Thrill Of It All II

A True Place Of A Woman

Florence saw clothes everywhere and the luggage on the other side of the room. She shook her head on disbelief. "You were packing to leave?"

Tiana rolled her eyes. "Please Florence not now..."

"What did I tell you about being stupid? Of course he was going to snap if you tried leaving him! For God's sake he's ya husband!"

"I can't take anymore of this Florence. No more cheating, lying, blackmailing, now he's hitting me again," Tiana would at least hope that the woman would understand her this time.

"He will never let you go," Florence went over to retrieve the clothes. "I'll clean this up."

But Tiana shook her head. "You don't have to Florence-

"It ain't much honey. Just stay smart for ya baby," the older woman advised. "If you need something to keep you here think of Daniel! He needs his daddy!"

Jacques stepped in just as Florence closed the closet door and gave him a disappointing look. "What?" he asked her.

The maid didn't say a word to him as she was leaving the room.

Jacques walked over to where his wife was and stood over her. "What did you tell her?"

"Nothing that she already knew," Tiana said, refusing to look at him.

"So you're not going to look at me?" he asked.

Tiana remained silent.

"Tiana, you know that I can't have you leaving me again. Not now, not ever. I refuse to let you and our son leave," he said and reached his hand out to caress her cheek. "And who will honestly take you in? You're married to me! A Montreuil!" and chuckled darkly. "I will make certain that not even your father will hide you from me! And have you thought about Daniel? You will be arrested for kidnapping my son!" Do you know what those low-life whores will do to a pretty little dark thing like you?"

That got her to look up at him. "So when Daniel's a grown man and married you're going to keep him and his wife here as prisoners?"

Jacques was surprised to see the bruise on her cheek but remained stoic. "Of course not."

"At least I know that he'll be free from this hell someday," she said as Jacques sat beside her.

"I love you," he said.

"And I hate you!" Tiana glared at him.

"I know you do," Jacques stared at her, "But I don't care. You married me, and will remain my wife until the day I die. So get ready for another fifty or sixty years with me baby!"

Tiana closed her eyes at the thought of spending her life with the man. A man who would most likely turn her son into him. She couldn't let that happen. There had to be a way for her and Daniel to leave without getting the people she love to suffer undeer the hands of her monster of a husband. But there was one question that she needed him to answer. "Why did you set up Tiana's Palace to fail?"

"What are you talking about?" he asked, knowing what she meant.

"You told me that you will take care of it," she said. "But all you were taking was the money that was supposed to go into the restaurant."

"You are my wife," Jacques gave her a nasty look. "You have your own priorities at home and that is to take care my son and my dick. And no restaurant will get in the way of that."

She stared at him with pure hatred "You're a disgusting pig who will reap what you sow someday!"

He slapped her once again, causing her to fall back on the bed. "Don't use none of that bible bullshit on me!"

Tiana put her hand her cheek as it still stung from the impact of Jacques's hard hand. "I knew it would be a matter of time before you broke your promise. You do it to Daniel all the time! "

He ignored her while taking a hold of his wife's arms and helped her up.

"Let go of me!" she tried fighting out of his hold, but was unsuccessful.

Jacques smirked at the now red bruise on her jaw. "You should fix that pretty face of yours, darling. You don't want to overwhelm our son or relations."

"Relations?" Tiana's voice was cracked.

"Celestine and her eldest daughter Desiree," he smiled. "It will be your first time meeting one another so try to act like a lady. I'm sure she will."

"And what if I don't want to see any of your family?" she asked, bitterly.

"You'll be seeing them," was his answer before going to the bathroom.

()()()()

"It is wonderful to see you again," Desiree said to Jacques and smiled at Daniel. "You are one beautiful child." she caressed his face. "What is your name darling?"

"Daniel," he answered shyly.

Jacques laughed. "Go and give your cousin a hug son!" he encouraged.

The young boy hesitated. "I want my mama."

Celestine wrinkled her nose. "Why isn't she down here? Unless she's too afraid to

meet you, daughter."

Desiree smiled. "I won't bite."

"If she know what's good for her!" Celestine mumbled.

"Losing faith in me this early in the evening Celestine?" Tiana asked, walking down the stairs.

Jacques was pleased to see her face covered in make-up but more pleased at the very fitteddress she was wearing.

Desiree watched her every move. "My, my Jacques..." she gave him a wink before looking back at Tiana. "Your wife is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."

"You're too kind," Tiana said.

"I'm Desiree," she extended her hand out.

"I'm Tiana," she accepted the handshake.

"Mm," Desiree smiled. "Your hands are so soft. You must tell me which moisturizer you use."

Celestine rolled her eyes. "Alright when do we eat!"

"Hungry Celestine?" Jacques teased, linking arms with the woman. He then walked over to Tiana and offered his other arm. "Darling?"

Tiana saw Desiree take Daniel's hand before accepting her husband's arm.

"My daughter is right about one thing," Celestine began with a jealous glare. "You are a very beautiful woman Tiana."

"Thank you Celestine," Tiana said, having no trust for these Montreuil women.

()()()()

"You were excellent tonight darling," Jacques said as Florence closed the door after his relatives left.

Tiana ignored him as she held on to her son who was fast sleep in her arms.

"I'm about to put this little one to bed," she got up.

"No, let me do it," Jacques offered.

"It's alright," Tiana started for the stairs.

Jacques sighed as she walked on up the stairs,

Florence could only shake her head. "Jacques you have to understand where she's coming from."

"Understand where she's coming from," he said bitterly. "My own wife hates me. That's a way of understanding?"

"Its ya actions and mannerism child," she was concerned for the same boy she raised into a man, but she also had a soft spot for Tiana. "Go talk to her and apologize for hittin' her."

"She won't forgive me," he said.

"But its a start," the maid added. "You don't want to push her away after all that work you put into controlling ya temper."

Jacques ignored her while running up the stairs.

"Tiana is a very good woman and you know how hard it is to find those these days!" spoke the older woman.

Jacques didn't have anymore patience for his wife's approval of him. As he made it up the stair he found Tiana leaving their son's room.

"Darling..." he started

Tiana didn't want to hear a word from him so she went in their bedroom to get a night gown and some toiletries from the bathroom.

Jacques stepped into the room. "Why aren't you getting ready for bed?"

"Oh I am getting ready," Tiana said zipping up her small toiletry bag. "I'm staying in one of the many guestrooms we never use."

"What did you just say to me?" he asked, angrily.

Tiana looked back at him. "I said that I'm going to be sleeping in one of the guestrooms. I refuse to sleep with you."

Jacques balled his fists. "You'll have to get pass me before I let you out of this room."

Tiana saw how strong he stood in front of their doors but was no longer intimidated by him.

So she walked up to him and kindly said, "Excuse me."

He looked down at her with a smirk on his lips. "You're not going anywhere."

"Watch me," she glared at him before walking around to open the door and to her surprise he didn't stop her. She let out an exhale while opening the door to a room that was closest to Daniel's room. When she stepped in she felt a hand wrap around the back of her neck.

"I've watched you long enough woman," Jacques said into her ear. Pulling her out into the hall.

"Let me go!" Tiana fought back by kicking and punching, but her husband's size and strength was too much for her. And when she was back on the floor in her bedroom, Jacques calmly closed the door.

"The games are over my dear wife," he walked over to her. "Get ready for bed I have to go over some more business in my office." He stretched out his hand for Tiana to take it, but when she refused he grabbed her arm anyway.

"I don't need your help!" she pushed his hand away.

Jacques groaned. "What the hell is your problem?"

"Oh you really don't know?" Tiana asked with sarcasm.

"I better find you in that bed when I'm done with these calls!" he warned before leaving the room.

Tiana plopped on the bed feeling defeated. How could she have felt for that trick? And as for leaving...

"It will happen," she told herself feeling slightly hopeful. The support system she have isn't the most stable but its there and hope that when the time comes for her and Daniel to leave that they will be there.

Or she'll be a dead woman in the hands of her husband.

()()()()

Two whole days went by and everything seemed to have gotten better for Tiana as Jacques was once again leaving for business in Chicago. She was pleased since the trip will keep him from her for two weeks.

"Now remember what I told you?" Jacques asked.

"No leaving the house without Daniel or Florence," Tiana said. Knowing that she wouldn't obey.

"And?" he waited.

Tiana was puzzled. "And what?"

He wrapped his arms around her before pressing his lips onto hers. "I love you." He then let go and went to Daniel. "I love you son."

Daniel returned the hug. "I love you too daddy."

Jacques smiled. "At least somebody does." he kissed him on top of the head. "I'll bring back some gifts." he went back to Tiana to have one more kiss. "I will call you once I make it to my room."

Tiana nodded and once his car drove off moments later she sighed in relief. "Good riddance..." she said.

"Why mama?" asked Daniel.

"Why what baby?" Tiana asked, taking Daniel's hand.

"Why did you say that? Good riddance? Do you hate daddy?"

"I love daddy," she lied. "Do you want to go out for icecream?"

"Yes! Yes!" the boy jumped up and down.

"Good," they started out the door.

"Shouldn't you be upstairs?" Florence asked.

Tiana rolled her eyes. "See you later Florence."

The older maid watched the two leave and could only shake her head.

"Still defying her husband, Flo?" Dorothy asked.

"She won't be satisfied until he locks the bedroom windows and doors gain," explained the maid.

"It's 1929, not 1829. If she wants to go out then she should!" Dorothy went upstairs to finish cleaning.

Florence made sure that the woman heard her response. "Yea but no matter what year it maybe. A Montreuil husband will always be a Montreuil husband."

()()()()

"Mama I'd like the double scoop chocolate icecream please?" Daniel begged.

"Now you know its too much for you," Tiana said as they stepped up towards the icecream maker.

"Good afternoon cher! How may I help ya?"

"I would like a—

"Two double scoop ice cream cones!" Naveen said with a smile. "And make them chocolate..." he winked at Tiana. "I love chocolate."

Tiana rolled her eyes, hiding her blush.

"Naveen!" Daniel exclaimed.

"Here you go!" Naveen paid the order and took them both and handed the ice cream cone to the boy.

"He can't eat double scoop ice cream," Tiana said with her arms crossed.

Naveen raised a brow. "Why can't he?"

"For starters it's too much sugar," she answered. "You know how sugar can effect children..."

He shrugged. "So he'll be a little energetic?"

"Mm!" Was all Daniel could say as he was enjoying his ice cream.

Both Tiana and Naveen turned back at the boy and laughed.

"Well we better get going," Tiana said.

"Why leave so soon?" Naveen asked.

"Yes mama! Let's stay with Naveen!" Daniel's mouth was covered with chocolate making Tiana shake her head and pulling out a handkerchief.

"Let me clean that off," she got down to wipe her son's face.

"Mama!" he whined.

Naveen smiled, thinking of how much of a great mother Tiana is. And how great of a son he was to her and knowing how grateful Daniel will be of her when he's older.

"Enjoy your mother while you can," he said. "Mothers are phenomenal."

"How is Nagina?" Tiana asked.

"She's alright," Naveen noticed that she didn't seem too concern about anyone watching them. "You two have any plans besides ice cream?"

"We're actually on our way to my parents house. You can join us if you like?" Tiana offered.

Naveen was pleased by the invite. "I will meet you there. I just have one more thing to go over," he said while Tiana nodded.

"Bye Naveen!" Daniel waved.

"You take care Daniel...," he crossed the street to go to the barbershop.

"Come on baby," Tiana took her son's hand as they walked the opposite direction.

"Tiana!"

She rolled her eyes at the voice and tried to pretend she didn't hear. But Daniel on the other hand...

"Look mama! It's Uncle Derek!" he smiled.

"At least someone heard me!" Derek caught up with them. "Do you two need a ride?"

"No, we're catching the trolley," Tiana said.

Daniel smiled. "My daddy talked about your new car and how much you try to act like him..."

"Alright little one," Tiana covered his mouth. "We better leave."

"No wait," Derek took her wrist. "Jacques told me to look after you and Danny here."

Tiana pulled away her hand. "We're fine," and started walking again.

"Come back in the car with me," Derek offered with a smile. "I bought Danny a new toy for his birthday."

She rolled her eyes.

But Daniel grew excited. "Oh please mama! I want to see what uncle Derek gave me!"

"Why didn't you give it to Jacques when you saw him last?" she asked, annoyed.

"I guess it was never on my mind," he said. "So come on...for Danny?"

Tiana was tired of people using her son as an excuse for her to do anything, but when she looked down at her son who gave her the puppy dog look, she couldn't refuse. At least not at the moment. "Not now. You can drop by later."

"Awe!" Daniel pouted as his mother took his hand.

"We'll see you later," Tiana said before she and Daniel continued down the street.

Derek eyed Tiana's figure and shook his head.

"She does look good," said Franklin from behind. "My cousin's tastes are very fine indeed."

"That I know," Derek said arrogantly.

"What do you mean by that?" Catching Franklin's attention.

Derek laughed. "Jacques let me have a go with her and—

"You're horseshitting with me!" Franklin said in disbelief. "Jacques would never let any man touch her. Or even breathe the same air as her!"

"I had her and she was the best romp I ever had!" he lied.

Franklin couldn't believe what he just heard. "Did she willingly go to you?"

"Oh yes...," Derek lied again. "It all began when she got down her knees."

Both men laughed.

"I never thought that Tiana was that kind of woman," said the man.

"Jacques does whatever he wants with her. When he tells her to sit she sit. When he tells her to lay she lay..."

Franklin nodded. "I better get home. The wife is pregnant and needs her cherries!" he held up a bag of cherries.

"I completely understand," Derek looked around for the toy store and spotted one. "Toy time"

()()()()

"It's so good to see y'all again!" James hugged his daughter. "Jacques must be out of town."

"He is," Tiana didn't want to talk about her husband. "We wanted to see how you two were doing."

"Your mother is out with Bertha and I have a guest," James smiled., knowingly.

Daniel's blue eyes widen when he saw the guest standing by the fireplace. "Naveen! It's Naveen!"

Naveen turned and saw the love of his life with her son daddy. "Hello," he smiled at Tiana.

Tiana's heart skipped a beat at the sight of the man she love. "Hello," and returned the smile.