Affinity

Chapter 31: Under Construction

" Come 'ere." He threw the words over his shoulder as I stepped further into the building sidestepping piles of sheetrock covering the dusty concrete floor and carefully placing my footfalls through the bare bones framework that were the precursor to actual rooms.

" You sure it's safe to be in here?" If I happened to twist an ankle or fall over a yet to be erected beam I'd surely hold it over his head for the rest of his days.

" Chill, I cleared it with Raoul for we came. Now you know better than anyone I wouldn't let nothing happen to you." I knew his words to be fact, but I still had to ask. I was new to this whole property owner thing, and I didn't wanna make any false moves to endanger either myself or my assets.

" Ard then, it's coming together though. I see he actually listened when I talked about keeping the columns original to the building. And look Jay, there's my office bro." I sloppily, but hurriedly ran a path to the back of the ground floor space where framework outlined what was to be my office in a few short months.

"Hol up little girl for you tip my nephew out you." Jay caught my waist in his grasp as he stopped my steps a few paces from my destination.

" See here you go, I knew I shouldn't have told you bout my pregnancy scare. Now you just gon speak that jawn into existence every time you get the chance aren't you?"

" That I am, ain't no shame in my game." He smiled with all teeth showing before he released his grip on my waist, sliding his hand to the bend in my arm as guided me into my soon to be office.

" Big things sis, I'm proud of you." I spun on my heel to witness his words in physical form. He ran his hand over his head of curls, the byproduct of his letting it grow out on account of Jaz and I's natural hair ways, as he put it. His lanky frame which boasted an appropriate amount of muscle took up the doorframe as his height allowed for his elbow to brush the top of the outline of wood when his arm raised above his head. His scar gleamed a comforting hue that I warmly received, as I stood partly abashed at his blatant pride in me.

" Thanks." My gaze dropped to my feet as I blushed.

This was a huge step in life, but especially now. When Rah had forced me to go to meet a lawyer about the things Hakim had put in my name, I dragged my feet, kicking my heels the whole way. Dealing with anything surrounding that man equal parts angered and scared me. I was angry at his tactics and his logic, scared that he would kidnap me again, or worse, the threat of him killing Rah stole my breath without effort. But the attorney had looked over everything and assured me that everything was as legal and by the book as could be (hiding drugs bearing my name in furniture omitted of course). So I'd decided to build a bookstore/café in the domain he'd previously used as the address for one of his shell corporations. It was going to be a mix between my love for reading and writing to match my entrepreneurial spirit.

" Tip that chin up, mama ain't raise no shy girls. You speak up and out, you built this shit, don't question the way it fell into your lap." I crossed the space between us and threw my arms around his shoulders, " your gonna make a great dad one day Jay, you always know exactly what to say."

" Who's wishing what on who now?" He laughed as he pulled back from me, his hand slipping to grip the back of his neck. " Real talk I met someone though."

" No you didn't." I stale faced him as I took a step back, uh uh there was no way a female was gonna take my brother away from me after I just found him.

" Damn, the straight shut down huh?"

" You can't tell me you expected anything less."

" Naw I didn't...which is why I was just messing with ya ass!" He clutched his stomach as I let my features fall into an efface of saltiness.