Checkmate 2: Let the Games Begin (2 page)

“Are you headed over to the office?” Candy asked in a sleepy tone, holding her head up a little bit.

“Yeah, babe, I am. I’m meeting Rico and Mama Mack over there this morning. The remodeling crew, landscapers, and the painters are putting on the finishing touches and it’s about time for the interior decorating to begin.” His tone rose a little in excitement. “I can’t wait until we start on the inside. The next two months are going to be very crucial for us if we plan on opening the doors in mid-November.”

“I know baby and I’m excited for you. I’m gonna help you all I can. I was thinking that MJ and I would come over once we get up.” She stated.

“Yeah, I would love that, because I wanna show you around the place. Maybe you can give me some good pointers.”

“Yep, like my first pointer. I don’t feel comfortable with you having a woman secretary unless she’s fat and ugly.” Monty laughed and leaned down to kiss Candy on her soft lips.

“Baby, go back to sleep. We’ll talk about that later.”

“Yeah, I’m sure we will.” She smiled as she watched Monty walk out of the room. She was so excited to have him be there with her and MJ. He made her feel safe and she was very glad that he left his pawns alone to mend their relationship. She felt her life was fulfilled even though she’d lost so much in the past year. She focused on the present and tried not to dwell on the past. She rolled over on her side and fell back to sleep only to be awakened a few minutes later by MJ’s crying.

“Are you kidding me?” Candy asked, looking over at the clock on her nightstand. “MJ, its only 8:00, please can Mommy get a little bit of sleep, at least, two more hours?”

She got up and sluggishly walked into MJ’s room. She felt a little exhausted from him wanting to play until three in the morning. He was screaming to the top of his lungs like somebody was pinching him, so she rushed over to the crib and picked him up. As soon as he felt her arms around him he stopped crying.

Candy shook her head from side to side. “Boy, you are too spoiled.” She walked into the kitchen and got a bottle that she’d prepared for him before he went to sleep earlier then walked back into her bedroom and sat on the side of the bed with MJ in her arms. She picked up the remote to turn on the TV, but put it back down. She decided to keep it quiet, hoping that he would go back to sleep after sucking his bottle.

Candy looked into his small, slanted eyes and admired her beautiful baby boy. He looked so much like Monty until it wasn’t funny. MJ had her dimples, but everything else was all Monty. That black, slick hair was also like his, as well as, his caramel skin color. He was a smaller image of his daddy and Candy was proud of that. She reveled in knowing that Monty was very close to her and their son and knew that he’d do all he could to keep his family together. He’d already proven that to her once.

She began to think about the past year and how strong she had become after her mother shot and killed her father. She felt that emptiness in her heart; especially after continuing to live in their family home. It was still so many memories there and she didn’t want to give them up. She missed her daddy and wished he could be there to see his grandson. Then she would think about her baby brother and would make herself believe that her dad probably would have rather be with his mistress and their son instead of being with his real family. It still hurt her to think that her daddy was living a double life and hid so many secrets from them, but she’d gotten stronger over time and was really trying to put it all behind her. She was anxious that her mom was transferred to Metro State Women’s Prison, because it was in Atlanta and she didn’t have to drive as far to go visit her. Plus, her Aunt Linda was close by and visited her all the time so that she’d never feel neglected or alone. It also made her feel good to know that within three years or less Nancy would be back home with them.

As MJ’s tiny eyes began to slowly close Candy started to think about Mona. Mona was going to school and that kept her a little busy lately. She’d stop by to see MJ and then they’d talk for a while, but she’d leave, soon after, pretending like she had this big test to study for or something important to do that she couldn’t miss out on. Candy was feeling like if it wasn’t for MJ then she probably wouldn’t see Mona as often.

She felt a strain on their relationship for the first time in her life and it didn’t feel good to know that Mona wasn’t opening up to her anymore. She wondered if it was something that she had done, but couldn’t think of anything that would cause her best friend to be so distant. She knew that Mona was going through a tough time after breaking things off with Rico, but almost three months later, she acted like she still wasn’t over him. Candy remembered Mona saying that when Rico was shot, it made her realize just how much she cared for him and she knew then that she didn’t want to lose him. But, in a blink of an eye, a phone call changed all that.

Candy sat there, and continued to ask herself who this chick could be that Rico had gotten pregnant and why Monty had never mentioned that Rico had a baby on the way. The only reason that she could figure was that Monty still didn’t know and what was even more puzzling was that Mona hadn’t mentioned it to him either. One thing was for sure, it sure wasn’t her place to say anything about it.
Strange
, she thought. She quickly looked down at MJ, hearing the air being sucked from his bottle. He was finally asleep and as she gently put him up on her shoulder he let out a big burp. She smiled and laid him down right next to her. All she wanted to do was put her thoughts to rest as she was yet again attempting to fall back asleep.

Chapter Two

Monty pulled up to the two-story building that he owned. Over the past few months he had already started making deals and selling the property that Monica had given him. He didn’t want any ties to her after the trick that she’d pulled to try to hook him, thinking that he’d stay with her if she was pregnant by him. He did gain a lot from her over the period of time that they were sleeping together. Those moments made him grateful to her for the many things she taught him about Real Estate, how to make strategic moves, and invest his money wisely.

Monica was a very savvy business woman with a lot of pull and she could definitely get what she wanted, when she wanted it, but getting him was out of the equation. Following in her father’s footsteps, she had become a wealthy, young business woman. She was generous in sharing a lot of her money with Monty, while handing over a few deeds and titles to some of the properties that she owned. Even that wouldn’t make Monty stay with her. He did love her back in his high school days and if she hadn’t moved away they would probably still be together.

Time had changed and so had Monica. Plus, Monty had surely moved on by the time she returned. He hated the fact that she tried to pin a baby on him, but still was a little confused about that whole situation. In his heart he knew deep down inside that the baby was not his. He wasn’t about to lose Candy to a major screw up like that one, but he couldn’t help but wonder who really fathered Monica’s baby if he didn’t. He looked over at the building that would soon house his business and decided to leave the thoughts about Monica alone. He hoped that she had really left town and would never try to come between him and Candy’s relationship.

He sat in his car and smiled approvingly as he watched the remodeling crew finish up their duties and the landscapers making the outside of the building look more inviting with the shrubs and flowers that they’d planted. He looked on, admiring the three-tiered outdoor fountain that sat in front of the building. He could almost hear the soothing sound of water flowing from it, which gave him a sense of knowing that the place was almost ready for business. He looked around at the other businesses around his. To be honest, the name, Banks Realty, stood out on the building and brought life to its surroundings.

It was still early morning and there were very few people around. Reynolds Street was still asleep, but it was sure to awake momentarily. He looked in his rear view mirror just in time to see Rico pull up behind him. He grabbed his phone and a folder off of his passenger seat and got out of the car.

Rico looked at the progress that had been made as well and smiled. He checked his face in the rearview mirror and got out of his car. Monty stood there waiting for him.

“Hey what’s up, man?” Rico asked and gave Monty dap.

“Ain’t too much, just waiting for us to get settled in this place and begin doing some real work.” Monty and Rico smiled and walked toward the double doors of the building.

“Where is your mama? Isn’t she meeting us here this morning?”

“Yeah, trust me she’ll be here on time. She loves her career and she loves getting paid even more.” Rico looked down at his watch. “It’s only eight twenty-eight man. She said she’ll be here by nine.”

“Yeah, I just got up early so that I could make my way here and take this all in. I’m so excited about getting things started. I mean look at this place. It’s come a long way.” Rico smiled. “We’re actually starting up our own business.” Monty said.

“Yeah and I’m glad you allowed me to be a part it. I know I’ve done some crazy things, but-”

Monty cut in. “Hey man, don’t sweat it. We’re bigger than anything that may have happened in the past. I’m just glad to see you up and moving around so well. I wanna hug you every time I see you, but you know. A brotha can’t be doing all that.” They laughed. “How have you been doing with the classes?”

“I’ve been focused. That’s all I can say. It’s interesting and it’s definitely something that I never thought I’d really want to do. That is until I realized how much money that can be made. I’m digging this. I can’t say thank you enough.”

“Man, I done told you about that.” Monty nonchalantly responded.

“I know, but I owe you in a big way and it’s still something very important that I need to talk with you about.”

“Alright then talk,” Monty said. He and Rico walked inside of the two story building. They were both looking around in amazement. Rico had lost his train of thought as he stood there admiring the view.

“Damn, man I love the hardwood floors throughout the place.” Rico smiled, he couldn’t believe how beautiful the place was.

“Yeah, it’s just what we asked for. They are still remodeling the restrooms, but things are definitely on schedule. Now all we have to do is furnish the place to our taste.” Monty anxiously looked around with his pearly whites showing the excitement he felt.

“We are scheduled to have our initial meet and greet next week.”

“I know, man. I can’t wait for that either. It’s good that we’ll have other people working here with us to help expand the business. That’s definitely going to help the business grow.

“Is Bren still coming down?” Rico asked as he continued to look around.

“Cuz ain’t coming down until after the first of the year. He said that he has a few things to tie up before he moves here.” Monty stated.

“I’ll be glad to see him. I haven’t seen that man since we were teenagers.”

“That was the last time I saw him too. Mama was glad that I called him to see if he wanted a positive change in his life. I know Aunt Lynn was glad that I called, too. She’s been so worried about him lately, because she don’t want him to end up dead or in jail.” Monty said.

“Damn man, how long Bren been in the game?” Rico asked.

“Bren has been in the game since he was about seventeen. I’m a couple of months older than him, so that means that he’s been selling dope for six years are better.” Monty replied.

“Damn, Bren should have it going on in that case.”

“That’s the problem. He is doing too much. Between money, drugs, and women his life is wide open, and it’s plenty of niggas that hate on him. Man, Bren round there driving a brand new Chevrolet Silverado Dually. Aunt Lynn emailed Mama some pictures of it. I gotta say it’s sweet as hell, but Cuz need to be more careful. The folks are watching his ass; they know this nigga ain’t got no job.” Monty explained. “I want him to move here and start an honest living. I don’t wanna see nothing happen to him. That shit would kill my Mama and Aunt Lynn. Mama been saying lately that she don’t know if she could handle another funeral and I wouldn’t want her to go through that again.”

“I wouldn’t wanna see that shit happen to him, either. Trust me, I know how that shit feels and I’ve put my Mama through so much as is. That’s why I’m glad I left that shit alone.” Rico said.

“I know because that shit scared the hell outta me when I’d realized that you’d been shot. That shit wasn’t no joke. Hell, Bren already had gotten into some shit with these niggas from Houston over some money that was stolen from him. So there is some ongoing beef between them. I just hope when Bren leaves Texas that he’ll bring Aunt Lynn and the rest of the family with him. I know that’s home for them, but I think that Aunt Lynn and Mama need to be closer with each other like they were when they were growing up.” Monty said. “One thing about it, Bren’s a hustler and will do whatever it takes to make that money. The business needs that.”

“I see.” Rico said. “I can’t wait to see that nigga. I’m sure we’ll have this place jumping off in no time.”

“Maurice is also coming aboard. He’ll be here next week when we meet up. He is someone who I met through a mutual friend who worked at another realty company. Now, this dude is talented and knows how to handle his business. He’s twenty-eight years old and previously worked at Lewis Realty. I had lunch with him about a month ago and was very impressed with his resume and his accomplishments. The brother is at the top of his game and I’m glad to have him working here with us. I mean, we can learn some things from this guy. He’s serious about making that money. The cool thing is that he can already see how business is going to be here and he wants to be a part of it. He could’ve gone anywhere and did his own thang, but he chose to work here with us. I feel that this was one of the best business moves that I could’ve made.

“You’re right. I’m glad he decided to come here. I can’t wait to learn some things from him.”