Chapter 3 Revelations

Fatima's POV

"Well well well, look what the cat dragged in. So cool of you to have graced us with your presence, your highness," Big Mama said and everyone burst into laughter.

"Mama," I said in my best babyish voice, "I'm sorry, I was so caught up, I didn't realize it was getting late,"

"Yeah. Caught up in dick," Marilyn said.

"Shut up," I retorted

"That is no excuse for you coming late. The next meeting is on you. God knows I need a break. Now come give Big Mama some sugar," She said smiling.

That went better than I expected.

"Hey, mama I missed you so much. I hugged her and breathed into her smell. So welcoming.

"You do look freshly fucked," she said.

"Mama!!" I shouted and she laughed heartily.

I went around and hugged my mum and dad whom I have missed so much and greeted every single person in the room before going to grab a glass of mimosa.

"So where were you?" Marilyn asked.

"Girl. You don't wanna know," I giggled.

"Damn, I knew it. Look at you glowing. Must be good." she squealed.

"Girl, if you don't stop," I rolled my eyes.

"Okay. Okay, but you owe me," she said.

I saw my mum walking towards me and I was just mesmerized. She is gorgeous. Just aging like fine wine.

"Sugar plum," she said smiling and I gave her a big hug. I have missed this woman so much. But I can't just hope and go home. I have work now.

" You look pale. Have you been eating well? " She asked.

Really? I can take care of myself.

"Yes mum, I am good. Just a little stressed. You know the workload has increased and all hands are and need to be on deck. Speaking of which, I have to talk to my father about it. There is some fishy business going on in the new construction site....," I rambled on and my mum listened. She is one of the most hardworking people I know. She is my role model and I look up to her a lot but right now with the look on her face, I don't want to hear what she has to say to me.

Oh Shit. Come on with it.

"Mum, you ain't slick. Come on with it. You have something to say." I say rolling my eyes.

I knew what she was about to say but I was not going to reply to her. She thinks she is slick but I know her better than herself.

Out with it ma.

"I ain't got nothing to say except who is he?" she said.

I wasn't expecting that.

"What?" I asked. Okay, now this is weird. I thought it was going to be the usual, you need to slow down and have fun talk but this is new.

"Yeah. Who is he? And when do I get to meet him?" She asked again. Okay now. What the hell?

I'm hearing right.

She is asking me that.

"Mum, you have to agree that this is hilarious. Who is what? Oh my gosh." I laughed. I was cracking up. This is going to be fun.

I expected her to join me but she stood looking at me.

"Mum, you are dead ass right now?" I asked.

"Why would I joke about something like that? " She replied.

Okay. Weird.

"Why would you ask me that mum? You know for sure that I am single and if I snag someone you will be the first to know," I said to her. I can not believe she is asking me that right now.

"Well, I had to say something. You are glowing, plum. The glow in your eyes, that I haven't seen since Ian. So I am happy for you. I don't want to pressure you but I just thought you had a new guy. And to be frank, it has been a while." she said.

"Well, I'm feeling pressured right now. My glow is based on my new routine. Thank you very much. No guy." I say as a matter of fact. Immediately my mind went to the previous night but that can't count. He is a faceless, nameless stranger so it doesn't count.

"I'm sorry you feel that way but whatever it is you are doing that is bringing this glow, you have to continue. I thought I lost my baby girl after Ian," she said with her hands on my shoulders.

"Mum, Ian was three years ago," I said softly.

"And you have been a walking ghost all through. With this darkness clouded over your eyes. It ain't there today," she said.

"Okay, mum. Thank you for looking out for me but I am fine. Seriously. I just need to get ahold of the CEO of Innovex Housings. The guy is hard to get through to. He seems like a ghost." I said and took a deep sigh.

Like someone I know.

I know my parents were proud of me but I just wanted to do more. Being the last child and the only girl with three senior siblings, I feel like there is more I have to offer to stay relevant.

"You know we stay proud of you and you are always relevant," I heard my mum say.

Did I say it out loud? Oops.

"You all have made us very proud, especially you. For a lady, you have shown more prowess than most guys. You don't have to go the extra to make us proud. I just want you to be happy." she said sweetly and I went in for a hug. I missed this. Being able to hug her every time I want.

"Mum, I love you. You just know the right things to say." I say.

"Now back to business. What is this you are saying about the Innovex housings? Rob was saying something about it before he left." she asked.

"Rob left? To where? What of Simon and Blake?" I asked around looking for them.

"Rob has to leave to handle important business. Simon and Blake are with G_pop and your father in the man cave. So what is going on?" she asked again.

I made a mental note to talk to Rob later in the day.

"So mum, Innovex is a new housing and construction business. The owner is very private. He started recruiting members of chain breakers to his side. That is why I have to see my father about it. I went to Watson's annual gala yesterday because I heard he would be there but I could not get a hold of him," I said. "There is no issue precisely but the staff knows too much and I have a proposition for him. He buys shares in Chainbreakers. That way the workers return and we have our stuff running. Before the government gets to him." I say while thinking.

She was silent for a while then she called out to Big Mama and Marilyn.

"What are my two favorite girls talking about?" Big Mama says walking towards me.

"Big Mama, some innovex guy is trying to take workers from Chainbreakers," Mum said.

"Child we know about that. It is getting handled," she said unbordered. I was shocked but not surprised. There are eyes everywhere.

"But Big Mama not to question you but I have a proposition. I want to make him buy shares in Chain Breakers, that way we keep our workers and the government off our back." I say.

"I knew you were my replica with your big head when you were born," Big Mama said. "I will talk to Lucious about it. You continue on your part. Is that what you are worried about? Girl it is handled." she laughed.

Okay. I'm loving this.

"But there is an issue. The man is a ghost. I have looked everywhere for him but no result. He remains faceless which is where I need you, Marilyn. I know different people come to your club, I need you to find him," I say.

If there is anything Marilyn is good at, it is finding people's deepest secrets and location.

"You know I am always on the roll," she said.

"Alright then. I think we can party now since the men have left to have fun." Big Mama said. Everyone cheered and scattered. Marilyn dragged me into the sunroom. At this point, I already had four cups of mimosas and my legs were wobbly. Since I was late, I didn't get anything serious to eat. As we sat, I realized something. Something I haven't seen before. Marilynn was scared.

Oh hell no.

"What's up? You look scared." I said and I could see her nervously pulling on her cuticles. I held her hands and pulled her in.

"Hey whatever it is, we will figure it out. Alright. Don't be scared. I never seen you scared." I say softly feeling the alcohol leaving my body.

Please don't be pregnant. You know Lucy won't let us hear the last of it. Even though she doesn't matter, it would be very annoying to have a whining bitch in your ears all the time.

"I slept with Raphael." she blurted out.