Back in Houston....
"Come on Ma I know you'll love the farmers market" Kori pleaded with Melissa. Sincere had only been gone 2 days but she needed to keep busy.
"Mhmm how you know I'd love it 'cause I'm old?" Melissa asked with folded arms.
Korianna had been running around like a chicken with their head cut off since 5am. It was only 9am and the girl had cooked, cleaned, plus had herself and Saint dressed, fed, and ready to go.
"No, and you said it not me. I just want us to get there early to beat the crowd I think it'll get too overwhelming for tinka"
Melissa agreed after finishing her breakfast the trio were out the door.
"Ouuu girl you were right I sure do love the farmers market" Melissa blushed as the third gentleman who asked her out walked away.
"Ok now don't get nobody hurt out here you know how Sinn is" the women laughed and continued on with their day.
As morning turned to noon the farmers market became jam packed resulting in a fussy Saint. Kori had already changed, fed, and burped him but he was ready to go.
"Ok Mr. Bossy we're going we're going Ma you ready to go?" she asked still ogling over Saint she was starting to see more of Sincere in him every day.
Not hearing a response from Melissa caused her to stop in her tracks. There were now hundreds of people out and her phones reception was terrible. The stroller's wheels clicked against the pavement as Kori retraced her steps, hoping to spot Melissa in the crowd. She felt a pang of guilt for not keeping a closer eye on her surroundings.
Sincere's words echoed in her mind, urging her to stay lowkey, but now, her focus was solely on finding Melissa and getting back home.
She squinted against the bright sunlight, scanning the faces around her for any sign of Melissa.
"Where's your Gammie?" she asked looking down at Saint who was oblivious to the situation. A hard thud against his stroller caused his lips to quiver a stream of tears and cries were sure to come.
When she looked up, her eyes met the same man who chased her to the elevator at her old apartment months ago he moved directly behind her even attempting to steal a glance at the crying infant.
Kori quickly slapped his hand away from the stroller and tried to rush away before he roughly grabbed her waist with one hand, she felt cold steel on her lower back.
"We meet again pretty girl, now keep walking forward. If you scream, I shoot." he whispered in her ear.
With his arms wrapped around her and the fake smile plastered on her face they looked like a typical loving family but that was far from the case. Panic shot through her as she followed directions the man led her to an awaiting van in the busy parking lot.
Koris heart sank when the vans door opened it revealed a knocked-out Melissa with duct tape over her mouth. Hesitantly entering the van, she kept Saint close as the man slammed the door shut and hopped in the passenger side.
Twenty minutes later they were still driving there were no windows in the back so Kori had to steal glances from the front windshield, but trees and dirt roads were all she could see.
The sudden stop of the vehicle jerked her body forward almost waking the sleeping baby. Kori soothingly rubbed his back wanting to make sure whoever kidnapped them had no reason to harm the child.
Melissas eyes fluttered opened she glanced between her purse, Saint, and Kori hoping the girl would get the hint. Their captors seemed distracted as they barked orders and exchanged hushed conversations, providing a brief window of opportunity for Kori to act. With trembling hands, she reached into Melissa's purse, her fingers fumbling until they found what they were looking for.
A few minutes later the car was moving again the screeching sound of a gate opening could be heard. When they reached their destination the same creepy man harshly yanked Korianna from the car causing her to stumble.
"Damn, you don't see the baby in her arms?!" the driver yelled quickly rushing over to help her up.
"Man shut the fuck up she'll be aight this exactly why I didn't want yo soft ass to come!" he spat.
As the two men argued Melissa and Kori took in their surroundings there were no nearby homes or buildings just an enormous ranch style home and open land.
"Y'all can go I got it from here" a familiar voice spoke interrupting the two men and they did just that pulling off 2 minutes later.
She took a hesitant step back when he came into view, her eyes never leaving his. Questions raced through her mind. Why was he coming towards her like this? What did he want? The air around them grew thick with tension, and she felt a knot forming in the pit of her stomach.
Finally stopping in front of her, his expression unreadable. The silence between them was deafening. She searched his eyes for answers, but they remained elusive.
"Adrian, what's going on?" she stammered, her voice barely audible. The words hung in the air, awaiting a response that could either dispel her fears or confirm the worst.
Meanwhile...
Khalil wiped the sweat from his brow, a mixture of grease and grime clinging to his hands. The rhythmic clang of metal echoed through the autobody shop as he worked diligently on a car chassis, his focus momentarily diverted from the nagging feeling that gnawed at the back of his mind.
The smell of burnt rubber, tar, and oil would overwhelm the average person consumed the autobody shop but Khalil loved it. He enjoyed staying busy and was rather good with his hands. All the moving bodies, car parts, and never-ending customers made his days fly by. Unlike most convicted felons, he was lucky enough to have an open position waiting for him perks of being related to the owner.
Yet, despite the distractions, Khalil couldn't ignore the persistent knot in his stomach. He paused for a moment, taking in the surroundings, trying to identify the source of his discomfort. The shop's hustle and flow continued around him, but Khalil couldn't escape the sense that there was more to this day than met the eye.
"Lil, Lex ain't back yet you think you can sign something for 'em?" Chino one of the longtime mechanics asked.
Removing his rust-stained gloves, he walked towards the shops entrance to meet the delivery guy.
"Hi, you can sign next to the X" a light voice called out he was expecting a delivery man but the woman who stood before him was a nice surprise. Her body filled out the USPS uniform just right it seemed like every curve was on display.
Absentmindedly licking his lips, he slowly signed his uncle's initials not wanting the beautiful woman to leave.
"Uh I know this is kinda unprofessional but... could I maybe have your number?"
She raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement. "Cute, but I don't think that's in the job description," she replied, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
"damn I probably look and smell like shit" he thought to himself
"857-.."
The shock on his face made her giggle he wasn't insecure but he assumed he blew his chance.. Quickly grabbing his iPhone he handed it to her and while she handed hers to him.
"Aight Leah lock me in. I'd love to take you out sometime" Khalil said, trying to mask his excitement.
"And I'd love to let you take me out, Khalil. Later..." Leah's words hung in the air as she disappeared, leaving Khalil with a grin that seemed almost permanent. He couldn't peel his eyes away watching her drive off in the red, white and blue truck.
The sound of slow clapping forced him to look away Khalil turned around, meeting the grinning faces of his uncle Lex and Chino, who seemed to have witnessed the entire exchange.
"Ok nephew what y'all kids say? shoot ya shot" Uncle Lex teased, clapping him on the shoulder. Chino joined in with a hearty laugh, clearly enjoying Khalil's unexpected triumph.
Shaking his head and heading towards the back he realized something
"Y'all set me up huh?"
"Hell, yeah we were starting to think you swung the other way no problem if you did but get ya dick wet kid" Chino laughed.
Uncle Lex tried to stifle his laugh "Chinos right you working 6 outta 7 days isn't good. You're still young you already lost 3 years to a cell date, travel, have fun"
Khalil knew his uncle and Chino were right but his tunnel vision was at an all time high. He had a game plan that didn't leave room for dating, traveling, and fun.
But for Leah he might make an exception.
Unable to shake his uneasiness he shot a quick text to the group chat with his siblings before getting back to work.
A/N: Please excuse any mistakes this is unedited ❤️
Well, well, well Adrian huh? 😨