-1 week later
Mariah

This week has not been easy. Skylar keeps asking for "Dada" and I don't know what to tell her, so I just try to change the subject.
Dorian kept calling so I blocked him.
He knew better than to come pass the house because he didn't want Skylar to see us arguing.
So he got Kendra to tell me he'd start coming up to my job if I wouldn't hear him out.
This is all just so ghetto.

"You quiet ova' there." Tiffany said

"Just sleepy." I did the last pin curl on my client

"You should go home, we slow today anyway."

"No, I have two more clients."

"I'll-"

"Mariah, there's a guy at the front. He says it's urgent."

I sighed and felt my heart sink into my stomach. If it's Dorian, this is about to be so embarrassing.

"Ok, I'll be right up." I finished my client's style

No need in lying and saying I wasn't here because knowing Dorian he wouldn't leave until I talked to him anyway.

I prepared myself for the worst as I walked to the front. But when I finally got up there, it was Tyler with roses and a bunch of other gifts- Chanel gifts.

"Tyler, what are you doing here?"

"Baby I know we're supposed to be taking a break but I can't be away from you any longer. I miss you and I love you, can we please work this out?"

"I-" I chuckled, unsure of what to say "Ok." I smiled and shrugged

He embraced me in a hug, then pecked my lips. "I love you."

"I love you too." I blushed

A few clients who were sitting up front applauded and awed at us.

"That's right get yo' woman back." An older woman said

"Can we go somewhere and talk?" He asked

"Uh-" my next client came through the front door "I'm busy right now. How about dinner tonight?"

"Ok beautiful. I'll pick you up at 7."

"Alright." I said before turning my attention to my client "Hey, you can go in the back, I'll be right there."

She nodded and complied.

"I love you." He pecked my lips

"I love you too." I said before grabbing my bags to take to my station

Of course I'm going to look through them soon as I get a chance.
I hope he got good taste.

*

Ms. Joyce agreed to watch Skylar for me until the morning so I could spend some time with Tyler.
Before you ask, no Joyce doesn't let Dorian see Skylar. She hasn't been speaking to him either since she found out about the whole crack in the diaper bag situation, and no I didn't tell her.
Dorian went over to his mom's house to vent about the situation and of course she sided with me per usual. I don't care how you flip it, Dorian is in the wrong and I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so.

But enough of that toxic mess.

I looked through my mail before going upstairs. I had something from the autopsy lab. I quickly opened it, knowing it had to be an answer as to how my aunt Kelly died.
But the more I read, the more upset I got.

The autopsy reports ruled it a suicide, but I refuse to believe my aunt would kill herself. Especially with no explanation.

My phone dinged and I pulled it from my pocket to read the text.

Tyler: See you soon beautiful ❤️ -5:02pm

I put everything down and decided to clear my mind with a bubble bath and a blunt. It's well needed because life is kicking my entire ass right now.

"I found this new place and I think you're going to love it. The reviews are great." Tyler turned the corner

"It's called 4:37. Funny name for a restaurant, huh?" He chuckled as he pulled in front of the restaurant

I dryly laughed "Ahaa, yeah."

That's Dorian's restaurant. He named it 4:37 because that's the time Skylar was born.
Why can't I seem to get away from his ass?

"Uhm-" I started but Tyler cut me off, getting out and coming to my side to open the door

The valet approached us and Tyler handed over the keys.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?" He asked

I smiled "Thank you baby."

We entered the building and by then I had decided I wouldn't tell him about this being Dorian's restaurant. After all, the food is the best I've ever had.

"Hi welcome to 4:37. Do you all have reserva- Oh his Ms. Thompson." Kevin, the hostess I hired, recognized me

"Hi, Kevin." I smiled "Is the owner in tonight?" I wanted to be sure I didn't have any run ins with Dorian

"No, would you like me to call him?"

"Oh no, no." I quickly responded

"Ok. Would you like your regular table?" He asked

"Yes please" I answered, feeling Tyler's eyes on me

After we were seated, I asked the host, Kevin "Who's cooking tonight?"

"Chef Lucas." He replied

"Oh great. Thank you." That chef always makes my food exactly how I like it

"No problem. Your waiter will be with you shortly." He said before walking off

"So I take it you've been here before?" Tyler asked

"Oh yeah... Actually this is Dorian's restaurant." I finally stated

He chuckled in disbelief "Wow, embarrassing."

"We can leave if you want."

"...No, I'm good."

"You sure?" I asked for reassurance

"Yeah baby." He smiled "So, Dorian's a restaurant owner, huh?"

"Yeah, he owns another one on the other side of town and two night clubs, but enough about him."

"Ok..." he nodded "Uh, did you like your gifts?"

"I loved them, thank you baby."

"Anything for you."

Dorian

"That'll teach them bitch ass niggas a lesson on how to shoot." I walked in the warehouse

"Hell yeah. Laid all 'dem muhfuckas' out." Omari took his ski mask off

"Bet Isaiah back down now." Tim sat his gun on the table

We decided to do a lil drive by on Isaiah's warehouse and we kill majority of his workers, the rest of them definitely injured. We left so many dead bodies the place looked like a morgue by the time we was done.
Of course Isaiah bitch ass wasn't there at the time, but that's ok. I'd rather watch his empire crumble than kill him.

"That nigga don't want war." I poured myself a glass of Hennessy then some for the guys "To a successful shootout." I raised my glass

"Hell yeah." Tim and Omari said before we chugged our drinks

"What y'all finna' get into?" I asked

"Shid' prolly go home and nap." Tim stretched  his arms out "A good shootout always makes me tired."

"Dis nigga." I chuckled

"Gone lay up wit' my ol' lady." Mari stood up

"A'ight y'all niggas be safe." I said

"You ain't goin' home?" Tim asked

"Not right now. Prolly just chill hea' for a few." I said, pouring myself another drink "Aye, y'all seen Tiara? That bitch owe me bread."

Omari chuckled "Don't she stay wit' you?"

"Nah she moved out a few days ago." I said

"I ain't seen her since our last reup." Tim answered

"Hm...y'all get eyes on her for me, a'ight?"

"Fasho." Mari nodded

"Bet. See you tomorrow nigga." Tom said before they left out

As I sat in my chair I pulled out my phone and began checking my restaurants through the cameras to see how business was going.
I checked on the 2nd restaurant and spotted Mariah and Tyler having dinner.

The nerve of Mariah to have that lame ass nigga in my restaurant, but she refusing to talk to me, and keeping Skylar away from me.
Ain't that some shit?

"Fuck 'dat." I grabbed my keys and stood up, ready to go make a surprise visit on her ass

But my conscience got the best of me and I sat back down.
I began thinking to myself:

Maybe her and Skylar would be better off without me.

I did put Skylar's life in danger...

As much as I hate to admit it, Mariah looked happy with that lame ass nigga.

Skylar deserves a happy mama, not one that's stressing over some bullshit that I always cause.

Yeah, maybe it's best I just stay out the way.

I grabbed the Hennessy and chugged the liquor, drowning my sorrows in the bottle.

Poor Dorian. He want his family back.

-Carlisha ❤️