Layla DaCosta-Linden was sentenced to 20 years for killing Hassan Lawrence. Her lawyer tried to get her off on a temporary insanity plea but it didn't fly in the face of the jurors who believed she was cognizant of her actions. Her children are with their father and split time between him and her parents. During the trial, Natalie couldn't bear to face her...yet, she did sit with the family in support of her sister. The sentencing was rough on the family. The DaCosta’s were extremely sorrowful and apologetic with condolences to the Lawrence’s...but the bond of the two families were irreversibly broken.
The Funeral:
The Lawrence’s got plenty of condolences, flowers, and hugs. The DaCosta’s were asked NOT to attend so out of respect they didn't. Beryl did show with her mother, brother and cousin in tow. She was devastated at the vision of her former fiancé lying dead in a casket because of unrequited love. Beryl recorded the service and gave the tape to Natalie. She knew it hurt her to not be allowed there to see Hassan be eulogized and buried...so she taped it, with the permission of the Lawrence’s. That was the beginning of their friendship.
Natalie and Vaughn married in a small ceremony just before Layla's trial began. Natalie wore a simple cream halter gown with a plunging back with thin ribbon borders in her favorite color of peach. She carried peach daisies and her mother; a great baker...made her wedding cake. Even though the event was supposed to be a celebration, there was a vacancy in the bride's face. Her truest love was gone...at the hands of her sister...who was gone in a way as well. Vaughn makes her happy though. He doesn't expect her to not mourn Hassan or her sister-ship with Layla...he just works hard to keep his woman happy.
Beryl began contacting Natalie after Hassan's funeral. They formed a friendship just from their mutual loss. This day, Natalie was calling to check up on Beryl. "Hey, B...how are you?" Natalie asked. Beryl perked up at the sound of Natalie's voice. There was a weird consoling in having Natalie as her friend. "HEY, Nat...What’s good Mrs. V? Beryl called Natalie Mrs. Vaughn all of the time. “I'm good. Just working!" Nat said. Beryl knew that Natalie worried about her. When she and Natalie began talking, one of the first things they shared was Beryl’s profound sense of loss. Even though it was evident that Natalie was HASSAN’S true love…Hassan was Beryl’s. She could barely eat or sleep since Hassan died. So, when Natalie called, Beryl knew that she’d get the 3rd degree questioning. She didn’t mind though…she liked that she was being looked after. For some reason she withdrew from so many of her friends when Hassan was killed…and Natalie was the closest thing to it she had nowadays.
Natalie got to the question at hand. “Well, I’m just gonna get down to it…Vaughn and I are having a baby and want you to be the godmother.” Beryl screamed and dropped the phone. Natalie laughed while she heard Beryl in the background running around. She was SO happy! Natalie and Vaughn felt so blessed and wanted to share that with Beryl. She’d been such a good friend, especially when Hassan died and Natalie’s family wasn’t allowed to attend the funeral. She’d been there for Natalie when Layla had been sentenced for killing Hassan. Even though Natalie tried to pretend that she could handle it to everyone else, it was Beryl who saw and heard Natalie break down at the loss of her sister. She never knew how much Layla hated her and resented her. When the details of the murder were disclosed in court, Natalie’s mouth was agape at the final dialogue between Layla and Hassan. She couldn’t have imagined that his words could drive Layla to do what she did…so there were days Natalie’s heart couldn’t bear the pain of losing them both.
“OH MY GOD…” Beryl said. “…I can’t believe it. WOW. Congratulations, Natty! You and Vaughn deserve this happiness more than most I know. I’d be honored to be the baby’s godmother!” Natalie was pleased to hear Beryl happy and to know that she’d be willing to spiritually co-parent her and Vaughn’s child. They talked a little more, going back and forth about baby details. When they hung up, Natalie told Vaughn how Beryl accepted their request and he hugged his wife. “That’s so cool, baby. I’m glad that she did…I wouldn’t want anyone else to be the godmother.” They agreed and decided to go to dinner as a mini celebration of the news.
Beryl went upstairs and into her bedroom…sitting on the bed gently. She leaned over and said, “Hey baby boy…you’re getting a little brother or sister. Daddy and Auntie Natalie are having a baby!” She kissed her 3 ½ month old son, Preston Lawrence Michaels and smiled. No one would ever know that he was really Hassan’s and not Vaughn’s. After all…a child needed a father.
A couple of weeks went by. Beryl moved back to her hometown hours away from Hassan. They talked before she left and Beryl told Hassan flat out...she was no one's consolation prize. She hoped he found what he was looking for in Natalie and wished them well. Her heart's beat had slowed to a sporadic beat with her departure, but she knew she was better than the situation. Hassan felt badly. He DID love her, but just not the way he loved Natalie. What they had transcended body or mind. She was in his soul...yet, Natalie had closed the door on him. She promised him that she'd NEVER be with him. His betrayal with her sister had broken her. The two people she was closest to growing up had violated her and she knew no other way to cope but to cut them out of her life. Hassan was even MORE shocked, when Vaughn took her home to care for her and proposed as he'd planned. Natalie accepted and was now considering marrying soon instead of having a long engagement. Hassan sat up nights staring at the ceiling fan which often times morphed from the Cingular symbol into a starfish. He'd fucked up. He allowed Layla to walk though his defenses and now he was paying for it in spades.
"Baby, do you need anything?" Vaughn asked Natalie. She was cuddled up on the sofa watching a DVD. Her body still ached from the accident, but the cuts on her arms, legs and face were healing well. "Yes...can you bring me a soda?" she said from the living area. Vaughn had been waiting on her hand and foot...proposing to her when she came home from the hospital. He told her all about him and Beryl in the closet, but considering what she'd done...she wiped the slate clean. She did indeed love Vaughn and even felt she was in love....yet she knew her love for Hassan was deeper. Nonetheless...Knowing that fact would never erase his infidelity with Layla. She and Layla had spoken once after her release and all they did was argue. It did solve one thing though...it made Natalie feel more strongly that no contact with her sister was the best solution...
The week before:
Layla sat down on the edge of Natalie's bed while Ariella stood against the wall. Natalie sat up, still bandaged on her arms and legs...one bandage still on her neck and shoulder.
"What do you want?" Natalie said, while fidgeting with her cell.
"I need to explain what happened between Hassan and I."
"I'm listening..." Natalie said finally turning her attention to Layla.
"I've always been in love with Hassan..." Layla started.
Ariella tensed up and her brow furrowed...as did Natalie's.
"...Even at 14 he wanted you. I didn't seem to exist. I had a crush on him and tried to get his attention. He never bit. I resented when he finally asked to go out with you. It hurt me...but, I couldn't tell you. When you guys were living together, I longed for him...even though I was still married..." Natalie shifted...she got uncomfortable and tears were stinging her eyes. She was beginning to get angry and it showed. Ariella said, "You okay, Nat? We can end this shit!" Natalie shook her head and waved at Layla to continue.
"...well, when you went to that seminar...and you asked me to take him something...I don't remember...I was happy to be alone with him. He was already drinking beer. I convinced him to have a few drinks with me. We had rum and...I seduced him while he was half passed out." By this time, Layla was crying. Natalie was crying, beet red in the face...and Ariella was still holding up the wall, shaking her head. Natalie said, "Don't stop now...finish! FINISH!!"
"I had sex with him...while he called me you. Over and over...he called me Nat. I hated you. In that moment and every moment I saw you with him...you talked about him...or I thought of you with him...I hated you. I fucked him and didn't care. I left the panties...the hair...I kissed the pillow...I wanted you all to break up." Natalie looked at her, tears falling and said, "Leave… NOW. Before I lose control on you. Just go. Sisters don't do what you did to me. Sisters who love each other don't...and you don't love me. Ella...get her and take her out of here...NOW!" Layla didn't protest. She got up as Ariella walked her to the door. Natalie threw her phone to the floor, laid down and got under the covers. She sobbed until she slipped into slumber. That was a week ago, but everyday Natalie cries like it just happened.
Hassan sat in front of the house. He didn't know what he was doing there...but, he knew he needed to talk to Natalie. He wasn't no punk, but Hassan recognized how much of a struggle it was handling Vaughn the last time. He still had a bruised back and abs as evidence. He saw the lights go on and off. Yes, he sat there long enough to watch daytime fade and nighttime fall. He finally drove away realizing that it was too late to knock on the door. He drove until he pulled up to Layla's house. Layla lived in the same neighborhood they all grew up in...actually about a block or two away from the DaCosta's family home. He DID get out of the car then. He walked up to 6403 Chamberlain Drive and knocked. No one answered. All the lights were off and he realized Layla's car wasn't in the driveway. He decided to wait. He found a seat on the swing in the far corner of the porch...but not before unscrewing the porch light. He just wanted to scare her...he wasn't REALLY losing it. Was he? An hour or so must've gone by, but because he drifted off Hassan didn't really notice. He was awakened by the sound of heels clicking on the stone walk. Layla approached the door and became afraid. The light was motion activated and yet it didn't come on. She was so busy scrambling for the keys she didn't see or hear Hassan approach. He tapped her on the shoulder and her reflexes caught him in the chin. He winced, more out of shock than pain. "Damn, girl...you got a nice left." Hassan joked. "Hassan? What the hell are you doing on my porch at almost 2 in the morning? Are you crazy?" Layla asked. He reached up and twisted the light back in and it came on. "Nah, I just wanted to talk to you, Lala. Is that ok?" Layla wasn't sure, but her need to be close to him overrode her suspicions. She let him in and closed the door. He looked around and said, "Nice place...where's the kids?" Layla dropped her purse on the table near the door and said, "They're with their grandparents. We were there for dinner, they fell asleep and I didn't feel like waking them. Look, what do you want Hassan? Your last words were harsh...so what?" Hassan came right out and said, "I'm horny...I need some." Layla got offended. "GET THE FUCK OUT!! You've lost your damn mind Hassan Lawrence!" He laughed and said, "Oh now you have manners? Etiquette? Decency? Come on...you've been wanting me to want you for years...and when I come around you don't want me?" Layla's heart fluttered. She was weirdly aroused. She thought of how many times in life he'd ever wanted her...and she could count none. She too was lonely and decided to cave. She said, "Fine...fuck it. Let's do it. I'm horny too. Let me get freshened up." Hassan said, "Nah, fuck that. I want it right now. Take off your clothes." Layla did as she was told. He stripped down as well. Layla pushed him up against the wall and slid down to her knees. She started kissing and licking the head of Hassan's dick. She took him in her mouth and deep throated it. She was salivating at the thought of sucking "his" dick. She tried to devour it but it was too much to truly do that. She caressed his sac and began to lick them. Hassan pulled her off of it and led her to the plush chair. He pushed her over and slid inside of her roughly. She moaned loudly and spread her legs to brace herself. He began moving in and out of her...ramming into her. He used her hips to bring her back onto him. Layla became so loud which only served to turn him AND her on more. The harder Hassan fucked her, the louder she got, the louder the slapping got, the louder the juices got...and then he released all over her back. He said to her, "THAT'S how you treat a whore. I hope you enjoyed that bitch! You fucked me over...I fuck you back!" Hassan said with a menacing tone. She turned around with a horrifying look in her eye. He managed to do it again. Make her feel like she was dirt. "What...you did this to hurt me?" Hassan laughed as he wiped his dick off with her blouse. "Yes TRICK...what part of this didn't you get? You fucked up my chances with Natalie AND Beryl. I gave you what you wanted...so, you should be happy!" Layla seethed and became speechless. She saw Hassan picking up his clothes off the floor and while bending, he said, "Crazy bitch...You'll NEVER be Natalie!" Layla lost it and picked up the modern piece of sculpture on her table and hit Hassan repeatedly over the head. He slumped over in a pool of his own blood...naked and dead. Layla called 911 and sat there waiting...naked and dead inside.
Hassan watched the ambulance pull away with Vaughn accompanying Natalie. He wanted to go, but the police needed some answers. Since it was his and Beryl's apartment, he didn't have much choice in the matter. As soon as the questioning ended and the police officers left without any charges being pressed by Hassan or Beryl...the silence fell over the space. Beryl was the first to speak. "Go...find out how she is. I'm gonna finish packing." Beryl began to cry and walked to the room. Hassan felt like shit. He didn't know what to think anymore. In just a few days he went from a man engaged to be married...to a man whose fiancée was leaving him. Not to mention the love of his life could die. Hassan got up and went to the door...as he was opening it, he thought about Beryl. He wanted to soothe her, but he knew he couldn't wait around forever to find out how Natalie was doing. He left the apartment on his way to the hospital. Beryl stood behind the door of the room crying in a ball on the floor.
Besides the lacerations and tender muscles, Natalie had not a broken bone. She did however have a concussion and was in and out of sleep. She finally awoke a couple of hours after being admitted to find a blurred frame sitting at her side slumped over in a chair. She blinked hard and opened her eyes again to find Layla sitting there looking worse for the wear. Layla heard Natalie rousing out of her sleep and asked, "How are you feeling, Nat?" Even in half-consciousness, Natalie was still heated with her sister. "What?...leave.....go...." Natalie said between hard swallows and deep breaths. "Nat...please. You have to listen to me..." Layla started. Ariella walked in and said, "Not now, Lala...go find mami and have something to eat with her. I will stay with Nat." Layla didn't argue. Ariella had a way of saying things that were definite and deliberate. She'd pull big sister rank QUICKLY and remind you she could still kick your ass. Layla left the room and Ariella sat beside Natalie in the chair. She got Natalie up to speed on her condition and groggily Natalie listened. Finally, Ariella spoke on the night's events. "Nat...you and Layla WILL figure out a way to get past this. You cannot let this come between sisters." Nat said softly, "I only have one"...and fell asleep.
Beryl decided to go to the hospital. No matter what she thought about the situation, the woman could've died in front of her and she wanted to make sure she was okay before checking the bus schedule. She walked into the emergency room looking for Hassan. She didn't see Hassan, but she saw the man with whom Hassan had been fighting with earlier. She approached him and spoke. "Hi, I'm Beryl...Hassan's fiancée...well, ex girl friend. How is Natalie doing? I was concerned." Vaughn looked broken and bruised as well. He had cuts on his eyelids, lips and cheek bones. His knuckles were wrapped and he was holding his side. "She's fine. She's got a concussion, cuts and bruises...probably gonna be out of it for a while, but she's aight." Vaughn said dryly. Beryl felt awkward asking about Natalie's welfare, but she DID care. She almost didn't want to ask the next question, but she did. "Have you seen Hassan around?" Vaughn cut Beryl a look of fury and said, "YEA, I saw his punk ass...he left with Mrs. DaCosta and Nat's sisters." "Ok, thank you...um, what's your name?" Beryl asked politely and cautiously. "Vaughn." "Thanks, Vaughn...take care of yourself." She walked away to look for Hassan.
In a corner...on the same floor of Natalie's room...Hassan and Layla argued through their teeth.
"This is YOUR fucking fault" Hassan accuses
"No, it’s OUR fault...you can blame me all you want, but WE slept together!" Layla reminds him
"You're crazy...if you hadn't walked up on me and Beryl this wouldn't have happened!"
"Um, are you fucking delusional? You fucked my sister a day ago! This is because YOU and NAT couldn't keep your hands off each other!"
"LOOK, I need you to stay out of my fucking life. Mine AND Natalie's."
"She is MY sister muthafucka! I don't have to go ANYWHERE! YOU on the other hand...is a different story!" Layla said.
"You got me drunk all those years ago...you fucked me while I was half passed out. It cost me my woman. I've got a 2nd chance and I'm not losing it over your psychotic ass!"
Hassan's words hurt her. Layla knew he didn't REALLY care about her, but she'd never heard the words so adamantly expressed before. A tear fell with her silence and Hassan began to walk away. He stopped in his tracks and said, "Lala...leave us alone. Let us work it out. You worry about your sisterhood...let us worry about our love. There's no chance for us, so don't try and come between us." Hassan walked away and Layla sunk into the corner to cry.
She bent over so he could stroke her pussy deeper. He was so deep in her; she could feel the head in her lower belly. Vaughn was fucking Beryl better than Hassan ever had. Her shirt was lifted above her breasts and her bra was on the floor of the closet they were in. Her skirt was flapping with each stroke and her panties around one foot. Her cocoa skin and his white chocolate were contrasting in the reflection of the silver cart. Beryl was squeezing her pussy down on his dick, but it wasn't necessary. He filled her up in each direction. Vaughn parted Beryl's ass to view the cream forming around his shaft. Neither of them remembered how they ended up fucking in the utility closet, but they were making it quick...and making the most of it. Vaughn took out his anger and physical pain on Hassan's chocolate pussy and Beryl took out her hurt on Natalie's big dick. Vaughn exited and turned Beryl around sucking on her nipples and using his two fingers to rub the froth of her kitty's milk all over her clit. One of her legs was wrapped around him as the other barely touched the floor. He then picked her up and she landed on his stick. He thrust himself in and out of her while her breasts moved and her gray eyes pierced his. Her face screwed and he knew he was about to bust the center of her cocoa kiss. She shivered...he quivered...and just like that, they remembered who they were to each other. Consolation prizes in a very biased game of Hassan loves Natalie. They both felt like they'd gone through that window with Natalie.
"What the hell is SHE doing here, Nat?" Hassan said, slamming his door. Natalie went to get out of her vehicle, when Layla grabbed her arm. "Don't...this is a big mistake. Hassan is not good for you. Don't mess up with Vaughn for this liar!" Layla pleaded. Natalie looked at her sister and said, "Lala...calm down. Just wait here." Natalie got out of the truck and asked, "What is the problem? She caught me as I was leaving to meet you. She's not going to say anything to anyone." Hassan said, "SHE is the problem...well BOTH of us are." Layla's heart was beating so fast. She could hear Hassan's words. She was beginning to shiver nervously at the thought of where this was all headed. She'd played this out in her head so many times over the past years since Natalie and Hassan had been broken up. She feared this day and relished it at the same time. She wanted to get out of the car, but fear had her planted in the front seat. Hassan looked at the truck and then at Natalie and said, "Make her get out of the truck, Nat...so we can face this shit now!" Natalie's heart did flips as her belly dipped at the ominous words Hassan spoke. "What do you mean, Hassan? What are you talking about? BOTH of you have been acting strange!" And as the words fell out of her mouth, she realized for the first time what it was that she didn't see before. "WAIT...hold up..." she said as tears stung the corners of her beautiful eyes.”...YOU TWO? You guys are seeing each other?" Now it was Natalie who was planted with no ability to move. She didn't even feel her feet underneath her anymore. She almost fainted, but she just sat against the back of her truck. "For how long? Since you've been back?" she asked him. Hassan went to speak and laid his hand upon her shoulder. With that touch, Natalie was propelled back into her sensibilities and she caught her strength. "GET THE FUCK OFF OF ME!" She walked around Hassan, to the front seat and snatched her car door open. She pulled Layla out by her hair and began wailing on her with no concern for blood ties. "NATALIE...STOP!" Hassan said as he pried her off her sibling. Layla was curled up in a ball with her face bleeding and her hands ineffectively sheltering her face. "Oh my God...are you ok, Layla?" He asked while holding Natalie in a bear hug. She was fighting to free herself which she finally did by biting and breaking the skin on his hand. Hassan wailed in agony. "AAAAAAAAAAAAH SHIT!!!" Natalie began kicking his car over and over. She then got in her own truck and drove off...leaving Layla on the ground for Hassan to pick up.
At the emergency room...Layla sat bleeding from her head, her mouth and her ear, while waiting to be seen. She'd been given a cold compress and a pillow. Hassan stayed with her until Natalie and Layla's mother showed up. Mrs. DaCosta was in disbelief as to Layla's condition. More so due to who had inflicted the punishment. "Thank you for calling Hassan...I never thought I'd see YOU again...and surely not like this." She was in tears and he understood why. He left the ER to go find Natalie. Of course...the park was his first place to look. When he got there, no one was around. He sat there for over a half hour hoping she'd come...she didn't. He finally decided it was time to go home and face Beryl. He had a lot to deal with at home and he had NO clue as to what he was going to say.
Vaughn had followed Natalie. He saw Layla jump into the truck. He saw them pull up next to Hassan's car...even the altercation. He never moved. He just seethed. His blood pressure shot up and he began white knuckling the steering wheel. The idea of Natalie with anyone else wasn't sitting well. He was in love with the beautiful Natalie DaCosta. He'd met her parents months ago. Her mother, Samantha who was Black and her Latino father, Jose DaCosta. He made a return trip to the DaCosta's home just a few weeks ago to formally ask them for Natalie's hand in marriage...and now his potential wife was POTENTIALLY fucking her ex. He didn't know what had gone down, but clearly Layla had betrayed her with Hassan considering how badly Natalie whooped on her ass. He'd have to figure that all out later...in the meantime...he'd followed Natalie to where she now sat…Inside her old apartment with Beryl.
Hassan pulled up to the apartment building where he'd lived with Natalie for 2 years. He now realized that he'd never fallen out of love with her. His need to be close to her was so deeply embedded in him, that he never thought of how it would make Beryl feel if she found out. To Hassan, finding out the SAME apartment that he shared with his young love was available...was simply fate. It was meant for him to return home...even if it wasn't a return to Natalie. Hassan parked the car in a conveniently open space right in front of 485 Roundtree Avenue. He didn't notice Natalie's truck parked right across the street. He clomped up the flight of stairs and rounded the right corner walking until he approached the 2nd door on the right...apartment 205. He put his key in the lock and let himself in...almost shitting himself at the sight. Natalie and Beryl sitting on the couch talking...waiting for him. "What the fuck? Natalie, what the hell are you doing?" Hassan said, slamming the door. Beryl stood to her feet and Natalie followed. Beryl said, "Hassan...how could you do this to us? To ME? To HER!" she said pointing to Natalie. Natalie in a rage had gone back to her old place and knocked on the door, only for Beryl to answer. She introduced herself and reluctantly Beryl invited her in:
"So, what do you want Natalie?" Beryl asked
"I don't know...I just came here out of anger and now I don't know why I'm here." Natalie replied
"Have a seat..."
"Thank you."
Natalie fidgeted with her shirt and ran her fingers through her hair. She cupped her forehead in her palms and then made eye contact with Hassan's fiancée.
Natalie said, "I think I made a mistake...this is wrong for me to be here. I need to go home to my man and let this die."
She moved to get up but Beryl said, "No...sit. Please? I am confused and I need for you to clear some things up for me before I pack my shit and leave...and since you're the only one here...you'll do."
Natalie sat back down and said, "Ok, what do you need to know?"
Beryl explained the events of the evening to Natalie, watching her face go from placid to confused to angry. Beryl told Natalie of the woman who seemed enraged with jealousy and obsession who had confronted her earlier with Hassan...Natalie had deduced it was her sister. Beryl asked Natalie to tell her why she and Hassan broke up and if they'd made contact before the past few days. Just as they were ending the story of how Natalie and Hassan broke up in the first place...Hassan entered. Not knowing what had been discussed...a nervous Hassan launched into explanations unasked of him.
"Look B...we slept together ONCE last week. It was the FIRST time since we broke up. I hadn't seen her or contacted her before then...we didn't even TRY to hook up. We literally bumped into each other twice. I'm sorry that I..." SLAP!!! That's the next thing to be heard ringing through the still undecorated and somewhat empty apartment. He held his face and Natalie covered her mouth in shock. "YOU FUCKED HER? SO THAT’S WHY YOUR ASS BEEN IN THE CLOUDS? IM HERE TRYING TO MAKE A HOME FOR US...IN YOURS AND HER FORMER APARTMENT...DON'T KNOW NO FUCKING BODY...PICKED UP FROM MY HOME TO COME HERE TO MEET YOUR FAMILY AND BECOME YOUR WIFE...AND YOUR ASS IS FUCKING AROUND ON ME WITH THE WOMAN WHO DUMPED YOUR STUPID ASS?" Beryl was yelling and tears were streaming. It hurt Hassan to see her beautiful gray eyes filled with tears he caused. He wanted to reach for her but he was afraid to. She turned around and looked at Natalie. She said, "You can have him...I'm going back home." Beryl went into the room and began packing. Natalie said, "Wow...you need to go in there after her." Hassan said, "No...she belongs home...with her family. She's right. You have my head fucked up, Nat...I'm still in love with you." Natalie began crying and said, "Oh, no...not the same muhfucka who fucked my sister? No, not him..." She moved to the door and he reached for her. She tugged away and said, "Not now. Go talk to her. I'm leaving." As she flung the door open, there stood Vaughn. Vaughn was a shade lighter than Natalie...who was considered a "redbone" so that made him damn near see through. He was beet red and if there were animated effects to exaggerate his mood it would have been steam shooting out of nostrils and ears and he'd be revving his right foot. He wanted to charge but Natalie placed her hands on his chest and said, "NO VAUGHN!! DON'T!" He looked at her with a tear falling slowly and said, "How could you do this shit to me? How could you fuck him? I knew it when you ran to the shower before kissing me or even LOOKING at me." Natalie wanted to keep things from escalating. She said, "Baby...lets go home..." he smacked her hands down and said, "GET THE FUCK OFF ME...WE don't have a home! I do...and when I get home you better have your shit gone or it'll be in the dumpster behind the building!" Before turning to leave he said to Hassan, "You got that pahtnah..." looking Natalie up and down with disgust. Hassan said, "Natalie, don't beg that nigga..." and before Hassan could finish or Vaughn could leave he charged at Hassan like he originally wanted to. Natalie screamed and Beryl came running from the back room. The two fairly large men went slamming into the wood coffee table, turning it into kindling. They wrestled until Vaughn got the best of Hassan and punched him in the jaw. Both women were yelling, "GET OFF OF HIM!!" and only Natalie had the right mind to call 911. She knew that Vaughn did bouncer and security work and could wring the life out of a man. Hassan wasn't down for the count. He got from under Vaughn and managed to get him into a choke hold. He began slamming Vaughn's head against the floor! Vaughn's adrenalin was pumping so fiercely...it was like he didn't even feel it. His nose and mouth were bleeding as was Hassan's. Finally, after making the call...Natalie attempted to break it up while Beryl stood in shock. She tried to pull Hassan off of Vaughn but not before Vaughn used his weight to get out of Hassan's hold. They were all on their feet and as the petite Natalie threw herself between the two men, they both were so bullishly locked on one another, they ignored the feminine frame between them. Somehow she got caught in between them and when Vaughn went to throw Hassan against the wall, it was Natalie who got flung through the living room window and onto the fire escape. Beryl began to cry and ran to her rescue, while the two men finally realizing their "prize" was near death...stopped long enough to look out onto the escape to see her bleeding and unconscious...
Layla sat in her car looking at the building she remembered watching Hassan go into. The day at the park didn't end with him walking away. It ended in her following him closely as he walked home. She recognized the 3 story building right away...it was the same building that he and Natalie lived in before they broke up and he moved out of state. No wonder it was so easy locating him. "That muhfucka moved his NEW bitch into the same apartment that he and Nat shared? The FUCK!" Layla spoke aloud to no one. So here she sat...looking at the building, seeing the light on in Natalie's old place. She thought to get out, but realized she didn't have a plan...or an excuse if she got caught. She started to pull off when she noticed the light go off. She wondered if they'd gone to sleep. Just then she saw Hassan come out of the building with a beautiful petite woman...short haircut, thick and the color of toffee. She immediately envied her. He kissed her and she reached back up to kiss him...that’s when she noticed the glimmer off of her left hand. The wave of anger shot through her like a current of electricity. The burning inside Layla's chest took over and she leaped from the car...slamming the door...which resulted in the couple being alerted to her presence. "Layla? Is that you?" Hassan asked, as Layla walked towards them. "How you gone move her up in Natalie's old apartment? That shit is foul!" Layla shouted. Beryl's reaction was one of shock, anger and confusion. Who WAS this person? "Hassan, who the hell is she? And what the hell is she talking about NATALIE'S apartment?" "Oh, he didn't tell you that this used to be where he and Nat lived for 2 years?" Layla said sarcastically. Hassan was HEATED and by now he wanted to put his fist in a woman's mouth for the 1st time ever. "YO, WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU LALA?" he yelled, blocking Layla from Beryl. Layla was shouting, "Why you gotta be such a dog? Did you tell little Ms Cocoa Brown that you fucked TWO SISTERS?" Beryl was yelling for Hassan to explain. Hassan was trying to calm his woman down, while Layla seemed riled up and ready to start some shit! Hassan said, "Yo, Lala...for real, you need to shut the fuck up." Beryl turned her back and pulled out her phone, saying, "I'm calling the police. This woman is mad. I don't deal with shit like this...oh hell naw..." as she dialed. "Oh, you want to call the police on me? Fuck it...call em. And while you're at it, dial Nat...555-834..." Hassan snatched the hell out of Layla and threw her against the wall. Under his teeth, he gritted, “Shut...the FUCK up! NOW!" Layla was startled back to reality. She realized she'd crossed a line she couldn't step back over. Hassan went to Beryl and took the phone, hanging it up. He said, "Bee...can you go upstairs babe. PLEASE. We'll talk about it in a few." He said, looking at her with the sincerest eyes. Beryl had tears in her eyes. She didn't really understand what was going on, but the feeling in her stomach didn't bode well. She complied without looking back at him, saying a word OR acknowledging the mad woman on the wall. Hassan waited for Beryl to close the building's door and turned really quickly snatching Layla by both arms. "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU? NO...DON'T SAY SHIT! LISTEN TO ME LALA..." Hassan lowered his tone to a near whisper in her ear. "...do not come around. Do not mention Natalie’s name to me OR Beryl. Do not call or contact me or my fiancée...yes, I am marrying her. Something is wrong with you that you would even come around here...especially since I KNOW you know about what happened between me and Nat the other day. Stay...the FUCK...away!" he said, releasing her and going upstairs. Layla who was now shaking from fear, walked back to her car, got in and drove off.
"YOU MEAN TO TELL ME YOU MOVED ME INTO YOUR EX'S FUCKING APARTMENT? WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO ME, HASSAN? ...ANSWER ME!!" Beryl screamed at the top of her lungs. Hassan wanted to calm her but knew it would be hard. She was right. He had no business moving her into his and Natalie's old place. He called about it and found out it was vacant and wanted to live there. No explaining THAT to his fiancée. The woman he was about to marry wanted an explanation and he had none. "I don't know what to tell you Bee...I seriously just wanted to find something quick and this apartment building came to mind. It was open and I accepted." he said. Beryl threw her keys in his direction. He ducked and started walking towards the door. "OOOH no! Nope...don't run!" she said blocking his path. "I deserve a reason why, I am finding out that ONE, we're living where you and your 1st love lived...TWO, you fucked her sister and THREE...you weren't going to tell me about ANY of it, but you want to MARRY me, Hassan?" Beryl stepped out of his way and said, "Go, go to her. I know that’s where you're headed. I can see it in your eyes." Hassan didn't even speak. He walked out the door. As he sat in his car...he realized not only didn't he know where Natalie lived, he didn't even have her number to call. Not know ANYONE he could contact for the info. He just started his car up and went for a drive.
Natalie and Vaughn were sharing a pint of cookie dough ice cream in front of the TV, watching a movie. Natalie's phone rang, but she didn't recognize the number. She picked up anyway. "Hello?" "Hey Nat...it's Hassan. I need to talk to you NOW!" Natalie got up and left the room, stepping into the bathroom and closing the door. Natalie was talking low but because she was in the bathroom she could feel the words reverberate off the walls. "What the hell is with you calling me? How did you get this number?" Hassan said hesitantly, "Well, I bumped into Lala and she was flipping on me, suggested I call you to get things straight." Hassan didn't want to tell her that Layla had yelled all but the last digit of her number and he'd tried all of them until he got to 7. "Look, can you please come talk to me. This is urgent. It’s an emergency. I wouldn't even ask if it weren't." Natalie knew he was telling the truth...so she said, "Give me a bit. I will meet you at the park in about 20mins." and she hung up. Natalie left the bathroom and sat down next to Vaughn. Vaughn was still eating ice cream when he said, "Tell that nigga don't call here no more." Natalie didn't even argue. She just said, "I'm going to handle it." Vaughn said, "You have a half hour. Handle that shit and be back here in 30 or I come looking for that nigga...whoever he is. Where I find YOU is where that nigga gets it." Natalie got up, got dressed and drove to the park. She had to make this quick...she didn't want to find out if Vaughn meant what he said.
Natalie walked over to her car and unlocked it with the remote. As she was getting in, Layla ran up on her and opened the passenger door, getting in. "WHAT THE FUCK!! DON'T DO THAT! ARE YOU CRAZY?" Natalie said, holding her chest. "Natty...drive wherever you're driving. We have to talk...tonight!" "What is this about, because I'm on my way to meet Hassan real quick." Layla shouted, "NO...DON'T! GIRL...DON'T! HE'S CRAZY! HE THREATENED ME TONIGHT!" Layla pulled up her shirt sleeves to show the bruises from where Hassan had grabbed her arms. Natalie was seething. She started the car up and headed for the park...to Layla's chagrin. Her act had backfired. She was walking into a bear-trap that she set for herself. "No, Natalie...it’s ok. Just stay away from him...he's dangerous." Layla begged. She was pleading as if it were her life, but it fell on deaf ears. Natalie's anger for what Hassan had possibly done to her sister was driving that car...not her. All Layla could do was pray that she slowed down long enough for her to jump out. No such luck. As Natalie made it to the park and pulled into the parking lot, Hassan was there waiting. His car on the right side of Natalie's passenger door...leaving Layla between a rock named Natalie and a hard place called Hassan.
