“Here are your drinks, your food will be out shortly,” the waiter says as he places the drinks down on the table and steps away, wearing a wide smile on his face.
“Perfect timing,” Credence says, catching his breath. Naira exhales a sigh of relief while Jemina laughs and dabs a tissue under her eye. Credence takes a sip from his cup and licks his lips, the red liquid staining his tongue.
“I kinda wanna taste it,” Jemina confesses while looking at Naira.
“I swear I was just thinking the same thing!” Naira spits out with her face low to the table looking up at his cup.
“Go for it,” Credence says, raising his eyebrows as he slides his cup toward Jemina.
“What does it taste like?”
“Depends on the type. Type O is usually my go-to, it tastes kinda fruity and it’s best served cold, we're able to pick up on the subtle notes more and there's a slight rush we get when we taste it. The artificial stuff, at least. But I'm assuming it’d taste pretty crappy to you guys,” Credence replies, shrugging his shoulders.
Jemina grabs the cup and takes a sip, then slides the cup to Naira who is waiting to hear her sister’s review.
“I wouldn’t say it’s,” Jemina coughs, clearing her throat, “terrible.”. “Gimmie some” Naira says quickly picking up the glass and taking a much larger mouthful.
“Naira! That doesn't mean it tastes good! Why are you drinking so much?”
Naira slides the cup over to Credence and then swallows the liquid. She shivers and gags. “What the hell! That doesn't taste fruity, it tastes like dirty pennies,” she says in a raspy tone, she takes a big swig of her Sprite, making her sister and boyfriend laugh.
After successfully going over rounds of conversation, their food is gone and Jemina digs in her purse. “Did you all enjoy the food?” the waiter asks as he returns to the table.
“It was fantastic, I’d like the check, please,” Jemina says, pulling her phone from her purse and tapping it against the waiter's digital checkbook. “Thank you, your receipt will be emailed shortly,” The water says softly before stepping away.
“Hey no, I could’ve paid for myself, I don't wanna be a mooch or anything. How much was that I’ll send it to you” Credence says as he pulls out his phone.
“Uh – uh, it’s my treat. You can return the favor by treating my sister well and protecting her from any of these psychos,” Jemina tells him as she smiles at her. “Naira, don’t forget to call me if you need anything, okay? And give me that Asha person’s email. We need to scoop up that job while we can,” she says as she stands up to hug Naira and Credence.
“Jemina, it was nice to meet you. Let’s do this again sometime, I don’t have too much family to introduce Naira to, so I’ll just have her introduce me to the rest of yours,” he suggests, throwing his arm over Naira’s shoulder. Naira and Jemina look at each other before laughing simultaneously.
“Good luck with that, you both,” Jemina adds, trying to calm her laughter.
“I think dad’s head would actually explode,” Naira says laughing.
“Never mind dad, could you imagine what Jarrah would do?” Her sister adds while looking for her keys in her purse.
“Oh, he’d be like ‘Wow Naira, if you wanted attention so badly you could've just asked’ or something stupid like that,” Naira replies, rolling her eyes.
“Yeah, no,” her sister replies, taking in a breath. “Let's just keep it at this for your sake. I'm sure my daughter and husband, however, would jump at the opportunity to meet you, Credence. It's been great. I’ll let you two know when I'm in town again.” Jemina gives the two one last hug before getting into her car.
As they watch her leave, they get in the truck. “That was fun. She’s really nice, you guys are so similar. Down to the laugh, it’s crazy,” Credence says laughing.
“Yeah, she’s really cool, right? She gave me a ton of cash and a new dog as my graduation present,” Naira confesses as she buckles her seat belt.
“The one on your story right? He’s pretty cute. I like the name too.” he responds with a slight smile.
“Why, thank you,” Naira says as she texts on her phone and Credence turns up the music.
Credence pulls up in front of the apartment complex, and they get out of the truck and begin walking hand in hand.
“Hey, Nana, I know this is sudden, but Rollo and I have to go somewhere for a while.”
“What? Where? Is everything alright?” Naira asks, looking as concerned as ever.
“Yeah, babe. Don’t worry, we just gotta go somewhere. Your buddy Bellstrum’s just helping us out with something. He told us the fewer details we gave, the less danger you'd be in,” he tells her calmly.
“Danger? Wait, why’d he tell you that? Did he say anything about Cole?” Naira asks, desperate for an answer. Credence gives her a look to remind her that he’s already told her all he could. Getting the hint she reluctantly drops the subject.
A disappointed Naira stands in front of the gate, and Credence cups her face with both hands.
“I’ll keep in touch, I’ll be back in no time,” Credence says gently pulling Naira in.
“You sure you don't wanna come in and hang out for a while?”
“Nah, he says the quicker I leave, the quicker I can get back to town. I gotta get packed, I leave tomorrow.” Credence replies with a smile Naira knew was only to calm her down.
“You sure you don't wanna meet Denali? He’s so cute!” Naira says poking Credence in his chest.
“Aw, fuck it, I've got time. Race you upstairs?” Credence gives in as he leaps over the large gate and runs to the door.
“Nice try, but as long as I've got this bad boy, you're stuck out here with me,” Naira says while holding her key card in the air, the gate slamming shut behind her .
“As long as you've got what? Oh, you mean this?” Credence answers holding her key card as he playfully twirls the lanyard around his index finger.
“How the hell?” Naira wanders in disbelief before chasing after him.
They both race upstairs to play with the new puppy. After hours of watching TV and playing with the puppy, the two stand outside her apartment door speaking in hushed tones.
“You sure you can’t give me teenie tiny a hint, just about how long you're gonna be gone?” Naira asks with sad eyes.
“Can't babe, but I’ll miss you every day I’m gone.” Credence assures her as a lock of his long black hair slips in front of his face.
“You better,” Naira warns as she brushes the curl behind his ear.
“You stay outta trouble while I’m gone.”
“Won’t make any promises,” Naira says jokingly as she kisses him goodbye and shuts the door.
As he leaves, she plans her next steps. “Hey, Em, do you still have that card Asha gave you?”
She immediately dared to send Asha an inquiry. And afterward, remembered her conversation with Credence, making her think about Randy. She hadn’t heard from him since their chat with detective Bellstrum.
The phone rings only twice and he picks up. “How’ve you been man? Did the detective reach out yet?” Naira asks.
“I've been alright. I've been thinking of ways I could help out with the case, but he made it clear that I'd only be getting in the way. I don’t know what I should do, I feel helpless, useless.” Randy replies. He sounds drained, and his voice lacks its signature flamboyance. She could tell he was close to heartbroken, he sounds like someone who’s never known happiness and never will. Randy is completely lost without his husband by his side. Randy and Naira talk a bit more, without any conclusions coming up, and ending the conversation on a somber note.
Minutes later, Addy calls, sounding rather upset and confused. “Naira, where the hell Credence take Rollo, and why he being so secretive all of a sudden?”
Naira thinks, letting out a refreshing chuckle before answering. “I see you're keeping tabs on Rollo? Wonder why that is”
“Aht Aht don't be nosy,” she laughs, “we just friends.” Their laughs coordinate and stop gradually.
“Welp, unfortunately, I know just about as much as you do, but I think it's got something to do with Cole's disappearance.”
“Fuck… you just reminded me I need to go see Randy. I know he prolly losing his damn mind right now. What the police think Rollo and Credence kidnapped him or something? I heard about that creepy-ass dude y’all talked to at the station.” Addy replies.
“Nah I doubt it, Credence wouldn't be so cool about it if that was the case. Well, he’s cool about everything, but not something like that. Let’s just hope they call us whenever they can.” Naira takes a deep breath.
In an attempt to clear the air and shift the mood, Naira tells her friend about Credence meeting Jemina. “I'm glad she like him, that's a good sign. Alright girl, imma call Randy. I see you soon,” Addebowale says before hanging up.
Naira continues applying to jobs for hours, and after checking the time, she decides to get up to get a drink of water. While in the kitchen, she stares out of her window, and sees two children playing excitedly with their mother, unable to stop herself from thinking how carefree they are. Her distraction only lasts so long, as she gets called back to the real world by a notification on her phone, a new email.
Naira, I'm so glad to be hearing from you. Yes, I am currently looking for a new employee, and your references and work experience appear to be more than optimal for the position. I would like you to come in for an interview tomorrow. Does 10 AM work?
She almost instantly replies and confirms the interview. “No way that's her, how would I even be able to help? I don't know the first thing about art or books,” she thinks to herself. After excitedly informing Emory about her recent stroke of luck, Naira showers and starts to bed.
***
Naira is woken up by her alarm, ready to prepare for the interview. After a while of exhaustively trying to find an appropriate outfit, she settles on wearing black high heels, a red skirt, a black silk shirt, and a long red coat. “Yo, Emory, check out my fit!” she shouts as she stands in the hall.
“Woah, lookin’ snazzy! Wait, hang on,” Emory walks back into her room and steps out with a bottle of perfume, and sprays it two times over Naira. “Now you're smellin’ and lookin’ nice,” she says, watching Naira twirl in the expensive-smelling fragrance. She takes Denali for a quick walk before heading out to meet Fleur.
Fleur waits outside in the car her dad bought her. It's easily worth a couple hundred thousand dollars. She knocks on the window of the car, making Fleur look away from her phone and unlocks the door.
“Hey, you! Are you ready for your interview with the vampire?” she asks while trying to hold in her laughter after giving Naira a hug.
“Haha, you're so corny. Yeah, I'm ready, just a tiny bit nervous,” she replies while clicking her seatbelt.
The car lurches forward and Fleur engages the car's autopilot function. “I mean, that's normal. Just try not to let your nerves show too much. I hear she's a really nice lady, kinda goes to show not all legacies are snobs,” Fleur advises while turning to face Naira.
“Yeah, I've just gotta get pumped! I GOTTA GET PUMPED!” Naira yells as they get closer to the mansion.
“Well, that depends if you want her to give you the job, or if you want her to file a restraining order against you,” she replies, letting out a laugh and continue talking until the car stops in front of the gates.
Naira gives Fleur one last hug before stepping out of the car. “Get pumped!” Fleur shouts before driving off. While walking, she puts on her favorite playlist.
“Head up, eyes focused, long strides. Come on, you've got this girl!” Naira thinks to herself, trying to make up confidence while feeling her heart beating out of her chest. In the distance, she sees a large French-Normandy-style mansion. In awe, she checks the email again to verify that she has the correct address. Buzzing the gate, she waits and takes in her surroundings, towering trees that almost reach the heavens sway with the wind. The colossal gate has incredibly thick bars with a giant logo resembling the letter “A”, made entirely out of metal vines.
Naira hears a brief hiss, and then a dry, feminine, emotionless voice. “New girl, right?” The voice asks.
“Sorry, I didn't catch that,” Naira replies nervously.
The voice mumbles a few unintelligible, but clearly hostile words before responding. “The gate’s opening.”
A sudden boom and the sound of gears turning startle Naira before seeing that the noise is coming from the gate. She walks down the path for what seems like an eternity, taking off her shoes so as not to stumble on the gravel. The cold stones beneath her feet are still moist from the morning dew that has yet to evaporate. She can't help but glance over her shoulder every minute or so, the feeling she's not only being watched but followed makes her want to sprint to the door just feet ahead of her.
As the mansion towers over her, she shakes her agitation off and walks toward the giant matte black metal doors. Before getting the chance to knock, the doors suddenly open. Naira's eyes have yet to adjust to the darkness of this home, all she can see ahead of her is a darkness that is all-encompassing.
“What, do you need an invitation or something?” The voice says annoyed.
Naira walks in and is met by a tall, short-haired Asian woman, who looks to be just a few years older than her. She has a nose piercing and a fully tattooed left arm. While Naira admires the stranger, she slams the door behind her.
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