Duplicity

By Nichelle Wroten Lee

Three friends all married to their high school and college sweethearts take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and drama within their marriages; as well as their friendships.

Natasha Levels: The more commonsensical of the trio, grew up in an abusive household, and continuously troubles herself with matters of her friends lives. That is until she learns that her perfect marriage may not be what its cracked up to be. After evidence surfaces of hefty hotel fees and changed passcodes on credit card accounts...Could there be trouble in paradise?
Akia Cawley: Feisty, self-willed, and all the above is the most outspoken and leads a double life; for the sake of reciprocating wrongdoing back to her husband, Mitchell. Later, finds herself in a whirlwind of terror upon discovering shes pregnant. Deciding to sever all ties with her boyfriend, Kenneth, whom refuses and will go to any length to keep her; even if it means exposing her to her husband.
Ellen Masterson: Meek, Secretive, and Restrained, is Natashas childhood friend. Shes married to Jonathan and is harboring an ugly secret. That is until, Akia sees something that prompts her to alert, Natasha. With bullets flying and connecting to their intended target, Ellen cerebrate whether or not shes going to have to become her own defense attorney.

These friends will make you laugh with their untimely humor as well as cry with the test of their friendships. How far will you go to help your friends?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jan 10, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524555917

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 by Nichelle Wroten Lee.

ISBN:      Softcover           978-1-5245-5592-4

                eBook               978-1-5245-5591-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 10/28/2016

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Contents

Natasha

Ellen

Akia

Natasha

Ellen

Natasha

Akia

Ellen

Natasha

Akia

Natasha

Akia

Ellen

Akia

Natasha

Ellen

Akia

Natasha

Natasha

Ellen

Akia

Ellen

Akia & Ellen

The Girls

Natasha

Akia

The Girls

Natasha

Akia

Natasha

Ellen

Akia & Natasha

Ellen

Akia

Natasha

Akia

Ellen

Natasha

Akia

Ellen & Akia

Akia

Natasha

Ellen

Akia

The Girls

Natasha

Boom, Boom, Boom!

Natasha sprang up from her bed making a dash over to the twin sized bed where her sister Mikaela slept. Mikaela sat up and held onto her sister tightly as she had done so many nights before. It was something that Mikaela had grown accustomed to although her little sister Natasha still haven’t. Stop it Jerry! was the muffled voice of the girl’s mother screaming.

Natasha cried even harder causing her sister Mikaela to become upset and yell at her, Shut up! Stop crying, Nee Nee! Boom, Boom, Boom! Mikaela released her grip of her sister, making a dash for the bedroom door. She ran into the other room to stop her parents from fighting. Natasha, sprinted from her sister’s twin sized bed and ran into their closet. She hugged herself before covering her ears to avoid hearing the sounds of her mother and sister cries. Please daddy! Please don’t hit mommy anymore! pleaded Mikaela.

Smack! Jerry! Deloris hollered out to her husband.

Coming out of her trance Natasha sat at her desk in a haze reflecting how her life used to be up until now. All week long she’d been having constant flashbacks of her disconsolate childhood. She had set up an appointment to meet with a counselor citing there were a lot of things she needed to disembarrass from her past. Looking at her phone, she noticed that her dad had called her numerous of times. Not wanting to burden herself with him; she elected to ignore him allowing his calls to continue rolling over to voicemail. Natasha designated to deal with her father when she was ready and willing on her own terms, not when he decided to call her. After all these years Natasha, still struggled to forgive her father for all the abuse and trauma he had shadowed over her life. One thing that she held true to is she couldn’t continue to allow this man or her past to have sheer control over her life.

Morning, beautiful, Brock spoke seductively stepping into her office. Brock Winthrop was one of the Senior Architect’s at the firm that she had become good friends with over the last six and a half years. Natasha, had been working for Wroten Lee Architectural Firm for the past twelve years, in addition to was well on her way to making partner. She also rendered this to be a major accomplishment for her. Although everything in her life was looking up, still she could not help shake the notion as if something was missing.

Good morning, Brock. She acknowledged him without looking up.

Sensing that something was amidst, he walked over resting his body on the corner of her desk while supporting himself with his right leg. Care to talk about it?

Talk about what? She asked while doing her best to not sound annoyed. She paused looking directly at him, before staring past him at the window trying to summon into mind what she was looking for.

Whatever’s on your mind. You seem a little distracted, he commented sincerely.

Not really in the mood to talk about her life she asked, Is the design layout ready to be presented to the Forpes Group for viewing? She paused again resting a hand on her hip.

Yes. But that’s not what I asked you. Brock sensed that she was being a evasive and didn’t want to overstep his boundaries. However, he was concerned about her.

I’m fine, Brock. Natasha moved from behind her desk sashaying over to her file cabinet retrieving her purse. She removed her phone to ensure all calls were forwarded conscious this decision would be in her best interest to get her weekend started early.

Brock watched her walk around the office then stood up blocking her path. Slow down. What’s on your mind? Did I do or say something wrong?

Exhaling and shifting her weight from one leg to the next, No. I just have a lot on my mind right now.

I can see that. But what’s with you ignoring me? All you have to say is that you don’t really care to discuss it.

What have I been saying for the past five minutes? I told you that I was fine. The room fell silent for a minute before they were interrupted by her secretary, Sarah.

Excuse me, Mrs. Levels. I have the two portfolios that the messenger just dropped off for you to review.

Thank you, Sarah. That will be all, Natasha replied before turning her attention back to Brock. Oh, before I forget no interviews until next Wednesday. I will be out until Tuesday. She announced over her shoulder never taking her eyes off Brock.

Yes ma’am, Sarah answered before exiting the office.

Brock, I have to go. I have to pick my son up by four.

I understand that, but what are you doing for the next four hours? It’s twelve o’clock now and you’re trying to make a dash for the door?

Feeling miffed from all the questions, Natasha asked, What is it with you today? Why are you questioning me about my whereabouts? Like I said before, I have to go. With that being said she walked around him and out the door. Natasha was in no mood for being bothered so she conjectured that it would be in her best interest to take the stairs.

Pulling into the parking lot of Tucker & Glymph, Natasha did a once over of herself fingering fly away strands of hair back into place. She applied another layer of, J. Kamaree frost lavender lipstick to her lips before easing out of her car tugging at the bottom of her navy blue pinstripe pencil skirt shimmying it down. Natasha, conscious that she was looking the part adorn the way her cinnamon brown complexion and pear shaped eyes glistened in the sun. I must call Mira first thing in the morning to thank her for the rendition of Meagan Good’s haircut that she bestowed upon me. It’s definitely working in my favor, Natasha pondered. Although thoughts were still reflecting on her childhood, her mood begin to soften from the introspection of having a drink. She and two of her best girlfriends, Ellen and Akia had made plans to meet here for lunch. Stepping inside she looked around the crowded restaurant before being greeted by the hostess, Hey, Natasha. Welcome back to Tucker and Glymph. Ellen and Akia are over there.

Hey, Sandra! Natasha replied before spotting her friends. I see them. Thank you, she conceded before walking over to greet them. Hey, ladies. Did I miss anything? Natasha inquired while removing her canary colored Arbe’D blazer.

Nothing at all. We were just talking about these husbands of ours, Ellen stated dryly. She wasn’t the average caucasian female. Her body was statuette like that of a stallion, fair skin, flowing breast length blonde tresses with layers, chiseled dimples, dissimilar eyes one blue the other brown. Ellen always spoke of cutting her hair, she refrained from doing it as a result of Jonathan forbidding it. They had been going through a lot of changes lately. Ellen, had been complaining about how her husband doesn’t pay her any attention, and this reason made her contemplate divorce. She had known Natasha practically her entire life. The two had met while in grade school walking home when Natasha noticed some kids teasing, Ellen. After Natasha had come to her defense, the two had pretty much been inseparable ever since.

Here we go again. Ellen, give that man a chance. You have a wonderful husband, whom might I add is a very hard worker. Natasha stated before seating herself. She picked up a menu before continuing, Now, Cedrick is another story in itself. All the ladies laughed in unison.

Cedrick, is nothing like Mitch, added Akia. She and Natasha had became friends after the two had met their freshman year of high school. Natasha, was instantly enamored to Akia’s no holds barred attitude, including she wasn’t hoity-toity was a bonus. Akia possessed the most idyllic caramel brown skin, almond slit eyes, and silky black hair cut evenly into a bob with delicate baby hair lining her face. Akia, was petite yet curvy standing about five feet seven inches tall with dazzling white teeth gracefully peeking from her thin pouty lips. Natasha took notice of how well the Auburn highlights accented Akia’s features. She too had been having marital issues the same as the others. Natasha and Cedrick had been on an up and down roller coaster shortly after saying their I Do’s. It was amazing to her how she and her girlfriends were all experiencing similar issues with their spouses. But she was most thankful that she didn’t have to go through all of this alone. Natasha hoped that with her last comment, Ellen wouldn’t think that she was overstepping her boundaries. She looked across the table, stealing a glance at her friend attempting to read the expression on her face. Natasha also took notice of how Ellen had appeared to be a little evasive lately. She contemplated whether asking her about what was ailing her; but classified it as marital issues the same as she and Akia. Although there were three of them in their triangle, Natasha and Ellen were still the closest. Taking that into consideration was the reasoning behind Natasha feeling as though Ellen would eventually confide in her. At that very moment the waitress appeared at their table to take their orders. Hello, ladies. I’m Michelle. I’ll be your waitress this evening, are you all ready to order? Yes, answered Natasha. Please, bring me a dirty martini. Make that two. I’ll need to move into the second drink right away.

The trio laughed before Ellen placed her order, I think I’m going to have what she’s having as well and in that order.

I’m going to have, gin and tonic. Make it a double shot of gin, please. Ensuing placing their orders, Akia asked, So, Tot what’s the deal with, Brock?

Girl, absolutely nothing. He was getting on my nerves just as I was trying to get out of the building. Coming into my office trying to make small talk right in the middle of me making my escape. She paused taking a much needed sip of her drink before continuing. You know… I just don’t want to be like everyone else. I don’t want to cheat on, Cedrick. I really want to give my marriage a chance… I’m not trying to step on your toes, Akia.

Oh boo, trust me when I say, you didn’t insult me at all. I do what I have to do. Had Mitch ass not got caught cheating, I wouldn’t even be out here cheating on his ass, Akia said before calming herself, he messed us up. Akia stated matter of fact. She then lift up her glass gobbling down its content before motioning for their waitress. Akia, still harbored bitterness towards her husband, because she was totally committed to being married; she was still feeling as though Mitchell took that from her. She was oblivious that she’d tuned out of the conversation with her friends. I can’t believe that I even allowed myself to stay with him, pondered Akia.

Earth to, Akia. Come in, Akia. Ellen said while snapping her fingers. Are you alright, girl?

Yeah. I was thinking about something. Akia replied before picking up her drink, Where were we?

Natasha, was certain that Akia was still angry behind her husband cheating, even if it was a year ago. Akia, being the firecracker of the three, rarely expressed any emotions which always made her onerous to read. We were all talking about these men of ours. Then suddenly you went into a daze. Natasha reflected on how Akia would always talk about having suspicions of Mitchell cheating. Akia finally acted on her suspicion, she purchased a prepaid cell phone, placed it in the tirewell of her husband’s car, and tracked him right to his mistress’s door. Cedrick had never given Natasha any reason to suspect he was cheating on her. Moreover, she was never the one to put anything past a man; especially after the way Akia found out about her husband.

Girl, I was over here thinking about, Mitchell. When I focus on him too long, I piss my own self off.

You and I both know how that can be. Natasha chuckled making light of the conversation.

Ellen sat back in her chair toying with the idea of telling her friends of Jonathan’s abusive ways. She had been covering up her war wounds really well; whereas no one knew of the events that had been unfolding inside of her home. Although they were all having their individual issues with their husbands, she was confident that neither of the two were enduring what she was. Ellen conclude that this was something she should exempt sharing with her friends, while silently hoping that one day Jonathan would change.

The ladies sat for a few more hours indulging in drinks that helped them to loosen up forgetting all that invaded their minds. As time continued slipping away, Natasha then realized that it was almost four o’clock. She looked at her watch, Ladies, I’m gonna have to get out of here. I have to meet with CJ’s teacher.

Not wanting the fun to end Akia countered, Well, since Ced is out of town, how about we take the party to your house.

Okay, let’s do that. I got the bill. Removing her house key, Natasha passed Ellen the key and told the ladies to go ahead inside, she would be joining them within the next hour.

Ellen

While on the ride over to Natasha’s house, Ellen’s cell phone began ringing, pulling her out of her thoughts. Looking down she noticed that it was her husband, Jonathan. Rolling her eyes up towards the ceiling, she opted to ignore the call aware that he was only calling to apologize to her for yet another beating. She began to cry while thinking of the direction in which her life was heading. Never in a million years would she ever had imagine that Jonathan would ever hit her. She was conscious that she should’ve walked away the very first time that he’d struck her telling her that he would never do again. However, she had faith in her marriage as well as her husband which lead her into staying. She needed someone to talk too, but didn’t want anyone passing judgment on her. She so desperately wanted to share the events that were transpiring in her life with Natasha but realized that she too had grown up in an abusive household and would often have flashbacks. Therefore, she decided against worrying Natasha with her problems.