Chapter 36: Don't threaten me!

  "Carol, I won't have you mess my life like this."

Eric warned Carol who looked at him with less regard, she smiled

  "Eric, I won't also have spill the beans either. The reason you're still breathing is because I respect Ada, my daughter and you being my son. So don't do that."

  "I swear to you, if it means us dying then so be it." He turned to leave as continued

  "What exactly are you going to say? That we killed the deputy or we drowned him to death or you used your very own fist to Strangle him to death? So if you're going to talk about dying, i would never die. This is me, Eric, accept it." She said

  "What makes you think that?" He stood still without looking at her face.

  "You're being ingratiating right now. Did we go wrong, did I go wrong? We elevated you from that mere renowned company owner to a brand new political tycoon who scaled through with going through primaries, is that also a sin? We gave you everything our son rejected, I took you as a son not an in law, then what's my crime here? Only because we ran some unruly mess and you're looking at it with the eagle's eye, c'mon Eric." She shrugged sitting down

  "Unruly? That's brutal and I just lost my marriage. That's what matters right now.." He countered turning to her

  "What matters right now is you getting ready for the campaign, am I clear?" She scolded furiously

  "Really? Ada and I mean nothing to you, are we not better than some deputy's...." He tried to Talk

  "Cut the chase, Eric. Get out and make it happen." She shooed

  "You won't have me easy this time, believe me. If I go down, y'all would." He added, he walked out hastily.

In a two weeks time, Jordan would be one year old. Jamal suggested we partied outside the city, somewhere peaceful. I agreed to that but its been crazy trying to fully agree to that. While I was working on my computer, Jamal came over with an iced tea, he sat next after a snappy kiss on my lips

  "Hey baby!" He sighed

  "Babe. What's up?"

  "Its going to sound unpleasant...." He began, scaring my emotions with a bad news I presumed

  "Like what?" He turned to him

  "Gotcha! I wanted your attention." He taunted laughing at my seriousness

  "Stop that, Khaleef!" I smiled throwing a pillow to his face. He laughed harder

  "Ok. Uhm, you know work, how it goes, I got a 5-day trip to catch up with in two days." He said

  "Now that is unpleasant, Jamal! Y'all got a big catch right, anything for the money." I added positively

  "Yeah, its for our kids." He blurted

  "Kids? We got just one remember?" I teased even if I understood what he meant

  "I want more, we got everything to fake care if them baby!" He teased as we laughed

  "But I don't want you out of sight, I want you around!" I said innocently

  "I know and I want to be around you too but its money we're talking about a'ight, so?" He explained

  "That means I'm going to have my vacation without you." I teased, I know he'd interrupt

  "...Was that suppose to annoy me, coz its working!!! Can't you at least wait for me? C'mon Danni, please!" He drew closer cupping my face near to his

  "Not working baby!" I lightly pushed his face

  "Danni, I know I've so busy, not stable..." He began listing Calmly

  "...Being overly jealous!" I added again to tease but this time he took seriously

  "Yes. Yes! Every responsible husband would." He shrugged knowing how right he was

  "C'mon Jamal, i was only teasing you." I wrapped my arms around him. Then he looked better topping his reaction with a broad smile

  "Dinner at 7, ok? Larry would come pick you up from where ever you maybe. I don't care if its Eric, mm-hmm!" He concluded

  "Whatever Khaleef, think whoever. Just don't forget out date, I look up to this." I straightened out

  "How can I miss that? I've got to go ok, Mustapha would be waiting.." He stood taking his leather coat and laptop.

  "You should invite Mustapha, its been a minute. We got dad's memorial forth coming, remember?." I added

   "Yeah, he wouldn't miss it for anything in this world. So babe, I'll see you soon! And don't look too sexy." He finalized with a tease as he held unto the door handle

  "I got you, coz a lingerie will do, a flirty one!" I taunted again as he stood with a squeeze on his face

  "You know what, I love you anyways." He came forward with a kiss before he left. I stood there smiling.

Eric and Ada were in a deep conversation after he had seen her with a man at a restaurant. He felt confronting her would be the best regardless, he went for it. 

  "Are you trying to punish me or what, coz if you're then can't you see its working? Its wearing me out!" Eric expressed himself

She sat on the edge of the bed without a word coming out of her mouth.

  "Ada, we've got to talk about this?"

She turned to him slowly and said 

  "Punish you? Who's doing that?" She asked

  "What do you mean, Ada? I saw you with a man, I got no right to intrude but I can't take it. Babe, please understand me." He drew closer pleadingly

  "Who are you to stop me, we are not married remember? I could be with just anyone, it's my life bro. When you screwed that woman, did you remember to stay put?" He asked

  "Ada...Ada, we've come a long you know that. I regret everything..." He looked remorse

  "I-don't-care, Eric. You hurt real bad that I always wonder if I ever got married to flirt or a husband. I just hate you, I hate the day we met, I hate everything about you, you disgust me." She turned away 

  "Baby. Baby, I'm so sorry..." He knelt down beside her trying to hold her arms then she retreated defiantly

  "Sorry for what? You know, I wonder how Danielle managed to keep up with you before.... Is this what you do?" She fired

He stood there frozen, he couldn't speak. He wondered why she would say such. He stood up immediately

  "...Ada, are you serious right now? After all I've done for you?" He was disappointed

  "What on earth did you do, you leeched on my family. Maybe you wanted to pave a way for your political dreams...." She blurted angrily

He was struck by her words, he didn't expect anything like that from her.

  "Is this what you think of me? All of this? You know I really thought that the one time infidelity was actually the problem but right now, I don't think so." He said coldly

  "You could always walk out, you can leave." She said again

  "I would! I was scared about the divorce and all that shit; but the shit that y'all McClure's make me go through everyday of my life is enough hell, and I'm sorry for being a leech. I think its time this goddamn city know the dirty truth behind your faces."

  "Er....Eric! Eric!! I didn't mean it that way..." Her eyes welled She stuttered in between

  "I expected too much

Ada ran to him instantly to prove how careless she had been but he ignored.

Eric walked out of the room quietly and heartbroken. Ada sunk in the bed abruptly, she cried out.

Immediately, she dialed my line. Luckily, I was close preparing for Jamal's invitation.

  "Danni, can I see you? Like right now?" She sobbed, I could hear 

  "I was preparing for a date with Jamal and he's waiting, but if its really urgent I could..." I tried to explain as well

  "...No its ok, I'll see you tomorrow. Thanks!" She hung up without listening to anything I had to say. 

It was too late for me to ignore our date, I was confused.

I got dressed in a black shiny sequin mini gown and a Chanel heels. My straight hair was neatly wrapped in a bun this time. I took my purse with me as walked to the car where Larry stood waiting as he opened the  door for me to go inside. I discussed with Bella who was peacefully asleep with Jordan all wrapped in her arms, they were adorable. Normally, Jamal would hate that but since it was his decision for us to go out on a date then we both couldn't say no.

Jamal and I sat facing ourselves while an expensive wine was served and we ate topping but with Funfetti sugar cookies.

  "I just can't stop staring at you, darling. It feels like I've just met you, you're too amazing." He complimented with a smile

Then I blushed with a better smile

  "I keep loving you every goddamn day!"

  "And I'm grateful, for having you, my son..." He sighed in content

  "I know babe, you're amazing too." 

We sipped on our wine without eyes fixated on each other, it felt like we were about to eat ourselves up. I did that seductive thing that he liked, my eyes did the work. 

  "Are you trying to lead me on?" He came toward pressing me against his muscular physique. The music was turned on just for us then I placed my head on his chest looking to the other direction, as always, it was our hotel so the entire VIP section was just for the night as we requested. He was mesmerizing, everything about was attractive to me. I could only wonder how I grew to love this man in front of me. Then I remembered my friends, Ada and Eric, who had been going through a really tough time getting themselves together. I tried everything humanly possible to rekindle their love life but to no avail. Jamal blurted immediately as if he knew what I was thinking

  "I've been a jerk lately trying to find faults while there was none. I messed up a thousand times and nothing could change that. About you and Eric, I overreacted most times because I felt too jealous and insecure..." He said

  "That's what you should learn to control, Jamal." I said to his hearing.

  "He's a man and he could really mess up the friendship, he could be vulnerable. Its really sad they have to go through a crazy nights...." He whispered into my ears

I smiled looking at him then our lips took charge of our emotions.

07:15am,

After a time out last night, I rushed to Ada's house; good thing Kayla was absent because her grandparents wanted her around them.

As soon as Cathy opened they door, I ran inside with an average speed, good thing I wore a sneakers. I knocked on the bedroom but there was no response, I knocked severally but there was nothing, not even a sound. Then I yelled out Cathy's name as she came up trembling, covered in tears.

  "What happened?" 

  "Ma'am, I don't know. I think they had a very bad argument last night because Mr Eric drove out of the house last night at about 9pm while Mrs Ada was locked up although the night..." Cathy cried out

  "Could you not call for emergency? 911 or something?" I scolded

  "I was scared." She said

  "Scared my ass, Cathy. Get the keys now!" I yelled at Cathy. I later realized the young lady was as scared as I was. We opened the door only to find Ada almost lifeless, i didn't  know what to do than call for help. 

Few minutes later, I had to dismiss Cathy from duty. She went back to her home that instant, and I threatened to kill her family if she dared something fishy, of course I didn't mean; I only have her a reason to stay back until I call for her attention which made her much comfortable. Ada was rushed into the ICU as I waited outside pacing back and forth restlessly. I could only think of Jamal after I had tried to reach Lola through a voicemail.

  "Babe? You won't believe it, Ada's in the ICU right now, I found her half dead at her house..." I narrated

  "Jeez, what happened?" He sounded calm and shock the same time

  "I don't know. I drove down there this morning because I felt there was something she wanted to talk about last night and I found her lying On the floor..."

  "Call the governor's residence immediately, alright?" He advised

  "No, why would i? They drove their marriage into this mess..." I became defiant

  "Danni, please call them. Its none of your problem if they caused whatever, they just got to know ok? They're family" He insisted

  "Jamal...." I hesitated

  "Babe, did you kill her or something?" He diffused since I acted stubborn

  "Are you ok? Its worthless calling you up." I said in fury 

  "Then you should call them, like right now. I'll call you back after an hour, ok? I love you and kiss my son!" He hung up 

Jamal gave the best advise, how could I not think about that that minute, I had thought! I tried to reach Carol who refused to return my calls then i thought of Sabrina's home. 

  "Hi Sabrina!"

  "Hi Danni, long time. How are you?" She sounded polite and friendly

  "Not Good! Ada is at the hospital right now and I think its very bad, could you call Mom and Mr governor? Its been hard trying to reach them..." I snapped at once

  "Oh my god, Danni. Where's that?" 

  "I'll text you, y'all got to come ok, no excuses....this Ada we are talking about, girl!" I hung up

She was fond of making up excuses anytime we called on her that's why I had to make it clear to her to not miss this at all. I thought of Eric over and over, I wondered where he could possibly be at, I tried to call yet there was no response, it felt they had this arranged. I left sent him a text after several voicemails.

      ***Eric, you got to Call back!***

Another call came through with that same minute, it was Lola

  "Hi bissh!" I teased calmly she knew there was a problem

  "What happened though? Is she any better?" Lola asked in concern

  "I don't know. They won't let me see her or say something. I really don't know what happened. If you can't make it then its fine, you should...."

  "Nah Danni, I'll the book the night flight. Everything i'm doing here can wait, ok! Where's Jordan?" She asked, I knew she would

  "I left him at home, I can't bring him over to this sick ass place..." I said with a squeeze on my face

  "C'mon, always with strangers!" She taunted

  "Its Belle, not a stranger. I wouldn't leave if it weren't urgent...ICU LaLa!" I reminded

  "Yeah whatever. Just be strong and I'll be there soon." She hung up immediately

I sighed heavily, I was already exhausted at the moment. I stood thinking about what next could happen then I sighted Carol and a few men walking in towards my direction.

I turned to them instantly as they tingled my sleeping fury. The McClure's changed somehow, I got to see the other side of them and the influence of power they had on them.