I, Ian

Chapter Two

Content Warning: racist and homophobic comments and actions. Reader discretion is advised!

Mama Kaneva's Coffee and Treats.

Remember the establishment, gentle readers, as it is known to be one of the most-successful family-owned coffee houses in all of Southern California. A staple to many, Mama Kaneva's has hosted many of the who's-who in all of LA. From rising musicians and writers looking for some inspiration and politicians who need a break from their campaign trails to models looking for a quick fix before a photoshoot and actors who heard about the place from one of the local crew members; Mama Kaneva Deveraux and her family has rubbed elbows with some of the finest celebrities known to man. The family and the coffee house were also known to be featured in several reality shows and were placed in many films and TV shows- primetime and daytime alike.

And as Ivy and her two-person entourage stepped into the Spanish-themed establishment and inhaled the scent of freshly-brewed coffee and pastries, even Ivy herself had to admit that the multipurpose coffeehouse was well to her liking. "I never knew of this place," she mused out loud as she and the others soon found an empty table to collect themselves. "Asha, you never told me about this place before."

"You never asked me about it," Asha rebutted. "And honestly, I didn't wanna rub how this place is famous in your face since you would use it to your advantage to humiliate every guy in here."

"Well, it's the principle of telling me since I'm the leader of the gang."

"Says you," Candide muttered sotto-voce. Out loud, "Asha love, is Antoine here today? I've been meaning to get my monthly tarot and palm reading in for a while."

"He's here, but you might have to wait until later to get your readings done," Asha replied, checking her nails while securing her closed umbrella shut.

"Wait, what?" Ivy asked, her face warped with confusion.

Asha smiled. "My family has a legacy of voodoo and magic," she explained. "My great-great grandmother Celestine Deveraux was known to be a powerful voodoo queen from New Orleans. And my cousin Antoine is the first male member of the family to be a well-renowned voodoo prince. He's the head barista around here."

Ivy smiled, a plan already forming in her head. "I'd like to meet him," she remarked.

"You won't have to wait long," Asha replied as she pointed to the area of the cashier area.

Ivy turned around to see a handsome young man with the skin of caramels with an undertone of cream working at the machines. His hair was braided with mini cornrows while his face was devoid of any birthmarks or scars. His athletic form was neatly fitted in black jeans and a T-shirt that showed off his muscled chest and abs. If only he was a girl, Ivy thought to herself. "Well, let's go take our orders," she said out loud.

"Careful, Ivy," Candide warned. "Like Asha said, he knows a LOT about you and your homophobic and man-hating propaganda. If you piss him off, he'll likely hex you!"

"As if that loser can ever hex me," Ivy scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I'm Ivy Levine and I always make myself known."

"Okay, but don't blame us if you end up on his blacklist," Asha warned as she motioned everyone to stand up and they all left the table and headed to the cash register. No sooner than they arrived when Ivy came face to face with the handsome young man. "Miss Levine," he said in a musical accent laced with contempt that matched the scowl which was on his face. "I knew that you would show your face here."

Ivy smiled thinly. "You know who I am, but I'm clueless to who you are," she replied flippantly.

"Antoine Ra'Keem Deveraux, a coffee-making voodoo prince and great-great-grandson of Celestine Deveaux herself," he introduced. To Asha, this is your friend, mon cher?"