8. Blyss Monroe
Blyss Monroe
I t had been a few days since the truth wore off on Kase.
Ever since that night in his damn kitchen, I’d been avoiding him because I was emotional as hell.
Just like the old man in the alley warned me, it brought everything to the surface.
Kase actually liked me, but because I was, in his words, “geeky,” he didn’t want anything serious.
Said it would mess up his image. That was the most shallow, self-absorbed shit I’d ever heard.
I couldn’t believe that arrogant bastard.
Judging me over some damn glasses, like that, made me any less worthy.
Meanwhile, he kept entertaining them superficial hoes in tight-ass clothes with half their titties out, lookin’ like dollar-store video vixens.
Yeah, I was pissed. I knew it too, ’cause I was cussin’ like a sailor.
But still, that wasn’t right. And it damn sure didn’t feel like kindness when he said it with the same mouth that kissed me like I was the only sweet thing in his bitter-ass world.
My feelings were hurt, but I went to work and tried to stay positive anyway.
Walking into the library, I couldn’t help but smile as the familiar scent of old books wrapped around me.
I dropped my things behind the desk and got into position.
Not long after, an older white woman approached, asking about a book.
I searched it in the database, helped her find it, and handed her the copy from the shelf.
She gave me a warm smile and strolled off.
When I turned around, I slammed right into Griffin, my coworker.
The one with the massive crush on me. He’d asked me out a few times, but I’d politely declined. He just wasn’t my type.
“Ughhh. Hi, Blyss. You look extra delightful today.”
“Thanks. I just washed my hair.”
He leaned in slightly, took a sniff like a damn bloodhound, and said, “Smells like raspberries… and extra love.”
Then he snorted. After that, he adjusted his glasses.
I did mine too, just out of habit, and then we were both standing there, awkwardly mirroring each other like some kind of nerdy rom-com standoff.
I gave a quick wave and ducked out before he could start sniffing again.
It was a slow day, which I appreciated; less chaos and more peace.
Once my shift ended, I grabbed my purse and headed out.
I made a quick stop for gas. While I was standing there paying at the pump, I suddenly felt something press against my back.
Not a tap. Not a poke. A presence. Then a voice spoke, cold, low, and way too close to my neck.
“Take off them motherfuckin’ glasses.”
I froze. “What?”
“You heard me, bitch. With lenses that thick, you can’t pick me out in a lineup.”
“Seriously?”
“Deadass. Glasses off. Now.”
“You know I’m blind without them, right? Like, legally. I might walk into traffic.”
“That ain’t my problem. I’m tryna be a respectable criminal. Help me help you.”
I sighed, pulled off my glasses, and before I could blink again, he tossed them to the ground and crushed them beneath his shoe.
Then he snatched my purse. Even though I was terrified, I didn’t fight it.
But when he shoved me to the ground and jumped into my car, something in me cracked.
I watched, devastated, as he sped off, with the gas pump still hanging from the tank, like none of it mattered.
Like I didn’t matter. Tears welled in my eyes.
I had just been robbed and carjacked all in one go.
And to make it worse, my phone was in my purse.
I pushed myself up and began doing the blind walk towards the gas station for help.
Lord, I bumped into the trash can, and smacked into the glass door, before making inside.
As I approached the counter, my vision was so blurry I could barely make out the guy standing behind it.
He looked Indian, or maybe Middle Eastern, but I couldn’t be sure.
Before I could say a word, I dug into my pocket, pulled out my inhaler, and took a deep, shaky puff.
“I need to use your phone,” I said, breathless. “I just got robbed.”
His eyes widened. “Oh hell no. You gotta pay first.”
“Did you not hear me? I just got robbed. I don’t have any money!”
“Well… do you got Zelle?”
“Sir, he took my whole purse. Unless you got a psychic Venmo link, I’m broke-broke.”
He sighed dramatically, like he was the one who had just been thrown to the ground. “Fine. But don’t be calling no overseas numbers. The last girl tried to call Jamaica and cussed me out when it didn’t go through.”
"Can you help me dial the numbers? The man broke my glasses."
I rattled off the digits, and he grunted as he dialed each one, then handed me the phone without a word. When Tuesday finally picked up, she sounded skeptical at first.
“Hello? Who is this?”
“Tuesday, it’s me,” I rushed out. “It’s Blyss.”
“Where are you? What number are you calling from?”
“I—” My voice cracked. “I just got robbed and carjacked.”
“Wait, what? Are you okay?” I could hear the panic in her voice.
“Yeah, I’m at a station. I can’t see anything. He took my purse, my glasses—everything.”
“Oh my God. Jace and I are at the beach. He surprised me after work. But I will find someone to come to get you. Give me the location.”
Being that both my parents died when I was younger, I didn’t really have anyone except Tuesday and her folks. They lived a few hours away, so getting to me in time wasn’t realistic.
I gave her the address through broken sobs.
“Stay there, Blyss. Don’t move. I’ma send somebody. Just hang tight, okay?”
About twenty minutes later, Kase came strolling inside the gas station.
He handed me my extra pair of glasses, so I figured my cousin must’ve told him to use our spare key to grab them.
I was so happy, I could finally see again.
He looked sharp as ever, fresh line-up, chain glinting under the lights, dressed like he was about to step into his club.
I leaped into his arms to give him a hug.
Not because I wanted to, but because I needed to.
My body moved before my pride could stop it.
For a second, he didn’t move. Just stood there, probably confused as hell and mad that I was getting snot on his shirt.
But then I felt his hands come around my back, firm, grounding, but then he turned back into an asshole, not showing emotion.
“Damn, Wheels, can a nigga get some air?” Kase muttered, peeling my arms off him like I was a blanket he didn’t ask for.
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, trying not to cry. “I’m just… glad to see you. Thank you for coming.”
He rolled his eyes but didn’t move away. “Yeah, well… you lucky I did. I was mid-stroke in a threesome when your cousin called.”
“Wait… what?”
“Yeah. Two women, one me. Had the playlist goin’ and everything. Only answered ‘cause I thought something happened to Jace. How’d you break your glasses? You good?”
“He stepped on them during the robbery,” I said quietly. “Didn’t want me to see his face.”
Kase nodded like I’d just explained a tactical mission. “Smart. Man had a plan. Gotta respect that.”
“That’s not funny,” I snapped. “I got robbed. You don’t have any compassion?”
He exhaled through his nose, slow. “Didn’t I pull up? That’s compassion. Ain’t nobody tell you to be over here gettin’ gas like it’s sweet. You know Golden Shores the damn jungle.”
“So now it’s my fault?”
“I ain’t say all that, but if the shoe fits, my sweet geek.”
“You’re such a jerk,” I muttered. “It’s not easy being like me.”
“You mean awkward?” he laughed. “Trippin’ over your own feet, snortin’ when you laugh, flinchin’ at loud music, you built like an after-school special, Blyss. You don’t belong in this kinda chaos.”
My face flushed, but I kept my chin up. “You ain’t all that with that fake swagger,” I shot back, knowing damn well I was lying.
“Fake swagger?” He chuckled, shaking his head like I was entertainment. “You was damn near crying when I walked in, Wheels. Be real. You fiend for me like I come with a damn prescription.”
Just as I was about to bite back, he looked at me, really looked at me.
“But I ain’t mad at it,” he added, voice dropping. “You loyal in a weird, nerdy kinda way. Shit’s rare.”
I didn’t know how to respond to that. I didn’t even know if he meant it.
We walked to the register in silence. Kase grabbed a pack of condoms like it was candy, tossed some money at the clerk, and strolled out like he wasn’t currently ruining my soul one sentence at a time.
I followed, holding my emotions hostage behind a shaky breath.
When we got to his car, there was already a girl in the front seat, her boobs spilling out like they were tryin’ to clock out early.
I climbed into the back like the afterthought I was.
The ride was silent, not even the bass dared to breathe.
When we pulled up to my building, I reached for the door, half-hoping, half-praying he’d say something.
Anything. A crumb of kindness. An ounce of care.
Instead, he stretched his hand toward me.
“What?” I asked, frowning.
“Gas money,” he said.
I stared at him. “Really? After everything I just went through, you’re asking for money? And for the last time, fool, I got robbed . I don’t have any money.”
He tilted his head, completely unbothered. “And you robbed me for my time. I need something and it ain’t between your legs either.”
That was it. I pulled a spare twenty from my bra and tossed it dead in his face before storming toward my place. Kase Maddox was a fool. And if life had any justice, his arrogant ass was overdue for a reality check.
The next day, I was still furious about how Kase spoke to me like I was nobody.
Since I was a kid, I’d been picked on and bullied just for being who God made me, but the way he did it?
That shit cut deeper. The truth pill made him reveal how he really felt, but that Mirror Me potion?
That was about to let him walk in my shoes.
My world. My reality. I swung by the smoothie spot, grabbed two, and carefully poured the potion into his.
Then I headed to his place, calm on the outside, but ready as hell to flip the script.