Black-owned business of the day:
Melanin Haircare

Officially founded in 2015 by two sisters, Whitney and Taffeta White, Melanin Haircare is rooted in the passion for natural hair care, healthy scalp care, natural and safe ingredients, as well as high-quality products and unique merchandise that benefits the community that it serves! Melanin Haircare focuses on high-quality, natural ingredients, with the addition of meticulously chosen safe-synthetic ingredients to ensure our products are shelf stable and to elevate their performance, as product performance and dependability are just as important as product safety. All of our ingredients, both all-natural and safe-synthetic, have been evaluated by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to ensure that they are non-toxic, and can be viewed here with full descriptions of what they are and why they are added to the product.

Website: https://melaninhaircare.com/

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Dominic's POV

I was afraid to knock on the door. Something kept on pulling me back to my car. The nerves were getting to me and I wasn't even inside yet.

I finally managed to muster up the courage to knock on the door. As I waited for them to open the door the nerves started getting to me. I jumped in the bush impulsively.

"We saw you walking back and forth outside for the last ten minutes now. And I could see your hair in my bush boy. Get your ass out of there and come in."

I dusted myself off and then made it inside. Serenity's parents were staring at me weirdly as I walked in. I still haven't gotten used to how lavish their home looks.

I could feel her dad staring at me as we made our way to the living room. He could sense something is up. I tried my best not to give myself away.

"What brings you here? Are classes over for you?"

"No, I'm just visiting friends"

I reframed from telling them that Serenity is here with me. She did not want to receive a speech from her parents. I didn't even want to tell her I'm here right now. I woke up extra early, leaving her in the hotel so I could talk to her parents. I'm not sure if she's up yet.

If it wasn't for me, she would sleep her whole life away. I have to be the one to flip her out of bed like a pancake. She hates it but, it gets the job done.

"What brings you here?"

"I'm here to ask permission for Serenity's hand in courtship"

It didn't dawn on me until last night. I never asked her out. She's a person I want in my life forever so I want to take that step.

The smiles on their face dropped. I watched in horror as they looked at each other. The nerves I felt at the front door came crawling back.

Her dad got up from his seat slowly, making his way toward me. I expected her mother to be the calm one but, I was wrong. She gave me an angry look.

What's happening right now?

"Why would we accept you into this family? We don't even like you"

Ouch. That sung. I had nothing else to say.  I thought they were starting to like me. Especially since Mrs. Dixon welcomed me with open arms when I first met them.

How could I argue with them on where they stand? All I could do was prove them wrong. The love I have for their daughter is something I never experienced before.

"I'm sorry you feel that way but, I love your daughter. I want to make her the happiest I can. I promise you that I won't hurt her."

All I could do at that moment is pray for the best. Her dad was staring deep into my soul as if I lost my mind. By the way I was speaking to them, I might have.

Her dad stood up and marched his way to me. I felt a sprinkle of pee leave my body. He better not make me get up. They'll see the wet spot on my pants.

"So you would marry her without our permission?"

"Absolutely"

"My father did not approve of me marrying Serenity's mother but, I did it anyways. My love for her was too strong. You have our  consent."

I forgot what happened in my pants a few minutes ago. The minute I stood up the pee came rushing down my pant leg. I discreetly shooed it under the couch so it would be out of sight.

"I'm surprised she's not with you right now"

"Don't tell her I told you this but, she's here. She went to meet with Cassidy so she can give her back the money"

The look of shock on her parent's faces was evident. They both pulled their phones out and started moving frantically.

What's happening?

"Did she tell you where she was going?!"

Her dad screamed as he grabbed a goat and his keys. They speed walked outside, completely forgetting that I was here. I was invisible at the moment.

My questions flew over their head as I was dragged to the car. Nothing made sense to me at that moment. They were acting like the house was rigged to blow up the way we left in a frenzy.

"Cassidy vowed to get back at Serenity for putting her in jail. We didn't find that out until the judge was telling us of her weird behavior. The judge dismissed those charges once Serenity dropped them. We've tried telling Serenity but, she never picked up her phone. Even you ignoring our texts and so have you. Tell us where they are right now"

The car ride was silent. Her dad was bobbing and weaving through traffic like we were in rush hour.

After I gave them the location we were on the way. My heart was beating out of my chest. Only the worse scenarios ran through my head.

Was she ok?

Did she already leave with Cassidy?

Are they at the location?

What if she killed her? 

What if she killed her?

As if he was reading my mind, I felt the car jolt forward. I should've told her parents what was happening. I should've talked her out of coming to her hometown.

As we pulled up to the house, nothing seemed out of place. It was a pale pink mansion-like house with a gold doorknob. There were no signs of anything suspicious. That's what I thought until I heard Serenity's painful cry for help.

We were in the middle of nowhere with no way of getting any outside help. Her dad flew out of the car, ready to save his princess but I stopped him.

"I'll go in to get her, you stay in the car to comfort your wife"

Her mom was a crying mess. Snot and tears filled her face creating a runny mess. I can only imagine what she's going through. She gave birth to a baby girl who might not be breathing in the next few minutes.

I had to thread lightly as I walked up to the residential. Knowing Cassidy, she found some way to set up so traps around the house. But then again, we're talking about the same girl who thought someone can get food poisoning from having sex.

The shadow of someone from Inside cut my thoughts short. I made the shadow out to be Cassidy. She seemed to be walking circles around someone.

I could spot that overgrown head and small body ratio from afar.

I held my breath and waited on my cue to make myself seen.

Serenity's POV

It came out of nowhere.

One minute we were laughing and the next minute I felt myself grow unconscious.

Cassidy and I finally agreed on a date to meet up. She was out and ready to hand me my money. My life savings will finally be recovered.

The place she hid it happened to be my cousin's house. There's no way I would forget about that building. I remember this place vividly. Out cousin was trouble since we were little.

"Are you fucking crazy?!"

I screamed as she circled me. I'm not seeing what she was gaining out of this. She stole from me yet I'm the one that's tied up.

I should've known not to trust her. It was my fault for thinking she would be mature about this.

"I decided to bring you back to the place where it all started"

Cassidy's hatred towards me grew stronger in here. I remember the events that took place that one afternoon.

"You're doing amazing Serenity," my parents praised.

I slowly, but surely, got the hang of the new sewing pattern my mom got me. It required me to cut out the front and back of a dress.

The floor-length dress would be used for church. Easter Sunday was slowly approaching so I had to prepare myself. My grandma offered to let me use her sewing machine so I was excited.

As I worked on the pattern, Cassidy was outside dancing. While I gravitated towards hands-on activities, she did the physical ones. That's how the sister dynamic worked.

The time I had with my parents was suddenly cut short as Cassidy came busting through the door. Tears ran down her face nonstop. It was as if she was a sprinkler.

"Mommy help! They're doing it again"

She was referring to the neighbor's kids. They often picked on her when we came over. It was for stupid things like her dancing and features.

They tried to do the same to me. I nipped it in the bud before it could continue.

Cassidy, being the oldest amongst us all, didn't have it in her to speak up. She allowed those itty bitty demons to terrorize her.

"If it's about them kids, figure it out"

My mom was over it. This was the third time she called her since we got here. Every time she tried to relax, she was up on her feet again.

"But mo.."

"Don't you see I'm helping Serenity? Go take a seat or go back outside. Stop bothering me"

She dismissed Cassidy. With that being said, my mom continued to encourage me to keep going. To say Cassidy was hurt would be an understatement.

She was forced to suck it up and go back outside. That was nothing new to her. She's used to wiping her tears.

The look of hatred in her eyes stuck with me from that day forward.

"They've never paid attention to me. Everything I did, you did better. You received all the praise which left me with nothing to hold on to."

"If you felt that way you should've had a conversation with mom and dad. I have nothing to do with that."

I understand what she's saying but, it made no sense to me. Why is she holding a grudge against me if I was just on the receiving end? A quick sit down and confession about how she felt would have helped her.

But then again, our parents don't always listen. With their busy careers, they don't always have time to attack the situation at hand.

"I never felt loved. I was always the other child. The one they never thought about unless they had to criticize something. I've been taking care of myself since you were born. I've had to wipe my tears, help myself with homework, and go through my sad times alone. They were too focused on you to care about me. I had my child in an effort of being seen but, it wasn't important to them. They were focused on you moving away for college"

I felt for her. Parenting yourself takes away from your childhood. I never noticed the unequal treatment when I was little. I was just happy to spend time with my parents.

As I grew up I chose to ignore it. Since she carried herself as someone who's strong headed I didn't pay her any mind. I assumed she didn't need our parents anymore.

"I don't have to worry about you anymore though"

She laughed evilly. That's when I knew I was in danger. The last time that happened she killed my pet turtle. All I had done was borrow her hair brush.

As I was deep in thought I heard the cock of a gun. My eyes widened as they directed toward her. No remorse flashed in her eyes. The barrel of that gun stared deep into my soul.

Who would've thought my sister would be the one to take my life? I always thought my death would be something more natural.

As her younger sister, I never understood her. I understood her struggles in life though, I sympathize with her. But taking my life is not going to solve anything. It's going to cause more harm than good.

She's going to prison for murder. Knowing my parents they will have no guilt in their hearts to charge her with the maximum sentence. Her daughter will grow up with no mother along with already having her father absent.

"Mommy and daddy aren't here to save you now"

I started to lose all hope. No one was here to help me. My parents had no idea I was in town and Dominic was back in the hotel. I was going to brace myself for the consequences of her anger until I looked behind her.

Dominic held a rock in his hand ready to attack. Out of everything he could've came with, he picked a rock. I can always count on him to be a doofus in serious situations.

While she loaded the clip Dominic got closer to her. It was working until he stepped on a creaky part of the hardwood floor. Before she could process what was happening, he lunged at her.

I heard the heavy metal land on the floor with a thud. Heavy breathing filled the room as they wrestled for the gun. My heartbeat was in my throat at this point.

"Let me get her! She ruined everything!"

Her scream filled the room. I tried to break free from the knot of the rope but, it was useless. I'm guessing she learned how to tie the first time she went to prison.

With one last reach, I heard a bang. A bang that would change my life forever.

A gunshot echoed throughout the room. It felt as though time stopped. The pair of eyes slowly closed as they stared at me for the last time.

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I'm back!

I've been gone for almost a year and I promise, it's for a good reason! I started college and it's been stressful! I finally figured out how to manage it.

This is the second to last chapter of this book! I will include a face reveal in a separate chapter of this book!

With that being said, I have decided to work towards publishing For The Curvy! I'm so excited. I hope you guys enjoy it when it's done and released!

Xoxo,

Black_baddie