Crises in Love (Zora and Jaylan)

Jaylan's pupils shrank to pinpoints as he lay stiffly on top of me.

"Get off." I hissed, nudging the blade forward for emphasis.

Inside, I cursed silently, "What the hell? Did he really think I was still that naive girl from ten years ago?"

Reluctantly, with a glare that could scorch, he stood up, his face twisted in rage, "Aaliyah, you're ruthless."

With the knife still pointed at him, I rose to my feet, matching his furious gaze, "Jaylan, you've brought all this on yourself. If you had even a shred of decency, we wouldn't be here right now, not knowing where our own child is. You're the biggest joke in Goldenvale Town. You better pray I find my kid soon, or I swear, I'll make your life a living hell."

"Aaliyah, you listen to me. You better wire me some cash, or you'll regret it." Jay knelt on the couch, his eyes blazing with venomous fury.

I backed out of the living area with a scoff, "You're about to be homeless, and you're making threats? Better keep an eye on this last place you've got before Farley cuts you off for good. There are no more cheap lofts to crash at."

With that, I turned and strode to the door, not looking back as I swung it open and stepped out.

Hannah was outside, pacing anxiously. As soon as she saw me, she rushed over, looking me up and down, "Allie, are you okay?"

Her eyes tightened when she noticed the knife in my hand, "What was..."

"It's nothing. Don't worry." I tossed the paring knife into the communal trash bin, "Let's talk downstairs."

We hurried down the stairs, but as fate would have it, we ran into Farley and Fannie on the second floor.

Those two, shameless as ever, clung to each other like conjoined twins, their hands roaming uncontrollably over each other's bodies. No wonder the neighbors were always cursing Farley out. He was a disgrace to his age.

Just watching them made me sick.

I stood on the staircase, looking down at the pair entangled as they ascended.

Farley seemed to realize someone was above and stopped his wandering hands to look up, only to find me, looking down with utter contempt.

He instinctively let go of Fannie and took a step back, trying to put some distance between them, his eyes shifting guiltily to mine.

But then he remembered I was no longer part of their family, and his anger flared, "You little tramp. What are you doing here? Why are you back?"

I swept a disdainful glance at him, then at Fannie, and snorted, "You should worry about your son Jaylan. Watch out or he might just kick you out of your own nest. This is the house you bought with his money; if he decides to claim it, you'll have no more corners to turn tricks in."

At my words, Farley stiffened, glaring at me as though he wished he could skin me alive.

I descended the steps, my eyes on Fannie, who had changed into a new skirt. I hadn't seen her face clearly at the mall, but now she stood beside Farley, holding two bags and tilting her heavily made-up face with fiery red lips. I could smell her overpowering perfume long before I reached her.

I must admit the perfume was actually nice, just overapplied.

She looked at me with eyes full of speculation. I gave her a derisive glance and, as I brushed past her, whispered, "You guys are pretty much perfect for each other."

Hannah smiled sarcastically and snapped, "Get out of the way."

Farley was genuinely terrified of Hannah and instinctively took a step back.

But after retreating, he felt disgraced and said, "This is not a place where you can come whenever you want. Don't come here in the future. You are not a member of this family, and don't always come back to stir up trouble."

I had walked up to Fannie, who was wearing heels, and I wasn't really as tall as her.

But my aura was definitely not lost on her Because she was feeling guilty for cheating at the moment.

I glanced at her and whispered to her as I brushed past her, "Lady, entering this house is like strapping your fate to a ticking bomb. Tread lightly and grab what you can while you're here. I'm rooting for you." Without lingering, I continued down the stairs with Hannah.

Once we reached the bottom, we got into the car. Hannah slammed the door and turned to me, "What's going on? What did he say?"

I shook my head in frustration, "He has no idea where the kid is."

"I knew it, that bastard's never had good intentions." Hannah pressed on, "How did you find out?"

I recounted to Hannah how I'd figured out Jaylan was clueless about the whereabouts of our child, "It's clear he doesn't know a thing. He's just a stupid pig."

"And what were his demands?" she asked.

I laughed bitterly, "A plane ticket to Australia and five million dollars."

"Christ, he really thinks he's something? Acts like you're his personal cash machine." Hannah scoffed.

Her words had barely faded when we heard a loud crash. Glass shattered from the fourth floor, and something flew out, smashing to the ground below.