{CHAPTER 0.5}
THE GIFT OF THE MAGI

"They say you really find yourself when the most fucked up shit happens to you."
-d.d

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"HAPPY BIRTHDAY RIQ!" I exclaim from behind I'm coming to his side as he smiled soon taking me an embrace. "Thanks Lani." He told me, for most people their birthdays are joyful but not for my little brother figure. For him it was a reminder that he wasn't a twin anymore while he'll be turning a new age his sister, my best friend would forever be 15. And that thought alone made us both sick to our stomachs.

"Whats that?" he asked noticing I was hiding something behind my back. "I don't know just a little something for you." I told him revealing a green GUCCI box  from behind me. He laughed, "Lani.." He started but I stopped him, "Just open it." I told him as he stopped his refusing, soon lifting the lid of the gift box only to se stacks of hundreds. His eyes brightened soon looking up at me. "Its 18,000$" I told him plainly knowing he would refuse. "Lani you know me and you know Im--

"You are.. taking it." I told him because of the true meaning to why I was giving it to him. "Raina and I always talked about how on our birthdays we'd give each other 18,000$ because by 18 we thought we would've made it big with millions to our names and not because our last names." I told I'm smiling remembering my best friend and the ambitions we shared, soon whipping tears that fell. "So take it for her." I told him as he nodded hugging me tighter than before, soon getting a call. "Hey, Ma." I heard I'm say from beside me as we walked the the grounds.

"Hey, Tasha." I voiced into the phone has Riq gave it to me as he put the box of cash in his bookbacg. "Little Lani Milani."She said as I soon got a brief flashback;

Oct. 4 , 2019

Young Raina and Milan ran around the St.Patrick  New York penthouse filling it with nothing but laughter and cheer. "Lani Milani." Tommy called out grabbing the little girl spinning her around. Even though it was the Twins birthday he made sure she felt special. "I love you uncle Tommy."

End of flashback

"Your all grown up now, what 19 next week?" Tasha went on, "yep, "

"Aww, I miss you and Raina giving me and Monica heart attacks." She told me shocking back tears that you didn't need eyes to see. "Yea..me too." I smiled bittersweetly as I soon gave the phone back to Tariq. As my attention soon fell to my phone getting a text from Cane. "Yeah, I'm gonna come visit you, but I gotta study for this test I have to take." I heard Riq say causing me to look over at I'm seeing is run to end his moms call. "So I gotta go right now. I'll talk to you later. All right, love you." He said as I saw his distracted gaze locked somewhere else to see him looking at Cane in his black Range. We both approached the car. "Ma." He smiled, licking his lips looking at me. "Nigga."He spoke shifting his eyes towards Riq.

"Whats up?" Tariq said rolling is eyes, "You work for us right? So get the fuck inna car." Cane stated, "Yo fine ass too." he added as got out the car coming over to my side to open my door while Tariq hopped in the back. Not before Cane grabbed me by my waist pushing me close while he kissed me soon trying to reaching into my tights. Only for me to slowly push off. "Thank you. Riq spat.

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What do Monet need to talk to me about? What's the reason for this meeting? Tariq asked as would soon arrive at the Tejada slot. She ain't say, all right? All she said was to pick you up and drop you off. Cane told him as he had one hand on the wheel as the other rested on my thigh. As the two went on talking about pretty much nothing we pulled up at the house only to see that cop from the first night I met Cane leaving. "What's he doing over here? He looking for you or he just part of the fam?" Riq asked noticing him.

"Neither, he just a dirty-ass cop."

"How come Monet trust a crooked cop? Man, you know them niggas is worse than regular cops." Riq went on to say as me and cane agreed "Facts." We both spoke. These niggas only come around and take sh¡t. Your money, your freedom, or your life. Cane told us, but me Riq knew all about that. Shit its only two ways out the game behind bars or in the ground shit that always lead back to 12. "What's that cop taking from Monet?" Tariq asked, I almost let the word pussy escape my lips. I wouldn't be like its something Cane doesn't know, he loved his mother practically kissed the ground the women walked on but isn't that how then hood niggas be anyway?

We soon entered the house Riq first, then me and Cane last as he closed the door behind us all while D and Monet dedcened from the stairs. "What's up, Diana?" Riq greeted knowing exactly what his nigga ass was doing I only rolled my eyes. "Hey, D" I smiled greeting her not that she cared much seeing Riq ass in her presence. "Tariq, I didn't know you were coming by." She said all flirty flashing a smile.

Hey, what's up with your mans? Cane spat, which only made me glare at Tariq fa being messy which is way Cane in here hot. "Who you talking about, Cane?"

" I'm talking about that bum-ass cop you had parked out front."

What? Both D and Monet question confused at the outburst. " Nah, fuck that. This my house too. I wanna know why this nіgga Ramirez feels comfortable enough to show up during the day, where anybody could see him and he fuck up our business." Cane went on getting more heat as he thought about it. "Cane, you know we do not discuss family business in front of company." Monet told him getting a little heated herself looking at Canes face I knew his next words were not gonna make this conversation end pretty.

I soon grabbed his arm before we spoke again, "How bout go for a drive?" I questioned more like told him as I dragged towards the door. Monets face calmed as she nodded her head as I got Cane out the door. "I'll see you later Riq fa the turn up."

"Fasho, stay safe."he told me as I closed the front door, "Always." I shot back.

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Me and Cane approached his range as he went to the driver seat I stopped him. "Unt un, im driving." I told him standing in front of the door. "Fuck no Lan, this like my baby." He told me, odiously not used to me getting what I want. I got closer to him backing him up into the car, soon skillfully moving my hand down his torso down to his other big "pipe" he groan at the pleasurable feeling as his eyes closed even so slightly. Taking the opportunity I went in his jacket pocket taking his car keys. "Thank you, baby." I said removing my hand and jumping in the driver. "Get your hand off your dick and get in."I told him winking only making him shake his head and smile.

"You're crazy." He told me bringing my face to his giving me a kiss before we pulled off.

I literaly love them so bad y'all <3