Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 74123 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74123 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Amina was well aware that the boyfriend in question had not only gotten drafted but was engaged to an athlete in the WNBA.
Candace gasped but she immediately recovered. “Oh, so you think you’re better than me because you’re wearing that little ass ring? Girl, your man has been staring at me all night and when he cheats on you, don’t come crying to me.”
Candace then stormed back to her table and whispered something to her mother.
Aunt Sharon glared in Amina’s direction. Amina simply wiggled her fingers in a petty wave. Her aunt was probably just here for the free food. The years had not been kind to her. She’d always been a big woman, but now she was sloppy and unkempt.
“You know, you didn’t have to say that to her.” Mark stabbed his fork into his salad.
“What? The truth?”
“She was being nice, by coming over to congratulate us. You didn’t have to be so nasty to her. I know you’ve always been a little jealous of her, but there’s no reason to give her such an attitude. You’ve got me now and she doesn’t have a man.”
Unable to help herself, Amina threw her head back and laughed out loud.
Mark scrunched his nose. “What’s so damn funny?”
Amina stopped laughing and stared in the eyes. “That was a joke right? You weren’t really implying that you’re the prize? Honestly, Mark, being with you feels more like a punishment.”
The text message tone went off again and Amina grabbed her phone.
I’m here.
This engagement party was about to get very interesting.
Chapter
Seventeen
Amina stood up, taking her phone with her. “Excuse me, I need to go meet my other guest.”
Mark grabbed her arm. “You’re not going anywhere until you explain what you meant by that comment.”
Amina yanked her arm with enough force to free herself. “If you have to ask that question, you’re not as smart as you think you are. Why don’t you give it some thought until I get back.”
Hurrying out of the room without a backward glance, Amina made her way through the restaurant to the hostess stand where Jasmine was waiting.
The young girl was in a modest floral maternity dress.
“Jasmine! I’m so glad you could make it.”
“I’m sorry I’m so late. I fell a bit behind my schedule because as you can see, I can’t really move fast with this baby moving inside of me like he’s auditioning for the National soccer team. And then that accident held things up. The Uber fee was crazy. Ugh, you said you’d reimburse me right?”
“Absolutely. You should have gotten another deposit in your account yesterday. And you’ll also be compensated for tonight.”
“Thanks Amina. I could really use the money, especially with the baby coming. But actually before we go to the party, I just want you to know that while the money is nice, I’m not doing it because of that. I thought a lot about what you said. And what the Pastor did to me wasn’t right.”
“I know for a fact that I’m not the only girl he’s slept with in church because I was confronted by the church secretary who told me I wasn’t special. I didn’t understand what she meant at first but now I do. If he was having an affair with her as well, I bet there are others.”
Amina wouldn’t put it past that old pervert. “Whatever the reason you’re doing this, I really appreciate it. Maybe he won’t face any real consequences, but at least he’ll be exposed for the hypocrite he is.”
“You’re right. People deserve to know the truth and I have proof right here.” Jasmine patted the purse she was carrying.
“What’s in there?”
The young girl grinned. “Oh, you’ll find out soon enough.”
Amina wasn’t sure if this would be a good or bad thing, but she had to trust that things would work out. She took Jasmine’s hand. “Okay, let’s go to the party.”
Amina walked with her head held high but on the inside she was shaking. This was it.
The second they stepped back into the private room, all the chatter that was happening in the room ended in stunned silence.
Mark who was standing by his parents table talking furiously back and forth with them. When he spotted them, he wobbled on his feet.
The church members in attendance looked at each other with uncomfortable expressions on their faces.
Mrs. Caldwell lost all color and slumped in her seat as if she was about to pass out. Pastor Caldwell clutched his chest. Sweat beaded his forehead.
Jasmine trembled at her side and Amina gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
Mark was the first to recover. He stalked toward her with a stormy expression. Amina tensed but then relaxed. Mark might have a temper but there was no way he was going to assault her in front of all these people and tarnish his good boy image.