Chapter 80: For the Love of A Daughter

Mylan

I woke up and looked at the time. He should be at work so I should be good. I climbed out of the bed but Nyra woke up in the process. “Sorry I didn’t mean to wake you,” I apologized.

“It’s okay My, good luck,” she wished me before I climbed out and closed her window. I climbed through my window and didn’t spot anyone so I thought everything was good. I did my morning routine before going downstairs.

“It’s My!” Levi shouted when he saw me. What’s wrong with him today? Dad came out of the kitchen and glared at me. He’s not supposed to be here.

“Where the hell have you been?” Dad looked down at me.

“In my room,” I looked at him like he was crazy.

“We checked your room last night and you weren’t there,” Mom said from behind him. My heart started speeding up when she said that. They went into my room?

“I was over at Nyra’s,” I said honestly. What’s the point in lying? Nothing was wrong with me going right next door to be with a friend.

“Are you lying to me?” He eyed me. I backed far away from him because he honestly scared me.

“Mom he’s scaring me,” I kept backing away until my back hit the wall.

“Drake,” she stood in front of him. “Go to work and I’ll handle this,” she pleaded.

“You’re actually gonna handle something?” he let out a dark chuckle.

“Go to work you fucking asshole,” she lowered her voice so I wouldn’t hear but I did. He shrugged her off and left out. I let out a sigh of relief because he honestly scared me. “Are you afraid of him?” Mom came over to me and looked concerned. I nodded and she pulled me to her. “I wish I knew where Nae was right now because she could talk to you so much better than I can,” she whispered. Auntie Nae disappeared a year ago and no one knew where she went. I just hope wherever she is that she is safe.

“Can I go get some sleep?” I asked her and she nodded. I went upstairs and just cried. I need to get my blade and my pills.

Blake

“We’re sorry,” Ciara apologized on behalf of the group. I eyed them and crossed my arms. None of them truly looked sorry. I think they’re just saying sorry so I would stop being mad at them.

 

“You’re only saying that for me to not be mad at y’all. You don’t have to like Sage but I do and I’m gonna continue to smoke, hang, and fuck with her,” I shrugged.

 

“Gross,” Ciara scrunched up her face.

 

“Blake just look at what you’re wearing. This isn’t you at all. Is this because of Nae?” As soon as she said that the room went silent. I walked up to her and never broke my stare.

 

“I don’t give a fuck about her just like I don’t give a fuck about your opinion. This is my life and I’m gonna live it how I want to live it. I don’t need your help Jessica,” I felt anger rising through me.

 

“You don’t have to give a fuck about my opinion but if you’re acting out because of Nae then you should stop. It’s dumb and idiotic. It’s like you’re trying to be the complete opposite of who you used to be. If you added Mere and Nae together, Sage would be their opposite. You keep saying you’re a grown ass woman but you still playing all these childish games,” she shook her head at me.

 

“I’m being me and I’m sorry if that bothers you. This doesn’t have a fucking thing to do about Nae. I don’t care about her. She could die as of right now and I wouldn’t care. Don’t make me put you on that list. Know your place Jessica and stay in your lane. I’on need nobody to check me. Am I making sense to you?” I raised a brow. She just sat back and chuckled.

 

“This will definitely be entertaining to watch. Of course Blakelynn, I’ll gladly stay in my lane and eat popcorn while watching your life spiral out of control,” she grinned at me.

 

“Okay let’s stop this before it gets worse,” Ciara said.

 

“Yeah I think we all should take a breather,” Paris suggested.

 

“Good idea Paris. I’m going smoke with Sage,” I turned and walked out.

 

Nicki

“She’s terrified of him,” I told Mere as we sat on my couch. I needed to talk to someone who could talk some sense into Drake. It has gotten beyond that point and Mere was my last hope. If he doesn’t listen to Mere then he won’t listen to anyone. Mylan doesn’t want to be anywhere around him. That alone should make him feel some type of way.

“Aubrey would never lay a hand on any female,” she assured me. I knew that he wouldn’t do that because he’s completely against that. That’s not what I’m worried about.

“I know that but I’m getting scared for Mylan. I’m looking at her but all I see is Nae nine years ago,” I shook my head. I can’t get that image out of my head.

“Jaznae?” She looked over at me weird.

“Yeah she disappeared a year ago and no one knew where she went,” I sighed. I don’t know why she left but she changed her number. She didn’t want to be found so why find someone who doesn’t want to be found? It just hurts because she would be the one I would call during shit like this. She’s my best friend and I have no idea where she is or if she’s even alive. I’ll probably never see her again.

“Yeah I know. Blake was a mess,” she nodded.

“Now she’s all into Sage,” I rolled my eyes. Sage was a horrible influence on Blake. I’ve never seen her with a girl like Sage. I guess no one has because she went from Nae to Mere back to Nae now to Sage.

“All of Blake’s life she’s hopped between me and Jaznae. Now she doesn’t really knows what to do so I think that’s why she’s with Sage,” she explained.

“Yeah y’all and that love triangle,” I chuckled. They went back and forth for the last nine years and it was kind of amusing. I think there will always be a love triangle between them except that Nae isn’t here and Mere’s engaged.

“Yep,” she made a weird face and that made me question her. I’ve seen her make that face from time to time and it confused the hell out of me.

“What’s with the face?” I scrunched up my brows.

“I made a face? I wasn’t even aware of that I made a face,” she snapped out whatever daze she was in.

“You’re acting weird,” I eyed her a bit. I swear she’s acting weirder and weirder each day. There’s definitely something going on with her but I’m not gonna push it.

“Sorry I just got back from seeing my niece and I’m exhausted but I need to talk some sense into Aubrey. I don’t know what’s gotten into him but I need to knock it out,” she looked determined. Just as she said that the door opened.

“Mere? What are you doing here?” He looked at her confused.

“We need to talk,” she gave him a look and I got up and left because that’s a conversation that I don’t want to be apart of. I knew how Mere could be when Drake wouldn’t listen.

Cassie

“Hello?” I answered my phone. I was just relaxing around the house since Shad had the kids. It was nice to have a lazy day.

“Cass,” Shad’s voice came through. I instantly sat up and listened closely.

“Shad? Is something wrong with the kids?” I questioned.

“The kids are fine. I kind of need your help with something.”

~~~

“And then you brush it like this,” I pulled her hair into a ponytail. Shad sat staring intensively as I finished her hair.

“Thank you Ms. Cassie!” Chaslyn popped up and hugged me.

“No problem sweetie,” I chuckled as she ran off to play with Alexis.

“Thanks for that. I don’t know shit about doing hair and she kept complaining. I don’t know why my cousin would leave me with her for an entire weekend,” he thanked me.

“It’s fine your goddaughter is a cutie,” I brushed it off.

“Yeah,” he nodded slowly while keeping his eyes trained on me. He had this weird look in his eyes and I couldn’t figure out what it was. “I gotta wake up Brayden,” Shad said and walked into his room. Alexis rushed in with her shoes in her hands.

“I’m almost done Mommy,” she promised. I nodded and saw Shad come back out with Brayden as he rubbed his eyes. Shad handed him to me and Brayden practically fell back asleep in my arms.

“I’ll help you get their things in the car,” he offered.

“Okay,” I walked out and Shad followed and then put their things in my car. “Thanks,” I shot him a small smile before buckling Brayden in.

“Bye Chaslyn!” Alexis hugged her.

“Bye Alexis!” Alexis jumped into the car and Chaslyn went back inside.

“So I’ll see you Saturday?” I questioned just to make sure we had the right days. He walked up to me with that weird look again on his face. He placed a hand on my waist and kissed my cheek.

“Yeah Saturday,” he smiled slightly before walking back inside his house. I snapped myself out of shock and went into the car. I mentally groaned at him and pulled off.

Drake

“What do you want to talk about?” I took Nicki’s spot on the couch. Mere doesn’t just pop by without telling me so it must be something important.

“Nicki called me and told me everything that’s been going on,” she said. Of course she would go to Mere and expect her to talk some sense into me.

“I should’ve known she would do that. She’s just overreacting,” I shrugged it off.

“Aubrey snap out of whatever the hell you’re in and realize that your daughter is terrified of you. Nicki’s right she acting a lot like Jaznae did nine years ago. She’s around the same age too,” she pointed out.

“It’s not like she’s suicidal or depressed. She’s just going through those teenager emotions,” I don’t know why everyone is so stuck on this. She isn’t acting that kind of way.

“How would you know Aubrey? You’re barely here even though you’ve been trying to be here more often. She doesn’t talk to you or open up to you about anything. I swear the only one who could relate to her would be Jaznae,” she sighed.

“And no one knows where the fuck she is. Look thanks for the concern but she’s fine,” I was about to get up but she pulled me back down.

“You can’t be serious. Can you open your fucking eyes and realize everything going on around you? You’re not young anymore. You’re a grown man and you have two kids to worry about. You completely ignore Levi. He’s been crying to me about you not loving him. Do you know how heartbreaking that is to watch?” She looked at me in disbelief.

“You all are overeating. Can’t y’all just see that I’m working my ass off to provide for my family?” I was sick of getting all the blame thrown my way.

“You have way more than enough money to provide for your family so that’s bullshit,” she shook her head.

“I don’t need you telling me the same thing as everyone else. I thought you were supposed to be on my side? What the fuck did Nicki tell you?” I crossed my arms.

“Listen to me and listen to me closely. I don’t give a fuck who you think you are but you are turning out to be a complete asshole. You are gonna lose your family if you keep this up and you might even lose your daughter for life. Stop acting like an ass and man the fuck up. Would your mom be proud of you right now? Seeing you fuck up all of the relationships you have in this family?

Don’t be dumb because if you lose them I’m not helping you get them back. I’m sick of having to go through this with you every time. Do you even care anymore? Don’t you think I have my own fucking problems yet I’m still trying to help you!? So you know what Drake? Fuck you,” Mere grabbed her stuff and left. I sat there a little stunned at her outburst. She never called me Drake and she never snapped at me like that.

Nicki

I heard Aubrey coming upstairs and I quickly packed a bag. He walked in and looked at me confused. “What are you doing?” He questioned.

“What does it look like?” I said over my shoulder.

“You’re leaving?”

“For the night. I’m going stay with one of the girls,” I lied.

“Why? What’s with everyone these days? Y’all are all acting crazy and it seems like everything I do isn’t good enough,” he huffed out of frustration. I turned and looked at him.

“You’re really delusional,” I couldn’t believe that he truly thought that we were acting crazy.

“I’m the delusional one? You guys are the ones who think Mylan is acting like Nae. She is acting nothing like her. Nae was addicted to drugs,” he pointed out.

“She was suicidal at first,” I reminded him.

“And Mylan isn’t,” he snapped.

“How the fuck would you know!? You don’t know her!” I could feel my anger rising.

“You’re telling me that I don’t know my own daughter?”

“That’s exactly what I’m telling you. Wake up Drake.”

“You just had to call Mere huh? How you gonna turn my own sister against me?” I looked at him disbelief.

“I didn’t turn her against you! You turned her against you. You’re turning everyone against you and I can’t deal with this tonight.”

“You can’t ever deal with anything. You acting just like you were nine years ago. You always running from shit you need to face.”

“I am so sick of this Drake. I can’t do this,” I wiped my tears and grabbed my bag before rushing down the stairs.

“Onika!” I heard him yell but I closed the door and hopped into the waiting car.

“Can we go?” I asked softly. I couldn’t believe that Aubrey was acting like this. It seems like he becomes a bigger ass every day.

“You got into another fight?” He questioned.

“Yeah and it’s so exhausting,” I sighed. I feel stressed out and I never felt so drained in my life. I didn’t even know it was possible to feel like this.

“I hope everything works out for you,” he shot me a small smile before pulling off.

“Why would you hope that? I thought you wanted me?” I chuckled.

“I do but I know you’re married. I respect that and I’on wanna watch your family be torn apart,” he shrugged.

“Don’t worry about that. It seems like my husband is doing that all by himself.”

 

Mylan

I heard the door slam and I cringed. Of course they would get into another fight. There was a knock on my door and I already knew who it was. “Come in Levi,” I called out. He walked in with tears streaming down his face. I got up and grabbed him. “It’s gonna be fine,” I promised him. I closed my door and placed him in my bed.

“They yelling and slamming,” he mumbled.

“I know,” I sighed.

“You’ll stay right?” He looked at me.

“I’m always gonna stay by you Levi no matter what happens,” I promised him. I just hope it doesn’t come down to a divorce. I might not like my father at the moment but I don’t want this family to be torn apart. I just wanna go back a year and be happy again.

“Boo-boo,” he ran his hand across my wrist. He grabbed my wrist and kissed it. “Boo-boo better,” he smiled small.

“Thank you Levi,” I let out a sad smile.

“I love you,” he hugged me.

“I love you too,” I kissed him and pulled him close.