Hitting Rock Bottom

Chapter 15 Our Problems

Malachi's POV

Yvette stares deep into my eyes for a long moment before she gets into her own head again.. She is obviously her own worst enemy after so much rejection, which is normal, but I hate that she hates herself so much.. too much to not even let herself try to be happy.

I can tell by the look in her eyes that her mind is reeling, but because her mind is running at full speed with every thought. She is pushing me back from her, closing herself off from being vulnerable again.

She shakes her head again as if she doesn't believe me, pushing off of my chest to help her stand and I hold my arms up making sure she has the help she needs to do so and if she tries to jump, I can quickly grab her from here.. rather be safe then sorry since I don't know what she plans to do next.

"You're only saying all this because you don't know me and the mess that I am.. You just like the mask you see on TV." She spats at me as I quickly respond. "I'm saying this because I want to get to know you and the person you really are.. behind closed doors not on the TV."

"Oh yeah? You want to know me? I'm a complete trainwreck! I was abandoned by my parents when I was a baby.. I have been in at least 10 group homes and none of them wanted me and gave me back to the system as soon as they could or just used me as their meal ticket. When I got out of there I quickly got into drugs and a bad job.. of stripping at a young age until I met my husband.. or ex-husband now.. he helped get me out of that hole.. Then after years of red flags, I found out I have not only cancer, but ovarian cancer. So after all the weight and hair loss from the chemo hoping it would work.. Hasn't worked at all, made me look awful and it was spreading, so they told me I had to remove my ovaries which means I can't have babies.. which was the cherry on top for my ex, apparently.. because he has started the life he always wanted with this other woman and getting her pregnant since apparently he has regretted everything with me since the beginning. I tried to get through that obstacle on my own, just to be let go from my job because they think I can't keep up and want someone younger and more beautiful.. so now I'm jobless.. how's that for getting to know me?! Want to run now?!" She yells out at me, not looking mad at me but mad at the situation. She is overwhelmed and storming around, throwing her arms in the air. Before slapping them down on the edge, abruptly securing herself to this area for the moment. She stops completely by the railing of the patio, looking out once again. But this time around she doesn't have the same look in her eye as she did when she tried to jump before, so I'm not as scared about this sight.

I stand up quickly, walking over to her as I put my hands on either side of her, boxing her in unthreateningly. When she notices my hands she quickly turns around, but not even attempting to make me move. I think she likes the close proximity as much as I do. I send her a small smirk before clearing my throat.

"Not wanting to run at all actually.. If we're getting to know each other, I can tell you that you weren't alone in your bad past. I have had a rough childhood as well. I was bullied in so many ways by plenty in my life.. hence why I started fighting back against everyone.. it made me bigger and more intimidating not just physically but mentally by adding my name to the factor.. but that wasn't enough to save my family from destiny. Both of my brother's and even my father got hopelessly addicted to the drugs dealt in the ghetto where we lived. Everyday we were worried about being robbed or shot up because we couldn't afford better. My brothers and father ended up dying from their love for the drugs that they seemed to put over us, their family.. Until all that was left was my little sister, my mother and I. I didn't graduate because of the chaos of life getting the best of me, almost losing myself to the drugs that consumed half my family.. But my mother and sister brought me back from the edge. So they are who I care for. I'd do anything for them.. but since I don't have a degree, I can't get a good job.. well I could but I can't get myself to go everyday to a nine to five job.. So I did what needed to be done on the streets, to become what we needed.. Until I was noticed by a mob boss who has made me his go-to guy to help him.. and he pays me really well for it, so I have stuck with it.. but don't have the heart to tell my mother about it.. So how's that for getting to know each other? Ready to kick me out?" I ask her just as nervously as she asked me, while I swallow the lump in my throat.

She keeps staring at me as she slowly shakes her head. "I wouldn't kick you out.. but you don't have to stay here and babysit me, I'll be fine.. I have already been a big enough of a burden to you." She says softly as she quickly looks away.

"Burden? Is that what you think this is to me?" I ask her curiously, since this is too baffling for myself to fully understand from her point of view.. but I'm trying. I don't want her to ever think badly on any aspect about me or her.. Especially when we're together.

I notice her nodding her head, but not saying anything else. My hand reaches up on it's own and cupping her chin, turning her face slowly towards mine to make sure she is looking at me again. I can see the nervousness in her eyes, but I want to ease this stress not make it worse.

"You're the farthest thing from a burden. I could have easily not come over here to help you, last night or tonight. I chose to with my own free will.. So don't ever act as if you're making me come here.. but.. I did come here because you seem like a great woman that just needs to be taken care of properly. This is the kind of things that someone does for someone they care about. I know you're not used to that, hence the ex-husband aspect in your life at the moment.. But I can show you how you deserve to be treated. If you give me that chance. And just know at least for tonight, I'm not going anywhere unless ypu say otherwise." I explain to her as her eyes glaze up with tears. I won't leave her tonight for many reasons, but the biggest is because of the suicide scares.. If I left and heard she killed herself, I wouldn't ever forgive myself.

"I don't know what I can give you, because I don't know what I have in me anymore.. I haven't dated in so long and I'm in a really rough spot in my life.. I have nothing to offer you.. nothing but peices of my heart that I haven't even started picking up yet." She says sadly to me as I watch a tear drip from the corner of her eye and down to my hand still on her chin.

"I'm not trying to get anything from you, Just trying to help you anyway that I can, to help you get out of this rough patch.. Take as much time as you need and just know I'm here.. as long as that's ok with you." I make sure she is ok with my presence as she scoffs and says softly. "That sounds amazing, just keep in mind for me that I don't know what I'm doing and I warned you of that." She states playfully as I chuckle and reply. "I don't know what I'm doing either.. I'm not the relationship type by any means." I explain to try to make her feel better, as she looks at me with confusion on her face. "Then why are you trying this with me?"

I smile and look away to try to gain any type of confidence that I can for this. "Because I like what I see in every sense of the comment.. and I don't want to let it go, without giving it a shot." I notice a blush appear across her features as she smiles and nods, making me happy that I can have an effect on her, showing that I'm doing something right.

I reach down grabbing her hand as I lead her into the main room from the patio. I reach in, flipping on the light in the first closed off part of the room, to see it's a closet. I shut the light off then go to the next as I flip on the light, showing the bathroom.

"Come on beautiful.. I'll run you a bath, clean up and make you some dinner while you just relax.. does that sound alright for you?" I ask her just trying to do what I know relaxes my mother and sister.

I turn us into the bathroom walking straight to the bathtub, letting go of her hand just to start the water, as she nervously stands there rubbing over the sides of her arms. I don't want her to feel any pressure when being around me, as if there is a type of schedule to abide to.. She can do what she wants and it's ok with me, because I won't ever force anything with her.

The bathtub starts to fill as I stand and look around.. I see her cabinets as I go to every one, opening and shutting them until I see bath salts. I pour them in and stir with my hand in the water to help mix them together. I walk past her and to the bedroom to see a book on the night stand. I take the book, placing it on the side of the tub for her to read as I put on some music for her to listen to. I glance over at her and her mouth is completely ajar.

"Is everything alright Yvette?" I ask with concern, I thought I was doing a good job, but maybe not. Her head vigorously nods like a bobblehead, making me smirk as nothing else seems to come out from between her tight kept lips.

"Well the bath is ready for you." I explain to her as I turn around to see her looking completely nervous. She bites her bottom lip, before pulling the bottom of her shirt up slowly, as if she doesn't know if she should or even wants to do this. I only want this if she does too, no sooner. My eyes bounce over her petite frame, just to see the fresh scar on her stomach. I reach out and stopping her, this doesn't feel right like this.

"You don't have to do that if you don't feel comfortable.. It's ok.. no pressure.. call me if you need anything and I'll leave the bedroom door open to make sure I can hear you from the kitchen.. now relax for as long as you want and I'll clean up the place for you.. so don't stress." I say to her as she nods and lets go of her shirt letting it fall back down, keeping herself fully covered. "Thanks." She quietly says to me as I smile and leave her in the bathroom alone, shutting the door right behind me to give her some privacy.

The music is turned up a little louder as I smirk to myself knowing this worked for her at least for right now. I turn to leave the room as phone dings once, then twice. I pull it out as I glance down to see it's a message from Mr.Sanders. I swallow the lump in my throat before opening it.

Mr.Sanders: Don't forget to get me those stones.. I really don't want to have this conversation with your mother and sister but I will, if I have to.. just keep that in mind.. it's your choice what you do next.. let's just hope it's the right thing.

I swallow nervously as I huff out already forgetting one of the reasons why I was really there tonight. I got so caught up in the crazy moment with her, that I forgot for a second the sh*tty sh*t I have to do.. against her.. a woman I potentially want something with if she will allow it.

I put my phone away not answering him back, I will take care of this for my family but not for him.. I'm frustrated with this, but I have seen what happens when the boss doesn't get his way, so I have to take care of this if I don't want problems.