𝐎𝗺𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭
As the repass came to a close, the friends of Rocco made their way to his grandmother's house, where a spread of food, family and warmth awaited them.
The atmosphere was lively, with the sound of chatter and clinking dishes filling the air.
Deion walked into the house, Emani snuggled in her arms, with Nyla by her side. She scanned the room, searching for a familiar face, but Armani was nowhere to be found.
They didn't see him after he left the service to go to the bathroom, they didn't even see him at the repass.
Deion's eyes landed on Citaly, who was beaming with a warm smile. "Hey mommy," Deion said, approaching her with a smile of her own.
Citaly's eyes lit up as she gave Deion a kiss on the cheek. Emani cooed, kicking her feet.
"Hey, baby. You look so pretty," Citaly said, her voice nice and soft.
Nyla was greeted with a warm hug by Citaly as well. "Hello Nyla," Citaly said, her voice soft and gentle. "Hi, Ms. Citaly," Nyla smiled, hugging her back.
Just then, a familiar voice called out, "Baby." Citaly turned to see Cheese, and her expression changed to one of curiosity. "Hm?" she hummed, her eyes locked on Cheese.
Cheese asked, "Where's Armani?"
Citaly shrugged, her shoulders barely rising off her chest. "I seen him walk in the house with Kane, but after that, he disappeared." She told her husband.
The room fell silent, the only sound the quiet murmur of conversations in the background.
Nyla broke the silence, saying, "I'm finna' go find Son'Dai." Deion nodded, and Nyla slipped away into the crowd.
It was clear that Nyla and Son'Dai had formed a strong bond since being introduced, and Deion was happy to see her friend making more friends.
The house continued to buzz with activity, the sound of laughter and chatter filling the air.
Kane brushed passed the group, making Cheese stop him in his stride, asking, "Where's Armani?" Kane nodded toward the staircase, replying, "Upstairs."
Cheese began to head toward the stairs, but Citaly intervened, her eyes locked on Deion.
"I think Deion should go talk to him, bebe," Citaly suggested. Deion raised an eyebrow, hesitant, but Citaly's expression remained insistent. "Right?"
Deion shrugged, her expression unenthused. "Unt unt," she muttered, shaking her head.
"Ale kounye a," she urged, pushing Deion gently toward the stairs. "Give me Emani."
Citaly took the baby from Deion's arms, cooing over her as she smiled. "So pretty, my baby. Look just like yo' daddy," she whispered, Emani giggling and babbling.
With a reluctant sigh, Deion began to make her way up the wooden stairs, her footsteps echoing through the silence.
As Deion made her way up the creaky stairs, she couldn't shake off the feeling of being slightly creeped out by the old house.
The worn wooden banister and faded family photos on the walls seemed to whisper stories of the past. She walked past a room painted a soft blue, but her footsteps slowed as she caught the sound of sniffles coming from within.
Curiosity got the better of her, and she stepped back to peer into the room. Her eyes met the sight of Pop standing with his head tilted back, his fists clenched over his eyes.
