Ep 49- Circling Back

"Mr. Kong, lunch is prepared for you and your guests when you are ready." His chef said.

"Thank you!” He nodded his head at him.

Malia’s eyes got big, "Sir if you keep feeding me I won’t be able to leave your wonderful home."

"You noticed the pattern huh? Good!” He laughed. 

Once lunch was over Malia got dressed to go home. Chan walked with her down the long hall towards the elevator doors in the foyer. 

 As she strolled down the hall, he couldn't keep his eyes off her. Her walk was alluring like a panther in the wild. She walked with grace and intelligence. Her smell was intoxicating. He was completely intrigued by her essence. 

As they continued walking, he noticed the way Malia admired the rich bold Chinese artwork adorning the walls. She thought the paintings added a flare of sophistication and charm to the surroundings. Overhead she heard soft music playing in the background which created a peaceful ambiance. 

The sound of Mozart's Symphony No. 25 made her think of her days in high school when she played in the orchestra. This was a song they learned. She felt as if she were in an art gallery. The vibrant colors of the paintings and the jaw-dropping sculptures all made the area come alive with its own mystery. 

As they arrived at the elevator he stood there gazing at her, “I wish you could stay longer. I don’t want....” He said cutting himself off. Looking down he ran his fingers through his thick luscious hair. 

Clearing his throat he looked up, “I guess I thought we could lay in bed all day and watch Harlem together. We could wake up tomorrow, and do it all over again!” He gave her a shy grin.

 She was in awe of him, “I really enjoyed being with you last night and this morning!” He smiled rubbing her arm.

She felt slightly embarrassed as his security stood there as they spoke. “Your offer to stay is so damn tempting!” She put her arms around his neck and kissed him.

"I had a lovely time with you. Thank you for everything...... I mean it!! I haven’t felt this safe in a long time. You make me feel safe and cared for. Thank you for being here for me. Even with that craziness with my business and my-” 

He interrupted her by kissing her. "You don’t have to thank me. I enjoy being here for you.” He held her body close to his and kissed her head softly. His bodyguards knew to act like the King’s Guards at Buckingham Palace. They understood not to look at him while he was talking. They were to behave like they were not in the room at all. 

"Text me when you get home so I know you made it in safely.”

"Oh, I have security so I will be just fine!” She smiled at him. He laughed at her silliness. He loved that she could make him smile effortlessly. 

"Oooh by the way,” She leaned in and whispered into his ear, "The sex was amazzzzzing!” She smiled biting her bottom lip as she stepped backward onto the elevator. Watching her walk away from him felt like she was walking away forever. He was not expecting her to say that, but he felt it too. He worried that his father might try to do something to break them up. 

His father's disapproval could potentially lead him to make a drastic decision that could be the end of their relationship. The potential of his father's interference burdened him heavily. It had become a constant source of anxiety and concern for him. He knew sooner or later Malia would start to wonder about his family and why she hadn’t met them. 

Malia turned around before stepping onto the elevator and she saw an ominous stare in his eyes that startled her. She waved her dainty fingers at him and he raised his hand to wave back at her. The look in his eyes told her something was very wrong, but she had no clue as to what it was.

Walking out of the elevator Malia was elated. Her heels clicked and clacked echoing all across the parking garage as the SUV pulled up to them. Her security guard opened her door and she got into the backseat. All of this still seemed so unreal. He had around-the-clock guards to keep her safe. She hadn’t driven herself in weeks. 

Staring out the window, her heart wondered what that look in his eyes was. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something left unsaid between them, a hidden depth that only his gaze held the key to. 

She thought back over their conversation in her mind, checking for any mistakes she may have made unintentionally, that could have caused an offense. No, it definitely was not me. We were fine and then he had that look on his face. He seemed so happy right before that. 

"Hey, can we swing by Walgreens before you take me home? I need to pick something up.”

"Yes ma’am. Are you sure you don’t want us to drop you off at home first and go to the store and get it for you?”

"It’s a personal item.....I will get it myself, thanks.” She smiled. 

"Yes ma'am.” He nodded his head. 

"Thank you!" She continued looking out the window. 

Malia decided to send a group text message to her friends.

"WE FINALLY DID IT LAST NIGHT!!” She sent happy emoji faces. 

 "Ummm you did what? Don’t start no mess. Did he blow that back out or not? Cause I don’t have time for this. I have been waiting for this!!!” Wendy replied with a laughing face emoji.

"GIRRRRRRRL, HOW WAS IT!!!” Eva replied.

"Yes, Wendy WE FUCKED AND WE FUCKED ALL NIGHT LONG AND I GOT SOME THIS MORNING TOO!!!!” Malia tried to contain her laughter in the car. Her girls sent her hearts and laughing emojis.

"Girl give us the details! How big is the dick????” Wendy wanted to know.

"You don’t have to answer that question Mel.” Eva laughed. 

"Like hell, she doesn’t! We deserve all of the SMOKE!” Wendy replied. 

"Ooooookay! He was really big, too big to be honest, but hell I still rode his ass like a cowgirl. I adapted to the MEAT LOL! Okay, ladies I need to run inside and get me a Plan B. I am pulling up now to the store.”

"You let that nigga hit raw? Are you crazy? Honey don’t walk inside that bitch run!” Wendy added.

"Has he been tested for STDs?” Eva sent a concerned emoji face. 

"Yes he has been tested and he is good. I just need to get on birth control this week for sure. Now that I am getting SOME MEAT!!!" She sent crying emoji faces and laughed to herself. 

"Hey!! Why don’t we make it a girl's night in tonight and you ladies come over to my place and bring the drinks? I will take care of the food.” Malia replied. 

"I am down for that!” Eva said.

"What time?” Wendy wanted to know.

"6 o’clock. Eva, text Arie and tell her to come too!” Malia told Eva. 

“I will text her now,” Eva replied. 

"See you ladies tonight.” Malia signed off. 

Getting out of the vehicle Malia turned and looked at her bodyguards, "Think I will be okay inside....alone!” 

The security guards looked at each other and shook their heads no. 

"I will go in with you and he will stay in the car. That's the best deal we can offer you! We were told not to let you out of our sight EVER.” 

"Well come on then!” She rolled her eyes and stormed off towards the doors of the store. This is going to take getting used to, I see! 

As she walked down the aisles of the store she noticed all of the new products they had there. It felt like a lifetime ago that she had done these things for herself. 

Her security detail had even started buying her Honey Pot products. To say that they had grown close would be an understatement.

I wonder how long it will be before they catch Chris or whatever his name is. I am ready to have my life back. I do like being treated like a queen though.... I am so confused. This was never meant to be a forever thing. Once they find what's his face I can be normal again. Walking over to the pharmacy counter she stood in line.

"Hi, what can I help you with?” She asked with a smile on her face.

"Where would I find the Morning After Pill? I looked around but I didn’t see it.” She turned around reading the signs at the store to see if she had missed something. 

The woman rolled her eyes at her, “Right this way please!” 

She took her down the aisle and pointed at the bottom shelf before she walked off with a visible attitude.

“Ummmm thanks? Your customer service sucks. Clearly asking YOU for help is not in YOUR job description???" The frumpy poorly dressed woman shrugged her shoulders and walked away. 

Malia grabbed the box and headed for the front checkout stand. Standing in line Malia read the front of a People Magazine cover.

"Hey, that guy is staring at you over there hard! Do you know him?” 

Malia turned around to see who was talking to her. It was a tall older white man with glasses. He pointed at the man staring at her. 

“Ooooh him? He is with me.” Tiu picked up a bag of chips trying to blend in with the rest of the shoppers but everything about him stood out. He looked like he worked for the Secret Service.

Malia paid for her items and headed back to the car. 

Arriving at her condo she thought it felt nice to finally be at home. As she took her shoes off her security detail checked out her place to ensure it was safe. 

"All clear. We are going to stand outside the door. If you need us just call.”

"Okay, thanks! I have friends coming over tonight at 6.”

"How many guests are you expecting?” He wondered.

"Just my girls are coming over, so it will be the four of them.” 

He nodded his head and turned away. 

Chan was working on his computer getting something finished for his father when the phone rang.

"Hey, Russell......” Putting the burner phone on speaker.

"Man, why is Pops tripping so hard?”

"About what?” He asked while typing on his computer. 

"What’s going on?? Father was the holdup now he is saying it is us. I don’t understand. You still there?” Russell asked as he drove fast weaving in and out of traffic.

"I am here. Let’s pay these mother fuckers a visit on Monday morning.”

"Alright cool.” Russell added. 

"Hey send me your IT guy's info. I need him to look into something for me.” 

“We got our own people on the payroll what do you want his info for?” 

“For the same reason why you use him instead of our people!!!”

"Yeah, I understand. I will text you once I get out the car.”

"Cool!”

Once he arrived he pulled his cell phone out and started to text Chan while he handed his keys to the valet.

Hey!! Don’t fuck my ride up bro or that's your ass?” The young man in the red vest looked scared. His eyes darted around nervously, searching for anyone who may be able to help him. He didn't know what Russell would do to him. He looked vicious and the valet was right to fear for his safety around Russell. 

"Hey, this is Russell’s brother. I need your assistance on a private matter.”

"What do you need done?” The man asked.

"I need you to access my father’s cloud files to see if he has anything on a woman by the name of Malia Williams." 

Chan's other phone lit up. Looking over at it he noticed it was a text from Malia. 

"Made it home safe. I am going to clean up a little bit before the girls come over tonight.” 

"You ladies have fun. I will send something for you all.” He texted her back.

"Babe!! Nooooo. You have done too much for me already. We are fine.” 

"It is already done, bye!"

"Bye, babe!" She smiled at the phone.

As Malia cleaned her house the phone rang. She looked down at the phone to see who was calling but she didn't recognize the number. 

"Uh I hate when people call and I don't know who it is! Something tells me I will regret this! Here we go!! WHAT?"

 "Damn girl! You sound mad! Who pissed you off?" He laughed.

"Antonio, what do you want? I think we established we could no longer be friends. I don't think April would approve." He was taken aback by her words. 

He cleared his throat, "I need to speak to you face to face!" He sounded desperate. 

"Absolutely the fuck NOT!" She sharply replied. 

"Mel, I care about you! That will never change no matter who I am with...." Antonio felt bold. 

"I am with Chan and I am in love with him. Why are you doing this now???"

"I don’t know!!! I fucked up bad with you. I am sorry. I know we will never be together and I respect that, but we can't throw away nearly 20 years for nothing. We didn't have sex. Nothing happened. It was just a misunderstanding. We can move on like nothing happened!" 

"You need to get your head in the game. You are getting married next month. I am happy for you, but I don't want anything to do with you or April. Do you know what people have been saying about me because I went over there and had too much to drink, and stayed the night?? Look we can't be friends. Too much was said that can't be changed or taken back. I let go! Now it's time you do the same!" She hung the phone up in his face and blocked the number he called her from.

Antonio stood outside his house looking more confused than ever. He tried to call her back and quickly realized he had been blocked. "FUCKKKKK!" He kicked the trash can.

April opened the door to stare him down. Something in the pit of her stomach told her he called Malia. He never walked away to make a call. The fact he didn't want April to hear his conversation was a sign he was being sneaky. 

Chan was angry with Antonio's call to Malia. Chan felt a deep surge of jealousy course through him. He felt betrayed by Antonio's actions. Chan felt that their business arrangement should have come before any romantic interest. Chan couldn't help but question Antonio's loyalty and intentions for Malia.

I guess I will be stopping by Antonio's office on Monday after my meeting. He needs to hear it from me once and for all! He slammed his computer shut. 

"Your father's files have some of the best security features out there on his account. It will take me some time, but I will be able to hack it. Ummm are you still there?”

"Yeah, I am here." Chan's, mind had drifted away. He was mad. "Well, that's good to hear! Let me know what you find!”