November 27th 2022
Dallas, Texas
6:49 pm
"This is nice." Amina spoke out loud as she entered the established neighborhood. The finest cars were parked in the driveway of each of the lavish homes. The lawns were trimmed perfectly along with the trees that were cut into perfect cubes. She was surprised at the few houses that already had their Christmas decorations up, but nonetheless, it was still gorgeous. She could only imagine who lived in the neighborhood. Celebrities, politicians, and entrepreneurs came to mind.
Soon Amina parked her car in front of the designated house and grabbed her purse from beside her, today after various FaceTime calls she was finally meeting up with Melo. He'd invited her to a get together that his best friend was having at his house. She didn't imagine their first link to be amongst other people but she wasn't complaining, seeing his interactions with the people closest to him would say a lot about him.
Amina looked at her reflection in her phone before hopping out the car, she toyed with her hair for a split second before walking up the large driveway. She couldn't help but to noticed the Mercedes G wagon parked in the driveway next to a Porsche Cayenne. There was a Porsche Taycan parked next to a AMG benz, the way the cars were strategically parked made her think about MTV cribs. Amina cracked a smile at the small baby G Wagon parked outside as well.
Finally, she made it to the door and pressed the doorbell before toying with her ring as she waited. Shortly, the door flew open revealing a beautiful woman. Amina immediately recognized the gorgeous red headed baby that as with Melo in Miami on her hip. "Hey, you must be here for Melo?" She greeted. She stood at about 5'4, had cute little freckles grouped on her face, and curves in all the right places.
"I am." Amina nodded her head with a smile, "I'm Allure and this is Avi." She extended her free freshly manicured hand, she looked pretty in her black skims set. Her hair was in a middle part styled in subtle waves.
"Nice to meet you." Amina spoke as her friendly smile never left her face, Allure stepped aside and let Amina into the house. "So how'd you meet Melo?" Allure asked from in front of her as she led her through the large home. Amina had seen an array of beautiful homes in her lifetime, but this one trumped them all. The house smelled just like a luxury 5 star hotel and was just as clean as one. All the furniture perfectly matched the aesthetic of each room. Amina realized early Christmas decorations must've been a thing around here, because their humongous tree was up and fully decorated. Amina damn near broke her neck looking all the way up at the Christmas tree.
"Your company is here Melo." Allure announced. Melo stopped his conversation to stand up and greet Amina, he pulled her into a hug which aided her in getting a whiff of his sandalwood cologne.
"This my best friend Kyren." Melo announced, Amina extended her hand to shake his. She wondered if he was a basketball player since he was so tall and the house was so nice, not to mention the group of nice ass cars in the driveway. Kyren was undeniably fine as hell, but Amina didn't do husbands or baby daddy's. It was way too many niggas in the world to be frolicking with somebody's husband.
"Those are his daughters Avi and Klover." Melo added. The younger baby was gorgeous as well, she laid on her father's chest as he rubbed small circles on her back.
"This is Maiya, her husband Ant and her son AJ." Melo spoke. The first thing Amina noticed was Maiya's hazel eyes, her hair matched as well being sandy brown. Her natural tresses were styled in a ponytail with two pieces hanging from the side. Amina picked up that she wasn't the friendliest, instead of speaking or extending her hand she went Amina a slight head nod. Her husband was occupied with their small child so she didn't expect much from him.
"And that's Char, her husband Damar, and their twin girls." Melo spoke, Char housed a smile on her face as she briefly waved to Amina, Amina smiled and waved back.
"I hear you met Melo in Miami." Allure spoke as she walked over to the bar that was connected to the entertainment area. "Would you like a drink?" She added.
"Yeah, we met at a restaurant—and water is fine, thank you." Amina responded. "It might be fate then, you meet somebody while on vacation and y'all live in the same city." Kyren chimed in, Amina only lightly chuckled in response. Soon, Allure came back with the bottled water and handed it to Amina.
"You grew up in Dallas?" Maiya questioned, which surprised Amina. She seemed so stand-offish. "Yeah—the highland hills area." Amina answered, slightly nodding her head. Melo brought Amina closer by wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"Thought I was gonna have get a lace sew in or something to see you." He joked, causing Amina to chuckle.
"You sell hair?" Allure questioned, she grabbed her phone as if she was ready to find a website. Amina shook her head no, "I'm a hairstylist." She answered.
"Really? What's your Instagram?" Allure asked all at once, she opened her Instagram app before handing her phone over. Amina quickly typed in her business page and headed it back.
"Okayyy." Allure spoke in a sing song tone as she used her pointer finger to scroll through the page, "Let me follow." She announced.
"Why we gotta eat chips? I just had a baby, I need a wing or something." Ant spoke, throwing a chip into his mouth. "Nigga I had the baby, your ass kept fainting." Maiya replied, causing everyone to laugh.
"It's a snack night. Thanksgiving was a few days ago and ain't nobody doing no cooking for a while." Allure replied.
"I don't fuck with leftovers." Melo announced, Amina turned to him and furrowed her eyebrows together before asking, "Really?" Melo nodded his head yes.
"I feel like food be better the second day—like it sitting in the fridge help the flavors settle or something." She added, Melo shook his head no. "My kids ain't gotta worry bout they mama making them eat what's at home cause imma sneak them a lil McDonald's or something." Melo spoke, Amina lightly chuckled.
Avi attempted to run past him but he picked her up and raised her up, he repeatedly kissed her chubby cheek causing her to loudly chuckle. Amina smiled as she watched the interaction between the two, she loved a man that was good with children. She believed it exhibited their character. So far, Melo and his friends were nice. Amina had never been one to have a large group of friends, so she would ever so often go silent and fall a bit awkward but nonetheless they made her feel as if she'd been apart of the group for years.
A few hours later the gathering came to an end, she said her goodbyes and expressed her gratitude for Allure's gracious hosting before she began to walk with Melo to the front door. She slipped her shoes back on and they began to walk down the long driveway, making follow up conversation.
"You enjoyed yourself?" Melo questioned as he looked over at Amina, Amina nodded her head yes. "Everybody seems nice." She replied, slightly shivering from how cold it was.
"I still gotta book that appointment or you fuckin with me now?" He asked, Amina lightly chuckle. "What you mean?" She raised her eyebrow.
"I got the feeling that you wasn't fuckin with me—you know, I felt like you was dodging me a lil bit." Melo explained. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't fuckin with you...I'm just a busy girl and there's no reason for me to lie about about being busy." Amina replied.
Melo nodded his head as he rubbed his hands together to combat the cold, "I can appreciate busy." He spoke, "So I guess I gotta book you for the whole day then." He added.
"Mhm." Amina hummed before lightly chuckling, "I usually make a good two bands a day." She added.
"You don't think we havin motion? You don't think we havin money?" He replied, quoting a TikTok sound which made them both laugh.
"So tomorrow?" He questioned as he looked at her with a smile on his face, Amina couldn't help but to smile back. She nodded her head yes, "Tomorrow." She assured.
They shared a warm embrace before he made sure Amina got in the car safely, she buckled her seatbelt and sat her purse on the passenger seat before pressing her push start button. Amina noticed that Melo was still standing outside and watching her, despite it being freezing outside. She smiled at the sweet gesture, she felt as if it was common courtesy, but not everyone did it. They both sat there for a second before Melo tracked back to the car and lightly knocked on the window, indicating for her to roll it down.
"What you doing?" Melo questioned with a brief chuckle, "I'm making sure you get back in the house." She explained.
"I'm trynna make sure you make it down the street." He lightly chuckled, causing Amina to do the same. "I'm good—you go." He added.
"Alright." Amina replied as she rolled the window up, Once Melo stepped back she drove off. Once she made it to a stop sign, she sent him a quick text.
Thanks for waiting :)
Melo
Had to...I really can't wait to see you again.
November 28th 2022
Dallas, Texas
6:37 pm
Amina poked her large straw into her boba before taking a small sip, she looked over at Melo to catch his reaction since it was his first time trying it. He took a sip and instantly began to shake his head no, "You don't like it?" She asked as she chuckled.
"Hell naw—shit taste like a random ass concoction, like the shit niggas used to make in elementary at lunch." He explained, making Amina chuckle even harder at how specific he was. Their date was earlier in the day, 11am to be exact, but they ended up staying together. They went various places and simply enjoyed each other's company. Being around Melo made Amina realize she wasn't tripping about her feelings toward Malik, what she felt right now with Melo—she didn't feel with him.
So far she learned that he was from Houston, had one other sibling, and his occupation was being an angel investor—which probably explained why he had so much free time.
"You was one of the niggas drinking the concoction?" Amina raised her eyebrow, Melo laughed as she shook his head no. "Hell naw, I was the one telling niggas do it for a dollar." He replied.
"I feel like you'd probably like the fruit flavored ones." Amina spoke, looking out the window as Melo drove. "I'm good off that shit, what else you recommend?" Melo replied.
"You like coffee?" Amina questioned, "Yeah." Melo answered.
"You gotta try my lil Starbucks recipe—you can't share it with nobody else though." Amina lightly chuckled as she extended her pinky to Melo, he used his free hand to interlock his pinky with hers. "It's safe with me." He assured. Amina looked over at the dashboard, Melo had a small photo of an older man dressed in an US Navy uniform. The photo caught her eye since it was the only one there.
"Who's that?" Amina asked, briefly pointing on the dashboard. She took another small sip of her boba tea and sat the plastic cup in the cup holder. "My pops—he died when I was real young, a drunk driver hit him." Melo explained, causing Amina to slightly sulk.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Amina trailed off, trying to decide if she wanted to tell him about her mother. She usually refrained from doing so, because she didn't want the short lived sympathy. Losing a parent was something a lot of people didn't know how to properly empathize with. Growing up Amina would hear "I'd be so sad if that happened to my mom." —which ironically made her even sadder. But Melo understood the anguish. "My mom passed when I was 11." Amina announced. Melo looked over at her with sympathy in his eyes.
"What happened—if you're comfortable telling me." Melo questioned, "I'm not—it's no offense to you." Amina replied. She never shared what happened to her mother with anybody, not even Cain.
Melo shook his head, "It's fine, I know how that is." He genuinely replied. Melo's dashboard picture made her wish she had more photos of her mom. She remembered her mother lugging around a digital camera, but once she passed Amina never saw it again. Her mom's family only let Amina keep things like jewelry and collectibles, anything that didn't fall into that category, they trashed it. Amina was so young and focused on the loss of her mother, it didn't cross her mind to speak up about keeping certain things.
"You sure you don't want the heat on?" Melo questioned, snapping Amina out of her daze. "I'm good, thank you." Amina answered.
"I never met nobody that don't like heat." Melo lightly chuckled, causing Amina to do the same. "I'll put it on but I can definitely live without it." She explained.
"You sleep with your fan on all year round?" Melo questioned, Amina proudly nodded her head yes. She couldn't even take a nap without the fan on—regardless of outside's temperature. "You dangerous." Melo laughed, causing Amina to do the same.
"I hate being hot and having my sinuses dry out, then my nose start bleeding and shit—it's terrible." Amina ranted, she noticed that Melo was just driving with no destination. They were driving so long that they ended up catching the sunset, in the midst of watching the sky's pretty colors Amina wondered if Melo did that on purpose.
"You working tomorrow?" Melo asked, Amina nodded her head yes. The holidays were always super busy since people were doing photoshoots with their families, now that thanksgiving was gone Christmas rolled around in full affect. Which reminded Amina that she needed to put up her Christmas tree. Although she lived alone, she still loved to be in the spirit.
"Let me take you to lunch then." Melo insisted, Amina looked over at him with a slight smile on her face. He was persistent and she liked that. She had to admit that it felt good to be pursued. "My lunch in between my clients ain't long enough for me to leave." Amina replied.
"I'll come to you then, what you want me to bring?" Melo replied. "The choice is yours." Amina shrugged as she grinned. She couldn't see the future, but she could tell she was gonna have Melo around for a while.
November 30th 2022
Dallas, Texas
4:25 am
After a long night, the club was finally closed. Rashad headed to his office while everybody did their closing part so they could clock out. Rashad ran his hand over face before grabbing his finished water bottle and shooting it into the trash, he felt a small feeling of joy after hearing it make it into the small trash can. He briefly had hoop dreams, but let them go for the streets.
A short knock on the door caught his attention, instead of giving whoever the permission to come in, he opened the door since he wasn't too far. Once he oscillated the door open, he saw Samir standing there. Rashad was expecting good news since Samir no longer had that glum energy over him. Even while Rashad watched him work tonight, he could tell his mood was better.
"What you got for me?" Rashad questioned as he sat behind his desk, Samir proudly sat the bag on the wooden surface. Instead of marijuana, the bag was occupied by money. Rashad nodded his head in approval as he pulled it out and began to count it. Granted, it wasn't much since Rashad only started him off with. He was set to make $900 exactly, but ended up coming back with $1,100, which meant he took Rashad's gift of gab advice.
"Told you could do it nigga—a week for a quarter ounce is crazy, but you'll get there, this is only your first pack." Rashad truthfully spoke. When he was a direct distributor, he couldn't keep a pack of anything for more than a day. "I'm ready to reup." Samir announced.
Rashad raised his eyebrow before nodding his head, "I want a pound." Samir voiced, which concerned Rashad. If he took 8 days on a quarter, it was no telling how long he'd spend on a whole pound.
"But that's all my money though." Samir bit down on his bottom lip as he thought about it, "Take money to make money—no hustle is automatically lucrative." Rashad shrugged. He watched as Samir internally went back and forth with himself, visibly inflicted.
"I'll take it." Samir decided, appearing to be one with his decision. "I don't think you scheduled for tomorrow but come at 11 and you can pick it up." Rashad replied.
Samir nodded his head, "Alright—thank you again Shad, you really putting me on." He spoke.
"No problem." Rashad replied. Once work at the club was finished and everybody was clocked out, Rashad was finally making his way home. He drove with nothing on his mind but a shower and hitting his fresh sheets that he washed earlier in the day. He'd usually eat after coming home from the club, but this morning he was too tired. When Rashad arrived back home, he followed his plan to a T. He showered despite being exhausted and then he slipped into his bed. The scent of his laundry detergent hit his nose, making him feel cozy.
His body sunk into his memory foam mattress, setting him up for the perfect night's rest. In the midst of dozing off, he realized his phone wasn't on the charger. Instead it was on his dresser, right where he left it before he hopped in the shower. As much as he wanted to say fuck the charger, he knew he couldn't. Both of his businesses required his phone to always be charged and somewhat in his reach. "Fuck." He fussed as he tossed his comforter off of him and removed himself from the bed. He walked over and retrieved the iPhone and stuck it on the charger, right before he was about to slide in the bed Amina crossed his mind. He grabbed his phone and went to their text thread.
Why you ain't been coming to the club?
And when we gonna finish the Lego?
Despite it being 5am, Rashad still sent the messages. He knew Amina would see them eventually, he connected his phone to his charger before sliding it on his nightstand, after sliding into his bed for the second time it took him little to no time to fall into a deep slumber.