||13||

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

"Girl your hairdo is amazing!" Kenya compliments.
"Thank you,"I kiss her on the cheek as I sit down with her before doing the same for Hannah.

"Is there a reason behind what you just did?" Hannah's jaw drops.
"What did I do?"
"Oh don't give me that, you know what I meant," she swats.
"Plus you're acting different today," Kenya purrs , taking a sip of her cocktail.

"Can we just enjoy our girl's night and pause with the remarks," my eyes bulge at my last words.
"Fine," they said in unison.

We're back at the jazz club, since our last night out had us with major hangovers the next day... we're getting old, I know.

As usual, I am the first to stand and ask to leave.

"It's literally ten pm, why would you want to go now?" Hannah frowns.
"I'm sleepy," I grab my small purse, taking out my phone to make sure I got the time right.

I walk out the club and into my car, driving off slowly but surely.

The next day is cloudy once again, and with January coming to an end, I know the road will be filled with cars to and from malls because obviously it was payday the day before.

Meaning, I can't go to work. Meaning I'm spending my Saturday in bed. Meaning I'll be able to dream endlessly without being bothered.

The drawer next to the headboard vibrates from the phone. Only once, indicating that it is a message.

Christian
Today

Good morning. Are we going hotel scouting today? [0844]

Oh no. Kenya's request for Hannah's birthday.

Can't I sleep so that I don't doze off in church tomorrow?

My phone rings and I swipe the screen-pissed...kinda.

"What?!"I snap into the device.
"Are you okay, Imani?"
"Never felt better, Christian. What do you want?"
"I was wondering why you weren't responding actually, have you seen the message I sent?"
"Ofcourse I have, why today?"I ask, annoyed.
"Because it's-"
"Because it's Saturday, I know that," I cut in, and I hear him chuckle on his end.

"I'll be by your house in a bit. Trying to beat traffic here,bye,"

"Uuggh!" I scream, angrily pushing the duvet off of my body.

I didn't want to get out of bed today! And he better bring a peace offering, because I have a rack of knives if there isn't any.

-

"Good morning,"
"Just get in before I lash out at you," I cock my head to the side so he enters.
"Are you always this uptight in the morning?"

I stop in my steps, analysing his question.

Is he being provocative?

"Am I this uptight? What do you think?" I smile an emotionless smile.
"That I don't like that smile?" He responds, arms folded.
"I'll let you go on this one because we have to make progress- for Hannah," I march into the kitchen to make breakfast for myself.

"Your kitchen looks lovely, by the way," he walks around the island and follows me to the sink.
"Thank you," I say uninterested. He just made me not want to strangle his neck over me being uptight.

Pshh, as if I'm uptight in the first place!

"What are you thinking about?" He asks in a low tone.
"Ways to kill you after Hannah's birthday party," I respond in monotone.

"Is that so?" He leans on the counter with his elbows.
"Very much so," I raise my chin up, placing the cordless kettle on it's base to heat up.

"Well, I happen to have nine lives,"
"Wow," I snort, "That's real corny,"
"Why would you say that?"
"How many lives are you left with?" I arch a brow.
"Still on nine,"

We laugh at the horrid joke just as my phone rang in my pocket.

My mother.

Way to ruin the fun.

"Yes,ma,"
"Hello, Ima. Are you with James?"
"I'm fine thanks and how are you, mama?" I point out, she rarely asks how I'm doing and just cuts to the news.
"Look, don't play jokes with me here. I asked him if he knew where you stay and he has no idea, why is that?"

Oh for the love of God, why is she making life difficult?! Not to mention too obvious what her intentions are for James and I. And mind you I'm not even interested in this man- at all.

"Mama, can we not talk about it,please. It's none of his concern where I live so why does it bother you so much?" I almost forgot Christian was in the room and now it gets real.

"Do you even know where he stays?"

Ofcourse, I do. Because he mentioned it in passing that he's at at a hotel while waiting for his duplex when flaunting his achievements and contracts over lunch the day I went out with him.

"No, I don't know," I lie.
"Well ask him. I will say this once, you two need each other that side, and it would be very selfish of you to let him go about his life there by himself,"

"Selfish?" I raise my voice," Mama, you're the one constantly nag-" I stop and glance over at Christian who gives me an innocent look.

Gosh I can't even argue when he's around.

"Just say it, Ima. I know you have a mouth nowadays,"
"Goodbye ma," I end the call and slump into the tall chair next to me.

"Is everything alright?" He walks slowly towards me.
"Yes, um... I just need to go get dressed so we sort out the hotel issue," I stand to leave the kitchen.

× × ×

Christian and I had gone through almost all the places we knew had rooftop decks for events, and shortlisted a few in the process all til afternoon.

"Christian I'm hungry," I whisper as we walk into the elevator of the last hotel we ticked off.
"We'll find something, don't worry," he rubs my back, pressing the ground floor button with the other hand.
"And my feet are sore," I bit my bottom lip.
"You're such a baby now, aren't you?" he chuckles.

"Am not," shove him with my elbow.

The elevator bell rings once we're on the ground floor and we walk out.

"There's a café over there, if you want anything?" he offers.
"Christian, I don't do coffee at lunchtime. I eat heavy," I tap his hard chest twice and exit the building and into the parking lot.

"Where are your keys?" I stand by the driver's door.
"You want to drive th-"

"Just hand me the keys, will you?" I walk up to him, searching for the keys myself.
"You won't find anything you know," he chuckles and my hand reaches for his back pocket.

"Give me the keys... or I grope your ass," I threaten him.
"Like that will- ah!" He hisses.
"Told you I would,"
"I consider this harassment," his hand snakes round my waist.
"Oh really? Hand me the keys or I'll take even serious action,"

"For goodness sake,Imani we're in a parking lot!" He laughs.

"Imani?" Our heads turn to the source of the deep voice that said my name.

Ah shit.

"Ugh," I grunt, letting go of Christian's (fine) ass to fold my arms across my chest.

"White men, huh?"
"You watch your damn mouth, James," I growl at him.
"Hi, I'm James. It's an absolute honor meeting you," he stretches his hand out to Christian.

How comical , James. Very impressive.

"Don't," I block his body with my arm.

"Oh, so you're defending him?"
"What do you want,huh?"
"I live here. Remember, Aristokrat Hôtel?" I turn and realised that I didn't even take note that this was where he lives.

"Get a house," I spat.
"That is in motion. But, let's not wade into that because I'm still wondering why you're this cosy with this white m-"
"Shut up!" I shout. "I know why you're stressing on that you jacka-" I hold back my words, "Look, just leave, gosh!" I turn towards the car.

"And for your own information he's my man!" I seethe.

Both of them gape at my use of the word.

"Go tell my mother for all I care! You're good at it after all!" I proceed to the car, fuming.
"Imani, relax," Christian coos behind me.
"Ugh, give me the damn keys and let's go!" He takes them out as I approach him, grabbing them from him before making my way back to the car.

"Get in the car!" I order, watching him approach James and say a few words that I couldn't catch before walking towards the car.

I notice James eyeing me as he walks off, and finally he's out of sight once the passenger door shut.

"Imani?" Christian holds my hand that is on the gearstick.
"It's ok, it's-... just, wow," I rest my head on the steering wheel, letting go of his hand.

I knew I'd be strong about this whole, relationship? Is that what we're in?

Sounds odd saying 'relationship' but eitherway, this feels like alot to handle only because my mother and father (mostly my mother) won't approve of it.

First they'd notice he's...white.
Then that he's not in our tribe.
Then they'd notice he's neither a doctor,laywer (like James) or leader of some higher rank or anything.

Then they'd conclude that I'm a disgrace.
The End.

Ugh and James! The balls of that goody two shoes!

"Imani, calm down,"
"I am calm!" I raise my voice.
"No, you're heaving,"
"But Christian, of all times necessary to show up, James picks lunchtime? When I'm hungry?" I scowl.

"You know what, let's just head over to where you wanted us to go and eat. You'll explain everything much better after eating," he leans in to kiss my cheek.

He's right. I mean, the only reason I'm overthinking this, even though it makes logical sense the extent to which I'll get screwed by my parents, is because I'm hungry.

I turn the volume knob of Christian's radio to the max and sing along to whichever songs I knew as they played.

"Better lower it now before the police show up and give you a ticket," he turns it down a bit.
"I'm trying to loosen up,"I admit.

"Then don't overdo it, just let the music speak to you," he gives an assuring smile.
"I'm hungry, Christian. Let's get this food first before finding revelations from your music,"

We walk into a flame grilled chicken restaurant and I made sure I'd be the one to place our order.

"To-go, please," Christian adds.
"What, why?"my eyes bulge at his request.
"Meal to go?" The lady behind the counter asks.
"Yes," Christian confirms.

Wow.

_________________________________

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net