C H A P T E R
T W E N T Y - F I V E

"At the end of the day, I had you first and gave you your first and only child so either way I win. And I hope you don't think that nigga better than me either cause he ain't." Reggie spat sounding like the true bitch ass nigga he was.

Cali laughed. "I wouldn't say only, but I will say this. Grow tha fuck up! You're acting like a little ass boy right now, why can't you just be happy for me? Be happy that I found someone who actually loves and cares for our son like his own. You're engaged and you have a new baby but did I hate on you once? Did I give you a hard time? No! Why can't you do the same for me?"

"We two different people," He shrugged.

"That's not fair and you know its not. You used to always say you'll find that someone for you, go out and live and the minute I actually do it, you're a bitch about it! Why do you dislike him so much!? He has don' nothing but love our son and take care of me!"

Reggie looked down at his hands, before looking up at Cali. "He took my family.. Cali I love you, I never stopped and I always hoped that one day we would work out and go back to how things used to be .. I miss you, I miss us."

Grabbing her hand she pulled back, "I love you because you're the father of my son, but my heart belongs to Ahmad and you need to respect him by respecting our relationship like I do with yours." She stated calmly.

"So that's it? You don't feel anything towards me?"

"That's exactly what I am saying, me and you just need to focus on co-parenting and you need to focus on being a good fiancé and a good father to both of your kids .. this extra shit has to end, I haven't told Ahmad about your actions because I'm sparing you but trust me when he gets out and you're still on this shit, I will personally have him beat your ass cause your actions are affecting my son, he doesn't even like being around anymore cause you're so bitter and mean to him and that's all your fault."

Reggie nodded, "How about this .. you three be a family and I just tend my new family." He chuckled bitterly.

"So you're just gonna say to hell with your son now?"

Throwing his hands up, he shrugged. "Might as well, I mean ain't like the little nigga wants me around in the first place when he's over my place all he talks about is what him and Ahmad did .. as a father you don't want to hear what another man has don' for your kid."

"You sound stupid as hell, so because a new man comes around you feel as if this gives you the green light to stop being a father?" She asked as she felt her eyes burn and fill with tears.

Shrugging his shoulders, he walked off going to his car. "Clearly, I can't compete with a murder so why even try? He took you, and now my son."

Cali ran to his side banging on his window. "I swear you're nothing but a piece of shit! You're still his damn daddy and he needs you! You're just going to leave his life like he means nothing all because of who I am dating!?"

"Cali move this conversation is over,"

"Fuck you! If you drive off this property right now, don't think you're getting a second chance after this!"

Giving her a thumbs up,he pulled out of the parking lot of her salon and jetted off. Picking up a crushed can, she threw it at the back of his car frustrated, hurt and pissed.

Wiping her eyes, she walked back inside her shop to see Alisha and Anaya standing there with open arms.

The shop had closed hours ago, but she wanted to have a long talk with Reggie about his actions, to address the situation like adults but as we all see that didn't go well.

Alisha and Anaya overheard everything Reggie had said, and honestly couldn't believe Reggie would steep so low to where he would stop caring for his own son all because of Ahmad.

Especially since Ahmad hadn't don' anything wrong in the first besides love Marquette, but that's what angered Reggie.

He didn't want another man around his son and doing for him. Call it stupid and selfish but he didn't care.

He hated when Marquette would come to his house and request to do things that him and Ahmad did, he felt Ahmad was trying to take his place as Marq's daddy.

So he let him, he had his own new family to worry about now.

Both bringing her into a hug, she cried on their shoulders. The only thing on her mind now was how she was going to tell Marquette whenever he wanted to hang with his daddy that he wouldn't be able too.

Cali never thought Reggie would turn out like this. But most of hurt went out towards her baby, she knew Ahmad would step up and take the place as the father role but she knew how it felt growing without a father and that was the last thing she wanted her baby to go through.

Letting go of her two closest friends, she sighed rubbing at her eyes. "I'm just going to take Marquette home and call it a night not really in the mood to go out anymore."

"We understand sis, don't even trip on Reg .. we got you." Alisha told her.

"Thank you guys,"

Walking over to the couch where Marquette slept, she gently picked him up carrying him in her arms as she grabbed her purse and keys.

All leaving out the shop, she locked it up said her goodbyes to them then walked towards her car putting Marquette in his carseat.

She placed his new picture of Ahmad on the side of him kissed his forehead then shut the door getting in the front seat.

Pulling out the parking lot, she drove with tears falling from her eyes. Wiping them away so she could see, she drove slow to be safe.

Arriving to her house, she wasted no time getting out the car cause all she wanted to do was curl up in bed with her son for the night.

Grabbing him out his carseat and other belongings, she closed the door with her butt then made her way to the front door knocking instead of using her key.

Chris opened the door and immediately noticed the tear stains. "What happened?" He asked stepping to the side to let her in.

"I really don't want to discuss it, I'm just going to call it a night."

Nodding, he knew when Cali got like this it was best to just leave her alone .. he just hoped everything was good, cause he hated he was in a position to where he couldn't help the way he wanted.

Watching her walk up the stairs, he eventually walked back into the living room to finish up his videos once she disappeared.

In the middle of writing, an idea popped up in his head. He wanted to write Ahmad to see how he was doing. Getting up he walked to the closet Cali had full of school supplies for Marquette.

Grabbing a few sheets of notebook paper and a pencil, he walked to the dinning table and began writing his letter, explaining how his life was now, and checking on Ahmad making sure he was good.

Upstairs Cali was laid in bed with Marquette who was now up watching Paw Patrol. He snuggled against his mama with his head on her chest, as his attention was focused in on the television.

Her hand rubbed the top of his head, as she laid there with her eyes closed just stressed. She had so much on her plate and the last thing she needed was for Reggie to do this.

Those one week breaks were no more and those were really helpful, she would get a lot done during that time, cause with Marquette around he was a very needy child and loved being around his mama and with Ahmad not being here, he was really up her butt.

She didn't mind the love and affection from her son, cause she loved him just as much if not more but every mom needs a break and she didn't want to put him off on Chris to look after since Daycare would be nonexistent.

She couldn't afford to pay five-hundred a month which is why her and Reggie went half on it but with him bouncing the way he did she knew that had to come to an end.

Her shop was doing good but that was still money she didn't have since she had so many other bills to pay.

Letting the tears fall from eyes once again, she just wished Ahmad was here to make this pain she was feeling go away. Kissing her sons head, she made him look at her.

"I'm sure you probably won't understand half the things I am about to say, but know that I love you so much and that you're the best thing that has ever happened to me and that I will do whatever it takes to make sure you're good.." Pulling her into him so they could hug, he wrapped his small arms around her neck before pulling away to go back to watch his show.

The rest of the night was spent with her and Marquette in bed watching movies until he dozed back off when his bedtime came around.

He was now laid directly on top of her, knocked out sleep while she was up on her phone trying to plot and come up with things for Marquette so she wouldn't have to switch baby sitters every week.

She felt that since Marquette was her son that it was up to her to make things work when she shit went bad. She never wanted to fail him as a parent and she wasn't going to start now.

-

The next day Ahmad and the rest of the inmates were released outside on the courtyard. Some were playing basketball, while some played cards and dominoes.

Ahmad played Dominoes with Slick, his bunkmate and a few other guys. But Ahmad wasn't really in the right mind for the game, his Lawyer was coming today and he was just anxious to hear whatever he had to say.

Placing a dominoe on the table, he continued looking around soaking up the sun since it had been raining for the last few days so no one was allowed outside.

To most of the inmates staying in for those days were hell but Ahmad occupied his time reading scriptures getting ready for the next bible study and sketching tattoo designs.

When they saw a certain guard approaching them everybody smacked their teeth and began packing up the game already knowing he was the type to provoke inmates and get them pissed knowing they couldn't touch him and if they did they were sent to the hole.

"Don't stop playing because I've showed up, continue please." He smirked waving his baton around.

"We good fam, we was done anyways." A guy by the name of Haven spoke up.

"Is that sass talk boy?" The cop asked stepping towards him, Ahmad scoffed annoyed already with this man.

"No sir, I was jus-"

"I didn't ask either, learn how to shut your fucking mouth you stupid nigger!" He hit him with his baton across his back. "That's you black niggas problems now, don't know when to shut tha hell up." He spat.

"But you all are in my territory now, you will do as I say and if not .. ask ya friend Slick right?" He smiled wrapping his arm over his shoulder. "He knows all about how we get down."

Ahmad bit his lip, trying to control his anger but shit like that made it hard. Slick saw Ahmad's face and touched his shoulder telling him to remain calm cause when it came to Officer Langston, there was no winning against him.

He was a southern redneck racist, raised in Mississippi. He hated blacks with a passion but he really hated black men.

So when he took the job at this prison and saw it was mostly black men, he felt like a kid in a candy store. He's seen multiple black men come in here, and one by one he'd fuck with em until they blew up, just to give them longer sentences and Slick did not want that for Ahmad.

When Officer Langston stopped looking at Haven he turned his attention to Ahmad who sat there looking unphased and that alone amped up the officer.

"You must be Mr. Tough Guy huh?" He asked chuckling.

Ahmad shrugged. "I'm whatever yo mama wants me to be." He stated dryly.

Slick closed his eyes shaking his head, Officer Langston didn't say nothing he just smiled before going on his way. Once he was out of sight, Slick stood directly in front of him. "You just fucked up young blood,"

"Yeah man, the fact that he ain't get you now means you gon' get it worse later .. all I'ma say is watch yo back cause he crooked forreal." Haven explained shaking his head then slapped hands with him before walking off.

"You young niggas and that pride gon' be the death of y'all forreal. Sometimes you just gotta let that pride go, especially if it can cost you ya freedom. Now Officer WhiteAss gon' be on you like flies to shit, even if he comes off disrespectful and it fucks with your manhood, don't react .. I've seen it with my own eyes, other officers will sit back and watch him provoke you and when you snap and the head guard asks what happen, nobody is going to defend you .. if you want to make it in here you gotta be smart and think before you react."

Ahmad nodded as he eyed Officer Langston who was eyein' him back and smirking. Looking down Ahmad already knew it was finna be hell on Earth for him here, he just hoped and prayed his lawyer came with some good news today.

Later they were now headed back to their cells, Ahmad knew any minute he'd be getting called out for a visitor and he was anxious.

Feeling himself get shoved hard, he turned around ready to fight but chilled when he saw it was Officer Langston. "Whatchu gon' do hit me boy?" He chuckled. "That little joke you made about my mama put me on your ass boy, I ain't nothin' to play with it but since you want too, I'll gladly play right with you."

Shoving him again, he walked off laughing. Ahmad mugged his back side as he continued his journey to his cell.

Walking inside he hopped on his bunk sighing. "You good bro?" Tate asked.

"Nah, Officer Langston that muthafucka' gon' fuck around and make me lose it all." He huffed.

"Don't even trip, he feeds off our anger .. ignore his bitch ass he'll move around."

Ahmad nodded as he laid back, "You right, my trial in three weeks can't have him fuck that up for me, I gotta get up out of here."

"Just be cool and you will, continue studying and following God's orders."

After that Ahmad soon dozed off, when the sound of their cell opening alarmed the two, Ahmad sat up and stretched. "Sinclair, visitor in private room come with us."

Sighing, he hopped down from his bunk doing a quick prayer in his head as they handcuffed him and escorted him out.

The officers made small talk amongst each other talking about pass games and other stuff while Ahmad mind was running a mile a minute.

When they reached the private room, he saw his lawyer and his nerves went up. Uncuffing him the officers took a step out leaving them alone.

Taking a seat directly in front of him, he cleared his throat. "So what's up? Everything good?"

Sighing, he shook his head. "I wish, a few days ago two detectives came into your shop and questioned your employees and everybody defended you except Melissa Bell .. she claims you have been raping her and assaulting her since she got hired and its a good chance they could use this against you in court."

Ahmad frowned standing to his feet. "That bitch said what!?" He yelled causing the officers to step inside.

"Is there a problem in here sir?" They asked with their hands on top of their guns.

"No no, no problem at all .. we're just talking.. can I get back to talking to my client please?"

They stood there for a few seconds before nodding and walking out. Turning his attention back to Ahmad as he paced the room, he rubbed his forehead. "What tha hell am I gonna do now? She just fucked everythimg up. I knew it was a reason I never liked that bitch!"

"I know but its also something else I need to tell you.."

Ahmad sighed placing his hands ontop of his head. "What?"

"Somebody broke into your shop and trashed it .. Cops are investigating but we believe it was Melissa and some people she knew,"

Ahmad felt as if the air in his lungs went away for a second. His shop was everything to him, it was what got him and his family up out the hood and to hear someone trashed it hurt.

Then he started thinking why Marcus hadn't said anything to him about the situation. He loved his boy, would take a bullet for his ass but he hoped he didn't have anything to do it.

He didn't believe he did, he just hoped he didn't.

"But my question for you is do you have beef with anybody else besides her?"

"Nah, not that I know of."

"Okay good, well look Marcus discovered something when he went back to the shop .."

"Do you know why he hasn't contacted me to tell me anything that was going on?"

"Yeah, he wanted to see what he could do first far as helping before he told you."

He nodded, sighing in relief. "But listen whoever the person was that broke into your shop wasn't smart or skilled they didn't swipe the camera footage like none of it and I also thought of something else if they try and use this Melissa bullshit against you, we can roll the cameras back to show that there wasn't any assaulting or raping going on and possibly see who did this to your shop.."

"Do whatever man, I gotta get out of here! Being behind these damn walls is hindering me from making moves, it's like I can't catch a fucking break at all, its always something."

"Don't worry, I got you .. you just have to remain good in here, I'm one of the bests Lawyers in Houston trust me I've won cases like this, just continue being good behind these walls and you'll be out of here in no time. Just give me few days and I'll call you to let you know if they pushing the trial back because of this or not,"

Ahmad nodded, hoping everything would go as planned cause right now it seemed as if his world was just crumbling.

He needed some type of good news, he wanted to shut down like he usually does but he knew he couldn't, shit wasn't looking good but he knew he had to be positive..

His main problem now is Officer Langston.. and he wasn't too sure how long he could take the mistreatment but he was gon' try..

-

Thanks for the love & support
- Denise 💕