Page 52 of Labria

“I hope you don’t marry someone I have never met.”

“I would never do that. I want you, Larry, and the kids at my wedding. That’s if I ever make it to the altar.”

“Okay, I just want you to make smart decisions. I know you have time invested with him, but sometimes you have to start over to get what you want and ultimately be happy.”

“That may be where I’m headed.” I couldn’t tell her I had location tracking on Lord’s cell phone because I had some suspicions about his whereabouts.

“Stay away from that cousin and go hang out with the Jackson sisters. They may be young but they are Black. Well, one of them.”

“Chile. Don’t do that to Alexis. She’s cool people.”

“She’s half Italian and half one of them. Go kick it with the pregnant ghetto girl.”

“Brittany, don’t call her ghetto.”

“Is that girl really pregnant by an old ass man?”

“I guess so. I think he’s like twenty years older than her. But I haven’t heard from the sisters since we went out to dinner.”

“I’m going to mind my business and wish her the best with that old man’s baby.” Khia sarcastically added.

“As you should. I’m going to let you go.”

“Okay ‘cause you know my hubby looking for me.”

“Okay bye.”

I heard her say ‘bye’ as I pulled the phone from my face to end the call. Placing my cell phone on the bedside table, I plugged it into the charger. I scooted back in bed and leaned against the headboard.

I wanted to go to sleep without any alcohol or prescription sleep aids. I thought about taking some melatonin, but it had never worked for me. I would be up thinking all night long. The debate in my head told me to go over to the bar and pour a large glass of wine.

Wine and a great novel prevailed as the way to end my night.

Earlier, I told my security driver, Dave; I wasn’t going back out when he drove me home from work. I gave him the go ahead to lock up the house. I also told him to close the gate leading up the road to the property. I would see him again about seven in the morning or his replacement.

I opened my book at started reading from where I had last placed the bookmarker.

This was deliberate. I knew what asshole did this. My face would not hold back the tears. I rushed past Bash and went into the kitchen. Every single glass, plate, and breakable item had been shattered to pieces all over the floor.

Bash rushed into the kitchen behind me. I didn’t want to go to my bedroom. I was afraid to see more, but I went to the bathroom first and wasn’t sure why. I think I was afraid to see my walk-in room closet. I was afraid to see my shoes, my purses, my stuff, all my damn stuff.

The bathroom mirror was shattered and one of the broken shards of glass that remained in the vanity had the word WHORE penned in red lipstick.

“Be careful. There’s glass everywhere.” I heard Bash say, but ignored him and ran into my bedroom, the one converted into a dream closet.

I couldn't believe one man could be so mean and cruel. Every single pair of heels I owned had been damaged. This man broke off the heel to every stiletto and pump I owned. He had cut up my wedges after he realized he couldn't break off the heel. I hadn't done anything to deserve this. The one mirror in my closet hadn't been broken, but the words written in red lip stain were harsher than anything I had even read or heard from a man’s mouth. THIS IS PAYBACK FOR BEING REPLACED SO SOON BITCH!

After reading a few more pages of the romance thriller novel The Truth Behind The Lies, I glanced at my cell phone on the nightstand. It was already past midnight. I needed to have my butt under the covers and my eyes shut before 1A.M. hit. I at least needed six hours of sleep.

I pulled myself out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. I had to do my nightly skincare routine. I slathered on my facial cleanser and washed it off with warm water. I let my face air-dry. Then I used a cotton ball to smooth on my glycolic acid toner. I made sure to use another cotton ball for my neck. I fanned my face with my hands. After the toner dried, I ended my routine by dropping a small droplet of retinol and hydrochloric acid. I used my fingertips to softly rub the milky liquid into my skin.

I brushed my hair into a high ponytail and wrapped it in a bun. A huge yawn lifted from my lips. I was pleased because I could now feel the sleep coming over me. Moving rapidly, I was back in my bed and snugly tucked under the sheets. I closed my eyes as I breathed in the fresh smell of the duvet.

I heard a faint noise that wasn’t enough to make me open my lids. It was one I couldn’t quite make out. If it were worth investigating, I would hear it again. Sometimes animals run into the glass of our sliding patio doors at night. That’s one of the reasons I told Lord to stop feeding them. He thought he was the raccoon whispering.

I wasn’t completely gone, but I was almost in my dead zone. Even with my eyes shut, my brain was thinking about the things Khia said. She wasn’t smarter than me academically, but she was more educated on this thing called life.

In order to eventually get to that soothing REM sleep, I needed to block her out. I thought I was doing a good job of it until something deep inside me willed me to open my eyes. At first, there was complete and utter darkness. While my eyes adjusted to the absence of light, I could see something at the foot of my bed, a shadow, a mirage, or the darkened outline of a man.

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