Against All Odds

AAO | BookOfFirsts | 18

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Book Of Firsts
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"Before I made it this far, all I had was my word. When I was broke my word was all I had and that shit still stand. I got you aight? Always. Even if shit ever go bad wit' us, as long as you keep it real wit' me, then I'll always have you."
- Benjiman Cartier Gotti
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Friday | June 22nd

Benjiman Cartier Gotti stepped outside of the black SUV looking as fly as ever. He was dapper down in his denim Balmain jeans, high top Dior sneakers, an all white matching Balmain t-shirt, and about a half rack of ice around his neck and wrist. Over the time he was out in Miami, his pockets had grown longer than he could've ever imagined. Life had been good to him and it showed every time he stepped outside.

Over the last month or so, Benji had exceeded what was expected of him and secured a six figure salary. It was dope for him to have reached that point, but a nigga like Benji wanted more. He'd come from shit, so with the opportunity to keep going in his face, he was gonna take it and run with it until he couldn't.

Benji headed up the stairs with orange roses in hand and knocked on Layton's front door. Today was her birthday and he figured he'd surprise her with some flowers before they left. Orange was her favorite, so he knew she'd love them. As he waited on her at the door, he checked the time on his Rolex. It was noon and he'd flown back from Miami to fly with her.

"Aweeee," Layton cooed as she opened the door to find him standing with the flowers in her hand. The smile that spread across her face came quickly, and was quite contagious as he shared one of his own.

"Happy Birthday," he said, as he stepped closer and wrapped an arm around her waist. He hugged her as he took in the sweet perfume she wore. After a little while longer, he pulled away and she kissed his lips a few times as a way to show she'd missed him so.

"Thank you, I love them." She smiled, as he handed the flowers over to her. Layton admired them as she headed back inside with him following behind her.

"You ready to go?" He asked.

"Yeah, let me put these in water and grab my purse. My bags are on the couch." Benji nodded, and went ahead and grabbed her bags. He shook his head at a total of three bags for a weekend stay. Females had to have everything in their closet when they left for out of town, the shit was crazy and beyond him. As he grabbed all of her things, he headed to the truck.

By the time he'd finished loading all of her bags up, she'd made it downstairs next to him. Benji opened the door and allowed her to climb into the truck and he followed suit before they pulled out. The two of them held a casual conversation until they got ready to approach the private jet that they'd be ridding on.

"You good?" Benji voiced, as he looked over at her. Their ride had just pulled up at the jet, and Layton's nerves were shot. It was finally settling in that they were about to get on this plane in a few moments.

"Yeah." She responded briefly, her tone flat from all of the emotions she'd felt about this plane. This was her first time ever getting on a plane so she couldn't help but to be afraid of it, as many people were their first time. No matter how brave she wanted to be on her first, her nerves were getting the best out of her.

Benji hopped outside of the truck and began to help the driver load their bags onto the plane. Layton sat in the truck, praying to God to get them their safely. Her leg shook as she waited for Benji to come back to tell her it was time. With her eyes shut, she spoke to the one person that held her fate in their hands. It was very scary for her, but God would keep them.