Black is the Color of Beauty

Chapter 5

Bo Bo's POV 

December 22, 2018

Downtown Cleveland,Ohio 

Phoenix Kafei Shop

 " O.... M.... G. This is like the cutest little shop.... EVER! Look at the bamboo chairs......." a tall willowy blonde screeches at her friend as they enter the coffee shop. The sound of her voice, irritate me for some odd reason. Or maybe, I am just irritated because I am so close to seeing my baby girl yet so far away.  The blonde girl and her brunette friend walk over to the counter to place their order. The cashier quick assess the women's excited voices and bright eyes and immediately know they are first time customers. He quickly hands them a menu and excuse himself to the back for a moment giving the women a moment to look over it. "It is really cute in here.... but... why is the shop named Phoenix... and the decor is Asiany... is that a word? And why is the menu written in both English and Chinese?" The brunette scrunches her eyebrows together as if trying to make sense of it all. Damn, are all Americans that dumb? The second word in the shop's name is Kafei which translates to coffee in Mandarin. But, then again it is known that Americans use their brawns instead of brains to get what they want. That's why the rest of the world sees Americans as airhead bullies. I snicker at my inner thoughts.

    Once I come to my senses, I notice that my view of the two women are obscured by a bulky figure. " Good morning Boss," the figure greets me. "Ugh, you know how much I hate when you call me that, Leonid. We are more like family than employer and employer." I pinch the bridge of my nose as I explain this to him for what feels like the umpteenth time. " Sorry." Leonid hunches over for a bit and stare at the ground. Great Bo, now you made him feel uncomfortable yet a-fucking-gain. Leonid struggles with his self confidence immensely and it mainly stems from the shame he feels about his upbringing. Leonid is what many ignorant Asian people might a half breed. He is half Chinese and half Russian. Leonid's mother was a piano prodigy and was sent to a top tier music school in Moscow, Russia to study piano performance during her late teenage years. Her second year at the university, it was rumored that she caught the eye of a famous Russian assassin. He pursued her nonstop for a year before Leonid's mother agreed to go on a date with him. They dated for a year before his mother was pregnant.... his father disappeared when Leonid was a few months old.... mother came home and was ostracized. You know how that type of story goes. " Leo, you need to be comfortable with yourself. You can't be a 6'4" giant with Chinese blood flowing through your veins.... but lack confidence. You're Chinese, fuck be proud of that shit. You know we run the world." I jokingly respond to his apology. Leo raises his head up and nods. "So, what's the update on everything." Leo takes in a deep breath. It is quiet for a few moments. I feel an unpleasant tug in my stomach, what if something...

   " She's fine." Leo's word break my train of thought. I take in a deep breath and my shoulder drops down. The tugging sensation in my stomach is going away. "But, there are some things you should know. She went on a date with some guy recently and it ended with a kiss." As if anticipating my demand, Leo slides a manila folder over to me and I pull out the papers inside. Name: Tyrell Johnson, Race: Black, Height: 5'9", Occupation: Accountant and the information goes on to include his relationships, bank accountant statements and address. I make sure to make some time to do a pop up visit at his place. " Let me guess, we are going to visit him to 'tell' him to not touch who is yours." Leo states confidently. "As the Americans say, Ding. we have a winner." I smirk. " Actually, I think its Ding, Ding, Ding, we have a winner. But, that's besides the point. I paid Ms. NiNi's rent last month, this month and for the next month like you asked me to. The thing that bothers me boss is that she hasn't been down to the leasing office to pay it herself." his face looks confused as he speaks this revelation out loud. "Knowing NiNi, she has been so stressed out about everything it must of slipped her mind." I say to him. Or, NiNi is back to supporting her other families members and she doesn't have any money left for herself or these bills. She always put her family first and herself last. That's why NiNi needs someone like me to take care of her needs and to spoil.... woah there Bo. You are talking about taking care of a woman that isn't yours, a woman that your family wouldn't approve and who probably hates you. " I just want to keep NiNi safe so no one can hurt her." I accidentally say out loud. " What was that you say?" Leo smirks at me. Cocky ass block head bastard. "Nothing at all. So, for the time being I need you to keep on protecting her from afar, make sure her rent is paid and keep men away from her." My phone dings. It is a text message from Lei. My face falls. " Is everything okay?" Leo inquires. He must have picked up on my change in mood. "Lei just texted me, the Greeks sent a him a picture of Ty. Which means they know about the girls." Now, I am pissed off. Just when I thought we were out of the woods, this shit happens. " You know what that means right? You are going to have to put out a Xuanyan. That is the only way to protect her." Leo looks at me in my eyes seriously. Even though, I want to give him some bullshit reason as to why I don't want to put out a Xuanyan on NiNi.... I know its for the best. A Xuanyan, is a declaration used specifically in the Chinese underground mafia world that ties an important person to a woman more specifically their "woman". A Xuanyan is regarded highly in our culture because 1. it signifies the loyalty a leader have to a woman, 2. this declaration publicly notifies that said woman is off limits and if anyone should harm her or intend to woo her that consequence is death to him and 3. once this declaration is made its a sealed deal that this woman is good as married to the person who created the Xuanyan. If I don't make this declaration, I am putting NiNi at risk since she is now connected to me and might be used as collateral. And, sadly her skin color will be another reason why NiNi's livelihood might not be taken seriously unless a leader deems her life important. I huff at this. "Do it. Do not tell anyone about this, just notify the leaders of the other families and tell them to inform their men." Leo nods at my order. I hope with this declaration people will began to see that color black in a new light.