It was another dull day at work for Charmaine. She was doing nothing so she started packing her things up. She walked over to Kain desk where he was obviously chatting it up with some female.

It had been a week since he had any kind of stress reliever. All he needed was some head.

Charmaine rolled her eyes grabbing her check off of his desk.

Kain paid no mind to her. Charmaine didn't know if it was too early to be taking a liking into another man. She had just gotten out of an abusive relationship she was stuck in for. almost five years.

Kain seemed to be that somebody she needed. He did care about her well being. Protected her numerous times and he understood her.

She felt some type of way that Kain was acting the way he was.

Left out not saying another word to him.

3 D a y s  l a t e r

When Charmaine got home both Tiani and Malani was passed out on the couch. She kicked her shoes off then went to wash her hands.

She seen that Tiani cooked dinner but she didn't have much of an appetite after a long day.

"Hey girl"Tiani said sitting up wiping crust from the corner of her eyes.

"Hey"Charmaine smiled
"You want to go out a little later?"
"Maybe tomorrow. I'm tired T"

"Even better. My mom can watch Malani. I told her about you...Not anything that I shouldn't have told her but I just told her we reunited and she wanted to see you guys"

"Awe. I miss her."Charmaine gave her another weak smile.
"So how did work go today?"

"You know same old stuff"
"Kain still being a dickh-"
"Tiani"Charmaine eyes grew wide.

"Well it's the truth. I don't know what's wrong with that man at one point and time...he wasn't like this. "

"Well people change "Charmaine shrugged.

Malani ran into the kitchen hearing her mom voice.
Charmaine picked her up spinning her around.

"You want to go outside?"Charmaine asked her

She nodded her head. Charmaine put her down so she could put shoes on.

"Your such a good mother"Tiani smiled. The words made tears form in the brim of her eyes. She narrowed her eyes to the floor trying to blink her tears awat

"I try you know. I just want to make her happy "
"That little girl is beyond happy. I'm so proud of you. Not many young mothers can do half the job you do.

"Thank you. That really means a lot. "She smiled one more time. Tiani wiped her tears away giving her a hug.

Kain sat posted up with a few other people around the local corner store.

Even a few of his groupies made an appearance. Some were standing around rotating a backwood while others were helping themselves to codeine.

It was loud due to everyone talking over each other and laughing obnoxiously.

Kain sat on the hood of his car. Everyone loved to be around him. Everyone would say Kain was "That nigga"

One of his groupies came and stood between his legs. She smiled widely showing her pearly whites.

Anastasia was one of his favorite  go to girls. She knew how to keep what they had going  lowkey and she wasn't the type to obsess over Kain. She felt as though none of his other groupies were competition.

"You want to come over?"she asked wrapping her arms around his neck.
He smiled standing up straight to pull up his jeans.

"Not today baby"
"When? Then"she complained​ with a frown on her face.

"I don't know you know I'm a busy man"he told her.

"I'll be right back "Charmaine grabbed a ten dollar bill out of her wallet.

"Get me some papers while your out"Tiani whispered yelled. Charmaine grabbed the keys from Tiani about to walk away.

"Lani you sure you don't want to go to the store with me"
She nodded her head and continued to draw with chalk on the sidewalk. Charmaine popped the locks to the car and got in.

She backed out of her parking space until she was on the main road. Charmaine destination wasn't far she just had to go out and grab snacks for today movie night with Tiani and Malani.

After a short ten minute ride she pulled up to the corner store. She hesitated getting out seeing all the people that stood near by it.

Getting over her fear she got out the car making sure to lock the doors. The loud music irritated her ears and the strong smell of weed invaded her nostrils.

A few guys eyeballed her as she walked past them into the store.

Being the dogs they were a few guys followed her into the store.

Kain looked up seeing the guys going into the store.
"I swear them niggas will fuck anything moving " Kain younger brother shook his head.

Charmaine walked down the snack aisle grabbing the candy Malani had asked for and a few things she liked. She grabbed her self a sweet tea before  making her way to the counter.

"Excuse me"Charmaine turned around seeing the guy who was trying to get her attention.

He was brown skin with dreads that were almost as long as Charmaine hair. He wore a bottom gold grill too.

They stared at each other until he spoke up again. 

"I couldn't help but to notice how beautiful you were."

She smiled looking at him. He looked like he was rough around the edges but genuinely a sweetheart.

"Thank you"
"I don't mean to seem so forward but how about you give me your number and we can talk or maybe go out sometime. "

"I really sh-"
"Before you even say it I don't want to be nothing more than friends that's it"he reassured her.

"Maybe"she bit the inside you her cheek. She didn't want to be rude and she didn't want to take his number either.

"Look just trade numbers. I'll hit you up whenever and it's up to you if you want to text me back"he leaned back against the freezer behind him.

"Okay "She agreed .

"What's your name?"he asked
"Charmaine"
"Aight. They call me Tj around here"

She nodded her head.
"Well I'll​ catch up with you later."

Tj walked out of the store everybody waiting to hear if he was turned down or not.

"You get her number?"Bear asked sitting his double cup down.

"Hell yea. Give me a week tops and I'm a be in there. "

"Mack game crazy "they dapped each other up while others cheered him on.

"Who shorty anyway?"Bear asked.

"I don't know. I never seen her around this way-"he said furrowing his eyebrows "I'll show you when she come out."