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Mesi's POV

"So how did you and Jazmine become friends?" she asked as we sat down on the small bench that faced the house, the cool breeze rushing past us masking the heat the sun offered on a daily.

"She actually gave me the capital to start my app,"

"Your app?" she asked, surprise and curiosity hidden in her voice.

"Melanated," I informed.

"The black social media app?" she spoke in a questioning tone and I nodded.

"That's very impressive," she complimented and I released a thankful smile.

"So what do you do for a living?" I questioned before taking down a mouthful of my beer.

"I'm an editor for Pears magazine and a part-time author,"

"Really?" I asked my interest in her suddenly increasing.

"Yeah,"

"Have I read any of your works?"

"You probably have my pen name is Red," she replied and I frowned as a sense of realization stood in me introducing itself to the other emotions present in my body.

"You wrote Broken Wings?"

"Yes that's me," she voiced and I smiled in amazement.

"That's my favourite book, even though you did my girl Diana wrong at the ending," I voiced amused and she laughed pushing her locs over her shoulder.

"I'm happy you enjoyed it," she said softly as she shifted her body to face me, her actions wordlessly voicing her interest in our exchange.

"You're branching off into properties now?"

"Yes and no," She answered making me chuckle.

"What do you mean yes and no?"

"No, because I actually bought the club to scoop out talent for my publishing company that's currently in the works, and yes because Jazmine wants me to get into the whole real estate thing and with her determined nature I'm bound to become fully invested in it someday," she revealed smiling.

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Samantha's POV

A loud crash sounded and I jumped up, immediately going on guard as a sense of fear and awareness filled me.

"Tameka somebody's on the couch," A voice sounded and I looked up to see a familiar face my alerted body calming slightly as my gaze ran over her.

"Adonis that's your father's friend she's going to be staying with us," Tameka voiced and I watched as they engaged in a small conversation as I moved sitting straight on the couch wiping my face with my hand.

"So I'm only Ackeem's friend now?" I asked as the boy ran upstairs and she rolled her eyes walking into the kitchen clearly still carrying ill feelings towards me and I sighed ignoring her moving to lay down once knowing I wouldn't be going back to sleep anytime soon.

It was rare that I even slept these days, and when I did I usually woke up to nightmares that-

"You hungry?" she asked moving into my view and I gazed up at her.

"I'm good,"

"Get out of your feelings Sam," she voiced walking away, her statement forcing me to sit up once more since I didn't want it to be awkward between us, especially since I didn't know how long I would be needing to stay here.

"You let your son call you Tameka?" I asked trying to start a conversation as I stood up moving into the kitchen where she was standing washing dishes.

"He's not my son, he's Ackeem's,"

"But Ackeem said-"

"He was probably just messing with you," she mumbled

"So you guys not together?" I questioned

"Yeah we together but Adonis came from his previous relationship," she voiced and I hummed in understanding.

"I'll wash them," I offered, feeling as if I kinda owed them both despite her body language that made me know it was more Ackeem's decision for me to stay here and she quickly rinsed her hands clean.

"It's the least you could do," she uttered her attitude making me smile since it was the only thing that felt like home, the only thing that remained the same in a world that seemed so different now.

"A thank you would do," I replied as she moved over to the refrigerator and I turned to the dishes cleaning them.

"Those the only clothes you got?" she asked after a few seconds of silence and I kept my gaze on the task at hand.

"What's wrong with my clothes?" I asked confused not really seeing the issue.

"You look like you robbed Tupac what you mean?" she asked making me laugh and I was about to turn to face her, but the approaching footsteps had me staying still as she moved to stand beside me.

"I think I look good," I told her truthfully.

"You need to get your hair done too," she said referring to my month-old cornrows.

"You gonna do it for me?" I joked

"No, you should've let whatever girl you were talking to in prison do it," she mumbled sipping her juice and I smiled.

"I wasn't talking to nobody in prison,"

"So you had another stud all up in your head?" she asked amused and I chuckled washing the dishes clean transferring them to the drainer.

"No, I did it myself,"

"No you didn't,"

"Yes, I did,"

"The Sam I know has two left hands,"

"That Sam is gone," I said covering the dishes looking at her, my words holding a lot of reality and emotions.

"You still full of shit" she announced placing her cup in the sink walking out.

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