Chapter 35: Leading the game!

We sat In the living room upstairs instead. He insisted that it was highly confidential.

I closed the door behind us instantly as we sat down.

  "What is it you want to talk about?" I asked

  "Dan....Danni, its crazy how things happen. I don't know how to say this..." He began

  "...That's why you drove down here, to talk. Eric, what have you done, what'd going on?" I asked again 

I could see the doubt and guilt on him, I couldn't state what it was at that moment but I suspected something was definitely up. He looked at me with this mixed intentions to talk or not then he sighed 

  "Its....Danni promise me you would keep it a secret. Like a very...." Eric stuttered as I interrupted again

  "...Eric just hit the point. If you couldn't confide in me then you wouldn't be here, am I speaking sense Eric?" I cautioned then scoffed and continued "..So cut chase!"

He sighed again

  "The latest news on air, did you see it?" He said calmly

  "....Yeah. Which of them specifically because...." Then I halted as i sat in a better position and continued "...About the death of the deputy governor, I guess you should know better; I mean you're the governors' hand man, A and B" I stated duly and calmly

His eyes were widely open yet thoughts were fidgeting his mind

  "....That's why I came. It was all planned, we had to do something and we just happened to turn..." He narrated then I stopped him

  "...We? Who are we?" I turned disappointed instantly settling a frown on my face

  "Look Danni, I can explain..."

  "Do it already, Eric. I knew that this politics thing would change you, it would change everything about you, Eric." I stood up pacing restlessly. He stood up too, he drew closer to me to apologize

  "Danni, its crazy and I regret it, every little thing I did" he said defensively with remorse

  "What exactly did you do? Did you kill him? Eric, did you kill him?" I scolded

He kept his silence in shame

  "That means I'm right then. What was I even expecting? I guess I don't have the right to meddle, do I?" I turned away facing the window as the cold breeze blew in

  "Danni, I'm sorry for everything.."

  "You keep saying you're sorry, just stop. Make things right, you're unbelievable. So why are you telling me this by the way?" I turned to him finally

  "Help me out. You're influential...." He started

  "...Jamal is!" I made it clear somehow

  "Yeah I know. Please help me out Danni, Carol is taking all of this the other way round. I've got to help myself, I've got to!" Eric requested

  "I'm finding it hard to digest all of this so I'd need some time to think about it. I really don't want to be a part of this, so please.... Have you told Ada?" I asked

  "No, I can't.....She's wouldn't listen. She's about to take up the case once she finds out about this, you know I wouldn't slip!" He said

  "Stop telling me, tell her. She's your wife, Eric!" I almost yelled, I was pissed off

  "Danni, I regret it too. Danni please help me..." He held my arms

At this point, the next I heard was Jamal's voice from the door, where he stood in shock

  "Babe?" He looked disappointed

I took my hands off Eric's grip

I ran to my husband instead

  "Babe! You're home! Eric was just leaving..." I turned to Eric and continued "Right Eric?"

  "Ye....Yes! I was just leaving. I'm sorry, man, I only wanted to talk!" He affirmed looking at Jamal. I couldn't explain the impression he left or they both exchanged were confusing so I couldn't detect.

Jamal looked at me then walked out briskly

I stood in silence, I knew I was in a deep shit with Jamal. I had no option than to meet him.

I walked inside our bedroom quietly and sat on the edge of the bed while I heard the splashes and sprays of water from the bathroom while he showered.

He walked out of the bathroom wiping off the water droplets from his mesmerizing physique.

  "Can we at least talk?" I started.

He ignored me, he walked to his closet taking a white shirt and a black sweat pant.

I called again

  "Khaleef, I'm talking to you. Don't feign dumbness." I stopped, he ignored me again. Then I stood in front of him this time. I spoke again

  "Jamal, I'm sorry." I apologized

  "Yes you should be, that's exactly what you should do, be sorry!" He scolded turning to the mirror

  "Ok, I know but we should talk about this, let's talk. You can actually yell if you want..." I suggested, I sounded sarcastic

  "...You know that's the problem I got with you, you take everything too lightly even when it's not." He turned to me finally

  "Like what exactly? You are mad, mad about Eric coming over. I'm not disputing you but I'm simply not doing anything stupid..." I tried to explain

  "Yes, you ain't stupid but you don't have to bring him over to our house, yes?" He said

  "You told me not hang around with him too often and I did, I totally understand. Then he insisted to talk at the house so...you know I couldn't say No; he sounded restless." I said to him

  "Danni, are you even on my side? Do you understand me in any way? You suck!" 

He turned away, he was pissed to the fact that I didn't create an atmosphere for it.

  "Jamal, I get it. I really do. He's in some shit and wants our help with it. Could you please think over it?" I asked. I walked towards wrapping my arms around his neck, I knew he loved that so much. He loved it when I looked into his eyes. Then I continued "Eric and I are just two normal people nothing else. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you, you know that don't you?"

Before I could say a word, his hands were on my butts, how crazy.

  "He held you..." He pointed out with a frown

  "...My arms. Look, Eric and Ada are going through a crazy hard time and they depend on us to help them, that's why he came over. That politics thing is really taking the best out of them." I said

  "You're not his wife, so why are you overly disturbed...Hey! Don't look at me like the devil here, I'm only crazy around you and.....I'm sorry babe. Tell me what I could do to help." He apologized right after he noticed my mood changed to being angry. What he said was trash even if I knew he was outrightly jealous.

  "I'll talk to you later, I'm off to Jordan's!" I left quietly

I left him wondering and desperate as well.

At about 08:11am,

I drove to Ada's house because I knew Eric would be out to the governor's domain, he had an appointment to catch up with.

I wore a black and white stripped mini fitting gown and a Tiffany heels while my purse was a white Tiffany purse as well. Recently, I changed my hair to a straight black hair with a fringe at the frontals, Jamal appreciated it even when he repeatedly reminded me about my looks, that I didn't have to go extra looking good; he preferred me Plain Jane.

I pressed the door bell while Cathy opened up immediately.

  "Good morning madam!" 

  "Morning Cathy!" I gave a friendly smile as I walked in confidently. Ada's house was a second home for me, I trooped in whenever I wanted.

I asked Cathy to bring Ada downstairs instead, I always remembered to respect boundaries, like Jamal would tell me.

Ada walked down the stairs in a silky black gown and a black netted robe, her hair was wrapped in a turban and her flip flops bunny-like.

  "Hi girl!" Ada said as well hugged

  "Hi baby! Are you good, where's Kayla?" I asked

  "She's upstairs, preparing for the morning class...I wanted her homeschooled at the moment, it's really risky out there; especially about the death of the deputy governor, I'm doing all I can to protect the only thing I got left." She looked serious

I instructed Cathy to get Kayla to me.

Few seconds later, she ran towards me

  "Aunt Danni!" She gave me a warm hug

  "Kayla! How are you? Did you remind Mom and Dad about how deeply you love them?" I asked stylishly

  "Yes. I always tell them that I love them yet sometimes they argue and pretend when I come around." Kayla blurted

  "Kayla, what did i tell you about talking more than necessary?" Ada cautioned

  "Alright Kayla, we'll talk in secret. I got you something, look at this!" I ignored Ada's feelings while I attended to Kayla. I pointed at a big barbie carton at the side. She screaming in excitement as she ran to it.

  "Mom,  Aunt Danni got me a Barbie play house." She told her mother

  "And what do good girls say?" Ada reminded

  "Thank you so much aunt!" Kayla hugged me again 

  "Its ok. I got candies, its inside. Be a good girl to Mom and Dad and always remember that whatever happens, they'll always be your family, ok?" I lectured, i didn't know why I did that but I felt the need to.

Kayla affirmed with a cute smile as Cathy took her arm as they headed upstairs again, later on Cathy took she box to Kayla's room. We looked at each other at once.

  "Ada, I know how hard it is for you, for Eric and Kayla, its really crazy." I began, I wanted us to talk much better.

  "You're actually here best thing that has happened to me, Danni. Thank for being there! You and Lola have been supportive." Ada appreciated almost tearing

  "Hey! Its ok. You've got to be strong for Kayla, she looks up to you. Learn to show her love her, remind her always that you'd be there." I advised

  "Oh Danni, you noticed!" She said as I affirmed with a faint smile, she continued

  "I don't know how to forgive Eric, I just don't know how. I can't forgive either yet I tried."

  "You need time to heal, enough time. When Jamal and i had issues back then, I was broken to pieces, I felt cheap, stupid and used. I regretted every moment we spent together, and too many times I tried to take my life but you came through. That's what I should do, come through. Eric made a mistake that's so hard to forgive but you've got to hear him out first. He might have been stupid but he still loves you. He's been asking me to plead with you but I can't you 'coz you need maximum time to heal, Ada!"

She sighed putting her face down then up again

  "When Jamal pleaded with you regardless, what did you do?" She asked innocently

  "We fixed it. At your anniversary, remember? You helped us fix us." I replied coldly

  "Danni? Did you have to..." She stuttered

  "I had to remind you and I think your husband needs you badly, right now. Take charge, Ada!" I advised again

  "Is there something going on?" Adam asked me, I think she figured out

  "Maybe we should find out, right?" I said simply

I gave her a hint, even it was little. I wanted her to sort herself out because I hated the Eric had to run to me for almost everykthing, and it was affecting my marital walls. Jamal was against it but I played stubborn most times. I knew it was risky for us, Eric might just act stupid and maybe go vulnerable, now, that was what I tried to avoid so I decided that them working together would fix them and arouse the sleeping butterflies somehow.

Days on, At the McClure's.

11:27am, 

Ada was at the governor's office to talk.

  "Hi dad!"

She snuggled into his arms as they hugged.

  "So good to see you, I thought you probably forgot your first man!" He teased

  "How could I ever do that? Nah!" She replied. They sat on the couch as they sipped on her father's specialty, his beer. Then he continued

  "So dear, why did you come?" He looked serious

  "To talk." She paused after a sip and continued "You know Dad, this family which we claim to be a perfect family..." She air quoted "...Is really going overboard."

  "How's that, darling?" He asked glaring at her to hear more of her confessions

  "Dad? I know you know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you? I wouldn't meddle if it were you and Mom running your political shit, but since it involves my husband, then, I've got to know exactly what is going on." She requested

  "Look Baby! I can't deny the fact that you know we've been running some shit under your nose but about Eric, you've got to ask your mother. Did you talk to her?" He inquired

  "I did. You know I won't accept her ruining my husband's career. She forced him into whatever it is they've been working on lately, Dad do something. If I get my hands on it, y'all would beg for mercy..." She said

He laughed in sarcasm

  "Princess, don't do that. Just don't do that honey, its not worth it. Run your Legal affairs while I run politics, is that too hard to ask? About Eric, I'd fix it. Its been hard trying to get him into place ever since y'all got got divorced, really hard. I'd need a deputy ASAP to continue my work and I need him around as well. You could work out your magic, baby!" He tried to coax

  "Everything we got to do is for the McClure's right, how about us?" She pointed out

  "...Ada, this is for us. Your mother and I are trying to build a legacy out there and all we ask is simple, be good kids, shut up and support." He stated

  "...Can you hear yourself out, dad? Which includes the dead deputy?" She fired. He scoffed in guilt but tried to hide it

  "Where's all of this coming from, Ada? You think we had something to do with the Ex Deputy's death? You're ridiculous." Pete said

  "You could explain. Dad, I've grown tired of all of this. You can't expect me to support crime, when all y'all do is commit crime, I can't. Y'all got to fix this..." She requested

  "Like you should fix up your marriage?" He reminded

  "Dad, this is different!" She got defensive

  "It's not, Ada, its not. Every couple go through dark days, so do you." He added

  "Ok. Did you ever cheat on mom?" She asked folding her arms, looking at him intensely

  "I wouldn't. Carol would eat me up even if I wanted to, besides I wouldn't." He snapped

  "Then how do you expect me to digest all of this? Y'all should fix up your mess." She walked out briskly in anger, yanking the door hard. She wanted her father to support her but he didn't. She expected something like that anyways, couples do that.

I've tried to make Ada and Eric see things positively but it felt like they all about pursuing something not relating to marriage rather its career. Its hard to stay alone without someone to talk to, Jamal was always busy which I understood, his father was really hard working to put up with everything, Lola was out of the city for a contract she considered upheaval.