Caesar Ramireź

Genesis

When we opened schools for the last term, Caesar and I weren't speaking to each other.

There was a rumor roaming among these motherfuckers.

"Caesar committed suicide because Genesis broke up with him".

He responded to these allegations by saying I wasn't that special.

This nigga was tripping.

Anyway I had other things to worry about, school in particular.

I was going to study business and take over after my mother.

I missed my friend despite all my focus.

I didn't have any other friends like he did so all this resentment hit me hard.

I even tried apologising but it went to the dust.

What was I apologising for though?

Fuck Caesar and this school.

_______________________________________

I did three years of business school after I got through high school. I took over my mothers business as I thought o would.

My brother went to DC to live with my grandparents while my mum and Brian traveled the world.

Caesar took over from his dad, this was before I was in charge.

When all the power was in my hands I had the company moved to LA.

I don't know what happened to the building in new York.

All those people losing their jobs was on Caesar. I wasn't going to work with him.

He was a fool to treat me like shit.

I'm not immature people.

I've always wanted to live in LA and the shareholders were tired of the village in new York. LA was the suggested and voted location for the business.

But why not just blame the move on Cesar.

_______________________________________

It was 2013 already, I was 21 and I was enjoying the views of Malibu. I had the company under control for five years and then boom I didn't.

I lost what my mother worked so hard to build to a clown and emotionless fool.

My mum passed in the 2016,she wasn't here to see the company fall apart and she wasn't here to save it either.

I lost the company to Malcolm Jackson.

The nigga lowered himself to a point of pretending to have Vitiligo so that we become partners.

He knew I would be blown away simply because I would think I found someone like me for once.

He had a well skilled makeup artist and a caning father who would even have blood on his hands just for power.

We really clicked. Sad it was all an act.

I tried my best to save my company but I failed.

I had some money saved but for how long was I going to survive without a monthly generation of money?

Most of my money was directed to an orphanage 'children of greatness'.

My mum always said to help the less fortunate.

I needed the money because my ship was sinking but it would be shitty to withdraw my cheque from the kids.

"Where are the files? "I asked one of the sisters at the orphanage.

Children of greatness was run by Dominican sisters.

"You can go to the last office down this hall, the lady there will assist you. " the sister replied.

I did as she said. As I walked passed the rooms I saw what I think was a little girl crying looking outside.

"Its none of your business its none of your business.. " I repeated to myself as I walked to the office.

"Here are the files Miss McCoy and thank you so much for the generous donation. " the sister in the room told me.

I smiled big. She had no idea just how many hearts I gave this donation with.

I needed this money but I couldn't reverse this action because of humility.

"You should consider taking a child of your own from here too. The kids just love you. " she continued to say.

Sure sister. These kids didn't even know my name. All they knew was that when I show up, it was Christmas for them.

"Yah sure. " I said then laughed. "Good day sister....... Mariah. "I said after reading her name on the standing tag on her desk.

"Good day. "she replied.

When I was walking back to the main room I noticed the kid again. He or she didn't seem to be crying anymore but just sitting in silence.

I didn't want to help and I was tired so........ I left.

..........

The sisters insisted on showing me where my money would be used. This was torturing emotionally but I just smiled.

The kids kept peeping up on me and touching their foreheads.

Kids are bullies.

They do the most, but I was a grown ass woman.

I had a tax on so my forehead was the only view they had.

"Children children, come say hi. "One of the sisters called out.

They rushed to me and said their hi's.

I felt a pain in my heart for all of them. They deserve patents and happiness.

They looked happy though so scratch that.

"She's just like you. " one of the kids mentioned.

One of the sisters went on to give all the kids a lecture and reprimanded them. I was confused as hell but I just wanted to go home.

When everything was done and I was about to go out, the sisters insisted on taking pictures.

These ladies were driving me crazy.

After calling and calling out, the kid they told me to be the best picture snapper, she finally came.

We took at least ten pictures.

This kid was looking at me weirdly afterwards.

I thought kids were the innocent no judgement crew. Anyway I was leaving so I didn't care.

One of the sisters walked me to my car.

"I saw that the staring of the kids bothered you. I'm sorry about them. "She told me.

"Its okay but you should make them more aware you know. "I told her.

"They are actually. They were probably just dazzled by the similarity between you and Zala. "She told me.

"Whose Zala? "I asked.

I should have just said oh and left but I just had to ask who Zala was.

The sister took me to the block for kids between the ages five and nine.

Most of them were at the doors looking at us smiling and waving.

Some of them even winked at me.

They were like prostitutes on display except they were kids and they were out here for parents and not thirsty men.

........

We entered Zala's room. They were five other kids here too but not one of them was Zala.

They looked at me with big smiles and hope in their eyes.

Zala hoped out the bathroom with a towel reaching her ankles.

Zala was beautiful and I'm not just saying this because I have Vitiligo too.

She had an elongated patch on her face, in the middle of her forehead down to her left eye and nose. Her ears were lighter too. So were her little fingers and some parts of her arms. I don't know about her legs but that was some hell of a towel.

Her hair was big, long and curly, she looked like she had just washed it.

Our skin complexion was probably the same, light brown. Hers was slightly darker.

Later that day I came to know that she was partly Ethiopian.

No wonder she was so beautiful. Most African woman were very beautiful.

When she saw me she smiled as though she knew me and I smiled too.

I don't know why I smiled but I couldn't leave the little girl hanging.

That night of February 14th 2018 I drove home with a six year old in the back. Zala Nayo Pauls. My daughter.

I wasn't for the family perspective but I liked her at first sight.

She was quiet during the whole drive but I was going to be patient.

After a good thirty minutes I drove into my street.

My street had mansions, I had one too but for how long.

I made my turn.

To my surprise and disgust Malcolm's car was parked in my space. In my drive through. At my home.

"Let's go Zala. "I told Zala. We both hoped out of the car and had to attend to Mr Jackson.

Zala grabbed her bag. She looked like she was from school with a maybe overly packed school bag.

"Hi Genesis. " he greeted me. "You have a child? " he asked clearly surprised.

"Yah. "I answered quickly.

He went on to greet Zala and she politely returned his greeting.

"How are you doing? "He asked me.

"I'll have to move by the end of this month if I don't find a big job so yah, I'm not doing great at all. "I answered the moron honestly.

"I can pay for whatever you need till you get a job. Its the... "

I cut him short. I was tired.

"Of course you will. I'll send you my account details and my needs. "I said and walked away with Zala.

Malcolm was a good man influenced by his father. What he did to me was hurtful and he was kind enough to offer his services.

I wasn't going to let emotion get the best of me and make me refuse his offer. I let my brain take over and accepted the offer.

"Uhm. "I said trying to start a conversation with Zala. This child thing was really awkward. "This will be your room Zala. Until we get it done it will be plain and boring like a grown ups room. "I said making Zala laugh.

Her smile was amazing.

Zala

Her house was so amazing. Everything looked so expensive. I know I'll love it here.

Genesis

"So are you hungry? "I asked hoping she'd say no because I didn't have anything prepared to eat.

"Very hungry. "Zala replied.

Great.

February 10th 2019.

I was in Zala's room. It now had a baby pink theme to it.

I was a mum and I loved it.

Watching her sleep. Watching her grow. Watching her talk. Just watching her doing everything she did.

"Good night baby. "I said and kissed Zala on the forehead. She was fast asleep.

February 14th 2018

"I'm Zala Nayo Pauls. "Zala said at the kitchen counter as we ate.

I loved how comfortable she had already gotten with me. It was barely a night and she was already talking like we've known each other for years.

"Zala means beautiful. It’s a Slovenia name. Nayo means we have joy or we have happiness in Yoruba. And then Pauls is just Paul with an S at the end I guess. "She said making us both laugh.

I didn't want to ask how she knew all this. What if her parents died recently. I wasn't up for that yet.