Calling an Uber to take me back to the hospital to get my car, I decided against going inside to see about Kash, in case my father was there. Paying the driver and hopping in my car, I headed to the church to meet Maddox.
Only a few minutes later, I was pulling into the driveway of the church, and the parking lot was vacant except for Maddox’s new 2020, charcoal-gray G-wagon. Smirking, I laughed to myself that this nigga was now pushing a G-wagon like he was the head pastor of a mega church or some shit. Give a nigga some money and they went crazy. His ass was pushing a damn black Suburban just three months ago before getting the role of senior pastor.
Shaking my head, I shut my car off, grabbed my purse from the passenger seat and headed inside to put this shit to death. There would be no more Maddox Wells. I thought I made that shit clear, but this nigga wasn’t taking no for an answer. Checking out the parking lot, I wanted to be sure no one was around. Sometimes the groundskeeper would be on the property cleaning up, but today, not even he was here.
Searching for my key inside my purse, the door buzzed signifying it was already opened. I should’ve known his ass was watching the cameras from his office. Walking inside, suddenly this eerie feeling swept over my body. It was freezing in the building and it was so empty. Usually, there was always someone here in the building whether it be the secretary Sister Alma, the cleaning crew or somebody, but today it was unusually quiet.
Walking briskly down the hallway towards Maddox’s office, his door was slightly ajar. Pushing his door open, his leather, brown swivel chair was facing the large window, but he quickly turned around to face me when he heard me enter.
Smiling, he stood up to greet me.
“What the hell you smiling for?” I placed my purse on his desk.
Rounding the desk, he went in for a hug but I positioned my hand straight out to stop him.
With a confused look on his face, his tongue swiped across his lips.
“No, this is over between us. I told you that when your wife called me to that damn hotel room and today, she has your fucking daughter calling my place of business playing around. And you knooooow I don’t play about my damn money.” I folded my arms across my chest.
“What? Marlene is in town? When did this happen?” I could tell he really didn’t know that his scary ass wife had called in their guard dog of a daughter to so call “straighten me out.”
“Not long ago.”
“Man, I’m so sorry baby. I promise I’ll take care of it.” He lowered his voice as he reached for me again, but this time I took a step back.
“No! Maddox, did you not hear me? I’m done with this. I have my marriage back on track and I’m-I’m pregnant now, so this has to end. Plus, you know how much I hate damn drama, and being with you brings that. So, let this be the last time you call, text, or ask to see me. This is a wrap!”
Instead of spazzing out on me about what I said, he began to laugh this haunted laugh that I’d never heard before. He was scaring me, and it took a lot for me to be scared.
“Pregnant? How far along?” He was still laughing, making chills run down my spine.
“Maddox, it doesn’t matter. Like I said, my marriage is good now, I’m about to have a baby, so this shit has to stop. Go home to Marlo and work things out. Tell her you’re sorry and I’ll never be a problem for either of you again.”
I hadn’t seen a doctor yet, but based on my period, I was about seven weeks pregnant. I knew that wasn’t accurate all the time, but my periods were like clockwork so I was pretty sure my calculations were on point. None of that even mattered though, because my husband was the only one I had been with as far as sex.
Walking to where his chair was, he took a seat, folding his hands in the praying position. Lowering his head and closing his eyes, I had no idea what he was doing.
“Well, I’m leaving. Please do as I asked of you.”
When I snatched my purse from his desk, he raised his head.
“If it all could be so simple, my beautiful friend.”
“What the hell are you talking about Maddox? I don’t have time for your riddles.” He was making me agitated and when that happened, anything was a go.
“A few weeks ago when we met, you didn’t like the bottle of cognac I purchased. Remember you said it had a funny taste and the shit had you woozy?”
“Yea, what about it? The shit was cheap and you know I don’t do cheap anything. But anyway, what’s your point?”
“My point is, you were past woozy my love. I know your parents weren’t dumb enough to never mention to you to pour your own drinks or watch them with your own eyes being made.” He smirked.
I had no idea what his ass was getting at, but I was over this game he was playing. Turning to head out, I was done with Pastor Maddox Wells. I’d miss his money for sure, but my husband and baby were well worth never seeing him again.
“Before you leave my love, let me know when your appointment is. I’d love to be there to hear the heartbeat of my child.”
Dropping my purse to the floor, I spun around to face Maddox. I knew what he was saying, but I had to hear it from his mouth to know if it were real.
Please God! No! It couldn’t be!
“That night, I slipped a little GHB in your drink. For months I have been teased by you. You let me touch you, see it, and even taste that sweetness sometimes, but that wasn’t enough. For all the money I spent with you, there was no way you were going to keep denying me the real thing.”
I stood frozen in place. My ankles seemed to be held down by concrete cinder blocks. My heartbeat was about to burst out of my chest and my tears fell like a water fall.
Screaming at the top of my lungs, there was no way he was saying what I thought he was saying.
God no! There was no way Pastor Maddox Wells was the father of my baby.