Misunderstood (Toussaint Mafia #4)

Chapter 13

“ V ery soon the man of the hour will be walking in. Until then enjoy the open bar, fresh food and good ass music. Let’s turn up for the Don Yaseer on his birthday!” the DJ boasted before going back to the music and turning on Lil Baby.

Meilani stood near the back of the expansive room quietly. The mansion she’d rented to throw Yaseer’s party was beautiful. Grand in size and décor. Giving you a white house vibe only she’d blacked out the joint for the event. Flew in his best chef, had musical acts lined up as well as all of his family and friends. Yet there was no him. Even Joyner, his mom and brothers were in attendance. Yaseer had been aware of the party for days now and Meilani had been hopeful that the love they shared would bring him there, but it hadn’t.

Maybe he was truly done with her.

“You look very beautiful baby,” Jazmine acknowledged walking up, looking like a sister rather than a mom to Meilani.

Meilani noted how Jazmine was sporting a fitted black dress, sexy heels with a stunning face of makeup and she sighed.

“You as well,” Meilani said softly, no room for fighting in her body at the moment.

“I have nothing on you. Did you see your auntie Jazzlyn over there? She’s stacked like you and I’m jealous. You look so much like her,” Jazmine explained.

Meilani nodded as she got to see how much she and Maia resembled their auntie Jazzlyn who was stacked like a stallion, hips, ass and small waist. She was gorgeous and her face was the price. Naturally stunning which had most of the men in the room in awe of her.

“Yes she is super pretty. Now everybody can see it does run in the family, and I didn’t get any work done,” Meilani laughed lightly.

Jazmine smiled at her. She brushed Meilani’s long black tresses over her shoulder and caressed her face. Meilani was wearing a black Swarovski crystal jumpsuit that was cut out near her breast and navel while reaching her ankles. It placed her curves on display something dangerous while she sported long wavy extensions that hung past the middle of her back. Meilani wanted to look good for her husband. Show him what he was missing but he wouldn’t even allow for her to do that. Now she was stuck at his party looking like she head egg all over her face as everybody began to wonder where he was at.

“What happened, Mei? Why isn’t he here? You do know that you can talk to me, right baby?” Jazmine asked softly, grasping her hand and pulling her over to a set of plush black chairs.

Meilani crossed her legs as she watched her sisters dance playfully on the dance floor. Imani had come through as well but told her how Ossa didn’t come in once he learned Jazmine was in attendance. Everyone seemed to be happy to celebrate Yaseer’s big day but him.

“Dad made me do something bad to him and now he’s done with me. Me and my baby,” Meilani offered feeling like Yaseer was done with everything attached to her. Her emotions had her so unstable that she wasn’t able to make a rational thought at the moment. So, she was moving off pure feelings which wasn’t a good thing.

“Your baby?” Jazmine smiled. She leaned towards Meilani and placed her hand onto her small stomach. “Oh my God, congratulations honey,” Jazmine pulled Meilani into a hug that Meilani didn’t know she needed until that moment. Meilani began to weep softly, and Jazmine rubbed her back. “It’s okay baby let it out. We don’t always make the best decisions and when we realize what we’ve done it’s too late to take it back. I’m so sorry I left you here to deal with Carlos. I will forever regret that,” Jazmine apologized once again.

Meilani nodded not wanting to rehash that conversation.

“I’ma lose my husband,” Meilani whispered feeling so sad she could crawl into a bed and lay there forever.

“No, you won’t just maybe go about things differently,” Jazmine spoke. Jazmine pulled away from Meilani and wiped her tears away. Thanks to waterproof makeup, Meilani’s face wasn’t smudged as she looked at her mom. “You want to get your husband back?” Jazmine asked her.

Meilani nodded while her brows pulled together.

“Of course I do.”

Jazmine smiled.

“Then do nothing.”

Meilani looked at her like she was crazy.

“What?”

Jazmine fixed Meilani’s hair as she replied.

“You need to stop chasing him down. You apologized and you was sincere so let that linger in the air for a while. Men aren’t like women. Well, most men and they don’t usually cave in easily as us. You need to back up and live your life. Give him time to process his feelings and if he loves you he’ll be back. If not then it wasn’t worth the fight anyway. I’m not saying to divorce him. I’m just saying show him that you meant your apology but that you won’t spend the rest of your life begging for his forgiveness.”

Meilani sighed.

“But you said you would spend the rest of your life begging for ours,” Meilani offered, and Jazmine smiled at her.

“You all are a part of me. My blood runs through your veins. No disrespect but he’s just a man. God didn’t stop making men after he was born. In fact, that handsome young guy over there seems to be smitten with you as well. Don’t play the dirty game of cheating but a little break from Yaseer to get your energy back up could do you some good. Your pregnant and right now you have to focus on your child. If he doesn’t want to be around you, then don’t force it. Okay?”

Meilani mulled over her mom’s words not sure if she could do that but what did she have to lose?

“Okay,” Meilani said softly and hugged Jazmine again, actually glad that she had let her come to the party.

“I love to see it!” Yaseer’s mom said coming over all smiles.

Meilani smirked at her loud but gentle voice.

“I’m so happy you are here to love on these girls, it’s good to have you back Jazz,” Yaseer’s mom went on as Meilani and her mom stood up.

“And I’m not going anywhere. In fact, let’s go catch up, I see you still like to be in everybody’s business,” Jazmine smiled playfully.

Yaseer’s mom laughed lightly.

“I actually do and let me chat with Mei right quick before we do,” Mrs. Saintil replied.

Jazmine nodded, shot Meilani a quick smile before stepping away. Yaseer’s mother grabbed Meilani’s hand and cleared her throat.

“He gets like this when he’s upset. I don’t think he’s coming and that’s fine. Yes we kept his brothers being here away from him, but this type of anger isn’t warranted. I leave him be when he does this mess, and you should as well. You did good tonight, and we can still party even if he isn’t here. Love you baby girl,” she said before walking away.

Meilani watched Yaseer’s mom travel over to her mother all smiles and watched the moms embrace. Meilani studied her mom closely as she mulled over her words.

“Yaseer not feeling good, he’s sick at the hotel in Miami, Mei,” Joyner spoke coming over with Yaseer’s brother Yoson and Yannis.

Meilani looked at the men noting how much Yaseer resembled his younger brothers. While Yoson had a younger handsome look to him that was hardened in ways by his tattoos and even temperament Yannis was another story. He looked the most like Yaseer only he didn’t have the long hair. Instead, he rocked his hair in a thick, soft waves with a thick beard. He was husky like Yaseer and housed the same rum hued eyes. He was a chestnut brown complexion and very easy on the eyes. He was quiet but held a dark demeanor to him that told you he wasn’t the nigga you wanted to fuck with. Meilani found herself wondering when her husband would forgive any of them? Because it seemed like he was done with his family including her.

“I’m sure he is. We’ll let me go tell everyone,” Meilani sighed.

“You good? You look sick,” Yannis finally spoke in his gruff voice, that was deep as hell for no reason.

Meilani nodded offering him a small smile.

“I am. I’ll be back and you all enjoy yourself. We have a singer about to perform in a second. Excuse me,” she replied before walking off.

Meilani went to the DJ booth and grabbed the mic. The DJ lowered the music and everyone in attendance peered her way. She placed the biggest smile she could form onto her face as she spoke.

“Unfortunately, my husband is under the weather. He’s sick and can’t make it. I hate that for him but want to thank all of you for coming and we will have fun in his absence, still thanking the Lord for blessing him with another birthday. Let’s take some shots and have a good ass time.”

Meilani handed the mic back to the DJ as he started to play Shots by LMFAO and Lil John. She went to her table that was empty and was joined by Yannis and Yoson. Yoson was busy texting on his phone as Yannis looked her way.

“He mad at you cause of us or something different?” he wanted to know.

Meilani slipped off her heels as she looked at Yaseer’s younger brother.

“Both but everything will work itself out. How are you liking Marcy Falls?”

Yannis frowned as he sat back, and she laughed.

“It can’t be that bad, is it?”

He shook his head while rubbing his left hand over his thick set of waves on his head.

“Nah its cool, thing is I have obligations back home that make it hard for me to be here. I’m only here for ma because she was worried. I don’t like seeing her upset so I came but eventually I gotta leave. This isn’t my life,” Yannis replied.

Meilani nodded.

“But is it safe back home for you? Maybe it’s time for you to have a new life. You could become a part of the Saintil mafia. Something that is rightfully yours as well,” she said hoping she wasn’t speaking out of turn.

Yannis’s thick brows dipped at her words.

“I’m good. Yaseer nor my pops never wanted shit to do with us. I don’t go where I’m not wanted. Like I said in a minute it’ll be time to move around. I do appreciate you giving us your place. I could have put us up in a hotel or rental,” Yannis explained, and Meilani shook her head.

“Why do that when you can lean on family? I at least hope you can make amends with your brother before you go. That’ll be my prayer for tonight,” she told him and Yannis chuckled.

“Shit you need to be sending up prayers for the both of us then. It’s clear that nigga is on one. Hope you know how to handle his grouchy ass,” he retorted.

Meilani thought of her mom’s advice, and she smiled.

“Actually, I do. That’s why I’m his wife and sooner than later he’ll be showing his face. I can promise you that,” she replied feigning confidence that she didn’t entirely feel at the moment. But trying to be hopeful, nonetheless. “You all focus on seeing if Marcy Falls can be for you and I’ll handle Yaseer. He might be the Don but I’m his wife and I’m not gonna let him cut any of us off. Not if I can help it now let’s have some fun and enjoy this party that your brother should have been at,” she mused, winked at the Saintil brothers then smiled.

Effectively dropping the subject.

Smith: The DEA knows they have no case, that’s why they have started releasing funds and giving you all back access to your businesses. By the end of this month all of this will be behind us Meilani. Let me know if they ruined your flower boutique, I’ll sue their asses.

Meilani smiled at her lawyer that was always looking to earn all of his hefty pay check.

Meilani: Will do. Thankyou.

Meilani stowed her phone away in her bag and watched Nano box in the ring with his coach. She was impressed with his skill, and wondering why he didn’t do it professionally. Nano moved like a younger version of Muhamed Ali. He was lethal with his blows and quick on his feet.

“Good job!” she clapped when Nano knocked down his trainer for the first time that day.

A few men glanced her way frowning as Nano shook his head fighting off a smile. Meilani watched Nano help his trainer stand and they did a few more rounds. Soon Nano was at her side guzzling down a bottle of water as sweat dripped down his well-defined body. In no way was he Yaseer’s size but he wasn’t a lil nigga. He had muscle on him, and it complemented him well.

“I’m tired as shit, I was up all last night drinking and now that shit is slowing me down,” Nano grumbled.

Meilani sat back on the tattered leather sofa. She pulled her legs up under herself as she eyed him.

“Why don’t you do this full time? You are so talented. You could be the champ, Nano. Fuck the mob, you should be doing this.”

Nano wiped the sweat from his brow as he peered over at her.

“Mei we both know the mob life chooses us. I can’t just walk away. Especially when y’all need me now. I gotta make sure you and your sisters is safe. I also gotta watch Ossa back. Yeah we got demons on the line, but nobody can protect that nigga like me. Seeing him get shot like that still haunts me at times. I can’t walk away right now even if I wanted to,” he explained.

Meilani nodded, not liking his reply but understanding it. Sometimes you did what you had to do instead of what you wanted to do. At the moment Nano was choosing loyalty over his future.

“I get it and thank you, but I still don’t like it. You deserve to have peace in your life too. You look happy in the ring, even when you beating somebodies ass,” she smiled.

Nano chuckled. He placed his left hand onto her leg before replying.

“And you look happy when you at the flower boutique but that doesn’t stop you from being in the life. You don’t have to worry about me, Mei. I’ma be good regardless. How’s shit going with you? You thinking bout going home?” he asked it casually, yet Meilani felt the concern in his words.

She shifted on the sofa and turned her body towards him as some of the men started to leave out of the gym area. Meilani stared into Nano’s eyes, and they shared an intense look until she looked away.

“Are you putting me out?” she asked quietly.

Nano leaned towards Meilani and gripped her chin. Before she could protest, he turned her face and kissed her tenderly on the lips. The type of kiss that stole your breath away and made your body fall into a comfortable pleasure. The type of kiss that was so unexpected that Meilani was in shock. However, the moment she felt Nano’s tongue slither into her mouth she was back in reality and pulling away from him. She sat back wanting to place distance between them as Nano licked his full lips.

“That feel like I’m trying to put you out?”

Meilani shook her head while her heart raced. Nano was fine as hell. A younger Meilani would have been all over him but at the place she was in, he wasn’t for her. Instantly she regretted leaning on him in her time of need.

“I love my husband and yes I’ve always felt close with you but it’s not the same.”

“It’s cool, sorry I took shit there. It won’t happen again and you ain’t gotta leave. I don’t want that because I don’t want you at home alone in your feelings. How bout from now on I sleep in my guest room, and you take my bedroom, cool?” he asked sitting up.

Meilani looked at Nano trying to detect if he was upset with her or not.

“Are you sure? I feel fucked up that I keep making mistakes. I’m not in my right head space and feeling overly emotional. I’m sorry if I led you on. I swear that wasn’t my intentions Nano. You are someone that gives me comfort, but I shouldn’t have come running to you,” she said quickly.

Nano grabbed Meilani’s hand and kissed the back of it. He stared at her until they both shared a laugh.

“No lie I do have feelings for you, Mei. It’s been like that for a while now but after you got married I started to see things for what it was. Sometimes the people we want in life isn’t meant for us. Shit that’s life and if the real opportunity ever comes up I’ma hop on that shit but you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be good, I don’t have a problem finding a woman, Mei. I appreciate your honesty now let’s dip and go get you some food, I know you hungry. I heard that stomach growling like a muthafucka,” Nano smirked standing.

Meilani snickered, relieved that Nano wasn’t angry with her. As she stood, she received a call from Yaseer, and it halted her breath. She watched Nano rush to grab his gym bag as Yaseer ended the call and called right back. However, with her mother’s words lingering in the air, she chose to silence his call and wait for Nano by the door. Until she was certain that she and Yaseer could make things work on an even ground, she wasn’t rushing to speak with him. She was also making a mental note to leave Nano’s place very soon. Because despite what he was saying she wanted to place distance between them as well, especially after the kiss.