#12 :: A Change Of Heart.

9.

VANESSA

"Man V... I can't believe I got away with it!" My young kid Reshawn said.

"Now.. You ain't got away with nothing. You have community service to do and probation to attend. Plus our twice weekly meetings. If you stick at all of that then you got away with it."

"You was the only person that believed in me. Not even my own moms believed in me."

"She's having a hard time.. But if you get yo act together she will be there to support you. You can't want everyone to have your back when you don't even have your own." I told him. He nodded his head.

We talked some more before we went our separate ways. I made it just in time for my two other kids who was undergoing trial. Unfortunately for this one; one of them was going to do a custodial sentence. Wouldn't be for long. I was able to speak to him before they took him away.

"Hey Kyree, six months will seem like years as you are the one in juvi. But I will come to do our weekly meetings. Maybe time away from the gangs is what you need. Because like I have been saying to you when shit hits the fan; you know who's got yo back. Anyway, try to stay out of trouble. I know what you are like Kyree."

"Thank you Vanessa. I'm going to show you I can do this." He said. We said our goodbyes and they took him away.

I was sad, even though I knew that was likely to be the outcome. It was more how long that I was unsure of. My phone rang and it was Kayden.

"Hey babe. How did court go?"

"Two out of three didn't go to jail so I guess I can't complain..." I said sounding defeated.

"Ahh baby I'm sorry. Why don't we go out for some drinks tonight?" Kayden asked.

"Are you making plans with me Kayden?"

"Yes, yes I am. I messed up last night let me make it right." He said.

"Okay sure. Where do you want to meet?"

"Let's go to GreenBells."

"Okay. Well I'll meet you later."

"Ite. Bye."

I went home, chilled for a bit then I decided to get ready. As I got ready a bit early I decided to head off to GreenBells. I wanted a nice table.
When I got there they said I would have to wait for the person I was dining with.
So I waited... An hour later and I'm still waiting. Just as I was about to call him I saw him enter; however he didn't enter and come to the bar. He went down to the social area with a group of men. I called him.

"Hey babe!"

"Hey... So where are you?"

"Ah.. Do you know what? Rhys got tickets for a game and we heading there now. Sorry baby; I'll make it up to you..." He said. None the wiser I was staring right at him.

"Okay. Bye." I said and hung up.

Just as I was about to leave I heard someone call my name.

"Vanessa?"

I turned around.

"Oh my God. Byron?" I said making sure it was him.

"Hey baby, how you doing?" he asked as he came in for a hug.

"I'm doing fine. I haven't seen you in ages!" I said.

Byron was my ex. He was also an old friend. We had a really good friendship before we went out. Then when we did go out it wasn't all we thought it would be. We broke up and was still good friends. There's always been a chemistry where me and Byron are concerned; it's like we had such a good friendship because of how we felt even though we took long to get together. Even when we didn't speak for ages we would pick up wherever we left off whenever we next saw each other.

"I know I know. I'm not usually down here but I just got myself an apartment down so I can keep a closer eye on my business..."

"Your business?"

"Yeah... GreenBells..."

"Wait? You own this?"

"I'm the silent partner... I own 55% but it was my partners dream to run a bar so I let him. But as I have moved down here now I shall be here more often. What you doing here all on your own looking like a million dollars?"

I smirked. Byron always had a way with words.

"I been stood up."

"By who?"

"My man."

"He doesn't realise what he has does he?"

"I guess not."

He cupped my chin.

"Well.. Seeing as he doesn't realise.. Maybe he's not the one..."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah... Look, I haven't seen you in years.. And as soon as I do everything I once felt has come flooding back..."

"Byron... Please." I said as I moved his hand.

"What? I know you feel that same. I know you have that soft spot for me that I got for you." He said.

Before I could answer Kayden popped up out of nowhere!

"This looks cosy..."

I rolled my eyes.

"Kayden.. This is Byron he's an old friend.. Byron.. This Kayden.. My man." I said.

Byron smirked and nodded his head at Kayden.

"Look, I meant what I said.. If you wanna jump on board here's my number. I would love to do business with you..." He said flirtatiously.

He got up, looked at Kayden, chuckled. Looked back, winked at me and walked off.

I just laughed. This was typical Byron.

"What the fuck was that?"

"Don't question me fuck boy! You bare face lied to me and said you was going to a game when I saw you walk in here with yo boys. So get the fuck outta here wit yo stank attitude because you see me getting attention." I said as I got up and walked off.

Kayden can go fuck himself. He needs to not play because I may just take Byron up on his "offer"...

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