Hey Smurflettes

So, I'm back at it again with trying to get my books published. This time, I've uploaded two of them on Inkitt. They're part of a series (Book 1 & 2) and they're a teen fiction series.

I need your help to get them published. I have to reach a certain number of reads (6000) on the site for them to be considered. Please check them out and share this post with your friends and family.

The links to the books:

Six (Book 1) - https://www.inkitt.com/stories/romance/153340?started_reading=true

Zero (Book 2) - https://www.inkitt.com/stories/romance/153347?started_reading=true

You can also check out my Inkitt profile. The link is:

Inkitt Profile - https://www.inkitt.com/kgalalelo

Please support me. Please and thank you.

***

We left the car and headed inside the house to find loud music going. The vibrations could be felt in the floor and I could see Lana seething. I still wasn't sure what was going on, until we walked into the lounge.

What we ended up seeing was something I couldn't even process.

The guy there who I assume is Emile, was making out with two girls at the same time on the very couch that I'd sat on with my baby daddy just the night before. The three of them were moaning and it was visibly evident that they were touching him intimately.

"Oh my God!" my best friend was the first to react. The two ladies jumped up in panic, while Emile looked relaxed.

"What the fuck Emile?" Lana asked him, turning down the volume.

"Well if it isn't the lovely Lana Ramirez," he mocked.

"You're spineless you know that? In fact, you're a piece of shit. Who goes to someone else's place and pulls this shit?" she attacked.

He shrugged. "Cuba knows me for who I am, so I'm pretty sure he won't mind."

"Except I do," I found myself commenting.

He raised an eyebrow at me. "And who might you be?"

"Someone important enough to Cuba to ask you to take your tag-alongs and leave," I said confidently.

The last thing I expected was for him to laugh.

"Listen here bitch, I don't think you know who you're talking to, so I'll let that one slide," he said cockily.

Something in me flipped as I walked until I was standing in front of him. "Call me a bitch one more time. I dare you."

"Bitch," he said, smirking.

His smirk disappeared just seconds later to be replaced by a groan of pain.

"What the hell? Who the fuck do you think you are? Do you know who this man is?" one of the women shouted at me.

"I'm well aware of who he is. He's the one who doesn't know his place," I spat.

"Lolo calm down," Fifi told me.

"I'm calm. I just want these people to leave," I said seriously.

Lana turned to Emile. "Well then, you heard the woman of the house. Get out!"

"Woman of what house?" Emile scoffed.

"This very one and you're pissing her off. I can guarantee you that Cuba will have your head if he finds her in this state," Lana warned.

"The only thing this woman is, is a bitch!" Emile spat.

I slapped him, only for one of the women to slap me for that. That pushed me over the edge as I punched her. Her friend tried to come to her rescue, but I stopped her slap in time to also grab her by the hair.

"What the hell is going on?"

I turned back to look at my baby daddy, only to be blindsided by seeing my mother there as well. However, my shock was short-lived as a painful punch was landed across my face. I let go of the woman's hair as Laz rushed over to me.

"I will repeat what Cuba asked. What the hell is going on?" my mother asked coolly.

"This crazy bitch just decided to attack my guests and I like she owns the place," Emile said angrily.

Cuba turned to him with a murderous glare. "Don't call her a bitch and she does own the place. What the fuck are you doing here and who are these women?"

"We walked in to find him making out with them on the couch with the music blasting loud enough to vibrate the floors," Fifi informed.

"London simply asked all three of them to leave, before Emile called her a bitch. She punched him in the nuts and slapped him for calling her a bitch three times before his bitches decided to attack her," Lana added.

Cuba breathed in deeply, looking like he was holding on by a thread. "Get out."

"What?" Emile asked him, looking genuinely shocked.

"Get the fuck out of my house before I react in the way I really want to," Cuba told him.

I suddenly didn't want to be there, not caring about how the situation ended as I ran upstairs. I could hear footsteps following me, but I didn't care who it was. I just wanted to get away.

Relief filled me when his scent wrapped itself around me at the same time that his arms did. I held onto him, just breathing him in. I'd missed him, and what had just happened I wasn't ready to face.

"I'm so sorry Dori," he whispered.

"It's ok. I shouldn't have reacted the way that I did, so I'm partly to blame. I should've been the bigger person, but seeing him like that just pissed me off, especially because all I could think about was the fact that he was toxic for you in the past. I don't want him anywhere near you Laz. I don't want him to set you back," I voiced my fear.

"And he won't; not for as long as you're in my life. I know what I'm fighting for now remember?" he said, smiling as he caressed my cheek.

"I missed you," I pouted.

He chuckled before leaning down to kiss me. "I missed you too."

"Now, was I seeing things or is my mother really here?" I asked.

"Oh, she's here alright. She had me fetch her from the airport about two hours back before we went out for coffee. I don't want to say any more than that because the two of you need to talk," he replied.

"Is it bad?" I asked nervously.

"You'll find out when you talk to her Dori. I don't want you to be influenced by anything that I say," he responded.

"So, it's bad," I panicked.

He stole another kiss. "Stay calm until you actually talk to her."

"I don't want to go downstairs," I admitted.

"It's ok. I'll send her up here," he offered.

"Are you leaving?" I asked.

He shook his head. "I'll probably be in my office. Fetching her derailed my plans a bit, so I need to have a couple of conference calls to catch up on some of these meetings that I keep shifting around."

"I'm sorry. I know that I'm partly to blame for the imbalance in your schedule," I apologized.

He cupped my cheek. "Don't worry about it. I'm working around it, but don't ever feel like I don't have time for you and Nemo. I'll shuffle my schedule a million times before allow you to feel unimportant ok?"

"Ok," I whispered.

Note to self- bother Cuba less because he runs a multimillionaire corporation, despite anything he says.

"I'm going to get your mom. Please just remain level-headed about everything. Hear her out and don't be too quick to respond to her, even if you don't agree with what she's saying. Process everything first," he told me.

"I can't promise anything. When she and I don't see eye to eye, it can get pretty intense," I admitted.

He scowled at my words. "Should I call Fifi in as well?"

"No. I need to face my mother alone. Just promise me you'll be there after," I requested.

He kissed my forehead. "Always. Like I said, I'll be down the hallway, so you can come find me when you need me."

When he'd left the room, I couldn't help but think about how badly I wanted to tell him that I love him. I don't know whether or not I'm terrified to do it, but there's just something that always stops me.

I wish I knew what it was.

There's no question in my mind that I'm in love with him. It's been a short time, but he makes me the happiest that I've ever been. Nemo is just the cherry on a very lovingly created cake, and I wouldn't lie and say that I wasn't nervous about what my mother had to say.

The last thing I want is to fight with my mother over my soulmate who I have no intentions of leaving.

It became clear to me in that moment that regardless of what my family thought, I wasn't leaving Cuba. Much like I would never disown them, it worked the same way with him. It hit me then that whether or not they're accepting of this is irrelevant.

Cuba was already family.

He's a big part of giving my parents their first grandchild. I never thought I'd get to this point before JR, but then again, my brother's commitment phobia should've been enough of an indicator that I would.

"I wonder what you're so deep in thought about," my mother commented. I turned and she was standing at the door.

"I'm thinking about how I didn't think I'd give you and dad a grandchild before JR," I admitted.

"Ah yes, Nemo," she said, walking into the room.

I laughed a little. "You spoke to Cuba?"

"We had a lengthy chat yes," she confirmed as she sat on the bed.

I joined her. "And?"

"I'm still not sure how I feel about him. He's very opinionated, and it can come across as disrespectful," she replied.

That doesn't sound like Cuba at all.

"What exactly did he say to make you feel that way?" I asked, curious.

"I simply pointed out that I am not comfortable with this situation because you're not married and that I am in fact disappointed in you, and his reaction wasn't that of a man who is sorry for his actions," she responded.

That didn't sit well with me. "And what exactly is he supposed to be sorry for?"

"For putting you in this situation," she said as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"For putting me in this situation? He didn't exactly rape me," I blurted.

She looked taken aback. "Excuse me?"

"I am a grown woman mother. I am as much a part of this situation as Cuba is. It was my choice to sleep with him. I mean, at the time I thought it was a one-time thing, but ever since the pieces of the puzzle came together, I find myself thanking God that it wasn't. I am happy mum, and I get that I've disappointed you, but I didn't expect you to react like this either. Even from the look on your face I can tell that you don't like Cuba and that's not ok with me," I shouted. I'd even stood up at some point, angry tears in my eyes.

She just stared at me, surprise in her eyes, but she didn't lose her cool. "Sit down and talk to me like an adult London."

"You see that? That is so condescending! I am talking to you like an adult. I just happen to be more emotional because you refuse to see me for an adult," I replied, still standing.

"You want me to treat you like an adult? Fine. What do you know about motherhood? When you look at yourself in the mirror, do you see someone who is ready to be a mother? You barely have your own life together London. You are in no position to bring a baby into this world with a man you've known for two seconds," she snapped.

"That man knows me better than you do right now, and whether or not my life is in order is irrelevant. Cuba is ready to step up and be a father to our child, but he's also ready to support me in whatever I want to do. Do I know what I'm doing with my life right now? No, but I do know that my child isn't going to die because of that. A baby needs love, a home, and to be nurtured. I love Cuba and I know for a fact that he loves me too. Our baby will be born into a home filled with love and we are both ready to nurture them and help them grow into respectable human beings. I wasn't ready to meet Cuba or to fall pregnant, but I would take none of it back. I have never been this happy in my life, and all I want is for my family to share in the same joy. Is that so hard?" I asked, once again shouting.

"You are delusional, and I can't believe that the words coming out of your mouth are coming out of the mouth of a child that I raised. I taught you to be smarter than this London. There is no way that you or Cuba for that matter, are ready to bring a child into this world. I know all about his life too. He's just as unprepared as you are, and yet just because you get googly eyed every time you look into each other's eyes, the two of you have managed to somehow convince each other that you're ready for this. He has told me your story and it only shines a light on just how unprepared you both are for this. You ignored the man London. That's not something a responsible person would do. This is all infatuation, and as much as you think I'm against you, the last thing I want is for you to find yourself alone with your child because you trusted the words of a man who sweet talked you into the possibilities of a life together after one amazing night."

It was like I was staring at someone I didn't know. It was at that moment that I realized that I'd never truly seen my mother for the person that she is simply because I'd always done what she wanted of me.

Now that I wasn't playing by her rules, I was on the receiving end of the wrath I've watched her inflict on others over the years. I never dreamed that I'd one day find myself in this position, and I wasn't sure how to feel.

"You don't even know why I ignored him," I said lowly. My fury was threatening to explode and there was only so much that I could do to not let it.

"I don't care either. You're missing the point if that's the only thing you picked up in all that I said. Neither of you are ready for this London. You supposedly hate your internship, and he doesn't have the best image out there. Do you know that his grandfather left everything to him on condition that he marry you, and he forfeited all of that because of this little infatuation thing the two of you have going on? Where do you expect him to get the money to support your family if he can make such stupid decisions? I'm sorry, but if you're expecting my blessing then I'm sorry to have to tell you that I can't give it to you. I do not accept this. The both of you are nowhere near mature enough for this," she replied.

I had to act shocked. "What did you just say about his grandfather?"

She smiled, seemingly satisfied with herself. "Oh, he didn't tell you? His grandfather left him everything on condition that he marry you and help you to start up whatever company they both believe you want to have. Cuba refused and told them to donate the money to charity because he doesn't want to use you like that."

"I don't believe you," I whispered.

"You see my darling, I'm only looking out for you. You like nice things London, and if the man is willing to give up millions for a reason so stupid, just how is he going to maintain your lifestyle? Especially now that you supposedly hate your internship," she commented.

"I don't supposedly hate it. I hate it," I emphasized.

She waved me off, scoffing. "Don't be ridiculous. I pulled a lot of strings to get it for you."

"And I appreciate that, but working in the literature world isn't something I want to do," I replied.

She raised an eyebrow. "Pray tell what it is that you'd like to do then."

"Interior design."

I've seen my mother belittle people before, and I remember thinking during all the times just how I didn't wish to be those people. As I stood there watching her laugh at me, I could only think that this is what all those people felt.

"Interior design? You're telling me that we wasted money putting you through six years of literature studies, for you to become an interior designer? You know nothing about the industry," she said, still laughing.

"I actually do have some knowledge on it. I did a short online course an-"

"Online course? Please stop with the jokes," she scoffed once more.

I was truly getting irritated.

"You know what mum? Never mind. I thought I would try to reason with you and get you to see me for who I am, but I guess that's just not going to work. I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment to you, but I'm not sorry about who I am," I said before storming out of the room.

I walked all the way down the hall before opening his door, making him jump at the abruptness. "I need a favour."

"I'll call you right back," he said into the phone before hanging up.

I was scolding my hormones into calming the hell down from seeing him in his spectacles.

"What do you need?" he asked.

"I'm sorry about the interruption," I said quickly.

He smiled and beckoned me over to his lap. "It's ok Dori. What do you need from me?"

I went over to sit on his lap before biting my lip. "I need money."

"Money for?" he asked.

"I want to pay my parents back all the money they spent on my tuition," I replied.

He sighed, putting his head on my shoulder. "I'm guessing things didn't go well with your mom?"

"That's putting it lightly. We're the furthest apart we've ever been, and I don't see us making peace any time soon. Also, for as long as this whole they put me through school thing hangs over my head, they'll never be happy with me doing what I want to do. If I pay them back the money, then they at least won't hold that over my head," I explained.

"I don't think that you should do this, but if it's something you feel strongly about, then I'll support you, but just know where I stand on this," he said.

"She doesn't even like you. Why would you continue to take her side?" I asked, confused.

"I'm not taking her side. She doesn't like me because she doesn't understand me, therefore I'm ok with that. I just don't want you to be losing your family over me simply because they don't see me in the same light that you do. I'm in a relationship with you, so really how they see me doesn't matter. Do I want them to like me? By all means, but whether or not they do will not change how I feel about you. However, I'm also not stupid, so I know that they mean everything to you, so I don't want you to have me but lose them in the process. So really, I'm on the side of whatever makes you happy," he argued.

He's just sweet like that.

"Well, paying them back my tuition money will make me happy," I said stubbornly.

He sighed, kissing my shoulder. "Whatever you want Mama Dori."

I stayed on his lap as I logged into my student portal. I still had access to it, despite having graduated. I looked through it and found all my financial statements from the past six years. We calculated them before reaching the total amount, which he then paid into my parent's joint bank account after I gave him the details.

"I hope you know what you're doing Dori," he said as I waited for the proof of payment to finish printing.

I leaned down and kissed him. "I don't, but I at least know that I have you if this backfires."

When the paper was ready, I took it and kissed him one more time before going on the hunt for my mother. I found her in one of the guest bedrooms and she was going through her bags. I shoved the paper in her direction.

"What is this?" she asked as she looked through it.

"It's proof of payment," I replied.

She raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

"For the six years you wasted money paying for my tuition. I don't know how you're going to explain the money in your account to dad, and I don't really care. I just don't want this hanging over my head. I don't want to be a writer or to work for some publishing company. I want to own an interior design company, even if you don't believe in my dream. Since you find paying for my tertiary education to have been such a waste, there's your money so you can't hold this over me," I explained.

For the first time since she arrived, she looked livid. I considered Cuba's words telling me that this was a bad idea, but I needed to do this. I don't know what point I was trying to prove, but I just knew that some part of me needed to do this.

"Did he put you up to this?" she asked lowly.

"As much as you'd love to believe that, Cuba isn't the villain here. If anything, he warned me against doing this, but he did it for me anyway because he cares about what I want," I replied.

She laughed humourlessly. "To think you want me to take you seriously as an adult and yet you pull stunts like this."

"You cannot hold my degree against me if I've paid you back all your money," I defended.

"You are not ready to be a mother London, and no amount of stunts in the world will make you ready," she said.

"Maybe, but at least I know the kind of mother I will be. I will support my child through anything and everything that they want to do and I will never make them feel guilty because they didn't live out their life the way that I wanted them to," I said before walking out.

I headed downstairs because I needed to drink water. I was still fuming, and the last thing I wanted to do was interrupt Cuba again. I needed to just let him have this time to catch up on his work. I was surprised to walk in the kitchen and find my other best friend there.

"Con? What are you doing here?" I asked as I went over to hug her.

"Well, I was coming to surprise you, only to hear that you got into a fight," she said, inspecting my cheek.

I hadn't even checked to see how it was.

"I'm fine," I lied.

"Are you though? Cuba came to call your mum," Fifi said as she and Lana walked into the kitchen.

"Let's just say my mother and I are on different pages right now," I responded.

"She doesn't like Cuba?" Lana questioned.

"She doesn't like this whole situation," I corrected.

The last thing I need is Lana hating my mother more than I do.

"So, what are you going to do now?" Fifi asked me.

"I honestly wish I knew."