Ruthless (25 page)
Authors: Shelia M. Goss
Chapter 61
David had prayed daily for hours during Sheba's entire pregnancy. God had heard his cry and had answered his prayers. He thanked God silently for blessing him with a healthy son. There was nothing more beautiful than the sight of Sheba changing Solomon's diapers.
His love for his wife grew daily. Women continued to flock to him, but they were all left feeling disappointed when he shot their advances down. Some of his colleagues were amazed at his faithfulness to his wife, since they took every opportunity to cheat on their spouse.
His vibrating cell phone pulled him out of his trance. Matthew was on the other end of the phone, with information about Wade.
“I got the information you wanted,” Matthew said.
David had pushed the situation with Wade out of his mind over the past few days. Sheba and Solomon had been his top priority. Now that Sheba and Solomon were safely at home, he had to get back to the business at hand. “Matthew, I'm working from home today. Ask Trisha for the directions, and meet me here at my home in an hour.”
An hour later David kissed Sheba on the top of the head. “Baby, I'll be downstairs if you need me.”
Sheba said, “David, I told you, you don't have to watch me. I'm fine. Solomon's fine.”
“I know, but I need to spend this time with the two of you. Can you give me that please, darling?” David smiled.
“Just another reason why I love you.” Sheba blew him kisses as he walked out of their bedroom.
Matthew was seated in the living room when David entered. Matthew stood up.
David said, “You can sit.” Matthew handed David a folder before sitting back down. David took a seat across from him and said, “So give me the specifics.” David scanned the papers in the folder as Matthew talked.
“I'm afraid Wade has been undermining some of your projects, sir.”
“It's apparent. No wonder we didn't get the bid for that station in Springfield, Illinois.” David placed the folder down on the table in front of him. “Matthew, you've done a great job. I got it from here. Remember to keep this under wraps.”
“Yes, sir. I promise.”
“And thank you for respecting my family time, but you could have called me about this sooner. This was important.”
Matthew said, “But Trisha saidâ”
“Next time do exactly as I tell you. Not what Trisha tells you.”
“Yes, sir.” Matthew hung his head down low.
David got up and went to a cabinet. He turned around and handed Matthew a cigar. “Smoke one of these with me. Help me celebrate the birth of my son.”
Matthew now felt at ease. “Congratulations on your son.”
David and Matthew enjoyed a smoke together. After Matthew left, David got on the phone with his attorney.
“I want him to pay for crossing me,” David said.
His attorney responded, “You must have proof that he purposely sabotaged the deals, David. Otherwise, we don't have a case.”
“I have the proof. You just make sure you take care of him for me.”
“Done,” his attorney said.
David called Nathan but didn't get an answer. He left a message. “I know you're on your sabbatical, but, man, I need you. I need some spiritual guidance right now. Call me back when you get this message.”
A few hours later David received a text message from his attorney. Done.
David's wealth and power yielded quick results. Satisfied by the text message, he turned on the television and watched the news. In one segment a reporter was trying to interview Wade, who had been placed under arrest.
The reporter placed a microphone in Wade's face and asked, “Is it true that you've been embezzling money from DM King Media for a year?”
Wade's stricken face turned red. “No comment,” he said as he was led out of the building in handcuffs and then placed in the back of a police car.
“Wade should have known not to mess with me,” David said right before turning the television off.
He eased back up the stairs to check on his wife and child. They were both sound asleep. He gently removed Solomon from Sheba's arms and placed him in the bassinet at the side of the bed. He then removed his clothes and got in the bed beside Sheba. Before closing his eyes, he vowed to do whatever it took to protect his family and his empire.
Chapter 62
Sheba woke up to find David on his knees, praying, at the side of the bed. She didn't want to disturb him, so she remained quiet. She closed her eyes, too, as he prayed.
“Father God, thank you for showing my family grace and mercy. Thank you for my son, whom I give to you to do with what you will. I know that he will do far greater things than I ever could. I praise you today for all that you've done in my life and in my wife's life, Lord. I praise you today because you didn't have to, but you forgave me and have blessed me with my family. I thank you for giving me another chance and another chance. I tried to go on this life's journey on my own and failed. I've learned that if it's outside of your will for my life, it will fail.
“Please, Lord, continue to watch over my family near and far. Grant them your unequivocal peace. Open their hearts and minds so that they, too, can benefit from the knowledge of knowing you personally. I thank you, Father, for the favor that you've shown me throughout the years. Lord, I thank you. I thank you. If I had a thousand tongues, I couldn't thank you enough. Amen.”
Sheba said, “Amen.”
David's face looked peaceful when he looked up into Sheba's eyes. She reached her hand out to him. He took it and rose up and sat next to her. “I feel redeemed.”
“Me too,” Sheba confessed.
“I wasn't around my other kids like I should have been, but I have vowed that Solomon is going to be raised the right way, with two loving parents. We're going to teach him the ways of the Lord so that he will have a clear understanding of who the Father is and how he should live his life.”
Sheba agreed. “That means we both need to start going to church regularly.”
“Nathan's going to love that,” David said.
She and David had been attending church on a more regular basis. Although David didn't go every week, he prayed daily, and Sheba could see that he had a strong relationship with God, even if he hadn't been attending church regularly.
“Another thing we need to address is you not spending time with your other kids. I think you should see about having them visit at least once a month. I want Solomon to know his siblings,” Sheba said, batting her long black eyelashes.
David paused a few seconds before responding. “You're right. It's time that I do. Their monthly allotment isn't an excuse for me not spending more time with them.”
“Good. Now we can be one big happy family,” Sheba said as she gave David a tight hug.
Solomon started crying. David got him out of his bassinet. “I think he wants his mommy.” David handed him to her.
She looked at the clock. “Yes, he's hungry. It is about his feeding time.”
Sheba fed him, and then David helped her give him a bath.
“I'm so happy right now. I feel like I'm going to burst,” she told David as he followed her back into their bedroom.
“This is just the beginning, my love. There will be plenty more days like this one.”
Sheba hoped so. Last year was tragic for her, so the happiness she was experiencing was long past due.
The bedroom phone rang. David answered it.
“Ms. Baker is here,” the butler informed David from the other end.
David responded, “Thank you. I'll be down in a minute.” David hung up the phone and faced Sheba. “Your sister's here.”
“Tell her to come on up.” David was about to leave the room when she stopped him. She said, “Nathan's going to be Solomon's godfather, but we never discussed who his godmother would be. Do you mind if it's Delilah?” she asked.
“Truthfully, yes, I do mind.” David didn't give Sheba his reasons, because then she would know how he and Delilah had schemed behind her back. David compromised and said, “But she is your sister, and I'm going to leave that decision up to you.” Before saying another word, David left her alone to make the decision.
Minutes later, Delilah entered the room, wearing vibrant colors, which complemented her bubbly personality. She was holding a bag. “There's my favorite sister. Where is my nephew?” Delilah rushed toward the bed. She stopped by the bassinet. She removed the blanket from around his little body so she could get a better view of him. “He's a handsome little thing. Looking just like his daddy.”
Sheba agreed. He was the spitting image of David. “Don't wake him up. I just got him to sleep.”
“I'm here to help you out, so he and I will get a chance to bond.” Delilah sat on the edge of the bed. “So how are you holding up? I should be mad at you because Nathan got to see the baby before I did.”
“You've been in contact with Nathan? The two of you talk like that?” Sheba asked with a puzzled look on her face.
“Of course. He's been a real good friend. He's trying to keep me on the straight and narrow.”
“No wonder he needed a sabbatical, because doing that is a full-time job,” Sheba teased.
“Ha-ha. You got jokes.” Delilah handed Sheba the bag she had been holding. “There's something for you and Junior in there.”
“He's not a junior. We've named him Solomon.”
“He's going to be wise.”
Sheba looked at her curiously.
Delilah continued, “Don't be looking at me like that. I read my Bible.”
“I see.” Sheba removed the tissue from the bag and took out its contents. “This is the cutest little outfit. Thanks, Delilah.” She also had a matching bib with the words
I love my aunt
written across it and matching cloth shoes to go with the outfit.
I love my aunt
written across it and matching cloth shoes to go with the outfit.
“That little, handsome thing is going to look good in that,” Delilah said.
“Let's see what you got for me,” Sheba said. She retrieved a gold envelope from the bottom of the bag and opened it. She reached over and hugged Delilah. “Thank you, sis. I need this. I'll have to wait until after my checkup, but I can sure use a day at the spa.”
“I know it's not much.”
“Please. This is just what I need. And as much as I love my baby, I will be needing me some âme time' soon enough.”
Solomon woke up. Delilah surprised Sheba when she volunteered to change his diaper. Sheba wasn't going to argue with her. She laughed when Solomon squirted on Delilah. Delilah didn't find it funny.
Delilah left to go get herself settled into her guest room while Sheba fed Solomon. She sat in the rocking chair David had brought her. “You're going to be so spoiled, and I'm going to be the main one spoiling you,” Sheba said as she rocked Solomon back and forth.
Epilogue
A month later ...
“Look at our little man,” David said as he played with Solomon's little hands and feet.
Sheba watched from the distance. “He's perfect.”
“I'm the happiest man on earth,” David said as he rocked Solomon in his arms.
“It's almost time to leave for church,” Sheba said.
“I'll carry him downstairs.”
“You don't want to let him out of your sight, but you'll have to go back to work sometime, David.”
David knew Sheba was right, but after experiencing such a miracle after losing their other child, it was hard to leave him. He had taken time off from work to be with Solomon and Sheba.
Sheba carried his diaper bag as she followed them down the stairs to the waiting car. The driver held the door open and waited until David had the car seat secured in the back of the car.
“He looks just like his daddy,” Sheba stated as she looked at Solomon and then back at David.
“He gets those dimples from his mother.”
Sheba smiled. “I'm glad he got at least one of my features.”
“Now, when we have a girl, I want her to come out looking like you. Perfect.”
Sheba held up her hand. “Put the brakes on it. I think that's it for me.”
“I have ways of changing your mind,” David said. Solomon stirred in his car seat. He started crying. Sheba said, “What's wrong with mama's baby?” She rubbed his little hand, and Solomon went back to sleep.
Thirty minutes later they pulled up in front of the church.
“Let me change his diaper, and then we'll be ready,” Sheba said.
David waited outside the limousine as Sheba changed Solomon's diaper. Nathan walked up to him.
“How are you, my friend?”
“Great. Words can't express the joy I feel,” David told him.
“God deserves all the praise.”
“Amen,” David said. David reached for Solomon as Sheba exited the car.
“There's your godfather,” Sheba said as she greeted Nathan.
Nathan peeked at him. “How's my man doing?” Solomon smiled at Nathan.
Sheba cleared her throat. “Aw, fellows. I'm glad you're bonding, but it's almost time.”
Delilah rushed up the stairs behind her. “Traffic on I-Twenty was a mess. I tried calling you to let you know.”
“I forgot and left my phone at the house. I thought you were already here. We're just getting here ourselves,” Sheba said.
David had been hoping that Delilah wouldn't make it. He now understood why Uriah didn't like Delilah. Delilah had some devious ways, but he couldn't say anything to Sheba about them. For now, he would keep a watchful eye on Delilah and protect his wife and son if she dared to step out of line. David put his personal feelings about Delilah aside for his beloved wife.
They all entered the sanctuary and took their seats. Nathan prayed and spoke of the special occasion of Solomon's christening. David held Solomon as he and Sheba went to stand at the front of the altar, next to Nathan and Delilah. Although he didn't like Sheba's choice, he reluctantly agreed to let Delilah be Solomon's godmother. Delilah had her issues, but she had grown to love her sister and she adored her nephew. That he could see.
Nathan had his friend Adam Marks, Sr., come in from Greener Pastures Full Gospel Baptist Church in Shreveport, Louisiana, to preside over the regular church service. Nathan took a seat on the front pew, right next to David.
Sheba whispered, “Delilah goes to his church. Maybe when we're in Shreveport again, we can go.”
“He's good,” David responded as he rocked Solomon.
After the church service was over, David, Sheba, Delilah, Nathan, and the baby posed for pictures.
“Everyone's invited back to our place to celebrate Solomon's christening,” David said.
“I'll be there as soon as I take care of some church business,” Nathan responded.
“I'll follow y'all,” Delilah said.
David gave directions to the visiting minister and the other people who were interested in attending the celebration. Twenty guests showed up at David and Sheba's house for a Sunday feast. David watched as everyone seemed to be engrossed by Solomon. David stuck his chest out like the proud father that he was.
“He's already commanding an audience,” Sheba said as she stood next to her husband.
“Just like his daddy.” David leaned down and kissed her on the top of her forehead.
“Let's hope he's not conceited like you.”
“I'm not conceited. I'm just confident. There's a difference.”
“With you, they are one and the same,” Sheba teased.
“You got jokes, I see.” David embraced her.
“Love you, King David.” She removed herself from his embrace and went to gather Solomon up in her arms.
“I love you, too,” David said out loud, not caring who heard him.
Soon thereafter the guests left. Nathan lingered. Delilah followed Sheba upstairs with Solomon. When David and Nathan were alone, they sat down on opposite ends of the sofa.
Nathan said, “My friend, I've seen you transform into the man God wanted you to be.”
David responded, “God left me no choice.”
“Oh, you had choices.”
“True. I just chose to do things God's way for a change. The last time he whipped me, it almost left me defeated.”
“God's a merciful God.”
“Thank God for that, because I would hate for Him to remove His hands of mercy from over my life ever again.”
Nathan said, “Continue to do right by your son. God's going to bless him and the generations to come.” On that note, Nathan got up, headed to the front door, and bade his friend farewell.
David stood at the door and watched Nathan leave. He looked out at the still sunny, cloudless blue sky. He thanked God again for his wife and his son. David couldn't help but smile. He smiled from the inside out. It felt good to know that God had redeemed him. He shut the front door, knowing that a new chapter of his life was about to begin.
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