Ayra wants to love Dwayne for who he is and not what he owns. But for some reason, Dwayne can't help but show off what he has or can give her monetarily.
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Ayra stood at the doorway of Joe and Jade's house, the faux fur coat she wore draping around her shoulders. The subtle sheen of her designer Birkin purse caught the sunlight streaming through the window, making it shimmer with each movement. Her dark, wavy hair cascaded past her shoulders, and a smirk settled on her lips as she took in the sight of her older brother sitting on the living room couch, arms crossed and brow raised in mock disapproval.
"Girl, why you got that shit on?" Joe asked, his voice tinged with both amusement and annoyance as he glanced up at her.
Ayra twirled dramatically on the spot, letting the fur coat flare out around her. "I got that shit on," she replied with a wink, her eyes sparkling with playful confidence.
Jade, who was sitting nearby on the armchair with a cup of coffee in hand, chuckled, the sound warm and light. "So, you came over to show off, but where are my nieces?" she asked, the smile in her voice as bright as her expression.
Ayra's smirk faltered for just a moment, and she flopped down onto the couch, crossing her legs with practiced grace. "With their father," she said, leaning back and sighing as she pulled her purse close, giving it a pat. The weight of her words hung in the air, as if she were trying to convince herself more than anyone else that it was all perfectly fine.
Joe rolled his eyes dramatically and shifted on the couch, his irritation simmering underneath. "So you came over just to show out, huh?" he said, nudging Jade with an elbow and making her laugh again. He couldn't deny that Ayra had a way of lighting up the room, even if her entrance was often more of a spectacle than a reason for a visit.
Ayra raised an eyebrow, unfazed by her brother's teasing. "Why not? You know me. I can't come to the house looking like I just rolled out of bed." She looked at Joe pointedly, her eyes narrowing as she noticed him taking in her outfit.
"You're always doing the most," Joe muttered, but there was a hint of a smile on his face that gave away the affection behind his annoyance.
The conversation shifted then, moving on from Ayra's entrance to the more serious topic that Joe had been waiting to bring up. "Did you hear that Biri is pregnant?" he said, the casualness of his tone making it hard to read his true reaction.
Ayra's eyes widened, and she snapped her head around to look at Joe, her mouth dropping open slightly. "What? How do you know that?" she replied, her voice a mix of shock and disbelief. The sparkle in her eyes dimmed, replaced by a flash of something more vulnerable. It was a look that only Joe and Jade would have seen—the side of Ayra that was rarely on display, the part of her that felt hurt when she was left out of important moments.
"You know Auntie LT done told everyone," Joe said, giving her a knowing look.
Ayra couldn't believe it. Her little sister, Biri, was pregnant and she hadn't even heard about it from her. The realization sank in, a lump forming in her throat as she tried to process the news. The room felt a little smaller, a little quieter, as the weight of her emotions took hold. She glanced away, running her fingers nervously over the edge of her purse as if it might ground her.
"Don't get upset, Ayra," Jade said softly, her eyes filled with empathy. "You're making the same face that Joe makes when you don't tell him anything."
Joe shifted uncomfortably, the conversation hitting a little too close to home. "Now you know how I feel," he said, his voice softer this time as he met his sister's eyes.
Ayra frowned, the realization settling deeper in her chest. It was true—she had always been the one to keep things to herself, the one who preferred to play the strong, unbothered role. But there were moments like this, moments where she felt caught off guard, moments when she wished she had been clued in, too.
"I just... I didn't know," Ayra whispered, her voice barely audible.
Jade set her coffee cup down and leaned forward, her smile turning warm and encouraging. "Hey, it's okay. Biri's still your sister, and she still loves you. You're just finding out now, and that doesn't mean she doesn't trust you or care about you. Maybe she just didn't know how to tell you."
Joe nodded in agreement, his earlier teasing forgotten in favor of more sincere words. "Yeah, Ayra. You're not the only one who's been out of the loop. But that doesn't mean you can't be there for her now, you know?"
Ayra's eyes softened at their words, and she let out a shaky breath. "You think so?" she asked, the edge of doubt in her voice slowly giving way to hope.
"Absolutely," Jade said with a reassuring nod. "You're her sister, and nothing changes that."
Joe leaned forward, a small smile breaking out on his face. "Besides, you're going to be the best auntie. Biri's going to need all the help she can get, and if anyone can step up, it's you."
A small laugh escaped Ayra's lips at that. The room felt warmer now, and the sudden wave of sadness was slowly dissipating. She looked at her brother, who had always been a constant source of strength, and then to Jade, who was so effortlessly kind and understanding. She felt grateful, in that moment, for having people who could see her, even when she was trying so hard to hide behind her bold, confident façade.
"You really think I'm going to be a good aunt?" Ayra asked, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
Joe rolled his eyes, but there was a twinkle of amusement in his gaze. "Of course, you will be. You've got that big-sister energy that no one else can match."
Jade reached out, giving Ayra's hand a gentle squeeze. "And remember, we're all in this together. Family's not just blood; it's the people who show up, who care, and who support each other, no matter what."
Ayra looked down at her hands, a soft smile finally breaking through the storm of emotions inside her. She felt her heart ease, a warmth spreading through her that she hadn't known she needed. Maybe she hadn't heard about Biri's pregnancy first, but that didn't mean she was out of the picture. She was still Ayra, still a part of their world, and she had the power to step up and be there when it mattered.
"Thanks, you two," Ayra said, the sincerity in her voice evident. She looked up at Joe and Jade, the bond between them palpable. "I needed that."
Joe, ever the joker, nudged her playfully with his elbow. "Don't get all sentimental on me now, Ayra. You know how I feel about emotions."
Ayra rolled her eyes, a genuine laugh escaping her as she playfully shoved him back. The room filled with the sound of their laughter, a reminder that even in moments of surprise, uncertainty, or miscommunication, they had each other.
"So," Joe said, leaning back with a grin, "are we going to plan a baby shower or what? Because I know Auntie LT is going to go all out, but we can't let her have all the fun."
Ayra's eyes lit up at the idea, and for the first time since she walked in, she felt the excitement that came with the idea of family, love, and new beginnings. "Absolutely. And this time, I'm going to be the one who makes sure Biri gets everything she needs."
Jade and Joe exchanged a knowing look before nodding in agreement. It wasn't just about the outfits, the glamorous life, or the dramas that seemed to follow them. It was about being there, showing up, and making sure that no matter what life threw at them, they could face it together.
"Now, that's the spirit," Joe said, the smile on his face more genuine than ever. The room was filled with a warmth that only family could create, and for Ayra, that was all she needed to know that everything would be okay.
