Arias 💜
Warehouse
New York, Spanish Harlam

"We're going to Colombia to meet with Luis. He's been asking us to," Jesus, Arias's friend, announced. Arias nodded, understanding. "When?" he inquired. "In two weeks, on a Tuesday," Jesus replied. Aria nodded again and turned in his chair, his gaze falling on a picture of Jenna, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He remembered that day vividly, as if it had just happened. It was their first date, and he was a bundle of nerves. His mother had been a great help, suggesting some wonderful ideas to make the evening special. Arias was so lost in thought that he didn't hear Jesus calling him. "ARIAS!!" Jesus's pen snapped him out of his reverie.

"Sorry, what did you want?" Arias looked at his friend, his mind still on Jenna. "Are you okay? Why did you space out like that?" Jesus asked, noticing Arias's distraction. "You're still caught up on this girl," he said, rolling his eyes at Arias's obvious emotional connection to Jenna.

Jesus, who had once been close to Jenna, never forgave her for leaving Arias in jail. He felt she should have stood by him instead of fleeing. "Get over that, Jenna, "Jesus muttered, but before he could finish, Arias's fist connected with his face. "I let that last word go, but not this time. Don't disrespect her," Arias warned. Jesus looked up and saw the anger in Arias's eyes, realizing he had crossed a line.

"I'm sorry, man. I'm just mad that this bit-I mean girl left you in jail when you needed her," he said, getting up. "I'm just being your friend when you hurt, I hurt," he said. "She didn't leave me because she wanted to; she did it because I pushed her to do it," Arias said. "If it wasn't for my stupid mistake, she would have stayed." Arias knew if he hadn't gotten caught. That night, he and Jenna would be happily married with kids by now

"Jenna was the only girl who believed I could be bigger than this mess, she was the only one who believed in me!" he spoke passionately. Jesus was just staring at him, letting him pour out his heart. "As many times as, I got locked up over stupid things, she was always there to bail me out," he sighed. "Even when I knew she shouldn't have," he said, dropping his head, his love for Jenna evident in his every word.

"Look, I'm sorry. I know how much she means to you, and I didn't mean to offend you," Jesus apologized. Arias got up and walked to the door. "Just don't speak on her no more," he said, leaving out the room. He understood his friend feeling hurt by what Jenna did

everyone was hurt by what she did to him, but they also understood she was done with him getting arrested. Arias understood she didn't want to continue going down that route anymore. That's why he never blamed her for leaving. He felt if it was meant to be, then it would find its way back to him one day

he sighed before walking out to his car. He got in and pulled his phone out. A smile appeared on his face as he looked at the caught off guard picture of Jenna; at her job it was the day he picked her up from work and still remembers that day.

FLASHBACK
Trap house
Spanish Harlem
(I will not be doing third person

"I've got to leave soon," I told the guys. "Where are you going?" Jesus asked, raising his eyebrows. "He's probably going to see that girl's sister," Luis said, laughing. "What girl's sister?" Carlos asked, confused. "The one that Roc is dating," Rick said. "You're talking about the one he's trying to hit and quit?" Jesus said. The banter among us continued as a testament to our shared camaraderie.

I honestly didn't want to be around it anymore. I got up and walked out the door. I could still hear the guys trying to figure out who Jenna's sister was. I got into my car and pulled my phone out. I dialed her number; she picked up on the second ring

"We can argue but I still won't sell you this Dutch," she said, her voice rising in the argument. "You think your hot shit behind that glass! "The guy's voice was filled with escalating anger. I started the car, not far from her, and sped off, still on the phone. Their argument was reaching a boiling point. "I don't give a damn, I'm going to jail over your sorry ass," she said, her tone filled with escalating annoyance and frustration.

"oooo bitch I want you to come from behind there and watch how fast I knocked your ass out" As soon as I heard that, I started running red lights, not caring if I got stopped; I had to get to her fast "whatever either show the ID or get the fuck out simple," she said I could hear the annoyance in her voice.

I heard a loud bang and pushed my foot down on the pedal, making my last turn on her job block. "Throwing something at the window won't break. It's stupid," she said, laughing at him. I assumed he was hitting the window again because I could hear loud thumps.

I didn't even park the car right. I got out, hung up the phone, and walked inside. The guy stopped punching the window when he saw my anger. I was on time when I saw who it was. "Joel!" I said, looking at him. "Arias, you are here good," he smirked and turned to Jenna, who was now staring at me. "You dead now bitch" he said, laughing. I walked up to him, smiling.

I grabbed him by his collar and dragged him outside. "Wait, chill man," he said. "you're supposed to break that bitc-" I cut him off by sending a punch to his face. He fell to the ground. I squatted down to him, "What was that for, man?" holding his jaw.

I looked at him. "Listen, man, I'm sorry if I did something wrong; I promise I'll go back to the trap and work harder," he thought this about work, and I chuckled. "This isn't about no fucking work; that girl in there you disrespected," I said, pointing at the shop. He looked back. "She mine," I said. I knew we hadn't made anything office, but something about her interested me.

"Let everyone know that she off limited and to protect her if I'm not around," I added, looking at him "shit! I'm sorry, I didn't know. I'll apologize to her," he said, getting up. He walked inside and came out; in 5 minutes, he didn't stop to talk. He walked back to the trap.

I went back inside and saw Jenna watching TV. Any of this didn't faze her. I walked to the door and knocked. She looked out and noticed me. She walked to unlock the door. "You know him?" she said. Going back to her seat. "Something like that?" I kept it short; I didn't want her to know that life just yet

she didn't ask any more questions. She watched her show. I watched her from the doorframe. I took my phone out and snapped a picture of her. She just looked adorable. I heard the door open, sounding off the bell, letting us know someone just walked in. I closed the door and locked it, but I didn't move. She looked and rolled her eyes, immediately raising my eyebrows in confusion. "why, every time I come in here, you do," I could hear a male voice say as she smacked her lips.

"Grab your stuff and get out," she said, rolling her eyes again. I could tell she didn't like this guy. "Jenna, come on, I told you that bitch didn't mean anything," her ex, I assumed. "You know I love you," he sighed. "Please give me a chance to make it up. I'll take you home tonight. We can talk," he said, trying his hardest to get her to give him a chance.

"I already have a ride, thanks, though," she said. I wanted a good look at this guy, so I moved closer to her. She looked at me and back at him. He noticed me and started mugging me. "Who is this?" he asked as she folded her arms across her chest. "None of your business," she told him.

"You're my girlfriend. It is my business," he said, looking at her angrily. No, I'm not. We broke up three months ago," she said, and he was still trying. She must be something special. Then I smiled to myself. We will talk about this later. You're still my girlfriend," he said, looking at her.

I didn't want to hear anymore. "listen, unless you are willing to die behind her; she is not yours anymore," I simply said to him. I looked at her as she was now looking at me, "because I'll hurt anybody that messes with mine." I said, smiling at her. She tried to look away, but I saw her cheeks get red.

I turned to look at the guy. He was mad, I could tell, but I didn't care. "Do you know who I am?" he said, looking at me. I laughed. "I don't care who the fuck you are," I said, dropping my smile. My brother is the biggest kingpin in New York," he said. I looked at him, confused because I knew my brothers, and he wasn't one of them.

"who's your brother?" I asked. "Beck," Jenna said, looking scared. "just get out, Ryan," she said. I started laughing; both were confused. "Beck isn't a kingpin. Nice try, though," I told Beck was a low-level runner boy. He worked for me till he didn't. Want to take orders, he went off and started his business in the Bronx

that didn't work out too well for him since I owned those parts basically; he tried going off to different parts of New York, which didn't work out since I owned all of New York except Little Italy, which was the only spot that would allow him to work "who the fuck are you?" Ryan asked, mad. I laughed. "Arias," I said, "your brother knows me." he pulled his phone out of his pocket.

He dialed somebody's number; I'm guessing his brother. I walked to the door, opened it, and walked up to him, grabbing his phone. "What, Ryan? I'm busy," Beck said. I laughed. "You brother bothering my girl. You handle him, or I will." I said, looking at Ryan, who stepped back. "Arias??!!" Beck sounded worried he got the message. I tossed his phone back to him and walked back behind the counter. I watched him put the phone to his ear.

"Hello," he said into the phone, his brother's voice audible. "But he- okay, bye," he said, walking out. He glanced at Jenna. "We're going to talk soon," he said, leaving. If only he knew she was never going to be without me. I chuckled to myself, a mix of amusement and bitterness in my throat. "What did you say to him?" she asked, her eyes fixed on me. "Told him to leave you alone," I said

The bell sound went off again, and Ross walked in. "Good Morning Jenna, how was the night?" he asked Jenna. "Good Morning, Ross, you know, same old same old," she said, packing her things up. Ross went to the back and then came back. I walked out and waited by the door for her. "see you tonight, Jenna," he said. "oh wait," he stopped her and handed her an envelope. "your pay?" he said. She smiled. "thanks, see tonight. Have a good morning," she said before walking towards me.

We walked to my car. I opened her door, and she got in. She put the envelope in her bag. "Umm, could you take me to the bank up the street first?" she asked. "If not, it's fine. I'll go later," she said before allowing me to reply. I chuckled. You're good; sit back and relax; I'll take you."

I pushed her back into her seat gently, reached over, and put her seatbelt on for her. I gave her a kiss on the cheek. She tried to hide her blushing smile, but I saw it already. I started the car and drove off.

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