Off Camera Affair 3 (The Motor City Drama Series)

OFF CAMERA AFFAIR 3

THE MOTOR CITY DRAMA SERIES

By Jazz Jordan

SMASHWORDS EDITION

PUBLISHED BY:

Platinum Life Publishing on Smashwords

This novel is a work of fiction. Any similarities to persons (living or deceased) is coincidental and a product of the author’s imagination.

Copyright © 2014 Jazz Jordan

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission.

Books In This Series:

Off Camera Affair 1

Off Camera Affair 2

Off Camera Affair 3

Off Camera Affair 4

CHAPTER 1

I opened the door of my walk-in closet and snatched Frank’s black Armani suit off the hanger, then grabbed all of his other suits one by one. All of them were designer, many tailor-made. As I looked at the pile of his expensive clothes on the floor, I was so furious that I wanted to set them on fire, taking a cue from Bernadine in Waiting to Exhale.

After nearly a decade of loving Frank through unimaginable ups and downs, all I had to show for it was deep, painful disappointment. Even though our relationship hadn’t begun on the most perfect terms, since I’d originally been the other woman, I never would have thought he would betray me in such a cruel way. The mere thought of his heartless acts brought on waves of nausea.

My anger turned to sadness when my newborn’s soft cries came over the baby monitor. I rushed into the nursery and picked Crystina up out of her crib. Her wide, brown eyes were filled with fat tears. Like daughter, like mother, I thought as I began to sob too. I held her in my arms and walked over to the rocking chair.

Shh… I held her close to my chest and whispered in her little ear, Mama loves you so much, baby, but I’ve gotta make a very hard, very grown-up decision today. I never wanted to be a single parent, but I’d rather raise you on my own than to live another second with your daddy’s lies. I really tried to make it work, honey. I really tried to give our love a chance, but what he did to me is just…unforgivable.

Crystina let out a loud scream.

I rubbed her back. I’m sorry, baby. I shouldn’t be telling you Mama and Daddy’s grown-up business. I know it’s wrong for me to put you in the middle of all of this, but I’m too embarrassed to tell anybody else. I really thought I could trust your father this time. I really thought—

She screamed again.

I’m so sorry, baby. Don’t you worry your pretty little head. Mama’s gonna deal with this, and I’ll be fine raisin’ you on my own. Actually, it won’t exactly be on my own, because I know your Aunt LaNaya and Grandma will help me. We all love you, baby, and you’re gonna be just fine.

Suddenly, as if she understood, Crystina stopped crying and almost broke into a smile.

Aw. You love Aunt LaNaya and Grandma, too, don’t you?

She began to coo.

Everything’s gonna be all right, darling. I promise. I’m your mama, and I’m gonna make sure you have everything you need. None of what happened is your fault, and you’re not going to suffer for it. I promise you that, baby.

Crystina flashed a big toothless smile. Even though my baby was only four months old, it was obvious that she’d inherited her father’s grin, right down to the dimples. She also had several of Frank’s other features, like his dark, wavy hair and caramel complexion. I had heard of single mothers who had trouble raising their children who were the spitting image of their baby-daddy, but I was sure that wouldn’t happen to me. I loved my baby too much. I just hoped she’d only inherited his good looks; I definitely didn’t want my daughter to grow up to be a manipulative, insensitive, narcissistic person like he was.

***

Later that night, I stood near the front door, holding my little daughter in my arms. It was a few minutes after midnight, and neither of us could sleep. Besides, I wanted to see Frank’s face when he walked through the door after anchoring the eleven o’clock news. I had seen him on television earlier that night, reporting the day’s events and trading jokes with the weatherman about the snowfall in the forecast, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. What Frank didn’t know was that a far worse blizzard was about to come down on him. I couldn’t wait to surprise Frank’s trifling ass with my own breaking news.

As I looked at Crystina, I knew I had no choice but to be strong when I confronted him. I deserved better, and so did she. I was well aware that she would learn at a young age how a woman should be treated, and I didn’t want Crystina to grow up seeing her mother tormented by the man I loved. I didn’t want my daughter to accept that hell as a normal relationship.

I heard Frank’s keys jingling as he unlocked the door. As he walked inside, the brisk January wind blew through the vestibule, carrying the winter chill inside our historical mansion. It was fitting that his arrival caused the temperature to drop, considering how coldhearted he was. As he closed the door behind him, I covered Crystina with the baby blanket my mother had lovingly crocheted for her. I touched the soft, pink yarn my mom had so skillfully worked with her own hands, hoping I could somehow summon a bit of Mama’s courage and calmness. I was so enraged that I considered running upstairs and grabbing my gun, but one glance down at Crystina had me thinking better of it.

Hey! What are you two doin’ awake at this hour? Frank took off his coat and hung it up in the vestibule closet.

We were both a bit…restless, I said, cutting my eyes at him.

Well, there’s nothing better than being greeting by the two most special women in my world. His back was to me as he took off his scarf and hung it up. When he turned around, he looked more handsome than usual, between his perfectly styled hair and the airbrushed makeup that gave his already smooth skin a flawless glow. There was no doubt that he was the most attractive news anchor in the tri-state area, but I really didn’t give a damn about his model looks after the shit he had done to me.

He glanced down at the three garbage bags in the middle of the floor. A cleaning frenzy, huh? He smiled. Kai, I’m really lucky to have a woman like you. Tisha never did any housework and just insisted on hiring maids. She refused to even pick up a broom. He sniffed the air and frowned at the stench of Crystina’s dirty diapers. I’d better take these out right away. Smells like somebody made a stinky.

I nodded. Yeah, somebody did a stinky all right, I said. There’s all kinds of trash in here.

He looked at me strangely for a minute, then grabbed one of the bags. I hope they all fit. Trash day isn’t till Wednesday.

I think now’s a good as time as ever to take it out, Frank. But before you do, why don’t you have a look.

Huh?

Go ahead. Take a peek.

What’s this all about, Kai? I’ve got no interest in looking at dirty diapers and tr—

Do it, Frank.

Wrinkling his brow at me in confusion, he slowly knelt down and loosened the string on one of the garbage bags. When he opened it, he yelled at the sight of his designer suits, smeared with feces and covered in dirty diapers and other miscellaneous, smelly garbage. "What the fuck!? Not my Armani! Oh God! Not my fuckin’ Armani! Why, Kai? What the—"

Consider it a favor. I took the liberty of packing for you. Now get the hell outta my house!

He looked up at me as if I was possessed. How could you do this, Kai? Why? I just… I don’t understand. Is it post-partum depression or some shit? Hormones? What the hell is your problem?

Crystina let out a loud scream.

I rocked her in my arms. That’s right, baby! Tell Daddy not to talk to Mommy like that. He’s already disrespected Mommy enough to last a billion lifetimes.

Don’t pull the baby into this bullshit. What in God’s name are you talking about, Kai?

I looked him in his eyes. I saw it, Frank. I saw the video, you sick bastard.

What video?

The video of you fucking your ex-wife and that undercover hood rat, Madison!

He shook his head. What!? I swear I didn’t do anything like that, Kai. I would never—

I shook my head at his pathetic attempts to get himself off the hook. Frank, we work in the news, and you know as well as I do that video is all the proof we need. Film doesn’t lie, Frank. I can’t believe you’re trying to deny it. What are you gonna tell me next? That you were framed like R. Kelly?

Kai, I swear to God that I haven’t touched Tisha since we got back together, and I never, ever messed with Madison at all—not once. I wouldn’t do that to you, baby. Look, if you’d just hear me out for a minute—

"I’m done hearing to your lies. I can’t believe I was stupid enough to give you a second and a third chance. Three strikes and you’re out, Frank…so get the fuck out!"

Kai, I—

I’m not playin’, Frank. I’ll call the police if I have to!

He sighed. I’ll leave if that’s what you want, but I swear I didn’t—

No more talking. Go.

He took one long look at Crystina and me. I-I… Daddy loves you, baby girl. I’m gonna find a way to make Mommy see the truth. I’m gonna—

Don’t feed our baby your lies, and don’t make me call 911 either! Get out, Frank! I threateningly whipped my cell phone out of the pocket of my flannel robe.

Frank picked up the bags and walked to the door, but then he stopped suddenly and turned around. Can I at least grab my toothbrush and my shaving stuff?

They’re already in the bags. You should have no trouble finding them as long as you don’t mind getting your hands dirty.

He frowned. You didn’t have to go to this extreme, Kai. Whether you believe me or not, I’m telling you the truth. I’ve been a one-woman man for over a year, entirely committed to you, and even though you fucked up all of my best suits and God knows what else, I still love you. I love Crystina and our life together. The three of us are a family, and I won’t give up on that. I hate to see you mad, especially at me, so I’m gonna go now, but I won’t rest till I make this right, till I make you see the truth.

As he walked out, I looked down at Crystina, the mirror-image of him sleeping soundly in my arms. I walked up the stairs slowly and into the nursery. I kissed her forehead and put her down in the crib gently, then whispered, It’s me and you now, baby girl.

As I walked to my bedroom, my emotions ranged from rage to fear. I was angry at Frank for what he had done, but I was even more furious about the words he’d said before making his exit. He had sounded so sincere that part of me that hungered to believe him, but his lies, no matter how convincing, were no longer going to deceive me.

I knew I had done the right thing in kicking his ass out, but I was still a little afraid of being alone. Lying in my California king-sized bed only magnified that fear. Frank and I had been together for so many years and I knew it wasn’t going to be easy to let go, in spite of his trifling ways.

CHAPTER 2

I tossed in the bed for an hour and a half, replaying the Frank’s explicit video in my mind. I thought about his lies and the parting words he’d spoken to me when I’d kicked him to the curb. When I finally did fall to sleep, I was awakened a few minutes later by the sound of my phone, dinging to alert me to several new text messages, all from Frank: I luv U… I didn’t cheat on U… I love u & only U… I miss u already. It’s lonely sleeping without u… I miss Crystina. I even miss waking up in the middle of the night 2 check on her… I’m no good without u, without Crystina. Please take me back, Kai. I swear I didn’t cheat.

I deleted all the messages and turned my phone off. Tears formed in my eyes at the thought that he’d probably texted me from his ex-wife’s bedroom. For all I knew, he and Tisha were sweating between the sheets, amping up for another threesome with Madison.

I was repulsed by the mere thought of it. My anger ran so white hot that I felt a fever coming on. Most of all, I was furious with myself for opening my heart to Frank. I should have walked away then, I thought, recalling years earlier, when I’d first fallen in love with him and found out he was married. Unfortunately, his athletic body, suave features, and slightly curved, ten-inch dick made me feel powerless to refuse him.

I had explored every imaginable sex act with Frank since then. He was a gifted seducer who knew how to use his tongue on my clit until I creamed like Twinkie filling. The way he contorted my body into Cirque du Soleil positions while he thrust his magic stick in and out of my wet pussy made me feel like a porn goddess. Part of the reason why I had taken him back again and again was because of his bedroom prowess, and even now, as bitter as I was about him, there was no doubt that I was going to miss the sex.

Never again! Never, ever again! I repeated over and over again in my mind like a mantra. No matter how he blew my mind in bed, I knew I could never dream of being intimate with him again after what he had done to my heart outside the bedroom. Only my lonely, horny nights, I would just have to make the most of one of my vibrators. In fact, dating at all was out of the question, as far as I was concerned; bringing a new man into my life would only confuse Crystina.

I stuffed a pillow between my legs and tried to make myself comfortable in huge, lonely bed. It took a while, but I eventually dozed off and got some rest.

***

I woke up the next morning to the bright, rising sun peeking through my blinds. I sat up in bed and yawned. I turned on my phone and stood to grab my robe off the bedpost. As I slipped it on, I noticed a new message from Frank on my phone.

I sighed as I clicked it open, curious to see what desperate text he had composed at 3:52 a.m. I read it aloud: C what U do 2 me?

My eyes popped open at the sight of his fully erect, long, brown dick. Even though I was still mad at him, there was no denying that it was a delicious-looking photograph, so much so that I hesitated as I held my thumb over the delete button.

It only took a millisecond for me to decide. May as well keep it, I thought. There was no way I was going to get rid of that sexy keepsake. As I continued to stare at the photo with my mouth wide open, trying hard to deny that I wanted a taste, I recognized a glimpse of the colorful comforter on the bed and the dark wallpaper in the background. That’s the Marriott, downtown! It made me feel so much better knowing that Frank had checked into a hotel and wasn’t with Tisha after all.

As elated and relieved as I was, I knew there was no guarantee that she and/or some other female hadn’t visited him there. Maybe Tisha and Madison are in the shower right now, waiting for him to join them. But what if he’s really alone? Is there a chance he was telling the truth, that he didn’t cheat on me? What if the video was fake, a setup? I tried to consider it, but I knew that was a very big what-if.

Even though I had received an email from an anonymous sender with the link to the video, I was certain that Tisha was the true mastermind behind it. She had always been a vindictive, jealous woman, and I wouldn’t have put it past her to send the email to me, but I wondered if she had actually gone even further in an effort to tear Frank and me apart. Could she really have fabricated the whole thing? Damn. If that video was a fake, it was fucking convincing, right down to Frank’s most intimate body parts.

Deep down inside, I wanted to give Frank the benefit of the doubt. I licked my lips again as I took another glimpse at the photo of his dick. I closed my eyes for a minute, imagining him inside me, working my g-spot like a pro. My panties moistened at just the thought of him being just a few minutes and a phone call away.

Helpless to avoid the temptation, I pressed the reply button and answered, Please cum back home & show me how much U miss me. Show me over and over again. I took a quick glance at it and noticed my Freudian slip but left it there, figuring it would ensure that he’d get the message.

Just as I was about to press the send button, Crystina cried out. Jolted to my senses, I deleted the seductive message and rushed into the nursery to check on her. She was kicking her little feet in the air, and I picked her up and placed her on the changing table. As I unloosened her dirty diaper, the smell brought me back to reality. My primary concern was to be a great mother to my child. If I was going to let Frank back in my life, I needed to be completely sure that it was right for me and, most of all, right for Crystina.

***

I removed the tea kettle from the stovetop and filled two ceramic mugs with hot water. Lemon jasmine, vanilla Chai, or Moroccan spice? I asked.

Mmm. The spice tea sounds nice, LaNaya said as she sat on one of my kitchen stools, nibbling on a raspberry scone. My sister looked great in