DÉJÀ VU - Chapter 24: Chapter 24

The soft rustle of sheets was the only sound in the room, the faint glow of morning light creeping through the curtains. I lay there, eyes fixed on the empty spot beside me, the place where Kairo had been.
"What the fuck?" I leaned over to my nightstand and took my phone up to check the time: 8:19 am.
My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, confusion, and something else... something far deeper that I didn't want to face. He had left without a word, and I couldn't shake the feeling of abandonment, the emptiness gnawing at me.
I tried to push it away, to ignore the frustration, but it kept creeping in. Why did he leave so suddenly? Where was he? Was he just using me?
A fuck and cut?
Girl stfu, you know damn well that nigga love you more than life itself.
I rolled over, burying my face into the pillow, trying to quiet the storm inside me. Just as I was about to drift off into a restless sleep, the sound of footsteps outside the door made me freeze.
The door creaked open slowly, and Kairo stepped inside, his familiar presence filling the space. In his hands, he carried a tray with breakfast, the rich scent of coffee, along with Ackee and Saltfish hit my senses before I even saw it..
Woah.
"You get up yet?" he asked softly, his eyes warm as he took in the sight of me still in bed.
I sat up slowly, still processing the fact that he was here, and not a moment too soon.
"Where were you?" I mumbled, trying to keep the edge out of my voice.
"Mi couldn't leave yuh hungry after all dat, right?" He placed the tray gently on my lap and leaned down to kiss the top of my head. "Mi know it weird when yuh get dem suh mi get dem fi yuh," he said with a low chuckle, referring to the morning after pills that sat alongside the food on the tray, while his fingers brushed through my hair.
"Oh yeah, mi mek one appointment fi yuh nails todeh, know yuh seh yuh did want a new set. And after we a guh Bluefields Bay Villas from todeh till next week. Anything else yuh wah?" He looked up from his phone and to me, while I just stared at him.
Woahh.
Pussayy powaaaa
I smiled and shook my head, despite myself, feeling the warmth of his touch fill the space that had felt so empty only moments before. "Thank you, Kai. Mia guh brush mi teeth first den...yeh"
After a quick shower and a few minutes spent brushing the storm of thoughts from my head, I felt somewhat grounded.
I got dressed quickly, choosing something simple but comfortable, a loose pair of jeans and a cute cropped top.
I put on some perfume and made sure I had on lipgloss and had one in my bag, along with my phone portable charger, and of course my purse.
As I walked out of the room, Kairo was already waiting in the living room, his hands shoved into the pockets of his hoodie. He looked at me, his gaze soft and full of that familiar warmth that made my heart skip.
"Ready?" he asked, offering me a half smile.
I nodded. Really did think a leff him leff mi this morning enuh!
We both got into his car and made the short drive to the nail salon, the sound of light music filling the air as we pulled into the parking lot of Black Brush Beauty Luxury Spa.
When we walked in, the cool air hit me, and the atmosphere felt immediately soothing, with soft lighting and a gentle hum of conversations and the clinking of tools. It was the kind of place you could easily lose track of time in. Kairo held the door open for me, and I gave him a small smile as I stepped inside.
The receptionist smiled at us warmly. "Miss Billings, your appointment is ready."
I nodded and followed the receptionist into the back, where the nail tech was waiting with a chair already set up.
Kairo stayed in the waiting area, scrolling through his phone, while I took a seat at the station, sinking into the plush chair. My nail tech was a sweet, soft-spoken woman named Kayla who immediately started soaking my hands in warm water.
She's not my usual, Alaine, but let's see how she is.
"So," Kayla said, glancing at me with a smile as she began to remove the previous set of nails, "what are we doing today? Something bold, or keeping it classic?"
I glanced back at Kairo in the waiting area, his eyes still glued to his phone but occasionally looking up, like he was aware I was watching him.
"Hmmm, something bold, but not ghetto. And medium-long... You choose honestly."
Kayla laughed lightly, nodding. "Got it. How aboutttt..." She looks at her phone, before showing it to me, "This?"
Ouuuu yes.
"Yes, thats perfect!" I smiled.
"That's what your boyfriend thought too." She smiles back, putting away her phone.
"Boyfriend?" I clarified.
"Yes. The one out there? He sent the picture to me." She states unknowingly of the actual situation.
"Really? He's actually my best friend though, not my boyfriend."
Could've fooled me.
"Oh? I'm sorry its just what he told m- you know what, lets start." She awkwardly smiled and cleared her throat and began applying the base coat to my nails, clearly trying to shake off the slip-up. Meanwhile, I couldn't help but laugh inwardly.
Best friend? A dat yuh mek yuh mouth seh afta him did a dig out yuh soul last night?
Yes, I suppose so. Mi nav nuh ring, mi nav nuh mista.
I tried to focus on my nails as Kayla did her thing, but my mind kept on drifting. To who you may ask? Kairo fucking Mullings.
20 Minutes later
"Alright, we're all done!" Kayla's voice brought me back to the moment. I looked down at my newly done nails that were exactly what I had imagined. Well, after I saw the picture. But, they looked even better than I'd hoped.
"Ouuuu thank you, girl. This nyam the fuck upppp!" I squealed.
"You're welcome, they suit you so well, though anything woulda suit you." She smiles.
Ummm, lesbian?
Stop it.
I stood up, flexing my fingers, admiring the way they sparkled under the soft lighting of the spa. Kayla handed me a small towel to dry my hands, and I took a moment to compose myself before walking over to Kairo. He was still seated, but his gaze was now fixed on me, his lips curved into that familiar, cocky grin.
"Well?" I asked, holding my hand out in front of him, watching his reaction.
Kairo's eyes flickered over the nails, a mix of admiration and approval on his face.
"Them look good, like betta dan di ooman weh it did deh pon good. But obviously cause a me pick e." He said, his voice low but teasing.
"Kai, shut up." I jokingly rolled my eyes, before settling them on him, seeing him already staring at me.
"Oh and why yuh tell Kayla seh yah mi man? Yuh see nuh ring pon mi finger?" I smiled, showing him my hands.
He didn't answer and took up his phone, before talking, "Wah kinda ring?"