𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻

𝗚𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻:
Game Plan

❅𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻❅

"I think you should talk to her."

I felt my brows automatically raise, swallowing the orange juice I previously took a sip of, "That's the last thing I'm doing," I said, knowing I would do my best not to talk to her.

"But then you could establish boundaries—maybe suggest you guys mutually don't speak to each other," Nelli suggested, taking a bite of her pancakes.

It's currently the morning after the ice bar event.

And luckily, I had only saw Mazin two other times in brief passing after the first occurrence.

Now I'm just filling Nelli in on it all over brunch.

"I think she knows I don't want to speak to her," I assured Nelli.

Who only raised a skeptical brow, "If that was the case, then she wouldn't have spoken to you," she said, pointing out the fucking obvious.

"Whatever," I mumbled, determining she had made a good point, "Still not speaking to her."

Nelli shrugged, "Your life," she said.

I hummed with an amused smile, glancing over when my phone buzzed with a text.

Which happened to be from my dad.

Rad Dad: I need you at the hotel at 5 pm
Rad Dad: We're having a meeting

I furrowed my brows, briefly typing up a text to send back.

Me: Meeting?

I wonder why he would want to hold a meeting?

Did Mazin say something about last night?

Or possibly someone else?

I know my dad wants us to get along.

It seems everyone fucking does.

"I think Mazin said something to my dad," I said, dropping my phone on the marble counter with a clatter.

"Someone's in trouble," Nelli joked, lightly nudging me.

Which only made me roll my eyes, "If she said something I'm going to fuck up all of her shipments coming in," I determined, already feeling angry by the idea of her going to my father over something like this.

"I'll help you," Nelli said, smiling even wider when I shook my head, "I'm always down for a little robbery."

I laughed slightly, "Says the one scared of even being in the same room as a gun," I pointed out.

Nelli rolled her eyes, "It's a reasonable fear," she argued my point.

I shrugged, "It isn't if there's a gun present in the room now and you're not even scared," I emphasized, knowing there were at least three different guns in different spots of my apartment.

My dad taught me never to be empty-handed.

Even where you lay your head at.

"There are guns here? Really Vee?" Nelli said, suddenly looking around.

I waved her off, "It's for safety purposes—you forget I'm quite literally a gang leader now," I pointed out.

Nelli shook her head, "You're also a professor—embody more of that," she mumbled, now focusing back on her food.

I laughed slightly, poking my fork into the fresh fruit bowl I was focused on.

And as we continued to eat, we discussed various topics—like Nelli's new clients or how teaching is going for me so far.

Eventually, we finished up with breakfast and I could focus on planning more of my lesson plans.

I even cleaned my apartment again, even if it was already kind of clean.

I just like for everything to look a certain way.

But I really only did a spot clean before it was time to get ready for this meeting.

I didn't do much to get ready.

I pulled my hair into a sleek high bun, wearing natural makeup on my face with lip gloss.

Then I pulled on black leggings with a matching long-sleeve top and Chanel sneakers.

It was more of a comfortable look given I was only attending a meeting with my dad.

Then I left my apartment, heading down to the parking garage where my car was. 

And given that my dad still didn't give me context clues about what this meeting was about, I could only think about it during the short drive to the Chun Hotel.  

Where I gave my keys to the valet and walked into the usually busy hotel lined with Christmas decorations, heading towards the elevators. 

I just know this meeting with him had to be serious or else my dad would've called me. 

But as soon as I walked into that fucking conference room, I knew why he couldn't call me to discuss this. 

Especially with the Moretti's sitting around the table.

Tazmin, Lena, Tahir, and of course, Mazin.

Who for once was less dressed up.

Tonight she wore a loose t-shirt with dark baggy jeans and her hair down in waves, accessorized with her usual iced-out jewelry.

"Vee," my dad spoke first, smiling as he watched me sit down beside Tahir.

Who was luckily seated between me and Mazin.

Across from us were Tazmin and Lena while my dad sat at the head of the table.

"What is this regarding?" I asked before anyone else could say anything.

Mostly because this feels like a fucking intervention.

But I'm probably just overthinking.

Mazin wouldn't have willingly come if so.

Right?

I mean, I doubt she even said anything about yesterday. 

"Yeah, I kind of want to know too," Tahir added to my statement, "You guys are being all secretive."

I furrowed my brows, noticing Lena exchanging a look with Tazmin.

And then Tazmin glancing over to my father.

What the fuck is going on?

"There's a new gang emerging in Miami," Tazmin suddenly spoke.

"Cool for them," Tahir said, leaning back in his chair, "Is that really why you called us all here?"

"No," Lena immediately said.

Which made my dad suddenly straighten his posture, "This gang wants to take the remaining ones out—including ours," he explained, naturally making my brows raise.

Take us out as in...

They want to kill every gang occupying Miami?

That feels almost impossible.

"And we're unaware of who leads this gang or who's in it, intel just recently came in," Tazmin added, clarifying the remaining details.

Which left me wondering who this person could be, and who was all involved. 

I hope the universe aligns the stars and makes Dove involved so I have an excuse to kill her. 

But I don't think she's involved in the gang scene. 

Aside from whatever she's doing with Mazin. 

"Merry Christmas to us I guess," Tahir mumbled.

Which naturally made me purse my lips, trying not to laugh when everyone seemed serious.

Except for Tazmin, who looked like she wanted to laugh too at Tahir.

But with Lena nudging her, she immediately cleared her throat and glanced away from Tahir.

"We'll start with the docks—putting a watch out on any unfamiliar shipment that comes in," Mazin suddenly spoke, her voice lowered and calculated, "They'll need supplies and shipment to sell for revenue."

Tazmin immediately nodded, "That's good, Maz," she said, earning a nod from both Lena and my dad.

Meanwhile, I just remained still—mostly processing this new information.

This is not how I planned to spend my time. 

If anything, I should be reworking lesson plans right now. 

But I signed up for this the moment I took over for my dad. 

"We'll also put a word out—someone's bound to come back with information," Mazin determined, earning another nod from Tazmin.

"Exactly, people talk—especially in Miami," Lena said as Tazmin casually rested her hand on the back of her neck.

It was something they always made look so natural.

"Glad we have a game plan—just let me know what I gotta do," Tahir determined, and I could easily see their roles plain as day.

Tahir acts on things.

Mazin plans it and strategizes.

It was a dynamic they had even when we were younger.

Whenever we wanted to do sleepovers, Mazin would plan how we would ask and Tahir and I would execute it.

Now I'm not executing anything she says.

"We should all do dinner together," Tahir suddenly suggested, naturally making me want to roll my eyes, "Just like old times."

"You just want to eat," Lena immediately said, shooting him an amused look.

"Yeah, we're good on dinner," I assured Tahir, agreeing with Lena as long as I didn't have to be around Mazin for another second longer.

"No, but I think it's a good idea to discuss this over dinner," Lena added, somehow agreeing with Tahir's last-minute idea.

Which meant it's definitely going to happen.

If Lena wants it I already know Tazmin will make it happen.

"It's important that we stick together right now," Tazmin said, not even hesitating to side with Lena's opinion.

Which was already expected. 

"Yeah, it's very crucial guys," Tahir said, jokingly mocking Tazmin's tone as he nudged me and Mazin.

I rolled my eyes, "Fine, I guess we're doing dinner," I mumbled almost reluctantly, really regretting not lying to get out of this meeting.

"We can go up to the rooftop—there's a few different restaurants to choose from," My dad suddenly suggested.

Lena immediately nodded, "Let's do that—we'll finish this all up while we eat," she determined, suddenly standing from her chair as Tazmin did the same.

"Great," I said with a tight smile that came off more sarcastic than genuine.

But this was the last way I wanted to spend my Sunday.

The entire walk to the elevator, I felt hyper-aware of her presence near mine.

How far away her footsteps were from mine. 

Or her stare that I could feel subtly shift to me. 

But this was all nothing compared to being on the same elevator.

Even with them all standing between us, I could only be aware of her.

Especially with her stare that I still felt burning into me.

It's something I had to avoid even as we stepped off the elevator.

And once we were seated at the long table outside, I had to also focus on not even looking in her overall direction.

Because I was unsure what I would do if I locked eyes with her.

"Maz's plan is a good place to start," Tazmin told my dad, continuing to discuss more details of this new gang.

Meanwhile, I was silent, letting them figure out what they wanted to do and I'll follow along.

"Yeah, we'll start with that and hopefully that'll give us some kind of name," my dad said, glancing back down to his menu that he held.

I practically used my menu to hide behind.

And so far it's working.

"Are we ready to order guys?" I heard the waitress ask as I lowered my menu slightly, unsure if I even wanted to eat.

Maybe I could leave earlier if I don't. 

 "Mazin?" the waitress suddenly said, glancing over to her.

And I couldn't help but raise a brow, wondering if Mazin somehow knew our waitress.

It wouldn't be the most surprising thing given how Mazin operates. 

Besides, the waitress looked around our age and partially looked familiar.

But I'm not sure.

"Hey..." Mazin trailed off, clearly not knowing this woman's name.

Which made me feel embarrassed for her. 

"I was a cheerleader for your rival high school," the woman explained with a smile, "Remember that one game when we—"

"You know, I think I do," Mazin quickly cut her short, which caused Lena to immediately tilt her head.

Meanwhile, Tazmin and Tahir seemed amused by all of this.

"Right, well it's nice seeing you," the waitress said, smiling wider at Mazin for one more moment before she finally looked away.

Mostly because all Mazin did to acknowledge what she said was briefly nod—not bothering to contribute anything else to the short conversation.

Tazmin naturally began ordering for her and Lena, and I could tell it was to help quickly breeze past what just happened.

And it worked.

Next, Tahir and the Mazin ordered—then my dad ordered, even for me given he knows what I like from this restaurant.

"Maz has friends everywhere it seems," Tahir just had to say, taking a sip of his water.

"Chill," was all Mazin said, narrowing her eyes at Tahir who only pursed his lips into a smile.

At least until Tazmin motioned at him to cut it out, clearly aware of the awkwardness surrounding our table.

I had refused to say barely five words and I already had Nelli planning to call me so I could get out of this.

I even changed her contact to UMiami so it seemed work-related.

The plan is to take the call away from the table, and then text my dad that I have to get some stuff done back at my place.

Nelli just took too long to call.

Our food had already been carried out and everyone was eating by the time my phone began buzzing—interrupting the light conversation between everyone.

"It's work," was all I said as I glanced down at my phone, standing from my chair when my dad and everyone else nodded.

Everyone except for Mazin it felt like.

But it didn't matter, I was already walking away from that table almost happily.

"Finally," I whispered as I walked into the restaurant away from the balcony seating.

"Sorry, my dad was making us play charades," Nelli explained as I quickly walked through the inside part of the restaurant toward the elevators.

"It's good—all that matters is it worked," I said, pressing the button for the elevator as I naturally glanced over.

And noticed her presence through the glass walls separating the nearby restaurant from me.

Fuck.

"I think Mazin is following me out," I quickly whispered, pressing the elevator button even harder with hopes that it would arrive quicker.

"Finally, you guys can talk," Nelli said, which made me immediately shake my head.

"But I don't want to—"

"Virelai," her familiar voice cut me short, almost making me sigh out of defeat.

"I'm in the middle of a call," I quickly lied, earning a few snickers from my best friend.

I'm about to cuss everyone out right now.

"Go on," Mazin said, clearly patient enough to wait for me to finish.

Fuck.

And fuck this, I should've never even come.

Why did I come?

"Right, I can do that this week," I said, making shit up on the spot to say.

Which somehow made my best friend laugh harder on the other end.

"Please do that Professor Chun," Nelli said, making her voice deeper even if Mazin couldn't fucking hear her, "I'll let you go now."

"No," I quickly said as one of the elevators dinged open, "I mean, I thought you wanted to discuss next semester," I softened my voice, especially with Mazin's dark eyes pinpointed on me as she followed me onto the elevator.

I genuinely didn't think she would follow me even on the fucking elevator.

Now I have no game plan.

"No it's okay, we'll discuss that tomorrow—you enjoy the rest of your weekend and have some serious talks," Nelli purposely said, and I swear I could feel my face burn up, shaking my head a few times when she ended the call.

I almost stood there for one long moment, still holding the phone to my ear.

Until I slowly lowered it down, awkwardly blinking a few times.

Here goes nothing.