Drunk in Love 2: An Original Love Story (5 page)

Her thoughts went back to Mark as she pushed her shades back over her eyes and sipped from her drink again. She was rather relieved that he got out of their burning house. She didn’t know what she would’ve done had he not. It bothered her to know that she’d taken it that far. What came over her? What made her go that ballistic? One could never tell what a woman scorned would do.

She figured that Mark must’ve been going crazy by now, not hearing from her. A part of her wanted to call him, but a part of her didn’t. After four days of being away, she still hadn’t come to any conclusion yet. Her phone rang as she looked down at it to see that it was her sister, Zoe. She quickly answered it.

“What’s up Sis?” She asked with a smile on her face.

“Hey Sis,” Zoe spoke back in an energetic tone. “How’s your little vacation?”

“Well, I don’t quite consider it a vacation, but you knooow.” She dragged. “It is what it is.”

“Have you uncluttered some of that mess in your head?” Zoe asked. “You definitely don’t sound like it.”

“I sure haven’t. I feel more confused than ever. One minute, I want to leave my husband and just say fuck it.” She paused for a moment, then without another thought… “You know if I do that, I’m going straight to Zay.”

“I know,” Zoe cut in.

“But, then again, I want to go back to my husband. I could’ve been the one that caused his mind to wonder. I mean, think about it. I’d been at the
Mask Your Pleasures
party, giving it up to Zay, only to come home and find that my husband had just slept with Felisha.”

“Her ol’ ratchet ass,” Zoe chimed in. “I’m going to have a talk with her the next time I’m in Augusta.”

Olivia rolled her eyes up in the top of her head, taking another sip from her glass. “You don’t have to say nothing to her, but eventually I will.”

“I really wanna beat her ass for you. I can’t believe she had the nerve to try you like that as much as you’ve helped her.”

“Tell me about it.”

“You know you’re gonna have to call Mom and Dad. They’ve been worried about you, even though I tell them that you’re okay. Dad is definitely not feeling the way you just up and left without calling and at least speaking with him. Plus, you know they keep asking me what happened to your house since the news wanted to keep playing it burning down to the ground.”

“I saw it.” Olivia commented, referring to the news channel that she watched by internet over and over again. “I can’t believe I did that. My good dishes were in that house.” She pouted, now feeling somewhat tipsy.

“Hell, your everything was in that house.” Zoe added. “You had literally snapped sister.”

“Same thing I was thinking. Good thing I didn’t have a gun. I probably would’ve shot his ass.” Olivia chuckled a bit, almost choking off of her drink while covering her mouth.

“I can believe that,” Zoe said with a light laugh. “All jokes aside, what are you going to do about Felisha’s nail salon? You invested twenty-five thousand of your own money in it, plus you’re part owner.”

“I’ve thought about all of that.”

“Well, Mom can assist you with that. You know, tell you what’s best.”

“But, I don’t know if I want Mom in my business just yet. I’m just confused at the moment. Nothing is what it seems, nor is it making any sense to me.” She said as silence snuck in for a brief moment. Olivia stared out at the open sea, listening to the soothing waves, almost with tears in her eyes.

“Hey,” Zoe softly called out. “There is a nice relaxing place there that will certainly calm your spirits. It’s called the Red Lane Spa.”

“Yeah, I heard about it and I actually go in the morning.”

“Great, that should help you unwind a little and think more freely. It’s definitely peaceful. Make sure you ask for the Raindrop Dreams massage. It’s ninety minutes long and it’s so refreshing. They sprinkle scented oils along the spine of your back, followed by a full body and foot massage. The scented oils smell so good. It feels like a Calgon has taken you away moment.”

Olivia smiled. “I can’t wait.” It was actually the first day that she’d stepped outside of her room. For four days, she stayed cooped up inside of the beachfront hideaway, Presidential one bedroom suite that she’d lived in like it was home. Room service was the only people she exchanged words with and that was either when ordering something to eat, to drink or to get some information.

A sexy man scrolled past her, leaving a trail of his enticing cologne in the air. He was tall with a smooth caramel complexion. His dreads were long and pulled to the back away from his handsome face. The only thing he had on was a pair of beach shorts that hung past his knees with no shirt. His muscular biceps looked good and the moment he glimpsed her way with that bright Colgate smile; she instantly melted.

“Damn, this nigga look good.” She whispered through gritted teeth while alerting the waiter that she wanted another round.

“Who?” Nosey asked on the other end.

“This man that just walked by.”

“You should holla at him. Shit, enjoy your time there.” Zoe quickly said. “What happens in Montego, Bay stays in Montego, Bay.”

It only took a second for Olivia to comment. “Girrrrl, I’m already trying to figure out what the hell I’m gonna do with my husband and Zay. I do not need to add another man in the mix. Did you see what I did to my house?” she asked, just to remind her sister that she was definitely not in her right mind.

“You’re right,” Zoe agreed with a for sure nod of the head. “No more dick for you.” Olivia grinned at her comment. “You just need to get your thoughts together and you’ll be good.”

“I think you’re right.” She said with a frown on her face as her phone beeped with an incoming call. Taking the phone from her ear, she looked at the screen on the phone. “Zoe,” she called out.

“Huh?” Zoe innocently answered.

Olivia shook her head. “So, you gave Mom my number?”

“Uh,” she hesitated. “Uh, that’s why I was calling you. So bye! Tell mom I said hey.”

“You’re a dirty heifa.”

“They’re your parents. They need to know that you’re okay, now BYE!” Zoe said then hastily ended their call.

“Like I said… Heifa,” Olivia uttered right before answering the other line. “Hey Mom.” She softly spoke, already feeling tipsy and on her third round of Rum on ice. All she wanted was for the conversation to go as smoothly as possible so she could quickly exit the call.

“Are you okay?” Mrs. Jackson asked in a very concerned tone.

“Yes Mom,” Olivia responded, taking another sip from her drink. Her head was floating high in the clouds for a moment, but hearing her mom’s voice brought her back.

“O’, you know not to leave the country like that without letting your father and I know that you’re okay.”

“I am okay.” Olivia responded, still not in the mood for talking about nothing that had happened four days prior.

“We were worried sick watching your house burn down like that. I’d been calling. Your father had been calling, but your phone kept going to voicemail. We didn’t know what happened.”

“Well, I told Zoe to tell y’all that I was okay and not to worry.”

“O’, please don’t try to insult my intelligence. You know that we should’ve personally heard from you.”

Olivia’s eyes rolled in the top of her head as she sipped quietly. She’d decided to just sit quiet and listen. She had it coming, anyway.

“Your house was on fire. That’s something big. We should’ve been the first people that you called. Instead of doing that, you haul ass somewhere,” Mrs. Jackson fussed, but inside she was very relieved to hear her daughter’s voice.

Olivia annoyingly shook her head. With her arm extended, giving her small head a prop, she pressed the side of her face in the palm of her hand, and let out a deep breath.

Mrs. Jackson ignored all the warning signs as she continued. “What happened? Mark hadn’t even called, so I know something isn’t right. Is he with you?”

Olivia sipped again from her glass. Would you stop with the questions, please?  

Mrs. Jackson knew she wasn’t going to get anywhere with her daughter. She was the oldest and definitely the more stubborn one; even though she didn’t believe it. “O’, why are you so quiet? Talk to me, baby. What happened? The news said that candles were the cause of the fire. Is that what started it? Let me speak to Mark. Is he there?” She questioned again.

Olivia could hear her father’s soothing voice in the background. “Kay, give me the phone. Let me talk to her and make sure she’s alright.”

“Why can’t I talk to her?” Mrs. Jackson asked, trying to cover the cordless phone so Olivia couldn’t hear them.

“Kay, don’t pressure her.” He politely reprimanded. “Zoe, said that she was fine and if she said it then I believed it. Now, she’s on the phone. Don’t run her back off.”

“Tell her, Daddy.” Olivia whispered, undeniably ear hustling.

Mrs. Jackson huffed lightly. “O’, your father wants to speak with you.” She said and the next voice that sounded over the phone brought tears to Olivia’s eyes.

“Hey Ladybug,” Mr. Jackson spoke. His voice was gentle, but deep and direct. He’d always been her comforter. He was unquestionably the only solid man in her life. He took good care of them. Not only was he a provider, but he was a very loving man, too.

“Hey Daddy,” she softly said. Now was not the moment to break down as she casually scanned her surroundings. Making a spectacle out of herself was definitely not something that she planned on doing nor did she want people to feel sorry for her.

“I normally hear from you, at least, every other day,” he said. “You had us worried.”

“I know,” she softly responded, now regretting the fact that she didn’t even try to reach out to him.

“Are you okay?” He gently asked, stepping away from his wife for more privacy. “Is Mark with you?”

“No,” Olivia said, wiping the corner of her eye.
Please don’t make me talk about it.
She thought. Somehow, he was managing to ask the same questions as Mrs. Jackson with Olivia willingly answering with no hesitation since it was him.

At that moment, Mr. Jackson had already gotten all of his answers. Being that he’d been a Psychiatrist for the past twenty-four years, he was very intuitive and read his girls very well, including Mrs. Jackson. He was on top of everything. They didn’t know how, but he just was.

“When are you returning?” He questioned.

“I’m gonna stay here for a few more days. I just wanna clear my thoughts.” She said, wiping a tear out of the corner of her eye.

Mr. Jackson could hear the pain behind the crackle in her voice. “I love you and come back home when you’re ready. We’ll talk more about this when you get here.”

“O-okay,” she said, trying her best to not cry.

“Don’t make me have to get an overnight flight out to Montego Bay.”

Olivia’s eyes widened. “How did you know I was here? Zoe promised me that she didn’t tell y’all with her big mouth.”

“She didn’t,” he said. “That’s why I didn’t worry.” That was one of his ways of showing her that he was always on top of everything. They could never ever pull a slick one over on him without him knowing. But, for some odd reason, he was always the lenient one, the more easygoing one.

“Love you, Daddy.”

“Your mother and I love you, too. Don’t hesitate to call me if you need me, and make sure to take care of yourself. Oh and don’t go making any hasty decisions.”

“I will take care of myself and I won’t make any hasty decisions,” she delicately responded.

“Take this time to really think things through. If you need someone to talk with, you know I’m here.”

“I know, Daddy.” She said, and with that they ended their call.

Once off the phone, her head eased over to the right side of her as she smiled a little. She was thankful that the sunglasses were covering her eyes as she spoke. “Hi,” she said, admiring the sexy, caramel colored brother wearing the beach shorts and showing off his chiseled framed muscles. “How long have you been standing here?”

“I just walked over,” he said with that Colgate smile.

Damn, is that a dimple I see? O’ my damn, it’s two. She thought as he showed off his good looks.

“I was just wondering why would a beautiful lady such as yourself, be sitting over here at the bar alone?” He pondered, while flirting at the same time.

Huh? What’d you say?
She thought, caught up in some pretty wild thoughts just looking at him.

“I know you must be married.” He added, taking a glimpse at her ring finger.

“No marriage for me,” she lied.

“So, you’re here alone?”

Olivia thought about that for a moment. “Well, no. Both of my sisters are cooped up in the room from having way too many drinks last night.” She lied, thinking that she didn’t care how fine he was. She wasn’t about to let him think that she was there alone; even if it was with her so called sisters. 

“So, is this a vacation for you and your sisters?” He casually asked.

“Yes, but we’ll be going back tomorrow.” She then sipped from her drink again, gazing back over at the man.

“Oh, I’m sorry. My name is Curtis.”

“Hi Curtis,” Olivia responded with a smile, not wanting to seem too easy. “My name is Marsha.” She lied again. Hell, it was Montego Bay and whatever happened in Montego Bay stayed in Montego Bay.

__________

Thirty minutes later, Olivia was back in her nice hotel suite. She lay back in the bed, feeling extremely good. Whatever was in that third drink couldn’t have been what she’d been sipping on, the whole time. She was feeling too good as she smiled at the good looking man standing in front of her.

“How often do you work out?” She questioned, grinning like a school girl and biting on the tips of her index fingernail.

“I work out six days a week,” Curtis said, flexing his muscles in front of her like he was definitely the hot shit and from the way he had Olivia smiling, he probably was.

He looked nothing like Zay, but his long dreads definitely reminded her of him. They had their own separate good looks.

“Strip, strip, strip,” an excited Olivia chanted.

“You don’t want me to do that, because if I do then it’s going down.” He said with a serious look on his face. He was definitely admiring Olivia’s sexy body in the peach Maxi dress that she wore. She slid the dress up her leg a bit, enticing Curtis to want her more.