She walked inside, and I guided her to the sitting room.
“I’ve always admired this house. It's so big and pretty. Did you decorate?”
“Mostly. I did this room and the bedrooms. Damien hired an interior decorator for the rest of the house.”
“That's dope.”
We took a seat and there was silence for a moment as she looked at the mural of photos oftheirfamily and Scottlyn on the wall.
“Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thanks. How have you been, Jela?”
“I’ve been good.” I gave her a flat smile while tucking my hair behind my ear.
“No, really.Howare you? Some people often ask the question as a filler, but don’t actually want to know how someone is. I genuinely want to know how Jela is.”
I looked at her, trying to will myself not to cry.
What was Neveah up to? Did she have some type of agenda? I didn’t know, but since I really had no one to talk to, and Neveah genuinely asked how I was, I decided to open up.
Inhaling slowly, I met her eyes. “I’m not really feeling good today. I’m a little void of energy, but I’ll be okay. How are things with you?”
“I’ve been well,” she said, sitting back on the decorative sofa. “So… what I was trying to say on Thanksgiving is that I know you don’t know anyone here, and you’ve been here for almost a year. I do want to apologize for not trying to get to know you sooner. It’s just that since I’d been busy traveling, I hadn't had time to have much of a social life outside of my sister and best friend, Kaylani. I don’t want you to think I don’t care about you, Jela. So, I want to apologize and get to know you as a person.”
I winced a little, feeling the pain in my stomach return. “It’s okay. I figured Damien didn’t want you guys to interact with me. I know you’ve been away, so I don’t hold anything against you. I’m coming to terms with being alone.”
“But you don’t have to be. I turn thirty-six on Christmas, so I was going to ask Damien if I could throw a little intimate dinner here at his place. Of course, the family will be here, but I’ll invite more people. I'm going to bridge the gap between us and also introduce you to some other women who you could form a friendship with. It’s not cool for you to be here for a year and for us to not have shown you around or make you comfortable.”
I didn’t know if I could trust her, so I just nodded. I understood her being away, but even when I did see her, she’d never extended an invitation to hang out with me. She wasn't necessarily cruel to me or anything. Still, I had to move cautiously because Damien was a weird bastard and could very well have her befriend me to monitor me since I hung out with Truce.
“It’s fine, Neveah?—”
“It’s not. I see the way you're looking at me, and you have every right to. I promise… Damien didn’t set this up, and it's not me being fake. I really do want to get to know you. I feel like I know your baby more than I know you, and that doesn't sit well with me.”
I nodded again and smiled before another sharp pain ripped through my stomach. “Mmmm, shit!” I rubbed my stomach, hoping the pain would subside.
“Are you okay?” Neveah asked, concerned.
“Yeah. I’m going to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
I had to take a painkiller to get rid of this pain that I was sure came from Damien’s hard-ass boot to my stomach two days ago.
I stood from the couch and heard her gasp. “Jela, are you on your monthly?”
I looked down to see the red stain on the tan sofa and froze. The crimson stain on the sofa let me know that something was seriously wrong. It wasn’t my period. My menstrual cycle was never heavy enough to cause this much of a stain. They were always irregular and light, and because I could never time when I’d start my cycle, I never tracked them.
Another pain shot through my stomach that brought me to my knees. “Owww! Fuck!”
“Damien!” I heard Neveah scream and rush off.
I wanted to tell her not to call for him, but more pain caused my words to halt, and a cry replaced them.
Neveah came to my side to help me up, and Damien appeared a few moments later. “What's going on up here?”
“She’s in pain, and she’s bleeding. She needs to go to the hospital.”
He frowned. “She gotta go to the hospital because she’s on her period and having cramps?”
