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CHAPTER FIVE
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ACTION MADE
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In the heart of the city, nestled among trendy cafes and vintage shops, Thaina and Diana settle into a corner table at a bustling brunch spot.
They're surrounded by the hum of conversation, the clinking of glasses, and the rich aroma of coffee and freshly baked pastries.
As they peruse the menu, they banter back and forth, Diana's laughter bright and unapologetic. "You know you're going to end up with the avocado toast again, right?" she teases, knowing Thaina's penchant for the predictable choice wrapped in a veneer of deliberation.
Thaina, about to retort, suddenly pauses, her eyes narrowing on a new arrival. Diamond has just walked in, her cascading curls and striking presence drawing the attention of more than a few patrons. She's the epitome of confident charm, her style a blend of street-edge and curated elegance.
Thaina's composure doesn't waver outwardly, but Diana picks up on the change immediately. "Girl, isn't that Diamond?" she asks, her voice lowering just enough to blend with the ambient sounds of the brunch hub.
Thaina doesn't let the sight derail her. "Diamond. Can't say the feeling's mutual," she responds, the edge in her voice sharp enough to cut. She doesn't stand, doesn't give Diamond the satisfaction of seeing her rattled.
Diana nods, sipping her drink. "Well, you handled it. Didn't let him ruffle your flawless feathers."
A smirk tugs at Thaina's lips. "Flawless is the goal," she quips, reclaiming her fork and diving into her meal with renewed vigor.
Their laughter melds with the hum around them, a protective veil against the complexities of their intertwined lives. But as the morning wanes, that veil is about to be pierced by the arrival of someone who always brings a storm—Diamond.
As Diamond sashays over to their table, Thaina looks up from her plate, her eyes locking with the intruder's for a split second before breaking into a mock-surprised expression.
"Well, if it isn't Diamond," Thaina drawls, her voice dripping with feigned enthusiasm. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your disruption?"
Diamond's lips curve into a smug smile, unfazed. "Just wanted to see how you're doing after last night's little spectacle. You know, with Omari," she purrs, making herself comfortable without an invitation.
"Oh, you mean when he made a complete ass of himself? Yeah, slept like a baby after," Thaina quips, her sarcasm thick as she casually sips her mimosa, not giving Diamond the reaction she's fishing for.
Diana bursts into raucous laughter, slapping the table for emphasis. "Girl, you crack me up! Diamond, you looking for tea, but Thaina's cup is all dry for you," she says, shaking her head in mock pity.
Diamond laughs, the sound high and clear, like she's in on a joke no one else gets. "Seems like you're handling it pretty well," she says, her tone suggesting she expected otherwise.
Thaina shrugs nonchalantly, waving down a server to refill their glasses. "Handling it? Honey, I filed that under 'boys will be boys' and moved on. You should try it sometime; it's liberating."
With a forced laugh, Diamond stands, her exit as dramatic as her entrance. "We'll see how long that attitude lasts," she tosses over her shoulder.
After she struts away, Thaina and Diana exchange a look and dissolve into giggles, the kind that bubble up after narrowly avoiding a scene. They raise their glasses in a toast to staying above the fray, their brunch now seasoned with the spice of having dodged another of Diamond's games.
Thaina's retreating figure is barely a few steps away when Thaina calls out, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. "Oh, Diamond, speaking of spectacles, how's what's-his-name? The one who made you his side-piece not once, but twice?"
The question hangs in the air, a perfectly aimed dart wrapped in Thaina's cool, collected delivery. The surrounding chatter dims as patrons sense the undercurrent of tension, their attention subtly shifting towards the unfolding drama.
Diamond halts, her back stiffening. She turns, the smile plastered on her face not quite reaching her eyes. "You should know better than to believe idle gossip," she retorts, attempting to maintain her composure.
Diana leans forward, elbows on the table, her grin wide and unrepentant. "Gossip? Nah, girl, that was prime front-page news in the hood chronicles. Everyone knew but you, apparently."
The patrons around them try to mask their eavesdropping with sips of coffee and feigned disinterest, but the air is electric with curiosity.
Thaina shrugs, feigning innocence. "Just looking out for you, Diamond. We women have to stick together, right?" The sarcasm is light but sharp, and Thaina's expression remains as cool as the ice in her freshly refilled glass.
With a huff, Diamond turns on her heel and walks away, her exit less grandiose this time, her presence somewhat diminished by the exchange.
—
Omari walks to his crib. He see's Malik and his Uncle Lou'.
Omari crunches his eyebrows, "The fuck this nigga doing over here? Unc' get this fool out my house right now, man." HE says, ready to pop off.
Uncle Lou looks at Omari, "Watch ya' mouth boy. Y'all mothafuckas gon either squash shit or don't look each others way I'm not playin'."
Malik grins, "This kid still a child. Mari never finna grow you know that."
Omari's glare could cut through steel as he looked Malik up and down. "Man, fuck all that. This ain't 'bout Thaina. Tell 'em why you really here, Malik. Or you scared to say it to Unc's face?"
Uncle Lou's eyebrows raised, a mix of confusion and anger brewing. "The hell y'all got going on? Speak up."
Malik's grin faded, replaced by a cold stare. "We had a little... misunderstanding, that's all. Ain't nothin' major."
"A 'misunderstanding'?" Omari barked out a laugh, bitter and mocking. "Nigga, you jumped me. Couple days back. Had your boys on me too. That's the 'misunderstanding' we talking 'bout."
Uncle Lou's presence filled the room, a storm brewing in his gaze as he turned to Malik. "You think you slick, huh? Jumpin' my nephew and then actin' like it's all good in my house?" His voice was a low rumble, the kind that made the walls feel like they were closing in. "I don't play that shit. You outta line, comin' here with that foul energy."
Malik's confidence waned under Lou's imposing stare. "Lou, it ain't like that—"
"Shut it," Uncle Lou cut him off, his anger palpable. "Omari, you keepin' quiet 'bout gettin' jumped? You think I raised you to hide shit like that from me?"
He shook his head, disappointment and rage mixing in equal measure. "Both of y'all, acting like damn fools. But you, Malik, you done crossed a line. This ain't just 'bout respect no more, it's 'bout family. And I don't let nobody — nobody — come after my family."
Turning his back on Malik, Uncle Lou's next words were for Omari, but loud enough for Malik to hear, "You don't gotta say a word, Omari. I got this."
Then, facing Malik again with a glare that could freeze hell over, "You better pray this is the last time our paths gotta cross like this. Get the fuck out my house. And remember, streets talk, and they talk to me too. Step wrong again, and it's not just words you'll be eatin'."
As Malik made his way out, the tension didn't leave with him. Omari knew this wasn't the end, but whatever came next, Uncle Lou had his back. And in that moment, that was all he needed to know.
