The Streets Or Me: A Louisiana Love Story (12 page)

How could the one I gave my heart to, break my heart so bad?

How could the one who made me happy, make me feel so sad?

Won’t somebody tell me? So I can understand.

If you love me, how could you hurt me like that?

How could the one I gave my world to, throw my world away?

How could the one who said I love you, say the things you say?

How could the one I was so true too, just tell me lies?

How could the one I gave my heart to, break this heart of mine?

Tell me........Aaliyah

I parked my car at the levee and just sat there, staring in space. I was still finding it hard to wrap my head around the fact that Legacy cheated on me. Thirteen long years of us being together, I never cheated on him, but he goes and cheats on me with some random thot. How could he do this to me? I mean I gave him the best part of me and loved him unconditionally. Is this really the thanks I get?

I pull out my phone as it vibrated constantly. I type in my lock code and see a message from Luke pop up.

Luke: We took the stuff you asked for to Chi's old townhouse, the keys are in the mailbox.

Me: Thanks Luke, I really appreciate it.

Luke: No problem. I love you Khy, be careful.

Me: I love you too, see you soon.

I locked my phone and lay my head back against the seat, closing my eyes. It's almost six in the evening, and I just want to get away from the drama and stress that is Monroe, Louisiana. Where should I go though? I could always go to Grambling or Shreveport for awhile, but that's still too close for me. I mean I want to get away, but how far should I go?

I'm knocked from my thoughts by my phone ringing, I look at the id and saw Miracle's sister, Sierra, calling.

"Hey Si, what's up?"

"Nothing much, just checking on you. What's going on?"

"In desperate need of a vacation. It's too much stress and I need to get away from it. Plus, Legacy and I are on a break."

"If you really wanna get away Khy all you have to do is pack your bag, grab some cash or whatever hop in the car, and come out to Nola with me and Camille. Give Legacy ass a chance to miss you."

"Maybe you right SiSi. I mean if I stay then it'll only cause more stress to myself and the babies, and I damn sure don't wanna stress them."

Dr. Lee warned me that if my stress levels and blood pressure gets any higher that I may go into premature labor. He's doing his best to keep them in until I make 36 weeks and he'll induce me, but shit I can't help what I’m going through. smh

"There ain't no maybe boo, I am right. As long as you stay in Monroe, you gon' drive yourself crazy. Look you don't have to stay forever just come for a week or two and relax."

"I guess I can come chill with you guys until it's time for my next appointment. Ya’ll better make this long ass trip worth my time, Sierra."

"Lol, we will boo. Just get your ass here. Hell, bring Lucy and Jasyira with you too, it’ll be our own mini vacation."

"I know that's right. Look I’m getting kinda tired and God knows I need the rest so I’ll call you in the morning ok."

"Aight girl, but don't forget to think about what I said. If you don't do it for you then honey do it for them babies 'cause they deserve peace and happiness just as much as you. I love you Khyia and you know I wouldn't tell you nothing wrong."

“I know. I love you too Sierra...talk to you later, bye."

I hang up the phone with her words weighing heavy on my mind, maybe I should get away for awhile at least for a few weeks. Hopefully me not being here will make Legacy open his eyes and see that I’m not gonna be around forever while he plays games. It's too much of a risk for the babies and I can't wait around forever...something's gotta give.

My mind been on another planet since she left me. It's been two months and I haven't heard a thing from her; I don't even know if her or my babies are safe. That's all that's been on my mind since she sent me that text a few days after Luke and Lucy came to get her stuff.

My Wifey: One of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do is walk away from the man that I’ve loved since I was a teenager. Even though you hurt me, I will never stop loving or caring for you. But I need time. Maybe when I come back, things will be better. For now, it's best we be apart, for the sake of ourselves and the babies. Don't worry, I’m fine. I love you Legacy, be safe.

I must've read that text a million times over and each time my heart felt like it was being ripped from my chest. It's my own fault that she left, all she wanted was for me to experience and enjoy this pregnancy with her and I couldn't even be bothered with that 'cause my head so focused on the business. I hated the person I was becoming, but there was no way to turn back, I was in deeper than before.

I expanded our line of product, adding prescription drugs to our cartel. I put several pharmacists on payroll to get whatever prescription drug that my clients desired, as well as a plug on medicinal weed and treats. Business was booming like hell, but I couldn't enjoy the success.

Now that Khy is gone, I haven't been able to reap the fruits of my labor 'cause I ain't got her by my side. I literally been on a rampage since she left, destroying anybody that crossed me wrong or fucked up in the smallest way. Whether it was a worker fucking up a drop or just a client that decided to play any type of game with me and my money. I must've hurt or hospitalized several of my workers for the smallest shit.

I was snapped from my thoughts by Marco walking into my office with a phone in his hand.

"Killa on the phone boss."

I took the phone and waved him off as I placed it to my ear.

"Any word yet?"

"No calls, no texts, nothing. I can't believe I let this shit happen."

"Exactly how did this happen Legacy? You made it clear that you could handle this life and your relationship with Khyia. What the hell happened?"

"The same thing that happened when you became nonexistent in her life because of this business."

I wasn't about to tell the man that trust me with his only daughter that I cheated on her. Fuck all that.

"Don't blame me because you can't control your thirst for power and maintain your family. Now I may have not been physically there as she grew up, but I made damn sure to be by Queen's side both times that I knocked her up regardless of what powers came in these streets. That's what you have workers for so you don't have to be out 24/7."

"I ain't tryna hear-"

"I don't give a damn what you tryin' to hear young blood, but you hear this, if my baby girl isn't found safe and back at your house in the next 24 hours, you can forget about any power you've attained as well as her and the twins 'cause you won't live to see them born you hear me."

He hung up and I threw the phone against the wall causing it to shatter as my boys ran in the room.

"Boss, what the fuck is going on mayne?" Rook asked.

"Muhfuckas better search every fucking inch of Louisiana, high and low. Find Khyia so I can bring her and my babies back here or that's all our asses!"

"You heard what the fuck he said, get movin' niggas!" Marco yelled.

They all filed outta my office without uttering another word. I was pissed 'cause all this bullshit was my fault now Killa threatening my life if I don't get his only daughter back here safe and sound. I know the nigga not joking about killing me or even having me killed 'cause I done seen him kill niggas that crossed him with his bare hands. I know he won't have a problem offing me.

I sit back at my desk as my eyes land on the photo of Khyia during a maternity shoot she had before we found out the babies’ sex. She looked so beautiful. Looking at the photo made me realize just how much I missed her. Her smile, her laugh, her scent, her eyes, just her entire presence was everything to me. Now I’m sitting alone in this big ass house trying to figure out where the hell she went. Wherever she went she was smart about not wanting me to find her 'cause she took cash instead of taking one of the many credit cards that we had.

Wherever she is I just want her safe. I got up from the desk grabbing the keys to my BMW and heading out the door. I can't just sit around and not look for her on my own. I was driving down the highway when my car phone rang, I answered not checking the id.

"Whoever this is better have good news."

"It's Chi. Look Khy gon' kill me for telling you this, but she in Nola. Apparently she got a spot in the French Quarters, working a lil manager position at a clothing spot called Angelique’s."

"How the fuck could you know that?"

"Obviously I talked to her nigga the fuck. Look just get her back to Monroe before Killa murders yo ass."

"I got it bruh, good lookin' out."

"You on ya own next time...one."

We ended the call and I changed my route hitting I-20 east to New Orleans. I drove in silence thinking about the bullshit I had put Khy through, since I got out of jail a year ago. From the random bitches at her neck to me losing my job and getting back in the streets to gaining all of this power to now getting her pregnant and neglecting her for the streets. Khyia has been loyal to a fault since the day we met and it seems that all I’ve done is take her for granted.

That one night stand with Kiari left me full of regret and hate towards myself. It's the very reason Khy not with me now. Lately my actions got me rethinking this whole "King of Louisiana" shit, but it's too late to turn back. Now I gotta deal with the consequences of whatever comes with this shit.

I was about two hours away from New Orleans, driving on auto as I thought about away to get me outta this game besides jail or the grave. It wasn't gone be easy getting out, that's for damn sure, but I need to get away from the streets for awhile. For Khyia and the babies’ sake at least.

I finally enter New Orleans Downtown, looking for the store that Chino told me about. After driving around for 'bout thirty minutes, I pulled in the lot in front of the store then got outta my car. I looked around at the outside of the store for a minute before walking inside. It was one of them expensive, upscale clothing stores for women. I chuckled lightly 'cause this was always the type of environment that Khy enjoyed. She always said she wanted to open an upscale boutique and sale clothes that she designed herself.

I walked up to the front counter where this beautiful saleswoman was talking to a customer. They both stopped mid-sentence and smiled at me.

"Welcome to Angelique’s. My name is Cristy, how may I assist you?" She asked.

"How you doing ma? I was wondering if I could speak to ya manager." I said.

"Of course, just a moment. A’Khyia, you have a customer darling." She called in her southern accent.

" 'Preciate that ma." I said.

"No problem sir." She nodded.

I sat in the lil chair they had against the wall, texting Marco. I needed him to make sure everything ran smooth while I handled shit with Khy and got her home.

"Sorry I took so long Cristy, but these babies are literally using my bladder as a punching bag. Where's the customer?" she asked, coming from the back.

I gave her a quick once over as she smoothed down the front of the sundress she was wearing, making her stomach more visible. She like 25 weeks now and for the first time since we announced the pregnancy, she's glowing.

"Right here," I said, standing up.