CHAPTER 20 #2
The young barista behind the counter, a girl who couldn't have been older than nineteen, instantly recognized the energy shift. Her hands began to visibly tremble over the espresso machine. "Um, excuse me, gentlemen... we—we want no trouble in here today. Please."
One of Malik’s boys, a tall, heavily tattooed guy with a scar slicing through his left eyebrow, stepped toward the counter. He leaned over the plexiglass, his voice a low, raspy growl. "Shut the fuck up and serve the coffee, little girl. Keep your eyes on the register."
The barista shrank back, her face turning pale as she went completely rigid.
Malik didn't even look at her. His eyes were locked entirely on me, burning with a volatile, unstable rage that sent a shockwave of adrenaline straight down my spine.
He walked directly over to our table, his heavy boots thudding against the tiled floor like a death march.
He didn't ask to sit. He didn't greet anyone.
He just leaned over the edge of our booth, hovering over my seat, blocking out the sunlight and casting a suffocating shadow over the three of us.
"Let’s go for a walk, Terra," Malik said. His voice was terrifyingly calm, a dark contrast to the fury vibrating in his chest.
As he spoke, his two boys took a step closer, intentionally angling their bodies toward our table.
With a slow, deliberate movement, they drew up the bottom hems of their oversized hoodies, revealing the heavy, matte-black grips of their Glocks resting heavily inside the waistbands of their pants.
It was a silent, lethal promise. Don't make a scene in here, or we'll turn this place into a graveyard.
Gabriel went entirely still, his hands freezing over his iced macchiato, his usual sharp, theatrical energy instantly evaporating into survival mode. Kelly, however, gripped the edge of the table, her knuckles turning stark white.
I forced myself to look up, staring directly into the eyes of the man I used to think I loved, refusing to let him see how violently my heart was hammering against my ribs. "What the fuck are you doing now, Malik? You and I are over. I told you that. It’s done."
"I don’t give a fuck what you told me," Malik scoffed, leaning in closer, the scent of cheap cologne and stale smoke invading my space. "It’s over when I say it’s over, Terra.
You think you can just walk away from me?
Leave me in the dirt while you go live your little fairytale?
" He scanned the table, a venomous smirk curling his lips.
"Where is your bitch, Miley? I was hoping to see her today.
She think she took something that belongs to me. "
"You take Miley's name out of your fucking mouth, Malik," Kelly spat, her voice cutting through the tense silence of the cafe. She stood up halfway, her protective instincts overriding her fear.
Malik slowly turned his head toward her, his eyes darkening. "Or else what, Kelly? You’re talking real big, like you’re gonna do shit with your gay-ass nigga sitting next to you."
Gabriel didn't flinch. He raised his chin, his voice steady despite the gun handles staring him down. "Gay and smart. A combination you clearly know nothing about."
"Are you saying I’m not smart, Gaybriel?
" Malik bellowed, his voice suddenly booming across the quiet Starbucks. The remaining customers in the far corner ducked their heads, staring in sheer terror. Malik’s face contorted, eyes flashing with absolute, unhinged rage as he stepped toward Gabriel.
"You think you're funny, faggot? You think this is a joke? "
"Don’t answer that, Gabriel!" I yelled, instantly throwing myself out of the booth to step between them. I could feel the invisible thread snapping; if I stayed in this coffee shop for another thirty seconds, Malik’s fragile ego was going to break, and my best friends would pay the price in blood.
I couldn't let them get hurt because of my past. "Fine, Malik. You want to talk? Let’s go outside. Right now."
Malik looked back at me, his chest heaving, before nodding slowly. "Yeah. Let’s go. Outside."
I looked back at Kelly and Gabriel. Kelly’s eyes were pleading, her lips silently mouthing 'No, Terra, don't.' Gabriel looked terrified but was already reaching into his pocket, likely trying to dial 911 under the table.
I gave them both a tight, reassuring nod, trying to convey a strength I didn't possess.
I turned and walked toward the exit, the heavy glass door pushing open as I stepped onto the sun-dappled pavement.
Behind me, Malik and his crew followed like wolves trailing a wounded deer, while Kelly and Gabriel rushed to the large glass window, their faces pressed against the pane, watching my every move.
The sudden transition to the bustling Manhattan sidewalk was jarring.
The morning air was crisp, the yellow cabs were honking down the avenue, and everyday people were walking past, completely oblivious to the lethal vortex I had just been pulled into.
I felt the immense danger radiating off Malik, a heavy, suffocating pressure.
My heart was thumping so violently in my chest I could hear the pulse roaring in my ears.
I should’ve known, I thought bitterly, the concrete feeling cold beneath my sneakers. I should’ve known Malik wouldn’t take the breakup this easily. He was a man built on control, and I had dared to take my life back.