Chapter 5 – you are welcome wifey

Rosie

After I was done bathing, having reined in my annoyance because it seemed my dear husband found joy in seeing me flare up, I opened the closet to steal his sweatshirt to wear before going to my apartment to pick up my things. But, to God be the glory, I found clothes in my size.

I was shocked, or should I say flabbergasted. Was he expecting me, or when did he plan all this? There were dresses that I could never have dreamed of owning. Only God knew how much they must have cost. I went from section to section, from gown to short, to shirt, even my underwear.

My cheeks flared up at the audacity, but I didn’t have a choice, and I picked one simple blue knee-length gown, which fit perfectly. I nodded in approval. At least he knew my ball, I smirked.

I walked out of the room into the living room. The living room was simple yet beautiful, yet big, with a sleek marble floor and ceiling-to-floor windows overlooking the city skyline. It was overwhelming with its extravagant space as I padded barefoot into the attached kitchen. I couldn’t or wouldn’t call myself someone who liked cooking, but the kitchen was like a dream come true for a chef. I navigated the appliances and quickly whipped up a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast.

I heard the shuffle of feet and raised my head with the tray of food in my hands to see Mia had woken up, a yawn escaping her mouth as she rubbed her eyes with one hand and clutched a teddy bear with the other.

I smiled at her, setting the tray on the table.

“Rosie.” She grumbled.

I smiled. “How are you, baby?” I crouched to her level and ruffled her hair.

“Happy,” she grinned before running to the table for breakfast, while I tsked.

“No, young lady,” I said, making a stern face. “Have you brushed your teeth?”

She grumbled. “No, but I’m hungry,” she argued.

“No, you have to brush your teeth,” I sighed. “How old are you for me to be telling you this?” I rubbed my forehead. It was always the same in the morning.

“Seven.” She raised her fingers, then grinned.

“So go brush your teeth. Everything has been prepared, or do you want me to come and bathe you?” I grinned, and she shook her head before laughing and running off.

After Mia was done—well, Mia’s dress had been prepared also—we ate, and I took her hand to get things done. I couldn’t just sit down without doing anything. Jude had left earlier after he gave me the card, saying he had a meeting with someone. I didn’t pay it any mind because I was thrilled he took his annoying face along.

Stepping out of the elevator onto the ground floor, I gripped Mia’s hand tighter, looking out of space. I did my best not to look around at the pristine floor or the beautiful, peaceful environment. But it was impossible to ignore because money talks, I thought to myself, rushing out of the lobby.

I took a cab to my apartment. When I got there, I breathed in the familiar sweat, smoke, and polluted environment that assaulted my nostrils, and I exhaled quickly. The people looked at me somehow, and I shrugged. This wasn’t the first time I’d been looked at like that, especially when Mia was with me.

I had heard some nasty talk about me from those nosy, gossiping ladies at the front of the building. Their only work was to judge, talk, and gossip.

As I entered the building, the landlady hurried to me and glared while I rolled my eyes. Here we go again. I was living on the rooftop of the two-story building, a house that looked like it would collapse any minute. The landlady had beef with me since it seemed her husband always seemed to take his eyes off me. Why have beef with innocent little me instead of your husband?

“You wench!” The landlady pointed a crooked finger at me, and I breathed in, then smiled before turning to Mia. I wouldn’t listen to her insecurity today, or her projecting her low self-esteem on me. I just wanted to pick up the necessary things and leave this hellhole.

“Can you go up and wait for me, baby?” I whispered, and Mia nodded.

As Mia was about to move, the landlady stood in front of her, stopping her. I raised my brow at that action.

“Where do you think you are going!” she screamed, her nasal voice irritating my ears.

“Mia, go,” I urged. Mia looked back at me, and I gestured with my head for her to go while staring at the landlady to stop the girl again. After she was out of sight, the smile on my face fell. “What’s the meaning of this?” I asked.

The landlady sneered at me, meeting my gaze with hatred. “You are not welcome here anymore. You’ve done enough in my building. Don’t jinx it with your bad luck!”

“What do you mean?” I furrowed my brows in confusion. I think I was lost in translation.

“You heard me. I don’t want you here anymore.”

I didn’t understand what was causing this again. I hoped her drunk husband hadn’t come to my door, professing his love again. Every time that happened, the landlady always acted out. “But my rent hasn’t expired yet.”

“I don’t care. Just leave,” the landlady gritted out. “You’ve done enough damage already,” and those nosy women snickered among themselves, living for the drama in front of them.

I rubbed my throbbing forehead. This was still my place that I worked my ass off and paid for. “You can’t mean that. We can call the cops...”

“Call the police, I don’t care.” She cut me off unapologetically. “You’ve done enough. God knows who you owe money to and came to ransack and disturb my building yesterday!”

My eyes widened at that. Did that mean Josh and his guys came here yesterday? Why? But I’d paid more than this month’s agreed payment. Why did he do that?!

“And my husband...” I didn’t hear her nagging before I ran upstairs as I flung the door open, my breath caught. Everything was shattered. My few clothes were torn, furniture was flipped, and our meager belongings were scattered across the floor like garbage.

I clenched my fists so tightly my nails bit into my palms. That fucker!

I raised my head as I felt tears wanting to fall. I didn’t sign up for this life of being shackled with debt that wasn’t mine. I knew the landlady would be happy now. She had been finding a way to send me out, and this was one opportunity.

Mia walked to me, holding a broken picture frame of both of us, her eyes lowered. “Are you okay?” she asked softly, and I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing the tears that wanted to escape from my eyes. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

I nodded, picking up the few little things inside the bag that Mia was already packing before I came upstairs, but the landlady walked up to me, yanked it, then threw it down the staircase.

“How dare you!” I gritted out, tired of her insensitivity.

“Just get out.”

As I rushed down the stairs, wanting to pick my things, I saw Jude walking toward me with his hands in his pockets, and I was shocked. What are you doing here?

“Daddy!” Mia shouted, running to Jude as Jude opened his arms and carried her up, then looked at me and then to the landlady.

“I came to pick up my wife, and I saw this. Should I be grateful?” he asked. Even though the expression on his face looked serene, the voice was not, as the landlady just blinked.

“Wifey,” he walked to me, wiped my face, then turned to the landlady, who swallowed whatever she wanted to say.

The women downstairs stood up with widened eyes, tilting their heads to see more. Most couldn’t believe their eyes.

He took my hands, making me drop the bag before letting me trot after him to where he parked his car. It was very rare to see this kind in this trenched neighborhood. I didn’t know much about cars, but I knew it would be worth hundreds of thousands with how sleek it was.

I didn’t know why, but at that moment, my heart skipped when he opened the door for us. I entered the backseat and turned my head, using my hair to cover my face.

“I don’t need saving,” I muttered in a small, shaky voice, but I was really grateful for seeing him.

“I know,” he smiled. “But you are welcome, wifey.”

***

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