Page 32 of Not My Type (Not My Type #1)

Zara

I zip my bag up after packing a few things I need for the night. My uniform, pajama, makeup and hair products. I feel like I have too much stuff in the bag. Not really.

Feeling satisfied with what I’ve packed, I place the bag on my sofa.

I don’t know why but I’m so excited to meet Nickoi’s brother.

Maybe because they normally say a man is taking you seriously when he starts introducing you to his family.

I met his mother but that wasn’t planned and I met Jordane— and that too wasn’t planned.

But this is a bit different since he’s taking me there just so I can meet his brother and spend time with his people.

I smile to myself before I step in the bathtub.

When I’m done, I cut the water off, wrap my towel around my body and walk to my room. Nickoi left the room before I even started packing my bag. I’m guessing, he’s outside speaking with Mama.

After moisturizing my body with coconut oil, I put a cute fit together.

A soft pastel yellow lounge pants that hangs loosely around my waist, pairing it with a matching crop top, and a playful reptile slippers with socks.

I’m the type who wears what I want, how I want, and somehow, it always works out cute.

My eyes find the mirror and the sight of my hair makes me cringe.

It’s already messy and I’ve done everything Clova told me to do.

I applied castor oil, added hair mousse to my scalp, sprayed got2b in my hair, wear my scarf before I go to sleep and it’s still getting fuzzy. Ugh!

It’s your hair texture, it’s too silky to keep the style.

$15, 500 gone to waste.

Kiss me tooth... nuh you have rich man? Shut up and get another hairstyle!

I can’t bother with that girl in my head. I dip my finger in the edge control before I put it on my edges. When I’m done, I spray on my Chanel, my Yara and drop them inside my bag. Cya lef it and yuh a go a people yard.

The door opens and I look behind me. “Zara your grandmother says yes but she want talk to you,” he says coming in. Hmm, sounds like she a guh warn you.

“Okay,” I retort and walk out. His eyes melting in mine, clearly he likes what he’s seeing. He bites his lip.

Mama is sitting around the dining table. I join her and her eyes meets me with a look of concern. “Mama you call me?” I ask in a way to kickstart the conversation.

“Yes, mi just talk to Nickoi,” she starts.

In her hand is a chalk cup that her eyes are fixed on then they move to me as she continues.

“Him wah carry yuh out to meet his brother and his wife but I just want to say this to you myself. Be careful, yuh know... don’t make anybody force you to do anything.

I already pray to God and he will protect you. Enjoy yourself and call me.”

“I will and I love you Mama,” I move closer and peck her crinkled cheeks.

“When yuh reach make sure yuh video call me... I want to see the place.”

“Alright Mama,” I retort.

“Where exactly you guys going... yuh know?”

“Yes Mama. Caribbean Estates and it’s a gated community,” I say and watch as her eyes gleam with that information.

Awww. She just wants you to be safe.

“Okay,” she smiles. “Mi a call yuh 5 o’ clock tomorrow like a mi a your alarm enuh cas yuh cya late fi your practicum,” she laughs.

I join her. She just love being mi personal alarm. Mi cya tell the last time she nuh wake me at 5AM. She forgot that one time, but woke me up unintentionally when she was complaining to mommy.

I laugh to myself then Nickoi walks out of my room. He’s ready.

“Mi done talk to her Nickoi and please promise to me that you’ll protect her.” Her eyes are set on his as she waits for his answer.

“Promise,” he says solemnly. How sweet. Girl the way how Mama love yuh is surreal. I really do love her soo much even when her overprotectiveness feels overbearing. I walk into the room, pick up my Marc Jacobs tote bag and hug her.

“Miss you already,” she says in a sad tone.

“A just a night mon just have it say she a sleep,” Nickoi jokes and she laughs with him.

His eyes find me. “You ready?” he keeps looking down at me.

With Mama staring at me with melancholic eyes I’m slowly having second thoughts. Maybe I should stay? Really?

“Mama...” I start.

She fans me off. “Mi a go alright mon,” she laughs, my lips curling into a smile.

Nickoi’s eyes are set on his phone. “I’m ready,” I announce and without looking back he walks out.

I follow behind him, my eyes enjoying the viewwww in front of me. My man my man my man!

Then suddenly my father walks in and Nickoi gets tense. He moves out of the way and my father walks in, ignoring our presence. mmcchtt

“Wah’m Sandra?” he greets. Is that supposed to hurt me?

I roll my eyes and walk out behind Nickoi who has already made it outside. Be a savage like Nickoi... him d’even care bout yuh father.

We got in the car and I put my seatbelt on when Nickoi drives off.

The drive is a little silent and the breeze is cold as hell.

Too cold. Worst like how mi just bathe. Brrrrr.

I stare at the traffic and sigh. Portmore people dem ever outside.

.. dem never can park dem car and stay home. I check the time.

Just 7 o’ clock and the traffic is everlasting.

We finally made it out of the traffic and Nickoi sighs. I know that’s out of frustration.

“You can drive?” he asks after a while.

“Mi uncle use to teach me sup’m yes,” I laugh. “Mi can help miself,” I add and he stays quiet for a few seconds.

“Ah... a guh mek yuh meet Thomas,” he says six minutes after. I literally checked the time.

Like, why him do that?

“Who is Thomas?” I ask.

“One a the best driving instructors,” he retorts, heading to Greater Portmore.

Minutes later, he turns into Caribbean Estate and speaks to the security before he drives in. It’s my first time here and I’m impressed. Each gate in the scheme is labeled as a Caribbean country. So cool.

Nickoi pulls over. “Mi nuh member a which one a the gate Junior live enuh,” he sighs, taking out his phone. I continue admiring the place. People dem ova yasso affi rich.

“Which one a the gate them again?” Nickoi asks his brother and I look outside.

“Oh, Trinidad? Yeah?... Ah,” he mumbles into the phone, one hand on the wheel.

A beat passes, then the car pulls off again.

We pull up to Trinidad, and just like that, the gate swings open on its own.

The houses are beautiful. I’d live here.

He soon turns into a driveway, parking behind a black Porsche.

Slowly, I take the seatbelt off and hop out.

Nickoi takes up my bag and holds my hand, leading me up to his brother’s porch.

Unuh cute nuh bruteee! BLOCKED I see a tall guy standing at the door with a smile.

He looks exactly like Nickoi... just a little older.

He’s probably in his late twe- Doh bother wid it!

I watch as they dap up each other before they start looking at me. I smile awkwardly. I’m so shy guys. Kiss me teeth.

“See har yer,” Nickoi introduces and his brother smirks, holding out his hand for a handshake. I shake it.

“Hi Zara,” he says, surprising me. He looks at Nickoi teasingly. “Hear nuff bout yuh enuh.” Eeeeeh!?

“Really?” I blush looking up at Nickoi.

“Yeah, come inside though come meet mi wife,” he walks in.

A really him wife? Mi hear Mama say that but mi just think Mama a be formal. I spot her, and my breath catches when I realize it’s Suzanne. Her mouth drops open the second she sees me.

“Zanne!” I squeal and she run and hugs me.

“Unuh know each other?” Nickoi’s brother asks. As for him, my man, he’s just staring. I’m noticing that he doesn’t talk a lot. And you just happen to see that?

“Yes!” We say in unison.

Zanne and I aren’t booty tight close but we definitely have a good relationship.

“Girl you look— Girl yuh always look goodddd!” she compliments and I laugh. “Watch you wear clothes, clothes nuh wear you! If mi eva’ try this mi look maddy maddy.”

“Girl byeee,” I giggle. “And thank you.”

“You’re welcome babes.”

Nickoi mutters something to his brother indistinctly before they walk away.

“Let me give you a tour,” Zanne pulls me and I chuckle, enjoying the excitement.

This house is pure luxury. “Mi love it,” I smile, admiring the house when she’s done. It’s really a dream home. Not gon’ lie.

She pushes a door and I step inside. “This is the guest room where you guys gonna sleep,” she beams.

It looks like a master bedroom. I walk inside, resting my bag on the bed.

“The room nice eeh?” I muse.

“Thanks sis.” She sits on the sofa. “I had no idea you and Nickoi deh,” I blush.

“Yeah,” I lick my lips. She’s quiet for a while before she gives me two remotes.

“This is for the TV and this is for the AC,” she tells me and I take them both.

“Thanks girl,” I smile.

“Mi a bathe now and then go sleep cas yuh know we affi wake early,” she springs up and I make a playful frown, pitying us both. I know the struggle.

“Right,” I breathe out and remember Mama.

She walks out. “If yuh need anything... I’m in my room,” she says before she walks away. I call Mama and Henry picks up, handing the phone to Mama. He hates me... I can see it. Do you care?

Mama smiles. “Mek mi see the room,” I flip the camera, showing her the room.

“This is Nickoi’s brother’s house,” I tell her.

“Dem rich?” she inquires and I nod.

I mean ...

“Okay... so where is Nickoi?” I shrug.

“I don’t know... maybe outside,” from mi come here him gone bout him business with his brother.

“Okay missis. Look at this,” she flips the camera showing me the Tv screen.

“How you move it to the cable?” I chuckle to myself and assist her.

After I’m done, we talk about random topics until she gets tired and reminds me that she’ll call me tomorrow morning.

“Love you,” I laugh and she hangs up. Mi doubt she hear me.