Destiny's POV
The sun shined through the window behind me gazing at the screen of my laptop and I sighed tilting the device slightly disposing of the intrusive glare as I leaned back in the chair hating the tension in my body that my everyday responsibilities had caused.
I was silently counting down the seconds until I could leave as a yawn left my exhausted body, if it was a regular day I would have already been home enjoying my second glass of wine while my roommate Aliyah gathered the events of her day to gift to me but since I had arrived late today I was left to catch up.
I had decided to place half of the blame on Mesi whose addictive and interesting conversation caused time to slip away, and the other half on me who sat in the chair seemingly compelled by the woman for hours.
I was waiting for her to initiate a romantic gesture for the majority of the time I spent with her since I could sense her hidden attraction for me, but she never made a move to step across the line of friendship much to my dismay and I had guessed that her relationship with my sister was the cause, but on the other hand, I was also grateful she didn't since I was still closeted when it came to my family and I wasn't mentally or emotionally strong enough to embark on that journey especially when I was still at war with the internalized homophobia that years in a religious household had blessed me with.
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Two Days Later
Samantha's POV
I continued walking down the street with Ackeem by my side, the regret in my system increasing with each second we spent in the neighbourhood, the changes I missed out on and the people who I barely recognized aiding the depressive state I was falling into as he pushed open the gate to the house I once spent my days in.
"Ms Tammy guess who?" he asked as we stepped in, my hand moving to the small gate pushing it close, her dry garden a foreign sight since it was always well kept before my served time. I watched as Ms Tammy's gaze stayed on me as we moved up the small stairs, the realization flashing in her eyes earning a smile from me.
"Samantha," she called out happily, standing up slowly and I moved to meet her accepting her loving hug, the embrace feeling like a piece of home.
"Look at you all grown up," she voiced as I pulled away and I smiled, the love I had for the woman overwhelming, she was the parent I never had growing up, she taught me how to love myself when the world around me had me convinced that I was God's greatest mistake, the woman practically raised me.
"You hungry?" she asked.
"No, I'm okay,"
"I got some leftovers, come inside," she replied ignoring my response and I smiled, Ackeem and I following her inside.
"What's up with the garden mama?" I asked gazing around her house that remained the same, the fact bringing me slight peace.
"I had a stroke a couple of months back, I don't really have the strength to care for it anymore, my daughter said she's going to get somebody to take care of it next month," she replied, the hurt in her voice making me frown since I knew how much that garden meant to her.
"I can stop by and tend to it since I'm free most days," I offered hoping she would agree since I was home most days, the cause being the fact I barely got accepted for job interviews because of my conviction and I had grown to hate the silence, the lack of noise suddenly becoming suffocating to my thought busy mind.
"I would love that," she accepted gleefully and I smiled stepping into the kitchen watching as she moved around the area slowly.
"You mentioned your daughter earlier, is she visiting?" I asked remembering she used to tell me stories back in the days about how she had to send her daughter to live with her father, I never met the girl but felt as if I had known for years since sometimes she was all Ms Tammy talked about.
"No she actually moved here after my stroke," she replied a wave of sadness suddenly rushing over me at the thought that I could've lost her while I was locked up.
"Ms Tammy let me get the food," I said her cautious steps worrying me.
"Baby I'm fine just have a seat,"
"I know you are but I want to hear more stories of what you've been up to, so sit and talk," I told her smiling knowing the woman's biggest fear was growing old and not being able to take care of herself and because of that, I was very selective when it came to my response.
"Okay baby," she replied moving to sit down as my gaze moved over to Ackeem who was on his phone.
"Why did you come if you were gonna be on your phone the whole time?" I asked him and he smiled lifting his gaze looking at me.
"These kids nowadays that's all they do," Ms Tammy mumbled disappointedly as I opened the refrigerator.
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Mesi's POVI cleared my throat as I stepped onto the stage, quieting the internal battle between my insecurities and confidence as nervousness arrived into my system leaving my palms to sweat.My hands moved to the mic bringing it to my height before I greeted the crowd, the multiple responses calming my rushing anxiety slightly."My piece tonight is called Forbidden Rose," I announced wishing I had placed a drop of liquor in my system before coming on stage."I watch you from afar, just wishing on a star that you will greet my arms. They tell me it's wrong that roses together isn't normal, that my love for you is immoral. 'Love daisies' they plead but I would rather watch you flow in the breeze, I would prefer to lov
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Destiny's POV My eyes ran over her for what felt like the hundredth time tonight, the soft music and dimmed lights setting a distractingly perfect mood, one which had my mind drifting off to a place where only she stood on display. I placed my now empty glass of wine on the coffee table as my gaze fell to the red silk robe she wore and my mind couldn't help but wonder if she had anything underneath it. "Do you want a refill?" she asked, her words pulling my eyes back to hers. "No I'm fine," I replied as the thought of her touching me came to mind, making concentrating on anything else but the way her skin shined with glory difficult. "What?" she questioned and I smiled meeting her eyes once more as I tried my best
Mesi's POV Unspoken words and denied emotions. I was stuck wondering if I had spent my life trying to break a generational curse only to repeat the actions I feared, only to be faced with the inevitable, I was too closed off. I had spent so much time trying to build my financial status that I forgot to build myself emotionally and after all this time I was left wondering how to fix what I had unknowingly destroyed. I didn't fear being alone or at least I don't believe I do, but what I am sure of is my fear of dying alone with the knowledge that I never loved anything but myself and the wealth I had accumulated. It was somewhat depressing to think that at my age emotions made me uncomfortable, that my biggest
Samantha's POVThe sound of their muffled conversation echoed around the room as the water continued to grace the recently washed dishes, ridding them of all signs of soap. This current task was one I had always appreciated since it allowed a sense of peace to settle inside of me for reasons I had yet to uncover."Sam," I heard Mesi call out as I lifted my hand placing the plates in the dish drainer that was situated on my right."Yeah," I answered softly as my body battled with lingering exhaustion despite their well-acquainted friendship with each other, and I couldn't help but to release the yawn that pressed against the barriers that were lips."Wasn't there a TV here?" She inquired as I l turned the handle, which in return halted the pouring water from the faucet."Yeah, it's in the bedroom," I explained as I lifted the kitchen towel drying my hands."You wanna watch something?" I questioned immediately after."Y
Samantha's POVMy mind continued to buzz with heavy thoughts as my eyes fell from the ceiling to their naked bodies that were currently wrapped soulfully into mine. Our embraced figures had me faced with a feeling of peace I had never experienced, one that was solely created by their comforting presence that impacted me even in their moments of slumber.As seconds passed my sense of logic began to glare at the silence that the early morning had awarded to my usual busy ears, since it did nothing but weighed down my body with things that were better forgotten.I was caught between laying here to battle with my unwanted thoughts and going to work early to gift myself with a ready-made distraction.The current resentment I held towards silence had seemingly become a part of my daily routine, because of the light that it constantly sheds on the list of reasons my heart had composed explaining why I needed to forgive myself.It wa
Mesi's POV I stood removing my jeans as well as my underwear as their lips met for a heated hold, the sight only serving to fuel the sense of impatience that already resided in me. This moment was one that I had written on the walls of mind on the nights I was alone with lingering desire, and seemingly after all the time spent with my imagination, my own thoughts never did this moment any justice. Sam's gentle nature seeped into her every action, from her hesitant touches that were left to utter silent questions of consent, to the way her lips danced slowly with every kiss and how she held onto our bodies as if our very limbs were as fragile as our guarded hearts. My hands went to the hem of my shirt pulling it over my head before they focused on my bra releasing th
Samantha's POV"You know you low-key an alcoholic," I pointed out amused as Mesi began refilling her glass with wine, my words earning a small sound of laughter from her as well as Destiny."Are you sure you don't want a glass?" She questioned curiously,as I continued to appreciate the way her newly straightened hair flowed past her shoulders allowing her features to become more prominent."I'm sure," I voiced smiling as the sweet sound of the softly played jazz settled next to my ears bringing a sense of calm as I leaned backwards relaxing on the couch, hating the slight pain in my lower back."I'm going to call my roommate and let her know I'm going to be home late," Destiny announced standing up and I released my gaze allowing it to follow her as she moved into the kitchen."Will you at least try it?" Mesi questioned and I returned my eyes to her as she directed the glass towards me."Alright," I agreed, appreciatin
Samantha's POV I pushed open the entrance to the apartment complex stepping outside, the cool night breeze immediately greeting my beautifully melanated skin as I began my journey across the parking lot. The light from the moon illuminated my figure as I began tuning out my surroundings, willingly redirecting my attention to my thoughts. It was quiet nights like these that forced me to be grounded in the present, from the star-filled skies to the trees that swayed back and forth to the music sung by the wind. Nature and just life overall was a beautiful thing and it was crazy how unappreciated this reality would remain until it became lost. "Sam," I heard a familiar voice call out the minute my feet were abo
Destiny's POV"It's at the end of the hall," The woman instructed and I released a small thank you, making my way over to it.I lifted my hand knocking on the door gently before pulling it open to see her sitting around her desk, her usually curly hair straightened increasing the displayed length."How was last night?" Mesi asked the minute I closed the door referring to my outing with my roommate, and I released a small smile as her eyes ascended to meet me."It was okay, I actually came home early," I explained as I began walking towards her, taking the time to appreciate the beauty of her office which practically mirrored her personality from the neatly stacked books on her desk to the black and grey that drowned the room."Really?" she questioned as I sat down in the chair before her desk."I felt like a third wheel the entire night so I just went home" I replied since my roommate had spent the majority of the time with
Samantha's POV"How does it taste?" I asked watching as she began to chew the food I had recently prepared."Better than it looks," she mumbled making me chuckle as I continued to enjoy the calming sound of the rain outside."Do you still wanna order something?""No, this is actually eatable," she pointed out sounding surprised."Is that compliment?" I questioned smiling as I gathered a forkful from my plate."I just didn't expect for it to taste like this, especially after you seasoned it with the packet that comes in the ramen," she explained as I continued to chew my food."What else can you make with ramen?" she asked actually sounding eager to know, the fact pulling gratitude into my body since I knew her taste in life was far from this."Pizza, las-""Pizza?" she questioned in disbelief."Yeah,""Okay Sam," she uttered clearly entertained, not knowing how much the mere question meant.
Mesi's POVMy gaze moved to her approaching figure in adoration as a small smile greeted my lips, her hair was released into an afro that stood with pride while her recently taper-faded hair continued to accentuate her beautiful features.The oil stains and numerous other marks on her tank-top as well as her opened short sleeve buttoned-down work shirt became evident as she stepped under the illuminating rays of the street light, and I lifted my hand turning down down the music as she opened the door, her brown eyes immediately meeting mine while-"You got here quick,"she announced interrupting my ongoing thoughts."I was in the neighbourhood,""Your mother's h
Samantha's POVSweat travelled down my skin at a slow pace as I stood with another box in hand, ignoring the slight pain in my healing palm as I did. I took steady steps towards the vehicle as the chatter of the other workers around me echoed throughout the space, bringing about a sonder feeling."Is that the last one?" Joel asked curiously as I rested the box carefully next to the others in the back of the van."Yeah," I replied glancing at his approaching figure for a split second before moving to close both doors at the back concealing the multiple packages that were to be shipped."Do you need me to come with you?" I asked eager to know as I began removing my gloves, immediately inspecting my injured hand.