I Ain't Never Asked For None Of This. My Whole Life's Been A Game Of Survival—Hidden Truths, Lies, Betrayal. But I Ain't Runnin' No More. The Truth Is On Me Now, & It Ain't Gonna Bury Me. If I Gotta Go At It Alone, Then So Be It. Ain't No More Fear. It's Time To Take What's Mine, No Matter Who I Gotta Cross To Get It.
- 𝒥uan Collins
ILLMATIC II.
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𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐂 II| VOLUME TWO. ❝ PRINCESSES DESERVES THE WORLD ❞ [ HARLEM, NY ]
The sky above was painted in warm hues of gold and crimson, the evening sun casting its gentle glow across the small, familiar park. The smell of jasmine mixed with the tangy scent of barbeque smoke wafted through the air. Children's laughter rang out, their joyous cries echoing as they played tag or pushed one another on squeaky swings. The rhythmic creak of a basketball hitting pavement played like a background melody. Little Jade, no older than six, skipped excitedly beside her father. Her hand was clasped in his, her tiny brown fingers dwarfed by his strong, calloused grip. She wore a bright yellow sundress, its ruffles bouncing as she moved, her small feet shuffling in white sneakers that her mother had polished just that morning. Her hair, neatly styled in two afro puffs adorned with pastel pink bows, was the crowning glory of her joyful expression. "Daddy, I can jump so high!" she chirped, letting go of his hand to hop onto the edge of the sidewalk. She wobbled precariously for a moment before steadying herself, grinning wide.
Her father chuckled, his deep baritone resonating with warmth. "Careful now, princess. Don't need you flying away on me." He smiled down at her, the dimple in his left cheek deepening. His dark skin gleamed under the sunlight, his neatly trimmed beard flecked with hints of silver that belied his youthful energy. Jade giggled, hopping down and grabbing his hand again. "I'm not gonna fly away, Daddy. You promised you'd always hold on to me." He stopped then, kneeling to her level so that they were face to face. His expression turned serious, his dark eyes glinting with an intensity that made even young Jade pause. "And I always will," he said firmly, cupping her round cheeks in his large hands. "You're my baby girl. My princess. And princesses deserves the world." Jade nodded solemnly, absorbing his words as if they were gospel.
"The whole wide world?" He smiled softly, brushing a strand of her coiled hair away from her face. "Bigger than that. You're smart, Jade. Strong. And one day, you'll see just how far you can go. Don't let anyone tell you different." — "Not even Mama or Sissy?" she asked innocently, tilting her head. "Not even Mama or Sissy," he affirmed with a small chuckle, pulling her into a tight embrace. She pressed her face into his shoulder, her little arms wrapping around his neck. "You're mine, Jade. No one's gonna love you or protect you like I will." For a moment, the world seemed perfect, frozen in that golden glow of unconditional love.
