Her Vice

(10): Hunnid.

"5...10...15,16,17,18-" I thumbed through the hundreds quickly until I was disrupted by a deep chuckle. Glaring up to meet his intimidating eyes,"20." I folded it all back up and rubber banded.

"You do know we're closed, right? It's almost five in the morning. How will hubby feel about that one?" Dylan chuckled. I rolled my eyes and stuffed it in the duffel bag.

"You think I can pick up a few extra hours, or something like that?"
"Money tight?" He joked, causing me to slit my eyes at him. "Okay, I'm done! And baby girl you know if you need I'll give. This all I can do at the moment but come in after ya hours tonight and I'll see what else I can do," he handed over a stack.
"What do you want in return?"
"Thankfulness," he pinched my cheek while clicking his tongue. "Get some sleep, hun, you look stressed." He walked out. I swear that man did an Armani suit so much justice.
"That's because I am," I whispered to myself, sighing. Zipping the duffel bag up and grabbing my purse before heading out. Stuffing my bags in the trunk before getting in and heading back to my apartment. I knew that Karim was probably already gone because his job was based in Los Angeles and it took a while to commute. We were thinking of relocating out there but I don't know how exactly that'll work out.

Dragging my zombie body into the empty apartment, sighing. There was a note on the countertop along with a plate of cold food.

Missed you last night and this morning. Call me when you get in, I love you.

Grabbing my phone and calling him, it end up going to voicemail. Throwing my sweatshirt and leggings off before climbing into bed. As soon as my head hit the pillow I passed out. Abruptly waking from my sleep at the loud vibration of my phone, groaning as I reached for it. "Hello?" I yawned and rubbed the sleep from my eyes.
"Where you at? You forget about today? I mean you planned this shit, where you at Trin?" He questioned me and my eyes widen as I threw my comforter off of me. Seeing that it was almost five.
"Yeah, yeah I'm leaving out now."
"Sure you are."
"Please," I slapped my forehead.
"I got you, don't I always?"
"Thank you," I smiled before hanging up and rushing to get ready. Taking a quick shower before getting out throwing a grey jumpsuit on and a bomber. Styling my wet curls before grabbing my things and leaving. Rushing off to the mall where we decided to meet up.Texting him I asked where he was, they were in the play area. Making my way inside and looking around until I found it, grinning when I saw her playing with him. He pointed in my direction and she looked up and ran my way. I caught her in my arms, "Hi! Pretty girl," I squeezed her tightly and kissed her cheek and forehead.
"Mommy, I play with the choo choo train!" She pointed at the one circling through the mall.
"You did? Have fun?" She nodded excitedly making me smile widely.
"What's up stranger?" He nudged me and I gave him a huge embrace.
"Im living I guess. Taking it day by day," I tightened my arms around me.
"Looking skinny as hell," he pinched my side causing me to giggle from being ticklish.
"Y'all hungry? Because I am!" Rakim sighed.
"Definitely." I grabbed Sasha' hand as we walked to the food court.
"Ooh 'potle mommy!" I chuckled at her attempt of saying Chipotle.
"See you got her hooked to that shit now." He shook his head.
"That what you want?" She nodded and held my hand tightly as I made my way over to that line. Rakim went to get Chinese food of course.

Sasha was my three-year- old daughter, my mom asked me to get an abortion as soon as I got pregnant with her. I dragged it all the way out until eight months since my weight gain wasn't that visible. I end up having her early due to the stress during my pregnancy, not able to care for her alone Rakim surprisingly took step forward. Surprisingly because at first he wasn't thrilled, he was young like I and a kid wasn't in the plan. I don't know what I'd do without him. It just pained me to be away from my daughter as long as I've been.

We ordered our food before sitting at a table together, "Mommy you come to house?" Sasha asked with a mouthful of food.
"Mommy can't, baby, she's gotta go to her house." Rakim spoke up, glancing at me.
"I wanna go to mommy's house!" She exclaimed with wide eyes.
Rakim cleared his throat looking at me.
"Um, not today baby, okay?" I smiled softly, pained to see her frown.
"Oh," she picked at her food.
"Another day, okay?" She nodded still bummed.
Before I could cheer her up anymore my phone rung, it was Karim.
"I have to take this, I'll be back." I walked towards the bathrooms. "Hello?"
"You're still gone? Is everything okay? You running from me or something," he chuckled softly.
"No, I've just been super busy. Having to work overtime then coming in for sleep then called back in, I'll see if they can let me off earlier or something. Deal? Maybe we can do something like a movie.." I smiled and played with my hair.
"Hopefully, lemme know."
"Okay, gotta go."
"Alright love you."
"Love you too," I hung up and sighed. Rubbing my exhausted face. I knew I couldn't go home early and do something with him, I had to leave off to work right after this. Which I should be heading to actually.

Walking back out to see Sasha and Rakim giggling with one another, I smiled before walking back over to the table. "Rakim?" He lifted his head.
"What's up?" I bit into my lip and he already knew what that meant. "Don't be sorry, I get it. Next time she could use more time with her mother. I did only drive like seven hours."
"I know, I know. I seriously apologize. I'll definitely make it up to you guys, but work is calling me." He nodded and took a sip from his pop.
"Walk you out?"
"I'd like that," I smiled small and grabbed Sasha's hand. She rambled off to me her favorite toys and her friends at daycare. We stopped at my car,"Mercedes,eh?"
"It's just a little something," I hunched my shoulders with a short sigh.
"Work doing you well?" I rolled my eyes and squatted down to Sasha.
"Mommy loves you, okay?"
"I love you too!" She played with my hair and pecked my nose.
"You are my sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray..." She scrunched her nose excitedly at my singing.
"You'll never know how, how much I love you," I continued.
"Please don't take my sunshine away!" She sung along and I giggled giving her another squeeze for the road.
Letting her go and standing up beside Rakim, she watched us. He brought me into a warm hug and I smiled into his chest. There's just some things you don't ever stop loving.
"You take care, alright," I nodded and pecked his cheek cautiously before going around the trunk and handing him the duffel bag. "What is this?" He furrowed his eyebrows.
"Just a thank you," I closed my trunk before getting in the car.