IMANI

21

You know that feeling when everything seems to be going great, and you're just happy, yeah that feeling, that was how Fego was feeling.

Fego couldn't point at what made him happy, but he didn't want it to stop. He had heard his office employees gossip about how he was happier these days, and they liked. He even gave his private investigator a leave.

"The artist cannot run away anyway," He thought. For the first time in years since the tragic incident, Fego was happy. He still felt guilty about everything, but he was genuinely happy.

There was this feeling that his life was headed in the right direction. His gut told him maybe Imani might have had a hand in it, but he didn't want to believe that, even though Imani had rented a free apartment to sit and look pretty in his mind all day.

"You're too happy, and it's sickening," Greg sulked. He was missing Emma a lot, and seeing Fego happy didn't make him happy. He often came over to Fego's office to see how miserable he looked so he could develop a little hope that his situation is not as bad.

"You're not used to being the sad one, yeah?" Fego teased his best friend.

"Shut up. What's making you shine your brown teeth? Don't tell me money because you have a lot of money and still look like the grinch on Christmas," Greg insulted Fego's smile. He wanted to smack the smirk off Fego's face.

"My teeth are white, and can't a brother just be happy?"

"Can't a brother just be happy?" Greg mocked.

"You're so happy you didn't ask about the artist in my five minutes of being here,"

"I'm not that concerned,"

"Who's your therapist? I need to see them," Greg was shocked to see Fego wasn't concerned about the artist. It made him a little worried that Fego had a trick or two up his sleeves.

Fego opened his mouth to speak but was cut short by his phone. He smiled at the caller ID and placed it on his ears.

"Hey, cupcake," Fego said into the phone.

"Uncle Fego, can my baby sitter leave when Miss Imani comes over?"

"She's coming over?" Fego said with a little excitement in his voice that got Greg's attention. He rolled his eyes and adjusted when he saw Greg tilting his head and looking interested in his conversation.

"Yeah, she is. So can she?"

"Why didn't you tell me earlier, cupcake?"

"Well, I was bored and since school is out and all. She agreed to come over, plus I need more art lessons if I'm going to be the next Picasso," Mena said.

"Alright. I should be home soon."

"Why?"

"Uhm, I'm done with work," Fego didn't know what sensible excuse to give. This was the only one that sounded reasonable in his head on the spot.

"But you left the house an hour ago,"

"I own the business, remember,"

"Okay, uncle Fego, see you," Mena hung up immediately without letting her uncle speak.

"Now I know why you're happy. It's a woman. My man!" Greg said, smiling and stretching out his hand to Fego for a handshake.

"It's not a woman,"

"So why were you excited?"

"Leave my office, or I'll leave you here,"

"You know Mena's baby sitter is too young for you," Greg teased.