At Her Best.

Twenty-Six.

I told Ravi and Mason that I needed a minute to grasp everything that happened with my brother and Astra. But I thought about it for ten seconds and decided that I didn't deserve to deal with them and their shit. I went through a lot dealing with the likes of them. I wasn't about to waste anymore energy on those traitors. So, I put them on the back burner where they belonged and placed focus on this new life I was creating for myself, and how I was going to achieve it.

I've now been at Mason's for a week. But trust me, progress was being made. Finding the courage to enroll back into school wasn't easy, yet I managed to do so with the help of Mason, Ravi and Keisha cheering me on. They were right beside me the entire time, and I couldn't thank them enough for their continuous support. Back in college years ago, I studied business management with a minor in accounting. It turns out that I only had a couple more classes before it was time for me to graduate, so the administration allowed me to join those classes. I had a lot of catching up to do, but I knew it would all be worth it. I started the following Monday, and I was actually pretty damn excited. I've also been looking at different apartments, and I was going to visit the ones I liked after Monday's class. I smiled gleefully, satisfied with these baby steps. Woo-hoo me.

My phone was pinging off the hook, which I happily overlooked. My possessions that the police confiscated when they arrested me had returned to me recently and my phone was going off nonstop. I peeked at the activity on the phone every once in a while, and it was mainly old and new clientele trying to link up. That wasn't attributing to my growth so I blocked as many as I could, and ignored the rest. In due time, I was going to change my number and the phone. 

"Hey Raja, we need to talk." Ravi said.

I glanced up to see Jamal and Ravi glaring back at me annoyingly. I was chilling in Mason's balcony's cabana reviewing my class schedule, courses, and textbooks. Putting my things aside, I folded my arms and prepared for whatever it was that had these two so agitated.

"The police are in cahoots with the Clark family." Mason started. "They're giving us hell to unseize some of your assets. We just wanted to let you know. We ain't giving up though. That family thinks they can do whatever they want just because they're mad and embarrassed at how everything unfolded. Ain't nobody fault they had a fucked up relative. I never liked her ass anyways."

"That family is powerful, but we aren't going down without a fight." Ravi continued. "I got a buddy who's working on your bank accounts. We managed to save three out of the five of them so far, but your apartment might be out of the question."

I looked at Ravi, then Mason. A smile escaped from me, for I was so blessed to have people in my life fighting for me this hard. I was beyond grateful for them both. I couldn't imagine going through all of this without them and Keisha. They truly inspired me, and their strength and determination should forever be praised. However, I was on a different mindset than the men before me. And I doubt this was going to be a wave they could get on.

"You two have done so much for me. I don't know how I'll ever repay you guys for it." I said. "I appreciate and care for you both deeply, you guys are the best. Now, this is going to sound really bizarre to you both...but I don't want you guys to keep fighting against that family. If the Clark family wants my old apartment, my cars, my money...let them. If I have to fight this hard to get back those things, then it just goes to show that I don't need them anymore. Having those material items back are just a reminder of how I got them, and that's what I'm trying to release. I knew Astra's family would hit back some way, and I don't want you guys to put yourselves and your businesses in jeopardy over something like this. I'm content with the three bank accounts. It'll give me a head start to the type of life I do want. I want you both to drop this. Seriously, you've done enough." 

I should have known that this wasn't going to go over well to these passionate, driven, prideful men. Ravi and Mason were looking at me like I was bat shit crazy. They honestly looked insulted. I smirked at their reactions, because I knew I was speaking a foreign language to these men. Nevertheless, I hoped they respected my wishes because I was as serious as a heart attack. I've been ready to let my old life go, and that includes everything that came with it. I wanted a clean slate.

"This girl done lost her fucking mind." Mason breathed out.

"Shit, at least we can finally agree on something." Ravi murmured.

I laughed hysterically but Ravi and Mason were still watching me with confusion. This was going to be a hard pill for them to swallow. I've never really paid much attention to their work lives, but I knew they were hard-working men who never gave up on something they wanted. That's more than likely how they became the successful men they were today, and I can always respect that. But this clash with the Clark family is something we all needed to leave in the dust.

"Raja if this is what you want, then I'll stand down." Ravi said. "You know I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy."

"Yeah, of course you're ready to throw in the towel." Mason snapped, glaring at Ravi. "Shit's heating up and you're ready to back down. We were just on the same page five minutes ago. Now you switching up. What, you scared yo pop's gonna find out and put you on punishment?"

Ravi scoffed and turned to Mason. "Here you go with the bullshit. Look man, if Raja doesn't want us to continue to do this, why should we? Why are we fighting a fight that she doesn't even want us involved with?"

"She's not thinking clearly right now." Mason barked back. "Maybe she's scared. But we as her friends are supposed to have her back and make sure she understands that we're willing to do whatever it takes to do right by her."

"Okay, let's calm down here." I interjected. "Mason, this is the clearest I've ever been thinking. I'm not scared. I just don't want anything to do with this, I really want you to understand that. I know you're just trying to help. I'm so grateful for that. But let's just leave this alone."

Jamal came over to sit next to me, staring at me full in the face. "Raja you do understand that you're turning away from millions of dollars, right? Your car collection alone is a fortune."

I nodded. "Yes, Jamal. I understand."

Mason stared at me for a few moments, and then pinched my nose. "I clearly don't understand what's going on in that beautiful mind of yours, but I'll respect it. I won't push it anymore."

"Thank you." I smiled.

"I gotta get back to work." Ravi announced. "I'll see you guys later."

Mason's and Ravi's eyes locked, but they eventually nodded respectfully at each other. I said my goodbyes to Ravi, and Mason and I watched him dispersed from the condo.

"I gotta get back to the club soon." Mason said. "Can we have dinner tonight?"

I leaned over to Jamal and kissed him on the cheek. "Yes, we can."

Jamal bubbly smiled and I smirked. I was beginning to feel some feelings I didn't like to feel towards Jamal, it was going beyond the thoughts of just fucking him. I was going to explore that someday, one day. I liked the idea of me and him, just not yet. I felt like putting attention on that would leave me distracted, and I couldn't afford to be off course. I was on a journey to fix my life up. I had so many plans I needed to see through. Absolutely nothing was going to stop this, not even an influential, multi-million dollar family seeking revenge. I owed it to myself to not only be a better woman, but to maximize my fullest potential. And I was gonna do just that.