CHAPTER SIX

Kendall

We all have big dreams. Dreams that we wish to come true, that’ll change our lives forever. But we also have nightmares, and those can also change our lives forever.

I’m living in my nightmare right now. Each day I wake up wondering what’s next in my life today. Ever since I decided to go to the altar and say yes, my life has been a disaster. And it’s something I have to live with.

I tie my hair into a neat bun, then grab my purse and head downstairs. I have so much to do today, I honestly wish I could just fast forward to maybe five years from now, because I hate this chapter of my life. I double check to make sure my banking card is safely in my bag as I enter the kitchen.

“Good morning Cindy” I say taking a seat.

“Good morning” she gave me a warm smile as she pours out a cup of mint tea. Just as I take a sip, Lance came in.

“Hannah make me some coffee” he says in a demanding tone.

“You can at least say please” I mutter.

“Speak when spoken to woman” after I finish having my tea, I got up and made to leave, but Lance grab onto my hand.

“Where are you going Kendall?”

“Out.” “Where?”

“O.U.T. Out”

“I’ll have two bodyguards follow you around. To make sure that you’re safe. Not that I care about you. It’s just for the publ -. “

“I don’t need anyone to follow me around. I’m not a child, and I can take care of myself.”

“Yeah, it’s not about what you want. You will not leave this house unless two of my bodyguards follow you, and that’s an order!”

“You can’t order me around Lance.” I say pulling my hand out of his.

“Actually, I can.” He grabs on to my hand again and leans in closer to me. “You’ll do as I say, always. You haven’t been in this house for two months, yet you’re growing a lot of balls, don’t let me cut you down”

“I’ll be fine. I don’t want them following me.” I say showing him away from me.

“You don’t even have a car. How do you think it looks when people see you taking the bus? I don’t need you to ruin my reputation.”

“I don’t care what people have to say.” He chuckled and let go of my arm. He leaned against the counter and shaves his head in disgust.

“Of course you wouldn’t. You’re used to taking the bus, with all types of smelly poor people. Dogs play in shit, it’s what they like. So I don’t expect any better from you.” His words stung like a bee, and I tried my best to fight back the tears.

“Mr. Russo, please don’t say those disrespectful things”

“Shut up Cindy! This doesn’t concern your broke ass” she held her head low in embarrassment. “I’ll get you a car. If you don’t know, that’s something you drive in.”

 “I don’t want anything from you.”

“Isn’t that why you got married to me?”

“I’ll buy you a car and that’s final. I’ll take you to buy that car tomorrow, my ugly wife.”

“I’ll get a job and buy a car. If you buy me a car I’ll take it and park it on the streets and write a note saying, for free, take it or leave it.”

“I said you are not getting a job and that’s final.”

“You are not the boss of me.”

“Oh, but I am. Remember, if I decide to throw you out. You’ll have to sleep on the streets or run back home like the prodigal son” all that was going through my head as he spoke, was to punch him in the face or slap him. He really loves degrading people, and as much as I am putting on a strong face it’s hard. My self esteem is not that high to take what he’s saying as if it’s nothing.

At that moment my phone started ringing. I took it out in order to answer it, but before I could do so Prince grabbed it away from me. Surprise filled his eyes as he looked at it in disgust.

“What type of phone is this?” He ask laughing.

“It’s a Nokia 3310.” I said trying to grab it from him.

“Where did you find this? I can’t believe people still use this. It’s disgraceful. I’ll have to get you another phone so people don’t look at me with distaste. This is way outdated.”

“You make everything about you. I like my phone, and you can’t do anything about it”

“Really?” He asked raising an eyebrow at me. He flung it into the wall with all his strength, causing it to shatter. “Now you don’t have a phone” I shove him out of the way and storm out of the house.

One hour later

I hop out of the taxi and rush inside the hospital. Russell was already waiting.

“What’s wrong with your phone? I tried calling a million times”

“Lance happened. He smashed my phone” I say taking out my card from my purse. I hand it to him. “Go pay the bill. I’ll wait here” sank into the chair as he walked off.

This thing that I’ve taken upon myself is stressing me out, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m a little happy Lance smashed my phone. At least I don’t have to see all my mother’s messages. She’s probably pissed at the fact that I’ve been ignoring her.

I wonder if Lance and I will ever get along. I doubt that though. I can see the hate in his eyes when he looks at me. I want to be strong. I want to show him that I’m strong, that I don’t fear him. But I actually do. I have to step carefully along this path. Who knows what he’s capable of.

All this time I wasted while growing up planning my future, completely unaware that I’m not in charge of that. I wanted at least three kids, an amazing husband and a great job. But I guess destiny hates me.

I inhale deeply as I rub my forehead. I wonder what’s keeping Russell so long.

My heart skipped a beat when I heard someone say, Lance Kyle Russo. I immediately stood up and looked towards the direction in which the person spoke. I saw Lance stomping in my direction and I prayed for the earth to open and swallow me up. As much as I wanted to run, and hide, I couldn’t. He already saw me, and everyone was now looking at both of us.

When he got to my side, he leaned in and did something that caused my entire body to freeze. He locked lips with mine. He then pulled away.

“Remind me to bleach my mouth when I’m done” he mutters. He wrapped his arm around mine and pulled me to the bathroom.

He dug into his pocket and pulls out a brand new Samsung S10 and handed it to me. I didn’t bother protesting, I just took it with a smile.

“I hope you know how to use this. I know you’re not really used to technology. If there’s anything you need to know, just go on YouTube. That’s an app I whi-“

“Thank you. You didn’t have to go through so much trouble to buy me a phone. I appreciate it” I lied.

“First of all I sent someone to buy it. You are not that important that I would go myself. Secondly I don’t want people to have things to say when they see you because it will reflect on me, and I’m way too good to have bad things said.”

“I don’t care what anyone says.”

“Sure you won’t. If you look like this for so long and haven’t had plastic surgery, or even better. Kill yourself. I understand”

“You’re a monster Lance” I made my way to the door, but he stops me.

“I didn’t follow you here just to give you a phone. What are you doing here?”

“I think I’m pregnant.” His eyes widen, and for a moment he kept quiet, then he spoke again.

“We haven’t had sex.”

“Correct. We … haven’t had sex.”

“I told you if you sleep with anyone I would kill you.”

“You can’t tell me what to do with my body” I say pushing him away from me. I need to see that doctor right now and tell him to say nothing if Lance questions them. He can’t find out the real reason I’m here.