'I've been down so long it look like up to me

They look up to me

I got fake people showin' fake love to me

Straight up to my face, straight up to my face'

_-_

K I N G

"Don't Leave!" Maya protested.

She jutted out her bottom lip in a pout and pulled Omari back by his belt loops to where she was perched on the counter top - wrapping her arms around his neck. Omari smiled softly as he showered her face with gentle kisses.

Since they had woken up, Maya had been adamant that Omari didn't leave but instead stayed and babied her for the day. Although Omari wasn't opposed to the idea he had things he had to sort out that he couldn't do from the comfort of her apartment.

He leaned down so that their foreheads were pressed together, gazing into her brown orbs as she gazed into his. He quickly pressed his lips to hers revelling in how soft they were. His hands gingerly rubbed her voluptuous hips - fighting the urge to throw her over his shoulder and take her back to the bedroom like a caveman.

"Come on Maya, I'll text you later." He assured her, "Plus I'll watch The Lion King on Disney Plus with you tonight." He added noting the glint in her eye.

It seemed as though since yesterday, the roles were now reversed and it was Maya pleading with Omari to stay instead of the other way around. For some reason it made him smile. Though it was probably the after effects of their sexual encounter in the shower.

Maya bit her lip, running a hand through her damp hair, "Well I do have to study..." She trailed off. Omari hummed leaning back as he stared at her with amusement. They gently swayed together - no words passing between them as they enjoyed the moment. Maya exhaled, pulling her hands away from his waist as she kissed him on the lips softly. Omari groaned pulling back. If he didn't leave now he wouldn't be leaving till the next day.

"I'll text you." He promised, finally pulling away as he caressed her thigh softly before grabbing his keys that were lying next to her.

Maya nodded, rubbing the back of her neck as she watched him walk out into the hallway. Ralph trailed after him, barking a farewell until the sound of the door shutting softly filled her ears. Jumping off the counter, Maya pulled down the T-shirt she wore and left the kitchen.

Mayalika groaned in frustration. She had no classes today and the exam she was had to write wasn't due for another few days plus the bakery was closed due to her Grandma being in Manhattan for the day visiting her older brother. She couldn't call Sadie because was too sick to leave her apartment so Maya was completely alone.

Maya rolled her eyes before casting down towards the idle pup. As if sensing her, Ralph looked up at his owner with the same bored expression. Glancing at the leash on the counter she turned to look back at the boxer.

"Are you up for a morning jog?" She inquired glancing at the leash on the counter.

/@/

King pulled up to a red light, glancing down at his phone that had buzzed for the second time. He grumbled under his breath, snatching it up and sliding across the answer icon. He knew it wasn't Maya or Keira since they both had their own personalised ringtones set into his phone. Maya had made sure of it.

"Speak." He commanded. z

"Damn bruh you get a girl and decide to switch on me? I guess eleven years of friendship means nothing." Quincy complained through the phone.

"Quincy if yo ass ain't sayin' nun important you best jump off my line!" King kissed his teeth. He seriously wasn't in the mood for playing around today.

All he wanted to do today was be by his girl but he knew he couldn't leave the business to run itself. He had been absent twice in the three months he and Mayalika had been dating: he didn't want to make that number any bigger.

"Ok...ok! No need to jump down my throat but listen when can you make your way to the trap?" Quincy inquired.

King placed his phone on the seat beside him as he set off again. He checked the time on his dashboard. It was slowly reaching mid-day.

"It will have to be after I swing by my house. Why wassup?" He questioned. He was only five minutes from home now and the trap was ten minutes away from his home.

"Well stop by once you've done there. Donavan got some information and it ain't good..." Quincy's voice became deeper. King's brows furrowed at his tone.

"Aight. Tell Donavan to send me a message." He stated before hanging up - not waiting for a response.

Mike was the best detective he knew. You could small piece of information and he'd come back with everything there was to know about it. Since he killed those three men, King had made his security tighter. He couldn't trust anyone in these streets. No-one was loyal.

Pulling into his driveway King saw an unfamiliar car parked near his garage obstructing the view. There was no way it belonged to his sister since she hadn't driven a car since she was in high school. King shook his head parking outside of his house before hurriedly getting out of his car and striding towards his door.

He had left his glock on his coffee table in the living room and he was going to get it. King was unlocking his door when he heard the sound of the car door slam and the urgent tap of heels.

"KING!" A melodious voice called out.

He felt a small pang in his chest at the sound of the voice. The one he had grown to hate over three years. He felt his mouth curl in displeasure as he turned to the owner of the voice. The voice he had once held dear to his heart.

She still looked as beautiful as she had the day she had left three years ago. Her soft curls were now neatly cut into an ink black bob; framing her soft round face. Her light complection was coated in makeup that was dark and shadowy, hey plump red lips enhancing her Bambi-like grey eyes. Her origin was unknown since she had grown up in the foster system until her grandmother found her.

King couldn't help but admire her slim despite her enduring the changes of pregnancy. It only seemed to add to her beauty. Even after all she had done to him in a fucked up way Omari still couldn't help the feeling of lust that washed over him but as soon as it had appeared it was washed away by the look she was sending his way.

"What are you doing here Quinn." He questioned softly. He hated how his voice sounded whenever he was around her. Quinn pouted moving closer to him until the scent of her perfume invaded his senses.

She didn't seem to hear his question as her eyes glazed over, a faint smile gracing her face. She tucked a stray strand behind her pointy ear as she looked up at him with a shy smile.

"Remember when after basketball practise you would walk me home and kiss me on my parents porch every night." She reminisced. Her eyes cleared as she reached a cold hand up - placing it against his cheek.

"I miss it." She whispered, "I miss us!"

He flinched under her touched as if she had burned him which in a sense she had. That trick may have worked on him back when they were together but he was wiser know. He knew what she was like. Quinn frowned slightly but she brushed it off.

"Cut the shit Quinn. There ain't been an 'us' for three years and there ain't ever gonna be," He spat harshly as he crossed his hands over his chest, "No I'm going to ask you one more time. What do you want?" He demanded ignoring the way she recoiled in shock. In all the years even when they weren't together King acted hostile to her.

"Even after all these years..." She whispered. Tears began clouding her vision as gentle whimpers escaped her mouth.

King could feel his heart beating though it wasn't for her. It was the pain of the past that they had shared together that King missed but he wouldn't change it. Not one bit. Though that didn't stop him from yearning to pull her into his embrace even if it was one last time.

He couldn't. Not now that Mayalika was involved. Unknowingly, she had an effect on everything he did. If she was happy he was and if she wasn't he'd go to hell and back to make her happy again.

"Quinn, look. I can't do this with you...I'm in a relationship." He stated watching her cautiously for her reaction.

Quinn's eyebrows raised in surprise, 'Who on earth had replaced her?!'.

Quinn's lip curled in disgust, stepping back slightly from him. She folded her arms over her bite-sized breasts, her freshly waxed brows raised into her hairline.

"Oh," Quinn whispered, "I didn't know." she said solemnly. She looked into the eyes that once held love and adoration for her but saw nothing but boredom. A cruel laugh escaped her lips as she looked up towards the bright blue sky. He shook his head, watching her turn around and gradually walk towards her car. Before she opened her door, Quinn spun around to King to find he hadn't moved.

"Do you mind if I ask who she is?" Quinn enquired.

"Yes...I do." He stated coldly.

Quinn nodded, opening the door to her car, slipping in. She waited a minute before pulling out of the drive and speeding down the street. King breathed out. Everyone was pissing him off today and the only person who could soothe him was across town.

/@/

He took a pull from his blunt, exhaling his signature cloud of smoke. He picked up his phone once again speaking clearly into the other end of the phone.

"Part two of our plan is in action," He spoke simply.

"He's been distracted lately," She said vaguely.

This caught his interest, he stubbed his cigarette out, sitting up in his chair.

"Who with?" He questioned.

"Some girl," She spat into the phone, "Mayalika, I sent you a file of her." She added.

He looked to his left where a manilla folder sat on the worn desk, his grin seemed to broaden, his golden tooth gleamed in the dim light.

"So you have." He commented.

"Watch her too."

_-_

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