Unwanted Matches and Family Ties

Zaire’s POV

It had been a long few days since the fight with Amanda and her crew. The tension was still thick in the air, but we were all trying to keep our heads above water. My mother was the only thing that could bring a semblance of normalcy, but even her well-meaning actions had a way of throwing me off course.

I was sitting in my living room, the usual quiet of my home interrupted only by the occasional ring of my phone. I’d told everyone to lay low for a bit. We needed to regroup, but not long after I sat down, I heard my mother’s voice at the door.

“Zaire, baby, open up,” she called, her voice sweet but commanding.

I groaned inwardly. This was not what I needed right now. But she wasn’t one to take no for an answer, so I reluctantly went to the door and opened it.

“Hey, Mom,” I said, trying to mask the annoyance in my voice.

She stepped inside, giving me a tight hug. “You look exhausted, baby. I’m glad to see you’re still doing well. But you know, you could use a little… distraction.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Distraction? What are you talking about?”

“Oh, don’t play coy with me,” she said with a mischievous smile. “I know you’ve been working hard. But you need a woman to keep you company. Someone who can take care of you.”

I knew where this was going.

“Mom, I’m good,” I said quickly. “I don’t need anyone right now.”

She ignored my protest, walking over to the couch and sitting down. “I know someone who would be perfect for you,” she said, pulling out her phone and scrolling through it. “Her name’s Tamara. She’s my friend’s daughter. She’s smart, beautiful, and she knows how to take care of a man.”

I couldn’t help but sigh. This wasn’t the first time my mother had tried to set me up with someone, but this time, the timing was all wrong. Miyah was on my mind. I couldn’t shake the way I felt when we were together. I wasn’t interested in dating anyone else, especially not some stranger my mother was trying to push on me.

“I’m not looking for anyone, Mom,” I said, sitting across from her. “I’m good with who I’ve got in my life.”

My mom gave me that look—the one where she thought I was being stubborn, the one she always gave me when she thought I wasn’t being honest with myself. “Zaire, you’re a good man. You need someone who will support you, not just someone to sleep with. Tamara’s a good woman, and I think you two would get along.”

“Mom, I’m telling you, I’m not interested. I’ve got enough on my plate right now,” I said, frustration rising in my voice. “Please, just drop it.”

She sighed, looking disappointed but not defeated. “You know I just want the best for you, Zaire. You can’t keep running from your future forever.”

I couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. I knew my mom was only trying to help, but she didn’t understand what I was dealing with. Miyah, Ashley, Zoey… they were the ones in my life right now, and no one could change that.

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Miya's POV

I was at the apartment, trying to relax for a moment before everything started again. My mind kept wandering to Zaire. I knew he had a lot on his plate, and I didn’t want to be the one to add to his stress, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right.

I had heard through the grapevine that Zaire’s mom was trying to set him up with someone—again. She had been trying to do this for as long as I’d known him. I couldn’t help but feel a little… jealous. Not because I didn’t trust Zaire, but because I knew that his mother wasn’t going to stop pushing her agenda.

I sat back on the couch, pulling my knees to my chest. Zaire was always so guarded when it came to his family, and for good reason. His mom had this way of trying to control everything in his life, and it wasn’t just about relationships—it was about everything.

“Babe, you okay?” Zoey’s voice broke through my thoughts as she walked into the living room.

I looked up, offering her a small smile. “Yeah, just thinking.”

She raised an eyebrow, sitting down beside me. “About Zaire?”

I nodded. “I don’t know, Zoey. I just have this feeling that his mom is going to try to come between us. She’s always trying to hook him up with someone else.”

Zoey’s face softened. “It’s not just his mom. There’s always going to be people who want to control him, who want him for themselves. But you’ve got something he doesn’t let go of easily, Miyah. Don’t doubt that.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm in my chest. Zoey was right. Zaire and I had something real, and no matter how hard his mom tried, she couldn’t take that from us.

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Giovanni’s POV

I had been out running errands when I got the call from Zaire’s mom. The moment I heard her voice, I knew exactly what this was about.

“Giovanni, I’ve got someone I think Zaire should meet,” she said, her tone all business.

I ran a hand through my hair, trying not to roll my eyes. “Not this again, Mrs. Kingston. You know Zaire’s not interested.”

“Oh, but Giovanni, you don’t understand. This girl, Tamara, she’s perfect for him. She’s beautiful, smart, and she’s exactly what he needs right now.”

I exhaled sharply. “Look, Mrs. Kingston, I understand you want what’s best for Zaire, but he’s made it clear who he’s focused on. And it’s not some girl you’re trying to set him up with.”

She was quiet for a moment. “I just want him to be happy. I can’t stand to see him alone.”

“Zaire’s got his hands full, but don’t worry. He’ll figure it out.”

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Zoey’s POV

Later that day, I met up with Ashley at the café to talk more about the whole Tamara situation. I knew Zaire’s mom wouldn’t let up, and the more I thought about it, the more I knew something had to be done.

Ashley leaned in, her expression serious. “So, what are we doing about this?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “But Zaire needs to put his foot down. His mom’s not going to stop until she gets what she wants.”

Ashley nodded. “He’ll have to decide soon. Miyah’s not going to let him play both sides forever.”

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Zaire’s POV

I was exhausted. My mom had called me again, trying to convince me that I needed to meet this girl, Tamara. The pressure was building, but I wasn’t ready to make any decisions. Not yet.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I wasn’t just dealing with my mother’s expectations. I was dealing with the choices I had made and the life I had built. Miyah, Ashley, Zoey… they were the ones in my heart.

Tamara? She wasn’t part of my future.

But would everyone else see it that way?

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