"Temptation is the feeling we get when encountered by an opportunity to do what we innately know we shouldn't."
Elliott was in the kitchen preparing dinner for his family. He finally decided to take his phone off of do not disturb. Ignoring the missed calls and texts from Janaya, he checked the other missed calls. As he went to set the phone on the counter, he noticed a retailor packet.
"The fuck."
He picked up the contents and searched through it. Chanel was selling their home for double the price he bought it for. The offer sounded amazing but he wasn't to keen on the idea of Chanel moving.
The sound of the front door unlocking and opening, caught Elliott's attention. He waited until Chanel was fully in the house before he waved the packet in the air.
"Where is my daughter?" He demanded.
"Your daughter?! You act like you produced her all on your own. She will be dropped off shortly." Chanel said, removing her heels and rubbing her aching feet.
"Who has her? No, answer this first. I'm sure you can answer it. What the hell is this?!"
"Now you have the time to discuss matters that's been on my mind? Now that you have the time, you can finally be involved in the decision making around here?!"
"What is the attitude for?! Your not moving so you can forget this shit!" He dropped the packet in the garbage.
"You can burn it, flush it or throw it away. It doesn't change the fact that this house is sold and I already have a place closer to my job!"
"Job?! The only job you have is taking care of my daughter and tending to your schooling that I'm paying for!"
"That's the shit I'm talking about!"
"Your not saying a damn thing so what are you talking about?!"
"If you were around then you would know exactly how I'm feeling and the shit that goes on in my head! But you're never here! Probably out doing only god knows what!"
Elliott rubbed his temples in hopes of easing the massive migraine. "No matter what your going through, the outcome shouldn't be you selling the home I paid for."
"The home I paid for. My daughter. Tend to the schooling I'm paying for." Chanel mocked. "Me. Me. I. I. That's your problem now. If you have a problem with it or want some bimbo that will sit on her ass all day go else where. I'm done." She slowly walked upstairs to their bedroom.
Elliott turned off the stove, locked the door, and followed Chanel up the stairs.
"What do yo mean your done? You can easily throw away four years like that?"
"Now you care about our relationship now that its threatened? Too bad. You can leave. I'm sure we can figure out a schedule where Ja'Mira spends time with you when your not busy."
Elliott grabbed her by her waist and pushed her to the wall. As she struggled to break free, he grabbed her arms and pinned them to the wall.
"Just because I'm always at work doesn't mean I'm too busy for my family. Nothing can make me give up my family. Before I question why you decided to sell the house without me, where are you supposedly working?"
"The university over east. I even get to act as the assistant to the marketing manager until she returns from vacation."
"What?" He said in disbelief. Elliott dropped her arms and starred at Chanel as if she had just gone insane.
"Atlanta University. With the money we would get from this house, I can purchase a bigger one closer to my job or closer to yours. Now you don't have to work so much since we both are bringing bread to the table."
"What the hell is wrong with you? I work a lot so I can provide for my family. I love providing for my family!"
"Family?! I'm not your wife. Why should I have to rely on you for every little thing?! Look how long we've been together and you still haven't discussed moving forward. I'm tired of playing house with you! What am I to you anyway?! Did you even consult with me when you decided to work for another hospital for the summer?!"
His lies were adding up and he wasn't sure how long he could hide them. He sighed heavily and pulled out a small box from his pocket. He then handed it to her.
"It's not like I'm slaving away from someone else. I don't even know what to say to you right now. Maybe this summer apart will do us justice."
Elliott watched as Chanel eyed the diamond engagement ring. She has been dropping hints about moving to the next step. Although she wouldn't voice it, Elliott knew what she wanted. Afterall, he went through the same thing with Janaya.
"I'm -"
"It's engraved," Elliott muttered.
Chanel looked at the engraved words. They were her initials along with his.
He gathered his keys and went to leave the house.
As he drove away from the house, his mind began to wonder. Eventually, he would be forced to choose between Janaya and Chanel. Sooner or later his world would come crashing down with no way of returning.
"Shit!"
Chanel was the laid back type of woman. Fussing was only her last resort before she gives up entirely. Then there was Janaya. A independent, goal focused woman that's been rocking with him since they were kids. It would be a blessing if he could live this life without neither one of them finding out about each other. Things aren't that easy.
He tried to discover the good in his situation. If Kyla moved closer to him then he could spend more time with both Janaya and Chanel. Then again, if the two women happen to bump into each other then all hell would break loose.
He groaned upon the realization that his two lovers probably already met.
Elliotts phone interrupted his thoughts.
"Wassup with you?" He answered.
"Are you with Issac? He's not answering his phone." Kyla sobbed.
"Nah. Where are you?"
"The hospital. I was just in the car accident and they just wanted to make sure everything was okay."
After Elliott told her that everything was going to be okay, he rushed to the hospital. Once he parked his car, he rushed to find Kyla. Chanel was involved in a hit in run. Leaving her two-door truck to be totaled. Surprisingly the only damage that was done was to her car. She walked away with no injuries.
"So let me get this straight. Your crying because your truck is gone and not because your hurt?"
"Hey! That was my truck that I purchased with my own money the moment I arrived to this state! She was my baby and now she's gone."
Elliott blinked at her several times. Her truck was nothing that was considered fancy but she cherished it as if it was from a top-notch brand.