Streets

26. Dark Day

Saint Claire's
Brunch spot in North West Mob City

Adina was nervous to say the least, meeting Derek's parents so soon was unexpected. He figured with his name in the limelight as a runner for mayor of Grove City. They arrived at the very prestigious brunch restaurant and at some point Derek noticed Adina looked very nervous, "Baby, don't be nervous. They're gonna love you." Derek reassured her and she still felt nervous but figured it would only be an hour and a half of her being dissected by two people who don't know her but could quickly make assumptions.
At the table his parents were already seated and glancing at the menu. Adina already knew a small amount of what they do, they both are very well known. His mother is the CEO of Lyndmen Enterprises, the top construction company in Georgia let alone Mob City. Derek's father was the Chief of police of Mob City for 15 years and now was next in line to be the police commissioner. That was a lot of power sitting at that nicely decorated table and Adina felt way out of her league. As they walked closer Derek's mother looked up and smiled, she looks amazing Adina thought, it added another level of anxiety but Adina did her best to hold it together. Both of his parents stood up as they got to the table, "Oh Derek my handsome boy! How are you?" His mother wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. Derek enjoyed the comfort of his mothers arms, it felt like years since they last saw each other but it was only a few weeks while she was away on business. "Hey mom." He replied as he gave her a hug, Adina couldn't help but her a little jealous, she missed that feeling of being held by her mother. Of course it was before she became a raging alcoholic and eventually died, "Son." His father said as they shook hands, Derek then cleared his throat and grabbed Adina's hand, "Mom, dad, this is Adina." Adina smiled and reached out to shake their mother's hand, she pushed her hand out the way and pulled her in for a hug, "None of that, give me a hug. Our son won't shut up about you. Now I see why." Adina was taken aback by the informal gesture but she appreciated it, his father took her hand and kissed it, "Such a pleasure. Please have a seat. Have you eaten here before?" He asked and Adina nodded her head, "Once or twice, I love the french toast." Derek was thrilled by his parents reaction however if they were to discover her past life they probably wouldn't have been as welcoming.
The brunch was going amazing, laughs and Adina learned a lot about Derek and where he comes from which was incredibly refreshing, "So, running for mayor. Why Grove City? Isn't it a dying town?" His mother asked and Derek was thrilled to tell his parents especially his father who always questioned his job choice, "Oh it's a town with city possibilities, once we get building it's gonna be bigger than Mob City." Derek's father chuckled, "Bigger than Mob City? That's impossible, this city is close to being as big as Atlanta." Derek smirked, "Really? With this small of a population? Mob City was made out of the Grove and a very large portion of this city's population originated from the Grove and of course from areas all over the states. It's mostly corruption that seeped into the seats of the council in this city." Adina could tell this was a bit of a hot topic for Derek's father being the chief of police. "Well Adina you're from the Grove, what do you think about all this?" His mother asked and Adina was more than happy to speak her thoughts, "The Grove has been used for its money, resources and people for far to long. And then to suddenly be brushed aside by the very people that used it. The Grove deserves someone who cares about the people and helping a town become something greater than just an old town, a bustling city that can uplift and being so many people jobs and joy." Derek smiled at her answer and of course his father was beside himself, not truly understanding the fascination of the grove. Derek was thrilled to have someone like Adina in his corner and even more thrilled that she's leaving an amazing impression with his parents.

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A foggy memory and a sore body, Vanessa woke up laying in the back of her car, the cool breeze from the November air blew across her bare legs. As she tried to get up, hearing the seagulls in the air she winced as she felt the side of her face. Swollen and purple, her jaw in piercing pain. Dazed and confused it wasn't until she full sat up and saw the blood stains on her back seat. Adrenaline began to rush through her body as she took in her surroundings, she was in the back of the parking lot that was in front of Glitter. Suddenly her phone vibrated and she reached under the driver seat to retrieve it, noticing the huge crack and dried blood on the screen, "He...hello?" Her voice dry and cracked and it hurts to speak, "Baby girl where you at?! Your house is in flames!" A worried Lucky on the other line as he stood in the road in front of the house Vanessa was living in that was still Adina's. Half of it burned to the ground and the fire was still going, "I'm....something happened. I'm scared." Was all she could respond, she sent her location to him and struggled to move as she began to cry. Lucky panicked as he called for her but her phone died, he rushed to his car and followed the location she dropped. As she laid back in and out of consciousness the memories of last night flooded her mind.