Brea
I was typing the meeting notes as Kristy went over the plan for the day with the team.
This job wasn't as exciting as my job at the old company but I enjoyed being able to hang out with my best friend all day while making money.
"We are going to be very busy today but I know you all are going to do amazing. If you need anything let me know please!", she smiled as she closed out the meeting.
Everyone spoke their acknowledgments before going back to what they were during before the meeting started.
Walking out of the conference room, I walked to the lobby and unlocked the door as soon as the clock struck 7:30AM.
I pushed the door open with a welcoming smile as I saw a patient standing outside.
"Come on in!", I spoke.
And Kristy was right!
It was so busy all day that when we got back to the apartment, we slumped on the couch and just relaxed.
"I invited Mike over for our movie night with the twins if that's okay?", Kristy asked sheepishly.
"That's fine, girl! It's your place.", I laughed.
"It's yours too and I want you to be comfortable!", she responded.
"I am comfortable!", I laughed as I stood to head to my room.
"I'm going to take a shower and get ready.", I huffed as I gathered my belongings.
Kristy nodded.
"Me too. What time is Justin dropping off the twins?", she asked.
Checking my phone, I responded.
"In about two hours."
"Okay. I'm happy that Justin didn't actually go through with his threat of getting full custody.", she stated.
"I am too. I think he was only trying to scare me so that I'd come running to him.", I replied.
"Like last time....", Kristy agreed.
"Please. I have a job and my own place. I've been taking care of them for 5 years alone-", I sniffled as Justin sat on my couch with his lawyer.
"Because of your own fucking feelings, Brea! I have a right to know my kids!", he shouted.
His lawyer placed his hand on Justin's arm.
"Calm down, Justin. Brea, just sign him over full custody. You don't want this to go to the courts.", his lawyer spoke to me softly.
"I know my rights as well! I'm not an unfit mother!", I shouted.
The lawyer went to open his mouth but his phone rang in his pocket.
Pulling it out, he sweared under his breath.
"I have to go. My apologies. Can we continue this at another time?", he rushed out as he gathered his things.
Before any of us could respond to him, he rushed out of my condo.
"I think you should go too. I don't even know how you found us.", I spoke as I crossed my arms over my chest.
"I'm not going anywhere! You owe me an apology.", he spat angrily.
"Look, I'm sorry okay. So now can you just leave. The twins are with Kristy out of state so-", I started.
"Why did you leave me, Brea? Why didn't you just come back when you found out about the twins?", he questioned me.
Shaking my head, my nails started to dig into my skin from how hard I was making a fist.
"You forgot about the last time we were together or something?", I retorted.
"I didn't forget and I apologize for that! It was wrong of me to...to-", he muttered.
"To knock out my teeth! I didn't even know I was pregnant until after the surgery. I had to get new teeth! The babies were under so much stress because of you. I didn't want you to be involved-", I interrupted.
Justin stood to his feet quickly and pointed at me.
"Don't fucking interrupt me, Brea!", he shouted.
"See! You are still the same!", I shouted back.
"Because I don't like to be interrupted...I am still the same?", he asked with an annoyed tone.
"No! You don't like me to tell you the truth! You don't love me! If you loved me, we wouldn't be standing here today! How did you even find me?", I hissed.
Justin ignored my question and instead looked around my apartment.
Walking over to the photos of the twins on the wall, he stopped at their newborn photos.
"They look just like me when I was a baby.", he spoke warmly.
"Funny...I thought they looked just like me.", I spoke with annoyance now.
Justin glanced over at me and ran a hand through his hair as he looked me up and down.
"You shouldn't dress like that when you have guest over.", he deadpanned.
Glancing down at my tank top and tiny shorts, I rolled my eyes.
"You mean when you barged in?", I questioned.
"Tomayta....tomahto.", he responded lowly.
"Well...I think it's time for you to go-", I responded.
"Brea.", he breathed out slowly, catching me off guard.
My heart skipped a beat as he fully turned to me, giving me all his attention once again.
"Yes?", I answered.
"I've missed you....and I know you've missed me. Why else have my photos on the wall with the kids?", he spoke in a calming tone.
Crossing my arms, I looked away from him....which was a mistake.
He reached me in 3 large strides and wrapped his arms around me.
Gasping, I tried to pull away.
"Justin!", I said loudly.
He ignored me and grabbed the back of my head, forcing me to keep my ear on his chest.
"Do you hear that, Brea? It's been beating so fast since we've been in the same room.", he continued.
Pushing again, I tried to get away.
"How can you say that I don't love you when you make me react the way I do? I was so depressed for the last 5 years, Brea.", he rushed out.
Finally breaking free from his grasp I took a large step back.
"Respect my boundaries and don't touch me again! Or better yet, leave!", I shouted as my throat started to become dry.
Of course I dreamed of what it would be like to be a family.
But in my dreams I was beaten while my kids suffered too.
"I can't do that, Brea. It's been so long....", he spoke darkly.
"Leave! Now!", I shouted.
He took one step towards me that caused me to take a step back.
But I could feel it.
It was floating around me like butterflies.
Landing on me softly but yet so forcefully.
He took another step towards me and this time I stayed where I was.
"I- I want you to leave.", I whispered.
He took another step towards me.
"What do you want, Brea? I couldn't hear you.", he asked finally standing in front of me.
I remained silent as we looked deeply into each other's eyes.
"I won't promise that I won't hurt you again....but as long as you can forgive me. I'll try my best to respect your boundaries.", he continued after a moment of us just looking into each other's eyes.
Nodding my head, I inhaled deeply.
"I'll forgive you....but I can't forget what you've done to me.", I finally spoke.
It was like something in me changed....
Something that I had pushed to the back of my mind a long time ago.
The feelings I had for this man once surrounded me and grabbed me as soon as I let my guard slip.
Justin smiled brightly.
Before I knew it, he had bent down and placed a soft kiss on my lips.
Shocked, I placed my hands on his chest but I didn't push him away.
"Come back to me, Brea."
"Juda....Alex is your friend right?", Jaci asked her brother as the movie began to start.
Kristy and Mike were in the kitchen having a hushed conversation so I didn't want to interrupt.
"Alex is my friend. Why?", Juda asked with an amused tone.
"Oh. Uh- my friend likes him.", she quickly responded causing me to side eye her but I didn't say anything.
"Alex is focused on sports right now.... I highly doubt he'd bat an eye at your friend group anyways.", Juda laughed.
Jaci gasped dramatically and placed a hand on her chest.
"What is that supposed to mean?", she questioned but Juda just ignored her as he chuckled softly to himself.
"I'm sure Alex would love to befriend any girl in your friend group, sweetheart.", I chimed in.
Jaci looked at me and rolled her eyes before turning back to the movie.
Deciding to let it slide, I turned my attention back to the movie as well.
A knock on the door halfway into the movie startled me.
Glancing around and seeing that everyone was too engrossed in the movie, I stood and walked out of the living room towards the front door.
As I reached the door, the person knocked again.
I quickly swung the door open to be met with Justin's face.
Our communication had been low since the night at the club.
He apologized and I forgave him.....only because of the kids though.
Tilting my head in confusion, I went to ask what he was doing here before a dainty hand with red fingernails grabbed his shoulder.
The person connected to said hand popped her head around Justin and smiled.
"You must be Kristy! Mike talks about you a lot.", she smiled.
"And you are?", I asked.
Justin just stood there watching the exchange with a caught look on his face.
This time she tilted her head in confusion at my unamused response.
"Um...I'm Daisy.....", she responded her smile faltering a bit.
"How long have y'all been together?", I asked.
"Well...we aren't together yet. We haven't made it official-", she started.
"How long?", I interrupted.
"I've known Justin for about 10 years....I was always just a fling but he finally gave us a real chance at a relationship last month. I'm assuming your not Kristy. Who are you?", she snapped back with attitude.
"I'm the mother of his children who was also in a relationship with him more than 10 years ago......", I said as I crossed my arms.
She must have been the rebound when I left and the rebound now.
"That's interesting. Justin told me the mother of his kids was a deadbeat with no job.", She smirked.
This nasty bitch had some nerve.
"Let me tell you something-", I started to say as I stepped towards her but was pulled back.
Turning I saw Kristy there with a nervous smile.
"Hey, Justin.....Mike's grabbing it right now. I didn't hear you knocking if I did....this wouldn't be-", Kristy spoke.
"Nope. Let me go, K. This girl don't know shit about me but she about to find out.", I said yanking away from Kristy.
"Oh, I would love to find out.", the girl said as she pushed her purse into Justin's chest.
"What's going on- oh, hey Daisy!", Juda said as he walked into the hallway straight past Kristy and I into Daisy's open arms.
"My man! Are you enjoying your week?", she asked.
"This place is small! I asked dad to let me stay but he said y'all are having a date night this week.", Juda whined as he pulled away from her.
Small?
Scoffing, I rolled my eyes and walked away from them.
Making it back to the living room, I plopped back down into the spot I was in.
So he can move on but I can't?