King

• 3

Pharaoh's pov

This morning seemed different. By the time I got on the train and saw Zariah she didn't look happy and when I asked her she ignored me.

Not a single word from her this morning. I texted her once I got to work and waited for a reply. But nothing.

"Nigga what is ya issue?"my homie Hakeem came in my office dapping me up.

"Nigga how you know I wasn't beating my meat? Don't be popping up like that. Knock."

"My bad. Niggas out there said you seemed grumpy."he said.

"Mm,"

"You obviously aggravated bout something so tell me what's going on nigga."he sat down in one of the chairs across from my desk.

"Mane there's a shawty—"

"I called it! You hear that Tyrel you owe me my fifteen dollars nigga! Bout ta' eat a fat ass McDouble!"Hakeem shouted.

"Y'all made a bet on my problem?"I smiled for the first time all day.

"Well ya homie wanted to say it ain't over no shawty we both know Akhil don't get down like that,"he mocked Tyrel's voice,"But continue."

Tyrel has been working for me for a year now. Tyrel and I bros for real you can always count on him. Close family and friends call me Akhil.

"I usually see shawty on the train in the morning and to go home. We was vibin' fo' bout a week then she ignored me this morning and won't text me back. Bout ta' pull up ta' her job. Coming?"

"Yea I guess. Shawty prolly ain't even that cute but whateva'."

"Mm you'll see."I shrugged.

We walked for a good ten minutes to her job and I greeted the ladies that are usually here. I ain't see Zariah.

"Candy, my baby girl here?"I asked one of the hairdressers.

"This nigga,"she laughed,"Zariah ya boyfriend is here to piss you off!"she yelled.

Zariah came out from a office and I made my way over to her attempting to try to hug her but she did my ass grease and shrugged me off.

"Can we talk?"I asked.

She shrugged.

"Don't give me that bullshit shrug Zariah. What's good with you?"

"Nothing."she mumbled.

The hairdressers were all looking at us and made sipping tea faces.

I made my way to Candy,"What's up with her?"

"She usually get like this around this time of year. I'm not gonna tell you why but don't mess with her near Thanksgiving."

"Please?"I begged.

"Nope. No more green tea for you sir."she shook her head and shooed me away.

Zariah was on her phone looking all moody n shit.

"Zariah talk ta' me please..—"

"Pharaoh I don't wanna speak to you! Leave me the fuck alone and go back to getting ya drug dealing money! Fuck outta here!"she yelled at me.

"Aight so since a nigga black and got money I'm a drug dealer? Nah, I work hard fo' my shit and I ain't letting no one finna tell me bout what I do."I spoke.

"No one told you to talk to me or be a gentleman."she muttered.

"That's me doing me. I like you and actually wanna treat you like you my girl for real. I'm finna spoil you when I want because that's the type of nigga I am."

"Girl take him or I will. He a real nigga and he a real man."Charleen, another hairdresser says.

"Imma let you chill out fo' a few days. Hit me when you coolin'."I kissed her cheek.

"Aw..."the ladies cooed.

I sucked my teeth and laughed slightly,"Y'all all up in my business fo' what? Y'all know that's my baby even though she like ta' front."

Hakeem and I left and the whole time this nigga was looking at me crazy.

"What nigga?"I asked.

"She hella bad. Shawty slim thick."his eyes went wide.

"I told ya ass she was bad."

He checked his phone then sucked his teeth,"I gotta go nigga. Mikayla tripping right now."he says talking bout his baby momma.

"Tell Milan I said I love her."I said thinking about my niece. Hakeem ain't my blood related brother but he like one.

"Aight mane, hope lil mama come thru fo' you."he laughs dapping me up.

"Hope so too."

;

By the time I reached home it was hella cold in my Bronx apartment. The Bronx is definitely not the safest place to live in New York but I'm respected and this my city. Brooklyn is tougher than here.

  It was around 12am when I got a I phone call. I didn't bother looking at the name.

"Hello?"

"Is this a close family friend to Hakeem Javonte Williams?"a man spoke professionally.

"Yes."

"I'm sorry to inform you over a phone call but Hakeem has been shot multiple times right in Van Cortlandt Park."

"On my way."I hung up and threw on a sweater and Air Forces.

I sped down the freeway to the national crackhead and pothead park. Why was that nigga even over there?

I saw crime scene tapes and rushed out the car. "Where Hakeem at?"I asked an officer.

"Sir unfortunately Hakeem didn't make it."

I felt my eyes getting glossy and my heart burning,"My brotha' dead?"

He nodded,"A child was with him when he got shot. Can you identify?"

"His daughter Milan. Where's her mother?"I asked picking her up once we got to the ambulance truck.

Milan got excited once she saw me.

"We haven't gotten in contact with her yet. Are you close to Hakeem in any way?"

I looked at him dumbfounded,"Yea, I mean that's why I was called. I'm her uncle and Hakeem's best friend."

He nodded and I took my last look at Hakeem before his body bag was completely zipped up.

"Milan, I'm finna take you home."I said trying to keep tears away.

How you tell a three year old that her daddy is dead and never coming back?

After a thirty minute drive I pulled up outside of Mikayla's house and knocked.

She opened the door and rolled her eyes,"Pharaoh why do you have my child?"

"Yo chill out and keep ya mouth shut. Hakeem dead."I said.

She ain't even say anything,"Milan come on so I can give you a bath."

Milan ain't wanna go so she clung onto me.

"I'm coming to get her after Thanksgiving."I said with asking.

"No—"

"I'm not asking you I'm telling you. I love you Mimi."I kneeled down to her level.

"Love you too."she pouted.

"Gimme some suga' don't do ya uncle grease."

She gave me a kiss then hugged me. Mikayla grabbed Milan's hand, glared at me then shut the door. I always hated that bitch.

I made my way home and and went into the safe I kept under the sink cabinet. I took out my pistol and loaded it with bullets.

I kept it under my pillow as I fought my sleep thinking about Hakeem. My nigga gone forever.