Chapter 14 Kairo
Kairo
I pulled into the driveway of the house I was supposed to be showing Mrs. Nikki, the gravel crunching under my tires. My foot stayed on the brake because my body wasn’t ready to move even though my mind knew I had to. Sometimes I hated that work didn’t pause just because life was happening.
My phone was already pressed to my ear, listening to the chaos of our four-way call. That was Kendrix’s thing. He loved doing group calls for everything. Birthdays. Arguments. Random jokes. But that morning, it was different and no one was laughing.
“You heard anything else, Dai?” Kross asked.
Kordai exhaled on the other end. He was at my parents’ house when the call came in and rode with them to the hospital.
“All I know is he’s stable right now. They ain’t saying much else.
I’m waiting on Ma and Pops to come back to the waiting room.
They only letting two people in at a time, and y’all aunties already up here acting a fool. ”
That made us all laugh because we could picture the scene in our head.
Kendrix sucked his teeth. “They better not be up there acting out. I swear I’ll come up there and curse everybody out.”
We all laughed harder at that, knowing damn well he wouldn’t. Kendrix loved to talk tough, especially when it came to family, but he was the first one to go soft. Our aunties scared him just as much as they irritated him.
“Are any of your bald-headed-ass first cousins there?” Kendrix asked next.
Kordai laughed. “Nah. Just Keyla.”
I nodded to myself. “That sounds about right.”
Our cousins never really fooled with Grandpa.
They were raised closer to their other side.
Our dad was the oldest and only son with two sisters, and his sisters got married and spent more time with their in-laws unless they wanted money.
But Keyla always showed up to birthdays, cookouts, and anything that involved her family.
She made the effort, and Grandpa noticed which is why he always made sure she always had the best of the best.
I cleared my throat. “I’m about to show this house to Ms. Nikki, but my phone is on loud. If anything changes, let me know immediately.”
“Bet,” they all said in unison.
I hung up just as Mrs. Nikki’s car pulled in beside mine. I stepped out, straightening my jacket, slipping back into the version of myself that clients loved.
But inside, I was still a grandson that grew up watching that man create the Givelle real estate empire.
He was the oldest son just like my dad, so I always felt that it was only right for my ambition and work ethic to match theirs.
I was trying to hold everything together while the foundation that built us all trembled in the background.
I forced on a smile as Mrs. Nikki stepped out of her car, already complimenting the landscaping and asking questions.
She hugged me tight like any auntie who hadn’t seen you in a while would.
“It’s so good to see you,” she said, pulling back but keeping her hands on my arms. Her eyes searched my face like she was looking for traces of the boy she used to know.
She smiled slowly, shaking her head in disbelief. “You look so much like your daddy,” she said. There was awe in her voice, like she couldn’t decide if it shocked her or comforted her more. “Every time I see you, it takes me a second. Same smile. Same eyes.”
I laughed, rubbing the back of my neck. “Thank you. I hear that a lot.”
She finally turned toward the house, her heels clicking softly against the driveway. “Now this,” she said, pointing up at it, eyes lighting up, “this is amazing. If the outside looks like this, I can’t wait to see what the inside is doing.”
“I’m excited too. I really think you’re gonna love it.”
The moment we walked through the front door, the house spoke for itself. High ceilings, neutral tones, and natural light pouring in through the oversized windows.
“This feels… expensive,” she said softly, running her hand along the entryway console table.
“It was renovated by the previous owner,” I explained as we moved further in.
“He was a single guy with a high-level corporate job. He met someone and got engaged and relocated out of state. Apparently, he decided selling was easier than renting, especially since he won’t be back in Antionette much. ”
“Mmm,” she hummed, nodding. “That makes sense.”
It was the kind of house that felt perfect for dinner parties and peaceful mornings.
“This is rich-auntie energy,” she said, laughing.
I laughed with her. “Exactly what I was thinking.”
But the moment we reached the master suite, I knew she was sold. Then she stepped into the closet and stopped. She just stood there before slowly turning in a circle. Built-in shelving. Glass-front drawers. A vanity tucked perfectly into the corner with a lighted mirror.
“Oh,” she breathed.
I leaned against the doorway, watching her fall in love.
“This,” she said, finally turning to look at me, eyes shining, “this is it.”
Relief washed over me instantly. We’d looked at so many places, but this one fit her. I could see it on her face.
I smiled wide. “Okay,” I said, already pulling my phone out. “I’m calling Kemi right now so we can start the process. This house won’t be on the market long, and I want to make sure we get ahead of it.”
She waved me off playfully, already drifting back into the closet. “Do what you gotta do. I’m going back in here.”
I laughed under my breath and stepped out, dialing Kemi as I glanced back once more at Mrs. Nikki smiling at her reflection like she’d already moved in.
I stepped just outside the master suite, lowering my voice as soon as Kemi answered.
“She wants it,” I said, unable to hide the smile in my tone.
“Awww,” Kemi cooed immediately. “That makes me so happy for her. I know how hard it is finding another home after leaving the one you shared with someone.”
I nodded “Yeah. She looks really happy.”
“Okay,” she said, already typing. “I’ll make the calls and put the bid in. Same numbers we talked about?”
“Yeah,” I replied. “Let’s start there. If somebody else comes in hot, we’ll see what adjustments we need to make. I want some wiggle room.”
“I got you,” she said confidently. “I’ll keep you posted.”
We hung up, and I took a breath before turning back toward the closet. I pushed the door open and froze.
Mrs. Nikki stood in front of the mirror with her back half-turned toward me, dressed in nothing but lace lingerie. Her dress sat neatly folded on a shelf beside her.
She turned slowly, smiling.
“I just wanted to see what it felt like,” she said, spinning around. “Since this will be my new home.”
My brain stalled. And not because she didn’t look good. She actually looked great for a woman in her fifties, she carried herself with confidence that most people never found at any age. But that didn’t matter because I’d known her my whole life.
The woman watched me grow up, sat at my mama’s kitchen table, and called me her baby.
She stepped closer. “I wanted your opinion,” she continued, tilting her head. “On this lingerie set I just ordered.”
I immediately lifted my hands, backing up a step. “Mrs. Nikki,” I said carefully, “the only opinions I give are on property value and closing costs.”
I thought that would do and snap her back to reality, but it didn’t.
She closed the distance anyway, reaching for me. I stiffened instantly, every muscle in my body screaming no. I tried to move without jerking away, mindful of her high heels because I did have respect for her so I didn’t want to make her fall.
She leaned in too close.
“You remind me so much of your daddy,” she said.
“This can’t—” I started, grabbing her arms. “This is not—”
The closet door opened.
“I was looking for y’all,” Khloe said casually. “Hey Mrs. Ni—”
Her voice cut off mid-word. I turned just in time to see Khloe standing there, frozen, eyes locked on the scene in front of her.
“Baby, it's not what you think,” I said quickly, my voice shaking with urgency. “I walked in here and she was already—”
Behind me, Mrs. Nikki gasped like she had just come back to herself. She rushed, snatching her dress off the shelf and fumbling into it. Khloe didn’t even look at her. She was staring straight through me.
Tears lined her eyes. She looked heartbroken and furious at the same time.
“I promise you,” I said again, stepping closer, “I don’t know what the fuck she got going on. I walked in and—”
“This what the fuck you’re doing when you’re at work?” she screamed.
The sound of it cut through me. “No, baby—”
She was already turning away. She stormed out of the room.
“Khloe, wait—let me explain!”
I followed her straight out of the house, grabbing her arm.
“Baby—”
She snatched away so hard it surprised me.
“Don’t touch me,” she warned in a shaky voice.. “I’m trying my best not to go back in there and beat the fuck out of a woman I’ve respected my whole life. If you touch me again, I’ll beat the fuck out of you too.”
I froze. I knew she was angry, but she was starting to piss me off that she wasn’t even trying to see what was right in front of her.
“Khloe,” I snapped, my patience cracking, “I knew you were coming. Do you honestly think if something was really going on, I would’ve told you to come the fuck here?”
She stopped. Her shoulders shook as she turned back to me, tears finally spilling over.
“I don’t know,” she sobbed. “Maybe you wanted me to see for myself why you’re always at work. Why you’re always tired as hell when you get home. You can’t save any dick for me because you give it out all day.”
I stared at her like she had completely lost her mind.
“What?” I yelled. “Do you really think if I was cheating, I’d be fucking somebody like that? Some old-ass pussy Uncle Nate used to chase?”
The words flew out harsher than I meant, but I was spiraling too.
“That shit is damn near incest,” I added bitterly. “Ain’t shit Mrs. Nikki old nasty ass could do for me.”