Kaya let out a huge sigh of relief as she kicked off her shoes. She was a little disturbed by the conversation she had with the therapist but she knew it was the truth. She wouldn't be able to keep her secret for long. Most importantly she wanted to share it with the man she loved but she was afraid.

Kaya's front door suddenly opened loudly startling her as she jumped up.

She groaned as she heard a loud, "waaaaasssss upppppp bae?!" calling to her. Followed by a clinking of jewelry.

Only one person could make such an entrance.

"Hi Corey" she giggled as she looked at his outfit.

Corey strutted across the floor in a tight red dress, and killer shoes. He twirled and Voguéd while sticking his ass, making his presence known.

Corey looked Kaya over, his eyes rested on her worried face, "who we finna scheme on?" he asked playing with the gum in his mouth, twirling it around his finger.

Kaya shook her head bewildered, "no one, why do you ask?"

Corey adjusted his blueberry Indian wig, "I got a six itch girl! It's a gift. I know when shit smells funny around here" he said wrinkling his nose.

Kaya rolled her eyes, "You mean sense? and that smell is, grandma" she corrected pointing to her sleeping Nana.

Corey took a step back, "Well, damn warn a bitch before you let her rip one. No one told me we were dropping nukes today. And no hunny I know when my girl is in her feelings, spill the tea, make it juice and tell me what's sugar?" he asked snapping his fingers with sass.

Kaya smiled giving him a hug, "Okay fine, I'm afraid to tell Keith about you know what..." she whispered.

Corey pursed his lips in annoyance, "bitch speak up, you know the dead can't ease drop. And second of all, I told you to tell him before you married him about that ish. It's not even that deep, but what you doing now is fucked up" he lectured.

Kaya groaned, "just help me find something to do," she said pulling out a newspaper.

Corey looked surprised, "You know what work is?" he teased.

Kaya swatted him playfully, "silly, my homework is to find a hobby or something that makes me feel empowered, strong, and beautiful. You know, something that will help boost my self-esteem" she confessed.

Corey rubbed his chin, thinking hard, "You should work at a mattress store" he said slowly.

Kaya gave him a dirty look, "why?" she asked even though she knew he was about to say something slick.

Corey didn't skip a beat, he licked his lips and shrugged, "because you have years of experience when it comes to laying down in beds and not having sex" he laughed sticking out his tongue.

"That makes no sense" Kaya huffed irritated.

Corey pointed a long finger toward Nana who was peacefully sleeping, "neither does that corpse you keep around" he replied.

Kaya scowled, "You're going to miss her when she's gone" she warned.

Corey took out a napkin and let out a fake sob, "if that's the case, then R.I.P" he countered.

Kaya gave up if there was one thing she knew about Corey was that he was extremely rude. He often said what he meant and never looked back. She loved his charisma and fire, but sometimes it made her jealous.

He often wore the sexiest outfits, the baddest make-up and was hit on by both straight men and gay. He lived unapologetically and rode hard for his friends when he wasn't popping his ass at the clubs.

Corey also faced a lot of hardships. His dad abusively beat his ass as a child just because he would cry for food or water. The beatings had been so gruesome that at times he fainted, bleeding out and becoming physically numb.

His mother had been strung out on drugs to cope with the pain of life and had checked out of the family, mentally leaving Corey's father to have his way with both of them.

Then when Corey became a teenager his good for nothing father brutally molested him and left him on the streets to die. Ever since then Corey had a hard time committing to one partner. Life had made him afraid to trust or love because he was afraid to marry a man just like his father.

He always shined brighter than anyone Kaya had ever known with his positive uplifting jokes and advice, but he was also the loneliest star. Although it had been some time since Corey had left his fathers toxic grasp, the pain hadn't, it lingered.

That's why Kaya didn't fuss too much when he was being over the top, and that's why she also gave Corey her extra house key for those lonely nights when his PTSD was bad, and he would scream and cry himself to sleep sweating through bleeding memories like painful bullets.

"So where is Mr. Crispy anyways?" Corey asked looking around for Kaya's husband.

Kaya, who was distracted with reading newspaper adds mumbled, "He's gone to dinner with his work friend Esme" she replied.

Corey gave Kaya his famous, "awww hell no bitch!" look before snatching the paper out of her hands, "911 Hoe Alert, man-snatching in progress. You better call the stolen dick hotline" he yelled loudly until his voice echoed.

Nana who had been sleeping peacefully on the couch shot up startled by the noise, "dick?" she asked looking around.

Corey put his hands over his mouth to stop himself from screaming with laughter,"I'm not even going to say nothing this time" he promised.

Kaya groaned, "now you woke her up," she said crankily.

Corey swayed back and forth on his tippy toes raising his hands as if he was in prayer, "nope the power of the dick did that! Miracles do happen, look she's Lazarus" he praised.

"Two for one" Nana mumbled in between light snores.

Nana turned over, slumping back into the soft cushion of the couch, and before her head hit the pillow she was out again.

Kaya turned back to Corey, "I trust my husband, they are just friends. I think it's good for him to have someone to talk to and socialize with. I never leave the house except for emergencies or essentials. So let it them be,... please" she begged, seeing the look in her best friends eye.

Corey sat down, his smooth long legs extended like a model as his hair swished effortlessly with the breeze.

He started to sing, "My man is my man is your man,

this her man too

My man is my man is your man is her man that's her man

Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday and Friday"

He sang louder making sure to get Kaya's attention,

"His dick is her dick no longer your shit, Hoe's be sharing all of those dicks, Mondaaaay through Friday" he belted out while staring at her with huge bug eyes.

Kaya put down her newspaper, "Fine" she huffed, "what's your plan?" she asked skeptically.

Corey clapped his hands together gleefully, "Let's roll up on them! We can pull up to the restaurant and see what's really good" he said.

Kaya ran to get her plastic bag, taking deep wheezing breaths, shaking uncontrollably, "I can't I'm afraid to go outside, what if I get hit by or a car? what is a cloud falls on me? what if I get tasered by lightning or worse?" she gasped biting her nails anxiously.

She grabbed Corey's hand tears brimming at the top of her baby doe eye's, "What if a pole falls on me just like my daddy?" she wailed.

Corey spoke to her gently breaking his words apart," and...what if I give you some volume?" he suggested.

"I want some!" Nana yelled.

Corey grabbed his chest, "what is with this creepy old prune jumping back and forth into life like that? " he looked up, "God you wrong for this, take her or leave her but stop playing" he grumbled.

"Nana you can't have no volume, you don't have enough body to take it, but how about an energy drink? Go outside and look for the elixir of life, try the sprinklers first" he instructed sarcastically.

"Okay!" Nana replied from the other room.

Kaya was trembling in a little ball crying, "I can't I can't" she explained shaking violently.

Corey looked around helplessly, "I have an idea," he said.

Keith laughed taking a sip of the complimentary wine they were serving at LePlush. It was his favorite upscale restaurant in the North district of his town. Music played softly in the background as a live orchestra serenaded the entire restaurant. Server's hustled and bustled past them, creating busy clanks, and thuds as dishes and hot food circulated around them.

The aroma was mouthwatering with fresh basil soups and hot sizzling meat plates rushed past them in a busy manner.

Esme planted a polite peck on the side of Keith's jaw as he stood up and pulled out her chair for her, "thanks for coming" he said genuinely happy.

Esme looked around at the decadent glass chandelier, crystal tableware, and exquisitely dressed people, "Wow I thought you meant someplace cheap when you texted me about lunch" she gushed.

Keith laughed shrugging, "You're an excellent employee and a good friend you deserve it," he said raising his glass.

Esme's green cat eyes sparkled under her smoldering eyeshadow as she took a delicate sip, "mmmm hmmm" was her only reply.

Her voice was thicker than molasses churning in the throats of honey bee's as she hummed softly and flirtatiously. She leaned in letting her cleavage spill over just enough to entice, as she crossed her milky graceful legs.

Wicked thoughts filled her mind as she let the dark blend of alcohol linger on her puffy lips.

Keith who was clueless continued to talk, "The papers from our company need to be redirected to our..."

Esme gently touched his hand reaching across the table, her sultry sensual movements were like a silk spiders web, "less business, more personal conversation" she winked.

Her curls dangled softly over her oval face, just enough to make a man think about gently tucking them back for her.

Keith spread his napkin over his lap, "fair enough" he chuckled.

Corey carried Kaya's half limp body over his shoulders, trying to steady her out and look fabulous wearing seven-inch heels.

He had only meant to give her a light tranquilizer but his hand had gotten a little heavy, so now Kaya was mildly unconscious and drooling all over herself in between burst of giggles.

"I can't meel my ace" she slurried her words together as she wobbled and swayed.

"Stay in the car with your Nana" Corey whispered giving her a quick shove.

Corey sighed breaking a sweat, but there was no way in hell he was going to let his best friend become lunchmeat for a piranha hoe like Esme. They were going to confront her even if he had to do it himself...

Corey quickly changed wigs and redid his makeup, he had a crazy idea that just might work.

"So why don't you have a partner?" Keith asked.

Esme blushed, "I'm very selective, you know after losing my fiance,...nothing is the same. Also, I'm very affectionate and it comes off as too much for some men" she shrugged, "but I feel like physical touch is just as important as communication" she hiccuped.

Keith wiped his mouth, "I meant for work Esme, I was referring to our objective plan you didn't pick a partner yet" he explained hiding a smile.

Esme was on her third glass of wine and feeling particularly loose, "Oh, well now you know something about me. What about you Mr?" she giggled pointing a soft long finger his way.

Keith put his hands together, he really enjoyed her presence. She was full of joy, laughter and made him forget what stress felt like, "Oh, I don't know, when you're married you kind of lose a sense of self. I use to be a social light, travel and do things but with my wife's condition..." his words trailed off as he quietly enjoyed his bread.

Esme shook her head, "It's none of my business but I don't think you should take on your wife's problems or fears. You should each be whole individuals who complement each other's dreams goals and ambitions".

Keith pulled nervously on his tie, his stomach felt unfamiliarly tight and all he could focus on was her flowing hair, "I appreciate the advice" he said frankly, "I love my wife, and that's all" he cleared his throat.

Esme leaned in, her red wine lips brushed against his face as she whispered, "who are you trying to prove that to?" her voice became low and raspy like a hot pressed iron, burning for sex.

"Excuse me Sir" the waitress interrupted at the perfect time.

Keith looked up slowly, "Yes?" he asked addressing the server.

The waitress held out a thick black cloth, "A special request was made to blindfold you and present you with a surprise" she reached to put it over his eyes.

Keith dodged the blindfold quickly, exchanging a look with Esme, who shrugged sharing the same confusion, "by who?" he asked.

The waitress sighed, rolling her eyes, "by your very persistent and charming wife" she informed.

Keith was surprised and immediately looked around, but then gave in putting on the blindfold, "I wonder what she's up to now" he mumbled more to himself.

A heavy hand fell on Keith's chest, "Hey baby" they wheezed in a high pitch tone.

"You okay honey?" Keith asked unsure "You sound horrible" he stated.

"It's a man!" Esme blurted out.

Corey put his hands on his hips, "Look it's a hoe" he snapped back.

Keith jumped up ripping the blindfold off, "What is the meaning of this?" he asked angrily.

Corey was ready to fight, "what's the meaning of that," he said pointing at Esme, "Where did you find this cheap chopstick looking gutter slut. She has a body of a square and the face of a pentagon. So you like geometry now? Or just vertical shaped hoes?" he yelled in a full-blown temper.

Esme started to curse in Spanish.

Corey jumped on the table knocking over glasses, forks, knives, and expensive plates, "speak dog to me, one more time bitch!" he hissed trying to claw her eyes out, "Te tengo pinche perra!" He spat.

Keith frantically tried to gain control of everything as chaos broke out. Several curious heads turned looking at the commotion while workers frantically worked to clean up the mess.

Keith stood in front of Esme screaming over both of them, "stop she's my friend!" he demanded.

Corey was in full diva rage he wasn't having it, "This ain't the three amigo's let me snatch her real quick" he said as Keith held him back.

A loud Tarzan cry shrilled through the restaurant as a flying nude body quickly speed onto the scene, causing everyone including Corey to stop dead in his tracks.

Corey flailed his hands in horror, gagging and grabbing his stomach, "quick give me a trashcan I'm going to throw up" he screamed as nausea took over.

Keith groaned covering his face and Esme raised an eyebrow.

"Who invited that expired Nutella bar here, and where the fuck is your clothes" Corey screamed at Nana.

Somehow Nana had made it out of the car and had stripped down to her bare necessities. She was now waltzing slowly toward Corey, Keith, and Esme. She clearly wasn't in her right mind but her old sturdy wrinkled body was taking her places.

Corey was crying, as he bent over and looked away in horror, "laaaawd why?" he screamed as Nana ran into his arms.

Esme tried to slip away but not before Keith grabbed her hand looking extremely flustered and overwhelmed, "I'm so sorry" he apologized repeatedly.

Esme shook her head walking quickly away.

"You better go!" Nana said frowning with no teeth.

Corey collected himself smoothing out his dress, he looked down at Nana with disgust, "So you my Bonnie & Clyde?" he asked.

Nana's eyes looked spacey, she was not completely all there but she smiled, "yeah Thelma & Louise" she said shaking her breast, like two sagging wet socks filled with sand.

Corey shook his hand respectfully, "You know you a bad bitch, I fuck with it. You might be an old bag of spoiled potatoes but you go hard. I like you" he said approvingly.

Nana nodded, "watch me do a cartwheel," she said raising her hands and opening her legs.

Corey shook his head, "Oh no! Don't you dare show me that hairless deranged kitty that you have hiding in that old thicket" he gagged, "not all cat's have nine lives" he reminded her grabbing her arm.

Kaya came stumbling in at the perfect moment, "vavy wassts on dee menhue?" she slurred.

Keith let out a frustrated groan he had more than enough, "everyone get in the car we are going home!" his voice boomed in dangerous anger. He turned to Corey, "go home and don't come back till you find some respect for us" he snapped.

Corey made a face but knew better than to test Keith when he was this enraged, "Come on windbreaker" he said taking Nana's hand but not before whispering, "nasty ole Woods mother fucker".

"By the way you're paying for this mess!" Keith called back as he lead his wife home.

Corey gave him the finger, "I will when you get some pussy" he clapped back.

Kaya almost wished the drowsy effects lasted longer, as soon as she found her right mind, Keith stood over her screaming, "Why did you do that?!" he yelled enraged.

None of Kaya's sweet looks, apologetic kisses, or even soft submissive voices could calm him down as his fist curled and he punched a wall, "You always ruin everything!" he said letting go his frustrations.

Kaya sat quietly like a kid, watching his fuse go off. She had nothing to say in between salty tears, her lips trembled, "I just wanted to meet Esme" she blubbered on.

Keith paced around the bedroom looking at her with disbelief, "I don't even know why you have ratchet friends like Corey, he's no good for you! And what the hell did he mean when he called Esme out?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"Are you cheating on me?" Kaya asked getting straight to the point.

Keith's stopped dead in his tracks running his hands through his curls, on the brink of breaking under stress, "No" he said quickly.

Kaya stood by his side, even when he turned away, "but that's what you want?" she asked wearily.

It was silent throughout the house, suddenly it seemed like their home was a nest of thorns and vines. The cracks on the ceilings were from all the pressure, screaming, and broken lines. They were dancing near the edge, burning in the brooding darkness of unspoken hate, bridled by the chains of despair in their "happy little marriage".

"Yes," Keith whispered. He fell to his knees kissing her hands softly as he looked up at his queen. His eyes brimming over with sadness, "I just want us to be normal. Sometimes it's too much" he paused trying to find the right words to say.

Keith grabbed his chest, "sometimes I feel like I lost myself in your madness. I want to travel baby, have kids, go on dates, and do things that normal people do. That behavior today was beyond nonsense, it was dysfunctional.

I want love, I want to feel loved, I want to feel fearless and I want to feel supported. What about me?" he repeated those haunting words until it sunk into his heart like a sharp pin, "what about me?" he asked breaking down with emotions.

Kaya got down on her knees admiring his handsome face, holding him and pulling him close to her heart for the first time "I'm sorry" she said bravely.

She wiped away his bashful tears, "Keith I appreciate you, I love you and I hear you. I promise I'm going to get better. No more nonsense" she swore.

Keith got up slowly looking past her. His face was stoic and dead, a man of war losing to love, "The thing is I don't know if you can be anything else" he said harshly.

Kaya sobbed falling into herself, like leaves crumbling into an Autumn pile. She tried desperately to hold his hand, but he didn't respond the way he use to. His usual warmth was suddenly an icy arctic splinter. He didn't say anything or smile. He just looked tiredly out the window, watching and waiting.

"You embarrassed me today, you didn't support or protect me. I told you how badly I wanted a friend and you let your fears and insecurities take that away from me. I can't trust you, Kaya, to have my back" he whispered in a dragging eerie tone.

His lips barely moved as he looked wearily past her, "I sleep close to you every night, fighting and chasing away your demons and monsters. I spend countless hours awake just listening to you breathe softly on my chest, and rubbing your hands until it soothes your heart rate. Tonight you can sleep alone so you know how it feels to be unsupported in this marriage" he said grabbing his pillow.

Kaya wailed thrashing around sporadically, "nooooo please" she shuddered, but he was already gone.

The moon settled above the dark etches of the earth softly reflecting gentle beams of lights into their empty abandoned rooms casting shadows on their hollow home. Until true darkness blanketed their sobbing, broken hearts leaving their dreams of love and hope in Paris.

Authors note: Are you, Team Keith or Team Kaya?

Vote & Share your thoughts please! Oh here's my thoughts btw: Keith not only has to deal with his wife but her sick grandmother & sometimes unruly friend. He also financially supports Kaya since she's too scared to have a job. It seems like he has a lot on his plate. What has Kaya sacrificed for him? 🤔