Read Black Friday: Exposed Online
Authors: Ashley;JaQuavis
Black Friday: Exposed (9 page)
“Help me! Please! There is something wrong with my baby,” she told the nurse sitting behind the desk.
The nurse looked down at Nahla and by this time her face had a bluish tint to it. “What’s wrong with her?” Alija asked.
“Give her to me ... we’ll take care of her,” the nurse said as she tried to pry the little body from Alija.
“No, I want to go with her,” Alija cried.
Kasheef came up behind Alija and pulled her away. “Let them do their job ma,” he whispered in her ear. She let go and cried as she watched them put her baby on a stretcher and wheel her through the emergency doors.
“She has lead poisoning and pneumonia?” Alija asked in disbelief as she sat beside her daughter’s tiny bed in the hospital. “How? I mean how did she get it?”
The doctor nodded and replied, “If she’s been in an environment where there is old paint on the walls. Maybe a daycare, or restaurant, even your own home may have some old layers of poisonous lead-based paint on the walls it can affect her immune system. She is young so her lungs are not as resistant to infection as an adult’s would be. Fluid can build up easily in an unsafe environment, especially in an area that is infected with lead.”
“But she’s going to be okay, right?” Alija asked.
“Yes. After a little bit of time, she is going to be fine. It is a good thing you brought her in when you did. If she’d gone over night with that much lead in her blood she may have died. Just hearing those words made Alija cry out in pain. She couldn’t imagine life without her daughter and she had to take a minute to gain her composure.
“I’m sorry,” she said as she wiped her nose with a tissue the doctor offered.
“It’s quite all right Ms. Bell. We’ll keep Nahla for a couple weeks so that we can rejuvenate her lungs and immune system, but she will be perfectly healthy after that,” the doctor said. “We do, however, need for you to fill out your insurance information so that we can bill the company for her treatment.”
“I don’t have any—” before Alija could finish her sentence, Kasheef who had been standing near the doorway interjected.
“We’ll pay cash.”
“Okay then, the accountant at the front desk will take care of you,” the doctor said. “I’ll give you both a minute with your daughter, but visiting hours are over. You can’t stay long.”
Alija nodded and the doctor exited the room. Alija looked at her daughter and stroked her tiny hand. “Thank you Kasheef. If it wasn’t for you—” she whispered without looking his way.
“You’re welcome,” he replied, interrupting her. They both stayed in the room for another half an hour before the hospital staff came in to put them out. As promised, Kasheef paid Nahla’s medical bills and then escorted Alija out of the building. When they were inside his truck he said, “I didn’t come to hurt you tonight.”
“Why did you send those dudes to my house to kill me?” she asked. “I wasn’t going to say anything. I only went to the police after I felt my life was in danger.”
“I apologize,” he said as he drove through the city streets. “I was being selfish, trying to save my own neck.”
“My daughter was in the house that night Kasheef! I’ll do anything to protect her,” she said.
“I know. I realize that,” he responded.
“How did she get lead poisoning?” Alija asked herself aloud.
“Probably that fucking rat hole you living out of,” Kasheef commented.
“I was hiding out from you. It was all I could afford,” she replied smartly as she rolled her eyes. She noticed that they were driving away from Long Island. She began to panic and without hesitation she punched Kasheef in the side of his face.
“Aghh!” he bellowed as his hand went up to his right eye and his truck swerved. Alija kept swinging, until he pulled over the car and reached over to restrain her. “What the fuck is wrong with you girl?” he asked.
“Where are you taking me?” she asked. “You’re trying to kill me!”
“Girl, ain’t nobody trying to kill your ass,” he replied as he flipped up his sun visor and looked into the mirror at his damaged eye.
“Then where are we going?” she asked breathing hard as she looked at him suspiciously.
“I was taking you to a better hotel. I didn’t want you to have to take your little girl back to the same place where she got sick,” he said.
“Oh,” she said, feeling stupid.
“Yeah
oh
mu’fucka,” he chastised. He shook his head and looked in his car mirror at his throbbing eye. “Sit ya’ ass back,” he said as he smirked at her. “I said I’m not going to hurt you.”
oh
mu’fucka,” he chastised. He shook his head and looked in his car mirror at his throbbing eye. “Sit ya’ ass back,” he said as he smirked at her. “I said I’m not going to hurt you.”
She did as she was told and calmed down while he completed their drive. They pulled up to the same hotel where he was staying. He purchased another room and they rode the elevator to the twentieth floor. Alija reluctantly followed him inside the room and he handed her the key.
“Make yourself at home. You can stay as long as you’d like. It’s on my credit card so they’ll just keep charging it until you check out,” he explained.
She looked around the luxury room and was grateful that he had checked her into a better environment. The 700 thread count sheets and marble bathroom floors were a drastic change from the likes of Motel 6. “What did you come to my motel for? I thought you were still locked up,” she said as she sat down at the table.
“I posted bail today. My lawyer came to see me about the offer you made. I wanted to talk to you about that,” he said. “Are you really willing to go through with it?”
“Look, I don’t want you to think I’m some money hungry hood rat, but I’ve got to look out for my daughter. She means everything to me and you took what little security I had in my life away from me. If you pay me the money, I’ll get up there and say that you are not the man who killed Ahmad,” she promised.
Kasheef stared at the girl and was reminded of how magnetic she had seemed the first night he had met her. The same night he’d shot Ahmad. “Okay,” he said.
“Okay?” she looked up in surprise.
“I’ll pay you the money. I’m not trying to go to prison for the rest of my life. I know you saw what went down. It was either him or me, so I don’t regret what I did. I am sorry you had to witness it though,” Kasheef said. “And I’m sorry about sending them niggas in your crib.” His words were sincere in his apology because he meant everything he said. He made his way to the door. “I’ll drop off the first half of the money tomorrow morning. You’ll get the other half after you take the stand. I’m in 2106 if you need to get with me.”
Alija nodded and smiled graciously as she walked him to the door. “Thank you Kasheef ... for not killing me I mean,” she joked.
“Thank you,” he replied with a smirk as he pointed to the tiny black bruise she’d left near his eye. “For the black eye.”
She closed the door behind him and a sense of relief washed over her body. She slid her back down the door until her bottom reached the floor. “Thank God,” she whispered. “Now all I have to do is make it through this trial.”
Chapter Ten
Alija slept comfortably in the lavish hotel room and when the sun peeked through the curtains she didn’t want to get up. It was the most rest she had gotten in a while and her body thanked her graciously for the change in atmosphere. The luxurious concierge room was significantly grander than the motel she had been hiding out in. She stretched her body as she yawned and slowly arose from the bed. Opening the curtains, she looked down onto the busy New York streets beneath her as sunlight streamed into her room. It was amazing to her how her life could be in shambles, yet everything in the world still ticked on normally as if she was not hanging onto her sanity by a thread. She wondered if any of the people below her could possibly have a life as complicated as her own. A knock at the door startled her and she turned to the intruding sound in annoyance.
It’s only 8:00
...
why is housekeeping knocking this early?
She thought as she went to answer it. She pulled the door open, ready to cuss somebody out, but to her surprise, Kasheef stood fully dressed and dapper as ever in hood gear.
It’s only 8:00
...
why is housekeeping knocking this early?
She thought as she went to answer it. She pulled the door open, ready to cuss somebody out, but to her surprise, Kasheef stood fully dressed and dapper as ever in hood gear.
“Good morning,” he greeted warmly as he invited himself into the room. She pulled the hotel robe tightly around her frame and ran her fingers through her hair uncomfortably as he stared at her.
“What are you doing here? I ... I mean it’s so early,” she stammered.
Another knock at the door frightened her and she looked at Kasheef in fear. She did not know what to expect from him yet and the way he had sent a hit squad for her the first time she certainly would not put anything past him.
“You’ve really got to stop looking at me like that,” he said as if he were offended. “You make me feel like the boogeyman or some shit.” He opened the door and in walked the concierge with a huge platter of food in his hand. He sat it on the table and Kasheef tipped him generously before he made his exit.
“I thought you might be hungry,” he said as he sat down and pulled some of the plates in front of him.
“Hold on one second ... I’m just going to freshen up,” she said as she tip toed to the bathroom. Staring at herself in the bathroom mirror she frowned at her disheveled appearance.
I can’t believe I was standing in front of him looking so crazy,
she thought. She washed her face, brushed her teeth, and pulled her hair up in a loose ponytail. When she exited the bathroom she gasped at the sight in front of her. Her hand shot up to her mouth in shock.
I can’t believe I was standing in front of him looking so crazy,
she thought. She washed her face, brushed her teeth, and pulled her hair up in a loose ponytail. When she exited the bathroom she gasped at the sight in front of her. Her hand shot up to her mouth in shock.
“$100,000.” Kasheef spoke calmly as if that amount of money were chump change. The smug demeanor that he possessed was as if he were born amongst riches. It was obvious that he was accustomed to the finer things in life. He had spread the money all over Alija’s bed and laughed as she stood there stunned beyond belief. It was the most money she had ever seen in her entire life. The hundred dollar bills wrapped in bundles were breathtaking. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She could not pick her jaw up from the floor.
“I um ... wow. Thank you,” she whispered sincerely. That type of money could change her life. She had always been a girl form the hood. She had never aspired to be anything else, but the money in front of her could elevate her status and help her provide a new life; a new perspective for her family.
“Don’t thank me. You are going to work for this cash ma. You’re about to make me look like a saint. I want you on the witness stand saying that I’m feeding starving kids in Africa,” he said.
Alija laughed and Kasheef motioned toward the food. “Let’s eat. You can tell me how you’re going to spend my money.”
Alija smirked at him but she answered his indirect question. “I’m going to take care of Nahla and get as far away from New York as I can. I just don’t feel safe here anymore,” she admitted. “You know how the hood views snitches.”
“You don’t have to worry about all that. You don’t have to leave New York. I’ll put it in the streets that you’re good people,” Kasheef stated.
“Thanks but no thanks,” she replied without hesitation. “I just need a new start. A new city for me and my baby. She is my everything.”
“Where will you go?” he asked. “There ain’t no better city than New York.”
“Whatever you say,” Alija answered sarcastically as she raised her brow in disagreement. “I’m going to Atlanta or somewhere south where I won’t have to look over my shoulder every second of every day. It’s slow and safe down there. I love my daughter and I don’t want her to grow up here in the middle of the hood like I did.” Alija smiled as she thought of her daughter growing up in a better place. “Nahla is my world.”
“I can tell,” Kasheef replied with a genuine smile.
“You got any kids?” she asked as she dug into Kasheef’s pancakes. “You didn’t order me none of these,” she complained.
Kasheef laughed as he looked at the beautiful woman sitting across from him. As his eyes scanned her he could not help but notice how attractive Alija was. She was the last person he expected to be cordial with, but now that he had met her formally, he was glad that he’d failed in his attempt to get her killed. He respected her. She was a good mother and a gorgeous young woman. His eyes discreetly roamed her toned arms and ample breasts that were easily visible through the satin camisole she was wearing. Her wide hips were complimented by a flat stomach, thick juicy thighs, and defined legs. He looked down at her feet, even those were pretty. He felt like he was looking at a piece of art, her body was so well sculpted. “My fault ma. Here you can have these,” he offered as he passed her the plate. “And nah I don’t have kids. I haven’t met anyone worth having them with. Most of these bitches out here don’t need to be raising any kids anyway.”
“Bitches?” she repeated in offense. She hated when niggas referred to women as bitches. It was so disrespectful and she did not doubt that Kasheef had come across many scandalous women, some of which probably were hos or bitches but she felt like the lady a man chose showed who he really was. It takes a bitch to know a bitch and a lot of bitch ass niggas were choosing women that weren’t shit because they themselves weren’t shit.
“Yeah ma, I’m not gon’ hold my tongue. Most of these women out here are dirty,” he stated as he thought of how Norelle had crossed him.
“I don’t want you to take offense, but maybe you need to ask yourself why you keep attracting these dirty ass
bitches.
Maybe it’s something about your dick that keeps these
hoes,
coming around. I assure you that every woman ain’t like that. Just the ones you fuck with,” she defended as Kasheef reached into her plate to grab another bite of her pancakes.
bitches.
Maybe it’s something about your dick that keeps these
hoes,
coming around. I assure you that every woman ain’t like that. Just the ones you fuck with,” she defended as Kasheef reached into her plate to grab another bite of her pancakes.
He chuckled at her logic and replied, “You’ve got a point.”
She passed him the plate back. “I’ll share,” she said. She looked at him and frowned as she remembered the visit she’d received from his girlfriend.
“What’s with the look?” he asked. “You still don’t trust me? You think I poisoned your food ma?”
“No, it’s not that. I have something to tell you,” she said. He put down his fork and leaned back in his chair, ready to listen. She took a deep breath and continued. “I met your girlfriend.”
“My girlfriend?”
“Yes, some girl named Norelle came to see me yesterday at the motel. She’s grimy Kasheef. She wants you to go away,” Alija admitted.
“What did she say?” he asked. She knew that her words had struck a nerve because she could see his jaw clench as he grit his teeth.
“She offered to pay me $75,000 if I testified against you.”
Kasheef shook his head. He couldn’t believe that he had been sharing his bed with a woman like Norelle. He knew that she had deserted him and stolen his money while he was locked up, but to use his own money to pay off his witness was the ultimate betrayal.
“Take the money,” he told her.
“What?”
“Take it. Tell her you’re going to testify against me and take her cash. You can keep it. Use it for your daughter. When you get on the stand do what we planned. Tell them I wasn’t there. I’ll take care of Norelle. She won’t bother you,” he assured.
“Are you going to hurt her?” Alija asked. “Because if you are I don’t want no part of that. I have enough on my mind. I don’t need to be feeling bad over a girl I don’t even know.”
“Did I hurt you?” he replied.
She shook her head, not really knowing if she believed him or not. They finished their breakfast in silence and when they were done he reluctantly left, wishing that he could spend his entire day in her company. She was cool people and he enjoyed being around her. He almost felt like he had to make something up to her, make her life a little bit better since he was the one who had ruined it in the first place.
Alija walked into the District Attorney’s office. She could not wait until this was over and her life returned to normal. She wished that she could get out of testifying all together, but there was no way that the state was going to let this case slip through their fingers willingly. Last night she had seen a side of Kasheef that she did not know existed. He was a hustler and she did not think men like him had hearts, but he had proven her wrong and shown her that there was more to him than what met the eye. Oddly she felt an allegiance to him. It was like they had become friends overnight. This trial had given them something in common; a bond between them that only they could understand. She had gone from fearing him to understanding him in only a few hours. Alija knew that she would have to be careful when dealing with him. His personality was magnetic while his charm was seasoned and unpredictable. She did not want to get caught up in his world. She could not afford to. She had to force herself to remember that they were not friends.
“Hello Alija,” the DA greeted.
“Hi ... I don’t mean to be rude or rush this process but I really need to make this quick. My daughter is in the hospital and I need to be with her,” Alija stated.
Nancy Schwartz smiled understandingly. “Alija, I completely understand. This case is so open and shut I can prosecute that murdering, drug dealing bastard in my sleep. I really wanted to know how you were doing. We can’t afford to let the defense trip you up. They’ll try to distort your words, twist what you say, and make it seem as if you are unsure. Also try to stay away from any reporters who try to speak with you. We don’t need our star witness saying something that could jeopardize this case. If the public gets a hold of false information it could be the death of my case. I have seen many cases go awry from people talking too much. Save all of your testimony for the court. If you are okay with your testimony, and if you stick to what you told me and the police before, this entire process will run smoothly okay?” The DA was almost 100 percent positive that she was going to win this case. She was confident in her ability. She didn’t think that God himself could change Kasheef’s fate. She was going to make sure that he never saw the light of day again.
Alija nodded, “okay.” Alija left the office and headed straight toward the hospital. She couldn’t wait to hold her daughter. She was $100,000 richer and she could take care of Nahla. She was capable of giving her daughter the type of life she deserved, the life that she herself had never had.
She walked into her daughter’s hospital room and was surprised to see pink balloons and yellow flowers throughout. She walked over to one of the bouquets and plucked the attached card.
To Baby Nala and Mom,Hopefully these flowers will brighten up your day.I hope you both feel much better today.You are very lucky to have one another.-Kasheef
Alija smiled because of the misspelling of her daughter’s name, but knew that it was the thought that counted. She put the card back the same way that she found it. She was appreciative of Kasheef’s gesture and a tear slipped down her cheek as she thought of what she was about to do.
Just get through this. Not much longer before all of this is over,
she thought as she went to her daughter’s side. “Hey mama!” she greeted as she picked Nahla up. Her daughter reacted to her voice and opened up her eyes, but she was saddened to see that she was still very weak. The monitors that were hooked to her tiny frame broke Alija’s heart. Her temperature was still elevated, but she knew that it would take awhile for Nahla to fully recover. “Well, let’s see what mommy brought to entertain us today,” Alija said. She reached into her diaper bag and pulled out a children’s book.
“The Cat in the Hat,”
she began. She opened up to page one and began to read aloud.
Just get through this. Not much longer before all of this is over,
she thought as she went to her daughter’s side. “Hey mama!” she greeted as she picked Nahla up. Her daughter reacted to her voice and opened up her eyes, but she was saddened to see that she was still very weak. The monitors that were hooked to her tiny frame broke Alija’s heart. Her temperature was still elevated, but she knew that it would take awhile for Nahla to fully recover. “Well, let’s see what mommy brought to entertain us today,” Alija said. She reached into her diaper bag and pulled out a children’s book.
“The Cat in the Hat,”
she began. She opened up to page one and began to read aloud.
Kasheef didn’t want to disrupt Alija as she read the book to her daughter. He was supposed to meet with Carmen today to go over his case, but after having the flowers and balloons sent to Nahla’s room he wanted to go check on her personally. The gentleness that Alija used with her daughter intrigued Kasheef. It was as if Alija only lived for Nahla. Their love was unlike anything he had ever encountered. Now that there was a possibility for him to go to prison, he desperately wished that he’d opened up his life to more affection. He was beginning to see that the only thing that had been missing in his life was what Alija had—pure love. He stood with his arms folded against his white polo crew shirt, until Alija was done with the story. It was crazy. She was the star witness against him, but he wanted to start a friendship with her all the same. He knew that everything would be ruined if they were seen together, but he was willing to risk it. He was just as infatuated with baby Nahla as he was with her mother. He had never seen such a beautiful little girl. Seeing a mother and daughter like the one before him made him want a set of his own. In his eyes a wife and child were the perfect accessories if you could find the perfect woman, but perfection was elusive and he was not willing to settle for less which is why he had yet to find his life partner. He cleared his throat to announce his presence and Alija turned around in surprise.
Other books
The Voyage by Murray Bail
The 100 Most Influential Scientists of All Time by Britannica Educational Publishing
The Monster Story-Teller by Jacqueline Wilson
The Secret Agent by Francine Mathews
Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich
Catching Temptation (In Darkness She Fades (Book 1) by Sarah Erber
Coward's Kiss by Block, Lawrence
Tear Tracks by Malka Older
Forbidden Mate by Stacey Espino
Jasmine by Bharati Mukherjee