Forbidden (Completed) EDITING - Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Demarcus
I sat back behind the wheel of my car. I watched every teacher and admin leave out of the office building. I noticed teachers I knew some I didn't know. Everybody but him.
It's been three days. A rough three days it's been.
I haven't left by Erica's side in that time. I won't even though she told me I should go back to my place. I declined. It's hurting me seeing her hurt. I'm tired of these motherfuckers keep getting in the way of her happiness. First it was her ex husband now it's this clown.
I've watched her spirit completely deteriorate. She's always bright, optimistic, youthful even. I haven't seen her crack a smile at least when I tried to make her laugh. It's like someone pulled a lever and turned her off.
It was easy to escape tonight. She's knocked out after a Tylenol PM. She's been urging me to leave this alone. And let her figure out a way to handle it herself. I couldn't stand for that. I just couldn't. If she knows me like I think she does.
She would know. I can't live this down. I don't care about two wrongs not making a right. What he did was wild.
"Damn, where the hell is this nigga at?" I said as I looked at the time on my dash. It was ten o'clock. I turned on some R&B to keep me calm. If I listened to trap, it would get more amped than I already am.
David finally exited the building. He was walking with someone. Awfully close with that ugly ass smirk on his face. I grabbed my phone and zoomed in and took a few pictures of this encounter as they stood and talked for a minute.
I watched him walk to his car, parked in the parking lot adjacent to me. I waited til a few cars got in front of me as well all exited the parking lot. I didn't want it to seem like I was following him even though I am. I stopped at the redlight on purpose. He was able to go ahead of me. I timed it.
As we got on the highway. I had a sense of the direction he was going in. I know the city of Atlanta like the back of my hand and parts of Georgia. I circled around his block so I could get a good look of what driveway he had parked in.
I parked a few houses down. I pulled my hoodie over my head when I got out of my car. When I approached the driveway he was just getting out of his car.
"Woah woah," He threw his hands up. "Young buck, you don't gotta rob me." he proceeded to pull a wad of cash from his pants pocket. "How much do you need, Son?"
"I'm not your fucking son! I don't need your change chump change."
His eyes squinted as he looked at me. Probably trying to figure me out. "Don't I know you?"
"Nah, you don't know me. But we know somebody mutually." I kept my hands tucked in my sweats.
"And who is that?"
"Erica."
He snickered. "So she hired you to come and take me out?"
"Don't worry about it. She told me what you did to her."
"Whatever she said I did. It's not like it wasn't mutual. She wanted it." He shrugged. "These women parade around in tight clothes, flirt with you.Then when you come on to them. It's rape when you only followed their actions."
"You a sick ass motherfucker."
"Listen, boy! You don't know who you're talking to." He raised his voice.
I threw a right hook connecting to his cheek. Making him fall to the ground."What? You ain't got all that mouth now?" I stood over him as he was trying to get up. I kicked him in his stomach. I kneeled down as he groaned in pain.
"You stay away from her. If I hear you did just the slightest thing to make her uncomfortable. I will kill you." I kicked him one last good time. I took the wad of cash he had planned on giving to me anyway.
"Good morning, Beautiful." I said as I placed the takeout I ordered from Waffle House on the counter. I was shocked to see her up . I'm just glad she's out of bed in general. I thought I would have to pry her out of it.
I bet she barely noticed I was out of the bed last night.
"Good Morning." She said flatly.
I walked over to her. She was sitting at the dining room table on her computer. I kissed the top of her head. It smelled good. She must've just washed it. She had it up in a messy bun. A few curls stray. She had her glasses on. This was my favorite Erica. I loved when she didn't try too hard. I mean of course, the made up Erica is fine too.
My eyes glanced down at the computer screen. She had her resume up.
"What are you doing, Bae?"
"Just going over my resume. That's all."
"Looking for a new gig?"
"Yeah, I think this whole incident was a sign. The unfortunate push I might need to take a risk and figure out what else I want to do."
"Well, I'm glad you are optimistic. You know I told you, you should've been doing what Erica wants to do." I pulled her into me. "So you're quitting?"
"Yeah, I think it'll be best. David already wanted me fired. If I leave on my own merit... it won't look too suspicious."
"Whatever decision you make is fine with me."
The selfish part of me is excited. If she doesn't teach on campus no more. I don't have to worry about still walking on eggshells. Cause I'm tired of it and I'm tired of what society thinks. You can't help who you fall in love with. That's what my grandma used to tell me.
"Why don't you take a break from this." I closed her computer. "I know you're hungry."
"Yeah, I could eat." she said softly.
She hadn't been eating. I know she's traumatized. It's in the little things that I notice it. When we're sleeping she stays in my arms majority of the night. Any other time she drifts away from me.
I took the food out of the containers and plated them. I reheated them. To jazz up our breakfast. I made us some mimosas. To lighten the mood a little bit.
"I got Bri some food too." I took a sip from my glass.
"I'm sure she will appreciate that whenever she comes out of her room." She chuckled.
"She still sleep?"
"Yes. She begged me to stay home. Used that," She air quoted. "I'm a senior. We're not doing anything important."
I laughed. "I remember those days."
She sighed heavily but a slight smile still appeared.
"What are you over there thinking about?" I asked.
"I don't know. Just thinking about how much my life changed in a span of months. You know people say how much things can change in a matter of months but I didn't believe them. My life had seemed to be stagnant for months...years even."
"Changed for the better I hope." I reached for her hand. She rested hers in mine.
"Of course. You are probably the best change of it all." Her beautiful brown eyes sunk into me. Giving me that feeling that I love. She continued. "I know it hasn't been easy but I appreciate you for being here and loving me, from the beginning."
"Don't mention it. I'd do it all over again."
She leaned over to kiss me. I stroked my thumb over her hand as it continued resting in my grip.
"I love you, beautiful." I said.
"I love you too."
"I want you to know that you are the only woman I want. I don't have the eyes that I used to have for other women. I used to be so easily tempted if they made even the slightest gesture. None of them could make me feel the way you do."
"You're gonna make me cry. I'm too emotional for this right now." She fanned her eye.
"Don't cry." I used my thumb to wipe her cheek. "You've been doing too much of that. Smile."
She forced one.
"What do you got planned today?" She asked me.
"I got a class soon but after that it's up in the air. You want me to stay over again?"
"If it's not too much to ask. I know you want to hang out with your friends and be in your world."
"They'll be aight. If you need me here, I'll be here."
It's just that simple when it comes to her. I don't mind not hanging out with my niggas. They'll still be around. Still doing the same shit.
The near future with Erica is uncertain. Not for me. I'm all in. But I know she might have some doubts. I don't wanna think about that. Right now she's mine and I'm gonna spend every moment I can with her.