Black-owned business of the day:
UOMA BEAUTY

UOMA - pronounced OMA (uh-mah) means beautiful and we believe that beauty starts the moment you decide to be yourself. We exist to re-write the rules of inclusivity and diversity to create a world of beauty that truly is for all of us.

UOMA Beauty is the most inclusive black-owned beauty brand. Founded by Nigerian-born, LA & London-based former beauty executive Sharon Chuter, the UOMA Beauty range is rebellious, innovative, and created for all.

At UOMA we are an empowered tribe. Our race is human, our people are free, our language is color. All are welcome to our beautiful tribe.

Website: uomabeauty.com

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Serenity's POV

She didn't want to give my money back so I did what had to be done. I was not going to deal with the childish back and forth nor the backtalk.

My parents were blowing up my phone, probably trying to make me drop the charges. Until I see my $100,000.67 back in my account I'm not dropping anything.

Letting her off easily without getting my money is only going to benefit her. She'll still take me as a joke and I won't have my money back. My mom and dad have nothing to do with this.

I am currently back home but, I'm staying in a hotel. I didn't tell anyone I was there so they won't come to bother me. Dominic decided to come with me for moral support.

"Let her ass rot in there, ain't nobody told her to be a crook"

He said as he massaged my shoulders. He saw where I was coming from. I worked hard, day and night, staying up to sew clothes for people. All those times I stabbed myself in the hand with a needle trying to perfect my technique wasn't done for her gain.

Dominic continued to massage me as we watched tv. I didn't feel not one ounce of guilt. She made her bed now she has to lay in it.

If my money is not in my account in 72 hours she's staying there for life. Ok, maybe life is an exaggeration but, she's gonna be locked up for a while. She has only been in there for a day and she can't take it.

She wanted to be the bougie aunt, now she's going to be the jailbird that has a bunch of tattoos and faded cornrows. 

As we were chilling my mom still kept on calling me. I tried ignoring it but I didn't have it in me. She's one of my biggest supporters in life.

"Yes ma'am"

"Serenity, I'm not playing with you. Drop the charges right now"

I went back on my banking app to see if my money magically appeared in my account. When I saw it was on zero I didn't say a word. I was contemplating on hanging up the phone at this point. What she's saying has no use to me.

"It's like you're not seeing where I'm coming from. I worked hard making those clothes for people. The money that I earned should be in my account, not stolen by my sister."

She went as far as stealing my mom's identity. She got what was coming to her. With all the shit I let her get away with in the past she's lucky she didn't already have a record.

Sometimes blood isn't thicker than water.

I listened to my mom as she went on and on about how she's my sister and I should just let it go. She even offered to transfer the money to my account.

She shouldn't have to carry a burden Cassidy put on herself. I don't care if she becomes someone's jail bae to pay off her debt, I will get my money one way or another.

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It's been a three days since she went to jail. Every time I received a collect call from the jail I ignored it. Part of me was tired of being petty so I decided to pick up the collect call after some thought.

"Yes inmate 4827192"

"Serenity can you stop playing and get me out of here! I learned my lesson ok!"

She went straight to the point. At least she stopped wasting my time with her fake sadness about the situation.

"What exactly did you learn?"

"That you're a little bitch that can't take a joke"

"You're talking real reckless for someone who's afraid to drop the soap miss girl. I'm adding the charge of this collect call to your tab too"

I could hear her heavy breathing on the other side of the phone. She was big mad and so was I. Money doesn't grow on trees so if she didn't want to be in jail she should've kept her sticky paws to herself.

"Can you at least come to visit me? I want to apologize to your face"

I know hell didn't freeze over. I had a feeling once I went to visit her, she would have her gang friends jump me. The petty part of me wanted to see how she looked in that bright orange jumpsuit though.

I accepted her request for a visit but, I'm being Dominic with me. Once I got off the phone I went to look for any outfit. I wanted to make sure I looked good so she can miss dressing up. I know that's evil but, she did this to herself.

I grabbed a blue navy and white flannel shirt with a black crop top and black cargo pants. I paired that blue navy and white 1s and a black off-white purse.

I texted Dominic to see if he was up to come with me but, I didn't receive a response. After ten minutes of waiting for him, I just grabbed my keys.

Before I left I made sure to practice my mugshot photos. I know if her ass tries me down there I'm going to be in the same cell as her. I'll have to make sure they get my good side.

As I drove to the jail I was a little anxious. I feel bad for sending her there but, she'll never learn if her actions have no consequences.

I heard her daughter has been crying for her mom. My mom doesn't have the heart to listen to those strangled cries. She's the only reason why I feel bad about sending her ass to prison.

When I pulled up I was greeted by barbed wires and many guards that stood at the gate with an AK-47 at hand. I wasn't going to prison and I was scared. The light-colored walls made the place feel like a mental hospital.

As I waited for her to arrive in the room, I started to feel bad again. I feel guilty for sending her to jail because she's my sister. Even though she never treated me like I was hers, I never felt the need to take an eye for an eye.

The prisoners and their families around me happily caught up with each other, trying to make up for the lost time. The smiles on their faces were evident even though the happy moment would only last a few minutes. Nevertheless, all parties were happy.

As I was deep in thought I heard the door open. Metal clinging brought my attention to Cassidy. Under her eyes held black bags that showed how tired she was. The orange outfit she had on contained little specks of dirt and what looked like blood.

Her natural hair was in a ponytail situated on top of her head in a neat pile. That's my first time seeing her natural hair in years. She often had her hair in braids or a wig.

The guard handcuffed her to the table then walked away, leaving us in uncomfortable silence. I started playing with the silver design on my purse as if that would take some of the awkwardness away.

"So, how have you been?"

"Let's not act like we're the best of friends. I only asked you to come here so we can try to talk things out."

The guilt I was feeling from earlier went away. She is still the same heartless, reptilian I sent in here. I was trying to play nice but, that was no more. She wants to talk so I'll talk.

"If you don't plan on telling me where I can go get my money then I visited you for no reason. Who do you think you are taking the money I worked hard to earn? I should've beaten your ass instead of sending you here"

"Girl please, like you would do that. A normal person would've just asked for it back not run to the cops. I'm embarrassed to even call you my sister at this point. You've been a spoiled brat since you were little and you're still a spoiled brat now."

"I'm a spoiled brat? You walk around flaunting mom and dad's money like it's your own. You got me placed on the waitlist at Howard after I got accepted by telling them I had a secret criminal record. You've been a jealous and bitter bitch all your life"

By the look on her face, I could tell I offended her but, I don't care. She always comes for my character when she's the one who makes me act out. I'm a peaceful person but, she pushes my buttons.

I've done nothing to her. Instead, I try my hardest to treat her the opposite of how she treats me and this is the thanks I get. 

"Don't try to act innocent now. Growing up you made it your goal to one-up me. If I learned to play an instrument you would learn how to play two. If I decided to buy mom and dad a gift you handmade them one just so you can look more creative. That's why I took the money. I got tired of living in my little sister's shadow. It was about time you got what was coming to you"

"Have it ever occurred to you that I tried to follow in your footsteps? I was amazed that my big sister learned how to play the piano so I tried to do the same thing. I've always looked up to you. All I wanted to do was make you proud but all you did was push me away."

The anger she walked in with slowly started to disappear. She never saw it from my point of view. All she was picked up was that I tried to outshine her.

We spent what felt like hours talking out our feelings. She apologized for taking the money and treating me like trash all my life. The elephant in the room remained. We were still having this conversation in jail.

"Not we're bonding and all but, my decision still stands. I want the money I worked hard to earn back Cassidy."

"I understand, I didn't spend any of it. It's at my friend's house. I'll get it for you as soon as I get out. We'll go together."

I trusted her to give me my money.

Keyword: trusted.

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A/N: Hey y'all! I'm sorry I've been missing for a month! I just started college and it got overwhelming real fast.

The book is slowly coming to an end! I planned on having only 40 chapters in this so I will be sticking to it.

I have a surprise for you guys at the end of the book! Stay tuned!

Xoxo,
Black_baddie