April's Fool

By Bettina Dunbar

April is an ambitious ex-stripper that is married to a well-known drug dealer/businessman named Eric Rivers. Living a life of hurt, mistrust, and unhappiness April finds everything that she ever wanted in Hellraiser. Walk with me through this journey of lust, adultery, and lies. Will Hellraiser's secret destroy April and Eric's chances of a future together? I guess the old saying is true. Everything that glitters, is not gold.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bettina Dunbar
• Release date: Aug 22, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201066598

Book preview

April Speaks

Hey baby! April chimed into the phone excited. I want to go to the Improv tonight to see Arnez J. Can we go please? I already got tickets. I whimpered.

Not tonight April, Eric said in a stern voice. I got too much to do. And I told you that those types of shows don’t excite me. Why don’t you and some of your friends go out? You already know that Tatianna is always available. She doesn’t have any kids, and she’s single. She should be free. But I’m going to hit you back later April, Eric said as he abruptly hung up.

I looked at the phone in dismay and tossed it on the kitchen table.

This nigga don’t ever want to do shit with me anymore. I mumbled under my breath. 

Before we got married, we would do everything together. If you see him, you see me. Now he is always gone and I’m always home alone or with Tatianna.

I know for sure that Eric is cheating on me. I can always sense it. Especially when he calls me April instead of Bae. I stayed the first few times he got caught because I was so deep in love. But now, with all that he has put me through, I’m reluctant if he even loves me anymore. I miss what we had. And now that I am so accustom to this lifestyle, it feels like I’m only in this relationship because of that. 

Is the money worth being treated as if you don’t even exist? I’m literally at this nigga’s disposal. I whispered to myself feeling my eyes drown in tears that I refuse to let fall.

I sat at the kitchen table still in shock that he hung up in my face like that. I looked around at the stainless steel French door refrigerator built into the mahogany wood cabinets. I glanced at the huge, white, plush, leather sectional that sat in the middle of our living room. It sat on a posh, indigo rug that covered most of the wood floors in the living room. It looked like the ocean in Bali.

I loved my home. I loved my life. All I want is loyalty.

I stood up and grabbed my cell phone from the table and took a deep breathe.

April stood 5’8." The Jersey native has the body of a goddess. With long legs, wide hips, smooth torso, and just enough ass, she knowingly made niggas fiend for her. When she walked, her hips swayed like a hula dancer in slow motion. She liked to wear her hair parted directly in the middle, bone straight, and jet black. Her tresses flowed down the middle of her back. She puts you in the mind of a black Pocahontas. She was beautiful. But didn’t feel that way because she lacked attention from who she wanted it the most from.

I dialed Tatianna.

Bitch, you busy? I asked dryly.

No, just watching ‘Fear Thy Neighbor’ on the ID channel. Why? What’s up? Tatianna replied hesitantly.

I want to get out of this house. Let’s go to the Improv in Miami tonight? I asked as my voice started to liven up.

Who’s going to be there? Tatianna asked.

Arnez J and a few other people. I said it with a grin on my face. I started chuckling to myself reminiscing on how he had me laughing at his last show.

Yeah, I’ll go. What time does it start? Tatianna asked.

I already have tickets to the 9:30 show. We can hit the Office Strip Club afterward. I know Eric is going to be there and I want proof. I said like I worked for the Cochran Law Firm.

Proof of what? Tatianna laughed!

Of him cheating. I bawled with attitude as I placed my hand on my hip.

I started walking towards the bedroom.

April, you have always known that Eric cheats on you. You are the one that chooses to turn a blind eye and take him back every time. Now you need proof?  Why do you care now? Tatianna said annoyed. She was clearly over the drama between us two.

Because this time, when I catch his ass, then I can do me, I said like I had a crowd cheering me on.

You bitches be killing me with that dumb shit. You get into relationships with these men without setting any standards because he flashes a few dollars. After he plays you, cheats on you, you stay. And for what? A Gucci bag? A nice car? But at the end of the day, you are left empty. When he decides he doesn’t want you anymore, all those materialistic things are gone. When you find out he’s cheating again, you’re going to add it to his body count and suck his dick 2 days later. Tatianna said without losing a breath.

Tatianna don’t start lecturing me about dudes when you are a 24 year old virgin. The fuck do you know about long term relationships when all the dudes you like quits you because you ain’t giving up the goods. I said rolling my neck and eyes.

April knew her comeback was a low blow and what Tati was saying was true. Eric has manipulative ways about him and he makes me doubt myself. I even started questioning things that I’ve seen with my own eyes.

And its silly females like you that make me want to stay a virgin. All that drama you always got going on honey, you can keep it. Tatianna said.

Girl please! You act like you haven’t been cheated on before. Didn’t Robert cheat on you? I asked sarcastically trying to get even.

Of course he did. But the difference is that I never gave him my independence. Yes, I loved him and that shit hurt me deeply. But I am in control of who I am. I control my life. If a man walks away, then oh well. I’m not left in the doghouse. If he cheats, then guess what, he wasn’t mines to begin with. He knew I was a virgin when he met me and knew I wanted to wait until I was ready.  I refuse to hand my goodies over for a smile, a Gucci bag, and a dinner at Morton’s. So don’t get shit twisted.  Now since you made your bed, lay in it. Anyways, yes, I will go to the Improv with you. No, I will not be going to The Office. I will no longer participate in the foolishness that you have going on with Eric. Tati said in a firm tone.

I hear you Tati, but I got to do what I got to do. Anyways, I will meet you at the Improv at nine. You know I want a good seat. And make sure your simple ass is cute. Bitch! I hung up before Tati tried to get the last word.

Tatianna decided to wear casual attire and dress it up. She wanted to be super cute since her best friend called her simple. There was no offence taken when the truth was being told. She just wasn’t the flashy type. Her blue skinny jeans from Old Navy fitted her hips and cupped her ass to perfection. She wore an off the shoulder, backless, black satin blouse that accentuated her slim neckline and curved torso. Her red YSL clutch and matching heels set it off with a pop of color.

She stood 5’4 and was the color of caramel. Her oval eyes were dark brown and her full lips are what the white girls pay for.

Her light beat consisted of her favorite red matte lipstick. Gold highlights on her cheekbone and a smoky eye. She scooped her shoulder length kinky hair in a sassy, messy bun that sat on the top of her head. The fly away hairs gave her a soft glow. She