Page 106 of Invisible Bars

“Now, you asked where I was. I was upstairs in Imanio’s room trying on his robe and pretending to fire people. That man got a whole throne in there. I damn near hired myself just to quit dramatically. I also ate half his snack drawer. If I disappear, it’s ’cause he found the wrappers.

And I know you’re probably wondering how I got access to his room—don’t worry about that. Let’s just say locks ain’t ever stopped me, and curiosity is stronger than common sense. Any more questions, lil’ hostage homie?

I shook my head. “This is n-not how I pictured my life ending,” I muttered, dragging my palms down my face.

“Tomato, tomahto,” Chi shrugged like death-by-kidnapping was a casual Tuesday. “Now, let’s talk Glitchy.”

Despite the nickname, there was no bite behind it. Chi had this uncanny way of being hilarious and borderline terrifying at the same time—like a sitcom character raised by the mob.

“So,” he said, leaning back with his arms spread across the couch like a therapist with no credentials, “how’s married life treating you?”

“Is… is that supposed to be a joke?” I asked. Another outburst slipped out. “Toothpaste ballerina!”

Chi blinked, then let out a wheeze so loud it startled the air fryer. “Nah, see—that one don’t even sound medically approved.”

Against all odds, I laughed. Not the tired, polite kind I’d been faking for days. Just for a moment, I forgot I was technically a hostage wife married to a billionaire with murder rumors and a security system that breathed louder than I did.

Chi grinned, pleased. “See? I knew you had a laugh in there somewhere. Thought I was gon’ have to call a priest or play some old Bernie Mac clips to get it outta you.”

He reached for the remote and added with a smirk, “Don’t worry, I charge by the laugh. First one’s free. Next one? I’m sending you an invoice.”

I chuckled.

Then his face softened.

“Imanio told me about your teddy bear. I guess we gotsomethingin common.”

I studied him carefully, unsure where he was headed.

“He said your grandma left it to you after she passed… with a message.”

I nodded slowly, a tic rising just from the memory. My shoulder jerked once, then again.

“Y-Yeah. She raised me. She was really all I had.”

Chi surprised me when he said, “Mine raised me too.”

Before I could ask anything, he kept going like he needed to vent in that moment… even if it was to a practical stranger.

“My moms was in and out. Pops? Just a name on a piece of mail I never opened. But my granny?” He shook his head. “She made sure I ate, made sure I had clean socks, and madedamnsure I didn’t leave the house without Vaseline on my face. Had me lookin’ like a shiny-ass glazed donut. But I was moisturized and loved.”

“She… she sounds amazing.”

“Shewas…the realest woman I ever knew.”

“She’s no longer living?”

Chi’s head dropped for a moment before he lifted it again, eyes steady but heavy.

“Nah,” he said. “She died when I was sixteen.”

I winced. “Oh… I’m sorry to hear that.”

Suddenly, my body jolted. “Why the funeral fried chicken?!”The words shot out like a firecracker in a church pew.

Chi blinked, then tilted his head. “Damn… that must’ve been some powerful poultry.”

I pressed my lips tight, embarrassed, but Chi didn’t laugh—not in a mean way, at least. He smirked gently and waved it off.