11:23 am
Deeply engrossed in watching an episode of 'Martin' when the unexpected knock at her door made her jump. Sierra quickly paused the show, pulling back the cozy blanket from her legs and getting up from the couch. Curiosity piqued as she made her way to the door.
Peeking cautiously from behind the curtains, she saw a random white male standing outside. He had a sassy demeanor, propping one hand on his hip while nonchalantly examining his nails with the other. Sierra took a moment to compose herself before calmly addressing him, "Um hello Sir? How may I help you?"
The man corrected, "I prefer 'ma'am,' but I don't know if that's your car or what, but if it is, could you please move it? Please and thank you... new neighbor!" He glanced inside and noticed a box with Sierra's belongings, evidence of her recent move.
Suppressing her irritation, Sierra put on a fake smile and stepped outside. Her smile, however, faded as she saw the white, expensive vehicle parked in the driveway. Scrunching her face in confusion, she carefully inspected the car and found a note with her initials, SW, boldly placed on the armrest. She opened the already unlocked door and discovered a note from Zane.
Reading the heartfelt note, Sierra's expression softened, and a small smile formed on her face. She appreciated the gesture, even though she was still upset with him for reasons she hadn't forgiven. She rubbed her hands across the steering wheel as she thought to herself if he really was starting to feel the pain he had caused upon himself.
"This man is really crazy." She lowly mumbled.
Though her mood had lightened, Sierra remained resolute. She wouldn't let Zane's gifts persuade her to welcome him back into her life so easily. However, she decided to keep the car. She started it up, savoring the satisfying rumble of the engine, and parked the vehicle securely in her garage before returning to her house.
Picking up her phone from the couch, Sierra realized she had received numerous missed calls from Zane. With a sigh, she decided it was time to acknowledge his gesture and put an end to the persistent calls. As she dialed his number, Zane instantly answered.
"You like it huh, ma?" He questioned.
Rolling her eyes, Sierra replied, "Yes, Zane. Thank you."
A soft laugh emanated from the other end, but Sierra wasn't about to be easily swayed. "I see you moved too," Zane observed, concern lacing his voice. "That's nice and all, but I just hope ain't no nigga innat bitch, Sierra."
Sierra's mood soured at the mention of her new home and someone in it. "Zane, please... Thank you for the car again, and have a good—"
"Ight hold on ma... I miss you?" Sierra took a deep breath, looking away from the phone. Her emotions were a jumble, and she hesitated before responding, "Zane—"
"I'm sorry, ma," Zane interjected sincerely. "I really am. You know I never meant to put my hands on you, Sierra. I know you mad at me, and I'll take that. I ain't even saying you gotta take me back, but just give a nigga one more chance and let me prove to you I ain't the shit you think I am."
Tears welled up in Sierra's eyes as she struggled with her emotions. "I gotta go, Zane. Thank you for the gift... I really do appreciate it." Sierra declared, she ended the call, leaving him and his emotions to himself.
Sierra stood there, the phone still in her hand, her emotions swirling like a storm within her. She couldn't deny that Zane's words had touched her, that his apology had stirred something inside her. But she knew, deep down, that she couldn't afford to be swayed by his tears and heartfelt pleas, not now, especially not where she was at in life.
She had worked so hard to distance herself from the tumultuous past, to carve a path toward a better future, one where she could regain her independence and build a life on her own terms. Zane crying to her wouldn't do anything but slow her down on the important things she was focused on – her goals, her dreams, and her healing.
11:59 am
Sierra wiped away a tear that had escaped the corner of her eye and took a deep breath. She couldn't let her emotions dictate her decisions anymore. It was time to focus on herself and her own well-being.
12:09 pm
Sucking his teeth in frustration, Zane reluctantly placed his phone down on the black wooden nightstand beside his bed. He couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions - regret, longing, and a growing sense of self-awareness. His head hung low, and his arms dangled between his legs as he fidgeted with his diamond Rolex.
"Fuck.." He mumbled.
Thoughts raced through his mind as he contemplated the next steps he needed to take. He knew that he had to focus on himself, to address the demons within him before attempting to return to Sierra or diving back into the toxic patterns of his past. It was a realization that had been a long time coming, and now it was time to try and make changes.
Taking in a deep breath, Zane rubbed his hands over his face and slowly rose from the tall, regal King bed that dominated his bedroom. He glanced at the date on his phone and remembered that today was the day he had promised to visit his grandma.
Zane entered his walk-in closet, where his clothing collection rivaled that of a celebrity. He effortlessly selected an outfit he'd put together in advance. Throwing off the white beater he had been wearing, revealing his muscular, tattoo-adorned chest. He replaced it with a fresh one from his well-organized closet.
He slipped on a designer sleeveless puffa vest adorned with bold black 'B' letters. It clung perfectly to his sculpted frame. Zane reached for his new pair of black Amiri jeans, quickly pulling them on to complete his look. He knew he had a certain image to maintain, one that exuded confidence and style.
From his jewelry box, he retrieved his diamond 'FTD' chain and a glistening pinky ring embedded with stars. The ring found its place on his pinky, while the chain settled around his neck. Zane assessed his reflection in the mirror, licking his lips with satisfaction. He took pride in his appearance, and it showed - not just in his attire but in his aura of self-assuredness. Before heading out, Zane grabbed his Tom Ford Ombré Leather Cologne and generously sprayed it, leaving a trail of its enticing scent.
He knew he was attractive; the countless admirers on the streets and social media reminded him daily. Confidence was his armor, and he wore it proudly. With black shades perched on his face and a newfound sense of purpose, Zane straightened his posture and gathered his belongings before heading out of his front door.
2:25 pm
"This lowkey is very nice, Sierra. Shit, I wish Donavon would do something like this for me. On bad terms and all." Ari said as she looked at Sierra's car.
Sierra smacked her lips in frustration, shaking her head. "I wish he wouldn't... he just knows how to make me feel bad and make me look like the bad guy."
"Girl, you definitely ain't no bad guy. His ass is, and you need to make him stand on his shit! He claims he doesn't need no bitch by his side, right? So, we gon' see when he comes running back if it's still gon' be the same!" Ari quickly reassured her.
As they reached the entrance of the Nike store, a dark-skinned male held the door open for both Sierra and Ari. Polite and with a friendly smile, Sierra thanked him, while Ari couldn't help but notice the man's striking looks, especially his light brown eyes. Their laughter echoed as they both admitted, "Now, he was fine!"
Inside the store, Sierra's eyes were drawn to a pair of dark green Michigan State low dunks. She stood on her tippytoes, reaching for the plastic-wrapped shoes on a tall shelf. She examined the shoe closely, holding it up and asked Ari for her opinion, "These look cute, right?"
Ari scrunched her face disliking the shoe and shook her head no. She waved her hand dismissively, and Sierra decided to add them to her shopping pile before continuing to browse the store.
2:56 pm
After much contemplation, Sierra finally gave in and decided to purchase the three pairs of shoes she had picked out and carried them to the checkout counter, where the sales associate scanned the items. Sierra pulled out her card and confidently paid for the $4000 worth of shoes, a testament to her newfound independence and her ability to treat herself.
With their bags in tow, Sierra and Ari left the store, making their way back to the car. The white and burgundy Mercedes stood there, an elegant and powerful presence in the parking lot. Sierra couldn't help but smile to herself as she approached the vehicle. She realized how much, she genuinely appreciated the car's beauty and Zane's thoughtful gesture. It was a reflection of how well he knew her taste, and she couldn't deny that the gift had touched her in a profound way.
Hopping out of his sleek matte black BMW, Zane took a moment to adjust his chains and ensured that his Glock, was securely tucked away in his pocket. It was a habit born out of necessity, something he always made sure he had on him no matter where he went.
As he entered the nursing home, Zane scanned the familiar surroundings, searching for his grandmother, He noted that she was sitting at a different table today, surrounded by her friends from the nursing home, many of whom he had come to know over the years. Zane made his way over to her, greeting the staff with nods and fake friendly smiles as he passed by.
If he was being completely honest he didn't like anyone in here except for his Grandma and one day he hopped whenever he got off the streets to put her in her own nice house because he knew how much she hated being here, but with Zane being in the streets and his grandma having dementia plus other health issues it was best that she had stayed here where someone could monitor her on the daily.
"Wassgud Gramz!" Zane greeted her, as he placed his hand on her back.
His grandmother turned around with a startle, but her expression quickly softened as she recognized him. "Oh, hey, baby!"
Zane bent down slightly, allowing his head to come to her level, and grinned as she planted a kiss on his cheek. "You look fresh today! Who you tryna Empress boy." She jokingly asked, softly hitting his arm as he actually tried to think of an answer.
"When does church start, Gramz?" Zane inquired, glancing down at his Rolex watch and reading the time.
"In an hour, baby, but you know I like to be there on time," she replied calmly. Nodding, Zane took charge of her IV pole, to which medicine bags were hooked, and wrapped his arm around her waist as he assisted her in walking to his car.
The IV pole was a constant companion for his grandmother, a lifeline that ensured she received the medical care she needed while still being able to leave the facility for special occasions like church. His grandmother admired his matte black BMW and couldn't help but express her astonishment. "When did you get this, Sincere? This is nice!"
"I've had it for a while, Gramz. Felt like stuntin' today, so I pulled out the all-black," Zane replied with a cocky grin. He stepped back, examining the car as he blew out a breath of satisfaction.
She glanced up at the illuminated stars on the roof of the car's interior and shook her head, drawing a comparison between Zane and his mother. "You're just like your mama... so extra."
Zane chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Shii, I get it from my momma."As she began to cough, his smile slowly faded, and he furrowed his brow, shifting his focus to her.
"You good?" he asked, concern evident in his voice. She put on a fake smile, trying to reassure him. "Yeah, baby, I'm good." It was a white lie she didn't want to burden him with.
Turning up her favorite song, "I Win" by Marvin Sapp, Zane nodded along to the beat, carefully keeping an eye on the road while glancing at her every few minutes. His grandmother's health was a constant worry, and he was determined to make her comfortable and happy during their time together. The song's uplifting lyrics served as a source of strength for both of them, reminding them that they could overcome any challenges life threw their way with God by their side.
10:11 pm
The kitchen was filled with the savory aroma of seasonings from Dreka's cooking and the fresh 'glade' candle Clean Linen as Dreka stood over the stove, skillfully stirring the dish. Sierra, seated at the kitchen island, had a plate of macaroni and greens that Dreka had prepared for her before the meal was completely ready. Sierra smacked her lips in satisfaction as she enjoyed the meal.
"That nigga must really love you, Si," she remarked, her words laced with concern and curiosity.
Sierra sighed, expressing her doubts about Zane's affection. "Tuh, I damn sure can't see it. If an expensive car is showing his love, he can take that shit back asap," she said, her frustration evident.
Dreka leaned against the counter, her demeanor serious as she tried to provide some perspective. "No, it's not just about the money. Zane usually doesn't do this type of shit for any women he messes around with. And not to say you're just 'any woman,' but he makes it seem like you're just like the rest when, really, he knows you're different from the rest. That's why he won't let you go. He's hurting you and pulling you back at the same time. Zane definitely has deep love for you, and I feel like, even though the shit he does isn't acceptable, I guess you just have to bear with him."
Finishing up the macaroni, greens, and catfish Dreka banged the wooden spoon on the rim of the pot removing the extra cheese, and covered the pot with a glass top before leaning on the counter across from Sierra.
Sierra's voice softened. "And I see that he's hurting from his past. That's why I'm trying so hard to hold onto him. I want to be the first he experiences different things with. But when he puts on a front and acts like he doesn't need it, it makes me really think, does he even need my love?"
Dreka nodded, understanding the complexity of their relationship. "He's just trying to be tough, but you being his woman, you're supposed to break that shield and let him know he can trust you, come to you, and not another bitch out in the street. He should be able to get what's off his chest to YOU."
Deep in thought, Sierra lowered her head, her plump bottom lip slipping under her teeth as she pondered Dreka's advice.
"So, do you think me giving him a break to focus on himself and his mistakes might help? Because I'm trying so hard to do that right now," Sierra asked, seeking guidance.
Dreka, respecting Sierra's autonomy in her relationship, replied, "I don't want to control your relationship, so I'm going to say do what you think is best to help, whether it's going back or taking a break to focus on yourself. I'll support whatever you do, Si."
With these words of encouragement and advice, Sierra leaned back in her seat, her gaze fixed on the wall, deep in contemplation about the path she should take in her complex relationship with Zane. Sierra knew she was gonna go back to Zane but she didn't want to make it seem like he got his way and could continue treating her bad, she wanted this to be a lesson and for Zane to feel that pain and change his ways when it came down to her.
"I love you, Gramz. I'll be back tomorrow, okay?" Zane said, his voice filled with affection as he tightly hugged his grandmother. After ensuring that she was comfortably tucked into bed, he looked down at her with a warm smile. She fixed her blanket and returned the smile.
"I love you more, baby. And for tomorrow, I was thinking about us getting matching necklaces," his grandmother offered, concealing her own pain and health concerns from him, wanting Zane to have something that would remind him of her when she was soon no longer here.
"Of course, Gramz. You know I'll do whatever for you. Just say the word," Zane replied, his devotion to his grandmother evident.
"And I know how much you love your jewelry to shine, so you can bling that out too. Also, when am I going to meet Sierra, Zane? I want to have a talk with her." She threw in.
Zane's smile faded as he considered their strained relationship. "I'm still trying to give her some space, Gramz. But I promise, when we're back on good terms, I'll bring her up here to see you," he assured her.
"Alright, baby! Goodnight, and drive safely, boy!" She urged as he gave her one more hug and placed a tender kiss on her forehead.
Walking out of the nursing home and returning to his sleek BMW, Zane pulled out of the car-filled parking lot and hit the highway. As he passed his block, where rumors spreaded people were looking for him, Zane placed his hand on his Glock, ensuring it was within reach, while keeping the other on the wheel. He squinted his eyes, scanning for anyone with specific red bandanas.
Feeling a bit high and tipsy, not caring about who or what it was, and having come here for a specific task after Mack had told him more information on who it was that was asking around for him, Zane's gaze locked on a red truck with a male and a female inside. In a split-second decision driven by a mix of paranoia and survival instinct, Zane quickly raised his Glock and started shooting at the vehicle. The shots pierced through the driver and passed through to the passenger seat, hitting both the male and female.
Unbeknownst to Zane, his impulsive act of shooting at the red truck had unintended consequences. The bullets striking the wrong individuals had potentially ignited a dangerous conflict with a new rival and their associates.
Zane knew he had to be vigilant, constantly looking over his shoulder, and taking longer, convoluted routes to ensure he wasn't being followed. The weight of his actions, fueled by paranoia and the complex web of street politics, hung heavily over him as he navigated the winding roads to his home.
NI-