Page 11 of Intentional Foul (The Complexity of Love #2)

Chapter Five

Let It Begin

Jhae

M alcolm sat on the cream plush couch as I pulled my phone out of my pocket.

“You gon’ have to prove it was fraudulent,” Malcolm informed as he watched me pull out my phone. He knew I was searching for how to get an annulment.

“The video is my proof, you crazy person,” I rebutted.

Malcolm folded his arms across his chest. “What video?” he questioned.

My eyes twitched at the same rate as my hands. Tapping the internet, I searched for ways to get this marriage annulled. I needed hard proof this union was a fraud and right now Malcolm held all the cards.

“Your last option is a divorce. And we both know I’m not signing shit,” he said.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and tried regulating my panicked breathing.

“Malcolm, this isn’t a joke. You are playing with my life and my livelihood,” I yelled with aggression.

“Sit, baby. Let’s discuss this,” he said, and I saw red as my body tightened.

“Malcolm, I want this thing annulled,” I screamed and stomped.

He pinched his lips together as he shook his head no. “Jhae, I recognize you are upset, but we can’t discuss it while you’re standing and screaming. Please have a seat and we can explore the new terms of our marriage,” he said.

Mad and enraged tears escalated down my face. My head throbbed with pain and worry for what could happen if this got out.

“No, Anissa will fix this. She fixes everything,” I said.

Phone in hand, I bolted to the bathroom and locked myself inside. I stared at myself in the mirror as I pushed the call button.

“Hey, Jhae,” Anissa said.

Before I could take the plunge, a text message from Malcolm hit my phone.

Malcolm

Mom can’t make me do shit. I’m grown, Wifey. Who has the upper hand with Anissa? Me or you?

“Hello, Jhae. Are you okay?” she screamed into the phone.

As much as I didn’t want to admit it, Malcolm was right. Anissa was a momma bear when it came to her twin boys. It took Khalil coming into the picture before she would allow them to grow up.

“I-I,” I stammered over my words.

Two taps on the door sent my body into a panic as I jumped. “Tell Mom I said hi,” Malcolm said through the door.

“Ugggghhhhh!” I yelled and kicked the bathroom door and immediately regretted it. “Ouch. Ouch. Ouch,” I said and reached for my big toe.

“Jhae, are you okay?” Malcolm asked as I hopped on one foot.

“Jhae, what the hell is going on? Why does it sound as if Malcolm was in the room with you?” Anissa asked.

My heart trembled at her hearing Malcolm’s voice, my head throbbed from this new relation. Now, my damn toe could be broken.

“Sorry. I was calling for something and I forgot and now I hit my foot on the bathroom door. I’ll call you later,” I said and hung up.

I wiggled my big toe before resting it on the cold bathroom floor.

“Let me help you, Jhae,” Malcolm said as he twisted the doorknob.

“Go away,” I screamed, but I knew he wouldn’t. He was vested in this sham of a marriage. The determination in his eyes shook me to my core.

“I’m a patient man. I’ll wait,” he said, and I cringed with angst.

Forty-five minutes later, I leaned my back against the mirror as I sat on the vanity.

Malcolm, being true to his word, remained by the door, occasionally tapping, trying to lure me out. Ivey, I thought to myself, and I dialed her number.

“Ivey,” I said.

“Yes, Sister-in-law?” she said, and my stomach flipped twice.

I could hear Anissa playing with Khaira in the background, running my blood cold.

“Please keep your voice down,” I whispered, and she giggled. “Name your price and I will pay you for the video,” I said.

“What video?”

A knock on the door drew my attention. “I ordered you food, Wifey,” Malcolm said and my eyes twitched.

“You know what video I’m talking about. How much for a copy and you destroy the backup?” I inquired.

Anissa’s voice had become faint in the background. When I heard the door close, I knew we were able to talk business.

“Hypothetically speaking, if there was a video, Malcolm has more money than you. Sorry, Jhae,” Ivey said.

I covered my face with one hand as I scrambled to find leverage.

“I’ll get you a date with a popstar. But he must be close to your age? And a cameo in a music video,” I bribed.

“I’m not really into pop stars,” she said.

It was obvious no one in the Jefferies household was willing to help. Asking Marquise would be futile in my annulment or divorce effort.

“Ivey, this isn’t funny,” I said.

“I agree. My brother loves you,” she said and sighed. My stomach cramped as worry introduced itself to me again. I was painted into a corner with one exit and he wanted this marriage.

“Baby, your California rolls are here with the mustard on the side,” Malcolm said into the bathroom door.

“Goodbye, Ivey,” I said and hung up.

My phone vibrated with a message from Ivey. She sent the video, and my heart raced with excitement. I pressed play, but hearts played, and the video disappeared.

Ivey

Give my brother a chance. He loves you.

Hard air flowed through my nose as I tried to remember her actual age. I scrolled through my phone and found Papers’ name saved in my contacts. He did some background work for me on a rapper I was interested in.

“Papers,” he said, and my heart slowed.

“I have a job,” I said.

“Listening.”

“Apparently in Vegas during All-Star weekend while I was really, really drunk, Malcolm Shaw-Jefferies and I got married,” I said, almost whispering the end of the sentence.

“I need you to find the tape, something showing I was not in my right mind. My phone is a good starting point. His baby sister sent the video to me but snatched it back.”

Papers chuckled as I rolled my eyes to the ceiling. “How fast do you need it?” he asked.

“ASAP,” I said.

“That will cost you. . .”

“I don’t care how much it costs! I need to get out of this marriage,” I said.

“Jhae, are you coming out to eat with us? It’s Marquise,” the masculine voice said.

I didn’t need him to announce his identity.

Malcolm’s voice was deeper. With my hands on the edge of the marble vanity, I hopped down.

Until Papers called back, there wasn’t much I could do.

My stomach growled from hunger and worry.

I exited the hall bathroom to find Marquise grinning.

Pushing past him, I entered the bedroom, slipping on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.

I stepped into the room to see my California rolls and drink resting on the table. Malcolm pulled back my seat, but I circled the table to the opposite side. Marquise laughed as he shook his head. Malcolm slid my food to me from across the table. I refused to give him the attention he desired.

“Marquise.”

“Jhae,” he said.

“I need you to tell the judge I was drunk the night Malcolm tricked me into marrying him,” I said.

He looked from me to his brother. “Jhae, you asking me to betray my twin?”

I sat back in my seat, folding my arms. “I’m asking you to tell the truth. Your brother is playing with my career and my fucking life. Anissa is going to disown me. She is all the family I have. Please. I’m begging you,” I pleaded.

“Things will be uncomfortable for a little while between you and Mom, but they will pan out,” Malcolm interjected.

I pinched my fist together, piercing my skin with my nails. The sound of his voice pissed me off to new levels.

“Damn Jhae, are you okay?” Marquise asked.

A stinging sensation went through my nose as my eyes watered. One anger-filled tear left my eye and moved down my face.

“Bro, she’s crying,” Marquise announced as another tear escaped my eyes and my mouth tightened.

“Jhae,” Malcolm called for me, but I ignored him.

He moved in my direction, but I stood from the table. Malcolm reached for me, but I snatched away, placing a chair between us.

“Marquise,” he said.

“I’m out. I’ll leave you love birds to it. The housekeeper gets off in twenty minutes,” he said.

Malcolm and I were in a standoff, glaring at each other.

Once the door shut, he reached for me again, but I moved.

He removed the chair before attempting again, this time being successful.

He secured my waist and pulled me into him.

I turned my face, facing the wall but he cuffed my chin. We found each other’s eyes.

“Music Note, I’m not trying to hurt you, baby. I swear I’m not, but I love you. You’re counting me out without giving me an opportunity,” he said.

Hurt flashed in his eyes as if he could stand on that leg. “No one will love you with intention and intensity the way I can. You’re allowing the fear you have of my mother to stop us from trying,” he said.

I danced my face out of his grip before failing to push him away.

“Malcolm, she is all I have. My mom is dead and you’re asking me to hurt the person who is responsible for my career,” I said.

A pause stood between us as I struggled to get free. Once space entered between us, I tried side-stepping him, but he lifted me from the floor.

I wrapped my hands around his neck. “Put me down, Malcolm,” I demanded.

Malcolm placed me on an empty spot on the table.

“Last I checked, Anissa couldn’t sing, write, or produce a song,” he said.

“Did she connect you with the right people? Yes. Stop giving people credit for your hard work. Mom is going to be upset, but she will get the fuck over it. You’re my wife.

I adore you and I want you to give our marriage an opportunity to flourish. ”

I tried pushing him away, pressing my palm into his chest, but he didn’t move.

“Don’t push me away,” he whispered. “Jhae, you mean everything to me.”

The second verse to “Forbidden” played through my thoughts.

Our connection won’t allow us to ever be. Your heart is in the right place, but it’s covered in the wrong skin.

Malcolm jolted me forward by the neck with a gentle tug, placing his lips on mine. My mouth parted for him as we engaged in a hard, passionate kiss. The warm taste of his mouth aroused my body as our tongues danced. I leaned backward, giving him more access to me.