WRITTEN IN THE STARS [ discontinued ]

CHAPTER FOUR

QUEENS, NEW YORK — OCTOBER 31, 2000

Asia stepped into her house, locking the door behind her and making her way to her bedroom downstairs. She just got off work and still had some time to spare before going to pick up Aniyah from school. She took a quick shower and put on some more comfortable clothes after moisturizing her smooth cocoa skin. She took a seat at the edge of her bed, and slipped on her black and red Jordan 12s on her feet.

As she stood up, the two plush Halloween toys Unique won at the carnival specifically for Asia caught her eye as they sat against her pillows. One was a skeleton and the other was Hello Kitty dressed as a witch.

A gentle smile appeared on her face as she briefly reminisced on how much fun she had that night. They both played enough games to win Jerome and Aniyah a crazy amount of prizes. But Unique refused to leave until he got something for Asia.

They kept in contact for the last few days, calling each other whenever they got the chance. Seeing as Unique was a very busy man, their conversations were short but always sweet.

Unique had last informed Asia that he would be out in New Jersey for a couple of days to handle some business, but she would be the first person he'd see as soon as he gets back.

Asia looked at the time and hurriedly grabbed her belongings, rushing out of the basement and out the house. She walked for about fifteen minutes before arriving at Aniyah's school and spotting her sister running around the playground with her classmates in her princess costume.

"Niyah!" Asia called out.

Aniyah stopped in her tracks, immediately focusing on her big sister. She said something to her friends before waving goodbye to them and sprinting towards Asia.

"Hey, little girl!  How was school?" Asia grinned as she and Aniyah shared a side hug.

"It was awesome! Look at all the candy I got!" Aniyah exclaimed. She quickly adjusted the tiara on her head and showed off the treats in her pumpkin Halloween bag.

"Well we're about to add a whole lot more to that when we go trick or treating tonight. Gonna drive mom crazy with the sugar rush you're about to have all week." Asia snickered as they began walking off the school grounds. Aniyah's eyes began to wander when something instantly caught her attention.

"Asia?" She tapped her sister and pointed to Jerome who was being met with an unfamiliar man in the playground.

Asia looked over and furrowed her eyebrows. Both her and Aniyah examined Jerome's face and body language as the man spoke to him.