Charm | A Dave East Story

13

Charm

"Kairi this is Ayana, can you say hey?"

"Hey."

"Hey cutie pie." You couldn't tell me this wasn't his kid because it was a spitting image, she was cute as could be.

He smiled and put her down "Go get your jacket and boots and we'll go to the store okay?" She nodded and ran back down the hall and I just looked at him.

"You know you could've told me right?"

"Why so you could see me differently and be worried about her moms getting in the way? Nah."

"Your talking like this is something." I folded my arms and turned my attention back to Kairi as she came running back down the hallway.

"It could be." He winked at me and I thought I was going to sink through the floor.

-
Dave let Kairi walk up and down the aisle picking out whatever she wanted and he did the same.

"So how old is she?"

"She just turned 2."

"I can tell she's a very intelligent 2 year old." He chuckled and I nodded my head. "Look at her she's like boss baby grabbing pickles and cookies off these shelves."

"Yeah, she has her own likings. Great kid though, I love her to pieces."

I got quiet as we walked around more. I was searching for questions to ask or things to talk about.

"Where's her mom?"

"When is your photo shoot?"

We both asked two opposite questions at the same time making it even more awkward. "I'm sorry, what'd you say?"

"No, you go first."

"Okay, um her mom? Is she around?"

"Hell yeah, like gnats during a Southern Summer."

I laughed at his answer so I knew this girl had to be mad annoying. "Well, I start my photoshoot tomorrow morning."

"Seems like your schedule is going to be pretty busy, you shooting all month everyday?"

"No, just 2 times a week. My Aunt and Uncle are supposed to fly in next week, apparently he has to come back for business and so does my Aunt so, we'll all be sharing a hotel room."

"That sounds like a whole lotta fun."

"I know we didn't really get to talk much about what my Uncle had set up for you but... I mean- like is it at least safe?"

"I- I don't think this is the appropriate place to talk about this. Just know I wouldn't put the people I love into danger."

I really wanted to know what Dave's title was, I felt more confident in asking him about it now that I see he has a baby, because I know this world is cruel especially the people who participate in illegal shit like my family is used to doing and you see where that got me, parent less. Im talking professional embezzlement, dirty cop, hackers, drug lords, counterfeit medication trades, and the top most of our family is illegal weapons trade. The women in our family usually didn't do anything but sit back and watch and if they sensed trouble they had their ways of hiding safe money just incase we got ourselves into some deep shit. I vowed to never get involved into what this family was about and this is where modeling came from, after my parents were killed I kind of lost hope of all things and what life had to give.