Harlem Nights. (August Alsina Love Story)

1.

Melissa.

I looked over all my bills and sighed.

"There's no way I'm going to be able to pay this." I mumbled to myself as I calculated all my expenses for the month.

I looked over at Zaria playing and smiled a little. In the midst of everything I had going on she was my ray of sunshine.

"Come here Zari." I spoke as she walked over to me.

"Yesh mommy?" She said in a soft voice.

"How would you like to go spend the weekend with grandma and grandpa?"

I watched as her big bright eyes widened.

"Yay." She cheered as she danced around a little bit, causing me to laugh.

"Go put the toys you want to play with the most in your suitcase and I'll be in there to pack some clothes." I instructed as she made her way to her room.

I scanned the kitchen as I sat at the counter, my eyes fell on the same thing they always did. The family picture of me, Zaria, and Mike.

Me and Mike met when we were 15 and we had never spent a day without each other after that, which probably contributed to me getting pregnant at 17. It was beyond hard since I'm a preachers kid but Mike helped me every step of the way. Zaria was the love of his life and nothing could ever change that.

I admired the picture, seeing him in his army uniform and remembering the day we took that picture, Zaria was only a year old at the time and I had no idea that would be the last time she would see her father. He died 3 years ago but it still felt like yesterday at times.

Zaria walked in and layed her head on my lap as if she knew what I was thinking. It took a lot out of me not to cry but I pushed back the tears and finally spoke.

"Ready to go get packed?" I asked with a small smile on my face.

August.

I sat outside of the coffee shop on the phone with my mother who hadn't let me hang up in 20 minutes.

"Yeah Ma."

"No I won't be bringing Maria."

"We broke up last month, that's why." I chuckled.

"I won't ask her to come to the dinner just because you like her." I laughed.

"Alright, love you too." I said before finally hanging up.

I typed away on my computer as I noticed the grey clouds starting to form. Just as I was about to leave I noticed a beautiful woman walking towards me.

"Excuse me, can you tell me if they have good coffee here and if it's fast because I'm in a rush." She spoke in a frantic tone.

"Sure, I'll help you decide." I said as I held the door open for her.

Melissa.

I scanned his tall body and looked at his big pink lips.

"Dat's a caramel frappe all the women seem ta like it."

I smiled at how much he knew about coffee.

"You know alot about this place. Come here often?"

"Yeah all the time actually, I study here." He spoke in a thick southern accent.

"Oh really you're in school?"

"Yeah I major in business at NYU."

"Hmm, I sense an accent too."

"Lived in New Orleans all my life until I came hea'."

"Interesting. I have to go now." I said before grabbing my caramel frappe off the counter.

I walked away and just as I was about to touch the door I heard his voice again.

"Can I get ya' number?" He asked in a smooth voice as I turned back around.

*********
Doneeee!

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Let me knowwww. - Shay