" What the fuck is going on here?" Malcolm asked in horror.
" Tiana? What are you doing here?" Kendrell asked, aghast!
Jordan who was holding Tiana's bag with his left hand, took two steps forward. Turning to the side, he handed the bag to a blank-face Tiana who took it from him and went back inside.
Clearing his throat, Jordan glanced at the dumbstruck pair of friends, before putting his hands in his pocket.
" Listen. I'm sorry that you had to find out this way Ken." Jordan said.
" Find out what?! What are talking about?'' Malcolm asked, he didn't want to put what Jordan was implying into meaning. It didn't make sense!
Turning to him, Jordan replied,
" Just let me talk Malcolm. This has nothing to do with you." Then he turned to Kendrell, who was inches taller than him, but with a demeanor of a clueless five year old.
" I'm so sorry Ken. I didn't think you were gonna come today. We planned on disclosing the news before your birthday next month. I..."
A swift punch from Malcolm landed on Jordan's right cheek bone, before he could complete whatever he had to say.
" You jerk! How could you Jordan?! Is this some kind of joke to you?!'' Malcolm asked appalled. Massaging his cheek, Jordan smirked.
" Does this look like a joke to you?" he replied.
" Jordan how could you?" Kendrell asked as he tried not to fall to his knees.
" You were my best friend. My brother. Why? What wrong...''
''Uh uhhh. That's where the mistake comes in Ken'' Jordan butted in, unremorsefully.
" I never called you my brother. Even if you were, haven't you read about Abel and Cain? Or Jacob and Esau? Hmm?'' Jordan asked, looking into Ken's eyes, without a pang of guilt. Before he could continue spewing nonsense, Tiana, walked out, through the door.
Kendrell, was in a dilemma. He didn't know where to start. He didn't know who's part of betrayal hurt more. Was it Jordan, his best friend since Grade 3. His best friend, with whom he shared endless, treasure able memories. The Years of friendship and brotherhood!
Or Tiana, his lover. The one he had come to love deeply. The one he had spent many nights dreaming of a colorful future with. Who was he to hold by the Collar? How would he put the words together? That they were hoping on each other behind him?
No! It must be a prank!...Of course!
That's it! It's a prank! Damn! He almost fell for it!
Turning to Tiana with a smile, which startled her for a moment.
" What did you think? That I was going to fall for it?" Kendrell said.
" Fall for what?'' She asked.
" For this silly prank. To come to think of it, you both weren't kissing. And you, Malcolm" Kendrell said as he turned to Malcolm, who was speechless at this point. Smiling at him, he continued,
" You brought me here because of this, didn't you? Oh my! " Kendrell exclaimed.
Turning to Tiana,
" I can't believe you actually agreed to do this with them babe. Malcolm, I'm sure all this was your idea.." Kendrell said.
" Kendrell I..."
" Come on Mal..."
" Listen to me Kendrell!!'' Malcolm yelled.
" I wish it was all a joke. But it isn't! I'm only trying to understand your frame of mind right now, so I'm going to ignore the fact that you said, I'd go as far as planning or taking part in something as stupid and as heart wrenching as this. Because I don't even know how to feel too Ken. I don't! "
Glancing at Jordan with disdain, and returning his gaze to Ken, Malcolm continued,
'' I also feel betrayed by the two of them. But you have to get your acts together." Malcolm said in a whisper tone. Abruptly, Tiana's voice brought them out of their daze, temporarily.
" Listen Jordan, I'm sorry okay? But I..."
" ENOUGH! ENOUGH!" Kendrell yelled.
" That's enough joke already! It's not funny anymore guys, so I think you all should drop the fucking act already!"
" Oh, it's not an act, I can assure you for free Kenny. And this'll prove it!" Jordan said as he grabbed Tiana's arm and drew her closer to himself, before tilting his neck and bending a little to Capture her lips. Tiana was startled for a moment, but she caught up and kissed him back, almost passionately.
A tear dropped from Kendrell's eye, before he realized, while Malcolm boiled with rage.
These were the people he thought he knew and once loved. At this point, he couldn't muster up whatever it took to throw a punch or two.
Breaking the kiss, after they both ran out of breathe, they stared at each other. Using his thumb to brush her lips, Jordan spoke
" So, does it look like a joke to you?" he said before raising his head to look at Kendrell who was somewhere between tears and rage.
" Does it? Huh?" He asked with a smirk, while Tiana had a smile on her face.
" Listen Ken" Tiana said, gaining Ken's full attention. Except for Malcolm, whose eyes never left Jordan.
" I'm sorry it had to end like this. I wanted to do this in a proper way. I wanted to break the news to you after the vacay we planned, but I guess fate has it's plans." Tiana said with a shrug as she pulled away from Jordan.
" Why? What did I do wrong? Why Jordan? Why stab me in the back like that?" Kendrell asked weakly.
" Listen Ken. I understand what you feel right now, but, I'm a Medley. What do you expect? You couldn't even support me financially when I was starting up my restaurant. Yes you're handsome, you're endearing too, but so is Jordan." She said smiling as she leaned towards Jordan and wrapped her arm around his arm. Jordan, shamelessly smiling at her with a loving gaze.
" You can't keep up with the kind of life I want. You're still hunting for a job for Pete's sake Ken! How do you expect me to introduce you to my friends?" She asked, with a quirked brow.
'' But you've introduced me to..."
" Oh please Ken. That's easy, I told them we broke up, 5 months ago. " She said with indifference as she folded her arms.
" How could you Tiana?'' Malcolm asked this time.
" Please Shut up Malcolm! You're not a part of this." Tiana said further unveiling her masked ugly personality. As if that was even any possible at this point.
This should be the height of it! She couldn't be more evil and heartless like she had already unmasked herself to be. Right?