Chapter 92: B for Brenda

MIA

I closed the door before she could complete her statement.

I rested my forehead on the door as more tears flowed while I sobbed.

Old words and memories filled my head.

"Mia, your mother is a terrible mother," Julia said.

"Blanco and I sent money to your mother for college education and upkeep"

"This is all your fault, Mia! I curse your birth!"

"Mom, no. Please."

I held my chest as my heart bled.

"You girls of this generation think you are special and most desired. You seduced my husband! Get out of my house and never come back!"

"Mom!"

"I will kill that bitch over and over again if I had the fucking chance, girl!"

"Mia?" Vicky's familiar voice made my heart drop.

"Mia, what's wrong?"

I wiped my tears and turned.

She is standing close to the bed.

"Vicky," I walked towards her, picked her up, and placed her on the bed.

"You are still awake," I said, sniffling.

She nodded, staring at me with concern.

"What about Jay Jay?" I asked, looking towards his crib.

I can see him in it.

They got him a brand new crib but still blue.

"He is sleeping," Vicky said.

I smiled at her a bit, caressing her hair.

"Why are you crying?"

I shook my head. "Nothing, little sister. I am fine."

"Is it because of mom?"

My heart tightened again as more tears approached.

"You said mommy is in heaven, right?"

I nodded. "Yes, sweetie. She is."

"Please don't cry."

"I won't," I wrapped her in a hug, letting out a breath.

"I love you, Vicky. I am so glad you are here."

"I love you too, Mia."

I let out a sob, kissing her hair and hugged her tightly.

NEXT DAY........

I opened my eyes to the rays of the sun hitting my face. I turned to the side and my eyes rested on the alarm clock on the nightstand.

It is past seven am.

Another day in this place.

I have no idea if I am going to leave or not.

I let out a sigh as I sat up. I looked beside me.

Vicky is still asleep on her side and letting out tiny snores.

I smiled at her cuteness.

Gently and quietly, I got out of bed, stretching as I walked towards the crib.

I stared at my best friend.

He is lying on his belly, sleeping soundly.  I smiled as I stared at him.

I couldn't believe it when I saw them two nights ago.

I haven't felt that happy in a long time.

Vicky and Jay Jay are here with me.

Even though I don't like this place, I don't feel completely miserable because they are both here.

I don't feel miserable at all.

I am glad they are here.

Thanks to......

My heart reacted as last night came to my mind.

"I fucking love you, shawty."

I shook my head, running my fingers through my hair as I walked away from the crib.

I rubbed my arms as his words repeated.

"At first, I wanted a fun fuck but it grew into something more than that. Something beyond me. Something I can't fucking control. I lose my shit by just thinking about you with someone else. I become the monster you call me if someone tries to fucking harm you. Hell, I'mma bring this fucking planet down for you if you want me to. Every fucking thing is you, girl. So that's it, shawty. I love you."

I moved towards the couch and sat on it.

Why do I feel this guilt within me?

Why does his word affect me?

I shouldn't be thinking about this. He killed my mom.

What is wrong with me?

I rubbed my face and let out a sigh as I stared at the window.

"Mia,"

I looked at the bed.

Vicky is sitting up and rubbing her eyes with her index finger.

"Vicky," I called, getting on my feet and walking towards her.

"Good morning,"

I chuckled. "Good morning, sweet Vicky. How was your night?"

She smiled. "It was good."

"That's nice," I said, sitting on the bed next to her.

"But I had a dream about mom."

"Oh. Really?" I asked.

She nodded.

"Tell me."

"Mia?"

"Yeah?"

"What's a slut?"

I furrowed my brows. "Wha....what?"

"Mom was calling you a slut in my dream."

I furrowed my brows again.

"She was?"

She nodded.

I looked away as I thought of what to say.

"It is a bad word, right?"

I looked at her. "Um, forget about it, Vicky. It is just a dream, okay?"

"But.....mom usually says that about you back at home."

My heart tightened.

"She said you are slut. That's why you are not living with us."

I let out a breathless scoff as tears approached.

I lowered my gaze as I recalled mom calling me a slut to my face countless times.

"Um.... Vicky, it is not....."

A knock interrupted, claiming our attention.

I got on my feet and walked towards the door.

I opened it, revealing Coco.

She is looking at me with remorse.

"Good morning," I said, walking back to the bed.

"Good morning, Mia. Are you.....are you still angry with me?"

"You lied to me yesterday."

She nodded. "It wasn't my fault. I was doing what I was told."

"It's fine. I understand." I said, looking away.

"Are we still good?"

I looked at her.

She is looking at me in a way of expects a positive answer.

I nodded.

Her face lit up instantly.

"Thank you. I actually came to call you guys for breakfast. It will be ready in an hour."

I nodded.

"Alright. Later." She said, heading out happily.

"Aunty Coco is nice, I like her," Vicky said with a bright smile.

I smiled too. "I like her too."

"And also that big uncle too."

I furrowed my brows slightly as Caleb came to my mind.

"You mean Caleb?"

She shook her head. "Not uncle Caleb but I like him too."

I furrowed my brows again.

"Who are you talking about?"

"The other uncle. He said his name is um...." She lowered her gaze, trying to remember.

I stared at her, waiting impatiently to hear who she was talking about.

"His name starts with a B"

My heart picked up.

"Big Kai?"

"Yes. Big Kai."

I froze.

"He took me away from the bad guys. He also saved other children there with me."

What?

"There were other children too?"

She nodded. "We were many back there. He beat up the bad guys and saved us all. He bought us food, cookies, candies, and ice cream. He is a good person. After we ate, he told me about you and that I was going to see you."

My heart tightened as I looked away. I felt the tiny guilt growing into a bigger one.

I let out a sigh.

AN HOUR LATER.......

I swallowed as I descended the stairs with Jay Jay in my arms and holding Vicky with my other hand while staring at Big Kai.

He is seated in his usual seat dressed in a black tank top, eating his meal while staring at his phone.

Yesterday, he was staring at me while I descended the stairs.

The meal wasn't served till we got there.

But he is eating already.

Next to him and on the seat I sat on yesterday was Caleb. They are all eating.

I placed Jay Jay in his seat which is close to Caleb.

I helped Vicky sit on hers before I sat in between them as the maids approached us with our meal.

I fed Jay Jay as I ate mine.

I moved my eyes to Big Kai.

He is relaxed in his seat, chewing his meal while staring at his phone.

My eyes moved further to his arm, up to his body in his black tank top.

He loves being shirtless mostly. I don't know why he is in a tank top.

And no durag wrapped on his head.

His new braids make him more........ different.

God, Mia, are you checking him out now?

I lowered my gaze as I picked up a portion of my scrambled eggs. I took it in and chewed.

The taste is delicious.

The cooks are very good.

I turned to Jay Jay.

He is sucking water from his little bottle.

I smiled at him as he sucked greedily.

I moved my eyes to Big Kai.

His eyes are still on his phone.

I felt a tiny bit of disappointment within me.

Why is that?

"Kai," Imani's familiar voice called, taking our attention.

She is descending the stairs with an unfamiliar woman beside her.

"Look who I have here with me," Imani said.

"Whoa. Brenda?" Big Kai asked, making me look at him.

He is staring at them with a light-up face mixed with a tiny surprise.

Who is Brenda?