“Klarity, I need you to tell me what the hell is going on for real. Who forced you into a marriage?” Aunt Symphony wore so much concern on her face it lowkey made me feel bad.
“I’m not sure if you’ve ever heard of him before but Royce Atkins. He?—”
“Is spoiled rotten. However, I would’ve never thought a man so deep in the game would be after you. Quill and Royce Senior aredistantbest friends. He wanted Quill to sit with him on The Oath, but Quill turned it down because I was pregnant with Serinity. They chose two different paths so them hanging out is rare. And I mean so rare that I can count on one hand how many times a year they catch up. He still does favors for Royce whenever he calls though. This damn city is too small, I swear.”
“Wow. Didn’t see that coming,” I said completely mind fucked.
“No one would. The Atkins are Quill’s best kept secret. You’re part of both sides now so it’s no use in keeping it from you. I can say they’re good people. Royce Senior will love these kids like they’re his own and so will Iris. It’s good to know you’re safe. I was wondering why you were never home when I dropped by. How’s the compound life?” she asked with a small laugh.
I was truly floored by her response and how content she was with all this. I was married and she seemed cool with it knowing who I was married to. I had kids and she was cool knowing who’s care they were under. With Royce being so upfront and headstrong about us in the beginning, I saw so many red flags. However, those were the greenest ones I could come across. It was my fear that only saw red.
My aunt didn’t approve of anyone I dated and Cojak sat at the top of that list. Royce seemed to be the only one she brushed off and didn’t try convincing me to run. Seri was skeptical because she knew nothing of him. Bet if she knew her parents approved, she wouldn’t be so rude to Royce. Hell, she was still in the dark about my marriage.
“So, you cool with us being there just like that?” I questioned.
“No, but I know Royce Junior and from what Quill told me about him, no isn’t in his vocabulary. How’d he get you to say yes to marrying him?”
“You said it right the first time. I was forced into this life. He conned me once again. I should’ve known he was slicker than oil when he got away with Essence’s name,” I said rolling my arms and crossing my arms.
“Explain Klarity. It’s like you keep giving me pieces at a time. Just lay it all out for heaven’s sake.” My aunt was growing irritable.
“Fine. So, I first met Royce when he was locked up. I was still pregnant and going to see Cojak. We took a few glances at each other until the day Cojak flipped shit and tried to beat me up. Royce didn’t let it happen and put him down. A few weeks passed and he popped up spitting all crazy nonsense. He called me and the kids his family and I kid you not Auntie, we been with him ever since. He won’t let any of us move without him. I was labeled as his wife, and poor Essence holds his last name. He conned me into that along with marrying him. He snuck a marriage license in the stack of papers for the bank. I’m dumbly in love though, I can tell you that much. He really does get everything he wants and that’s from me included.”
All my aunt could do was shake her head and laugh. She was over it and the look she gave me confirmed it. Royce was a lot to deal with and she knew it. Here I was thinking I was put in a situation where people would understand where I was coming from, but they’d known Royce for too long and knew there was no changing his mind about shit.
“You’ll be alright. He treats you right, doesn’t he?” I nodded and she continued with, “Alright then. Stop worrying or whatever it is you’re doing. Senior really is a loving husband and father so I’m sure Royce will be as well. He takes after his father so don’t doubt that he can’t protect and provide. I’m happy for you even though I wasn’t invited to anything.”
“Auntie, what can I invite you to? He snuck the marriage license in. There was no grand wedding.”
“Okay, so make him give you one. He spoils you just as much, right?”
“You have no idea.”
“Then what’s the hold up. If you’re upset about anything, make him give you that wedding and a nice honeymoon to match,” she said smirking.
“Now that you put it that way, I just might. So, we’re good with this? Like, Royce won’t be talked about in a bad manner?” I was only asking because they talked about Cojak like a dog!
“Nope. He has the means to make sure y’all are good in all aspects. I’m happy for you and little miss Essence Atkins. I guess CJ’s the only one carrying that nigga name, huh?”
“Royce wants to adopt him and change his name. I really don’t want to but then again, this is Royce we’re talking about. He probably already did it and leaving it up to me to find it out. The only reason I know about the marriage is because someone at his ceremony let it fly. He was never going to tell me, Auntie.”
Again, she laughed. I could see she was amused with my hardships in that household. She didn’t even bother responding. She was back to cooing over Essence and her beauty. Uncle Quill returned shortly after with food for everyone and we all enjoyed a meal together. It felt good being around family again. There was nothing wrong with my in-laws, but my blood understood me.
Time passed and my aunt filled Uncle Quill in on everything he missed. He didn’t say much but did tell me to make sure that was where I wanted to be. Regardless of what Royce thought was going to happen, Uncle Quill reassured me that I had a choice. If only he knew it was easier saying yes to that maniac.
It was ‘bout that time for us to go and head home. It was a little after one and Royce would soon be calling. I was sure of it. He never really let us be anywhere without him. Overprotective was a poor choice of wording to describe him.
As me and my kids walked to the front door, one of the staff went and opened it. In walked the same bitch Cojak had sitting in front of him at visit. She carried a car seat in her hand, and I couldn’t help but glance at the child. It never dawned on me that we could be having the same gender. Cojak really wasn’t shit for the things he did.
“Tuh. This bitch,” I said lowly but loud enough for her to hear.
She smirked and placed her daughter down. I guess she felt like she had the upper hand, but the ball was really in my court. It wasn’t shit about this bitch that could make me look or feel less than the shit.
“Yeah, you got that right. Put some respect on me bitch,” she countered.
“Hey, we don’t talk like that in my establishment. You need to leave, especially if you can’t watch your language around these kids,” Aunt Symphony checked her real fast.
“I’ll make sure to call you later, Auntie,” I said stepping around her.
