King Von Imagines

Not In Love Part2

Word Count ~828

Years had passed since that night—since the words that shattered you and the love that never was. Time had been kind to you, kinder than Von ever was. Your glow was undeniable, your confidence unshaken, and the pain that once weighed you down had long since been left in the past.

It was the weekend, and brunch with your girls had become tradition. Mimosas flowed, laughter filled the air, and the warm sun kissed your skin as you sat at an outdoor patio of one of the hottest spots in the city. Dressed in something effortlessly stunning, you basked in the joy of sisterhood, feeling good, looking even better.

Across the restaurant, Von sat with his homeboys, caught up in whatever game played on the screens. He hadn't seen you yet, but one of his boys nudged him, nodding in your direction.

"Aye, ain't that ol' girl you used to mess with?" The guy asked casually, sipping his drink.

Von barely spared a glance, brushing it off with a shrug. "Man, she was nothing."

Another one of his boys, intrigued by the way you laughed, leaned in. "Nothing? She look like something to me."

Von tensed as the guy pushed back his chair, adjusting his chain. "Bet I can get her number."

Just as he was about to make his way over, Von's hand shot out, gripping his arm. "Nah." His voice was firm, an edge of something unreadable in his tone.

That small disruption made you glance in his direction, and for the first time in years, your eyes met Von's. It was fleeting, but there was something there—something unspoken.

But you? You simply smirked, turning back to your friends, letting the past stay exactly where it belonged.

⸻

Later That Night

The night air was warm as you stepped out of the restaurant, your girls still chatting about where to head next. You were laughing, slipping your phone into your purse when a voice from behind stopped you in your tracks.

"Niani."

You turned slowly, already knowing who it was. Von stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, looking at you like he was seeing you for the first time. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes that hadn't been there before—hesitation, maybe even regret.

You arched a brow. "Something you need?"

Von exhaled sharply, dragging a hand over his face before stepping closer. "Can we talk?"

You scoffed, arms crossing. "About what? You said everything you needed to say years ago, remember?"

He clenched his jaw. "I was a dumbass back then."

"Yeah, you were," you agreed without hesitation. "And I moved on."

Von's gaze flickered with something—anger, jealousy, maybe even pain—but he swallowed it down. "I just... I just needed to see you. Needed to say—"

"Don't." You cut him off, voice firm. "Whatever you think you need to say, save it."

Von let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head. "You really gonna stand there and act like I meant nothing to you?"

That made you laugh—an actual, amused laugh that only made his expression darken. "Oh, that's rich. You're the one who told me I was nothing to you, Von. Not the other way around. Or did you forget?"

His jaw ticked. "I didn't mean that shit."

Your eyes narrowed. "Oh, so what? You were just saying things to hurt me? To break me down? Congratulations, you did. But I put myself back together, and I didn't need you to do it."

Von stepped closer, frustration rolling off him in waves. "I was fucked up back then, Niani! I didn't know how to—"

"Bullshit!" you snapped, cutting him off. "You knew exactly what you were doing. You knew exactly what you were saying. You just didn't think I'd actually leave, did you?"

His silence was the only answer you needed.

You let out a slow breath, nodding to yourself. "Yeah. That's what I thought."

Von ran a hand down his face, exhaling sharply. "I fucked up. I know I did. I just—I saw you today, and I—"

"And what? Thought you could just show up and things would be different?" You shook your head, laughing to yourself. "Life doesn't work like that, Von. I loved you. I gave you five years of my life, and you threw it away like it meant nothing. So no, we can't talk. We have nothing to talk about."

You turned to leave, but Von grabbed your wrist—not hard, but enough to stop you.

"Niani, wait—"

You snatched your hand away, eyes flashing. "Don't. Ever. Touch me again."

Von's mouth pressed into a hard line, his nostrils flaring. You could see the frustration, the regret, the emotions he didn't know how to express, but none of that was your problem anymore.

"Goodbye, Von."

This time, when you walked away, he didn't stop you. And he knew—this was a loss he'd never recover from.