Under His Roof

“We should go.” Drew grabbed the takeout from Jamila, leading her into the cab.

“Are you serious? He—”

“I’ll explain in the cab.” 

“You better.” Jamila scoffed. 

She took a quick glance at Malakai before entering the cab with Drew.

“Well…” She pressed as the cab zoomed off.

“He's my dad.” Drew rolled his eyes.

“I know that now. When I asked about him, you brushed me off.”

“We're not on good terms.”

“Obviously.” She snickered.

“Don't push it, J.”

Jamila remained quiet, staring out through the window as she tried to wrap her head around tonight's turn of events.

Drew hardly talked about his father; she knew his mom had died a few years back. But since he obviously didn't want to talk about it, then she'll leave him be. 

Because then he'll bring up her family, and she sure as hell didn't want to go down that road.

As they both came down from the cab, she went through her lecture updates while waiting for Drew to pay for the ride.

“Boy! Aren't you going to pay up!” The cab man growled impatiently. 

Jamila looked up from her phone.

Drew cleared his throat awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.

Jamila sighed and retrieved a few dollar notes from her purse and handed them to Drew, who gave them to the man.

Jamila strode towards the door of their off-campus apartment and was about to open the door with her keys when she noticed the eviction notice plastered on the door.

Her tote bag fell from her right shoulder as she closed her eyes tight to suppress the anger simmering inside of her.

She hadn't been home since morning, and now she's coming back to see this? 

She turned around to face Drew, who was behind her with a pitiful expression on his face.

“Please tell me you forgot to give the rent money to Billy. Tell me it's not what I'm thinking.” She choked out, her expression pained.

“I swear I was going to give him. I really was. But then this thing came up… I was supposed to get a whole lot of money from this, babe. I know I said it won't happen again the last time, but it was too hard to resist.” 

“What the fuck, Drew!” Jamila snapped. 

“I know, I know.” His shoulders sagged.

“You think you know? No, you don't fucking know!”

Drew sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“I just thought this time was going to be different, J. I swear, I—”

“Oh my God, I’m gonna throw up.” Jamila held her chest, heaving ragged breaths.

“Babe, I'm sorry.” Drew moved closer to hold her, but she stepped back.

“We just have two days.” She folded her trembling hands into fists.

“We'll figure something out.”

Jamila shook her head at him and walked into the apartment, slamming the door.

Drew sighed and slid his phone out of his pocket.

He only had one option right now.

He dialed his father's line.

~~~~~

[TWO DAYS LATER ~ MALAKAI'S MANSION]

“I don't like this one bit, Drew.” Jamila groaned, slumping down on the bed.

They just finished settling into their new room, which was big and flawless.

“He doesn't mind.” Drew shrugged. 

“Well, I do mind.”

“It's just temporary, babe. I’ll start looking for work, I promise.” 

“You know, it's really baffling, right? Your dad has all this, and you were out there in the streets all this time.”

“In the streets?” Drew laughed, sitting next to her.

“Not funny. And you know what I mean.” She rolled her eyes.

Drew pushed her to lay down on the bed with him, pulling her in for a kiss.

“Dude, we just got here.” Jamila whined, hitting his chest playfully, their lips making smooching sounds.

She pulled away from the kiss and ran out of the room laughing.

~

Jamila scurried down the stairs admiring the huge house once again.

“Must be so boring for him, living in this huge house.” She tsked and made her way into the kitchen.

She stopped on her tracks by the door when the rich aroma of freshly baked croissants assaulted her nostrils.

A guy stood behind the kitchen island with a dark apron over his fitted shirt.

“Hi, there. Can I help?” Jamila voiced out.

“I don't know. Can you?” He turned to face her with a sly grin.

“If it's by helping you devour whatever smells this good, then yes—yes, I can.”

“Devour? Well, that's a strong word.”

“Not in my vocabulary.”

He took a clean cloth on the island, wiping his hands with it.

“I'm Nathaniel, by the way. But everyone calls me Nathan.” He took her hand for a shake with a wide dimpled smile on his face.

“I'm Jamila, Chef.” She saluted with her other hand, and Nathaniel let out a laugh, causing her to grin.

“Malakai said I should tell you to make yourself at home. If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask.”

“I appreciate that.” She nodded sincerely.

“So, what can I make you?”

“Hmm.” She pretended to think and added, “I don't know. Why don't you surprise me?” 

“Oh, I like you already.” Nathan mused, his eyes dancing in delight. “I have a feeling we'd be the best of friends.” 

“I have no doubt, Nathan. Food and I are 5&6,” she purred.

“So you're in college? What major?”

“Yes, third year. Business and Finance.” She replied, pouring herself a glass of water.

“That's nice.”

“I know.” Her lips twitched.

“Nathan, dawg. I'm starving, didn't have a chance to eat breakfast, and fuck, this is 11am.” Drew sauntered into the kitchen, rubbing his hands together.

"Drew,” Nathan smirked.

“Didn’t you hear? I'm fucking starving, man.”

"Drew,” Jamila cautioned, moving the glass of water away from her lips.

“You both can have the croissants while I quickly whip something up.” Nathan replied, stepping away from them to retrieve ingredients from the cupboards above the fridge.

“Bacon and scrambled eggs would be perfect.” Drew added and winked nonchalantly at Jamila.

"You going to the store today, J?”

“Yes, Drew. We need the money.” 

“We'll be fine, babe.” Drew persuaded, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“But I'll be back early, though. I have an important test tomorrow. Prof. Lahey is the freaking worst.

He hardly ever comes to class; he gives his lecture notes late and expects us to perform magic. And oh, he also said none of us would ever get an A in his course, and trust me, he was so sure about it, Drew. Like he's just…” Jamila trailed off on her rant when she noticed Drew wasn't listening.

His attention was on his phone, grinning and texting so fast.

“Drew?” Jamila voiced out, and he raised his head.

“What?” He looked genuinely confused. 

“Were you even listening at all?” 

“Test tomorrow, right? You'll be fine, babe; you're so fucking smart.” He kissed her neck, and his eyes went back to his phone again.

“Here you go.” Nathaniel dropped their croissants in front of them.

"Thanks, Nathan.” Jamila smiled, her spirits lifting at the sight of the food.

She wasted no time in digging in.

~~~~~

It was past 8pm, and Malakai was at the dining table about to eat dinner when Drew and Jamila descended down the stairs.

“Hi, Dad.” Drew greeted and lowered himself on one of the dining chairs.

“Jamila, won't you join us?” Malakai inquired as she strode out of the kitchen.

“No, sorry. Will eat later. I was studying; I just came down to get water.” She replied, showing him the bottle of water. 

Jamila was about to go upstairs when two girls bulldozed into the house.

“What the absolute fuck, Jamila?” Ava, one of the girls, bit out.

“Oh no.” Jamila sighed, turning around to meet her friends.

“Oh yes. How could you let this slide again, Jams?” Danica shook her head.

“Girls, please. Let's talk outside.

This is his dad's house,” Jamila whispered urgingly.

“And his dad needs to fucking know what a piece of shit his son is!” Ava retorted sharply, facing both father and son at the dining room.