My Best Kept Secret: The Black Veil, #5

By John Marcus Brown

Despite the pains and traumas she endured years ago, Mercedes has managed to retain her position of power. She continues to thrive with her cousin who also doubled as her saving grace. Mercedes used to be the closest of friends with Megan until they were divided by feelings of jealousy and spite. What seemed minor for one, was deemed detrimental for the other. With her back against the wall, Mercedes finds herself stuck between love for herself and lust for her lover. She's haunted by the memories of what was, and she's willing to do anything to satisfy her desires—even if it means exposing her darkest secrets.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMB Productions
• Release date: Aug 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393399414

John Marcus Brown

John Marcus Brown is an advocate of self-development who leads by example. He uses every obstacle and challenge as an opportunity for personal growth. He acknowledges that great things can be accomplished when passion and purpose are unified. John is one who is always concerned with building positive relationships because he understands the heartaches negativity can bring. If someone needs uplifting, he pays it forward by lending a helping hand.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Nina Alvarez

Nina came to the gravesite to accompany Mercedes during her visit with Mariah. It’s always an emotional time whenever they visit the cemetery. Nina showed up about 30 minutes after Mercedes was there to pay her respects. It has become a tradition for them both to pay homage to Mariah.

As Nina asked her cousin if she was okay, Mercedes politely says back, "Hi Nina, yeah—I’m okay." Mercedes goes to hug Nina to show her appreciation for the support. Nina joins Mercedes as they both take a seat on the ground on a big quilt. They both sit there for a few minutes and enjoy a few moments of silence as the breeze blows through.

Nina leads with:

"It still feels like a dream sometimes..."

"It does—like a nightmare I never woke up from..."

"Yeah..."

"I think this is the only thing that keeps me sane though—coming to visit her..."

"I understand. I don’t know why it always seems like the good ones go first..."

"I know, right..."

"Yeah. I just wonder what things would be like if she was still here..."

"I know I’d be in a better place..."

"We all would..."

Yeah. And you know I’ve had to apologize to her, right?

"Apologize for?"

"Candy Red..."

"Ohhhh..."

I was just in a bad place at that time. Back then, I’d do anything to keep my mind off of it, but—

"Mercedes—it’s okay. You don’t have to explain, we all have those moments. We can leave it just where it is—behind us..."

You’re right, thank you...

"Of course..."

"And there is something I wanted to tell you too..."

"Sure."

You remember when I mentioned Nevaeh and her boyfriend to you?

Yeah. Is everything good with her?

"No—they got into a fight..."

"Oh shit—is she okay?"

"Yeah, she’s fine—she’s just scared..."

"What happened?"

"Well, I kinda told her that he was fuckin’ her and Angie—she flipped out..."

"Ohhh wow—did that really happen?"

"Yeah, I just told her because I wanted her to know. I hate to see people take advantage of her—she’s a nice girl..."

"She is—but were you being messy though?"

"Umm—maybe a little..."

"I figured—but tell me what happened..."

Mercedes spends the next few minutes explaining more in detail what had happened with Nevaeh that night. Nina is the only one that Mercedes has been entirely transparent with since Mariah’s passing. After everything that has happened, Mercedes’ loyalty has been to her cousin—there’s nothing she won’t share with Nina.

After Mercedes fills her in on everything concerning Nevaeh, Nina says:

"Nevaeh did that? Wow—it’s always those quiet ones..."

"Exactly. Which is why you need to come visit Mississippi so you can meet ya boyfriend..."

"My boyfriend?"

"You know you got a thing for Javier..."

"I mean, from what you’ve told me—it’s hard not to..."

"Yeah, he reminds me a lot of you—his low-key mannerisms—but I think you should find out for yourself..."

"You think so?"

"Yes."

Since Mercedes first stepped on the scene, she has always managed to have her hand in everything. She has managed to twist and tangle every scenario to fit into whatever narrative she so desired. However, if there was one who she never really bothered—it was Javier. Although she has never bothered him, she has always noticed him.

Javier may have seemed to be more of an insignificant figure where she was concerned, but it was quite the contrary—Mercedes never made any advances on Javier because of Nina. Truth is, Mercedes has known from the beginning that she was gonna connect Nina to Javier—eventually. In a way, she’s been setting the tone for Nina this whole time.

She kept observing Javier’s behavioral patterns and even his chemistry with the fellas—she was reading all of that. She also knows Nina’s type. She ultimately wants to cater to Nina’s desires and do whatever it takes to make her happy. After all—Mercedes is alive because of Nina.

This whole time, Mercedes has confided in Nina. Nina has been the one who has had Mercedes’ ear. Anything that Mercedes considers doing, she seeks Nina out. Here’s the thing about Nina—Nina’s not so much of an antagonist, she’s just an opportunist. Nina normally doesn’t pressure Mercedes left or right; she just makes recommendations like, "Whether you do this or that—I support you."

This is another reason why Mercedes rides with Nina. They both can be very devious-minded as well as rational-minded individuals—depends on which day you catch ‘em. They make quite the dynamic duo, and Mercedes is ready to bring Javier into the mix really soon.

They spend a few more minutes at the gravesite, then Nina says:

"This place is depressing—you about ready to head out?"

"Yeah..."

You wanna grab something to eat?

Sure.

You have a taste for anything?

I’m down for whatever.

Cool.

"And I need to call Zayn too..."

"What’s up?"

At that pool party I told you about, you know she was all over Marvin...

"Really?"

"Oh yeah. So, I was thinking; I’m gonna see if she’ll bring him out to Houston for a weekend. That way, we can all get together, and you can meet Marvin. When he meets you, I’ll help finesse the situation so he’ll go back and tell Javier about you—too easy."

"I love how you think—let’s do it."

"I got you. We’re gonna have a good time. And like I told you—he’s a womanizer. Marvin out with three girls? I can’t help myself..."

"Well, you know I’m down. You just tell me whenever you’re ready."

They both smile at each other, and they get in their cars to head to get something to eat. Mercedes follows Nina to whatever restaurant of her choosing. On the ride over, Mercedes goes to text Zayn to let her know that she’s in Houston for a few days. Zayn hits her back shortly, telling her that’s she down for whatever.

When they get to the restaurant and get out of their cars, Mercedes tells Nina, "She hit me back. Nina smiles and says, Okay—cool." They head inside to have lunch together. Mercedes makes plans to meet with Zayn the next day just to catch up and drop a bug in her ear. Nina just chills while Mercedes makes all of the magic happen.

Mercedes has had a specific reason for bringing Zayn into the fold over the past few years. Zayn has been a very vital piece to Mercedes’ overall agenda—everything has its place. As Mercedes gets closer and closer to her goals, she intends to keep Nina at the top of her priority list.

Nina has been through her share of hardships over the years. She went through a tough time after Mariah’s death as well. Mercedes’ suicidal attempt took a toll on Nina, and she damn near needed to seek help after that. She had a hard time wrapping her mind around the fact that she almost witnessed her cousin blow her head off—that was a very traumatizing experience for Nina.

Amid the trauma, it kinda strengthened their relationship. They both regarded the situation as divine intervention. Nina made a vow to herself to protect Mercedes at all costs; Mercedes made a vow to have Nina’s back regardless of the situation. Through this mutual understanding, they’ve worked in tandem with each other ever since.

As Mercedes makes arrangements with Zayn to meet up for a lunch date, she plans to bring Nina along so they can all catch up. Nina is a nurse as well (she was in Spain under her traveling nurse contract while Zayn was in Dubai.) This is something they both have in common. For this reason, Nina and Zayn get along well.

The next day, Mercedes confirms a time and location for them to meet for lunch. She informs Zayn that Nina will be joining, and she looks forward to it. Nina is anticipating seeing how Mercedes will orchestrate this whole situation in terms of getting Marvin out to H-town. Although Nina is looking forward to meeting Marvin, she’s more so ready to get a shot at Javier.

They end up going to an Italian restaurant for their lunch meeting. They all plan to meet there around 12:30 p.m. and Nina makes it there first. When she makes it, she sends them both a text in a group message saying, "Getting us a table. Zayn replies, Okay. Few blocks away. Shortly after, Mercedes replies, Stuck in traffic, but I’m coming."

Nina gets out of her car and walks into the restaurant. As she walks in, the hostess greets her with, Hi, how are you today? Nina smiles and says back, I’m doing good, how are you? The hostess responds, "I’m good, thank you. How many? Nina says, Table for three, please. The hostess grabs three menus, then says to Nina, Okay—right this way."

Nina follows the hostess over to a table for her to be seated. While following her, Nina enjoys the delightful scenery of the restaurant; the atmosphere is very calm and welcoming. There’s a subtle aroma of Italian food in the air as well as soft music in the background. As they walk up to the table, the hostess makes sure that the table is a good choice for Nina. Nina assures the hostess that the table is good, and as she goes to take a seat, the hostess says, Alright, your waiter will be with you shortly. Nina politely smiles and says, "Thank you."

Nina gets situated and grabs a menu to start browsing through it. As she does this, the waiter comes to the table to greet Nina. The waiter says to Nina:

"Good afternoon, my name is Jordan, and I’ll be taking care of you today. You have some other people coming?"

"Good afternoon, and yes—two of my friends are coming."

Okay, sounds good. Would you like to go ahead and start with water or something until they get here?

Yes, please. I’ll have water for now.

Alright, and would you like a lemon with that?

"Umm—sure."

Okay, I got you.

"Oh, actually—could you make it three?"

"No problem."

He smiles at Nina as he heads off to grab the waters for the table. As he walks off, Nina’s phone rings. As she picks up her phone to look at it, she sees that Mercedes is calling her. Nina answers the call:

"Hello."

"Hey Nina, I’m still stuck in traffic—looks like there was a wreck or something..."

Oh okay, no worries. I just ordered us all some water.

Okay, thanks.

Want me to order you anything else before you get here?

Oh nah, I’m good. I’ll just order when I get there. Has Zayn made it?

"Not yet, she should be walking in by now. Wait—there she is. She’s up there talking to the hostess. She’s so fuckin’ silly—I know you can hear that."

"Haha yeah, I can. Tell her crazy ass to behave. See y’all soon."

Okay, be safe.

Zayn came through those doors talkin’ shit. She knows the hostess, and that’s why she walked in cuttin’ up. Zayn is always on one, and she doesn’t turn down for shit. She has her hair done, nails on fleek, outfit decked out, and really just extra as hell—just because she can be. Nina knows that this is gonna be an interesting day.

When Zayn finishes talking with the hostess, she spots Nina and heads on over to the table. Nina looks up and smiles at Zayn as she walks up. Zayn points at Nina and says, "Yeah—it’s me."