89. Food for Thought 🍝

Maximo parked the car inside the garage. Not even two minutes later, Deonte came outside with a plastic container and a drink in a plastic to-go cup. Did she have a restaurant in there?

I rolled down the window.

"Angel hair pasta and garlic bread with peach tea to drink." Deonte handed it to me.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Deonte smiled, "My sister said she hopes you like it and that you come back for more."

I chuckled, "Tell your sister -- What's her name?"

"December or Cha-Cha."

"December? Well, tell her I already know it's going to be good, and I will be back."

"How about tomorrow?" Deonte asked without hesitation. "If you're not doing anything."

I pretended to think about it. "Hmm... What time?"

"Just call me, and I'll pick you up."

I nodded my head. "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Enjoy the food, and have a goodnight, Jae."

"You, too. Bye." I rolled up the window.

Maximo commented, "He's a good guy. Otherwise, I would warn you about getting in the car with him."

Too late. Where was Maximo yesterday when Deonte took me through that dark tunnel on a golf cart?

"Thank you for looking out for me, Maximo." I looked at the to-go container as the smell tickled my nose. I couldn't wait to devour it. Then, I noticed a bible verse printed on the lid.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11

I didn't realize my happy mood until I found myself walking past Zeke's bedroom door. I don't even remember getting out the car. I walked over to Zeke's door and knocked.

"What are you up to?"

I turned around to see Zeke behind me.

"Hey, friend!"

He chuckled, "Was your performance that good?"

I inhaled and exhaled. "Today was a good day."

Zeke stopped in front of me. "That's good to hear. What restaurant did you go to?"

I did a happy dance. "I got some food, and I'm about to tear it up. You know what? I'll even share it with you if you hurry up and open your door so I can sit down."

"You know you're more like Monica than you think." Zeke opened his door, allowing me to walk inside first.

"I'm gonna pretend like I didn't hear that." I skipped over to his sofa and sat down. I said a quick prayer before removing the fork and knife off the lid and opening the container.

Zeke sat next to me before getting on his phone.

"Here. This is your half and this is my half." I extended the food to him.

"I appreciate it, but I already ate."

Thank God! I began to stuff my face. For a millisecond, I was about to shout. It's official. I have to meet Deonte's sister. This is the best Angel Hair pasta I've ever had in my life.

"Cha-Cha can cook, huh?"

I glanced at Zeke. "You knew?"

"She puts a lot of people to shame. Rapper G Blazin cried after he had some of her food."

"I believe it," I continued to eat. The garlic bread tasted just as good. I picked up the peach tea and took a sip. I stood up and hopped a few times. "Who is this woman? She making my mama look bad."

Zeke lightly laughed, "Whatever you do, don't have deep conversations with her. Cha-Cha is a conversationalist that will make you feel everything. That's why G Blazin changed his name from Gunz Blazin."

"That's why he changed his name? Wow. Well, she sounds like she's sincere."

"She is. I'm just preparing you. When is your meeting with Ricky?"

I arched a brow. "How do you know I'm meeting Ricky?"

"I know it's next week, but what day?"

I shook my head. "Tuesday after I meet with my team."

"He's gonna ask you to perform at his New Year's party," Zeke stated.

I almost coughed, "A New Year's party? I wouldn't be surprised if this man celebrates the end of the world."

Zeke stated, "I'm telling you this so you are prepared and have an answer. You can refuse, but he'll talk you into it. You're the number one artist this year which makes you RiSe Records' number artist."

I looked at Zeke. "If I didn't know you, and my cousin wasn't dating you, I'd tell you and Ricky to suck my big toe. Like, you're not even related to him."

"Years from now, if you meet someone who tells you they want to be in the music business. Introduce them to me, and they tell you that they don't like me. Would you stop talking to me?"

I replied, "No, but I would talk to you about it."

"Exactly. You and I have a relationship just like Ricky and I have a relationship. I help you just like he helped me."

I shook my head. "Have you talked to your mom?"

Zeke looked super confused. "About what?"

"She knows that I'm Jae A.B. and that we weren't a real couple. She knows why you didn't tell your dad or your brother that you were helping me with music. You should talk to her."

Zeke smirked, "Parents think they know everything. They don't know that some things can't be discussed."

"Well, I'm not your parent. I was just telling you so you are prepared and have an answer." I mimicked him as I put the lid back on my food container.

"Jae," Zeke called my name.

I stood up.

Zeke stopped me with his hand. "Why do you always have to argue with me? Every time things don't go your way or I say something that you don't like, you get mad at me."

"Why shouldn't I?" I put my container on the couch. "You treat me like a rabbit while you dangle a carrot in my face."

Zeke sighed, "What are you talking about?"

"You think just because you helped me that I'm forever indebted to you. You're more like the Santanas than you know. You've had all this knowledge and information and instead of just telling me from the beginning, you wait until I've had a bad experience to tell me anything."

"That's not true." Zeke remained sitting.

"It is true! Like now. You've been back from your trip and you know Ricky has a New Year's party annually, but you're just now telling me."

Zeke stood up. "Jae, I'm not hiding stuff from you on purpose. I only thought about it, because it's the end of the year."

"Whatever!" I folded my arms to refrain from getting angrier.

Zeke was quiet. Then, I felt his hand on my arm. "Sit down and finish your food."

I jerked away from his grip.

"Jae, chill."

I rolled my eyes as I sat down on the sofa and picked up my food container.

Zeke said, "Jae, you're like a little sister to me. I'll never let anything happen to you if I can prevent it. My timing may be off, but you have to understand that I have businesses to run. In the future, I'll do better to let you know ahead of time. Alright?"

I chewed my food before swallowing it. "Alright."

"And don't tell Monica about our conversations."

I smiled, "What are you gonna give me so that I don't tell her?"

Zeke stared at me. Out of nowhere, he grabbed my to-go container and took a big bite of my food.

"Zeke!"

He handed it back to me.

"Why did you do that?"

"I've never had a younger sibling. Now, I can live out my childhood days by messing with you."

"Alright! I won't tell her anything. I wasn't going to in the first place."

He laughed at me.

I looked at my plate. "I can't believe you did that."

"I should've did that earlier. Cha-Cha can cook."

I smacked my lips. "The next time I get a plate, I'm not sharing any of it with you."

"That's okay, because I do know where Deonte and his family lives. You are not that special."

I gasped, "Oohh, I wish Monica would've rejected you." I picked up my peach tea and took a sip.

"One day, when your performing, I hope your wig falls off," Zeke laughed.

As much as I wanted to be mad and say something mean, I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

"I'm joking with you," he smiled at me.

In that moment, I believed everything Zeke said. I'm glad I met him, and I'm glad he gave me this opportunity. I owe him big. Now, I have a big brother.