Ugh!I could’ve screamed. I could’ve killed that bitch!
This wasn’t me. This wasn’t the Genika Grace who was renowned in medicine for being one of the leading Black obstetricians in the country. This wasn’t the Genika Grace whoevery man wanted and desired. I could’ve had my pick of the litter at any given time.
I want Adir!It was either Adir or no one! Sobbing silently, I held on to the corner of my desk and focused on breathing my way through the hurt. To be discarded so easily by a man I loved so much was breaking my heart into too many pieces to count.
Every day, I sent him messages. Messages that never received a reply. By now, I was sure he had me blocked. I toyed with the idea of popping up on him, but Adir didn’t play that shit. His security would have me trespassed, and that was too much of a price to pay. I’d rather have small access to Adir rather than being banned from his life altogether. Eventually, he would come around and see that this was his baby, we were in love, and everything would be perfect.
My office door flung open. In walked Gensen like she owned the place. I swiped at my tears and glared at my sister.
“What is it? I’m working.”
“No, the hell you’re not. You’re in here crying over a man.” She shook her head and shut the door behind her.
“Gensen, not right now, alright.”
“Yes, right now is perfect. I put my hands on that damn girl because she’s playin’ in yo’ face. Never in my life have I seen you fold like this, Genika.”
I didn’t want to hear this right now. Plus, if I reminded Gensen that she got her ass whooped, she’d be mad at me for the rest of our lives.
“Why are you so invested in this?” I questioned.
She threw her hands up. “Who the hell else is gon’ have yo’ back? I’m not about to let another woman come in and take what belongs to you. And I’m damn sure not gon’ let Adir think he can just get away with hurting you like this.”
Sighing, I went behind my desk and sat down. In recent days, my feet had started to swell. Stress likely had my pressure up and everything, for I could feel pulsating in my temples.
“You’re crazy if you think you can go up against Adir,” I mumbled.
“Girl, ain’t nobody scared of that nigga! He is a man just like all the rest of these niggas! If he wanted to have me touched, he would’ve did so after I put my hands on ol’ girl.”
Holding back a smile, I said, “You’re right.”
That was the only way to let Gensen think she had all the sense. Arguing with her was a moot point because my sister had always thought she was tough shit. An angry Gensen was even worse than me. I just needed her to hush, so that I could take a minute to calm myself down before my clinic started.
“I know I’m right. Now, what you gon’ do?”
Shrugging, I replied, “I’m not sure yet. I’ve got it, though.”
“Mm, hm. Whatever you say, sis.”
See. That was all Gensen wanted to hear. She left back out of my office without saying goodbye. Shaking my head, I put her and Adir out of my mind to prepare for this afternoon. I opened my desk drawer and removed my makeup bag and desk mirror. In the middle of applying some more eyeliner, my door opened again.
“Please don’t come back fussing,” I said, thinking it was Gensen coming back for round two.
“Oh, I won’t fuss at all.” Caught off guard, my heart dropped.
Minnie Bell stood inside my door wearing a friendly smile; one that I knew wasn’t friendly at all. She wore a stunning black dress that kissed her kneecaps and conformed to her toned figure. Minnie’s dark brown skin was envy-inducing. Her beauty surpassed mine, and I was that bitch.
She closed the door behind herself, then advanced toward my desk. Her keen, assessing brown eyes held mine as she lowered herself into the chair opposite my desk.
“Minnie… What are you doing here?” I glanced back at my door as if Adir would pop in behind her.
“You paid an unwelcomed visit to my daughter-in-law. Did you thinksomeonewouldn’t show up?”
I said nothing. My hands were still stuck holding the eye liner and mirror scared to move an inch.
“You have a wonderful life, Genika. You have a family who loves you. A career that many would die to have, and a baby on the way.” She smiled, then continued. “Now, my son has made it clear that the baby is not his. Until we have DNA that proves otherwise, I’d suggest you keep yourself away from my family. Is that understood?”
“Yes,” I whispered.
