Winter's Love

•Chapter 17: Look At How Far I've Come

Qasim
This dinner was doomed before it started. The way my day started confirmed it. Mia and her sister were on some bullshit. I was two seconds away from letting Baby girl take them down. She claimed her lawyer had some shit for me to sign. Come to find out, Mia had me on a dummy mission the whole time. Her ass never talked to the lawyer. And currently I was refraining from punching O dad in the face.

The first five minutes were okay until he pulled out my arrest records. This man had the nerve to go down the list of everything I have been arrested for.

"Blaine, you are aware that you have done far worst than Qasim- right?"

I sighed and tugged at my beard. I knew what he was he doing. He wasn't slick. Everything he was showing Honey, I already told her. I wasn't into secrets and hiding shit. Even if it wasn't necessary for future growth. I never wanted anybody to be able to throw shit in Honey face.

"I humbled myself, and I grew from those situations. I don't think he's humbled himself, or grown" he stated.

I felt the monster brewing on the inside. I really wanted to beat his ass- but out of respect for Mrs. O and my baby I was taking these jabs.

"With all due respect sir, I have grown immensely. If I hadn't grown or learned anything- then I would still be making illegal money. I mean some people go straight, and still have dealings with the street" I responded.

He narrowed his eyes at me and gave me a stern look.

Yes, I was taking shots. I knew all about Blaine Ortiz. The biggest drug lord on the east-side of Columbus. Got in the game at 15 and worked his way up. Taking out anybody he felt was a risk to his empire. He helped his family get through college- but all his accomplishments were far from clean. It was all built with drug money. The feds were still watching him. One wrong move, and all his shit could go up in smoke. They received a stipend of 30 million a month. Yet, the ones he couldn't bribe were still trying to find a way to take his cocky ass down.

"Are you trying to imply something son?"

"No, it was a general reference. Most individuals that were raised in the streets never leave it alone. They either keep childhood friends around, or they keep their hands in certain activities. Regardless of the consequences. Like the old adage, you can take a person out the hood, but you can't take the hood outta them"

He chuckled and took the documents off the table. Mrs. O looked at me and intervened.

"So, baby how is your store going?" she asked.

Smiling between the three of us. Mrs. O was a natural born peace maker, but I knew she could raise hell if need be.

"It's going really good mama. I want to open another location outside of Ohio. I was thinking maybe LA or something. Um, Q also sparked my interest of wanting to go to cosmetology school. Only for the makeup part though"

The smile on my baby's face was ridiculous. Anything with fashion, hair, or makeup made her light up like a Christmas tree. Shit made my heart swell.

Her dad scoffed and waved the waitress over. Once he ordered his drink, his eyes locked on Honey.

"For all that, you could have gone to medical school. Better money, benefits, security. This shop and makeup are a waste of time. I don't understand. College years wasted!" He mumbled.

O tensed up beside me and started to stir in her cup. I poked at her leg and she looked at me. Mrs.O cleared her throat.

"Blain, come to the bar with me"