"Hands Off the Car," She Said to the Owner's Son

CHAPTER 1 - THE CAR UNDER THE WHITE LIGHTS

"Hey, hands off the car. It costs more than your whole family could ever afford."

The woman's voice cut through the bright showroom like a knife.

Malik froze with his hand still resting on the black hood. The car gleamed under the cool white ceiling lights. It reflected the glass walls, the black marble floor, and part of his own small face.

He had only wanted to look at it up close.

"I only wanted to look at it," he said softly.

The blonde woman bent down, smiling in a way that did not feel kind at all.

"Kids like you do not even get close to cars like this."

A few people near the glass wall laughed. One man even lifted his phone, as if this were entertainment.

Malik felt heat rise to his face. His mother had taught him not to answer cruelty with cruelty. His father had taught him to stand straight.

So he lowered his eyes, tightened his hand around the black key fob in his palm, and pressed the button.

Beep-beep.

The black luxury sedan flashed awake. White LED lights cut across the polished room.

Malik lifted his chin.

"This car is mine."

The woman threw her head back and laughed. "Oh, sure. And do you own the whole showroom too?"

Before Malik could answer, a man in a black double-breasted suit hurried toward him. He stopped at once and gave a slight bow.

"Sir, your father has finished the meeting. He is waiting for you."

The laughter died so fast it almost seemed sucked out of the room.

Malik looked past the manager and saw his father stepping out of the glass conference room.

His father, Isaiah Cole, did not look at the car first.

He looked at Malik's face.

And then at the woman.

And his expression changed.

"Who spoke to my son that way?"

Behind him, an older woman emerged from the meeting room too, holding a leather folder and staring at Malik with tears already in her eyes.

Malik had never seen her before.