘Trey did you find her like this? Did you text her into meeting you last night’
‘WHAT? I never texted her last night...I was in the studio laying down some tracks...I told you man’
‘Well....someone made her leave the party and come meet you’
‘Shit...what number’
Marcus took my phone and took down the number. I had no say in the matter.
‘I’m staying with you and then I’m calling dad and he and mum can come stay with you too’
‘No way’
‘You don’t have a choice’

I knew he was right. I’d never be safe with him on the loose. I can’t believe he found me after so many years. I began to cry as Marcus got up to go get some clothes at his place. ‘Man...go...I’ll stay with her’

Trey approached me and hugged me tightly. ‘Never believe I’d allow you to meet me in the dark Lisa...If I wanna meet you...it would be somewhere public where everyone can see me with a beautiful girl’
I managed a smile as he rubbed my back and lay my head down on a cushion which he placed on his lap. He began to sing a song and I closed my eyes falling asleep. I made a mental note to call my girls and ask them over. I couldn’t hide this from them. I guess I would know if they were really my friends after this. I got a text from Natasha and that cheered me up a little. She was coming tomorrow afternoon and I texted her back saying she need to come to my place with her surprise for us all to know.

Chapter 20



‘Let’s not worry. I’m sure she’s fine...Maybe tired after a night with Trey!’
‘I hope your right Rae’ sighed Kamaria
‘Ok...so the reason I called everyone up for brunch is because we have gossip to share...now who wants to start first?’
‘I’ll start’ I replied standing up, ‘I know y’all saw me leave with Mr Marcus Cooper...’ I looked at the girls and they nodded smiling. ‘Well we went to his place after a very saucy conversation about him wanting to see me with nothing on...’
‘He said what?’ gasped Janae
‘I’m serious...we were talking about the fashion show...anyway thing is I ended up naked on his couch with his 10 inches inside of me...et voila!’
They looked at me with shocks on their faces. ’10 inches’ coughed Kamaria
‘Yep...big old number 10’ I replied sitting down and clapping my hands, ‘now papi laid it down so good I was weak, nigger had to carry me to bed’
‘DAMN Rae...that musta been hectic...as for me I don’t know if it was 10...but Pooch’ we stopped Janae mid-sentence with the looks on our faces.
‘Pooch who called you a slut?’ I asked her
‘Yep...he came at me apologizing and shit and we left when he said to give him the chance to make it worth my while...and trust me...he did’
‘Word?’ laughed Rachel
‘Yep...he had me wet in the lift...by the time we reached his car half of our clothes was in our hands. We were naked when we reached my house!’
‘Wow...sounds like fun’
‘Not forgetting 2 orgasms on the way home’
‘Shit...Janae you are insane’ yelled Kamaria
‘I know...but it was so good...that’s why I’m late’

We dug into the food while chit chatting about the people we saw yesterday. ‘I was like right next to Tyra Banks...I wanted to scream!’
‘Good thing you didn’t Kay’ I replied with a mouthful of salad.
‘So Kay what happened to you?’ I turned to her
‘well, we went down to the beach and talked about our feelings...and than...’
‘AND THAN?’ mimicked Janae
‘He took me to his place and we slept in each other’s arms’
‘NO sex?’
‘no Rache...I’m sure you and Trevor had enough for us all!’
She blushed as we all burst out laughing. ‘Well...I said the words...you know that painting of Kwame? He had it done for me as a surprise...the house was covered in roses and the bed as well. It looked a movie scene’ she had stars in her eyes and I looked at her wondering if I’ll have stars in my eyes when I talk about a man.
‘That’s sweet Rache...so what words you talking about? I asked
‘After a while I got this feeling in the pit of my stomach...my heart started to flutter a bit and when he looked at me tears formed. I told him I loved him...and it was true!’
‘Wow...Rache...that was deep...how do you feel now? Was it the right time?’ Kamarai asked what we were all thinking.
‘Yes...it’s like I try not to think about him. I try to ignore the feelings I get when he isn’t with me but it’s so damn hard. He’s stuck in my heart and no matter how hard I try...I can’t get him out...and frankly...I don’t want too’

I raised my glass of orange juice. ‘Well here’s to us all...may we find the kinda love our supermodel has found in the arms of a basketball player’
The girls raised their glasses and we toasted to Rachel. After brunch we each headed out to our homes to relax for tomorrow was a big day. Rachel was going to open her new store and then we were going with her to Kwame’s grave. While driving I tried calling Lisa again. This time she picked up.
‘Hey girlie!’
‘Hey Rae...how was brunch?’
‘Fantastic...but we missed you’
‘I’m not feeling too well...I’m sorry I didn’t answer your calls’
‘It’s ok...will you make it tomorrow?’
‘Off course...I wouldn’t miss it for the world...we’re sisters...gotta support each other’
‘Good’
‘And after that...I’ma need all your support for something too’ her voice was a bit croaky. Was she crying?
‘Are you ok Lisa?’
‘Yeah...I’ll see y’all tomorrow ok...I’m going to rest a bit’
‘Ok...bye’
She hung up and I was silent. Something was wrong...I could hear it in her voice. I texted the girls about it and we decided to give her space until tomorrow when she would tell us about it. If not...we’d sit her down and she’d talk.

Chapter 21



You always used to stay, I should be thankful for everyday,
Heaven knows what the future Holds, or least where the story goes,
I never believed until now,
I know I’ll see you again I’m sure,
No its not selfish to ask for more,
One more night one more day
One more smile on your face
But they can’t take yesterday

The opening of the store went well this morning. All my girls were with me and we were dressed in black. I wore my black linen pants and a white silk blouse from my line. When asked about it the reason for our choice of colour I said it was the anniversary of my son’s death. Though it was a strange day to open the store for me it was a celebration of his short but beautiful life.
Trevor was also with me every step of the way. He was amazing and he had changed his flight to later so he could be with me at the cemetery.

I clutched my bouquet of white flowers as tears fell down my face. The girls sat in the back with me. Trevor was in his car as he was heading straight to the airport after. ‘You ok Rache?’ Janae squeezed my hands and Lisa smiled for me to do the same. I clutched my son’s picture and remembered how soft his skin felt and the baby sounds he used to make.

‘Here we are...ready when you are’ said Kamaria
I opened the door and walked out. Trevor stood and looked at me and I smiled weakly. I saw Dwight kneeling down at our son’s grave. I walked towards him and the girls stood next to Trevor. I knelt down next to Dwight and he held my hands. We cried together something we only did the night he died. ‘I miss you so much my little man’ he said in between chocks. I leaned on his shoulder briefly before laying down the flowers I bought. ‘Mummy misses you to baby...I wish with all my heart you could be here with me’
We sat in silence for a while before standing up simultaneously and walked back to the others. He saw Trevor and he they shook hands. He nodded at the girls as I introduced them. I stood next to Trevor and he held my waist.
‘Where’s your son D?’
‘Urm...’ he looked around nervously
‘It’s ok...I can handle it’
‘His in the car with his mum’
I walked over to his car and tapped on the window. His girlfriend opened the door and I saw his 6 month old baby in her arms. ‘Can I hold him please?’ She smiled at me and nodded. I reached out and she placed the baby in my arms. ‘Hey cutie...you come to your big brother’s grave baby?’ he made some gurgling sounds and I chuckled. ‘Is it ok if I bring him there?’
‘Off course...that’s why I insisted Dwight bring him here’

I carried the baby to Kwame’s grave. Everyone just looked at me. I could hear Lisa sniffing and Janae was hugged Kamaria. Rachelle stood with her hands in her pockets and a far away look on her face.
‘Hey Kwame...look at your baby brother? Isn’t he a cutie...you should be here to teach him things...to look out for him...to make sure his ok’ I broke down with the baby in my arms. He didn’t even cry instead I felt his little hands clutch my neck tightly.
‘You know Kwame looking after him from up above’
Dwight spoke behind me and I stood up and handed him the baby. ‘I know...I just wish they could meet...I miss him so much’ he reached for me and we hugged tightly mourning our son. I pulled away shortly after and walked back to my girls.

‘I’m going with Trevor to the airport...can we meet somewhere after?’
‘How about my place...I have news for you girls...and I need to get it off my chest’ replied Lisa.
‘Ok...take care Rache...we gon head to Lisa’s place...meet us there asap’ Janae hugged me tightly and so did the rest of the girls. I walked to Trevor and just stayed wrapped in his arms for until everybody was gone. I cried for my boy...I cried wishing he was here to meet Trevor. My body shook with my sobs and Trevor’s shirt got wet. But not once did he complain. He just held me until I stopped crying and he walked me to the passenger’s side. I got in and he walked back around and started the car. We drove in silence, but he held my hands the entire time so that I would know I’m not alone.

---

‘Ok...You’ll come meet me later at around mid-night? Are you sure you’ll be able too?’
‘Yes Trevor...I’m sure...now go before you miss your flight and you get sacked’
He smiled and kissed my lips handing me his car keys.
‘No girl has ever driven any car I’ve ever owned...’
‘Well...that’s cuz I’m not any girl...I’m your lady’
‘Damn right you are’
We kissed some more and then I pushed him away watching him check in and run to board the plane. I laughed softly before asking Kwame to make sure that plane is safe and Trevor comes back tonight; then I got in the car and went to Lisa’s place.

Chapter 22



Girl, You Don't Have To Be Hiding
Don't You Be Ashamed To Say He Hurt You
I'm Your Girl, You're My Girl, We're Your Girls
Don't You Know That We Love You?

On the way to Lisa’s place I remembered that I hadn’t told the girls about the text. I decided that right after Lisa was done I would have to tell the girls. My head hurt thinking about him out on the loose. I kept looking out the window thinking I’d see him lurking somewhere in the shadows. I saw a guy that looked like him and I almost screamed.
‘You ok Kamaria? You look nervous’ Janae looked at me with a worried expression
‘I’m ok...just feeling sad for Rachel’

We got out of the limo and walked into Lisa’s house. Marcus was sitting on the couch and he looked up at us when we walked in. He smiled at Rachelle and she blushed uncontrollably.
‘You’re girls here? I’m heading into town for a while...be back in an hour or so’ he kissed Lisa on the cheek and stared at her for while. We all just stood there struck by this awesome bond shared between this brother and sister. Lisa hugged him and then he walked out.
‘Let’s wait for Rache...it wouldn’t be fair to start without her’
She went to the kitchen and prepared some drinks. Rachelle helped her carry the cocktails to the living room. we were all silent for a while until we heard a car pull up. I looked through the window and saw Rachel get out of Trevor’s car and run to the door. She was talking on the phone. I opened the door and she hung up stepping inside.
‘This is nice Lisa!’
‘Thanks Rachel’

We all gathered in the living room and teased Rachel about driving Trevor’s car for a while. The mood was so dark that we had to try and force ourselves to laugh. We all felt that there was something wrong.
‘Ok girls...I have something to tell you...it’s about Saturday night’ she looked at each one of us. I noticed that she held on to the journal I had given her. She must have been writing in it.
‘Janae, that text wasn’t from Trey...it was from him’ she held up a picture which she took from the journal and we stared at the man. He looked street and not very friendly. ‘This is my step-father’s son and he knew all about what his father was doing to me and my mum...in face he raped me himself a few times’
‘Oh Lisa...please don’t tell us he hurt you again?’ Janae had tears in her eyes and she took hold of Lisa with trembling hands.
‘Well, he thinks I owe him because he once prevented his father from killing me...after that he never touched me again...until Saturday night’

I stood up and began pacing the room angrily ‘some men will never learn...how can we let sick bastards out like that’ I began cussing and saying things I didn’t even knew I could say while the girls stared in shock. ‘Sorry...it’s just...I know how Lisa feels’
‘What are you talking about Kay?’ asked Rachelle
‘I have a stalker on my case too...he was in jail and he was released yesterday. First thing he did was call me and when I answered he just breathed down the phone then he texted me when I was on my way to Rachel’s place’
‘Wow...that is just sick...I can’t believe it. Call the police or something’ Rachel scratched her head thinking of something.
‘The police won’t do anything...all they’d say if he isn’t a threat to you than wait until he becomes one’ I replied and told them about how I used to call every night when I’d get calls from the man; but they never did anything about it until he broke into my house. He didn’t know Tyrese was in and Tyrese beat him up and called the police.
‘Well...I know some people’ we looked at Rachelle as she spoke knowing what she meant.
A knock on the door caused us to jump and I got up to answer it.