"Wait, that was you in the alley?"

"I don't know what you're talking about shorty" East said.

I expected that answer from him. He doesn't know me that well, so I didn't expect him to tell me anything.

"Nevermind" I said.

"Where's lil man?" East asked.

"He's with Kelis."

"Send me her address. I'll pick him up for you" East said.

"You don't have to do that. I'm perfectly fine."

"You're not though. He doesn't need to see his mother like this. You're visibly shaken up" East said.

"Why do you care so much?"

East sighed, "fuck it then. You can go pick him up."

He was about to walk out until I stopped him.

"Wait! I was just asking. I've never had a complete stranger care so much about my child. His own father doesn't even care about him."

"Kids are innocent. I'm just trying to look out. I'm not about to beg you though" East said.

I rolled my eyes, "I never asked you to beg. You don't have to be rude."

East ignored me then opened my front door.

"Text me the address" he said before walking out.

Although East is an asshole, I do appreciate his help. I can tell he has a soft spot for kids. I'm sure he would do the same thing for ANY other woman and child.

I stepped out of the shower then wrapped a towel around my body. I had to be gentle because my whole body was covered in bruises. That situation was an eye opener for me. Maybe it's time for me to step away from the club life.

I opened my bedroom door and jumped when I seen East.

"You're very sneaky" I said as I tightened my grip on my towel.

East looked me up and down then handed me my phone.

"I put lil man in his bed, and somebody was blowing your phone up" he said.

"It's probably Kelis. She's probably wondering why I didn't show up to pick Kaiser up."

"She asked me a million questions, but I ignored her though. I felt like it wasn't my place to tell your business" East said.

I smiled, "I appreciate that."

"I'm 'bout to head out. Hit my line if you need anything" East said.

I honestly didn't want him to leave. I was so shaken up, and I was scared to be alone. I couldn't tell him that though. I barely know him, and he might take it the wrong way. The last thing I need is for East to think I'm one of these thirsty hoes that chase after him.

"Okay, thank you. I'll walk you out."

I walked towards the front door while East trailed behind me.

"Good night"

East nodded then walked out.

I sighed then closed my front door. I knew I wouldn't be getting any sleep.

I tossed and turned in my bed as I tried to fall asleep. I would become nervous everytime I heard a noise, and I found myself constantly checking on Kaiser. I didn't even feel safe in my own home.

I tried to call Kelis, but she didn't answer her phone. I also tried to call Sammy, but she didn't answer either. Going out on a limb, I went to East's contact. My finger hovered over my phone for a moment before I pressed the call button.

It rang a few times before he answered the phone.

"What" I mumbled as I answered my phone.

I didn't even bother looking at the caller ID.

"I'm sorry, did I wake you up?" Gen asked.

"You did but it's cool. Wassup?"

I usually would've cussed a muthafucka out for calling me this late, but Gen doesn't know me that well. I'll give her a pass this time.

Gen sighed before speaking up.

"I know I'm asking a lot right now, but can you please come back to my house? I can't sleep at all, and none of my friends are answering the phone. I just don't feel safe" Gen said.

"I'll be there in a few."

Why I decided to say yes? I don't know. I don't know Gen from a can of paint, but I feel bad for her. She's raising a young black king ALONE, and she doesn't seem to have any family. Don't ask me why I care so much because I wouldn't be able to give you an answer. Shit, I don't even know the answer to that my damn self.

When I saw her getting attacked in the alley it brought out a dark side that I've fought hard to keep hidden. Sure I would've done the same thing for ANY woman in that situation, but I went overboard though. I didn't have to kill those niggas. I could've just fired warning shots, and I'm sure they would've ran off. When I realized that it was Gen, I felt like killing those niggas was NECESSARY. I can't explain why I felt so angry. None of this shit makes sense to me. I've never been the type to care so much about a stranger. Now here I am, going out of my way for a woman that I don't know and a child that isn't mine.

"Hey" Gen mumbled as she opened the door for me.

I nodded my head then walked into her apartment.

"I put some blankets and a few extra pillows on the couch for you" Gen said.

"How'd you know if I wanted to spend the night or not?" I asked as I sat down on the couch.

"Oh, I just assumed you wanted to since it's late" Gen said.

I smirked, "I'm just fucking with you. Thank you for the blankets and pillows."

Gen smiled, "you're welcome. Thank you for coming here. I would've called someone else, but nobody was answering."

"I don't mind. You're shaken up, and you need some company. That's understandable."

Gen sighed then sat down next to me, venting about her life.

"Kaiser's father used to beat my ass EVERYDAY. I still have PTSD from that shit, and this situation opened some old wounds. My anxiety is at an all time high right now, so I'm very APPRECIATIVE. You don't know me that well, and you didn't have to drive over here this late but you did. I fuck with you for that" Gen said as she smiled.

"I'm sorry you went through that. No woman deserves to be abused. I'm glad you were smart enough to get out of that situation."

"I just hope he NEVER finds me. I know he'll kill me if he does. I left him the day before I had Kaiser. It was the best decision I've ever made. There's no telling what he would've done to my son. I came to LA with no money, no clothes, and nothing for Kaiser. I had to really get it out the mud. I fought for my mental health, and now I feel like this situation is gonna be a major setback. My son needs me at my strongest" Gen said.

Every person has a story, and Gen's story was one of the saddest stories I've ever heard. Imagine having NOTHING to give your child or yourself. Imagine coming out of the hospital after giving birth with no where to live. I have a different type of respect for Gen now. She's independent, she's a good mother, she made something from nothing, and most of all she's STRONG.

"I respect you for that. I know we don't know each other that well, but I care about lil man. Anytime I can help you out I will. You can trust me with him. There's too many young, black men out here with no father or father figure. Most of them are dead, in jail, or in the streets. I don't want that to happen to Kaiser."

"Don't take offense when I say this, but why do you care so much? It's hard for me to trust people, especially when it comes to my child. I've seen you around before, but you literally came into my life out of nowhere. I just feel like this is too good to be true" Gen said.

"I can't even give you an answer because I don't know the answer to that my damn self. Nothing makes sense when it comes to you and Kaiser. I don't know why I care so much. I don't know why I'm willing to go out of my way for both of y'all. After the club I started running into you way too often. Then our friends started feeling each other, and I started seeing you even more. You believe in ?"

"I do" Gen said.

I nodded, "me too. Everything happens for a reason."

Gen smashed her lips onto mine, shocking the hell out of me. I cupped her chin, deepening the kiss. It was sudden and random, but I was enjoying it nonetheless. Just as things were about to escalate, she pulled back from the kiss with a look of embarrassment on her face.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that," she said.

"Nah, it's cool. You don't have to apologize."

"K, good night," she spoke awkwardly, scurrying to her room.

I chuckled, shaking my head then leaning back on the couch.

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