The Plug's Daughter

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The Plug's Daughter
Chapter 7: We meet again
May 21st,2023
Houston,Texas

The bass of "Last Lap" by Rod Wave was rattling through the whip as I rolled down I-45, one hand on the wheel, the other resting on my lap. The city lights danced across my windshield as the chorus hit:

"This is my last sad song, I'm done putting my heart in it..."

That line? Yeah, it hit heavy. I let it ride, turning up the volume as the beat carried me closer to the Shell station up ahead. I needed a breather—some gas, a cold drink, and a couple swishers to roll up later. Life been crazy, and this was my version of slowing down.

Pulling into the station, the lot was buzzing like usual. People posted up by their cars, music blasting from speakers, and the faint smell of barbecue in the air. Houston nights never slept. I slid into a spot near the pumps and hopped out, stretching as the humid air hugged me like an old friend.

That's when I saw her.

Alazhá.

She stepped out of a blacked-out Jeep, the glow of the gas station lights bouncing off her deep wave curly wig that fell perfectly around her face. She was rocking a pink and black iamgia two piece, that hugged her in all the right places paired with her marni slides. She moved with this quiet confidence, like she knew the effect she had without trying. Her vibe was effortless, but her presence demanded attention. The whole lot seemed to freeze as she walked toward the store.

I leaned back against my car, my eyes locked on her. She felt the weight of my stare because she slowed just enough to glance my way. Her gaze flicked over me like she was sizing me up, and then she smirked. Not a shy, coy smirk—but the kind that said she knew exactly who she was and didn't have time for games.

"Romani," she said, her voice cutting through the noise like a blade.

"Alazhá," I replied, keeping my tone smooth. "Didn't expect to see you out here."

She tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Why's that? Thought I stayed locked in some ivory tower?"

"Nah," I said with a shrug. "Just figured you were too busy breaking hearts somewhere else."

That made her laugh—soft but real. "You don't know me like that."

"Not yet," I said, stepping closer.

She raised an eyebrow, her smirk turning sharp. "You're bold. You know who I am, right?"

"Yeah," I said without missing a beat. "And I don't care."

Her expression shifted, just a flicker, like she wasn't expecting that. Everyone else kept their distance because of her last name, but I wasn't everyone else.

"You're trouble, Romani," she said, folding her arms across her chest.

"Maybe. But you don't seem like the type to play it safe," I shot back.

Her lips twitched like she wanted to smile but wouldn't let herself. "So what? You think you can just ignore the rules?"

"I don't follow rules that don't make sense," I said, holding her gaze.

She stared at me for a long second, and I could tell she was deciding something. Then, like she made up her mind, she pulled her phone from her back pocket and held it out.

"Alright, then. Let's see if you're worth the risk," she said, her tone casual but her eyes daring me.

I took her phone and punched in my number, shooting her a quick text so she had mine. "Now you've got no excuse to forget me," I said as I handed it back.

She smirked, sliding the phone into her pocket. "We'll see how long you last, Romani."

She turned and walked back to her Jeep, the same effortless sway in her step. As she drove off, I leaned back against my car, her number saved in my phone and a grin on my face.

Yeah, I knew she was off-limits. But sometimes, the best things in life are the ones you're not supposed to have.