Rose Cut

Resentment

I got in Dorinda's Car and clicked on my seat belt. We pulled off before Jamir, as we all headed to Slayed Life. "How come you changed your hair?" asked Dorinda, peeping over at me. I sighed, and looked out the window for a bit.

"It's a long story." I answered, wanting to move on. "Okae, and will that story explain, how I caught Jamir banging your brains out." retorted an irritated Dorinda.

"It's seem like im always missing something Rose." she said stopping at a red light. Dorinda turned to face me and I turn around. "ME. Just me Rose." she stressed, before pulling off again. "Why is that?".

I rolled my eyes, sick of hearing this. Yes, she was my friend, but I didn't always have to bare my soul to her. Especially when she kept so much from me. I decided to give her the short version. Seeing as, she will be hearing a lot about my past, when we talk to Ms. Sharon's. I quickly summed up the previous night to the best of my abilities, as we finally pulled up and parked.

". . . And then you walked in." I finished, as Dorinda turned off the car. "Wow." she said to me awe struck. Dorinda reached over to pat my hand. "Don't" I warned her, removing her hand.

"I'm not dwelling on that anymore. Andre is here and its real. I just don't wanna be a victim any more." I explained, rubbing my forehead.

"I just hope I can trust Jamir." I spoke up wanting it to be true. "Honestly. I think you can." said Dorinda. "Rose. I don't know him like that but, he did help me out a tough situation." she continued, turning towards me. "I was coming to tell you everything I swear." she rushed out, fumbling over her words.

"I just didn't want to be in the way of your happiness with Dorian." she trailed off. I snorted as she continued. "Apollo was hitting me and I was scared to talk about it." said Dorinda softly. I gasped shocked that this was happening to my friend and I had no idea. We were keeping too much from each other and it was my fault too.

All this time we could have came together and avoided all this drama. I was fed up with it all and vowed to myself, that I wasn't running anymore. We were gonna end this once and for all, so that everyone could have a happy ending. Especially Dorinda.

"Anyway, Jamir didn't know me from a can a paint but, he still helped me. I think you can trust him. We can trust him." she said, grabbing my hand. I smiled back at her, and nodded my head. There was a tap on the window and I looked up to see Jamir. "He's gonna live for a long time." said Dorinda, as we got out of the car giggling.

"What's so funny?" asked a confused Jamir. "Nothing." I assured him, heading for the shop. It felt weird walking in and hearing the familiar door chime. Even though today was just a regular day for Slayed Life, I felt the importance of this moment.

Jamir didn't know as much as I did yet but, I hoped he'd take it well. I walked up to Charity, with Dorinda by my side and Jamir lagging behind us. Shawna, and Claudia looked over from their clients.

"Hey Rosalina, Hey Dorinda." greeted Charity, smiling at us. "Wassup." said Dorinda and I. "Is Ms. Sharon in?" I asked her.

"Yeah she's in her office." said Charity. "Your not working today?" she asked, curious of my absence. "Not today, I just got a lot going on." I told her walking away. "I see." she mumbled as Jamir passed her desk to follow.

He was in his phone, only looking up to see where we were headed. I knew he was in a rush so I picked up the pace.

"Well well well. " stated Shawna, making me roll my eyes. "You switch em up quick Rose." she continued, as she sewed in tracks. I ignored her and continued to the back. "Let me know if you need a real woman l." said Shawna stepping in front of Jamir.

"Can't speak Dorinda." Claudia chimed in, sitting in her chair watching us. "Hey." answered Dorinda dryly, and she went in the back without anymore conversation. I lingered in the doorway waiting for Jamir but, Shawna was pressed up on him in full thot mode.

I could tell he was irritated by her from his body language but, his face didn't show it. "Jamir." he stated, taking her hands off him. Shawna giggled but, you could tell she was faking it. I rolled my eyes at her thirstiness. "So that little cutie is yours? Where is little Premilla? " asked Shawna, batting her eyelashes.

"Priscilla, excuse me." he corrected her, as he walked around her and pulled me towards the back. "Let's get this over with before, I hurt someones feelings" said Jamir making me laugh. Dorinda was already in Ms. Sharon's office and we heard them talking before we came in.

"There she is. . ." Ms. Sharon trailed off as her eyes landed on Jamir. He went to stand in the corner, not noticing the change in her. She looked at me searching for answers.

"He needs to know. Knox is here Sharon." I said to her, as her eyes got big. She stood and gestured to the chairs.

"Have a seat." said Ms. Sharon as she gathered her thoughts. "I'll stand." said Jamir, as I took the seat next to Dorinda. She was quiet just observing. "I'm on a time limit but, Rose said this was important. " he said, to her as her eyes fell on me again.

"I haven't said much." I explained." I figured it was best coming from you. "I told her, and she nodded before sitting down. "Well uhm, where do I start. " said a flustered Sharon. "Probably at the important part." stressed Jamir. He beginning to get more and more restless.

"Well I knew your, uhm father and he married my Daughter." rushed out Sharon. It was quiet for a moment. Jamir looked over to me and shook his head. "I'm out." snapped Jamir, as he went for the door.

"Wait! I am your grandmother." spoke up Ms. Sharon, as he reached for the door. "No disrespect Ms. Sharon but, I know my abuela and she isn't you ." said Jamir with his hand on the knob.

"If you believed that you wouldn't be listening." said Ms. Sharon, as she came around the desk to stand by him. She left space in between them but, she had his attention. "Serena is not your mother." she told him not cutting corners anymore.

" Your father married her after my daughter's death."

"So why wouldn't he say any of this to me?" snapped Jamir. I could see the weight of the information finally dawning on him. He looked over to me. "Is this what you wanted me to hear? Some bullshit about my dead father and my crazy ass mother?" he stressed.

" But wait. She's not my mom." He spoke sarcastically. "Even though I have a sister, and my father never mentioned any of this." he argued. I was at a lost for words. I never thought he wouldn't believe Ms. Sharon.

"Jamir calm down and listen." said Sharon, closing the distance between them. He didn't move away, even when she touched his shoulders. I guess the truth was setting in. "My daughter is Elaysia Jacobs and she is your mother." she explained, as realization crossed his face.

"You've heard that name before?" she questioned him. He gave her a nod, his face no longer showing his emotions. "Your father took you away for your own safety. Your mother gave her life to save Rose." she said, as his eyes shot over to me.

I sunk in my chair a little, feeling guilty. Sharon went on to explain everything but I wasn't listening anymore.

I was starting to regret bringing Jamir here. I knew he needed to know but, I could have done this at another time. I just didn't want him to resent me for being alive, and not the mother he didn't remember. I couldn't say I loved Jamir but, I knew with time I could get there. I cared for him more than he knew, and I would be devastated to lose him now.

Ms. Sharon finished explaining herself and the room was quiet. "I need a minute." spoke Jamir, before stepping out of the office and closing the door behind him. "That went well." piped up Dorinda, as we turned to glare at her.

"What? At least he knows now. We don't have time to do this softly. Hearing all this and everything you told me Rose. Knox is nothing to play with, and we need to pack up and get the f**k out of here." argued Dorinda.

She had a point but, I couldn't focus on that right now. "What happened yesterday?" asked Sharon, as I headed for the door, leaving Dorinda to enlighten her. I closed the door and headed over to where Jamir was seated.

He had his head in his hands leaning on a table in the employee locker room. I pulled up a chair and sat next to him. He didn't move even though I know he knew it was me.

I waited but, quickly got tired of that. "heey, talk to me." I said, pulling his hands away. He sighed, and looked at me. "It's just a lot Rose." said Jamir softly. " Don't you mean peaches? " I asked making a joke.

He smirked just a little but, it was enough to let me know that we were still good. "Don't hate me okae." I spoke up, getting it off my chest.

"Why would I hate you? " he questioned me confused. "Because of what happened with your mom." I answered him. Jamir smiled, and pulled me over into his lap. He kissed me lightly on the lips before speaking. "How could I hate you for that. Clearly, she liked you as much as I do." he joked, but I knew he meant it. "You are amazing you know." said Jamir, as I raised an eyebrow.

"Despite everything, you brought me to my grandmother, my real grandmother. You got Scilla to finally wear a dress." he continued, making me laugh. "And lets not forget you patching me up that night." he went on with a smile.

"What im trying to say is. I never knew what I was missing in my life until you came along. How can I hate you when I feel like I love you already." said Jamir honestly.

I searched his eyes but, he was most definitely serious. I smiled and lifted up for a kiss but, the office door opened as Dorinda and Sharon came out. We got up and walked over to them. Ms. Sharon looked a little uneasy, until Jamir gave her a hug . She closed her eyes and stepped back with tears glistening.

"My Grandson." she whispered, touching his face. "It's nice to meet you again." he chuckled making her smile. "Me and Serena never got along anyway. I guess this is why." he laughed to himself. We all headed up front but, I pulled Jamir to me.

"I have to go back to the loft." I told him. We stopped in the front but, Shawna and Claudia were gone. Only Charity was left and Ms. Sharon and Dorinda went over to her.

"What for?" he questioned me. "The money. I think I should give it to Ms. Sharon." I explained. "You know, so she can save this place and not worry about Apollo and Dorian." I said, gesturing to the shop.

" I doubt that money will fix anything. If they want the shop they'll take it. Matter of fact, their probably the reason the lease went up in the first place." Jamir explained.

He made sense because, I never could figure out how Dorian knew so much about Ms. Sharon's money issues. "Still. With the money, she will have more time before they do anything." I argued.

" Rose. I have a bad feeling about this." Jamir warned me, as Ms.Sharon and Dorinda walked over to us. "Trust me? " I asked him under my breathe. He looked at me for a moment before nodding.

"Gimmie your phone." he demanded, and I gave it to him. He saved some numbers in it. "Dorinda's gonna have to take you. I gotta go make sure my sister and Scilla are straight. This is ShaMilla's number." he told me handing me my phone.

"Call her if you can't reach me." he explained, turning to leave. "Why wouldn't I reach you?" I questioned, him grabbing his hand. "Awe look at your granddaughter n law." joked Dorinda. "She worried bout her man." she giggled, as I rolled my eyes. "Lets give them some privacy." spoke up Ms. Sharon.

"I'm not saying that you won't but, It will make me feel better." he explained, rubbing my hand and releasing himself from my grip. "Alright?" he asked, before I nodded. Jamir waived at Ms. Sharon before leaving and I turned to Dorinda.

"Ready?" she asked, and I nodded. "See you later Ms. Sharon." I called out behind me. "See ya'll later." she responded. "And Rose." she called behind me. " Yeah? " I answered her pausing by the door.

" Thank you." said Ms. Sharon fitting so much emotion into her smile. I returned her smile before leaving. Jamir had already left so me and Dorinda got in her car and headed for the loft.

For some odd reason I felt lighter. At this moment I knew that everything would work out. For the first time in my life, I had support and love from those around me. I looked over to Dorinda thinking about what she'd been through. If I couldn't help myself, I would damn sure help my friend.

We arrived at my Loft quicker than we left. Dorinda lead the way to the elevator pressing my floor as I got in. "I can't believe your from here." spoke up Rinda, making conversation. "I know right but, it does make sense the more I think about it." I agreed.

We exited the elevator and I searched for my keys. "So exactly how much money are we talking? " Questioned Dorinda, as we approached my door.

"Alot. I can't find my keys. Where's the spare I gave you." I asked Dorinda, as she turned to open my door. "Don't worry I got this." She said, unlocking the door and turning the knob. "Your gonna learn about walking in my home." I giggled following her in. "And your gonna... " began Dorinda, before two strong arms reached out of my loft and snatched her in slamming the door.

"DORINDA !!!!!!!" I shouted, before panicking and running for the elevator. . .