Chapter VI: Old Flames and New Beginnings
Monday, December 24th, 2018 - Charlotte, NC
The matriach of the Harvey family, CJ's mother and wife of Cedric Sr, Kim stood in the kitchen with his daughters, Brianna and Kaylee and the woman who was seemingly capturing the heart of her son, Ms. Keana Parker. These ladies were currently prepping for their meal for tonight and for Christmas. The menu for tomorrow was more of a traditional menu of turkey, ham and etc. But for tonight, steaks were going to served with oven-roasted asparagus, garlic and herb mashed potatoes.
The menu today was mostly CJ's idea he felt like he needed something a little bit on the healthier side of things and felt that the three athletes in the house: he, Keana and his younger brother, Marcus would enjoy and benefit from.
Keana was currently on peeling duty as she worked to peel the potatoes. She had been quiet while the ladies in the kitchen were deep in a conversation. Keana had tonight's dinner on her mind and how she would be in the same room with CJ's ex, Mercedes Campbell. And while she wasn't CJ's official girlfriend yet she felt like in a way she was there or at least getting there, he took her on a date just a month ago, he makes time to talk to her despite his busy schedule and constant work load and flew her out to meet his family and spend the Christmas holiday with him and his family. They have these moments where they felt like they had known each other for years. And while she found it difficult to trust most men due to something that happened when she was younger, Cedric Jr felt different. She felt like she could trust him. She felt safe around him. She felt like she could truly trust him and open her heart to him.
Lost in her thoughts, Keana didn't realize that Kim, Brianna, and Kaylee had paused their conversation and were looking at her with warm smiles.
"Keana, dear, is everything alright?" Kim asked gently, placing a hand on Keana's shoulder.
Startled out of her reverie, Keana blinked and quickly composed herself. "Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Harvey. I was just lost in my thoughts for a moment."
Kim's smile widened, her eyes filled with understanding. "No need to apologize, dear. We all have those moments. Is there anything on your mind that you'd like to share?"
Keana took a deep breath, appreciating the genuine care and warmth she felt from CJ's family. "Is there anything you can tell me about Mercedes? Like why did they break up? Was she a good fit for Cedric?"
Kim took a deep breath and set her gaze upon Keana, "I can only speculate off of what I saw. But Mercedes was a woman with ambitions. She never took any shit from anyone including my son, she didn't let anyone stop her or get in her way to success. She spoke her mind and she was never lacking in confidence. Now was she a good fit for my son, that's a difficult question to answer definitively. They had their moments of happiness, but they also had their fair share of disagreements and clashes. Sometimes their strong personalities clashed, and they found it challenging to find a middle ground. In the end, they realized that they were heading in different directions in life and decided it was best to part ways."
Brianna chimed in, her voice filled with empathy. "It wasn't an easy breakup for either of them. They cared about each other deeply, but they reached a point where they knew they needed to prioritize their own personal growth and happiness. It was a mutual decision, and they both agreed it was for the best."
Keana listened intently, her heart opening up to understand the dynamics between CJ and Mercedes. She appreciated the honesty and transparency of CJ's family, allowing her to gain insight into their past.
Kim continued, her tone gentle yet firm, "Keana, please remember that you are not here to replace Mercedes or to be compared to her. You are your own person, and your connection with my son is unique. What matters most is the present and the future you both are building together. Focus on that and let the past remain where it belongs."
Keana nodded, gratitude filling her heart for the wisdom and support she received from CJ's family. "Thank you, Mrs. Harvey, Brianna. I appreciate your honesty and your reminder to focus on the present. I truly care about CJ, and I want to build something beautiful with him."
Kim smiled warmly, her eyes conveying understanding. "We can see that, Keana. We believe in you both and the potential of your relationship. You've brought a special light into CJ's life, and that means a lot to us."
"Hey, ladies, what are we talking about?" CJ said as he walked into the room clad in a black pair of chinos with a pair of black velvet loafers with a cream colored textured polo with a gold Fiagro chain with a matching gold bracelet.
The room brightened even more as CJ entered, his charismatic presence filling the kitchen. Keana couldn't help but admire his style and the way he carried himself. She took a moment to appreciate how lucky she felt to be a part of his life.
Kim turned to CJ with a warm smile. "We were just having a lovely conversation, dear. Keana had a few questions, and we were discussing some memories."
CJ's eyes met Keana's, and a playful smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Ah, talking about me, were you?"
Keana blushed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and affection. "Well, maybe just a little."
CJ chuckled as he walked over to Keana and bent down to place a gentle peck on her forehead making a smile curve onto her lips. Keana wasn't a fan of kisses on the cheek or forehead, it wasn't something she was used to. Physical touch is one of her love languages and while small kisses like that were apart of that, she just wasn't used to that but with CJ, she could learn to love it, she could learn to love his gentle affection.
CJ was about to say something when heard the doorbell ring. He was about to go and get the door when he heard his father yell out from the other room, "I got it."
CJ glanced at Keana, a curious expression on his face. "I'm gonna check and see who that is."
He made his way towards the front door, leaving Keana with his mother and sister. Keana couldn't help but feel a slight tinge of nervousness at the thought of meeting Mercedes. But she reminded herself of the advice she was given by Kim and Briana - to focus on the present and embrace the future they were building together.
As CJ's father, Mr. Harvey, opened the door, a familiar face appeared in the doorway making CJ take a deep breath as a frown snaked its way onto his face. Mercedes, the woman from CJ's past, Mercedes Campbell. She stood at a short stature of 5'4 with a flawless, warm-olive complexion. A roundishe-like face shape that framed her distinct features. Her eyebrows, black and elegantelty shaped with a slight S-curve and dark brown eyes reminiscent of rich, melted chocolate. Her lips, full and inviting, curve into a smile that exudes warmth and charm. The dark brown hair that crowns her head cascades with a gradient effect, transitioning from a deep brown to lighter, highlighted tips. She wore a olive green dress with a black jacket that hugged her thickly hourglass figure with brown wedged heels.
Mercedes eyes locked onto CJ eyeing him as her orbs traced up and down his figure seeing how his shirt hugged his body. This was her first time seeing him since they were kids in high school.
"Hello stud," she said in a silk-like tone as he turned his head, peeking over his shoulder to see his mother, Briana and most importantly, Keana peak out. His past was now meeting his present, this was going to be a night to remember.
(!)-(!)-(!)-(!)
To say that things were tense would be the understatement of the century. You could cut the tension in the house with a knife but they had to get through tonight. Currently, CJ sat in the living room on one of the two couches in the room with Keana by his side and a glass of Macallan in his hand. He didn't drink often but on a night like this, he definitely needed this drink.
Keana had her hand in his other hand, gripping it tightly. Her anxiety and nervousness was through the freaking roof. She couldn't help but be nervous. She was just mere inches away from CJ's ex girlfriend, Mercedes Campbell. Mercedes was an extremely beautiful girl who seemed to have an air of confidence and allure about her. Keana couldn't deny the pang of insecurity that crept up within her, comparing herself to Mercedes.
As CJ took a sip of his drink, he noticed Keana's grip on his hand and the tension in her face. He gently squeezed her hand, offering her a reassuring smile. "Hey, it's going to be okay. We'll get through this together."
Keana nodded, her eyes still fixed on the doorway that led to the kitchen. She knew she had to face her fears and confront the situation head-on, but it wasn't easy.
Just then, Mercedes entered the living room with a glass of wine, her eyes meeting Keana's for a brief moment before she took a seat on the opposite couch. Keana couldn't help but notice how effortlessly Mercedes commanded attention, her confident posture and radiant presence filling the room.
CJ cleared his throat, breaking the silence."So Mercedes, how have you been?"
"I've been good I just started my own Real Estate firm just a few months ago and we've been hitting the ground running, selling 9 houses in our first 4 months on the market," she said before taking a sip of her drink before going back to speaking, "But you're the one we need to be talking about, 'The Big Ticket' Ced. The man who came in and flipped NXT on it's axis and put everyone on notice. Mr. Big Shot wrestler, you always said that you would make it to the WWE."
CJ smiled as he nodded his head, "Yeah I did. Funny enough on my first day in the WWE, well NXT for that matter, I met this woman right here," CJ turned to set his gaze upon Keana who had a slight blush on her face. Keana turned to look at Mercedes seeing the slight smirk on her face. It was as if Mercedes was trying to gauge Keana's reaction, testing her confidence.
Keana took a deep breath, reminding herself that Mercedes was a part of CJ's past, and the only thing that mattered was their present and future together. She returned the smile and turned her attention back to CJ.
"So Keana," Mercedes said, somewhat in a mockingly tone as she said her name, "tell me about yourself."
Keana could tell that Mercedes didn't want to hear anything about her but was just doing so for CJ.
"Well, I'm 18 years old. I currently go to Florida State on a Basketball scholarship, I'm double majoring in Business Administration and Kinesiology. I'm a Full-time student athlete like I mentioned. I'm focused with my eyes on the prize, looking forward to my future," Keana said with a smile, she couldn't help but notice CJ's eyes glued to her as she spoke about her dreams and her future. Whenever she told anyone about that, he always glowed with a sense of pride and hope for her future.
"That's cute," Mercedes said in a slightly condescending tone of voice making a small frown snake its way onto Keana's face.
CJ could feel the tensions start to rise in the room making him down the rest of his drink. He rose up looking between both ladies.
"I'm gonna go grab another drink," he said deciding to remove himself from the tense situation and leaving the two ladies who were almost vying and competing for his attention. Mercedes flashed a smile at him making him take a deep breath, most men would be loving and enjoying this situation, he had two beautiful women in his presence who were somewhat jocking for his attention. But CJ wanted just one woman, Keana but seeing Mercedes reminded him of his past and reminded him of what he had with her.
Once CJ exited the room, that smile faded away from Mercedes face into a clear look of frustration.
"Listen here little girl and listen well, I don't know who you are and what you're doing here and I don't care but one thing's for certain, I'm not gonna let you or anyone else come between me and my destiny," Mercedes said, clearly showing that she wasn't achieving her intended goals.
And while Keana wanted to take the high road and try not to stoop down to her level, she couldn't help herself.
"Your destiny? If what I hear is correct, the same man that you said is your destiny is the same man that you broke up with. And you just upset that he elevated himself and left your tired ass in the past and wants nothing to do with you and he'd rather be with me than you," Keana said standing up for herself, letting Mercedes know that she ain't the one to be toyed with. And before Mercedes could say anything else CJ came waltzing in with another glass of Macallan.
"Dinner is done, if you two ladies are willing to join me and the family at the table," CJ said as he walked into the room looking to mediate the attention. He held a hand out for Keana. Keana took CJ's hand, feeling his reassuring grip as she stood up feeling the glare come from Mercedes.
Mercedes stood up and walked towards the dining room making sure to walk in front of CJ, swaying her hips as she did so to try to catch CJ in a trap making both he and Keana take a deep breath as they both knew the devious activity she was up to.
(!)-(!)-(!)-(!)
Tensions in the dining room were just as high as everyone sat around the table. Cedric Sr sat the end of the table with his wife by his side on the right hand side and Kaylee by his left side. At the other end of the table sat CJ with Keana and Mercedes on his perspective sides. The dinner table had been quiet so far as everyone was too afraid to say something and set off the two proverbial bombs in the room: Mercedes and Keana. No one knew except those two ladies, what was said but everyone could feel the tension between the two.
Brianna, feeling that she somewhat had something to do with the tense day, had been quiet all day and everyone could tell something was bothering her. Every chance he got CJ was doing his big brotherly duty and tried to make Bri feel better about the situation and let her know it wasn't her fault.
"Everyone's steak okay?" Cedric Sr said trying to break the silence.
"It's great Pop, you did a great job on the grill," CJ as he covered his mouth in between his chews.
"Thanks CJ, I'll have to get you on that grill one day," Cedric Sr said making CJ roll his eyes as he took a sip of his drink.
"You ladies did a good job on the prep work," Cedric Sr said giving props to the ladies of the family.
"Well, I have to say thank you to Keana for helping us in the kitchen, you did a really good job," Kimberly said giving props to Keana making her smile. Mercedes could be seen visibility rolling her eyes as she lifted her glass of wine and took a sip.
Keana acknowledged Kimberly's compliment with gratitude, appreciating the recognition for her efforts. As she glanced at Mercedes, who seemed visibly annoyed by the praise, Keana maintained her composure, refusing to be affected by the negativity.
"Thank you, Kimberly," Keana replied warmly. "It was a pleasure helping out. I enjoy cooking, and it's great to contribute."
"That's about the only thing you can contribute," Mercedes said under her breath. Keana took a deep breath and bit her tongue as much as she could but Desiree wasn't having it. She could tell Keana was trying to hold it together and not stoop to her level and she wasn't going to continue to allow her to take the cheap shots.
"Mama, Daddy, I'm trying my best to keep my composure but if she keeps going at her, I'm gonna have to say something," Desiree said with a firm tone that caught everyone's attention. Keana appreciated Desiree's support and understanding, knowing that she had someone in her corner.
"You know Desiree, you and I never liked each other and I can see why. You never minded your own damn business, you stayed in ours. It's almost like you couldn't keep your own relationship," Mercedes said taking a shot at CJ's older sister.
"Oh hell no, you ain't finna talk to my sister like that," Brianna said coming to the aid of her sister.
"Hey ladies watch your mouth!" Kimberly said.
"Nah, let her talk. Let the bitch try me," Mercedes combatted.
"Who you calling a bitch?!" Kaylee said feeling her call to aid.
"You," Mercedes said standing up pointing to Desiree, "you," she said pointing at Brianna this time, "You," she said pointing at Kaylee, "And most importantly, you, the biggest bitch of them all!" pointing at Keana. Keana rose up taking off her hoop earrings and throwing them onto the table as she prepared to lunge at Mercedes but CJ rose up quickly in a hurry and grabbed Keana by the waist showcasing his amazing strength and a firm grip on Keana's waist snapping her out of the escalating confrontation.
"Enough!" CJ shouted taking everyone by surprise.
"Go upstairs and cool off now!" CJ said to Keana in an authoritative tone. She looked into his eyes with her fiery passion seeing the same passion inside of him but she knew he was much more cooler and levelheaded in this scenario.
"Mercedes-" Cedric Sr was saying but his own son cut him off.
"Dad, please let me handle this," CJ said as Cedric Sr just took a deep breath, nodded and left the room. Everyone followed suit leaving only CJ and Mercedes in the room alone.
"Now I need you to listen to me, Mercedes," CJ said, his voice firm but composed. "You and I, we had some good times but all of that is the past. My present is here with Keana. Now I didn't want you here but Brianna insisted that since she invited you a lil while ago, she couldn't back out of her word."
Mercedes's face contorted with a mix of anger and hurt, but CJ continued to speak, determined to make his point clear.
"You seemingly have this idea in your head that I'm just going to leave Keana and get back with you but that is never going to happen. I am happy with Keana."
CJ's words hung in the air, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to Keana. Mercedes clenched her fists, her anger simmering beneath the surface.
"You think you're so special, don't you?" Mercedes spat, her voice filled with resentment. "You think Keana is some kind of upgrade, and I'm just supposed to fade into the background?"
CJ took a deep breath, his voice steady. "Mercedes, this is not about one person being better than the other. It's about who makes me happy."
Mercedes shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "But CJ, we had something too! What happened to us?"
CJ's gaze softened, his voice laced with compassion. "We had our time, Mercedes. But things change, people change. I've grown, and so have you. Our paths have diverged, and it's okay. It doesn't diminish what we shared, but it's essential that we accept and move forward."
Mercedes wiped away her tears, her voice trembling. "I just... I miss you. I miss us."
CJ's expression softened, and he took a step closer to Mercedes. "I understand, Mercedes. I miss aspects of our relationship too, but clinging to the past won't bring it back. We need to find our own happiness, separate from each other, and support each other in our individual journeys."
Mercedes nodded, a mix of sadness and acceptance in her eyes. "You're right, Cedric. I need to let go and find my own path."
Mercedes took a deep breath and leaned up giving CJ a kiss on the cheek as she started to walk away leaving CJ standing there to deal with the situation at hand.
(!)-(!)-(!)-(!)
Keana stood in the guest bedroom looking out of the window as tears slowly streamed down her cheeks. She had her back the door allowing CJ to waltz into the room.
As CJ entered the guest bedroom, he noticed Keana standing near the window, her shoulders slumped and tears staining her cheeks. He approached her with a mixture of concern and compassion, his voice gentle.
"Keana," CJ said softly, his presence causing her to turn and face him. "Are you okay?"
Keana hurriedly wiped her tears, attempting to regain her composure and hide the evidence of her emotional turmoil. She forced a weak smile, though the traces of sadness still lingered in her eyes.
"I'm... I'm fine, CJ," Keana replied, her voice slightly shaky. "Just feeling a bit overwhelmed, that's all."
CJ took a step closer, his concern evident in his eyes. He reached out and gently brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb. "You don't have to pretend, Keana. I can see that you've been crying. Please, let me in. What's really going on?"
Keana hesitated for a moment, torn between her desire to appear strong and her need for support. Finally, she let out a sigh and allowed herself to be vulnerable.
"It-It's just that being here with your family and seeing how perfect you guys are. It's nothing like my family and I just-I just feel out of place here."
CJ's expression softened, and he pulled Keana into a comforting embrace. He held her tightly, providing a safe space for her to let go of her pain.
"Baby girl, we're not perfect. We each have our own vices. Me, I'm always gone, I'm never here and they know that, sometimes I feel like a stranger in my own house. Brianna, she does stupid shit sometimes, tonight being one of them. Kaylee and Marcus, don't get me started on them," CJ said as Keana chuckled at that.
"The point I'm tyring to make is that we're not perfect and you fit right in. They love you, Mom's already planning the next the family event with you here," CJ said making Keana giggle.
Keana's eyes shimmered with gratitude as she leaned into CJ's embrace, her heart feeling lighter with each passing moment. "Thank you, CJ. I'm so lucky to have you."
CJ smiled, his passion for Keana radiating from his every word. "And I'm just as lucky to have you, Keana. You bring joy and a sense of belonging into my life."
In that moment, as they stood wrapped in each other's arms, the weight of their struggles seemed to fade away. Keana looked up at CJ, her gaze filled with passion. She leaned up on her tip toes, her lips mere inches away from his, a charged silence envevloped the room. Time seemed to suspend as anticipation crackled in the air. Their eyes locked, mirroring the intensity of their emotions, and a shared understanding passed between them.
With a gentle yet deliberate movement, CJ tilted his head ever so slightly, closing the remaining distance between their lips. The moment their mouths met, a jolt of electricity surged through their bodies, igniting a fire within them that they had never experienced before.
Keana's heart raced as the warmth of CJ's lips pressed against hers, his touch sending waves of sensation coursing through her veins. It was as if every nerve in her body had awakened, responding to the magnetic pull between them. The kiss was soft, tender, yet it held a depth of emotion that transcended words.
In that single moment, the significance of their connection became undeniable. It was more than mere physical contact—it was a fusion of souls, a merging of two hearts beating in synchrony. They had weathered the storms of doubt and uncertainty, and now, in this electrifying kiss, they found validation and affirmation.
Time seemed to stand still as they lost themselves in the intimate exchange, their breaths mingling in a sweet dance of shared vulnerability. With each gentle caress of their lips, the weight of their individual struggles and insecurities dissolved, leaving only the pure essence of their passion.
As they finally pulled away, their eyes met once again, shimmering with a newfound depth of understanding. The room seemed to buzz with an invisible energy, an aura of passsion and acceptance that permeated their beings.
"That was-" he was saying.
"Magical," she said stealing the words from him making him chuckle.
"I might need a do over," he said with a smirk on his face.
"Just shut up and kiss me," she said making him chuckle as he leaned down to place another gentle kiss on the woman who commanded his attention.
A/N: Damn, things got a lil tense for a second. I just wanted to put together a Chapter that would give the couple a challenge and kinda build their strength together.