Chapter 50

2 Days later, Esined

I was lying on the bed in my hotel room, staring up at the ceiling as I spoke to Viola on the phone.

"I really can't believe that you and Nola aren't talking right now. Like this is even bothering me. I know you both have your differences, but y'all need to work it out. He needs to talk to someone. I don't know what he's going through, but he needs you right now,"

"Work what out? I don't even know what happened. He won't answer my calls or texts. It's been two days. I didn't do anything. I sent him the pictures and videos of me on the runway, but he didn't respond,"

"Did he read it?"

"I think he turned off his read receipts. I'm really worried, V. I haven't heard from him in two days. This isn't like him,"

"It is,"

"Well, he doesn't usually ignore me. I can't even lurk or anything. He hasn't posted or done anything on social media,"

"If it makes you feel better, I saw him this morning,"

"Did he look sad?"

"His face was kinda neutral. You know how he has that natural mean look and death stare?"

"Yeah,"

"He looked like that, but more like he was on a mission,"

"A mission?"

"Like he was determined to accomplish something," she laughed. "I can't describe it,"

"V, can you please get Mel to contact him or something?"

"Mel tried. Even went to the cemetery to see if he was at his dads grave. Everything,"

Just as I got more worried than before, a knock on the door made me snap my head in that direction.

"Hold on. Someone knocked on my door," I sat up and stood.

The person knocked again.

I went over to the door and looked through the peephole. I squealed, dropping my phone. I hurried to unlock my door.

"BABY!" I jumped into August's arms, catching him off guard and causing us to fall onto the floor.

August started laughing. "Damn, baybeh. I missed you too,"

I hit his chest. "You're so mean! You had us all worried, August! I thought you were mad at me," I pouted. "What are you doing here?"

"I was tryna surprise you," he rubbed his chest.

"Sorry," I helped him up from the floor.

We went into my room and I closed the door. I hugged him tightly and he hugged me back just as tight.

"It's been two long days and it felt like a week. I missed you, baybeh," he kissed my forehead. "I had ta come see you,"

Something was wrong.

"Aug," I frowned.

"What?"

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Why you ask me dat?"

"You look so sad,"

"I'm good,"

"You su-"

"I'm good," he said more sternly.

I bit my lip. "Okay. Sorry for asking," I mumbled.

I didn't know what is was. Maybe I just cared too much. I've been really sensitive when he spoke to me lately. The littlest things he said or his facial expressions alone could hurt my feelings.

"I don't mean ta make you feel bad," he sighed. "I just-" he stopped and looked down. "I'm not in a good mind right now and I just don't wanna talk about it,"

"I understand. Hey, why don't we try to get your mind off of it? You wanna go somewhere?" I tried to pick up my mood. "There's a lot of cool spots around here. Even some in walking distance,"

"Sure,"

"Okay. Well I'll get ready,"

August took a seat on the couch and waited for me to get ready.

I picked out an outfit and took it to the bathroom. I had already took a shower, so I just did my hair and put on mascara. I styled my hair, pulling half of it up for a ponytail and leaving the back down. I added a little bit of edge control to my edges after I brushed them in the direction I wanted them to go.

I made sure I liked the way I look before leaving the bathroom.

"You look nice,"

"Thanks," I smiled. I sat on the bed and pulled on my boots.

He watched me and stood up when I did.

I made sure I had my hotel key and my portable charger. I grabbed my phone and put it in my purse. "Okay, I'm ready,"

August opened the door and let me out first.

When we got into the hallway, Shane was just leaving his room.

"Hey," I smiled.

"Hey," he said. "Hello," he said to August.

August didn't even acknowledge him.

I looked up at August and nudged him a little with my elbow.

He acted as if I didn't even do it.

"Well, um..." Shane started and sighed. "August, I know you don't like me and you think something is going on between us, but I'm telling you it's not. I'm not that type of guy. She's off limits and even if she wasn't, I see her as a little sister,"

"Cool," August said. "I'm glad dat you know I don't like you,"

"August really?" I asked. "I'm sorry, Shane,"

"It's cool. All of us are going out later. You're welcome to come too, August," Shane said.

"We ain't goin'. Thanks fa da invite,"

"I'll be there," I said. "See you later,"

"See you," he said, walking down the hall.

When Shane was gone, I dropped August's hand.

"You didn't have to be disrespectful like that. You could have just said hello and kept it moving," I said.

"If I don't like the nigga, the fuck would I speak ta him fa? I ain't about ta be fake and have him thinkin' we cool,"

"It's called respect. There's a difference between being fake and being disrespectful,"

"I really don't care. I don't like him and I don't want him around you,"

"If you said this about another guy, I'd say okay, but not this time. You don't have any reason to dislike him. He's never done anything to you and he's never done anything to disrespect our relationship,"

"Because I know his intentions,"

"You don't,"

"Yes I do. I know how niggas look at you. You think I don't see this shit? I ain't stupid, Esined,"

"I'm not saying that you are. He doesn't look at me how you think he does. He isn't like that,"

"Just know dat when the day comes dat he tries ta make a move on or kiss you, I'm clearin' his shit,"

"Wow," I laughed. "You are ridiculous,"

"I bet I am. You ain't goin' out later,"

"Yes, I am. You can't just come out here and try to control me. Who do you think you are? I'm not like these other girls and you aren't gonna tell me what to do,"

He sucked his teeth.

"You know what? I change my mind. I don't want to go out anymore... At least not with you," I took out my room key.

"I don't care,"

I rolled my eyes and opened the door. I didn't bother to hold the door so it wouldn't hit him.

"Childish," he mumbled.

"I'm childish, but you came here with bad intentions,"

"What the fuck is you talkin' about?"

"You came here just to make sure I wouldn't be close to Shane. It's clear now. You came here because you don't trust me, didn't you?"

He stayed quiet.

"Exactly," I huffed. "I'm so over this,"

"Over what?"

"I'm over you not trusting me. I'm over assuring you that I won't hurt you everyday. I'm over you assuming so much. I'm over you being mean to me," I admitted. "I'm trying and you don't see that,"

"What are you trying to say?"

"At this point, I don't want to be anywhere near you,"

"So that's how it's gonna be?"

"Yeah,"

"Alright," he said. "Don't call me cryin' and sayin' dat you miss me,"

"I won't,"

He looked at me and I turned my head. "Bye,"

I waved and he left. He left my hotel room with his bags and let the door slam.

I sighed and took off my boots. My began to phone ring. It was Viola.

"Hey," I said.

"I love how you hung up on me earlier,"

I laughed a little. "I'm sorry. August showed up,"

"Awe! He flew out just to see you?"

"Not really,"

"What do you mean?"

I sighed. "I don't really wanna tell our business,"

No matter how upset I was with August, I'd never tell our business and make people think that he's a bad guy. I would never want him to feel embarrassed or make him look stupid just because my feelings are hurt.

"Is it bad?"

"Viola," I laughed.

"Whaaat? You know I'm nosey,"

"Clearly,"

She laughed. "Whatever it is, I hope you both get through it. I know he needs you right now,"

He sure isn't acting like it.

"Mhm,"

"Well, I'm tired. You know how that goes," she laughed.

"Wait. Did you tell Mel?"

"Yes,"

"What'd he say?"

"He's excited,"

"Does Sheila know?"

"I spoke to her about it first. She's already trying to buy baby stuff,"

"You're like how many weeks pregnant?"

"Eight weeks,"

"Awe," I smiled. "How does it feel?"

"Just feeling tired for now. I'm not experiencing too much because I'm only in my first trimester, but I feel happy, honestly,"

"I've noticed. You just seem so full of energy and your skin is glowing,"

"At first I was scared," she admitted.

"Why?"

"Because I lost one and I just really don't want to lose another baby,"

"I know, V. Just know that Mel is gonna protect y'all baby with his life and he'll never let anyone hurt his kids or you,"

"I know," she sighed. "I'll be okay. He's assured me of that, so it hasn't been in my mind as heavy,"

"That's good. You're tired and I don't want to keep you long, so I'll let you go,"

"Okay. Night girl. Love you,"

"Love you too," I smiled before hanging up.

After I hung up, my mind drifted right back onto August and what happened.

Although I wanted to fix things with August so they wouldn't get too out of hand, I wanted to show August that this was how I felt. I didn't want him to walk all over me. We both were wrong, but we don't need to be childish about it. I could have told him to stay at my room.

I got over myself and sent him a text message.

Where are you? 8:19 pm

SnuggaPoo: Don't worry about it. 8:24 pm

I don't care how upset we are with each. It doesn't mean that I'm done caring about you. I just want to know if you're okay where you are and if you're safe. 8:26 pm

SnuggaPoo: K. 8:27 pm

I rolled my eyes.

Did you leave the hotel? 8:27 pm

SnuggaPoo: Yup. 8:27 pm

Where are you? 8:28 pm

read 8:28 pm

It went onto him just leaving me on read and not responding at all.

I wasn't going to waste my time and worry about him. If he didn't want to let me know where he was or if he was safe, I wasn't going to chase him.

I should just let him go and try to work things out when we get back to Atlanta. Maybe we just need some time apart. Honestly, I wanted to work it all out, but I wasn't going to let him interfere with my job. I didn't need the negativity to affect my work.

-Damn...

Hmm. What do y'all think?

Do y'all think August's issues are deeper than what he's telling Esined?

What would y'all do if y'all were Esined?

What would y'all do if y'all were August?

How do y'all feel about Shane?

I'm actually gonna have him as a good character.

Where do y'all think August is?

Viola and Mel are gonna have a baby. Just a little catch up on Viola: She's 19 and she's in college now. She'll be 20 by time the baby is born.

Eiram ( Esined's mom): She had her baby already. A little boy named Fabumi Leinad (Lee-Uh-Nahd). Her and Brandon ( Mr. Togel) have been together for a little while. She came back to Atlanta and she lives with Brandon.

Fabumi is African. It means gift of God. Leinad is just Daniel backwards lol.

Y'all know I like strange names. I think Fabumi is cute. I decided on what Eiram and Brandon look like, but he doesn't look like how I described him.

I'll catch y'all up on Keenon and Chantelle in the next chapter.

Idk what else to say.

Excuse typos please.

Comments & Votes are appreciated.

Much love, Shia. Xoxo