Taking her by surprise, he forcefully wrapped his arms around her waist. "Calm down, babe. I told you this girl is just a friend of mine. It's not even like that. She has connections in the movie industry and I'm using her to help get my business started," he lied.
"I'll be home when you get there; so there is no need for you to be taking the keys and stuff. We can talk about this then."
Lela forcefully pushed him off of her. "Talk? You must have me confused with the next female. All we got to talk about is my money, and we're doing that now." She tapped her nails together, motioning for him to place the money and keys in her hand.
When she looked into his eyes, she felt not an ounce of love for Tyrese. She didn't know what was sucking the love out of her more: catching him with another female, or seeing him for the first time as the leech that he was. The fact that he thought they could go back to life as usual after her catching him red-handed would have been funny if he hadn't looked so stupid saying it.
Tyrese suddenly became irritated. "I see why Kelton used to go upside your head. You're so temperamental. You don't understand the struggles of the black man. Sometimes, we got to be chummy with these white folks to get what we want out of life. She is helping me break into the entertainment business." He was in a mode Lela had never seen him in. Towering over her, he added, "I'll give you the money and keys, but I got to get my stuff out your house first before I give you anything. Now go home and I'll be there in a minute."
"So now the truth comes out. You think you know why Kelton used to 'go upside my head.' Well, if you don't give me my money, you're going to find out how Kelton got that limp of his." Lela was yelling at the top of her lungs when Tonya walked back in from the parking lot, where she had been trying to pick a fight with Sarah.
"Come on, Lela," Tonya urged.
"I'm coming when I get my stuff," Lela shouted.
Tonya grimaced, then taking note of the unusually still scene around them, she made Lela aware of it, as well. "Uh, Lela, take a look around."
Lela scanned The Fat Cherry. Everyone was dead silent. Some had even stopped eating. She softened her tone of voice, but still made herself clear to Tyrese.