Let The Games Begin

"Excuse me, can you please scoot over so I can sit down?" Noah asked Sarai as he searched for a seat on the bus, but they were all taken. She didn't respond, all she did was move her backpack.

"Are you a new kid?" she asked taking out her headphones.

"I guess. My dad is the new police chief here. I'm in 8th though, you're probably in 9th."

"Do you have a sister named Nyla?"

"Yes mam, how do you know?" Noah intriguingly responded.

"Uhm. My mom and your dad talk."

"Oh!! Wait, oh hell no. Your mom is the lady my daddy been talkin to?" He laughed and rolled his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I missed the joke. What's funny?"

"Nothing, nothing. This is just really awkward. But do you hoop? Dance? My sister does photography for this company or whatever. I don't know, some cute shit she be doing. You Smoke?" 

"I play basketball. The fuck kinda question? No, I don't smoke. I'm too pretty to do that unattractive shit. Does your dad know you smoke?"

"Woah der. Someone is a little cocky with their looks. Well, I'm just saying.. I've seen girls way better looking than you. You ain't even all that, to be honest."

Sarai turned around and looked at him in disgust. "You can get the fuck outta my seat, hope your dad isn't a dick like you. Get the fuck up!" she pushed him and watched him fall into the aisle while everyone laughed.

Noah got up and dusted himself off. "You're really pushing it with me, you know that? You don't know anything about me, so don't try me." he walked to the back of the bus and sat down in the last seat. 

"Was that a threat?" Sarai asked, turning around in her seat to face him.

"Look, Siri do-"

"My name is Sarai." she said with a smile.

"Maybe I came off a little wrong. Don't take me seriously, though. I just like to joke around a lot. No need for you to throw a fucking hissy fit. " Sarai watched him as he got up from his seat and got off the bus. Since he was in 8th, the middle school kids would get dropped of at the middle school in the district first.  She wasn't gonna lie, that lil nigga did piss her off. But, at the same time she did feel wrong for pushing him and embarrassing him like the way she did.

-----------

"Wait, daddy. You plan on surprising my new mommy and taking her out to breakfast?" Nyla asked while tightening her ponytail.

"Yes Mam."

"Can I go?!" Nyla asked, tugging on his pants leg.

"Of course!"

"Ima get your keys, daddy!" She cheesed and smiled at him. Nyla ran down the stairs to where he kept the keys, and Safaree smirked at how cute she sounded running down the steps. 

Safaree walked down the steps to meet Nyla at the front door. Safaree was driving the new, 2013 Ford Expedition in Oxford white. The car by itself, and the interior design was enough for him to fall in love with it. 

"Can I sit in front?" Nyla asked tugging on the door handle.

"Nah, kiddo! You know the drill!" She sighed and hopped into the backseat. The drive down and around the subdivision wasn't really that long, about 3-4 minutes. 

--------------

"Who the hell is this knocking on my door?" Nicki asked herself out loud. She pulled the covers back and went to grab her robe from the closet. Nicki was beyond tired and annoyed that she couldn't get the rest that she needed and deserved. 

"Who is it?" she asked lazily.

"IT'S THE POLICE OPEN UP!" Faree yelled and banged on the front door. Nicki blushed and leaned in to open the door.

"Oh my God, I did not know you guys were coming! I haven't even brushed my teeth yet or anything, I am so sorry. This is so embarrassing. I'll be right back." She started to turn around but felt Safaree tug on her arm.

"Please, don't do that." Nicki whispered while pulling away. 

"Did I hurt you or anything?" he responded, letting go of her arm.

"No, Safaree. I'm sorry, it's.. it's nothing. You and Nyla can come in though."

"Guess what?!" Nyla asked looking up to Nicki.

"What, pretty girl?"

"I told Daddy that I want you to be my new mommy."

Nicki was shocked, surprised, and elated at the same time. She side-eyed Safaree and noticed he was on his phone, not paying attention.

"Oh, really? What did Daddy say?"

Nyla twirled around in circles before she answered the question. "Hmmm, I'm not saying!"

"What are you two over here talking about?" Safaree asked walking over hugging Nicki around the waist. 

Nobody answered. "Oh. Anyway, I came over to invite you to breakfast with Nyla and I on this lovely morning at IHop."

"That is so sweet, Safaree! I would love to go with you guys. Can I get like an hour to get ready though? I'm sorry, I just woke up." 

"Sure, take as long as you want." he paced back and forth looking around at the paintings, designs, colors, and phrases and sayings on the walls.

"Okay. Uhm, feel free to walk around and ya know. In the basement there's a mini movie theater. I still have some kid movies from when Sarai was little, if she wants to watch those. But I'll be done as soon as possible."

Safaree smiled at her in response. 'What is there to do?' he wondered while watching Nicki run up the steps.

"Daddy, I wanna watch a movie like she said."

"Alright, we'll go see what movies she has." Safaree picked her up and looked around the first floor for the door to the movie theater. "Ah, here it is!" He opened up the door and noticed how nice and spacious the finished basement was. A humongous movie screen, nice hard wood floors, a bar, and several couches. "This is pretty nice." Nyla wiggled out of his arms and walked around to find the movie collection. 

"She has Home Alone. Can we watch it daddy?" she asked, bringing him the DVD.

"Of course. Let's see how to work this thing." Safaree went over and pressed the power button on the DVD, put the DVD in, but nothing happened. "This is some wierd shit." he said under his breath.

"Have you thought about turning the screen thingy on first, daddy? Just like this." Nyla shook her head and pressed the power button the remote. "That wasn't so hard,was it?"

"Yeah Yeah. Just enjoy your movie. I'll be upstairs, don't touch anything." Safaree told her, but she just waved him off. As he was walking back upstairs, his phone began to ring and Safaree noticed it was an employee from the store downtown.

"Yo whaddup?"

"It's this riot going on across the street from the store, and its causing major problems. I don't know what to do, boss."

"Calm down, Kevin. Just make sure all the doors are locked if it's really that big. I mean I don't know what to tell you. I don't see how that can affect us that bad."

"Alright, alright. We got more of your favorite jewels in today."

"That's great, but I might be in a little bit later today. I gotta go."

-------

Another 30 minutes passed, Nicki was finally ready to go out to breakfast. "Alright, I have my phone, comb, purse obviously, lip stick, and mone-"

"Money?  You don't need any money, I got this." Nicki was shocked to see him standing in the doorway. "You look beautiful." he smiled down at the carpet and licked his lips.

"Really? You don't think this is too dressy? You don't think I should tone down on the shoes? I mean, all we're doing is going to breakfast." she rambled on and on.

"No, no, no. You look perfect. Everything about you is perfect. Stop worrying."

"You are beyond sweet, thank you so much. Maybe we should go now, I don't wanna keep us waiting. Is Nyla okay down there by herself?" Nicki asked him flipping her hair.

"No need to thank me. Yeah, she's good. After you?" Safaree held out his hand for Nicki to grab as she was getting ready to walk down the steps.

As Nicki was grabbing a jacket from the closet, Nyla came running up the basement steps and shut the door behind her. "So you guys were gonna leave me here?"

"Not at alll! Does your daddy do your hair every day?"

"Yeah, he kinda had to learn by himself since mommy isn't here."

"Well he's doing an amazing job!"

----------

"I haven't been here in a long time." Nicki stated as they pulled into the IHop parking lot. They both decided to use Safaree's car, and he would drive her home when they were done.

"Daddy, unlock the door. I wanna eat!" Nyla whined constantly pulling on the door handle.

"That's how you ask?"

"Daddy can you please unlock the door?"

"That's better."

The three of them got out of the car at the same time, and made there way into the restaurant. They were greeted by a waitress named Lisa.

"Welcome to IHop, how many people do you have?"

"Uhm, 3 people."

"Right this way."

"Can we get a booster seat for her, please?" Safaree asked while letting Nicki in the inside of the booth.

"Of course."

"So, have you thought about what you want?"

"I think I'll have the Split Decision breakfast with water, that's it."

"Are you sure you don't want anything else?"

"I'm pretty sure that's gonna fill me up. What do you want Nyla?"

"I want eggs, pancakes, and orange juice. Can I get that daddy?"

"You can have anything you want. I think I'll take the hashbrowns, eggs, and bacon. And also that thing with strawberries and icecream."

"You mean the Ice Cream sundae?" Nicki asked pointing to it in her menu.

"Yeah that thing." Safaree laughed and the waiter came with Nyla's booster seat.

"Are you in there good, pretty girl?" she asked. Nyla nodded her head.

"Alright, do we have our orders ready?"

Safaree told her what everyone wanted and found out that the wait was going to be about 20 minutes.

"You wanna color with me?" Nyla asked Nicki while opening up the children's book that came with the kid menus. 

"She doesn't wanna color with you, Nyla." Safaree made clear.

"Safaree!! I would love to color with her, she's adorable. What are you tawkin about?" she replied in a deep New York accent. 

"Thank you Ms. Nicki!"

"mmhmm."

----------

"Alright, that was like the best breakfast I've had in a really long time."

"I love watching you eat, it's adorable." Safaree said.

"Ya know, some people would say that's creepy, but I kinda think it's adorable coming from you." she smirked. "But no, you sir. You garfed everything downnnn. Son, you didn't take any breaks."

"Thanks. I mean, I'm a man! And a man gotta eat! I had a really good time, I would love to do it again with just the two of us."

"I would love that too, I'm totally up for dinner one night."

"How about this week?"

"I don't think I can do this week. I know I'm going to have tons of paper work with this new position I have at work. It's going to start to get really, really, hectic around there." Nicki got up from the booth, and the 3 of them started walking back to the car. "Did you tip her, Safaree?"

"Hell no."

Nicki stopped and turned around. "Why not?! I was a waitress once and I damn sure deserved tips. Well, sometimes. But still. Nyla go put this on the table."

"$15.00!! You gave that waiter 15 dollars?"

"Now I'm giving her 20." she told him while handing Nyla an extra 5.

"That's crazy, and unnecessary."

"Whatever, Safaree."

Nyla returned back to them and was ready to go."That waiter was really happy, daddy." Nyla said while opening the door the the two of them to get ready to back to the car.

"Nice." he replied with an attitude.

"Are you really pissed off about that damn tip?"

"No, I could care less actually."

"Alright, Safaree. We can go." Nicki rolled her eyes and hopped into his Ford Expedition.

"How are you guys fighting after the nice breakfast?" Nyla asked Safaree, upset. "It's just money, daddy."

"Nyla. You need to stay in a child's place" Safaree waraned.

The whole ride back to Nicki's house was quiet and you could feel the tension and annoyance in the air. Nicki was surprised that he would get upset over some damn money. It didn't make any sense to her. Safaree was pissed, Not really at the 20 dollars anymore but at himself for acting stupid. 

"Let me walk you in, Nic," Safaree followed her to the front porch. "I'm sorry for acting dumb. It was dumb. I'm dumb,  forgive me."

"It's whatever, Safaree. Just forget about it, it's alright. Sure. I forgive you. It's no big deal anymore."

"You're not taking me seriously."

"Yes, I am. You're doing the most now. I told you to forget about, so do it."

"So you gon do me like that? After what I did for you?"

"Do you like what, Safaree? Oh, so you're expecting me to treat you a certain way. You're just expecting shit out of me? You're not supposed to do things from the heart like that and expect something in return."

"No. I'm sorry. Listen. I'm bad at communicating, it really isn't like that!" Safaree sighed.

"Okay, look. I'll see you tomorrow at your house warming. I can come early if you want me to help you or anything. I really don't wanna argue with you right now."

"I don't either. I guess I'll see you tomorrow then." he walked over to her to give her a short hug. "Are you gonna walk me out?" Safaree asked with his hand on the door handle.

Nicki sighed and opened up the door for him. "Is this good?"

"That's better." Safaree smiled and gave her a peck on the forehead. "I'll call you tonight."

"I'll be waiting."

Nyla At IHop

Safaree's car

Let Me Know

Hours had past after Victor officially left, and she felt beyond lonely. But, at the same time she was excited that he was gone. Nicki could finally start a new love life, but would letting him go be as easy as she thought? Would her past with him continue to haunt her?She sighed as she got up from the couch to grab her keys from her purse.  It was around that time of day were school would almost be over, so since she was home, she decided to pick up Sarai today. To let her know, she texted her.

Nicki: Picking you up

Sarai: I wanna ride the bus home..

Nicki: Well you're not today

Sarai: Why?

Nicki: You'll see. You know where I park (:

Nicki smiled and dangled her keys as she always got her way. She opened her front door, made her way to the car, got in, and started it. Nicki loved the new car smell. As she was turning out of her subdivision, she didn't think to look at the house that had just been moved in to and it had been heavy on her mind. 

-----------

"What's so important that I couldn't ride the bus home like I always do?" asked Sarai getting into the car. "And why aren't you at work? You didn't get fired did you?"

"Geez, hello to you too. How about a "Hey mom, how was your day? How are you?"

Sarai looked at her and rolled her eyes as Nicki pulled off into traffic.

"Is there a reason my father just texted me saying 'I miss u n i hoe everythin go good. try to change luv". Sarai squinted as she had a hard time reading his text message. 'illiterate ass' she thought to herself.  

Nicki chuckled softly. "He isn't very good with electronics, obviously."

"True, but what is he talking about?"

Nic didn't respond, instead she pulled into the 'Cold Stone' parking lot. 

Sarai squinted. "This isn't like you at all."

"Like what? I can't take my lovely daughter out for ice cream every once in a while?"

She looked at the 'Cold Stone' sign, and back at Nicki. "Every once in a while?! Ma, you haven't done this in years! "

"Do you want icecream or not?"

"Alright, fine! Unlock the door."

Nicki unlocked the door and two made their way into the proverbial creamery. 

"What do you want?" Nicki asked getting out her wallet.

'Birthday Cake Remix"

Nicki ordered herself a red velvet cupcake, and then made her way to the table Sarai had saved for the two of them.

"Ohmygosh, this is amazing." Nicki said indulging in her favorite flavored cupcake ever. "You don't understand how moist this is, my God."

"Now what happened?"

Nicki didn't notice, but as her and Sarai were talking, Officer Samuels and his daughter also walked into the icecream place. He noticed Nicki, and a smile immediately lit across his face.

"Daddy, why are you smiling so hard?" his 4 year old daughter, Nyla, asked him.

--------

"So, basically your dad left today." Nicki paused and waited on her reaction.

"Okay?" she took a bite of her birthday cake remix.

"I packed all of his things, a couple of pictures, and.. he just isn't here anymore. He said he was going to try to get an apartment out of town but try to keep the job he has now. He's been so abusive, and has caused me and you so many probl....-


"Nicki?" Safaree layed his hand on her shoulder, causing her to turn around and Sarai to raise an eyebrow.

"Oh, hi! What are you doing here? And who's this little cutie pie? She's adorable." Nicki smiled and cheesed at his daughter.

"This is Nyla. Are you gonna say hi?" She slowly hid behind Safaree grabbing his pants leg. "Sorry, Nic. She's kinda shy."

'Nic? He called me Nic like he knows me? K.' Nicki thought to herself.

"Go grab a chair and take a seat!" Nic invited him over to their table.

"Who is he?!" Sarai whispered.

"Mind your own!" winked Nicki.

"We just moved here a couple of weeks ago, but we've been staying into a hotel until they add the final touches to our house. I have a son also, he's 13 though." Safaree announced while pulling up a chair. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so rude. Is this your daughter, Nicki?"

"Yep, that's me. So, what do you do for a living Mr. Samuels?" she half smirked.

"You're a curious one, I see." Safaree chucked and noticed how Nicki kicked her under the table. "Well, I'm the new police chief here in Forsyth County, and I also part own a jewelry store in downtown Atlanta."

"A jewelry store? Wow, you didn't tell me that!" Nicki was shocked and intrigued. Hmmm, a man with two jobs, can buy his own house, 2 kids, and is super attractive and sweet? She'll take that.

"Daddy, I want Icecream now!" His daughter cried.

"Oh, uhm. I can take her up there so you guys can talk if you want."Sarai offered." Safaree handed her a 20 and gave Nyla off to her.

The two of them sat in silence for a while, not really knowing what to say. Safaree, once again, was mesmerized by her beauty. Never had he seen a woman carry herself the way Nicki did, and looked as beautiful as she did. Nicki? The same way. Sure, she liked him.. but wasn't really sure if she was ready or not for a full relationship after the one she just got out of. To her, he was perfect.

"So, where did you move to?" Nicki asked staring into his eyes.

"We recently just moved to Bookhout drive, not to far from here. A house at the end of the subdivision, a real nice neighborhood. The school district is pretty good. My family really likes it out here. I mean, my family meaning me, Nyla, and Noah. My ex wife, Marissa, she was white.. we were married for about 12 years but last month I filed for divorce. Thank God, I got full custody of my kids. I'm just trying to be the best father I can. She's in the process of becoming a recovering alcoholic, but she keeps having relapses. Marissa also doesn't want anything to do with them anymore, which is sad and hard on me. She was the first woman I ever really loved. I'm not gonna lie, I miss her and think about her everyday. She was just..."

Nicki didn't know what to say. This guy just poured her whole heart out to him. The whole time he was talking, she took the time to study everything about him. The first time she saw him, she never would have that he would have went through so much. Just like her.

"Wow, I am so sor-" Nicki began to say, but was cut off.

"Daddy!!! Sarai got me icecream!" Nyla jumped on his lap.

"Can I get some?" he asked, gesturing for Sarai to keep the change.

"No, it's all mine!" She wined.

"But I payed for it, with my own money." he tickled her until she edged off his knee.

"Fine." Nyla pouted and let Safaree have a spoonful.

"But, what were you saying Nicki?"

"Uhhhh, I was just saying that you uhhmmm live down the street from me!" she forced a smile.

"Really? You wanna come to our House Warming party this Friday night? It's nothing big. I would love for you and Sarai to come."

"Thank you so much." Nicki grabbed her purse from off the side of the chair, getting ready to leave.

"I'll call you and let you know what time it is." Safaree got up from his seat, and gave Nicki a hug.  'Woah. This nigga just hugged me? He smells so good, but his chain is beyond cold. Gah, why is he so tall.' she thought to herself. Safaree never wanted to let go of her. He knew that she belonged right there in his arms.

"You'll call me? How do you even know my number?" Nicki asked releasing from his tight hug. Safaree pointed to his badge, and tipped his hat.

"Ohhhh gotcha! I guess I'll see you around." she waved bye to him while leaving the store.


---------------

"Daddy, who was that lady?" Nyla asked while following him into the kitchen.

"Yo, what lady? You seein somebody pops?" Noah barged in the kitchen, rambling through the refrigerator. "Son, we aint got no food here. How am I supposed to eat?" he fussed.

"She's just a new friend. It's nothing too serious. But, she is coming to our house warming on Friday." he made clear.

"How are we gonna have a house warming party when we don't even have food in the refrigerator?" asked Noah, taking a seat at the kitchen table.

"Chill, son. It's plenty of food in the pantry."

"I like her daddy, she's nice." 

"I like her too baby girl, I like her a lot." he smirked at the thought of them being together. How cute.

"Whatever, I'll be in my room." Noah walked away while spinning a basketball on his index  finger.

"Daddy, is that lady gonna be our new mommy?" she asked leaning against the freezer, looking down at the floor.

"Do you want her to your new mommy, Ny?" he picked her up and started towards the staircase.

"Yes, Old mommy not nice."

"Alright, alright, I see what you're saying kiddo." Safaree sighed as he opened up the doors to her 'Princess themed room' "You like it?"

"Yeah, it's pretty. Put me down now, I wanna go to sleep."

"You sure you're gonna be okay in here by yourself?" He asked, cutting off the lights. 

"Yes Daddy, I'm a big girl." Safaree smiled at how cute she was, and closed the door behind him. Making his way downstairs, he grabbed the house phone and dialed her number which he had found as soon as he got home. This conversation, was one he was waiting for.


His hands shook as he dialed the number and waited for an answer.

---------------

"Is this who I think it is?" Nicki smiled, turned on the dishwasher, and ran upstairs to her bedroom.

"You thought right, then." he laughed. "What are you doing? Having a good night?"

"Just got done doing dishes, laying down. Yes, my night is marvelous darling." Nic responded in a British accent.

"Wow, man! I had an amazing time tonight at 'Cold Stone', I'm kinda glad I ran into you again."

"I can say the same."

"So... what were you saying before the girls came to the table?" he asked, pacing back and forth in the living room.

"I was just saying how I never would have thought you would have went through something like that, that's all." 

"I mean, everybody has a story, but it's up for you to tell it or not. You didn't have to lie, by the way. I overheard you and your daughter's conversation. Not eavesdropping or anything though. Why don't you turn that man in? He has no right to hit you like he does!!"

Nicki sighed heavily before she responded. "Look, Safaree. He's gone. He left today, and I don't know if he's coming back. Are you happy?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say it like that. I'm really sorry. I'm trying to learn how to separate police work and personal life. Sorry." on the other line, he felt so stupid. 

"Oh. So, I'm in your personal life now?" Nicki cheesed extra hard, and stared at the ceiling.

"I guess you are. But, hey. Nyla is calling my name, so I think I gotta go. I hate to be so rude."

"Oh, no it's fine. Go tend to your little ladybug! I'll talk to you some other time."

"Alright, have a good night." What he really wanted to say just couldn't come out right, and  he wondered if it ever would.

"You too."

Click.

"I.. I... I love you, Nicki." ♥







You like? Y'all have been bugging me about bringing Safaree in, & now he's here!!! (: K. Here are a little visuals...


This is Noah.                                                     This is Nyla.

Remember his exwife is white? So, they're mixed. Alright? Alright.


Safaree's new house.

Left Or Right?

"Onika, that was an excellent presentation! I just know you can take our company to whole new heights, and I'm excited to offer you the position of the new executive digital director!" Edward reached in for a handshake.

"Thank you so much!! I really appreciate it, I've worked so hard and this means a lot. I have big plans!"

"Oh, we know! Keep up the phenomenal work. How about this, you can take the rest of the day and tomorrow off, it won't count against you." He suggested patting her on the back.

"Thank you, Mr. Dotson!" Nicki was so happy, for once in a long time. She grabbed her purse, work bag, and got out of that building as soon as possible. It was a nice, sunny, day outside in Georgia. The trees swayed in the wind, giving a cool little breeze. It was around the beginning of September, so the weather was perfect. As Nicki started up her engine, she got a call from Victor.

"What do you want?"

"Let me make everything up to you, babe." he whispered on the other end of the phone.

"I'm done with your bullshit. Do you know how much you've put me and my daughter through? We don't deserve this shit. What you can do is get your shit out of my house and I wouldn't care if I never saw your dumb ass again!" Nicki yelled.

"Your daughter? That's OUR daughter. You're barely even home. All you give a fuck about is your damn job and yourself." he spat back.

"How fucking dare you. I'm barely home? Nigga I'm home every single day. At 7 fucking 30 I'm walking through that damn door. I don't have time to hang out with my girlfriends, or do things I wan't to do. I'm worried about keeping my fucking job and making sure my family is good. Get the fuck outta here! I'm the one providing a roof over your damn head, and you have the motherfuckin' nerve to say some shit like that to me?"

"You think you better than everybody else cuz you living in the Suburbs with a nice house, fancy car, a good paying job, and because you got a fucking degree. Well let me fucking tell you this, you ain't no better than any black woman out here trying to make something out of themselves.  Fuck that, you ain't even fully black. You must be in Georgia too long cuz you damn sure forgot where the fuck yo ass came from."

Nicki calmed down. She was livid, irate, and was feeling every emotion in in between. But, at the same time.. she was proud of herself for telling him off and not being afraid to.

"Man, fuck you. I don't need you anymore, I'll find a place my damn self and prove you wrong. Have my shit ready tonight." was all Victor said to Nicki before he hung up the phone.

Right when she builds up the strength and self-esteem to tell him off anymore, he hits her with reality. It's not that she think's she's better than anyone, but she just believes she deserves the recognition and acknowledgment for actually coming from the projects, to a whole new side of life many people would love to have.


"I'll be more than glad too." Nic said softly, but then realized he had hung up. Saddened, she placed her phone back in her purse and started her car up. 


'Fuck it and him' she thought to herself. Today Nicki was going to reward herself. With a day off work basically, and Victor practically gone.. what more could she ask for? To suit herself, she went to the 5 star restaurant that not many people around the town went to. The restaurant was quiet and provided a sense of tranquility.



-----

"Welcome to Bacchanalia! How many seats you want?" The long haired, african american, waiter asked with menu's in her hand. 

"Table for 1, please." replied Nicki. As she looked around, it wasn't a lot of people at the Restaurant. It was a little before lunchtime, so she got there at just the right time. 'Bacchanalia' specialized in american, asian, and new american cuisines. The waiter, Brittney, showed Nic where she would be sitting and offered her a drink.

"I think I'll just have a water." she said while placing her purse beside her.

"You sure you wouldn't like a Martini? Girl, they be banging!!! I know your  man would love for you to loosen up!! You seem so tight!!!!" convinced the waiter. Nicki was not feeling her. She looked around the 5 star restaurant, then back at the waiter. Who hired her?

"Ummmmm, I think I'll just have a water!" she made clear.

"You Sho'? The Margaritas are pr-"

"No. I'm perfectly fine with a water, thank you." Nicki managed to get a smile out.
Brittney stopped her dancing in circles, moved her hair out of her face, and took down Nicki's order.

"Right. I'm sorry! I be getting out of my element sometime. They want us to be so professional here, like aint no celebrities finna come up in this Restaurant!" She sighed. "So you know what food you want?

'I could care less about you right now" Nic thought to herself.

In response, she just forced a smile. "I'll have the Sour Cherry Mosorato with the Malted Chocolate Sweet Cream Cardamom."

"Black people shouldn't order things they know dang well they cant spell!" She popped her gum.

"Excuse me?"

"What? I said African American's shouldn't order food that they know they couldn't spell to save their life. Is that better?" she batted her false eyelashes. 

"Okay, you know what. Have a great day!" Nick got her purse and marched towards the entrance of the restaurant. So much for being tranquil and attempting to treat herself.

"Wait, lady! Lady! I'm sahry, today just aint my day. My kid is in the hospital and she had an asthma attack, but I had to come here and work extra hours to be able to pay her hospital bill!" Brittney yelled to Nicki as she was walking out. When Nic heard the news, she stopped in her tracks and turned around. 

"I am so sorry!" 

"Nah, you good."

"No, really. I'm sorry. When my daughter was little her asthma was terrible, so I understand. We can talk if you wanna." proposed Nic, feeling bad for how she acted  towards her and her thoughts earlier.

"I'm sure you don't wanna hear my sob story."

"Well, how much is your hospital bill?"

"No, I can't let you do that!!! It's perfectly fine, I appreciate it though!"

Nicki rolled her eyes. 'This girl know she need some damn money, I don't know why she ain't taking it. Poor baby.' she thought to herself.

"Whatever." Nicki took out 300 from her wallet, placed it on the table infront of her, and glanced at Brittney. "Well, are you gonna take it?! Shit. Just staring at it."

The waiter looked around, kind of ashamed. But, then took the money, shoved it in her pocket, and gave Nicki a shy smile.

"Okay, look. Here is my number if you need it." Brittney ripped a piece of paper from her notepad while Nicki got out a pen to write down her house number. "If I don't answer, then always leave a message."

"Thank you so much!!" Britney gave Nicki a big hug, causing her to stumble back a little bit. "I really appreciate it!!"

"And you're so welcome!" Nicki smiled nervously while moving her hair out of her face. 

"Would you like to sit and talk?"

'Oh, shit.' Nic thought to herself. "I'm sorry! I really can't, I have to be at a meeting at work really soon! I'm sorry! I'll see you later." she gave Brittney a small smile and rushed out the door to her car to head home. 

--------

Pulling into her subdivision, Nicki once again took a look at the first house that someone was moving into to. The man wasn't there, but moving men were still unloading the trucks and moving things into the house. Being nosy, she parked in front of their house and walked up to one of the moving men. 

"Excuse me, do you know who's moving here?" she asked crossing her arms.

"Some guy and his son, I don't really know." he picked up another box and started hauling it into the owner's garage.

"Hmmm, thank you!" 

'Well, that wasn't much help'  she thought to herself pulling off. "A guy with a kid though? Single? Divorced? Just not together?" Nicki said out loud as her mind that out of all the possibilities about this man.

As she turned a couple corners, went in a circle, and found her house she saw Victor sitting on the porch. Before she could get out of her car, he came up to the window and demanded her to let it down.

"I TOLD YOU I wanted my shit ready when I came!"

"Correction: you said tonight! Dumb ass. Can you fucking move so I can get out of my car? I'll be happy to get your shit ready."

Victor didn't move, Nicki stared into his red eyes that were filled with evil and guilt. "Are you gonna hit me right now? Infront of all my neighbors? Or are you too pussy to do that shit when people are watching? Fuck kind of man are you." she whispered and pushed the door open hard, causing him to to stumble back. "I told you to move, didn't I!"

"All you need to do is get my shit and I'll be on my way." he said back to her.

"Where are you gonna go, Victor?"

"I don't know man! I'll find a place." He huffed and puffed like he was about to cry.

Nicki just looked at him, disgusted. She took her keys out of her purse, unlocked the door, and slammed it behind her. She walked over to the kitchen, with her hands buried in her face. She couldn't believe this was happening.  The first man she ever really loved, had wanted to walk out on her. Well, the feeling was mutual. Nicki had put so much hate towards him. But wasn't she supposed to? If you genuinely love someone, you aren't suppose to put your hands on them. It isn't that easy though. This had been going on for so long, he should have been left. Nicki just couldn't do what was best for her, but for her daughter to. The same had went down with her mother and father when she was younger.
The two would continually fight. And Nicki, being as young as she was, couldn't take it. Taking her out of a trance, Victor banged on the door. "Hurry up!" he said. Nicki got up from her spot at the table, and got a trashbag from the drawer.

As she was walking up the stairs, she glanced at the family photo that was framed of the 3 of them about 3 years ago. Nicki remembered that day exactly. It was July 2nd, one of the most hottest days of the year. They had taken about 20 pictures that day, and picked the top 10 that they liked. The one she liked the most was the one that was taken of the 3 of them on the beach. They had to travel to Tybee Island, which was 5 hours away.. but to Nicki it was all worth it. That was when everyone was happy, loving, and things went perfect. Within one night, all of that changed.

"Nicki! Hurry up! You want me out so bad but you're taking forever!!" Victor yelled again outside of the door.

She sighed, and ran upstairs to her master bedroom. Hurrying, she grabbed all of his jeans, shirts, socks, toiletries, & etc & placed them in the trash bag. Stepping back, and admiring all of the closet space which was now hers, she looked at the photo of them on her nightstand. After everything he did and said, thinking about that day and getting that picture taken had put her to ease and gave her hope that what was once there.. could stil be there. She went over to her drawer, and pulled out that same picture of them, the picture from 3 years ago, and a picture of Sarai from this school year. Nicki didn't know if she was ever going to see him again. Having a feeling he was going to yell again, she tied a knot in the bag and made her way back downstairs. Once Nicki opened up the front door, Victor was sitting on the porch with his hands in his face.

"Here's your things, I put some pictures in there also. Ya know, just because." she handed him the bags. "Do you have any idea where you're going to?"

"You know damn well you don't even care."

"Victor, seriously. Just answer the question." Nicki leaned against the side of the door.

"I'm gonna go to a friends house, try to keep the job I have now, and maybe find an apartment out of Forsyth. I gotta get out of here."

"Oh." replied Nicki with obvious hurt in her voice.

"Look. I gotta catch the bus soon. So I'll see you whenever."

'Should I offer to drive him?" she thought to herself. 'Nah, that nigga is good.'

"Bye, Victor." Nicki said to him as she watched him walk down the sidewalk, with his hands in his pockets. He looked so lonely and so sad. "Fuck is wrong with me?" she said out loud closing the door behind her. "What the fuck do I want?"


The Restaurant.


The Kichen. Mad pretty right?



How are you guys liking this? Sorry it's been taking me a while to post. What do you think is going through Nicki's mind? How she's acting? Victor? How he feels? What are you interpreting about the characters and their personality? Do you think Nicki is making the right decision? Comment below. (: Spread the world. Follow. & awl dat. xoxo. -Cid Oh, & leave your @ names below if you read this so I can know who to tweet when I update. THANK YOU!