Essence

Chapter 10: True Love

*Author's Note: I'm rereading this part for the first time in like a year since I wrote it... I'm cringing SO hard at the intimate scenes here, but I don't have the energy to change it. I'll probably spruce it up in the future, but for now, deal with the cringe intimacy... If I gotta deal with it, so do y'all 😉*

~ Trigger Warning: Suicidal Ideation/Body Image Issues/Verbal Abuse? ~

"What?!" I shrieked.

"I thought you were dead." Dad mumbled, still hugging her.

"Let me explain. But first, Essence, you've grown up into a beautiful young lady." Abby beamed as she went to hug me.

I backed away.

"E, be nice." Dad instructed.

"No. You ruined my parents' relationship." I snarled, eying Abby.

"Hey, who's this?" Eli chuckled.

"She's my mom." Dayveonne mumbled.

"What?!" Eli shrieked.

"Okay, okay, enough screaming, just let me explain." Abby started.

We all sat down. She told us she knew Mom was coming after her. So she blackmailed her. Mom made her disappear, but never killed her.

"So, you were alive this whole time, and never tried to see me?" Dayveonne asked.

His voice was breaking. I felt bad.

"Baby, it's not like that," Abby comforted as she tried to hold his hands.

"I thought you were dead! You didn't stop to think 'I have a son that needs me, why don't I try to see him'?!" He sobbed as he backed away.

"Dayveonne, I was being blackmailed. I couldn't be seen until I knew Marrissah was out of the picture." She admitted.

I was so confused. Dayveonne went to his room and slammed the door shut. I followed, but Eli left the house.

"Day, it's gonna be alright." I comforted.

Vanessa gave him the nickname "Day" 'cause repeating "Dayveonne" all the time became too much. We're nickname people.

"This is insane. I thought she was dead, that I'd never form an actual relationship with her. I was only three months old when she 'died'." He cried.

"Let's take your mind off of this. The party's tomorrow. I can style your locs for you." I suggested.

"Thanks, E." He grinned as he hugged me.

Tomorrow night came pretty quickly. The theme of the party was the 90s[, so I wore some baggy low-rise jeans, a deep v-neck crop top, and a hat to match. For my shoes, Nike Air Max 95s. Daniel was picking me up and we were all gonna meet at the party.

"Hey, baby. You look amazing." He gushed as I entered his car.

"Thanks, babe. So do you." I giggled as I ruffled his hair.

He kissed my neck as he grabbed a hold of my waist, causing a little moan to come out my mouth.

"Woah, someone's a little freaky tonight." I teased.

"Yeah, this outfit looks perfect on you." He chuckled.

"Not that I don't like this, I really do, but I don't wanna be late to the party." I whined.

"Alright." He smirked as he began driving.

We met up with the others and entered the house. The first thing I spotted was drinks. We got drunk, danced, played games, and by midnight, Daniel was carrying me on his back to go home. Well, to his house. His mom was out on a mini vacation with the boyfriend, and Desi was at a sleepover.