29. Anastazia

WILD RIDERS…

It was Unique’s birthday, and to celebrate, he wanted to come to Wild Riders, an adult theme park known for big ass rides and pretty good food. I wasn’t exactly scared of heights, but the rides here were surely intimidating. Even worse, the brothers were overly excited to act like some big ass kids and risk their lives by riding them.

“That muthafucka is high up,” Shakur said excitedly, smiling along with his siblings.

“You know I’m not going.” Presley folded her arms as her husband hugged her from behind.

She’d already explained she was indeed afraid of heights and would be waiting for us all when we came back. Little did she know, I just might be waiting with her ass.

“Yeah, that one is a no for me. If I can’t see every part of the ride, I’m not getting on,” I said, and Asif smirked at me, kissing my temple as his arm draped over my shoulder.

“Shit, I’m going. Fuck it and y’all.” Unique waved us off.

He had some chick with him named Daisy that looked like she was about to shit on herself at the mere thought of riding, but I could tell she was too into Unique to speak up and lose her spot in his life. Hopefully, she’d learn that being the good time girl instead of being yourself got you nowhere.

“So I’m the only one going?” Couture asked, her bright eyes searching us ladies as Khari held her hand tightly like he wouldn’t allow her to change her mind.

Presley and I stepped off to the side to make our stance very clear as the other ladies pondered on the thought.

“You think I’m gon’ let something happen to you? I’ll light this whole fucking park up,” Cemone stated seriously, but we laughed, nonetheless, as Yolani eyed the large ride, contemplating.

“Okay,” she finally said, sliding her hand into his while sinking into his side as if that would surely keep her safe.

“I’m going, too, then.” Analicia sidled up alongside Bashar before they kissed.

Scotland stood there making us crack up as her eyes bounced between the ones not going, the ride, and then Lequay, who was smiling at her.

“Don’t let me risk it all alone,” Yolani said to her, and that was all it took for her to agree.

While the couples and few singles went to ride, Presley and I grabbed some blue raspberry Icees to wait.

“I don’t get why they be falling for that protective shit. None of them niggas have wings. And I know Cemone is tall, but he ain’t that tall,” Presley said before we chortled.

“Right. I have the utmost confidence in Asif, but how he would save me if I fell is not computing.” I sipped my drink.

“Them whores just don’t wanna separate from their men. But if I die, I really ain’t gon’ have my man.”

“Exactly!”

Presley and I continued chatting for a bit. It didn’t take long for them to get on and ride because it was virtually no one here since it was a weekday.

Presley playfully rolled her eyes, making me crack up, as Yolani ran off and into Cemone’s arms where he picked her up, saying told you before he kissed her. Yolani ate every bit of it up. It was cute though.

The next few rides were more modest, so everyone was able to get on them. Presley still turned down a few, but only because she actually had a little acrophobia.

After riding about eight rides, we decided to take a break and get something to eat in the outside area where there were benches and umbrellas.

Everyone got different things ranging from burgers to pizza, nachos, and subs. A few ladies got hot dogs, to which the boys wanted no parts of, stating it was too much work. My sister explained to me that it was too much work because they had to break it up like toddlers.

As we all had conversation while eating, I could see a group heading our way out the corner of my eye. I paid it no mind at first, since this was a public place and we were outside, but when I noticed them coming closer to the table, it made me look.

I was shocked to see Milan, the hating bitch with odor problems, and four other chicks. Milan was dressed down, not all prissy like her usual attire, as she stood at the front like a captain of a ship.

“Hey, y’all,” Milan said, and everyone at the table either kept eating or murmured an unenthusiastic ass greeting.

“Hey, Cemone.” The brown-skinned girl standing beside Milan waved. The stinky one shot her a look as if she was overstepping on her man.

I noticed all the ladies had their eyes on different men, looking like dogs waiting to get served their steaks. It was clear that Milan had another agenda, however, and that involved coming at me.

“Don’t speak to my man,” Yolani stated calmly but seriously, and Cemone didn’t even look up, which was smart of him.

“Dang, girl, all I did was say hey. Plus, that’s a big man. I think he needs more than one wo—ah!” Before the girl could finish her smart comment, she was sporting her chocolate frosty that Yolani had tipped upward.

Everyone gasped before a couple of us failed to smother the snickers we let out. Even part of Milan’s crew was sniggering.

“Aight. Aight.” Cemone stopped Yolani from standing as the girl stood there, frozen in disbelief and probably frozen literally. After a few moments, she walked off, most likely to go clean herself up, but her group stood there nearby still.

“Milan, this ain’t what you want,” Asif warned, but Milan was laser focused on me. “I promise you, love.”

“You were right, Milan. He does look bored.” The funky one’s eyes were planted on Lequay.

“Come turn him up.” Scotland waved for her to get closer, but the funky one stayed put, maybe knowing better. Lequay, like his brother, kept his focus on his plate.

“Girl—”

“Aye, you talking over my food. Back yo’ ass up.” Khari put his elbow up, making sure she didn’t step an inch closer to the table we were eating on.

She was beyond embarrassed, as she should be.

“Asif,” Milan called his name, but he acted as if she weren’t there, not having anything more to say to her than what he had already.

“You think you got that nigga in the bag,” the funky one spat at me.

“I do.” I nodded.

“You do,” Asif confirmed as he peered down into my eyes before kissing my lips, much to Milan’s chagrin.

I watched her eyes mist over before she sucked her teeth, folding her arms. The group’s eyes roved over the table for a while before they turned around and walked off, realizing how awkward their presence was.

“Why the fuck is she even here?” Couture asked what we all wanted to know.

“How did she even know we were here?” Analicia followed up. “That bitch is obsessed.” She ate a fry. “I know none of them better be looking at this one, because I’ll cut a bitch.” The table erupted in laughter as Analicia kept a serious face in reference to Bashar. I knew no one would mention that we all saw two of them with their tongues wagging at Bashar. “I’m serious. Nobody is ever getting this nigga right here.” She pointed to him as he tugged her into his lap, chuckling.

We finished our meal and got back to the festivities, riding rides, taking pictures, and pretty much forgetting about Milan and her crew.

That was until we left the park and saw the group, even the girl whose outfit was now stained brown, waiting outside. I could tell by their faces what time they were on, and I was correct.

Before words could even be exchanged, fighting ensued. They attempted to all jump on me, but the ladies I came with weren’t having it.

Of course, Milan and I were throwing blows, but I couldn’t tell who the other ladies were fighting at the moment. I was too focused on giving this bitch what she’d been begging for, for a while.

It was complete mayhem as I pounded Milan’s face in, realizing rather quickly that she couldn’t truly fight. She was adamant to hit me, though, and wouldn’t stop, so I had to give her that. No matter how many times I hit her in the mouth, nose, and between the eyes, she kept coming for more.

I tried to be sure no one was getting the best of any of the ladies, especially Analicia, but Milan was like a rabid dog, never letting up, scratching at me, pulling my hair, and taking punches to the face like a human punching bag. I knew then, it was her anger and hurt that kept her going. Her internal pain outweighed the physical, and that drove her to come back over and over for more. I started to feel badly for how I was easily tearing her ass up.

Eventually, sirens sounded off as the theme park security tried to break shit up while the real police exited their patrol cars to assess the situation.

Now, with us all apart, I could see that Milan and her little crew had gotten their asses handed to them.

“I’m gonna fucking sue you, bitch! And I hate your music!” the frosty covered girl yelled, and she looked like she’d been through the wringer. Judging by her comment, I was able to surmise that Yolani was the one responsible for her damage.

“No you don’t, bitch,” Yolani said coolly and confidently, and for some reason, it made us all laugh because most likely, she was right, and Jalia was lying.

There weren’t many people who weren’t fans of Yolani. She was the biggest superstar of the millennium, so most people were either lying when they claimed to not enjoy her songs or a part of a small minority.

“You hit her first, love. We all saw it, and the cameras saw it,” Bashar stated truthfully to Frosty Girl.

“She threw my drink!” she barked back.

“You provoked me by addressing my man!” Yolani replied as Bashar nodded to agree.

“Hey, quiet!” The security shouted at Yolani.

“Aye, don’t be yelling at my wife, nigga.” Cemone sized him up.

“I’m just trying to see what is going on here and figure it out.” The security guard immediately calmed his ass down, using a completely different voice now. I could tell only then did he register that he was yelling at thee Yolani.

As Bashar and Asif stepped up to be our front men, I spotted the funky girl looking tore up too. I could only assume that was Scotland’s work because I knew Scotland, and she wouldn’t let that bored comment old girl had made go that easily.

As she walked to the trash can to cough into it, Scotland eyed her as she said, “Talking about my nigga looks bored.” She confirmed what I knew. “Are you bored, Lequay Compton?” She looked at her husband who started laughing along with his siblings.

“How could I ever be?” he responded, and Scotland’s angry face melted into a simper she tried to hide as she turned from him to buck her eyes at the stinky girl.

We laughed at Lequay’s reply, knowing it had an ambiguous meaning. He was being sweet but also pointing out that she’d just gotten into a fight at a theme park, which wasn’t the actions of a boring person.

After twenty minutes of Asif and Bashar speaking with both sets of officers, we were free to go but had to go. Neither group could re-enter the park, nor could we come back for the rest of the year.

“You ugly hos better count y’all fucking days for ruining my birthday.” Unique pointed to them.

“Nigga, who you calling ugly?” One of the women put a hand on her hip, wig completely off from fighting.

“The ugliest one always gotta speak up, huh?” Unique asked, guiding Daisy to his car as our group chortled. He was hella funny. “You need to leave this shit alone. You got fucked up.” He gave Milan a comment in passing, pointing to her battered and bleeding face.

“Fuck you, nigga!” she barked.

“Asif, Anastazia, I love it! Y’all cute as fuck! Marry her, bruh, ASAP!” Unique said to fuck with her some more with his crazy ass, and it worked.

“Asif, I am never fucking with you again!” Milan sobbed, ignoring her friends and the officers telling her to leave.

She couldn’t though; just stood there watching Asif and me make our way to his car. I thought of commenting but didn’t need to. Milan was miserable, and by the death stare Asif had given her, I knew he had something for her, for the shit she’d caused today.

We eventually left the park, deciding to go to Cemone’s residence since he had a luxurious backyard made for hosting. There was an outdoor theatre for us to enjoy, and everyone agreed that sounded like a good way to end the night.

“Don’t kill her,” I told Asif as I sat between his legs, leaning back on him.

“Why?” he asked collectively, not confirming or denying his plans.

“Because it’s not worth it. She’s just a dumb girl who will eventually get over it and move on,” I explained, eyes on the large ass projector screen. Behind it overlooked all of Los Angeles it seemed. Asif said nothing, so I could only hope he took my advice. “I love this house.”

Funny enough, the hosts, Cemone and Yolani, had disappeared, and it was obvious as to why. At least they gave us blankets and snacks before they left to fuck.

“It’s nice. This what you want?”

I turned to look up into his face, trying not to blush as I shrugged.

“I don’t know. As long as I can live with you.” I kissed him.

“Where the hell is Yolani!” Scotland exclaimed, looking around frantically, sending us all into laughter because she was serious about no more babies until we got our tour for Yolani’s latest release.

Lequay tugged her down into the grass, shutting her up with a kiss.

Hugging me tightly, Asif kissed my neck and said, “I wanna make sure you get whatever you want.”

“I love you,” I admitted as we started to kiss more passionately.

Asif’s hand drifted under the blanket and down into my shorts before he said, “I love you more.”

One week later…

Grabbing my mother’s watering pitcher, I took it outside to pour some over these plants she kept outside. She’d been hounding me to do it damn near since I woke up, and it reminded me that it wouldn’t be long before she and I were no longer living together. I appreciated my mother and loved her more than anything, but she was very bossy at times.

Stepping outside, I began watering the plants just as I heard a car pulling up. Looking over my shoulder, expecting to see Asif, I was befuddled seeing Jacinta’s Solara.

This bitch was crazy for real. First, she’d stalked me at my own home, and now, the bitch had remembered my mom’s place of residence and decided to come here. I guessed because I hadn’t been back by my place for a long time, she decided to check here.

I watched her climb from the car and round the back of it to step up onto the curb wearing a hoodie, tights, and some sneakers. I’d never seen her dressed like that, but maybe it was the whole having a baby thing. Your body changed a lot, and it took time to get it back. I had only recently, months ago, begun to look how I used to.

“Jacinta, I am going to get a restraining order on—” I stopped speaking when she removed her hood as she walked along the cobblestone walkway.

Her eyes both bore bruises, and her lip had crusted blood on one side, making it obvious it had been busted. As I took her in, I knew Cedric had lost his mind even more because one thing he never used to do was hit me where people would be able to see it. The fact that she had injuries to her face meant he’d stopped caring completely.

“Hi,” she finally said, sniffling a little bit. “Can I talk to you?”

I looked around, seeing no one was outside, despite it being in the afternoon right now.

“Fine.” I gestured for her to take a seat on the porch while I did the same, setting the pitcher down on the ground. Jacinta bypassed me, checking her iPhone for the time like she only had so much free time. “Have you been to work?” I queried.

“No. I went on maternity leave, returned to work for a little while, but then… I have a lot of vacation time.” She folded her hands in her lap and stared out over my mama’s impeccable lawn. Finally looking my way, she said, “You were right, Stazi.”

“About?” I knew the answer but needed her to admit it, even though I was staring at the evidence.

“Cedric.” She laughed humorlessly. “He’s a monster, just like you used to say.”

“Even though we aren’t friends or even cordial, I’m sad you had to learn this way,” I said.

“Me too.” She nibbled on her lip. “Do you think you can help me?”

“Help you? How?” I frowned.

“With anything. I can’t live like this.”

“Jacinta, unless you plan to shoot him like I did, then I suggest you just pack up with your baby and run. Only it’s easier now because the nigga can’t walk. He can’t do half of the shit he could’ve done when I was with him.” I felt my forehead crease as I asked, “Why haven’t you left? Why are you allowing this?”

“I guess I was thinking he would get over being so angry once the trial was over, and I wouldn’t have to lose my family.” She fidgeted.

“You know he won’t. I gave you a full report on how that nigga was and you still went after him. And I don’t care what you say, Jacinta. You knew I wasn’t lying. Women’s intuition is real.”

She nodded before she started to cry.

“I just believed you were maybe doing something to upset him. All you did was complain about him. Then you worked long hours, so I just figured he was neglected and lashing out. I told myself I would do better than you when I got him.”

I huffed, looking away from her for a minute.

“It doesn’t matter if I was neglectful. A grown man shouldn’t be lashing out because his woman works a lot. He can easily move onto the next.”

“Yeah.” She picked at her jacket.

Sighing, I said, “I say you run, and when it comes time for the trial, come back here so you can testify on our behalf against him. If there are other witnesses, he can be put in jail.”

“How, Stazi?” She whimpered. “I’ve been on every TV show and station saying the opposite and how you were a liar. How credible will I be if I now say he’s abusive?”

“Take pictures of yourself right now and any other injuries before you leave him and have them with you when you testify.”

She was quiet for a second and then said, “I will think about it.”

I couldn’t do anything but bob my head. I had my own issues, I couldn’t be focused on helping a woman that didn’t wanna be helped.

“Ah, fuck!” Low hollered as Asif’s men laid him on the table in the medical room.

Blood was basically pouring from his side as he clenched his teeth in pain.

“What happened?” I asked as I started to wash my hands and forearms.

As many times as I’d seen stuff like this, it was always alarming.

“Rolled up on that husband, and before Low smoked him, he got his ass too.” Asif shook his head before waving his arm out the door.

As I walked toward where Low was, I saw a few men carrying the man from the club’s dead body past the medical room. Asif and I made eye contact before he nodded for me to focus on Low and exited.

“Sif was right, a pretty face while dealing with shit like this is helpful.” Low winced through the smirk he was giving me as I connected him to an IV.

“Yep. Count to twenty for me,” I told him just before I put the mask over his nose and mouth to put him to sleep.

The bullet had gone straight through Low, thankfully, so I was able to clean out the wound, stop the bleeding, and sew him up with no issues. He hadn’t lost a significant amount of blood, so once he woke up, he’d be just fine, save for a little bit of tightness and pain due to the wound and stitches.

While Low slept in one of the three hospital beds I worked with, I went in search of Asif, who I found sitting out back of the warehouse. It was set up like an outside barbecue would be, with benches connected to tables everywhere. Most of the men came out here to smoke or get fresh air and would sometimes eat.

“So did Low kill the husband or did someone else?” I sat in his lap.

Smirking, Asif put his hand on my thigh to slowly rub up and down.

“You way too fucking nosy, Anastazia.” He kissed my arm.

“Well?”

“Low did it all himself. He just hit me to come get the body for him.” He shook his head. “He too reckless.”

“He’ll grow out of it, like you said.”

“I hope it’s before some shit happens to him. He got potential, and he got muthafuckas that depend on him. I would hate to see him get locked up or murked.”

I nodded, thinking about it. While working for Asif and being his girlfriend, I’d gotten to know Low and Free, and I’d become fond of them. It would be sad if something happened to either, even for me.

“Me too,” I spoke honestly.

“I wish you ain’t have to see that body though. I need you around here, but I hate that you gotta be privy to shit I’d rather keep you safe from.”

“Well, you’ll be happy to know that being a nurse all this time, I have seen way more gruesome things than dead bodies being carried down hallways.”

“That makes me feel better.” He smirked as I toyed with his locs. “Little different though.”

“It is, but I’m not the same woman I was when you first laid eyes on me. And after shooting Cedric, I understand that sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Better to kill them than let them kill you.”

“Real shit.” He put his hand out for dap, so I obliged before he kissed me.

Wrapping his arms around my body, he hugged me tightly as I sat in his lap, so I did the same, tightening my embrace around his neck. For the next twenty minutes, we just sat there like that, and it still wasn’t long enough.