Chapter Five

• MAKUA •

An hour passed since I got dropped at my apartment. The climb to my floor - cause the elevators were conveniently out of service today - was gruesomely unending.

I replayed our conversation in my head over and over and I just didn't get it. Asking for help had been my initial plan but striking a deal had spurred out from thin air. Maybe I was testing my luck or hoping that deep down, this mysterious man had some type of crush on me.

I felt weak and disgusted with myself, having to beg for him to act like a superhero and get my life back on track. And if he had some ulterior motive beside getting to know me, he didn't let on.

I shuffled into my apartment, shutting the door behind like i'd been chased.

For a moment, I paced around the room and fiddled with anything I could grasp. Finally settling to turn on the tv. The regular news played and I drowned it out as I made my way to the bathroom.

The voice of the news anchor was subtle and almost quiet by the time I dipped into the bath. The usual banter of the state, economy and current affairs played on, that is, until they made an abrupt news intermission and announced a breaking news story.

".... Music Mogul and business entrepreneur, Ramiro Knight, found dead on the shores of Lake George, eye witnesses claim to have seen the man commit the unthinkable—"

I hadn't realized how i'd made it to the living room, or how deep the pit in my stomach had sunk. Suicide....Eye Witnesses...Just like that.

My phone buzzed on its spot on the couch, a message from an unknown number.

I told you, Dolcezza. I'll handle things from here.

This is Damian by the way

My hands fumbled the phone in it's grasps and I tried to take deep breathes. Shit. Shit. Making a deal with a man this dangerous almost made the plan with Ramiro sound more appealing. I mean I was on the verge of throwing up or crying out but still felt the sense of relief overwhelming me.

Whatever case the cops had would be gone, never to see the light of day. My career would take off properly. And I would get to spend time with a man who frankly, was way out of my league or tax bracket.

Noticing the puddle forming by the carpet, I swore under my breath and moved to leave when a message from my friend group chat lit up.

I rolled my eyes but let my smile widen. I couldn't remember the last time I had my friends in New York, talk less of town. So I would definitely not pass on this.

Just as I was typing a response, Shino's message popped up under his wife's. What a way to seal the deal honestly.

I laughed, typing back and finding my way back to the bath.

***

"Makkie!!!" Nat all but yelled out once stepped into the room, causing people to shoot daggers our way but we didn't care. She hurled herself into my arms, twirling me in the middle of the bustling cafe. "Look at you!"

She drew back, spinning me in place as her eyes roamed over me. "Dont tell me you signed up for the gym without me?" Her eyes narrowed into thin slit, an accusing glare focused on me.

"I wouldn't dare." I laughed at her dramatically quirked eyebrows before moving past the throng of people and arriving at our reserved booth. Shino, her beloved husband, cradled their hyperactive two-year-old in his grasps and threw a smile my way.

"I can't believe it." His voice was low and overly exaggerated as he spoke, mock surprise clouding his features. "International superstar, Makua Amadi, is gracing us with her presence! Where are the paps at?"

I bent forward and smacked his head, taking an eager Nato into my arms. "You know It wasn't easy making time out of my busy schedule for this. But I did, all for this cutie,"

Nato giggled as I nudged the tip of my nose against his before settling opposite his parents. He went into a theatrical rendition of what he'd been up to during the honeymoon getaway with his parents, and how he had won a few games against little kids at a beach or something. A waiter stopped by with a pastry, Nat must have ordered for him and his attention diverted immediately.

Nat rolled her eyes as she leaned forward to assist him before turning to me again. "So, how's New York been? You have to give me all the details! I swear, I'm never going to a place without reception again." She spoke more to Shino this time while he averted her gaze and focused on watching Nato eat.

It was cute to watch them together.

Nat, Shino and I had known ourselves for close to five years, meeting for the first time in college. Even then, as they denied claims of ever getting together, their chemistry was indisputable. And it came as a shock to no one when he'd gone on one knee last year and asked her to be his.

I may have shed a tear or two, but no one needed to know that. The only problem though, had been Nat's father, David Mensah. He was an adamant and semi-traditional type of guy, refusing to let her marry a Japanese man as long as he lived - until she threatened to cut ties with him.

But Nato had come unexpectedly and I prayed long and hard that they'd last and finally shut the naysayers up.

Now, having spent a month or so in a remote island with no network — much to Nat and i's dismay — we had quite a lot to cover.

"Dont tell me you're secretly dating someone," Shino chimed in, leaning in closer as Nat cocked a questioning brow in turn. "Tell me you are."

I smiled, "I'm not, now I can order something before I starve?"

They both shared a knowing smile. "What's his name? Or is it a she?"

"There's no one."

"Lies! I can tell when you're lying!" Nat was on the verge of screaming, eyes lit with interest. "Where did you meet him? Oh my God, I thought Shino was reaching, but you actually met someone?"

God, how did I dig myself into this hole? I laughed it out, shaking my head as I beckoned for a waiter. Ordering a latte and whatever pastry Nato had successfully gobbled up. He bounced on my knees now, restless as he played with the paper wrap on his plate.

When the waiter left, they resumed their taunts. "Don't tell me you had a one night stand. You deserve something stable."

"Someone stable," Shino added, "Is this guy or girl presumably, stable? What do they do for work? Hm?"

"Cmon, I said there's no -"

My phone buzzed in my pocket at the worst moment possible. The two of them looked ballistic. Ready to jump into my pocket and answer whatever text I got.

"Well?" Nat said, smiling eagerly as I looked over the text.

Before I could process it, my phone was in Nat's grasp as she and Shino read through Damian's text without a single shame in their body.

Shino sent a mischievous smile my way. "Tell him, you're free. In fact, Nat I think we should pack it up. Your schedule is now empty. If you dare argue, I'll call Harper to cancel your imaginary appointments."

I couldn't help the smile that pulled at my lips when Nat slid the phone to me, all giddy and excited. "How is he? Tell us, at least, if he's treating you well."

"He is." I said the words without thinking. We didn't know each other yet but so far, all he'd shown me was kindness and hope. And that was as way beyond what I could afford right now. And I was grateful for it.

"Well then," Their dramatic asses held my hand across the table. "We're happy for you and we'll support you. Bring him over for brunch sometime." Nat said, "and send me some pictures for an in-depth background check."

"Nat!" Shino and I laughed at the same time, never doubting her investigative skills. She would be sure to find out about his whole background within the hour if I gave her a chance to.

"Now, text that boy back!" She pointed at the phone expectantly. "Type it, we'll proof read if you want."

"No, I can type for myself, thank you."

I took a deep breath and opened the message box, typing my reply:

'I'm free, see you soon.'