Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

I had just stepped into the hall of the Bradlee estate, pausing at the threshold. Hannah was there, teaching Sammy the ins and outs of the pitch pot game. Nettie stood off to the side, hands buried in her jean pockets, her gaze fixed on the doorway from afar.

As Irving and I emerged, she quickly looked away.

Olivia was mysteriously absent. She had probably deduced that Hannah posed no risk to Sammy and had chosen to retreat indoors.

"It's getting late, and I should head back," I said, my voice casual, avoiding Irving's gaze.

The trap was set, and now it was up to Irving to take the bait. Lingering would serve no purpose and certainly didn't fit the persona I'd crafted for myself.

I gave Hannah a wave. She arched an eyebrow at Sammy, said something to him, and then started walking over to me, still holding an arrow in her hand. Sammy called out, "We're not done yet. You can't leave now. Are you trying to chicken out?"

Without even turning her head, Hannah tossed the arrow over her shoulder and clinked, it landed perfectly around the stake. The move was slick. Sammy's face turned into a picture of dumbfounded awe.

In the next second, he was in front of Hannah, puffing up his little chest and bargaining with me, "Can I have her? Tell you what, my dad will pay you." I shrugged, "No can do."

"Why the hell not? She's just a bodyguard. My dad can get you another, and she stays with us." He sounded so entitled.

"Your dad got money to burn?" I asked, "But sorry, no deal. She's my sister, not a bodyguard. And even bodyguards aren't for sale."

"There's nothing money can't buy, just name your price. I'll have Irving pay you." He said haughtily.

"Sammy, stop this nonsense," Irving scolded.

Just then, Olivia emerged briskly with a tray of fruit, probably overhearing Sammy's declaration of war with me at the doorway.

"Sammy," she said sharply, quickening her pace and turning to me, "Aaliyah, why are you outside? I was just bringing you some fruit for dessert."

I glanced back at her with a smile, "I'm full already. I was thinking of heading out early."

"Why the rush? Let's hang out a bit. It's not every day we have you over. We haven't had a proper chat yet." She pushed the fruit tray into Nettie's hands as she spoke.

"If we chat any longer, Sammy's gonna start a bidding war." I teased, looking at Sammy.

He was still staring at me with a mix of defiance and disbelief.

"Next time, Sammy," I said firmly, locking eyes with Sammy, "Next time you can come over to my place, and she can play with you again. But not with that attitude. I don't appreciate your pushiness." "Where do you live?" Sammy didn't care whether I liked it or not, his tone slightly less confident.

"Enough, Sammy. I know where Ms. Wilburn lives. We can visit another day," Irving intervened.

Sammy eyed Irving suspiciously, "Irving, you know what happens if you lie to me."

I rolled my eyes internally. What a little prince!

"Of course, Sammy. When have I ever lied to you?" Irving beamed with paternal pride.

"Then take me there tomorrow," Sammy demanded.

Hannah ruffled his hair, "Practice for the next couple of days. Hit three in a row, and you get a deal. Otherwise, forget about it."

With a final glance at me, she tossed, "Allie, I'll get the car."

She nodded to Irving and Olivia, bidding them farewell.

I exchanged a few more pleasantries with the couple, shot Nettie a look, and left the Bradlee residence.

Sammy was persistent but got yanked back by Olivia who waved at me with a forced smile.

On the drive back, Hannah exhaled loudly, "What a spoiling kid! If this keeps up, he's gonna turn into a real piece of work, doing whatever he pleases."

I chuckled, "A real piece of work indeed."

"How did it go?" Hannah asked, eyeing me curiously.

"He took the bait," I leaned back, feeling the fatigue but mentally sharp, "But he's been keeping tabs on me, something we overlooked. He's been watching me for longer than we thought."