The house smelled like cinnamon, baked cornbread, and slow green beans. Zion walked in, his boots heavy against the floor, jaw set like stone- He was dressed in black, his tattoo peeking out from his well fitted suit.
"Zion" mama tee beamed , eyes fixed on him, and her hands spread out as she approached him and squeezed him against her bosom" What the fuck happened to you boy?" "why did you vanish like that?" Her voice teary as she hugged him tightly.
He gave a smile, a warm one and patted her back." I'm glad to see you mama tee again. It's such a long story mama. I didn't wanna inconvenience you. I wanted to go out and fight for myself. for my life. I couldn't achieve that here mama".
She stared at him with hope in her eyes and a wide smile broke through her face- Zion too.
"You were never inconveniencing me boy. You are always welcome here baby". mama tee said as she patted his head.
" The food is gonna get cold, guys" Alzira broke in. Mama tee let go of his hands and marched to the dining.
He stared at her - so elegant in her velvet dress as the wind swayed her hair. The memories of her bare breasts flashed through his eyes and he chuckled and brushed his hands over his eyes.
"we've definitely met before" He said.
"guess so, mysterious Zion" she said stretching out her hands. He took her slender hands in, her nails cut neatly and he kissed them.
"You've grown a lot, Alzira".
"Oh it's so good you knew me when I was little. It's a pity I don't remember those times. Such a history, this damn place makes someone old In a twinkle of an eye" she said leading him to the table.
"yes, this damn place of course. mama tee is one of the precious reasons i survived this shithole"He said staring over at mama tee placing the dishes on the table.
"Yeah right, she's indeed precious. And that's why I'm not taking it good when someone just walked into my house tryna steal my mama away with shitty niceness '" she uttered as she sat gracefully, her eyes meeting his and her face stern.
A flicker of something passed through their gaze, something thrilling - Recognition or more like challenge.
"Alzira! you don't say such things to our guest. She can be a pain sometimes" mama tee said to Zion, placing a cornbread in his plate.
"I can see that mama, indeed a pain" He muttered under his breath as he took a bite of the cornbread. "I miss your cooking, mama -so good"
" I made that" Alzira said, a low smile in her face as she took a bite also.
"well good for you" he replied coldly.
" So what about the bakery, Zion? Do u mind enlightening us?" Alzira asked
"We're gonna discuss that when the time is right, alzira". mama tee said signaling her to return to her meal.
Dinner was served. Mama tee kept the conversation light, dragging stories out of Zion and memories out of herself. Zion chew slow, steady but observed slower.
Alzira on the other hand studies him, his sharp jaw, his tattoos, his stern face, the long pause before he answered -the silence he wore like a coat.
Dinner came to an end. The air was heavy with warmth and the leftover scent of the meals. The table has long been cleared, the dishes washed and mama tee had excused herself to her room.
Alzira lingered by the open window, a half glass of wine in her hands , her eyes locked on Zion who sat brooding in the corner armchair, his legs crossed and his eyes staring at the pictures on the old walls.
He hadn't said much all night. His silent wasn't uncomfortable , it was.... magnetic. Something about him occupying space without demanding.
"Are you always this quiet?" she asked sipping from her glass.
He looked up at her, his mouth tight and his eyes a shade of storm." I didn't think you wanted to talk to someone who's interested in stealing your mama". He said and shrugged his shoulders.
"wow, sharp with words as well. you aren't interested in getting to know me?"
"what's new to know about you, I know your name, where you live , your mama, the size of your boobs and your shaved pussy" he answered staring at her, a coy smile crawling up on his face..
Alzira smirked. "I didn't think you noticed, guess your eyes are sharper than your mouth."
He didn't smile. He watched her. The silence wrapped around them, thick and electric. She sat on the armrest of his chair, close enough to feel his warmth.
"I don't bite" she teased, using her hands to brush her thighs. she heaved a sigh of relief and offered her drink to him.
"My mama must have been so nice to you"...
He breathed out and straightened his shoulder, "yes she is. she took care of me sometimes and encouraged my life".
She chuckled. "she's such an angel." He nodded in agreement.
She kept quiet and kept staring out the window. He dropped down the glass of wine and adjusted. Her slender body spread out on the armrest, damn he didn't want to look, but his resistance had broken the moment he thought about her in his house, he couldn't hold the thoughts in his head, he felt so connected to her, but he didn't want to welcome it. He fought it so hard. His rod sprung slowly as he looked at her ass curved down on the armrest.
She caught him staring at her, and she lowered her face to him, she stretched his suit in her hands and looked deeply into his eyes" were you thinking about my body?" she asked , staring at his eyes, her hands on his chest.
Their eyes locked, the tension alive between them. For a second, the world narrowed. Her fingers grazed his jaw - rough, stubbled, tense.
Then without thinking, She whispered ".You kinda look like my dad." "such a loosed old bastard. What about your father?"
Instantly, his body stiffened.
Zion stood, the chair creaked behind him, her eyes followed him, open in curiosity. ". Please I do not want to speak about that".
"oh I'm so sorry, it just came to my head. Because u actually do look like him -and ..... ". she said , standing to go near him.
"Shut up!". He screamed at her , his face stern, his eyes dark and looking weirdly at her. Her heart skipped, her mouth opened in fear, her eyes shut as she moved away ....
"What's going on?" mama tee asked as she heard Zion's voice and alzira's gasp.
He turned and walked out of the door, his shoe slamming into their ears and the doors jamming into the wall.