Chapter 15-Mulo's Return

I stopped in my tracks.  He couldn't be here, not now.  I heard them talking about school and little things when I walked in.
"Hello Amari." so smooth as always

"What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you and Aric.  I also thought it was time I met your little girl." he said stepping closer to me.  He's gone for months and within a few moments he had me feeling weak.
"You should have called first." I said trying to resist the urge to give in to him.

"Aric please take your sister upstairs so your mother and I can talk." his gaze never left me as he spoke."Hey babe what's keeping you?" I heard Jesse saying as he came to find me.

Mulo's face hardened.  "Who's that?" he demanded.

"Hey buddy I don't know who you think you are but you can't speak to her that way!"  Jesse said as he walked closer to me.

I could see the anger growing on Mulo's face.  "This doesn't concern you.  You should leave now."  He spoke low and controlled but his face told a different story.  He had the same look now that he had at our last encounter.

"This isn't your house." Jesse continued refusing to back down.  "The only one who can ask me to leave is Amari."  Mulo turned his gaze to me.
"Amari my love ask your guest to go.  We have things to discuss."  I could tell it wasn't a request.  "I'm going to speak with my son, come find me once he's gone."

Jesse looked at me and then back towards Mulo who had already started up the stairs.
"Amari what's going on?"  I was silent not sure where to begin
"Amari?"
"He's Aric's father."
"But not Bynni's?"  I shook my head.  He'd never asked if they had the same father or not and by the look on his face I could see he assumed they did.
"That still doesn't explain why he just showed up here.  Did you know he was coming?"  I could tell he was confused and frustrated.
"I thought he was still in France.  I haven't been in contact with him."  Jesse could see the pain on my face.

"Why do you let him talk to you that way?"
"It's complicated." I mumbled.  How could I explain it to him if I didn't even fully understand the dynamics of our relationship.  If you could call it that.
"It's not complicated.  That guy is an ass and you shouldn't let him treat you that way."  he reached out and hugged me.

"Jesse please, you don't understand."
"Then explain it to me." he said getting frustrated again.
"I can't.  please, I'm sorry."
"Are you asking me to leave?"  I didn't say anything.
"Fine."  he turned to go
"Jesse please don't be angry."  He kept walking and didn't look back.  I wanted to run after him, I should have run after him but instead I went upstairs.

I found them in Aric's room.  As I approached I could hear them talking.
"She's happy." I heard Aric say.  "You don't know how sad she has been.  She tried to hide it, but I could see."

I walked out onto the balcony and they quit talking.

"Aric would you please read a story to Bynni?" he looked at his dad for a moment then answered "Yes mother."  I turned and headed upstairs to my room.  Mulo followed.  My heart and thoughts were racing.  I didn't know what to say.  We didn't speak right away.  I didn't want to look at him because I knew if I did I would be lost as I always was.
"Your friend seems to be quite fond of you and very protective.  How noble of him."  I still didn't speak.  He had left me, cut off all communication unless it suited him.  I was hurting for so long and finally I was beginning to heal and he comes back.

"Jesse is good to me, he's good for me." I said finally but still not meeting his gaze.

"Did Aric know you were coming back?
"No, last time we spoke I hadn't made any definite plans.  I just decided it was time"
"Why now?"
"Isn't it obvious?" he said with a smile before pulling me into an embrace.

He started kissing my neck and I felt myself melting. Oh how I've wanted this waited for this for so long.  There were so many nights I dreamt about being back in his embrace.  How I have wanted the feeling of his hands caressing me.  He began kissing me ever so softly yet so full of passion and desire.

I felt him moving me towards the bed.  No, I can't I thought. I pulled away from him.  It took all of my will to do that and I could see he was not happy about my refusal.
"This isn't right. I...I..."
"You what Amari?" he hissed not even trying to hide the anger in his voice.  I thought about what Jesse has said and about how disappointed he looked when I asked him to go.
"I deserve better." I tried to sound strong but it was hard.
"Better?" He spat "I've given you a beautiful place to live and money to keep you comfortable!"

"You left me, you didn't call me.  You could call and speak to your son but not me?"
"He needed me."
The tears were streaming down my face.
"I needed you!" I screamed "Instead you were off, out of the country with HER!"
Mulo was silent, his face void of any emotions as I unloaded all of mine.  For so long I had been holding in all this hurt and pain.  I tried to remain strong for my children but as evident from the conversation I overheard I failed.
"Yes well I am sorry.  It was not my intention to cause you this level of distress."
"Please just let me be.  Why did you come back?"  I was tired now.  I as if trying to remain strong against his charm was draining me of all my energy.
"I have a chance" I whispered "A real chance to be happy, a chance at something real."
He started laughing "You can't be serious...with him?"
"Why is that so hard to imagine?" I asked getting angry at his laughter
He stepped closer to me "Because there will only ever be one man you will love" then he started kissing me again.  I tried to resist, I tried to pull away but he was too strong.  His kiss was hard and demanding.
"You need to remember who's in control." he said as he picked me up and carried me towards my bed.
"Mulo! NO PLEASE!" I begged.  When we got to the bed he kissed me again.  I felt as though I was being crushed under his weight
"Let her go."  I heard Aric's voice calm and controlled as always.  He was standing in the doorway.
Mulo looked down at me "You are only as free as I allow." he whispered before releasing me.  He got up and started walking out of the room.  "I think I'll stay here for a few days." he said before exiting.  Aric briefly looked at me then shut the door behind him as he left the room without speaking a word to me.

I could hear them talking but couldn't make out what they were saying.  I was too shocked to move.  I couldn't even process what had just happened.  I could only curl up on my bed, eventually I fell asleep.