"Are you really not going to chase a good man like that? It's your fault to begin with? Wish a man would call me the moment he thinks of me." A gray-haired lady couldnt stop rambling as she strung out a damp towel.

"Mom, I get it. Alright?! But he ain't going to respect no woman that needs to rely on him. It's better that I do my own thing and let him know that I can live good with him or without." I was getting fed up at this point.

"I'm just saying. The man is one fine specimen but you done acted stupid for what? A little pride? Pride got your father killed. Pride got your brother put in a cage. Pride is why your sister has four kids and no man to take care of her." Her mom shook her head and stretched out another towel before hanging it up.

"Mom, enough! If he really wanted me, do you think he would just leave like that?" I threw down my pen and walked outside in the November snow.

"He didn't leave like that. Your Pride pushes him away." Her mom yelled behind her.

I couldn't help pulling out a cigarette and blowing clouds. Though with how the cold felt, maybe I was just blowing mist instead.

Besides, it wasn't like I wasn't without standing. Who could feel secure with a man sleeping with others? Definitely someone you didn't know that well who just got out of prison. Only thing on his mind is pussy and food. I saw it way too many times not to feel a little untrustful.

Shit, if he really loves me then why didn't he try a little harder? Just coming around to help all of us move, then setting up this little diner for me isn't pronouncing his love. Just saying he's paying me back for the shit I did. Like my body has a price tag or something?

I couldn't help touching my stomach where our daughter was being nurtured. My eyes couldn't help looking at the sign board that said 'Ebony Rose Diner.'

Yeah, I can see his silent presence. I'm not stupid. I get he laid claim on me and even pays for my home and clinic visits but can't he come in person? Is it too hard for him to just accept a small loss? I'll apologize if he does, it's only fair.

***

By December the fifteen, I was at my busiest. His fucking guild took my restaurant as a hang out spot. Running in and out like they couldn't find another place. Shit, did they think I didn't know they had two star chefs in that private world?

I can understand the people only attached by name. They live out here in the jungle with me but the others? Come on, their shoes look like they hadn't even stepped on the sludge just outside the door. They never had to wipe off their shoes at the door. Their coats didn't even have a speck of white on it.

Who the fuck were they trying to trick?

It got even worse the closer to Christmas. More and more of those powerful wizards came. Some formed towers directly while others could only form small companies. Erect some low cost homes and spend a fortune on equipment that steadily rose in price.

For some reason, just the tag, 'Ebony Rose', made them come to my restaurant. Even if I charge a little more for the food, pies, or cakes. They will just grunt and buy it.

It was like they knew a mob boss owned this place or something. Like I was made-woman or something and they couldn't cause trouble but had to support me.

It sort of made me feel like he didn't think I could pull in traffic on my own. Like I really needed his hand from above to guide my life. I knew this was silly but sometimes you just can't help but think such things. It's natural.

**

I sat my bloated ass at the cash register listening to all kinds of nonsense. Like one group lost over fourteen people in the new fire raid. They were formed of mostly warriors and went in without any frost wizards. Learned real quick that lava is still lava and this ain't no video game where you can spawn and wait to try again.

But there were other fools bringing their 'color' drama in here. I mean like gang colors and not skin. For example, the Church of Light often got into conflict with the Ebony Rose members. They would go outside and get all loud and shit then things would devolve into fist fights like an after school fight.

Sometimes one group would win and other times the other would win several days in the row. This continued right up until Christmas when Lex showed up. He took a booth seat and didn't say shit, like I was invisible or something. Like he couldn't just say hey, how have you been?

That isn't too hard, huh?

The diner split between the two forces. Black on Lex side and the White on the other side. Yet, this guy comes in with lightning dancing around him like he was the shit.

Look good but you could tell he was fucking full of himself. He spotted my bloated ass and walked over with a smile. Threw out some lame ass lines and repped his guild like it held power or something.

I ignored him and just focused on my tasks since my fat ass was just in the way, back in the kitchen. I definitely wasn't going to walk out and bring plates to these fools. Though, maybe I should, just to make him talk to me.

Yet, this blimey fool just wouldn't find someone else. He kept pestering me until Lex motioned with his hand like he was the motherfucking godfather or something.

Two big ass guys that make wrestlers look a little out of shape, walked over. The shadows around them flickered like shit out of the hills have eyes.

They said something and the retard just smirked and attack. Now, it's known that you don't openly attack establishments. It's not just a fine but a bit of unpleasantness then a fine to your guild and hefty levies.

The two guys ignored the attack and beat the brakes off the guy and his crew. They didn't even have a chance to do more than release some sparkles like it was the fourth of July. In the end, I think they were tossed out dead because they didn't get out of the snow and were left there for two days. Until some more lightning fucks came by and picked them up.

The sad part is, this was the last time I saw the bastard face to face. Like he really couldn't just man up and apologize. It ain't like he didn't do any wrong besides I'm pregnant? Don't I get some leeway?