Page 38 of Taeja

Taeja’s heart plummeted to the floor. She quickly turned to Zain and begged, “Can you wait outside, please?”

“No,” Zain said.

“Zain, please—” Her trembling fingers grabbed at his shirt as she pleaded withhim. Her heart raced as footsteps approached the foyer.

Zain remained unmoved as Jerry stopped a short distance away from them.

“So a dis yu do a daytime?!” Jerry snarled. “Bring man ina mi house like yaa work or pay nuh bill in ya?!”

His words were set out to hurt her, and it made her heart sink.

No, Taeja couldn’t feel her heart beating at all. Sighing, she faced her father.

Jerry’s arms were crossed while he glared at her and Zain.

“I didn’t know that you were here, Jerry,” she said, exasperated.

“Would that make a difference? And who are you, sir?” Jerry asked, taking a bold step forward.

Zain took a step forward, too.

Taeja’s hand shot out and wrapped around Zain’s muscular forearm. “Zain,” she pleaded. “Stop.”

“Zain,” Jerry repeated scornfully. “Get out of my house! And you—” He pointed a finger at Taeja. “I am tired of talking to you about your disgusting behavior! Mi cya manage yu at all! You are a likkle who—”

“Finish that, and it’ll be the last word you ever say,” Zain said, his tone dark.

Jerry was taken aback by Zain’s venomous tone. His eyes darted to Taeja before narrowing on Zain, who returned the fierce glare. “Nuh bwoy naa come ina my house and bad mi up! Taeja, tell this man fi leave, or yu can leff wid him, too!”

“She’ll leave then. The fuck.” Zain opened the door with one hand and used the other to reach for Taeja’s.

Taeja stepped out of his reach and looked down at the floor. She felt Zain’s scorching gaze on her, but she didn’t dare look up. This was her father. She couldn’t just leave him.

From her peripheral, Jerry pointed a finger toward Zain. “Get out! Watch ya, you are not going to leave? Alright, do not move. Let us see if you are bigger than the law.”

“Iamthe law.”

Her boyfriend’s words sent chills up her spine. Her head snapped up, and she looked at him with fear-stricken eyes. Zain looked like a completely different person. His hands and jaw were tightly clenched. He looked seconds away frombeating Jerry into a pulp.

As much as her father wouldn’t be winning any awards for ‘best father’ soon, the man was still her flesh and blood. She didn’t want any harm to come to him.

And she knew Zain wouldn’t leave her here.

“I’ll leave,” Taeja gave in, her voice low.

Zain’s eyes snapped to hers. “Get your things.”

“Get what things?!” Jerry barked. “I told you to do something, and you are making this man tell you to do next? In my house?! I tried with you, but this is the last straw, Taeja! The final straw!”

She watched through teary eyes as Jerry marched to a nearby cabinet and opened it. He rummaged through it, then returned with a waterproof folder. He shoved it in her hand and pointed at the door. “Get out. I do not want to see you again until you change.”

Taeja’s first tear fell. Her heart slowed as it sank to the soles of her feet. “Jerry—”

Jerry turned his back, pausing for a second before he stomped out of the room.

Zain approached her. He took her hand in his and wiped a finger beneath her eyes. “I’ll take care of you, Taeja.”

She didn’t believe him. Not at all. Those were the same words Jerry had told her when she asked where her mom was, and now he was kicking her out.

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