Once I was done picking off the steak and potatoes. I set the fork down slowly and leaned back in my chair because I felt full beyond measure. Not only did I feel full, but I felt sleepy as hell, and I knew I could chalk that up to having the itis. I stood up from the chair to take my plate to the trash can, but I couldn't quite catch my balance for some reason. I pushed my hand off the wall to go the other way and stumbled into the kitchen before I felt Kairo helping me stand up straight.
"Here, let me get that." Kairo took the plate from my hand.
"Come on, go lie down for a minute."
He walked me into the bedroom with his arm wrapped around me as my body started feeling heavier by the second. My eyes kept fighting to stay open, but it was no use. I was succumbing to whatever the hell was happening to me right now.
"Kairo, damn. What was in that wine? Maybe I overdid it or something, because I don't feel right."
"Yeah, maybe you did drink too much. Just come on and lie down."
He kissed me on my cheek and then helped me onto the bed, taking my bottoms off and then my top without me asking. I was blinking heavily, trying to keep my eyes open, but it was becoming more and more impossible until they were completely closed.
"Kairo, I don't feel right."
"That's because you are drunk. Just go to sleep, Ciara. I'll be right back.”
Kairo left out of the room, and I was screaming for help inside, but on the outside, I couldn't say a word. I know for a fact that the way I feel is because of something Kairo did, and I should have never trusted that he was trying to write his wrongs. To him, he is never wrong, even when doing shit like drugging his own wife.
God, please protect me tonight.
Chapter 7
Hov
The next morning
The drive-through line at McDonald's always tested my fuckin patience. You would think that this artificial ass food would be easy to cook, and I hate that Cashmier is even feeding this type of shit to my kid. She waited until she was pregnant to start eating unhealthy, but at least she is eating now. I just hope this trip to take her to get something to eat is really about that and not about anything that has something to do with us.
"Why can't I get Bam to cook you some broccoli and carrots and shit and drop it off for you to eat?"
"I do not want broccoli even if Bam cooks it. I am craving a double cheeseburger with extra onions."
I shook my head, taking my foot off the gas pedal just enough to go up to the window.
"Hi, sir, you had the double cheeseburger, extra onions with a medium fries and a medium Sprite."
I handed her my bank card, and she swiped it before sending me to the next window. After collecting the food, I headed towards the penthouse, while Cashmier tore into the fries straight out of the bag.
"You know, Hov, I'm really, really worried about my dad. I keep calling him, but he won't answer. I'm starting to think something bad happened to him. He's never missed out on an obligation or a duty."
"Don't think like that. Remember, I told you not to stress about the shit. You stress, and we lose the baby. His ass probably just had to get away from the pressure in the city for a moment."
"Maybe you're right. I hope you are right. Shoot, I wonder if anyone checked at the cabin in North Dakota for him. As a matter of fact, let me tell my mama someone should call the police there to check. Maybe the politics and the mayor's race are getting to him. I for sure hope that if he is in hiding for a mental break, that he snaps out of it before the major media gets a hold of his disappearance."
Cashmier pulled out her phone, and I did too, taking the time to text Ciara. I hadn't heard from her since last night when she said she had a headache, so I chalked the shit up to her just being asleep. Now that it's 11:00 a.m., I'm starting to worry about her. Definitely got to get her up out of Castle Hill as soon as possible.
Me:I'm coming by to check on you. I can no longer be patient about where you at.
I closed out of the message and turned the music up so there would be no room for small talk in the car with Cashmier.
Once we got to the condo, I got out and walked around to Cashmier's door to let her out.
"Let me guess, you have things to handle."
"It shouldn't be a guess. I do, and I will be back in a few hours."
"Why can't I just go with you to handle whatever business you have. I don't mind sitting in the car. I'm tired of being up in the house alone."
