Chapter 71: Owning up

Owning up.

  "Dad, I'm sorry for being a jerk!" I said simply. Mother and Yeesha had gone upstairs while father and I stood facing each other. His face settled with a very faint smile.

  "Just that?" He asked

  "Yeah. I've been a jerk and I'm sorry for that. I may have been stubborn..." I began

  "May?" He interrupted with a smile on top

  "...I am stubborn and......Dad, I'm sorry. I'd take responsibility for everything I've done not you or mom." I stopped finally. It took me almost a lifetime to keep all this at heart. During our trip, all I've wanted so bad was to apologize to the Big Man in Miami, he alone to could make things work without a single question.

  "That's thoughtful. You must have rehearsed it. You remind me of some years back when your mother has to coach me into apologizing to Aunt Lola for being rude..." He confessed with a smile. I wasn't the first person to turn out this way, my dad too. Apologizing was energy taking to me, I preferred everything left on the basis, solution or not, I don't have to please nothing. I smiled right after I concluded my thoughts.

  "That's...Uhm! Can I ask you for something? It means a lot to...."

  "You mean this?" He asked taking out a little black and white card from his chest pocket hanging it over to me. I recognized that card, Jeff's invitation card. My face brightened like little child the.

  "Thanks dad!" I said grinning.

I hugged him briefly, he only smiled at me then he went upstairs too.

I had just one hour to dress up and get get started for the party. Yeesha bumped into my room again, this time I was not having it

I took by the hand dragging her out then I yanked the door. I could hear her scream my name behind the door

  ".....Please Kareem. How about the show we talked about, I'm set up.....I could talk to Dad for you....Kareem!!!" She muttered still pleading. While I was fixing my neck tie then i scurried to door to unlock it then let her in. Although she looked disappointed but it did matter to me because no one was there to save her this time, she had to learn a lesson, I shouldn't always be the one learning lessons.

  "What do you want?" I asked her still keeping a hard face facing the big mirror for a better picture of myself.

  "What I want? Kareem we agreed on a...." She began to scold then I slowly turned to her

  "You know you could talk to me with some respect, a'ight? Do I look like Skye or your groupies to you? And one last one warning, don't come into my room except I approve of that, are we cleared?" I scolded her instead like the child that she was. She looked remorseful finally. Of course, I've always tolerated her disrespect all because father let's her have her way anytime anywhere.

  "I'm sorry! I was..." She stuttered right after

  "....I don't want to hear it!"

  "Kareem! I'm sorry. I mean it!" She added with remorse

  "Cool. What do you want?" I asked her like I didn't know about her request

  "Where are you dressing to? Remember I told about the show tonight before your..." She explained then interrupted.

  "Ok! Set up the camera! I got some minutes to spare." I told her then she jumped on me for excitement appreciating.

She ran out to get the camera, the lightening and tripods. I watched her set it then she dusted face with some powder and did some touch ups then she changes into Calvin Klein white shirt and pants she let her dark hair fall over her shoulders, she looked beautiful, good thing I had dressed up in another casual outfit for her show she titled 'Inside the Khaleefa's w/Hazel', how crazy. There was about 15 questions requested by her fans for me to solely answer which I did to make her happy and comfortable. At a point, I was asked about my girlfriend because of the cover art with Darkie and some stolen taken pictures of Pixie and I, I was shut. How did all these pictures surfaced?! I had to clear the air about not having a girlfriend and definitely not having an interest in any. After we were done, she concluded the show.

  "How could you not tell me about this? This is intruding my personal life, Yeesha."

  "C'mon Kareem. Everything about us is no longer private remember? No matter how hard we try. Thanks for coming! My fans love you so much and this Is building a bigger name for us, bro! I need more shows with you!" She suggested excitedly

  "That's nonsense! I'm not even ready for that at all." I countered with a smirk

  "You would, one day!" She hugged me again then walked out of the still engaging in a live video, Hazel was obsessed I could feel I assumed. 

                    *******************

Larry drove me to Jeff's party which is at his house. I couldn't refuse my fathers' gesture which he insisted that I should be driven at all cost. I hopped out of the car while Larry pulled over at the lot which he'd later join in, I walked in with my splendor, how excruciating it is to see a young teenager coming out of an expensive car yet walking in taking the spotlight, my father was not bothered about what people would say because some would assume that I was spoilt but I wasn't, at least not 100%. Jeff walked up to me as he ushered me into his home instead. 

  "Welcome home amigo. I really thought you wouldn't make it like Bunny!" Jeff said

  "He did not come over? This is special to you and to us so why would he not come?" I asked Jeff, definitely he'd have an answer to that since were much fonder. Its funny how Lamar allowed a girl to be the cause of our quivering friendship built for over 10 years. Jeff's face fell to the ground instead then looked up to me.

  "He's not coming, Drill! He's having a fever." He said coldly

  "A fever? We should go see him a'ight?" I suggested then he interrupted

  "Why are you even bothered? Let him be ok! Let's enjoy the freshness of this wine from my Papa's vineyard. Right? Let's see my Dad, he wants to meet you." Jeff digressed instead. I knew he was hiding something and would definitely not want to tell me but then I'd always find out. I smiled. 

  "After you!" I said you him as we walked. We met his father with a couple of casino gamblers and some highly recognized guests sitting on a round table that had plenty of assorted delicacies coupled with the untouched wine bottles and glasses.

  "Who is this man?!" Mr Marco exclaimed

We smiled as I stretched for a hand shake then we hugged instead

  "I'm honored, Mr Marco!" I said 

  "Call me Papa. I know you got a father but you can always call me Papa." He said jovially then I smiled embracing it.

  "Khaleefa's grandson, right?" A woman around her 40s pointed out with a hard face

  "That's right. His father and I do very well in business and out of business. He's a good man raising a good lad!" Marco complimented heartily then I beamed "Paolo, could show him around? He should also have a taste of my handwork." 

  "Of course, Papa!" Jeff said with an accommodating smile. Marco is indeed a free spirited man but when it comes to discipline, he acted just like my father.

   "What has a dark skinned man got to do with you, Marco? Not right!" The same woman blurted out. That was the first time in my life that I was abused racially, it did not matter to me that much but I was hurt anyways.

  "No, don't ever do that or the securities would walk you out, Marta." Marco warned

  "Its ok, im only saying!" She said

  "Go ahead, children. It's settled. Have fun!" Marco dismissed us as we walked out of sight. We headed outside the building where other people merried as well, we sat at a cool spot, just Jeff and I.

  "Sorry for what happened. She's an old hack! I just hate her so much!" Jeff said then we laughed

  "Can't do away with business partners right...." I teased

  "I wish. That's my aunt. I don't even know how she evolved into existence, she's always nosy, crappy, annoying and too silly." He added them we laughed. He beckoned a maid to pour some wine into our glasses. Its something we could do but no, they should all do their job, Jeff and I agreed on that.

  "Look at her back side, so extravagant." Jeff teased while we laughed harder.

  "Bad ass!!! Is she in anyway compared to Zoe?!" I teased this time then I sipped on the wine.

  "About Zoe? We are just friends with...." He leaned over and whispered in my ears "....Benefits! I kiss you--- you kiss me kinda thing. She's bad, bro!". 

  "Activist with much sauce! She's good then!" I added then laughed again.

  "I actually invited her over so you should expect Pixie alongside. 5 and 6!" Jeff said

I felt jumped in excitement inside of me while I smiled outwardly.

  "Wow! Lamar's girlfriend!" I said to not be excited for nothing, his mood changed

  "Are you serious? Lamar is only acting childish that's it. You are Khaleefa and I Marco, we love and kiss whoever we want a'ight? We'll talk about that tomorrow. Don't be such a grinch." He said with a smile.

  "That's right." I concurred while my eyes now had a reason to scan around for the girls.

  "Did you really kiss her?" Jeff asked curiously

  "Why not. After the tutorials, she kissed me. She was almost dead, she was shaking and.....Man! I was really scared! I really thought someone would actually die in my presence." I explained

  "But you initiated the first kiss at her house, right? You mother caught you then she apologized and you ran to your Mom and all that...." He narrated accurately. I was surprised he knew about all this.

  "How did you know?" I asked him

  "C'mon man! Zoe is her friend and I am Zoe's bestie, so...." Jeff expounded

  "I see!!! Y'all gossip a lot huh? And still smooch right." I added then he laughed.

  "For real, you like this girl. Be honest ok?" Jeff inquired staring at me I intensely curiously waiting. I did not know what to tell him, I was trying to be careful with just anything I might say on the proceed.

  "I don't know. She's overly annoying..." I blurted 

  "...In the worse ways, Kareem! If you love this girl why not tell her? I think she loves you back but your rudeness towards her is really uncontrollable..." He said rightly

  "That's who I am. I'm rude to everyone." I said justifying myself

  "No Drill! Not everyone, not to me. You should tell her how you feel real soon." Jeff demanded. I was quiet for a while then he received a call from Zoe I guess, he sent a maid passing by to get Zoe. When he mentioned 'Get her!' I was heartbroken and I hated the way I felt uneasy over this dumb girl. I couldn't believe that I thought about her more often and cared about her more than necessary and required. Jeff was talking about Zoe's beauty all through while I looked at him with my mind over the roof.

  "Darling!" I heard Jeff call out 

Then I raised my head towards Zoe's direction. She came forth alone as she sat down waving at me swiftly

  "Hi Jordan!" She said sweetly

  "Hey activist!" I taunted. She smiled instead but she was uncomfortable while Jeff's attention was fixated on her. Her white gown was pretty and flowered and flirty at the same time.

  "Jordan I hate the way you treat girls. Too rude!" Zoe blurted finally

  "Yes. That's because girls don't deserve a little kindness!" I added. Jeff signaled me with his eyes then I refrained "I'll try to be nice enough." I added pretentiously

  "You'd love it." Zoe smiled then she turned to Jeff's face then she drew his gave to her giving him a sensational kiss while they laughed intermittently. Jeff and Zoe matched beautifully been crazily but I wonder why they chose to besties with benefits, who knows maybe they were having an undercover relationship, I thought. 

  "Guy! What's up? You can't keep kissing her although, Man. I'm not a ghost." I complained, instead they laughed sarcastically then Jeff turned to me.

  "And i can't kiss you, we're having fun Drill. Just how find yourself a lover. Tell her you love her..." Jeff said ignorantly

Why would he say everything In Zoe's presence?! He forgot about the Bro-Code, it was deliberate I suppose.

  "She'd love that!" Zoe added still staring at Jeff. I stood up silently then after pouring some wine into my glass. I walked away to the other corner where there was nobody at all. I stood there staring at the farm from a distance, really beautiful and it seemed adventurous to me. I felt bored at the moment and to worsen the situation, Jeff was with that nosy activist but she's sassy though, I didn't she wouldn't shy at all. Why did she come alone after all, I really thought that Pixie would be here even if I head denied the fact that wanted to see her my mind proclaimed her instead. I felt someone behind me but I ignored, I thought that my mind was playing a fast one on me then I finally turned without being startled, I had no reason to be. I was surprised at who I saw, my problem, Pixie.

Whenever I was around this girl, the urge of being rude and over the board activated at no cost. I smirked as always.

  "Are you looking for someone?" I asked feigning the moment and also hiding the fact that I was excited about her presence.

  "No! Uhm..." She stuttered entangling her fingers against each other in a thigh length flare gown that sleeveless and also had a triangular opening in between her breast lines while her hair fell below shoulders.

  "You missed me, didn't you?" I teased while she rolled her eyes with a smile. She came closer, standing next to me.

  "Thanks for the other day. You saved a life and my mother wouldn't stop appreciating you. She suggested that you come over for dinner tomorrow, if its ok with you?" She asked politely. I only smiled.

  "That's ok! I don't think its necessary, you wouldn't like a rude boy over to your house right?" I said. She became somewhat shy

  "It doesn't matter at all. It wouldn't stop an honest 'Thank you'. Please?" She pleaded

  "I'll think about that, I hope I'd be less occupied. I'm still trying to keep up with the fact that I have to tutor someone, it messed with my schedules.'" I complained

  "Too bad for people like me, we're really dumb!" She added. What I said offended her, I could see it.

  "Was I referring to you?" I asked her

  "You're talking to me, Jordan. When would  you really stop making a joke out of everything I do or say? Its not fair, Jordan!" She stood in front of me this time. My heart fidgeted, why's she looking at me that way, I muttered within me. I acted normal.

  "I just don't like you. You're so annoying in the worse ways, you always make me feel different..." I said

  "...Or loved? I saw your cover art and a couple of pictures you took, really outstanding. I saw the way you looked at her, I just wonder if you treat her better than me? Yes! She's prettier, rich and intelligent but do you care about her better than you care about me, Jordan?" She said. It felt like it wasn't naive girl I met with earlier. I liked this version of her.

  "What are you talking about Pixie? I could love anyone I choose, you don't make the choices, i do! Are you jealous or what? We are not in some kinda relationship or intimacy, so why worry about some one else's feelings?" I asked her while she kept staring at me without a good blink of the eyes.

  "Darkie right? She's really pretty. I didn't know y'all were in a real relationship..." 

  "Pixie, what is wrong with you? Don't you have a boyfriend already?" I almost yelled at her, controlling my temper was another battle for me. She wrapped her arms around my neck, I was nervous and confused yet I tried to hide my chaotic situation from her.

  "I know that, I don't love him like I should. Err, look Jordan I promise we'd never talk about this if you want but I'd like to ask you one question...can I ask?" She said

  "Just make its not as annoying as you are." I said to her, I became restless and pissed already

  "Do you like me?" Her eyes wouldn't stop meeting mine, her eyes followed my every gaze both left and right. Pixie became different all of a sudden.