"Esteban," my sister calls my name, weaving her way through the empty chairs and tables of  Hot Bean Coffee Cafe

"Estefania,"  standing, I greet my sister, who is hugging me like she is seeing me for the first time.

"I placed our order, I hope you still get the same thing from here"

"Thank you and I do" as if on cue the waiter delivers her double espresso with a shot of heavy cream.

"So, dear brother, has The Beauty  called you yet?"

It's been three days since I met Remi-Blu, and  to my surprise she hasn't called.

I answered confidently. "Not yet, but she will; they always do."

Sipping my espresso, I sit back as sunshine hits my face; I take a deep breath, glad to be home.  Over lunch  Estefania who I call Fania brings me up to date on our businesses.

While I was away, Fania  managed my businesses, the legitimate ones which include   Estelia's, a full-service Salon and Wellness Spa named after our mother. We own the building and it also houses our event spaces. And three Apartments.  The Hot Bean Cafe and the Navarro Building that houses event space and luxury rentals .

I purchased The Navarro when I was sixteen with the money I made from my first deal.  Then it was an abandoned six-story building in the heart of Lil Havana. At sixteen I knew I had to put the money somewhere and with the help of my father and  following in his  footsteps I purchased the building.

Originally it was my crew's secret location. But by the time I was twenty we moved into a bigger spot in South Beach and then the building was empty again until my 28th birthday when I began working  on being legitimate.  The building underwent some remodeling but once I got charged a new plan was put in place.

I switched it up and remodeled it to fit our needs. The first floor of the building  was designed to include a second location of Estelia's .  Our apartments are on the sixth floor. The other floors are a mix of three and two bedroom luxury apartments. The rooftop was renovated and is a luxury event space. We rent the rooftop to an  exclusive list of people. 

Every part of the building is used. The planning paid off, my sister was able to manage most of the business from the safety and comfort of her own home.

The planning paid off because I continued to earn income, keep my sister safe and have a stress free transition back into regular life. I just hope the next three months are stress free as I switch the Crews  business up.

There isn't anything that I could do to repay Fania  for making my businesses a priority and all the sacrifices she made to do so.  My portfolio of business was diverse, and my goal was to be completely legit by the time I turned 30 and live life to the fullest making clean moves. I would have reached that goal if I had trusted my instincts.

I realized early on that I would have to do a bid, I just didn't know how long, the mandatory time for one of my charges was  15 years. My legal teams plan was to get the charges dropped, or lessen if all else failed. Have the no time run concurrently. The team assumed with good behavior I could get home in 7 to 10 years.

The plan was Fania and I would  discuss business through daily phone calls and once a month she would visit. After that first year, the unexpected happened. All the business grew and out earned the forecast, and I made my  first legitimate million. 

Fania is more like me than I realized. I found out she'd also been overseeing my  crew's  business and profits on that end increased and our relationships with other crews improved. Our crew finally was linked with legitimate dealings.

"Ban, not rushing you but when are you returning to work. I want to plan a little vacation for myself."

"I'm ready to work now"

"I figured."

"I'll officially start on Monday. Is that cool?"  I asked knowing I was already working.

"Okay  works for me" 

"Fania before you leave I have something for you" handing her the large envelope I watched as she opened it and scanned the documents that were inside.

"Ban are you sure" the tears in her eyes made me pause before speaking I was feeling choked up myself.

"Yes Fania I am one hundred percent sure, just sign on the dotted line" I handed her a pen.

"I should let my lawyer review this first," she laughed.

"If you wish, but lawyer or not I want you to be a full partner in these business, you have been doing the work, I trust you"

Ordering my second expresso I survey my surroundings, reacquainting myself with the neighborhood. In the time I was away things  changed but stayed the same. I see the old shoe store is now a clothing boutique, but the homeless man who has lived on the side of the building for the last decade is still there.

Leaning my head back , I inhaled and thanked God for  everything. Finishing my espresso, I leave a tip on the table and head to my lawyer's office to take care of business.

Time slows down when your movement is restricted and each day is a repeat of the last. . Time on the outside is different. I realize it's Saturday night  when Carlos calls me to meet up with him at ERIA Lounge  for drinks.   I check myself in my mirror, grab my keys, and leave for downtown Miami.

"The girl never called you." it wasn't a question. It was a statement. Carlos knows me better than anyone. Carlos' laughter started before I could give him a response like he had just heard the funniest shit. Suddenly, his laugh stopped, and he was focused on what or whoever was behind me.

"Problem" I asked, bracing myself as I scanned my surroundings, casually turning around. I spot the problem.

"How do you want to handle this?' Lo asked, trying to be funny. I watched as Remi-Blu walked into the lounge with Dante Adino. I didn't respond or move. I take in her appearance from head to toe. Remi-Blu's hair is in a ponytail that flows down her back. Her hairstyle shows off diamond hoop earrings and an iced-out platinum chain. Her style is effortlessly sexy.

Remi-Blu's  Adidas jogging suit falls over her curves, but what is really sexy is she is wearing heeled sandals instead of matching Adidas. My eyes travel the length of her body for a second time; she looks like a Commander's wife, spoiled and well taken care of.  It suits her. That must explain why she is here with Dante Adino.

That will change because Remi - Blu  will be my woman, and I'll be taking care of her.

The thought crosses my mind. I'll never let my enemy see my hand, nonchalantly  I turn back to my drink as if seeing her with someone else doesn't fuck with me.

"Navi, my man, you got it bad."

Carlos was right.

"Lo, you are probably right, but she is with Dante, and five days out I don't want or need problems like that."

"Navi  please tell me you are not  backing up for fucking Dante Fucking Adino" Lo says, looking like I just insulted his mother.

The reality is years of thinking about all the shit I did to fuck up my life and how if given a chance I would do things differently. Changed the way I foolishly made decisions because of my ego.

"If Remi-Blu is with him, that's what it is for now." was my only response

"Understood" Lo responded and looking at him I know he does understand.

For the next hour Carlos  and I discuss business but I  instinctively keep track of Remi's movements. In one hour she has managed to speak to almost everyone in the place, specifically people I recognize from other crews.

I store that information in the back of my head. Dante on the other hand sits with his associates poppin bottles not the least bit interested in what Remi-Blu is doing. That's odd considering the people she is speaking with.

Turning my full attention back to our conversation I am distracted by the scent of  Rose Prick perfume permeating the air.

"Esteban" the whisper registers as I feel a hand run down the back of my head, and all the tension leaves my body. I might just have to deal with Dante.

"Remi-Blu" Turning around, I open my legs and pull her to me, fuck, I guess we really risking it all because I don't recall seeing Dante leave. It makes me wonder what's the play.

Remi's arms circle my neck giving me a smile and a surprise.

"Did you drive?" I hear the question, but my eyes are focused on her lips; so full, and glossy pink

"Yes"

"Can you give me a ride?"

"Sure, where do you wanna go?"

She kisses my ear. "With you."

I very rarely get caught off guard but It takes me a second to process what she just said, but as soon as it registers, I look at Lo and nod toward the door to let him know I am leaving. Lo raises his drink and winks.

"What about your people?" I nod to the section where Dante is in deep conversation  oblivious to the fact Remi Blu is leaving. Without turning to look at who I am referring to, she responds by tilting her head to the side.

"My people?"

"Dante isn't my people; he is a client, and our business is complete for tonight."

Satisfied with her answer, I leave with the beautiful Remi-Blu. On our way out, Dante finally paused his conversation, nodded and raised a glass to us.

We nodded in return and left. He must be a client because the Dante Adino I know would not let his woman disrespect him in public. We exited the club with our arms wrapped around each other.

The Valet pulled my pearl white Lexus RC 350 around. I opened the passenger side door for Remi-Blu and closed the door once she was settled. I walked to the driver's side and got in the car.

"Where to?"

"Wherever you want to take me," she said, smiling with those lips that called to me.

The energy between us is making me high. Last week, I was locked up; today, I am riding down Collins Ave with one of the most gorgeous women in Miami. Looking at Remi, I think I manifested the woman of my dreams.

  My first day in prison I was completely sober for the first in over a month. .I had my head on a swivel and my thoughts were clear. My time away would be productive. I promised myself I would leave prison better than I went in, physically, financially and mentally.

From the beginning I received counseling and eventually  I participated in group counseling sessions. In one of the group sessions, we were taught how to use visualization to focus on the positive aspects of our life.

Counseling  helped me dissect the choices I had made that led to losing my freedom but visualization made me determined to live the life my mind was creating as I focused on the positive.

I visualized a new life, home, car, running a legitimate operation, and reconciling with my Father. I also visualized  what type of woman I would have by my side living this life. 

I hoped to remarry one day and wanted that woman to be everything that would continue to  motivate me to be a better man. A woman I could spend the rest of my life with being happy. Because I was ready to be happy and ready to start a family.

Easing into traffic my first thought is  to take her to my house and get her in my bed, but the  thought is fleeting. Instead, I head towards  a late-night hookah spot with a private patio, plush loveseats, and lowlights that create a chill and romantic vibe.

The first time I saw this place, I knew I wanted to bring someone here that I really was into. She is it.

"This is nice" Remi states while looking around

I take her hand and lead her to the back patio. The ambiance is romantic, the patio is an intimate space, where you can still hear the music but softer, fairy lights  draped creating a canopy overhead.  The air smelled of burning incense.  Looking around I head to a couch that is in a far corner.

The place isn't packed but there are a few couples on the patio and I want privacy.  An OG's from my cellblock schooled me on love and marriage, emphasizing that the first date sets the tone of the relationship.

He schooled on how to use that time to get to the woman.   In the past I didn't date any of the women I dealt with, not even my ex wife. Everything happened at one time, meet, buy a drink, hit it and then I was out.

On the rare occasion that a female kept my attention beyond seeing her on her knees.  I would hit her up more frequently. Before going to prison I had this type of arrangement with two women Serenity and Monique.

Serenity is the headliner at a gentleman's club where the crew often conducts meetings. Serenity is pretty, with a bangin body and a killer head game.

Monique was cute with a nice shape. I met  Monique on a trip to Dubai. Our regular flight attendant was out and Monique was filling in, the way her eyes roamed my body and paused when she looked below my waist, I knew this would be an interesting trip.

I wasn't wrong four hours into the flight I had her pressed against the bedroom door with her skirt to her waist and my hand covering her mouth to muffle the noise as she screamed and moaned my name.

Focusing on the present, I am enjoying the moment, a waiter comes over and between sneaking looks at Remi he manages to take our order.  We sit quietly listening to the music as a different waitress sets up our hookah and finally we get our drinks.

The vibe is chill, I am relaxed and thinking this shit is easy until I hear

"So Esteban, tell me about yourself".

My body becomes tense as I consider what telling her the truth could do to my chance of getting to know her and make her mine.  I want an honest relationship. Can she overlook the man I was and accept the man I am while I work on becoming the man that I want to be?

I will know for sure. By her response

"l I've been away for the last few years....I was in prison"