It's The Effort That Counts

Sarai's POV"Durk?"

"Durk........."

"DURK"

"Durk!!!" I yelled a little louder checking every room down here but I can't find him anywhere

There must be another elevator or way out of here that I don't know about because it's almost as if he was never standing in front of me

I called out his name several times more but he was nowhere to be found

He should've at least given me a chance to thank him...I felt so shook because I've never held this much money in my entire life...what a blessing I smiled to myself staring at Benji on these blue faces hundreds

I happily tucked the money away in my shorts with caution and proceeded to finally go down to the room we are staying in.

I wouldn't want Henry or Helen or anyone else questioning why I have the money............I mean India did say she had security watching me and they may think I stole it...

I debated even telling Bryson about it for a moment but we are in this together so he has to know

At this point I just want to jump in bed and fall asleep because it's been a long day to say the least

Upon opening the door I see Bryson with his feet kicked up watching ESPN like he always does and always did when we lived back at home with our parents 🙄 and of course Olai is knocked out asleep from doing absolutely nothing

This room was perfectly orderly when we first came and now it looks like we've been living here for years, clearly Bryson is getting a little too comfortable...I'm still trying to get out of here as soon as possible so we need to be able to pack and go at any given moment in time

"Hey Bryce..." I smiled ignoring all the empty Dorito and Lays bags I was stepping on

"Wassup baby sis, you seem happy"

I sat right next to him to tell him the good news and in a split second he scooted over so far away from me that he almost caught whiplash

"Calm yourself, I have good news" I smiled once again grabbing his arm to pull him back towards me

"Why you want me so close?" he asked scrunching his face up in confusion

"Trust me you'll want to see this up close and personal" I whispered getting even closer to him

"You acting weird Sarai move" he said pushing me back

"Alright......don't ask me for some then"

"Some what?" he asked loudly

I pulled the money out and now he wanted to get a close up

"Nope" I said tucking the money back in my shorts and finding my black set of pajamas to put on for after my shower

"Yo......how you get that, you stole it?"

"What? No...it was given to me Bryson."

"By who?"

"Really?"

"Von?"

"No..." I laughed remembering Von's act today

"Durk?"

"Yup"

"Mmm...you must be doing more than cleaning for him huh? I knew yo ass was—

"Bryson, for the last time I'm not a whore...India had another little freak out so I guess Durk was making up for it with the money. His kids are out of control to watch too so he probably felt bad I watched all six of them plus Olai by myself, speaking of Olai—

"What happened?"

"She was kissing Zayden in the bathroom, I caught them"

"WHAT?! Olai wake up—

"No Bryce!!! I don't want to talk to her about it right now."

"That little nigga need to calm his ass down"

"Well I made sure that he knows my little sister is too young for that, hopefully I won't have to remind him"

"You right, ion think we should stay here anymore...especially since you got that damn money now, how much is that?"

"$10K"

"Damn"

"Don't tell anyone"

"Who imma tell Sarai?"

"I don't know, I'm just crossing my T's and dotting my I's"

"You—

"Wait! The weird part is once he gave it to me he just left like...I didn't even get a chance to respond." I smiled just thinking about it...it was almost magical

"Probably because he knew you would try to give it back so I'm glad he did that, I'll keep it" he said extending his hand out

"What?! No, he gave it to me!"

"So, you might lose it or someone may steal it here, everybody on yo case anyway"

"Whoa whoa whoa...you're supposed to be on my side"

"I am, that's why I wanna make sure we don't lose the money we need to get on our shit, give it here" he said a little firmer extending his hand out again

I contemplated giving it to him but I knew he wouldn't let it go so I just caved in, he knows I'm not one to go back and forth anyway

"Bryson...here you can keep half, deal?" I offered splitting the money up into two stacks

"Aight" he agreed but I could tell that wasn't really the answer he wanted from me

"It's late and we have to be up early, I'm going to bed" I replied changing the subject and grabbing my bath towels "we can talk about more of this tomorrow"

"Same, well I love you...glad we got this blessing"

"Love you too" I responded as I turned off the lights_____________________The next morning...⏰9:00A.M.I slowly started waking up when I heard aggressive knocks on the door

I rolled over to look at the time and saw it was after 9am

Oh no...I scrambled to get up and get ready...I'm 3 1/2 hours late to my shift

Bryson is gone, why didn't he wake me up?!?

I quickly got dressed in my uniform and opened the door to see an angry looking India standing there

"Did you forget you needed to make the kids breakfast?" she snapped

"Sorry I overslept"

"A damn shame, we paying you all this money and you can't even do your damn job right"

"My apologies to you and Durk, it won't happen again"

"Oh I know it won't, because you're fired"

"What?"

"You heard me...get out with your worthless ass, Durk is gone so he isn't here to save you now"

"You know what I will" I responded shutting the door in her face

I'm so sick of this, I'm the nicest person and it is always taken for granted

Bryson and Olai can just stay here, I just want to be alone anyway

I gave him $5K last night so they will be fine, he'll get paid next week to if he sticks it out and doesn't end up getting fired but I highly doubt that will happen

We will meet again someday but I'm fine being on my own for now

I packed away the few things I brought in my backpack and began to head out

I saw India waiting down the hall and simply walked past her without saying anything

I'm not coming out of character for anyone, I'll leave peacefully and gracefully

I took the elevator up to the middle floor and made my way out the door going...well I don't know yet_____________________9 hours later...

Durk's POV"Aye India" I said as I came through the door after a long ass day with OTF shit

"Hey bae" she smiled wrapping her arms around my neck

"How was your day?"

"Good but better now honey"

"That's good...I got something for you" I said holding up a Chanel bag with her new purse

"Awwww bae what's this for?"

"Just tryna be on good terms witchu that's all..." I responded noticing some bruises on her neck

"Come here" I said turning her back around

"For what? I'm tryna open my gift..." she snapped snatching her arm back from me

I grabbed her by her chin and turned her head left to right getting more pissed every second

"Why you got hickies on yo neck?"

"What the fuck are you talking about Durk?"

"You got fresh fucking bruises on yo neck, is you stupid?"

"No but you might be having the nerve to call me stupid and grab on me"

"India don't make me ask more than once, where them fucking hickies come from?"

"IF I have any they came from you!!!"

"Aight I'm out"

"What? Why, you're overreacting—

"Nah I'm not but it's cool, let me get out this room before I backhand yo ass"

"Durk stop!!!" she called out latching on to the bottoms of my legs but I ain't let her finish

A nigga out here working hard as hell, ain't even ate yet and she got the nerve to be on some other shit

"Aye Helen, where Sarai can you tell her I need her to cook tonight?"

"I'm afraid she is gone sir, would you like me to make a meal instead?"

"Gone? Fuck you mean she gone, where she go?"

"She never showed up for her shift today sir."

"Why? She not feelin good or somethin?"

"Ms. Cox fired her sir."

"What? Why y'all ain't clear that with me first!? Im the one that hired her."

"Sorry sir—

"Move"

I went to get in the elevator to go down to the room I had them staying in

I busted inside and saw her wack ass brother pacing back and forth

"Aye where yo sister go?"

"Ion know man, I'm hella worried...Henry told me yo girl fired her and told her to leave...I don't have a way of getting in contact with her or nothing bro I'm worried"

"Where you think she would go?"

"Shit I don't know man...maybe back to where we were but I don't get why she would do that without telling me first, Sarai is hella naive, anything could happen—

"I'll be back"

"Aye where you goin bro?" this weird ass nigga said following behind me

"I said I'll be back nigga move damn"

I made my way up the elevator to get to the 3rd floor and started to look for my car keys to my Trackhawk

"Durk please" India came out of nowhere wrapping her arms around my torso "nothing happened baby, my neck is like this from you last night please..."

"Move before I hurt you India, I'm tryna my best to restrain myself right now"

"Durk are you mad at me?"

"We asking dumb ass questions now huh? That nigga really got you fucked up and you got me fucked up but it's cool...whoever it is must have a death wish, whatever respect I had for your ass vanished"

"What Durk?!? I would never do you like that you are overthinking. You've just been stressed, you are my nigga there is no other nigga!!! What are you even talking about?"

"Whichever nigga left them hickies on yo fuckin neck!!! Look, I'm out...get the fuck out my way."

"No stop I'm coming with you please!!! Where are you goin bae?"

"India, I'm not telling you to move again. Don't make me have to move you."

Sarai's POVI really didn't know where to go after I left Durk's mansion because well...I have nowhere to go

I'm slowly starting to regret this decision but what can I do now, I was fired and he's going to defend his girlfriends decision at the end of the day

Bryson and Olai weren't kicked out and shouldn't have to suffer with me just because I was

It was a total pain making my way through their neighborhood without every rich and snooty neighbor they have staring at me but I was finally able to be let out those huge golden gates

I know I likely will have to go back at some point and let Bryson know I'm okay if he doesn't find me sooner on his own

I considered using the little bit of money I did have to get a hotel today but before I even think about where I'm sleeping I need to eat something first

It is nighttime now so I've been walking for what seems like forever and my legs feel like they are going to fall apart

In the distance I see the pizza place Durk found us at ... our old home in the bushes right out front brought back good and bad memories

Part of me thinks we would've just been better figuring out how to start our lives anew from there

After about 10 minutes I finally went inside the pizza place and ordered a personal pepperoni with a bottle of water, I rarely drink soda

I finished my food so fast I considered buying another one but I'm not trying to look greedy

I threw my backpack on and made my way out the door and towards the street with the doorbell ringing behind me

I dropped the small slice of pizza I did have left in my hand in this process and almost broke into tears

"Dangit..." I mumbled bending over to pick it up until headlights were blurring my vision and tires were screeching from this car almost hitting me and running over my pizza slice...so much for the five second rule

I jumped up and threw my hands in the air ready to give this reckless driver a piece of my mind for almost killing me and running over the food I can barely afford

The window rolled down and I saw a man with a creepy smile on his face spread from ear to ear

"You lost sweetheart?" he asked me and the tone of his voice made me extremely uncomfortable

I contemplated what to say but ultimately said "no...I'm fine"

Instead of telling him to watch where he's driving, I simply proceeded to keep walking and he slowly drove behind me

So now I can either try to run away or walk back into the pizza place

I went with my first mind and took off running in the opposite direction and his tires revved behind me at what sounded like 150mph

I kept running and running and running just wishing Bryson was here to help me right now. I am so stupid and never should've tried to tackle the world on my own like this with barely any money, no phone or proper transportation.

I turned another corner and was fenced in between trash cans

I started climbing the fence and heard his truck pull up behind me and a car door slam

He grabbed my shoulder and whipped me around to face him as he slobbered at the mouth

He lustfully glared into my eyes asking "where do you think you're going sweetheart?" slowly

He started to touch me all over and all I could do is cry trying to get out of his grip

"HELP—

"QUIET" he said putting his hand over my mouth and trying to shove me back with him inside his car

I saw another car pulling up slowly beside us and I waved at them constantly for help before I get raped or killed by this maniac

Next I nearly had a panic attack at the sound of several gunshots being fired in our direction

The guy that was holding me was now laid out on the ground bleeding to death

"Oh no!!!" I yelled in fear because I've never seen a dead person or any kind of murder happen right before my eyes

I looked up at the shooter who just helped save me and it was

"Get in the car" he directed me and I had no problem doing so

I ran to the side of his car and jumped in the passenger seat without hesitation

Peeking out the window I saw Durk take a lighter and set the body and truck on fire, he was pouring bleach everywhere and wiping his hands in it

He quickly jumped back in his truck and sped off

Durk was driving so fast I started hyperventilating

"Put your seatbelt on" he said calmly and I followed his instructions for my own safety

I looked over at him and said "why don't you have yours on?"

"because I'm used to this..." he responded as if my question didn't make any sense

"Oh...ummm well thanks but how did you even find me?" I asked nervously and confused

"Well why did you leave is the bigger question ain't it?" he asked as if he was hurt

"Your girlfriend kicked me out" I responded with slight attitude but not too much...

"That wasn't up to her, that's my house. Plus, you know what I gave you last night and I been asking you to stay hella times regardless of how she act."

"Well...like I've been saying, I feel I was in the way...just trouble...but Durk I appreciate it but why? Why did you do it? Why did you just disappear on me last night? Why did you even come looking for me? Does India know that's what you're doing right now? Why do you even........—

"Even what?"

"Care..."

"Wouldn't you care if you found somebody in yo situation and you had the means to help?"

"I mean yes but...you're a multimillionaire...you have it made, you know Drake and Kanye and many other celebrities, you basically could have anything you want. I'm just Sarai basically just another fan........"

"So yo brother wasn't lying?" he asked turning a bunch of corners quickly and hopping on the highway

"About what?" I asked trying to get the murder that just occurred in front of me out of my mind

"He said you used to have a crush on a nigga" he smurked side eyeing me

"Ughhh..." I stopped to bite my cheeks so I didn't smile "when I was younger maybe, but I had a crush on so many guys then.........."

"When you was younger?! You acting like I'm 15 years older than you or somethin."

"I mean we have a little age gap, nothing major..." I joked but to change the subject I asked "so how often do you kill people...you said you are used to it?"

He busted out laughing and I was very confused "what?......."

"You serious?"

"I'm just asking..."

"Don't be on no opp shit Sarai"

"I'm not I promise! It seriously was just a question, sorry..."

"For what?" he asked fully looking at me now as the traffic built on the freeway

"For uh.......well...—

"Exactly, you too nice, you needa learn how to stand on yo shit — the right way"

"How do I do that?"

"Aight...for example, you don't just leave on yo own like that you an easy target. That nigga I killed back there could've easily taken advantage of you or killed you."

"True......."

"Right so, ........ ———— 12 behind me fuck..." Durk said driving even faster now and swerving through traffic

"YOU'RE NOT GOING TO PULL OVER?" I yelled gripping the armrest and door handle

"Hell nawl, I just killed that nigga...you ain't ever been on a hit before I see"

"A what?!?" I asked frantically

"Nothing..." he said turning his radio up with his own music playing

He kept speeding and speeding until he finally got off the highway

Eventually he lost the police but I'm extremely nervous that they will track us down and I'm going to jail with him for being in the car

"We gon be okay, I see you worried. We just gotta stay in a hotel tonight."

"Why?"

"Can't risk them finding me or you now. I gotta get this fucking car wrapped again..." he mumbled with frustration hitting the steering wheel "you know it ain't safe for you to just be out by yourself like that?"

"I know Durk you told me...but you never answered my question, how did you find me? How did you even know—

"My housekeeping lady told me India fired you, I went to talk to your brother and he ain't know where you went but said you might go back to where y'all was living so I decided to check...plus I just needed a break from India so I got out the house and thought I might look for you...go to the studio ion know.........."

My head is spinning in circles of confusion from what he just said and my anxiety is up from the possibility of me being apart of a murder charge

Did he leave to find me or leave because of India? She must've done something else deeper that he isn't mentioning but I won't ask him about his business...

He suddenly made a sharp u-turn and I clenched the sides of the car once again in fear

"Relax" he said pulling my hand off the armrest and my stomach felt like it had 1,000 butterflies inside

"Whoa........" I smiled at his touch

"What you say?" he asked looking back over at me

"Huh? Oh, nothing...sorry fast driving makes me nervous."

"You ain't got shit to be nervous about, I'm a professional"

"You may be a professional rapper but you're no NASCAR driver..."

"Stop" he grinned as he turned into a parking garage of a shabby looking hotel "didn't I just save yo life?"

"Well ... they do say it's the effort that counts, so I think I should say thank you Durk"

"It's all love, I love all...I'd CashApp anybody I love a couple hundred whenever they call"