We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.
- George Bernard Shaw

The Next Morning...

Zee...

I entered the house, hearing shuffling of pots and pans in the kitchen. I had just walked home from school, since my parents worked late and couldn't come get me from my after school program. Luckily I didn't have to walk home by myself today. Bricks had basketball practice so we walked home together. He lived down the block from me.

I traveled up the steps seeing my mother cooking on the stove, while my father just watched desperately. I glared at them, shaking my head as I walked up the steps to my room. I couldn't wait to leave out this God forsaken house. I threw my bag on the floor, flopping down on my bed. I kicked my shoes off, putting my hair into a bun. I jumped, walking to the door when I heard the pans fumble to the floor.

I jogged half way down the steps, sitting down mid-point where I could see my mother and father in the kitchen. This was their usual routine. They worked, come home and start a whole mess. They argued and fought so much that they forgot I was even here. Well they didn't know I existed anyway.

"Who is she?" My mother questioned as she chopped up the onions and green peppers for the steak. My father shook his head, scratching the top of it.

"I don't know what you're talking about." My father sighed, untangling his facial hair. My mother laughed, turning around as she pointed the blade at him.

"Dimitri don't play fucking stupid with me! The bitch came to my job threatening me. "Are you Sirod Banks? Well tell your husband he's late on his child support. If he doesn't pay, everything you own will be mine." What the fuck was she talking about Dimitri? You got a child I don't know about? Huh!" My mother threw the knife in the sink as my father stood quiet.

I could tell he was lying, I could see it in his face. The way he smirked when my mother confronted him. It just made me hate him more. I hated them both.

"The only child I have is Zee who's 14 years old. I'm not sleeping with anyone else." He calmly spoke.

"Bull fucking shit Dimitri! She showed me the picture of Xavier. He's 17 and he looks just like you! There's no denying it! You cheated you fucking son of bitch! And I was blind to see it! But it all make sense now! Money missing from our joint account, and not just a twenty here and there, but fucking thousands! I-" My father cut her off connecting his fist to her jaw.

I watched my mother fall up against the stove that was in use, accidentally burning her hand and face on the eye of it. It wasn't the first time my father put his hands on her, it's like I said before. This was a daily routine. I was numb to the fact that my father beat my mother constantly. I don't know why he did it, and I never knew why my mom stayed. It was all just a fucked up mess.

My mother wept in the middle of the floor as my father snatched his keys off the counter. He coldly glared at me walking out slamming the door. I walked down the steps to go comfort my mother. Why I don't know she was a bitch to me my whole life. But she was my mother and as the loving and caring person I once was, I hated seeing her like this. No one wants to see their mother cry. As soon one foot hit the marble floor of the kitchen,  she stopped me by grabbing my wrist firmly.

"Get out!" She exclaimed.

"But mom I just wan-" She got up, slapping me as I held my face in shock slowly reverting my attention to her. It was the first time she ever hit me hell even noticed me. I looked at her with tear filled eyes and she glared at me with anger.

"I don't need you feeling sorry for me. Get...out." She broke down through gritted teeth.

I flutter my eyes open to Bricks laying beside me, so I snuggle up against him. When I got home at 4 this morning, he was outside his car waiting for me. He told me he just wanted cuddle and talk and honestly I wanted the same.

We talked for hours, some funny things but mostly serious. I told him why I won't let him in or want to be in a relationship. It was honestly from the damage of my parents. I spent hours at a time talking about it, even shed a couple tears but nothing to dramatic. I can't say I'm over the abuse, but I'm done crying about a lot of shit. I don't remember when was the last time I cried like broke down in Kim K mode.

I do know I need to see what's in that envelope X delivered to me last night. That's been bugging me too. I hate to wake Bricks up because I know as soon as I move, he'll awake.

"Bricks." I call. He turns over, removing his arm from around me. I sit up, grabbing my shorts off the floor slipping them on. I grab my keys, telling Bricks I'll be right back. I walk out my apartment, down the steps to the door.

I shield my eyes from the evening sun, walking towards my car. I unlock it getting in on the passenger side, opening my glove compartment. I grab the heavy envelope out of it, closing my door. I know the guy told me to open it in private so I guess I should do that.

I open the envelope, pulling out a small recorder, a key of some sort and about $500,000 wrapped tight in plastic wrap. It's amazing how that money even got in there. I quickly stuff that back in the envelope, checking my surroundings. That's all I need is to get robbed.

After putting the money back in the glove compartment, I take the recorder off my lap studying it. Turning it over I see it says 'play me.' I do just that.

Recording:

*Shuffling of paper for like 5 minutes then stops. The sound of a lighter flicks then Xavier inhales, Rick James- Mary Jane softly playing in the background.
He coughs, "Shit" hitting what sounds like his chest. He takes a sip of some substance, clearing his throat once done. He then begins to speak.*

"What up sis. If you get this recording, that means I'm dead." *theres a long pause.*

"Nah I'm just playing. I'm not dead, but I am in some serious shit and this could possibly be my last recording." *He sighs.*

"I did some dirty shit and I need you do something for me. I can't really explain it right now, but I promise I will when I see you again. All I can tell you is that the keys is to your old house. Somebody will be waiting for you there. When you arrive, you have to knock three times before entering. Then you say the name Adrese and he'll answer to you. You're going to hand him the money then leave. If something doesn't seem right Zee, you run with the money."

*The sound of the door being broke in sounds. "Get the nigga!" Someone says. "Fuck." Xavier mumbles as the sound of running and inaudible words are thrown around. The sound of someone groaning and punches to the body unfolds, then gunshots rang. There's the sound of the recorder being moved and heavy breathing. The recorder then stops.* 

"Shit." I say under my breath. It's only six in the afternoon and I have to wait untill midnight to do this shit? Xavier has some explaining to do when I see him. I can't believe we're doing this shit again.

°°₩°°

Later that night...

Zee...

I sat in front of the old house reminiscing of all the bad I went through. It was really bothering me that I had to do this at a place that literally made my skin crawl. I vowed to never come back here and now I have too. My phone rang startling me with its loud ringing. My screen flashes Unknown so I knew I had to answer it.

"Hello."

"Is this Zee? Xavier's baby sister?" A unfamiliar voice questions. Sounds sexy though.

"Yea. Who-"

"Change of plans ma. You see the alley down the street? Adrese said to bring it this way." The raspy voice says.

"Now how do I know you not trying steal money from someone else?" I question suspiciously. He chuckles slyly.

"Because I am Adrese baby. Now stop playing and bring me my money." I bite my bottom lip at his aggressiveness, looking to see if I see him. That's when I notice a tall muscular figure come out the alley with the phone to his ear.

"Is that you in all blue?" I question.

"Yea. Is that you in the tan fucked up Lexus?" He laughs, I smack my lips hanging up my phone. I take the money out the glove compartment, getting out as he meets me. I stared at his hazel brown eyes mesmerized. The Lord above took his time on this one.

"Damn." I mumble to myself skimming his 6'4" body. He flashes his cocaine white smile laughing. Dental on fleek.

"I could say the same myself." He chuckles, leaning back to get the view of my ass. I smirk, rolling my eyes.

"Quite the charmer, here." I hand him the money and as soon as it touches his hand, gunfire goes off. Adrese pushes me in my car getting in as well. My heart races as he tells me to get down so I do as told.

"Are they gone?" I question with my head between my knees. I slowly sit up looking back as he did the same.

"Yea. We need to go before twelve comes doe. You mind if I drive your car around to where I parked?" He questions.

"No." I breathe pushing my hair out my face. I could feel him staring at me as I adjusted my dress, and chest. I looked over at him seeing his brows furrowed.

"What?" I chuckle.

"I seen you some where." He tells me. I laugh, putting my curls into a bun. I can't tell you how many times I heard that. We pull off as the ride began intensely silent until he broke it.

"You not gone ask where I seen you?" He intrigues. I laugh shaking my head no.

"Can I get a hint?" He chuckles. I laugh smoothly, cutting my eye at him.

"No." He sighs scratching his head as he kept looking at me. Thats when he started humming my theme music when I step on stage. I laughed to myself, shaking my head.

"Bandit! That's your name on stage at Envy. I see why they call you that, your eyes are very intriguing. And that body is bound to steal any bodies heart." He smirks. I roll my eyes, looking out the window.

"I take it you're a regular?" I dryly assume.

"Only when you performing ma." I look over at him raising a brown as he puts the car in park smiling. I could tell he was the player type and honestly that's fine with me. I mean I already don't want a relationship. As he gets out, I climb over to the driver's side.

"By the way I got your number ma. If I need something—" He skims my body, licking his lips.

"I'll call you." He closes my door for me, winking as I sat in the driver's seat just watching his every move.

As he licks his lips, I clench my thighs tight, scratching the back of my neck. Chills tickling my whole body. Something is telling me to stay away from him though. But my body is telling me other wise.

"You will be the death of me."