“I don’t do it on purpose. That’s just the Zaman smile.”
“Oh, I know. I raised two boys with that same enchanting leer.”
“Speaking of which, how have things been since Barbados?” Nouri questioned finally taking his seat at the table.
“Well, ummm, I haven’t even been back home yet.”
“LaLa, come on now… what you mean you haven’t gone back home yet? You haven’t talked to them?”
Layla had to take a moment to regain her bearings. Cross her legs, say a quick prayer, anything to take her mind off the memories flooding her brain from Nouri calling her LaLa.
“Say what?” She couldn’t even remember the damn question.
“I said, why haven’t you been home?”
“Oh, because… shit, Onyx has a lot going on with his upcoming wedding, the label, his son. And Kas… Kas is just a hot ass mess, and they were so pissed off with me. I just sprung everything on them.”
“Sprung it on them?”
“Yes.Hi babies, I know y’all haven’t seen your father in over two decades, but he and I have been talking, and surprise, here he is… he wants to talk.What the hell was I thinking?”
“How else were you supposed to do it, La? As ashamed as I am to say it, the fact remains that I haven’t seen my sons since Kas was 5 years old. Ain’t really no way to sugarcoat it. I fucked up and don’t even deserve the title of father, as far as they’re concerned. I want to make it right for my boys though. I also want to make it right for me and you as well. You’ve done a damngood job with those boys. I’m attempting to come in at the 11thhour, but I’m here… I’m trying to make amends. Don’t obstruct the opportunity for me.”
“I’m not trying to do that, it’s just…”
“You’re used to being their everything and don’t want them to know me because you know they’d love me.”
“No Nouri, that’s not what it is. Actually, Onyx clearly fucking hates you, and I’m not even being funny. I know my big baby, and he loves hard… so hard he has difficulty grasping the difference between love and hatred. He wastes no time trying to balance himself on that thin line… he tracks right on over to that hate side.”
“We can fix that, though.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure.”
“And Kasra?”
“Um, my baby boy and Onyx have plenty of similarities, but in so many ways, he’s the polar opposite of his big brother. Nyx… he won’t be easy. It’s going to take him a while to come around. Hell, he may not come around at all. Kas though, once he feels any aspect of love or a bond, he’s gone chase it.”
“He’ll have no choice but to feel the bond. He’s the flesh of my flesh, the blood of my blood. That shit can’t be denied.”
“I’ll guess we’ll have to see.”
“When? I’d prefer sooner than later.”
“Uh, just a few more days, okay? I promise I’ll go back home and try to straighten things out. Then we can set up something for a meet up. Hopefully, Onyx won’t punch you in the face.”
A hearty laugh fled Nouri’s mouth. “I’d let him get one off on the strength that I deserve it. Anything after that, though I’d have to lay his ass out.”
“I wish you would put your hands on my son. I’d kick your ass.”
“Yea, I don’t doubt that.” Nouri smiled. “But you gone be by my side for the meet up, right? I might need you to hold my hand.”
Whew Lord, give me strength.“Yes, I’ll be there.”
“Then that’s settled. Now, let’s order because I’m hungry as hell. Tell me… is there a man in your life?”
It was Yanna’s second official day at WCMG, and her list of tasks for the label’s mixer had doubled since Onyx first gave it to her. She already felt that in the two short days she’d done way more than she had any day working in the club. So far that morning she’d finalized contracts for caterers, bartenders, and decorators. She’d ensured the audio and visual connections were up to par and also measured every inch of the lower level where the mixer would be held. To say she was beat would be an understatement. About two hours into her shift, she’d ditched her five-inch heels and replaced them with a pair of slides. Now, at nearly noon all she wanted to do was find Kas so he could buy her lunch. Since she was on the lower level, she hopped on the elevator, figuring he’d be in one of the studio suites. Once the elevator stopped on the fourth floor, she stepped off, heading down the hallway. Her search for Kas was short-lived when she noticed him walking in the opposite direction. Aside from being tired, Yanna had otherwise been in good spirits. That changed when she noticed Kas walking with Zahra. The girl was wearing a smile a mile wide while touching Kas’ arm, and to Yanna’s irritation, Kas’ smile was nearly identical. The moment he spotted Yanna, the smile tumbled from his face, and he put a few feet of space between them. When he approached Yanna, he wrapped her in his arms, squeezing her in a tight embrace.Yanna took a moment to revel in his grasp before noticing Zahra was still standing there.
“Oh, Yanna Boo, this is Zahra, a singer Onyx is scouting for the label.” He made the introduction since it hadn’t been done the first time they were in each other’s presence.
