"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting different results," Richard had said to me.

Maybe I was a little insane, only when it came onto to people because when I drank I knew what feelings I'd get and when I smoked I knew that THC would take me away from my own mind.

I stood in front of my mother in a full suit. It was now December 31st and Richard had stepped out to get champagne for the midnight New Year's party that we had every year. I wasn't planning on being here though, I only dressed up so that it would bother my mother.

I had also decided to cut my hair off so now I sported a tapered cut fade. I had a smirk on my face because I knew she would try to attack me, this was the first time she has seen me since my full 360 transformation.

"Mother," I greeted her.

"Zidania, why do you look like that?" She asked me with a surprised expression.

"New year, new me." I laughed.

"I don't know you anymore, I want you to move out this instance."

"That's not your place to say, my darling." I raised my eyebrow at her.

"The last time I checked, it was Richard's name on the land and house title and if you didn't know, once I turned 18 a couple of months ago my name was added to the deed as well." My Cheshire pus grin was evil, it had nothing but spite and vengeance towards the woman in front of me.

"So Sophia, I do believe I should be the one saying you should move out." My laugh was humorless and cold.

"The Devil doesn't wear Prada you ignorant woman, have you seen my feet?" I clicked the heel of my recent purchase.

"Bet you wouldn't know what it is so let me explain, these are Clarks, the Tilden Cap line to be exact. I had them imported from England," I winked at her.

"The suit, Dormeuil from France. It's a three piece suit and the gold pin is from Gucci." I continued.

"You have Richard's money at your disposal and yet still you maintain the same raggedy style that you've always had. What happened to appearance is everything?" I rested my hand on my chin while my other hand was in my pants pocket.

"Zidania, stop this nonsense." She yelled.

"Sophia, I'm giving you an ultimatum. Divorce Richard or go down with your accomplice Carter Jones." I said, I took matters into my own hands since CJ made that confession. I haven't touched her, not yet at least.

"What?" She looked dumbfounded.

"I'm sure you aren't deaf," I said through gritted teeth.

"I can't divorce Richard," for once I heard some emotion in her voice.

"Best believe that you can and you will. There are no other options here other than divorce or face the consequences. You had a lifetime to change but you didn't and you've also plotted against your own daughter and her fiancé," I explained.

"Mama Ekuban said it, she said that you'd end up with nothing but destruction and misery and Sophia your retribution is standing in front of you clad in an expensive handmade French suit." I tugged at the hem of my vest.

"Richard has one as well, I just decided to bring mine out first since I won't be staying for the celebration and you won't either. I don't know why Richard stays with you and quite frankly I don't care." I rolled my eyes.

"Who are you?" She asked me.

"I told you, I'm your retribution." I winked at her.

"You have by the end of the New Year celebrations to choose. I've already spoken to a lawyer and I want you to serve the divorce papers to Richard." I turned to walk away.

"You cannot do this to me, I am your mother." She cried out.

"And I was your daughter," I didn't turn around.

I continued to walk away while she cried and threw her fits behind me. I felt like a brand new person, new hair cut, new suit, I felt invincible. I took out my phone to call Carter Jones.

"Carter Jones," I said as she answered.

"Zidania McGlashan," She responded.

"I have a proposal for you."

"Let's hear it."

"Thank you for what you have done, you were right. I never wanted to marry the African and after seeing everything that you've done just to bring me to the light I am willing to run away with you." The words tasted bitter in my mouth but I had to do it.

"I don't believe you," she said.

"Come on Carter Jones, new year, new me." I did my best to sound convincing.

"I have it all planned out. We are rich for Christ sakes, it shouldn't be hard to leave this place. We have the same visas, we can go where we want. I have access to my trust funds and I know you do too."

"Keep selling," She sighed.

"I've never loved anyone like I've loved you, I've never felt such a strong connection to anyone as I have you." I raised my hand over my chest.

"As it should be," I heard the smile in her voice.

"I already have the plane tickets to Canada, I spoke with a woman renting a place and she is willing to rent it to us. It's close to the university and I made sure to contact them telling them I'd like to start in January, with a little monetary bribery of course." I explained.

Why haven't I done this before? I was great but I couldn't get ahead of myself just yet. I needed Richard to be in on the plan, I couldn't let him know that I was forcing Sophia to divorce him. I wanted to see his reaction to this without prior notice.

"When do we leave?" She asked.

"It's a midnight flight, I'll send a car for you."

"I like this proposal."

"So do we have a deal?" I crossed my fingers.

"We do."

"I love you," I said softly.

"I've been waiting to hear those words from you for months now," I could hear her sniffle on the other end.

"And I love you Zim." I disconnected the call afterwards.

I was in the garage pulling the door to my Jeep when I saw Richard's Benz pull up.

"It's almost a new year, when are you going to listen to me and sell that car and get something more unique?" I said to him with my hand on the door handle.

"Amazing suit you have on," he smiled.

"Yours is upstairs, you'll know it when you see it." I gave him back a wide smile.

"I love you Zim, you're the best step daughter anyone could ever ask for." He pulled me in for a hug.

"And what about Sophia?" I was curious.

"Your the reason why I'm with her and plus, she's comfortable and I've forgotten what it feels like to be alone." He patted my shoulder and asked for help with the champagne boxes.

I walked into the kitchen with my box in hand and there stood Sophia looking fresh and pristine as if nothing ever happened. I rested the box down and winked at her.

"Dad, I'll be back but I won't be staying for the party."

"Why not? We've never spent New Years away from each other" He pouted.

"I'm grown," I laughed.

"It was bound to happen, chief." I patted him on the back and left without another word.

My first stop would be downtown, a recruitment agency that did more than just recruiting. I walked in for my 3 PM appointment with Mr Citronelli, an Italian man with a permanent scowl on his face.

"I'm here for my 3 PM with Mr Citronelli," I told the receptionist.

"Follow me, handsome." She winked and walked away. I followed closely behind her.

"I love your suit, you scream entitlement. Who are you?" She asked.

"I'm a woman in love," I said before I stepped pass her and into the brightly lit dark oak office.

"Ms McGlashan," he greeted me.

"Ah, Mr Citronelli. Nice to finally meet you," I walked over to him giving him a firm handshake.

"Firm hands you have there," he pointed out.

"Have to be firm in a male dominated society," I held my head high.

"Why are you really here?"

"I have someone I'd like to take out," I suggested.

"Two persons actually but I'm waiting to see the actions of one, the other one is a definite take out." I explained.

"These conversations are not recorded," he said and I nodded. I had to leave a clean slate, I made sure to ask him beforehand if they were.

"How do you suggest we do so?" He asked and I handed him a paper.

"Read it thoroughly, there will be no traces of it left afterwards."

He read the paper in silence with his eyebrows knotted together from concentration. "This is a very expensive task," he said.

"I have something to change though, instead of sending someone to pick her up allow her to drive out on her own and I'll handle everything else from there." He handed the paper back to me.

"What has she done to solicit such wrath from you? If you don't mind me asking..." he leaned back in his chair folding his arms across his chest.

"She set up a hit and run on my fiancé, I went to her asking for blood and she openly confessed." I told him truthfully.

"And what of Sophia McGlashan? Is that your mother?" He asked.

"A womb donor," I shrugged my shoulders.

"You kids nowadays have a vengeance I've never seen before," He chuckled. His round stomach jerking in the process.

"Work for me." It wasn't a question.

"What do you want from me?" I raised my eyebrows feeling my interest peak.

"From you? Nothing."

He rose from his seat and walked over to his cabinet pulling out a thin paper folder and handed it to me.

"For you? Everything."

*

I was now sitting in Kwashie's hospital room waiting on her to wake up. My mind was running wild with the offer I was given earlier. I haven't opened the folder, I left it under my car seat. I'll deal with it later.

"Asantewaa," Kwashie has finally waken up.

"Hello, my spouse to be." I smiled at her.

"What are you doing here?"

"I've come to spend New Years with the love of my life." I kissed her forehead.

"C'est moi?"

"Couldn't and wouldn't be anyone else." I held tightly onto her hand.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

"I tell you boy, I've been better." She laughed.

"Our parents pay top dollars for you."

"I am a product of their own selfish greed, as they should." Her expression was grim.

"Want to play cards?" I took the cards from my backpack.

"I would rather be in your guts but okay," She said.

"So this is what we doing now?" I clapped my hands together.

"I can't help it, your just so damn beautiful and it's like you wore that suit to spite me." She pouted her lips.

"Iya, you know I never do such things." I mocked her accent.

"Have I ever told you that I love when you speak my language? When you imitate my accent?" Her eyes were soft, those were the eyes of someone who was in love.

"You haven't," I tilted my head and made sure my eyes portrayed the love I had just for her.

"Well, I'm telling you now. I love you." She intertwined our fingers and stared into my eyes.

"I love you too."

"Did they tell you about the crash and my broken ribs?" She asked and I nodded.

"I know everything," I pierced my lips and looked away from her.

"I love your hair." She lifted her hand.

"Are you sure your father was black?" She asked once I pushed my head closer so she could touch my hair.

"I don't know man but I thought my curl pattern would be tighter than this." I sighed.

"Why are you sad? It's still beautiful." She continued to play with the short strands.

"I don't doubt you but I'll be wearing wigs," I laughed.

"Loose or tight, it still matters." I raised my eyebrows at her when she said that.

"Although, I prefer you tight." My laughter filled the room after the words fell from her lips.

"Behave," I said slapping her hand.

"It's the truth," she joined in on my laughter.

"You are insufferable," I mocked her.

"An honor," she tried to sound like me.

"Bro, I don't even sound like that." I started laughing again.

"You're right. It's more like an honor," her voice was squeaky, she twisted her neck and rolled her eyes.

"You ain't shit," I continued laughing while holding onto my stomach.

"Nah. I am the shit, no toilet paper." She smirked.

"You stupid on God, no church." I was still laughing.

"You are just jealous on cult leader, no followers." She was deadass serious.

I stopped laughing for a minute to process what she just said and then I bust out into another fit of laughter, I'm sure I sounded like a dying whale from the soundless laughter than was coming from me. Kwashie started laughing too and I wiped the tears that had fallen from my eyes.

"You deep as fuck, my guy." I tried to settle my laughter but it kept coming back wave after wave.

"That don't even make no kind of sense."

"And again, you're just jealous." She rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, sure." I did air quotes.

"What have you been doing since I've been in here?" She asked after awhile.

"Well, I went to see my psychologist." I started.

"The last time I drank was on the day of your accident, I haven't looked at nor touched another bottle of liquor." I admitted.

"Three days sober? I'm so proud."

"Thank you," I laughed.

"I had to meet in an accident for you to stop drinking? I wonder what will have to happen to me for you to stop the smoking?" She wondered.

"Let's focus on the present chief, one at a time." I snapped my fingers.

"I'm just glad you're taking steps towards recovery." Her smile was genuine and I'd do anything to see that smile.

"I couldn't bear to hear you throwing shade on me being an alcoholic, I'm a winner and winners don't allow persons to have things over them." I joked.

"Suuuuuuure, I don't remember the last bet you won." She pointed out.

"Only because you are a thief," I rolled my eyes.

"Or, I'm just better than you."

I huffed and rolled my eyes sharing out the card deck on the tray that was attached to her bed. I had left to get food and non alcoholic champagne after a few card games and some more conversation. She hated the hospital food but who didn't? I snuck everything in and laid them out in front of her.

"You're the best." She picked up the chicken sandwich.

"I know," I smiled taking up my ice cream bar.

I had brought enough food and snacks to last for the whole night. I took the extra blanket from from Jeep because the AC was blowing cold despite the fact that we turnt it up. It was now 11:50 PM and I decided to call Carter.

"Give me a minute, pops. I'll be back." I left from the room with my phone in hand.

"Carter Jones," I said once the phone was answered.

"My heartbeat," I cringed.

"Change of plans for tomorrow, the driver is going to be busy with his family's impromptu visit so he won't be able to make it. Drive your car and I'll arrange for both of our vehicles to get picked up from the airport." I said.

"Wow, I really love the fact that you are taking care of everything." She sounded impressed.

"Baby girl, I'd do anything to show you how serious I am." I still had my fingers crossed. I needed her to believe this to the T.

"Anything?" She asked.

"I'm leaving my whole family behind anything," I specifically pointed out. I don't know where her twisted mind was right now.

"I understand, how about stand up to your stepfather?" She asked again.

"I can't allow them to know that I'm running away, I want them to continue believing that I'm going along with their selfish plans and you shouldn't tell your father either because then they'll know that I'm with you. Just let him know that you'll be leaving early for school." I explained.

"Yes, that's the best." She sounded convinced.

"Anyways. I have to go back inside to the party." I said.

"I'm here at your house and I don't see you." My heart rate picked up.

"I decided on a different party this year, I'm 18 after all and I have the choice to not be under my parents at all times." I tried my best to not stutter and sound nervous.

"If I had known you were going I would've told you about my plans to ditch," I bit my lips and squeezed my fingers tighter hoping that she didn't ask to join me.

"That's fine, I'll see you tomorrow love." She finally said.

"Can't wait."

"Happy new year when it comes," she said.

"Happy new year to you as well," I disconnected the call and let out a loud sigh.

I walked back into the room and checked my watch, it was almost 12. I looked at the love of my life sitting up in her hospital bed eating spicy chips and staring at the tv.

"It's almost twelve," I said.

"I thought you wouldn't come back before," her voice sounded sad.

"I'd never miss my first New Years celebration with you." I comforted her.

"Get the bubbly then," she pointed to the unopened bottle of champagne.

I rushed over to it and forced the top open, it let out a loud pop once the corkscrew finally escaped. I placed a plastic champagne glass in her hand and filled it up. It was almost time for the countdown.

"I can't imagine spending this time with anyone else, when I tell you that I love you please don't take it lightly. My love has no boundaries and I'm making you my all so please, don't hurt me." She whispered.

"Not in this lifetime and surely not in the next. As I said before it's you because no one else makes sense." I kissed her.

The countdown started.

"To a new year, to a beautiful wedding, to our first New Years together, to our future, to us." I lifted my glass.

"And to the children you will be bearing me," Kwashie said quickly and connected our cups quickly with a laugh.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR," She shouted at me before I could reject.

"Happy new year, my love." I sipped my champagne and my nose turned up at the non alcoholic acidic beverage. Kwashie saw and started laughing at me.

"It's not that bad," she tried defending the champagne.

"It's actually terrible," I placed the full glass on the bed side table and turned back to Kwashie.

"Well, you've won my heart before the wedding. You're such a charmer." I said playfully.

"I know nothing else," she shrugged her shoulders.

"So you've been charming other women?" I raised my eyebrows.

"You and your multiple personalities." She winked at me.

I stared at her holding back my laugh. I won't allow her to have this one, she's out of control. My eyes twitched and my nostrils flared trying to look shocked at what she just said.

"I hate you."

"I feel the love," she laughed and I hissed my teeth.

"I guess we just have a wedding to attend and then things will be official?" She said.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." I blew a kiss at her.

"I hope Carter Jones leaves for school and doesn't come back," she sighed.

"Oh, she'll be leaving alright."

"What do you mean?" I wasn't going to let her in on the plan.

"I convinced her father to be stern on her for school, told him she was planning on ditching." I laughed.

"Well I guess that will have her off our tails for now, we can finally stop worrying about her next move." She sighed again.

"Stop sighing. I've taken care of every person who is against us." I smiled.

"Your mother?" She asked.