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

Throwing on a shirt, he looked over at Anaya who was getting back dressed to head back to work from lunch but all he could think was that something was going on with her. She came over during her lunch break and they had sex but even the sex felt different between the two.

He was happy that her and Alisha came back together but when she started acting distant towards him and flaking on things they had planned was when he became more alert to her.

She spent hours on her phone, she barely wanted to come over and her excuse was always that she was with Alisha or talking to Alisha and it just made him think and wonder if Alisha was acting like that towards Shaun.

"Are we good?" He blurted out getting back in bed.

Looking over her shoulder, she sighed. "Yes Marcus, why do you keep asking this? We just had sex and you still tripping."

"Okay we had sex.. that don't change the fact you been acting funny as fuck. You been all up Alisha ass for days and been distant as fuck towards me like what's up with that?"

She chuckled. "Oh that's what this is about? You're jealous because I've been spending time with my sister? Well get over it Marcus, she is my sister. We're gonna wanna spend time with one another."

"You know damn well this ain't got shit to do with you hanging with your sister. But when you start lacking as a girlfriend the shit becomes a problem. You putting everything yo sister want and needs before us, we was suppose to go look at houses the other day, but you bailed .. I rescheduled it and you bailed again .. if you having doubts about us let me know so I can fall back or something , cause I'm all in and I thought you were too."

"You're really looking too deep into this babe,"

"Nah, ion think I am. Something is up and since you wanna play games and act as if you haven't changed then cool I'll fall back on everything until we start seeing eye to eye as a couple again."

"I'm really not in the mood to argue right now, I have to get back to work ya know? Some of us actually have to go to work."

Frowning he looked over at her tryna see what tha fuck she was tryna say. "And what tha hell is that suppose to mean? You know my situation, you know the shop is still under construction and you gon' say that slick shit? Fuck you man."

"Marc-"

"Nah go to work, I'm done talking." Standing up he slipped on some sweats grabbed his keys then walked towards the door with her following behind.

Stepping out he directed her to come out so he could lock up. She went to speak but he stopped her by holding his hand up. "I said I was done talking,"

Walking down the stairs, he left her standing there feeling like shit. Getting inside his car, he reached inside his glove department taking out a small box. Opening it up he looked at the small ring he brought for her shaking his head. At first he was sure that Anaya was the onr but as days passed, she started making him rethink everything.

Pulling out his parking spot, he sat the ring back in the glove departnment trying to see what he wanted to do but he knew before he made any decisions he needed to talk to his boys.

        Anaya entered the boutique and instantly groaned when she saw Shaun and Alisha all in each others faces laughing and talking. She was so ready for him to get out of the picture. "What is he doing here?" She asked causing them to pull away from each other.

"Oh um, he brought me lunch, its more back in my office if you want some." Alisha offered even though she was not liking her sisters tone.

Alisha forgave Anaya but she damn sho' didn't forget nor did she even trust her sister like she did. Ever since Alisha told her she was branching off Anaya was offering to help and to help pay but Alisha wanted this to be a project she did on her own with no help.

And another weird thing was she was always worried about Shaun asking where he was, and othet stufg but whenever he came around she had an attitude. She didn't know what was going on with her sister and really didn't cate too much find out since she had bigger and more important things to worry about.

Since she had said she was branching off, a few people have been trying to get their hands on her for partnership deals, but when she said she wanted to go solo she meant that so she turned down million dollar deals so she wouldn't have to live in someone else's shadow it was time for her to be the light that shined that everyone praised.

"I'll pass on that," She mumbled dryly walking into her office.

Rolling her eyes, Alisha focused back on Shaun. "What's up with her?"

Alisha shrugged, "Don't know and I honestly don't care .. the attitude she always has towards you is getting old, like you claim you happy for me but steady dissing the guy who makes me happy."

"Don't trip on her, what we got is solid if she ain't down to rock with us and see what we're tryna build oh well."

Nodding her head, she walked over to the couch seating area they had near the dressing rooms. Taking a seat, Shaun sat right beside her pulling her feet into his lap. "I got an offer.." She mumbled.

"What kind of offer?"

"Peter Vandetta, CEO of Vandetta Dior Fashion wants me to fly to Paris to do a fashion show with him .. He heard about me branching off and wanted me Alisha Pierce to have my designs and my models walk along side with his designs and his models."

Shaun smiled widely, "Go for it babe, this is your chance someone as popular as him sees your talent and wants to showcase it .. don't pass that up."

She sighed, "But, I'll be away for four months .. thats a long time."

"But you're going to do something you love, it'll fly by and I feel this is your golden ticket to successfully branch off from this."

"You're right, well if I take the offer .. I'll have to leave in two months that gives me enough time to get my models, to get all my ideas and whatever else I need for the trip but the bad thing about all of this is that I'll be away from you." She pouted.

"I'll be a phonecall away and three weeks before the show, I'll fly down and stay until the day of so I can see all your hardwork."

She nodded, "Fine, I know I'll be busy but I'll call as much as I can .. might even need to start packing now to be ahead."

"Well until then just chill, mentally prepare yourself for it and enjoy the time you have with ya boy." Scooting closer to him, she laid her head on his shoulder intertwining their fingers.

"Do you ever just sit back and just be like who would've thought that you and I would have ended up together?"

He nodded pulling strands of her hair. "All the time, hell I'm shocked my ass even settled down period. But I also been thinking about letting my dad and you meet. He knows about you, and surprisingly he was happy for me."

"How does he look? Cause um if he looks anything like you or better .. might have to slide his way." She joked.

Pinching her thigh he kissed her forehead. "I'll fuck you up, try me."

"Whatever but I don't know if I want you to meet my parents because I just feel like they are just gonna judge you and not get to know you and you don't deserve that."

"I mean its whatever you want to do, I'm already not to fond of them so their judgment ain't gon' bother me .. I just don't want to be there and they start saying slick shit about you because then I'ma snap old or not, respect is given to those who earn it."

She nodded, "True, but we'll just see what happens when that time comes right now the only thing that should be on our minds is are we going to be at my place or your place tonight?"

"Mine, I'm cooking."

"What are you cooking?"

Biting her nose, she winced in pain hitting his arm. Blocking her hit he laughed. "You'll see later but um I expect you to be at my house dressed in a trench coat with nothing on underneath." He smirked.

"I'll see what I can do."

Reaching inside his pocket to get his vibrating phone out, he held up his finger to Alisha when he saw it was Marcus. "Whatchu want hoe?"

"You busy?"

Scratching the back of his neck, he looked over at Alisha. "Uh yeah sorta kinda, I'm just up here at Alisha boutique, you good?"

Leaning over Alisha started kissing on his neck, causing him to small and try to push her away. "Nah, I just needed to vent and clear my head .. whenever you leave there just meet me at Cassidy's."

Sitting up, he held his finger up to Alisha telling her to hold on. Checking his watch, he sighed. "Uh I can head there now, you there already?"

"Yeah, I been here for a good thirty minutes."

Shaun nodded, "Alright, on my way."

Hanging up the phone, Alisha looked at him wondering what was wrong. "Who was that?"

"Marcus,"

"Is everything alright?" She asked truly concerned then started to connect the dots that him and Anaya must have gotten into it which explains her attitude.

"He didn't sound too good, I'm finna go holla at him then head back to the house to cook."

Standing to their feet, she wrapped her arms around his neck to peck his lips. "Drive safe, I'll see you tonight."

Kissing her lips, he smiled pulling away. "I love you,"

"I love you more,"

Watching him leave out the store, she smiled then sighed as she headed to Anaya's office to check on her. Knocking on the door, Anaya called for her to come in. "You alright sis?"

Raising her head up she nodded, "I'm fine why?"

"Just checking on you, things seemed off when you came back from lunch."

"I'm fine like I said, you just focus on Shaun."

"All I did was come in here to check on you, what does Shaun have to do with this?"

Sitting her pencil down, she looked directly at Alisha. "You saw something was bothering me and instead of ditching your boyfriend to check on me, you stayed out there then I come out to put more money in the registar and I hear you telling him about the Peter Vandetta offer, don't you think your sister should be the first one to know?"

"Anaya, not everything is about you .. everyday you come up in here moody as fuck when you see Shaun so of course I assumed it was because he was here so save all the extra drama and I told Shaun because I feel right now he's the only one who actually wants to see me do good besides Cali."

Standing up, Anaya grew offended. "I do too,"

"Do you really? Or are you just tryna make up for what you did?"

Anaya rolled her eyes, "Did Shaun say something to make you start coming at me? Because for the past few months since Ahmad had been out .. I've been helping you and pitching ideas."

Alisha groaned loudly. "Can you please stop this shit? Anytime I defend myself or come at you sideways does not mean its because of Shaun. It's because of you! I have a brain Anaya, I don't need a nigga to think for me so stop saying slick shit like this and okay we get it, you don't like Shaun but damn acting like this and giving him attitude is getting old. I don't do this towards Marcus so why can't you just be happy I found someone finally. I don't deserve to be happy like you?"

"Look Alisha, I'm really not in the mood for arguing today .. I have more things on my mind and so should you since you're the one thinking about branching off and what not so just focus on that for now, don't worry about me."

Not putting up a debate, Alisha walked out her office to check on their workers to make sure they were helping customers before going into her office.

She was honestly drained and tired of Anaya. The more they bumped heads the more she felt she actually needed to branch off.

Sitting at her desk, she went to her email clicking on the email Peter sent her taking a deep breath before hitting the reply button. She listened to what Shaun said and was taking this opportunity she given to turn it into something major.. it was her time.

         Watching the other kids play on the playground, Marquette sat off to himself as he played in the sandbox with his toy trucks. Humming to unknown tune his little three year old mind wandered off at a butterfly he saw flying above his head.

Reaching up to touch it he laughed to himself when it flew away. Marquette was a naturally happy child, he never really knew the things that went on around him he just picked up on vibes but even then he tried to remain happy.

He only really cried if he missed someone, or was hurt.

He knew when something was bothering his mother and that sometimes put him in moods and same when it came to Ahmad. Even though he barely saw Ahmad mad or upset he still sometimes sensed when things would be off and would comfort him the best he could by giving hugs and kisses.

One time he overheard Ahmad and Cali arguing and instead of crying he walked into the room and began screaming and shouting as if he was arguing since he figured it was a game, Cali and Ahmad couldn't help but laugh and look at him as an example of how stupid they probably looked arguing.

Plus Cali and Ahmad never wanted him to see them argue anymore, they felt kids really shouldn't be exposed to that.

Another person Marquette really grew attached too besides Ahmad was his pawpaw Aaron. He loved hanging with him and watching him play dominoes with his friends. He liked cooking with him and singing old school songs together even though the songs came out before Ahmad or Cali were thought of, he just liked being over there and everybody who came in contact with Marquette instantly fell in love.

Cali just simply loved how they welcomed her and her son the way they did. Since she had been pregnant Ashley has been online shopping, pitching baby shower ideas being real helpful through it all and she was really appreciative of it all.

She did worry about Marquette when it came to Reggie, but she was just shocked that he hadn't even brought of his daddy and its been months. It sorta kinda made her wonder would he ever bring him up since he was in that age phase that if a person didn't come around often or stopped coming around he would soon forget about them.

But instead of pushing it, she was just going to cross that bridge when the time comes.

Smiling at the birds that flew in the sky, he looked back down at his trucks drivng them through the sand. "Errr, boom!" He shouted making them crash into each other.

Hearing a faint scream he looked up to see a few of his buddies pushing on a another kid behind the slide.

Standing to his feet, he walked over to see that the boy ws crying. And Marquette was taught people only cried when they were in pain. The little boy who was crying is a little boy named Ken who also had Down Syndrome and a lot of the kids picked on him simply because of his condition. "Leave him lone," Marquette yelled catching their attention.

Pulling Ken off the ground the best he could, the other little boy went to push Marquette but Marquette threw one of his trucks at the boy head causing him to cry and scream in pain.

Picking his toy truck back up, he walked off with Ken directing them back to the sandbox. Sitting down Marquette began back playing as if nothing happened. Looking over at the Ken he wondered why he hadn't sat down yet. "You want play?"

Ken nodded slowly as he sat in the sand beside him, picking up his second truck Marquette handed it to him so he could have something to play with, they raced their trucks and made them crash probably a thousand times, laughing and playing.

Marquette didn't even know the condition Ken had, all he wanted was a friend and after just a few minutes of playing with Ken he found that.

Getting yanked up by his arm, Marquette looked to see it was his daycare teacher. "Throwing your toys at other kids is not allowed here, you know better!" She roared practically dragging him back inside.

Marquette cried from the grip she had on his wrist, trying to tug away. Sitting him in the chair that was faced towards the playground practically forcing the kids to look out the window she went to call Cali to come get him.

Ken soon entered the room handing Marquette back his trucks then took a seat beside him as they both stared out the window together.

Ken always played by himself, or sat around the teachers since he hated getting picked on but today the teachers wanted him to go out and be a kid rather than just sit under the shade with them.

He didn't know too much about what Marquette did, he just knew Marquette helped him from getting hurt and he wanted to be friends with him.

After twenty to thirty minutes passed, Ahmad came speed walking through the double doors not bothering to sign in. When he got the call that it was incident and kids got hurt, he immediately became alert and headed there to check on his boy.

Reaching the classroom, he saw Ken and Marquette in the time out area then focused his attention to his daycare teacher. "What happened?" At the sound of Ahmad's voice, Marquette hopped up out the chair running towards him crying.

"Marquette go sit back down, now." The teacher said sternly.

Frowning, Ahmad picked him up ignoring her. "Talk to my son like that again and see what happens. Fuck you telling him to go sit down for when his daddy standing right here when its more important shit to be discussing like what tha hell happened and why he crying?"

Growing scared by his tone of voice, she cleared her throat. "One of the kids came running over to us crying and pointing at Marquette saying he threw one of his trucks at his head. I don't know what type of behavior you tolerate in your household but it isn't allowed here."

"My boy not a violent child, so it had to be for a reason. Did you even ask to see what exactly happened? I don't condone violence but if the little nigga deserved it, oh well."

"Sir, regardless if he deserved it or not its still against day care rules and he will be suspended for it."

Looking down at Marquette who was still crying, he wiped his tear. "Why you throw the truck at the nigga head Mar?"

"He-he be mean to him," He pointed to Ken causing them to look over at him. "They push him down, and call him names."

"See, they were bullying dude and my little man came to the rescue and helped him out. But my question is where tha fuck was y'all when this shit even happened? Maybe if ya'll got off y'all asses and stopped discussing bout dick ya'll wish ya'll could get and debeat ass baby daddy's and actually gave a fuck about the kids since that is what we pay y'all for then you would've saw what went down." Glancing down at Marquette's wrist since he was wincing from the pain and holding it, Ahmad looked back at the woman.

"Mar, what's wrong with your wrist?" He questioned not once taking his eyes off the teacher who eyes got wide out of fear.

"She grabbed me hard," He mumbled.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Ahmad nodded. "We will no longer be bringing our child to this fucked up as establishment. He's three years old, why the fuck you grabbing on him like he's a grown ass man? Bit- You better be glad his mama didn't come cause yo ass would be laid tha fuck out by now but anyways we out, and we will be reporting the behavior that goes on around here as well. Have a fucked up ass day ma'an."

Going to walk out, Marquette stopped him so he could say bye to Ken. Putting him down on the ground, he watched Marquette run over and give him a hug before running back towards him grabbing his hand so they could leave.

Knocking the sign she had on her door down, Ahmad exited out of the daycare pissed off. Coming to a stop, he bent down to be eye level to Mar. "Don't ever let anybody make you feel bad for doing the right thing okay? Standing up for that boy was very big of you and I'm proud of you alright? We'll go get food and ice cream as an award for doing the right thing today, sound good?"

Nodding his head excitedly, Ahmad lifted him up and carried him the rest of the way to the car. Putting him in his carseat, Ahmad jogged to his side then sped out of the parking lot almost hitting the sign.

        Getting out his car, he walked up towards the entrance of Cassidy's. Walking in he looked around to see Shaun and Marcus already seated at the bar. Going towards them he slapped hands with the both of them then took a seat. "Whatchu gotta talk to us about?" Ahmad asked getting straight to it, just in case he needed to get ready to box a nigga or slap a bitch.

"It's Anaya man, like she just .. I don't know, fucking tripping and said some slick shit earlier shit really pissed me off like she been showing her ass and I haven't even done anything wrong to deserve the shit she been doing." He mumbled.

"Not tryna be too negative but do you think she could be sleeping with someone else? Or at least seeing someone else on the side?" Ahmad questioned ordering him a glass of Patron.

Marcus shrugged. "I mean I don't want to believe its someone else but I really don't know. Shaun has Alisha been acting weird towards you? Cause Anaya always claims when she's busy its because she's doing stuff with Alisha."

Shaun shook his head taking a sip of his drink. "They barely even talk, I mean they amended things but Alisha only fucks with Anaya to a certain extent so she lying."

Marcus hit his fist on the bar pissed off. "If she playing me for some nigga who ain't half the man I swear I'm killing that nigga then her." Pulling the ring out his pocket, he held it up for them to see. "See this shit, I was gon' ask her to marry me bro but now I don't know."

"Wait chill, you never know what exactly is going on .. you and her need to just sit down and talk maybe something is bothering personally .. force her ass to talk, put yo little ass foot down and demand her to speak up and if she on that bullshit she can get to stepping cause for one she too damn grown to be playing these cat and mouse games, saying aint nothing wrong but acting as if you mad at the world .. I swear sometimes I just don't understand women. We ask them whats wrong? They get mad that we assumed something was wrong, we don't ask they assume we don't care." Chugging down his glass of patron, Ahmad shook his head. "Never a winning battle with them."

Shaun nodded, "Preach that shit brother, Alisha be doing that shit too .. then I realise its just cause she needed that act right to put her ass in check." Touching Marcus shoulder he made him look over at him. "Fuck the shit out of her and demand them answers nigga, or do what she does and see if she likes it ..act as if you busy and ain't got time and just see how she reacts."

Marcus shook his head, "I'll try that just to see what's up, I'm just stressed cause its like I thought I was doing everything right between us but now I don't know .. y'all think its me?"

Ahmad immediately shook his head no, "Hell no, I've watched you treat this girl like a queen .. probably better than half the niggas she ever fucked with .. if she loses out on you then that bitch gon' be forever miserable and ain't gon' come across another dude like you." Shaun nodded agreeing.

"Chill with the bitch word Mad, but I hear whatchu saying. I'll take all y'alls advice and see what happens. If shit still doesn't change then I'll know what to do." Standing to his feet, he threw cash on the bar to pay for their drinks then left out of the bar with head hung low.

Shaun and Ahmad both looked at each other before shaking their heads. "I never liked that girl, ever since we met she always had it out for me and then how she always treated Alisha .. fuck her and if I found out she trying to some slick shit on my boy, I'll get one of my cousins to tap that ass."

Ahmad laughed. "Yo cousins gon' kill ha, they so damn ruthless."

Shaun shrugged. "I don't care, Marcus is like my brother along with you .. someone fucks with y'all they fucking with me and that's just what it is period and same goes to Hazel ugly ass."

"I hear you man, but how you gon' call Hazel ugly, when the first time you saw her you was tryna spit game at her but as soon as she said she was engaged yo ass wanna act like she ain't all that."

Throwing a napkin at him, Shaun laughed. "Nigga, that was like four years ago .. let that shit go."

"Don't matte when it was nigga, you still did it."

Waving him off, he stood from his seat. "Whatever but I'll holla at you later fam .. gotta go home and cook for my baby."

"Same, I know Cali pregnant ass wondering where I'm at, oh bro another thing .. Cali hormones have been through the roof its like every five minutes she tryna fuck, and you know I don't mind but its like damn I wake up she sucking my dick or something .. and my ass be wore out to do anything so I just let her have all the control."

Shaun laughed, "Nigga that sounds like heaven might need to fuck around and get Alisha pregnant." He joked as they left out of the bar together.

"Wouldn't surprise me if she was especially with the way y'all be going at it."

"Nah we stay with the Plan B pills.. but one day we plan on it." He mumbled approaching his car.

"That's good but drive safe nigga," Chunking up the dueces to each other they went their separate ways as they headed home to their women.

        Bent over trying to twerk the best she could, Ahmad stood behind her hyping her up as they danced to No limit by G-Eazy in the kitchen together.

They had the house to themselves tonight since Marquette went with Ahmad's parents and Chris just stepped out for the night with one of his homeboys from back in the day.

Laughing Ahmad playfully smacked her ass before he pulled away to check on the chicken frying on the stove. Wrapping her arms around his waist, she peeked from around him to watch as she engulfed the scent of his cologne.

"I was talking to your mama earlier and she said she found some cool decorations for the babyshower .. I was going to look at them tomorrow when I go get Marquette."

"If you like it send me pictures of it, cause I want the baby shower to look nice especially since I'm paying for it all."

"Well I have a menu already written .. you can look at it later and I looked up some baby games that seemed fun to play oh and I saw this nice ass venue.. it was literally perfect for a baby shower." She cheesed.

"We can look at some stuff together when we get to the room. We got two months to plan for it."

"Two months seems like a lot of time but its really not, like by next week we need to have the venue booked and invitations out."

Flipping the chicken over and turning the burner down so the grease wouldn't pop him, he checked on the yeast rolls in the oven. "Have the invitations came in the mail yet?"

"Yes and I've filled out half of em so far .. I just need the list of people you want to invite then that's one thing on our list of things to do checked off."

He nodded, "I can give you that tonight."

"Okay good, cause I want to have these out early so it will give people enough time to take off for it and actually come."

"I understand but just chill everything is gon' be perfect baby, I'm going to make sure of it. But anyways I was also thinking me, you and Marquette should take a trip." He blurted out turning down the music with his phone.

Grabbing herself a plate she stole a piece of chicken then walked over to the bar taking a seat. "A trip to where?"

He shrugged, "Wherever you wanna go, name the place and I'll set it up."

She blushed tearing a piece off the chicken leg, "Um, I don't know .. Florida would be nice like going to Miami or Orlando or something. We could even take my baby to Disney World .. that would be fun."

"If that's what you want to do then consider it done."

"When are you tryna go?"

"Two weeks from now, the shop should be up and running after we get back and I won't be able to spend as much time as I want with you so I feel we need this before things get hetic again.."

She nodded, "Do you need me to help pitch in for the trip? I mean you are paying for the baby shower as well.. I don't want everything all on you."

"I got it trust me, I have two rainy day savings accounts with more than enough money saved up to do this trip and extra money for the baby shower .. don't worry ya man got this."

Cali nodded growing excited. "Disney World it is then, I'm so excited .. I've never been but I've always wanted to go."

He smiled to himself, already mentally preparing everything he wanted to do for her and Marquette on there trip. He wanted it to be a time in their lives that they would remember and cherish forever.

Fixing himself a plate, he smiled taking a seat beside. "Same that's why I wanted to take you somewhere, you deserve it and so does my little man especially after what went down today at the daycare."

Cali rolled her eyes, "Yeah that bitch so lucky I was in the middle of doing a clients head so I couldn't come but lord knows if I was there .. hands were gon' be thrown." She shrugged taking some of his food off his plate.

"Trust me I know, but I gotta question.."

Turning her focus on him, she continued eating. "Shoot."

"How you feel about us getting our own spot together?"

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Thanks for the love & support
- Denise 💋