Page 33 of Invisible Bars

One minute, she was the rising face of their campaign, and the next, she was discarded like a defective product that no longer served their image. All that poise, beauty, and potential—reduced to a headline and a closed door.

Six years of grinding, only for her to get embarrassed in front of flashing lights and cameras. It had to be something major that happened for her to be able to fly under the radar for six years with a huge outburst, especially in the modeling industry, where everyone lives off whispers and scandal. People could speculate all day, but I wanted the truth. The real story… straight from Naji.

"Damn," I muttered as I stared at the screen.

Even though I told myself that Naji was just a liability, part of me didn’t believe that anymore. Not when she looked like that… not when I could feel her pain like it was leaking through the screen.

I had spent the past forty-eight hours diving into every article, medical journal, and blog I could find on Tourette syndrome.

The tics. The triggers. The anxiety.

I’d even watched two documentaries. One was about a girl who twitched every time someone touched her shoulder. Another followed a kid who couldn’t finish a sentence without cursing, proof that everyone living with that condition experienced it differently. It made me wonder—how bad could hers get?

I reached over, grabbed my phone, and scrolled through notes I’d made.

Avoid loud noises. No sudden movements. Don’t crowd her. No caffeine. No artificial dyes.

I made sure Mr. Shirley prepared everything mild and soft for Naji. I even ordered the peppermint tea in bulk she mentioned that night. I was just waiting for it to arrive. But none of that mattered if she wouldn't eat or drink.

I heard the elevator in the hallway chime, then moments later, my door opened without a knock.

Chi strolled in like he paid the bills and dared somebody to question him. Behind his ear was a vape pen tucked like a blunt.

Chi made it a habit to come through at least three times out of the week before heading to ‘work’. He claimed it was to holla at me, catch up on the previous night’s events—but I knew better. The nigga came for a free breakfast plate. He was consistent—I’ll give him that—like clockwork… or hunger.

“What’s up, big boss! Why you still in chill mode? You supposed to be getting ready to go out into the real world—shaking hands, selling overpriced condos, and convincing rich folks they need walk-in wine cellars in houses they don’t even live in.”

Chi flopped onto the chaise, already helping himself to a piece of fruit from the tray.

His eyebrows shot up. “You… took off work?” he repeated, surprise thick in his voice, like the words themselves didn’t make sense coming out of my mouth.

“For Naji,” I clarified.

“Damn, she must got that silent-but-deadly emotional chokehold. Has she ate anything?” He asked, looking at the screen.

“Nope.” I shook my head.

“Bro, it’s been what—two days? This will make the third. At this point, she’s either in hibernation mode or she gotta be fasting… one of the other. And, nigga, stop answering me with these dry-ass responses like I’m the unwanted guest at the cookout! If I’m not welcome here, just say that!”

“Nigga, if you weren’t welcomed, you’d already be buried under the grill,” I made known.

Chi’s mouth hung open for a second, then he coughed out a nervous chuckle.

“Okay… damn. Noted. Remind me to never ask for ribs at your cookouts.”

I didn’t crack a smile; I just focused on Nija like I hadn’t just threatened to barbecue my best friend’s corpse.

Chi zoomed back in on the monitor.

“What is she doing now, though? It looks like she’s meditating…. maybe mourning. Or… she could be in that bitch plotting yo’ murder like a quiet lil' assassin.”

I tore my eyes from the screen to glare at him.

Chi lifted his hands like a damn preacher surrendering to the Lord.

“Aight, aight, my bad. Touchy subject. Sensitive area. Got it.”

“And,nigga,if she’s plotting on me, she’s plotting on yo’ ass too. You kidnapped her right alongside me. Not to mention, thiswhole kidnapping thing wasyourbrilliant ass idea,” I reminded him.