Page 28 of Objection

Kaos

S tepping close to Serenity, I wrapped my arm around her from behind. Her body was literally shaking, but when I touched her, the shaking ceased. After placing a soft kiss on her neck, I reminded her, “We can leave whenever you want to.”

She looked up at me with watery eyes and a soft smile as we heard the door unlock. Seconds later, a woman that looked like an older version of her answered the door. Her focus was so much on Serenity that she didn’t even notice me.

“My baby!” she screamed before pulling Serenity in for a hug.

Serenity giggled as she held the woman whom I assumed was her mother. “Hey, Ma.”

“Oh I’m so happy you came. You don’t know how much this means to me.”

“I missed you.” When I heard the crack in her voice, I reached out and rubbed her back. “Where are my manners?” Serenity pulled away, and her mom immediately gripped her hand. “Ma, this is my boyfriend, Kaos. Kaos, this is my mom, Yolanda.”

“Boyfriend?” Yolanda repeated, extending her hand for me to shake. “It’s nice to meet you, Kaos.”

“You as well. I hope you don’t mind me crashing the party.”

“Not at all. Please, come in.”

We made our way inside, and it was clear the party was well underway. Music was playing, people were dancing or engaging in conversation, and the food smelled good as hell.

“Let me find your father, then y’all can speak to everybody and fix yourselves a plate,” Yolanda advised.

“Uh, okay,” Serenity agreed, reaching for my hand absently from behind.

I grabbed it and made my way to her side as I caressed her hand with my thumb.

We followed her mom through a maze of people, all of whom stopped us so they could speak to and hug Serenity.

It was clear her people missed her, and I hated that she’d felt the need to stay away for so long.

At the same time, I commended her for maintaining her peace . . . even if that meant staying away.

We ended up outside by the grill where three older men stood. I assumed the one working the grill was her father, because I didn’t know too many men who’d let someone else handle his grill at his home . . . even if it was his birthday.

“Honey, look who’s here,” Yolanda almost sang.

The man turned, and at the sight of us, his smile wavered slightly. He handed the man next to him his tongs, then wiped his hands on his apron.

“Speak,” Yolanda urged, nudging her husband with her shoulder.

“Hey, baby girl.”

“Hi, Daddy.” She wrapped her arm around mine. “This is my boyfriend, Kaos.”

“Boyfriend?” he repeated, just like her mom. Only difference was, Yolanda’s tone was surprised and amused. His was angry. “He looks a little too old to be anyone’s boyfriend.”

“Daddy!”

“Walter!”

“It’s fine,” I said with a smile. “He’s right. I’m forty years old. I’m her man, if that makes you feel better.”

“What would make me feel better was if she’d be with someone closer to her age.”

“Daddy, please. He’s only eight years older than me. It really isn’t that big of a deal.”

“I can assure you, Mr. Monroe, your daughter could not be in better hands. No one will treat her better than me.”

His head shook as he sighed. “How’d you two meet?”

“She’s my executive assistant.”

“Oh great.” He laughed as he looked at his wife. “So not only are you older but you’re her boss too?”

“We didn’t come here for this,” Serenity said, crossing her arms over her chest. “If you have a problem with my relationship, that’s fine, but it’s not going to change anything. I’m in love with Kaos, and I’m happy with him. I’m happy with my life in Rose Valley Hills.”

“I bet you are,” he challenged, pointing his finger in her face. “You stole your sister from me and convinced her to run off from home too.”

“Aight, we’re gonna end this conversation here,” I told him, pulling Serenity behind me. “Out of respect for your home, I’m going to ask you nicely not to disrespect my woman.”

“Your woman?” He laughed. “That’s my daughter.”

“True, but what I said stands. I asked her to come here so the two of you could work out your issues. If that’s not possible, I’m going to take her back home.”

“Walter, please,” Yolanda begged, grabbing his arm.

“Don’t Walter me,” he mocked, pulling himself out of her embrace. “Unless she came to apologize or tell me she’s coming back home, there really ain’t nothing else for us to say.”

“Wow,” Serenity muttered, head jerking as if the words physically struck her. “Let’s go, baby.”

As we headed out, Yolanda called behind us. We didn’t stop until we were out by the car.

“Thank you for coming,” she said, “and for trying.” Her teary eyes lifted to mine. “It was nice to meet you.”

I nodded as she pulled Serenity into her arms for a long, tight hug.

“You can always come to The Hills to see us, Ma, but I’m never coming back here again.”

Sniffling, Yolanda nodded and wiped her eyes. “I understand, baby. I wouldn’t even ask you to. Not until he’s ready to stop being stubborn and fix things between the two of you.”

“That man is old as hell,” I said. “Whatever is his character, it’s fixed. Unless God speaks to his heart, he won’t ever do the right thing. And I will never let her be subjected to his bullshit again, so for his sake, you better hope he has a come to Jesus moment.”

As I opened the door for Serenity, her mother said, “Please take care of my baby, Kaos.”

“You have my word.”

I got in the car and drove off immediately. Not even a block later, Serenity burst into tears. I wasted no time pulling over and pulling her onto my lap—into my arms.