𝑾𝑰𝑪𝑲𝑬𝑫 𝓖𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓼

CASE / PLAN.

Nov 14. Friday 10am.

I can't remember the last time I had a man staring in my face making sure I looked okay. Makkonen- my father called me earlier to ask about court and when I was going. He forgot to previously ask again therefore he wouldn't make it. Neither was my mom she didn't even know. I'm glad. Just got back into each other's lives. I'd hate to stress her out all over again.

"Don't say a word." Cypher instructed. We shuffled inside. My heart pounded against my ribcage like an aggressive drum player who's sticks hit at all the wrong moments. My throat got heavier and thicker. I said nothing, nobody could get a word from me. Lai'Yomae and Willow came in wit those same manilla folders from the building. A black pencil skirt wrapped around her hips while a plain white blouse tucked into it. Her hair was slicked into a low ponytail. She was a heartstopper. Nothing, but seriousness stiffened across her piercing gaze. I quickly turned my attention back to the light fixtures in the ceiling.

When Evelyn took her stance at the front, I knew it was all beginning.

***

"That was me owing you. Stay out of trouble." Lai rested her hand on my shoulder staring into my soul. Her eyes looked empty and tired.

"Why were you avoiding me?" I'll admit my feelings were just a little hurt by that. Ain't even say nothing, just randomly stop messin' with me.

"I work very hard for my place at Black Empire. I can't throw it away. You were a criminal in our system, so technically we aren't supposed to have relationships with our clients. I had no clue Willow had been working with you."

"What about Michael Velora?" I guess it all made sense. I still have a lot more on my plate. Julius, Quinn, and Michael even though that wasn't my fault. When it comes to Julius and Quinn I assume they still don't know or at least they aren't pointing fingers at me yet.

"Charges were dropped!" WIllow said sweeping by.

"How 'bout a second chance?" I don't know how many times this girl is going to reject me, but she's got to at least give me a try. She hesitated.. Then it seemed as if she was trying to figure out what to say. "Come on. You doing anything anytime soon?"

"Well," her face flushed crimson, "not really. My birthday is coming up soon, still trying to figure out what to do when it comes to that."

"Let me make it up to you?"

"Let me know." She walked off. Taking that as a yes.

Sitting in the car I sat trying to figure out how I'd make it up to Henny and Toni even though Antonio literally threw me under the bus like it was nothing. I just don't get it. He had to know that we weren't brothers this whole time. Was he setting me up? Was he trying to get rid of me, have me thrown behind bars this entire time? Nah it can't be. All the genuine laughs, what happened to bro code? Late night gaming sessions? The fun times. It couldn't have been fake. That's a lifetime friendship right there.

"A, you up?" He hung down from the top bunk.

"Barely, what's up?"

"I hate Julius. He literally was all on my meat this morning, because I didn't rinse the spoon I used. He just kept going on and on and on, talking about 'don't eat cereal if you're going to act like we don't have a sink with running water' like he doesn't have his army of beer bottles everywhere. He acts like we don't own a trash can."

"Man say," we both erupted into laughter not giving a damn who was asleep.

I still vividly remember the day we were introduced as brothers. Blood brothers. Real brothers.

"This is your brother." Julius guided me towards him. He looked like me, but he didn't. "I'll finally have a brother.." Even though my heart was beating out of my chest because he cheated on my mother this entire time, I still was excited to have a built-in video game buddy.

Pulling into the driveway tears crowded my vision. Man I'm going to miss that knucklehead. He's so stubborn, I know he probably won't want to talk about anything. I wonder how Stella is doing. I haven't seen her in years. I know his mom is probably out of it, she loved Julius. She ain't wanna leave that man alone.

I called Lisa and told her to talk to Mitch. She came out to the car with the suitcase like I had asked. "Mitch said he'll let us in through the back. Were you crying?" Staring at my face she waited for my response as a concerned mother.

"I'm okay." I didn't want to lie to her. I was crying, but I didn't want her to know. I'm still not ready to start openly expressing myself and that ain't nobody's business but mine. Especially since I got myself into this stupid shit. Maybe if I had just waited just a little longer until he got back, if I had just asked or even just had not tried to help. Knowing how he was I probably should've just asked what he thought was best.

Even Aphrodite, Man I really screwed up. I made my lil cousin feel like he only mattered when it came down to a favor. "Abel if you're not okay, talk. I already know you were crying, I'm trying to be here for you." She stared at the side of my face. I said nothing pulling off from the curbside. The ride was silent.

Getting out of the vehicle we entered through a cracked-open door. Mitch was seated not too far down the hallway. He stood up waving us over into his office. We followed, heading inside. "What can you do for us?" I gestured towards the suitcase Lisa flicked open.

"No no." He handed over three envelopes. "I don't see- haven't seen Krystal in a while, or Quinn, but eh who cares am I right?" he laughs with Lisa- a genuine laugh at that. I pull a smirk and listen as he continues, "Jane hasn't been around either. Give them their pay when you run into them. Ricky is also out of jail, but what was it you needed?"

"I want to rent out the club- or at least have a party here. It's for Lai'Yomae's birthday."

"The sweet girl with the deadly eyes?" his brows drew together. I nod. "Don't worry about it, but if I'm not invited, worry." he nudged my shoulder. I guess he could tell I was in a bad mood. When did he all of a sudden become the one to tell jokes. I wasn't mad though Lisa seemed to find it funny. "Tell me what you need, I'll have it done."