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My eyes fluttered open as the bus came to a halt. My head was booming, as I sat up preparing to leave. "You gon' be alright today, hon?" Mrs. Granite, the bus driver asked. She was an elderly lady, with graying hair and vintage gold-framed glasses. I had been riding this bus since the start of the year, I get off at the same stop every evening so yeah, she knows me. "Yeah, my cousin shouldn't be too long.." I yawned, stepping off the bus, and rubbing my sleepy eyes. "Okay, just making sure, bye sweetie," she said, closing the doors and pulling off. I started walking down the street towards a brightly lit deli. A huge sign advertising it read, "Saint's Downtown Deli." As I opened the door, I could hear the jingle of an electric bell. I walked towards my usual booth where I waited for Saint, I put my head down on the cool table, hoping it would ease my headache. I could hear a door open and my head perked up, It was Saint coming out of the "Employee's Only" kitchen door. "Hey! Estelle!", he shouted. He walked over to me and hugged me. "How was work, baby cus?" He jeered. "Fine, nothing interesting today.." I mumbled. Just then, another man came out of the kitchen in a deli uniform, he had dark hair that curtained his left eye, and he had pale skin and glasses over his brown eyes. "This is Kash," Saint mentioned, "he's gonna have to drive you home, something urgent came up with Penny." He added, grabbing his keys out of his pocket. Penny was Saint's fiancé, she was a woman in her mid-thirties, she was blonde and had big brown eyes. He walked over to me and placed a kiss on my forehead. "Text me when you get home, 'kay?" I sighed and mocked, "Jeez, Okay Dad." I joked as he left. I turned around to face Kash once more, my eyes wandered his figure. He was well-built and way taller than me. He was fine, I admit but when that thought popped into my head I reminded myself of my pregnant belly. "Your name's Estelle right?" A deep voice snapped me out of my consciousness. It was Kash, he started to move closer to me, "Come on, let's go. I have somewhere to be too." He opened the door for me and I thanked him as I walked out. Quite rude if you ask me. I got in his car and waited for him as he closed down the deli. His car was quite nice for him to be working in a deli, it was one of Cadillac's newer models. He soon came to the car, started it, and pulled off. The car ride was quiet, except for the sound of the radio and its upbeat hosts. "How long?" Kash uttered. I was quiet for a minute, why would I tell him? We just met..but it's kinda awkward in here.. "Uhm..6 months.." I mumbled. I was hoping that would be the end of it, maybe I could change the subject, "Wh-". I was cut off by his booming voice. "Why can't your boyfriend drive you home?" What the hell? Why is he asking all these personal questions? I was silent. "Hm," he mumbled. The car was silent again, I felt my eyes getting heavy. I always fall asleep in Saint's car, I was so exhausted after work. I couldn't stop them from closing and I eventually drifted off to sleep. I woke up to my apartment complex and the sound of tapping on glass. I look up to see Kash, tapping his finger on the passenger window. "Wake up sleeping beauty." He said, opening the door. "Mhm.. I'm up," I muttered sleepily, stepping out of the car. I walked into the building and groaned as soon as I remembered the stairs I had to climb. I live on the third floor, so that's two flights of stairs I have to go up. "What's the matter?" I sighed and looked at the 'out of order' sign on the elevator. "The elevators busted.." I groan. He sighed, "Nothin' we can do..Come on, I gotta walk ya up." he muttered. Walk me up? "Ugh, I'm not a baby.." I complained, walking towards the stairs. He walked behind me as we climbed the stairs when we got to my room he waited while I unlocked the door. When I opened the door, I was welcomed with the smell of tacos. Illiana came running to the door, "Stelly!" she ran to hug me. "Ana! You act like I've been gone for days." I chuckle. Illiana is my best friend and roommate. I turn to thank Kash, but he's right behind me so as I turn I bump into him. "Oh so-" I look up, and he's staring right back down at me, towering over me. "Sorry." I managed to mumble out as I looked back down. He didn't say anything for a moment, "It's alright." he finally responded, turning on his heels and walking off. Dammit! I forgot to say thanks. I thought as I closed the apartment door behind me. "OMG. Estelle where did you find that eye candy?" I turned to her as she laughed, "Wha-" I was cut off, yet again, "Oh my- Your face is red right now!" She went back into the kitchen to resume cooking dinner. "What? It's not even like that.." I mumbled, fidgeting with my fingers. "Yeah, sure it's not," She snickered, "How many tacos do you want?" I was walking into the room as she asked and responded with, "Three should be good." as I changed. Oh, I have to text Saint. I thought, pulling out my phone. There was a new message from an unknown number, it read,
**********
This is Kash, I'll drive you home
tomorrow too, something came
up with Saint and his fiancé again.
Wait, how did he get my number? I don't remember giving it to him. Did he take it out of my phone? That's not possible, he doesn't know my password. How-
**********
This is Kash, I'll drive you home
tomorrow too, something came
up with Saint and his fiancé again.
And Saint gave me your number.
9:57 pm.
Makes sense... I thought, leaving my room to eat after a long day finally. As I sat at the table, my plate had already been prepared and Illiana came to sit beside me. For a minute, only the sound of chewing was present. "So, what's his name?" Iliana's voice broke the silence. "What?" I asked, pretending not to know what she was talking about. It was silent for another few minutes. "Kash, was it?" She said, covering her mouth as she chewed, "He's real cute," she added. I rolled my eyes, "You think? I know he's cute," I whined, "It's just that.." I looked down at my belly. "Y'know with Ellie on the way, I don't think he'd be interested." I turn to look up at Illiana, she's giving me this- pouting face. "What's with that look?" I ask, finishing one of my tacos. "If he was a good man, he'd love you AND Ellie," she responded, "Besides, the way he was looking at you told me something different!" She sang. I almost choked on my food, "What do you mean?" I asked as I wiped my mouth with a napkin. Illiana giggled as she finished the last of her food, "Nothing." She said smiling.
