Aubrey walked into a clothing store named '1 Av' after being turned away from 4 retail jobs that claimed they weren't hiring, she stopped at the final one on the strip. She prayed she would get the job, not only because these jobs were the closest to the area she planned on living in, but because she was tired of looking.

Aubrey didn't have any skills, or job qualifications under her belt so she was hoping her looks and mannerism would get her far, the pretty girl privilege is what most would call it.

"Hello, May I have a job application, and to speak with a hiring manager?" she smiled brightly at the young woman working the cash register. Aubrey dressed as professional as she could, "Remember mami, you can only make a first impression once, so always make sure it's a good one" she repeated the words of her mother in her head.

Aubrey mentally jumped for joy when she realized the manager was a guy, making this easier. Finishing the job application as soon as he stopped in front of her "My name is Reek, the manager, what can I do for you?" His eyes made her nervous, she never liked things like this.

"Hello, my name is Aubrey, and I'm new to Miami. I just wanted to introduce myself, so you could get to know me. This would be my first job, but I promise I won't disappoint." The man in front of Aubrey eyes went from her to the door

"East, what's good? You right on time. This lady here name is Aubrey. Aubrey this is the owner of this fine Establishment and any other store you come across with the name 1 Av" He pointed at the man of the hour, all of the attention went to him, it made her wonder if they were really here for the clothes or just to see "East"

His hard demeanor tugged her in, his strong Gucci cologne made her smile, it was the same one Unique wore often, mainly because it was little Malaysia's favorite.

East reminded her a lot of her father, and this was probably the type of man he wanted her to stay away from. The more she stood in his presence, the more the aura of power spilled from him and the more she wanted East.

His eyes trailed down Aubrey's body, and the way her shape fit perfectly in her outfit. "Nigga is this my job or yours? you trying to hire her?" The manager read over the application

"I mean, shit, why not? We need the extra employee." The unprofessionalism was high, but she knew she would have fun working at 1 Av, "aight ma, you hired. Come back tomorrow with your ID and social Security card. Welcome to the team." He shook her hand, as East just simply walked back to his office.

She was happy, ecstatic. The lady at the register smiled at her, giving her a congratulations before she walked out going to her all white Maybach.

"You did it Aubrey!" Sticking her middle finger up at the other stores around her she laughed "ah hah bitches, and I still got a job. I know them bitches were just haters." Picking up her phone, she dialed her mother number, something she did often after she received good news. Dropping it in the glove compartment, her eyes began to cloud, and she immediately pulled over

"I just want to go home, why did you make me go? I'm sorry."

After leaving "1 Av" East showed up to the warehouse. He had to make his rounds today. Mainly, he had to count the money two of his workers owed him.

He placed the money in the money scanner watching it flip through quickly, with every second he contemplated on if he wanted to off these niggas or not.

Standing up from the table, he placed his gun in his waist, he made the decision to keep them alive, remembering when he was trying to get into the position they were in.

At 17, he was aware of the financial struggle his mother was going through. He heard around from the young niggas in his neighborhood, that they were getting put on with a man named Unique. He couldn't wait to meet him, and mostly he couldn't wait to see his moms face when he showed her all the bills was paid.

"Get out my face before I change my mind and kill one of y'all" he mugged them, as the two rushed out the office.

"I'm just trying to get in my bag, I need to help my moms she struggling. I'm the only thing she got. I can't keep watching her stress like this" He pleaded with Unique.

"Nah, I won't let you do it." He shook his head no, with a wave of his hand everyone ran from outside of the room except the woman beside him. Her face showed pity for the young boy. Maybe because she didn't have a child to care for her the way he cared for his mother, the power couple didn't have anyone but each other, at least that's what the people said. "I hear your name in the streets son, you got a future in the ball shit. You gone put Harlem back on. I don't want you fucking that up. Keep your head in the books, and keep praying. Keep faith" He dismissed Dave in a better manner than he did his workers.

2 weeks had passed, and he woke up to the gospel music playing, he knew it was time for him to get some chores done.

Pulling his basketball shorts up as he got out of bed he peeked his head out to his mother dancing.

"Papiiii!" Excitement flashed over her face when she seen her son, he looked more and more like Mase everyday. "I don't know how, and I don't know why but God answered our prayers. The bills are paid off, I'm not in debt anymore" Dave didn't notice his mother tears, until he felt them on his shirt.

"There was big boxes of food this morning. Signed with a U on the front, and letters showing I didn't owe anything. I don't know if we're going to use the food but it was the thought ya know?" Dave smiled at his mother genuine smile. Something he hadn't seen in months. 

He knew what the U was for.

Unique.

How could a man so many feared, also be his and his mother's biggest blessing?

Standing up from his chair, he sighed. He had lost faith in God, and his mother. He didn't know if he made the right choice, but it was the choice he made and now he had to live with it.

It was East Way.

——
The chapters will get longer, but Vote, comment, all that. If not, thanks for reading ❤️

I have two chapters written already 😭