MALAYAH~

I quickly rushed home after work to relieve the babysitter. I tried calling ryan again but his phone went to voicemail, I was starting to worry at this point. The last time we spoke was this morning before going to work.

I pulled into the driveway and sat in my car texting Tammy and Phor asking has anyone spoke to him.I grabbed my purse and Got out as I walked to the door I seen someone jogging down the street dressed in all black. I stared for a while because it made me think about how the shop was broken into. The memories always haunted me but this time it felt as if I was experiencing the whole night over again. I eventually snapped out of it when the jogger got closer and I seen it was one of the older man in the neighborhood jogging he waved and kept going. I waved and exhaled putting the key into the door. I heard the kids laughing, a sound of happiness to me.

I went into the living room and seen our babysitter, Madison who has been living in this neighborhood her whole life. We hired Madison a month ago because we needed someone who is reliable and trustful. Madison is a college student so pretty soon when she headed back during the fall semester we would have to hire someone part time to fill her spot. Madison and the kids were watching the new Jumanji movie.

"Hey Mrs.Henry"

"Hey Madison" I reached in my wallet pulling out a double pay for the day "Im so, so sorry for being late I lost track of time today here's an extra pay"

"It's no problem you know I don't mind watching these little rascals" she tickled Imani.

"Thanks and yes you definitely have them calm and they beg to see you on the weekends" I took my heels off and walked into the kitchen. I tried calling Ryan again and I reached his voicemail again.

I missed a text from Tammy, I hated that my phone would sometimes not alert me when I received a text. She told me to call her.

I walked back into the living room "Hey Maddy you think you could stay for thirty more minutes im trying to figure out whats going on family problems. I'll pay you again"

"You really don't have to keep paying me that much Mrs.Henry. It's no problem I'll stay as long as you need me"

"Thanks so much" I dialed Tammy's number, slipped on my shoes and headed to the front of the house. Sitting on the front stairs sometimes gave me complete peace I always came here to just breathe whenever I was sad or mad. I remember coming the front of the house and sitting on these stairs everynight after my mom passed.

"Hello" I spoke into the phone

"Hey Layah, ryan was here it's his mom. It isn't looking too good for her" she spoke in a low tone

"Whats wrong what happened??"

"We aren't too sure yet, I just got here a few minutes ago something about a stroke which they are putting her into a medically induced coma now but the chances are very low"

"Oh god" I shook my head

I seen Ryan's car approaching the house and I stood up. "he's here now"

"Good we told him to go home. He didn't want to leave her side" Tammy sighed "He doesn't take these situations well." Ryan now parked his car and was approaching me.

I nodded as if she could see me "I know Tammy I know. But I will call you in the morning please keep us updated"

"Okay talk to you in the morning"

I hung up and Ryan approached the top stair where I was.His eyes were bloodshot red and his hair was messy. He grabbed me and pulled me into a hug, one of the tightest hugs he has ever given me.I felt the tears building up.

"Im here for you, ALWAYS will be"

JOSIAH~

My birthday was a success Bri laid it out for me. I had to do the same when her birthday comes up. I was back on the road heading to a business trip In Seattle. I took my head chairmen with me to discuss a possible investment in a business I found dealing with basketball in the area.

I was at the bar with the guys "They some old men can't drink like me man" I said into the phone. Bri called me because she was "bored".

"Yeah well you make sure you don't drink a lot what time is the meeting in the morning" She yawned

I looked across the bar and immediately was mad as hell. Rose seen me and started walking over to me.

"It's at ten, I love you, gotta go ill call you later"

"Wait wh.." I hung up on her, i'll apologize later. I needed to figure out why Rose was here.

"What are you doing here?" I eyed her up and down

"That's no way to greet your favorite worker now is it" She smirked sitting in the seat next to me and crossing her legs so the split in her dress could expose her thigh. "Who were you on the phone with, Bri again"

I stood up and paid for my drinks and left a tip for the bartender before turning to Rose. I got close enough to her so no one else would hear "I don't know what you trying to do Rose but it's best if you stop stalking me before I make you disappear"

"Ouu is that a threat"

"Take it as whatever you want" I walked away from her heading up to my room. I decided to take a shower and go to sleep but I couldn't sleep. I wanted to tell Bri about to shit Rose was pulling but I also wanted to take care of it myself. I just don't understand why I get tied into these crazy ass situations with these crazy women.

The Next Day

The meeting just ended and we were checking out of the hotel. I went back to my room and my card wasn't working. I headed back to the front desk and asked for a new one.

"Ohh im so sorry about that sir, it looks as if your wife came and requested new keys that is why your current key is working."

"My wife?" What was Bri doing here. I walked away from the desk and headed back up the elevators to the room. Once I got to the room door I knocked on the door.

The door swung open and Rose was there in a robe. "Hey welcome back"

I pushed past her and started packing my stuff.

"Where are you going?"

"Home, you might as well stay here you're out of a job with my company"

"How could you fire me!" she screamed

My phone started ringing and of course it was Briana, it was the wrong time so I ignored it.

"Is that your wife again" she said with air quotes.

"Get out of my room Rose, how did you even get keys"

"What do you mean we are practically married" she smiled.

I walked up to her and grabbed the back of her neck and she groaned "You're not my fucking wife, never will be I don't know what type of obsessed shit you got going on with me but it's not going to work"

I let her go and she held her neck crying.

"Crazy ass bitch"

"Fuck you!" She cried throwing stuff at me. "Get out!"

I was leaving anyways. I grabbed my bags and left out. I could hear her still screaming in the room but I zoned it out. I went back to the lobby and paid for my nights stay and took my credit card off the file once they were done, I didn't need her trying some more shit.