Page 2 of When Love Takes Over
Cole groaned, and Janie popped up looking confused. Both were naked as the day they were born, and it took them a minute to process that they’d been discovered, and when they did, they scrambled.
“Baby, it’s not what you think,” was the first thing out of Cole’s mouth.
I was angry, hurt, and confused, but never in a million years would I allow either of them to see it. As they rushed around in panic, I went to my room, grabbed my two suitcases and a few duffel bags, and threw inside as many of my belongings as I could.
Cole came into my room, with his hand covering his nose, trying to stop me while apologizing and attempting to explain that what I saw wasn’t what I saw. Janie stood in the doorway,looking guilty and dumbfounded. They both could kiss my entire ass.
I struggled to get the two suitcases and duffel bags from my room, down the hall, out the door, down two flights of stairs, and into my car. Janie didn’t dare follow me, but Cole continued to plead his case. I’d been silent because there was nothing to say.
“Cole, why are you still talking to me?” I questioned with anger filling my voice.
I leaned against the driver’s side door and folded my arms across my chest while waiting for his response. If I weren’t so pissed, I would’ve laughed at his bruised and swollen nose.
“This was a mistake, baby. I didn’t mean?—”
“It wasn’t a mistake. You betrayed me in the worst way. For you to spend the last twenty minutes trying to convince me otherwise is worse than the act itself, because clearly you think I’m stupid.”
“I know you’re not stupid, Malyah. I made a mistake, but?—”
“No.Imade a mistake when I settled for your simple, no ambition having ass, and when I trusted that dizzy ho. Y’all are perfect for each other.”
I turned and opened my car door, only for Cole to push it shut before I could get inside. Without turning around, I shoved my elbow into his stomach with all my might. He groaned as his hand fell away from my car. When I glanced over my shoulder, he was bent over, holding his stomach. I took the opportunity to hop behind the wheel and drive away, but I had no idea where I was headed.
It took everything in me not to break down in front of Cole and Janie. Of course, I was angry and hurt by their actions, but what they did wasn’t what had me in tears, pulling over a few blocks from my apartment. It was the weight of not knowing what I would do next.
It was the first of the month, and not only had I just paid my half of the rent, but I’d also paid half of the tuition for my first semester of culinary school. My funds were extremely low, and I’d budgeted only enough to keep me afloat until payday on the fifteenth.
I needed a plan, and I needed one fast. I could get a decent room for tonight, but beyond that, my funds would run out quickly. I had no credit because I’d screwed that up early in life, and although I made good money, a portion of my pay was being garnished to cover financial commitments I couldn’t pay years ago.
“Ugh!” I screamed in frustration, banging my hands against the steering wheel. “I’m tired! I’m so fucking tired! What did I do to deserve this life?”
Every time my life seemed to be moving in a positive direction, something happened to remind me that I didn’t deserve good things. I was clearly suffering from whatever I did in my past life, and it was honestly pissing me off. I was sick of getting excited about my future, only to have my present slap me in the face.
“I can’t keep doing this. How much more can I handle before I lose it? It would be easier to give up. God, I need help!”
I sat there for a few more minutes to gather myself, picking up my phone. My circle was small, meaning I didn’t have one. I thought Janie and I were cool, but I never considered her a friend. We worked together at my previous job, and her roommate moved out unexpectedly.
At the time, I was staying in a rundown building because it was all I could afford. When she announced she was looking for a roommate, I jumped at the opportunity.
I probably should’ve found out why her old roommate moved out to make sure there was no shady shit going on. At least myname wasn’t on the lease, and I didn’t have to worry about that biting me in the ass later. I already owed enough people.
It was water under the bridge, and I couldn’t dwell on it. That chapter of my life was over, and if I didn’t plan to take myself out, I had no choice but to move forward. As I pulled away from the curb, I thought about calling my mother, but quickly pushed that thought out of my mind.
One conversation with her would probably send me over the edge I was already teetering on. I hadn’t spoken to her in over six years, and I wasn’t sure when or if I ever would again. I missed her with everything in me, but she made choices that showed me who she truly was, and, as difficult as it was, I had to go no contact.
If I knew who my father was, I’d find him and pray he’d accept me with open arms, but his identity had always been a mystery. No matter how often I asked my mother who he was, she never told me. I figured she harbored negative feelings about my conception and eventually stopped asking.
When I made it to Oak Lawn, a Southwest suburb of Chicago, I found a hotel room for $100 per night, including taxes. After checking in, I brought in my duffel bags because what I’d need for tonight and in the morning to prepare for work was inside.
I showered, put on an oversized T-shirt, and spent the remainder of the evening looking for a second job and an affordable place to stay that would be available immediately. I found a few restaurants looking for cooks, but it seemed I couldn’t afford any of the housing I’d seen, which was disheartening but not surprising.
Eventually, I fell asleep, grateful I had somewhere to lay my head for the night, because tomorrow would surely be different.
I couldn’t getout of that meeting fast enough. I didn’t care what the topic was; there was no reason any meeting should last three hours. I speedwalked to the cafeteria, pretending not to hear anyone who called my name.
Sweet, Savory, and Goodemay have been my family's company, but the kitchen opened twice a day, once for breakfast and once for lunch, closing for a few hours between the two. When it closed, it remained closed until it was time to reopen again.
When I arrived at the cafeteria, a small crowd was gathered around one of the tables. I approached to find out what the fuss was about and noticed what looked like mini cheesecakes on the table.
