Page 37 of The Smoke Hour

“Changing my lifestyle, leaving my shop, my language—all those things.”

He frowned, and his light skin turned a deep shade of red.

“I can gloss over it, and you will change. That’s not up for debate, Kaifiya. That’s an order. And if you keep up with thebacktalk, you will be sucking dick tonight too. I don’t give a shit how you feel.”

“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” He snarled with an evil look on his face.

“Terry, you—”

“I have no idea what’s gotten into you lately, but you’d better get it out. I’ve been calling you at the appointed times, and you don’t answer the phone. I came by your place earlier, and you weren’t there. You have lost your damn mind. You signed a contract, and that means you do what I say. I don’t care if I tell you to clean the trash can with your toothbrush. You had better damn well do that shit. I’m tired of you, Kaifiya. I’ve put up with a lot from you, and I have invested a lot of time and money in you. No more. Everything changes tonight. Do you understand me?”

I sat there in shock and disbelief. This man had shown me red flags all along, but tonight, he had turned a corner. I could see the warning signs telling me that he was an abusive man. Business or no business, I would be a fool to go through with the marriage ceremony tomorrow.

Then there was Smoke. How did I go through with this wedding when I knew there was a man who ignited passion in me that I had never felt? Giving up financial stability for a chance at a relationship filled with passion was a risk. Smoke had never said he wanted those things, but I couldn’t ignore how he made me feel.

“Do you hear me talking to you?” Terry demanded.

“You’ve got me fucked up! I’m not changing a damn thing! I’m not leaving my shop. I’ll be in there running it daily. You’ve lost your damn mind if you think I’m about to sit my ass around like Betty Crocker and create meals for your constituents and make your ass look good while I’m barefoot and pregnant,” I declared as I stood from my chair.

“Kaifiya! Sit your ass down and be grateful that I snatched you out of your situation to make something of you. Making me look good is what makes you look good.”

“No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t make your evil ass look good!”

His eyes were wide, and his face was red as hell.

“I will not tolerate this behavior, Kaifiya. Sit your ass down now,” he demanded of me but in a much lower tone than I spoke.

“Fuck you. You sit down, fat ass muthafucka! I’m not cooking for you. I’m not changing my language. I’m not being your hostess. I’m not your asset or your risk. And I’m not sucking your dick!”

I snatched my keys and purse just as the server opened the door, accompanied by the manager.

“Is there anything that we can assist with?” the manager asked.

“You will not walk out of that door, Kaifiya. We are getting married tomorrow!”

“Marry your damn self!”

“If you walk out of that door, you will owe me every single cent back.”

“I’ll get you your damn money, every single red cent,” I cried out as I continued my walk to the door.

“I’ll see you in court if you don’t. The terms of the contract stated you would repay me within six months.”

“And you’ll have it.”

“Kaifiya, you’re being foolish. Come back. I demand you to return.”

“Fuck you!”

I stormed out of the dining room and through the restaurant and rushed to my car. I dropped down inside before the tears began to flow. I wasn’t a crier by nature, but I was so angry with myself for putting myself in this position to begin with.

My phone buzzed, and I looked down and saw a text message from Smoke. The tears really came down, and I couldn’t stop them.

SMOKE:Just thinking about you. Don’t want you to feel pressured. But I can see you in my future.

I barely knew this man,but he always made me feel seen. I wiped my tears, smiled, and texted him back.

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