Page 67 of Til Death
“We’re good. Thanks.” Hirue nodded and went back to cleaning up.
I turned to Yosiah, wondering, “The night’s still young, what do you want to do?”
He licked his lips and pulled something out of his pocket. “Before we figure that out, I have something for you.” My brows furrowed when he held out a card.
“What’s this?” I pulled the card out of his hand. The metal felt slick and heavy between my fingers. My eyes bucked upon seeing my name written on it. “I’ve never gotten a gift during someone’s birthday celebration before.”
“I ordered this before you got the job with Simone. I added you to one of my accounts as a joint user.”
“Wait, seriously?” I thumbed the thin metal, unable to find the right words. “This was unexpected. It’s some charity thing, isn’t it? You’re pitying me.” My nose scrunched and my lips pushed out in a pout.
Chuckling, Yosiah shook his head. “At the end of the day, I take care of my people. As long as you still hold my last name and those papers aren’t signed, you’re my wife. I’m responsible for you. It wouldn’t look right if I allowed you to walk around having financial difficulties knowing I have the means to fix it. You didn’t ask to be put in the position you were in, and it’sfucked up that your dad put that kind of burden on you. That card’s yours to use and don’t worry about a limit.”
I fondled the card for a second while attempting to keep my emotions in line. No one had ever done something like this for me out of genuine concern. I was starting to see sides of Yosiah that I thought didn’t exist and I was loving it.
After leaving the restaurant we headed back to our room. I was in the middle of going through my nightly routine while online with my followers. I had given them a small tour of our room and now was doing a short Q & A while finishing my face routine.
“Y’all know my husband doesn’t like to be on camera like that. I don’t have to lie about anything.” I rolled my eyes and blotted my face with a towel.
Most of the time my chat was cool vibes, but every once in a while, haters popped in, throwing their stupid opinions around.
“The newest reel I posted has me doing my makeup from today, step by step, and the products are listed in the caption.”
I continued answering questions, ignoring the weird and negative ones. As I was about to wrap up, I got a text from an unsaved number. Biting the inside of my cheek, I pulled down the notification and scanned it.
Unknown
I’ve been more than patient with you, Xylina. Don’t forget I’m the reason you were able to marry your husband and have the life you have with him. You owe me.
I could hear the desperation through the text. I’d never seen my dad like this before. He was a man who took what he wanted and always stood strong. To see him lowering himself to begging was sad honestly.
The sound of my livestream caught my attention, reminding me I was still live.
“A’right guys I gotta go.” Ending it abruptly, I opened the text fully and scanned it a couple times. My heartrate picked up as I quickly replied to the message.
Me
I’m not giving you anything. Leave me alone.
I’d never defied my dad growing up. Truthfully, he intimidated me most of the time. He hardly ever smiled and always spoke like he was annoyed with everything around him. His eyes never held any affection and the only thing he ever showed any real attention to was business. There were times I would cower when I spoke to him, feeling as if I were a bother, but I refused to do that anymore.
Blocking the number and silencing my phone, I finished washing my face and left the bathroom.
First going into the front room, I grabbed the bottle of wine we’d picked up in town, the corkscrew, and a glass before heading outside to find Yosiah. When I stepped onto the deck, I inhaled the fresh air. There was a clear difference between being up near the mountains and in the city. Yosiah was sitting in oneof the pool chairs, reclined with a beer can in one hand and his tablet in the other.
“I hope you’re not working on your birthday trip,” I called out, approaching him.
He took his eyes off the screen and glanced up at me. “When you’re the boss, work never stops.”
Poking my bottom lip out, I stopped by him, reaching down and plucking the tablet out of his hand.
“This week you’re on PTO.” I locked it and placed it on the table next to him.
“Bold of you, ain’t it?” He brought the beer can to his mouth and watched me over the rim.
Taking a seat next to him, I smiled. “I don’t know how to be anything else.”
Using the corkscrew to open the wine, I filled my glass to the top and set it next to me.
