malikfarouk

[malikfarouk]

"Ah, Valentina, you're making it too easy for me," Malik chuckled softly, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "No allergies and open to surprises? You're every adventurous man's dream." He leaned in a bit closer, his voice low and velvety, "But trust me, darling, I'm not just any man. I specialize in delivering unforgettable experiences." His lips curved into a sly smile as he added, "And tonight, you're in for a treat." @malikfarouk

"I thought it might be," she smiled flirtatiously back at Malik. There was something about the man, though she hadn't know him for all that long. Whether or not it turned into something more than fun between the bed sheets, Valentina was merely enjoying herself. "I'm all for a surprise," she continued to smile at him, "I'm not picky and I don't have any allergies, if that helps." She told Malik, actually impressed that he offered to surprise her. @malikfarouk

[malikfarouk]

Malik couldn't help but chuckle at Chanse's self-deprecating humor, finding his candidness refreshing. "Hey, no worries, mate. We've all been there," he replied with a friendly grin, gesturing towards the surrounding area. "And trust me, you're not the only one who's felt like they're in the middle of a maze in this town."

He appreciated Chanse's lighthearted approach to the situation and nodded in agreement. "Wandering aimlessly sounds like a plan to me," Malik said, falling into step beside him. "Who knows, maybe we'll stumble upon something interesting along the way." With a shrug and a smile, Malik felt a sense of camaraderie in their shared adventure of being lost together. @chanseainsworth

Chanse was so hopelessly lost, it wasn't even funny. And maybe he could've used his phone as a GPS, if only he'd brought that with him. No, instead he'd carelessly left that on his desk, and now he was just lost. It was almost embarrassing, though he hoped he was keeping himself together enough that nobody could tell.

It must have been working, because someone approached him asking for directions, and before he could stop himself he was laughing aloud. "Mate, if I knew where anything was around here, I wouldn't be standing here looking like an imbecile," he told him, shaking his head and smiling helplessly. "But if you'd like someone to wander around aimlessly with for a bit, I'm the right man for the job."

[malikfarouk]

Malik chuckled, nodding in agreement with Cameron's sentiments about the unpredictable weather. "Yeah, definitely not missing those New York winters either," he remarked, a small grin playing at the corners of his lips. Despite the inconvenience of the storm, he was grateful for the chance encounter with Cameron.

"Taking it one step at a time is the way to go," Malik agreed, his tone earnest. "Life's too unpredictable to have it all mapped out, right?"

As Cameron mentioned his plans for the day, Malik's interest piqued. "A walk sounds nice," he replied, glancing towards the exit of the grocery store. "I don't have any solid plans at the moment, so joining you for a bite to eat sounds perfect."

With a friendly smile, Malik fell into step beside Cameron, grateful for the opportunity to spend some time outside and perhaps forge a new friendship in the process. @cameronhatcher

Cameron nodded, "Oh yeah, that was crazy. I did not miss the weather in Vermont I'll tell you that much, I forgot how bad it could get" he agreed, shaking his head at Malik. The situation sucked, but it was nice that he had met the other man during it. He was really nice, and Cameron needed more friends in the area, so at least there was an upside to the storm. "That's totally fair, it's a good way to live. One step at a time, right?" he agreed. Cameron used to be the type of person who had everything planned down to a tee, but once his life started falling apart he started to just take it day by day until he felt like himself again. Laughing a little when he referenced their almost collision, Cam nodded, "Oh yeah, I got to get out into town and get some steps in. Nothing too exciting today, I got some writing done this morning and then at about noon I just hit a wall. I figured if I wasn't going to get anything done after that I might as well go for a nice walk, maybe get something to eat" he told the other man. "What about you, doing anything right now? If you're hungry, you're welcome to join me"

[malikfarouk]

where: grocery store who: @norasinclair

Malik glanced up from the cereal aisle, his eyes locking with Nora's across the crowded grocery store. Recognition flickered in her gaze as she approached, a polite smile gracing her lips. Malik swallowed hard, knowing that this encounter would inevitably lead to a conversation he had been dreading.

"Nora, right?" Malik said, offering a tentative smile in return as they drew closer. "I'm Malik, we haven't officially met, but I know you from photos."

[malikfarouk]

Malik nodded appreciatively at Lance's offer, grateful for the unexpected assistance. "Thanks, man, that'd be great," he replied, returning the smile. Lance's kindness was a welcome respite from the whirlwind of emotions swirling within him.

As they walked together towards the grocery store, Malik found himself grateful for the distraction. The weight of his impending conversation with Bee felt a little lighter in Lance's company, and for that, he was thankful. @lancexbrowne

Lance had been out of town for a few days, helping out a friend get ready for their wedding and also helping another friend with their new born. The elementary school teacher knew that he would be coming home to an empty house, he did not want anything to spoil and so he planned it so very well. Lance had underestimate how much stuff he would need and so decided to pace himself and buy grocery bit by bit. Lance had just put his phone away when the other walked toward him and asked a question.

"Hey, Sure. I myself am heading there right now, if you want to tag along," he spoke with a smile on his face. @malikfarouk

[malikfarouk]

Where: Casino who@bee-bowen

Malik's footsteps echoed softly against the marble floor of the hotel lobby as he descended from his room, the weight of anticipation heavy on his shoulders. Tonight was the night he would finally confront Bee, his ex-fiancée, the woman who had shattered his heart into a million irreparable pieces.

He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what lay ahead. The casino floor stretched out before him, a symphony of flashing lights and muted chatter. Despite the vibrant atmosphere, Malik's thoughts remained fixated on the impending conversation.

Spotting Bee at a blackjack table, her laughter ringing out amidst the clinking of chips, Malik's stomach churned with a mixture of anger and sorrow. He approached her with measured steps, his jaw set in determination.

"Bee," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. She looked up, surprise flickering across her features before a mask of indifference settled over her expression.

[malikfarouk]

Malik grinned, nodding as he approached Hunter. "Hey, Hunter! Absolutely, I'm ready. Thanks for getting everything set up. Weather's a bit iffy, but I trust your flying skills." He patted the small airplane affectionately. "You know me, always on the move. Wherever this meeting is, I'm sure it'll be worth the trip."

He climbed into the plane, settling into his seat comfortably. "You ever get tired of flying me around?" he joked, knowing Hunter had probably heard it all from his passengers. @hunterxraposo

Hunter did love his job he had a good time with it. That he really did work when he wanted. People would come to him to book flights and he had good group of people that hired him. Some had set fights, others just when they needed it. Sometimes he did take ones for others when he needed the extra cash.

Today he had a flight with Malik who he had worked with for a while now. He was a good guy, some big CEO type, the type he was used to flying with. Thankfully he wasn't a rude jackass like some of the big shots she had flown for. Today wasn't a big flight just knowing Malik had some sort of meeting? Hunter wasn't sure if he remembered what Malik needed. But really he did not need to know what the person was doing just where to take them. Today the weather was a little off but nothing he was worried about and so far the flight was all set good to go. He smiled soon seeing Malik walking over to him "Hey Malik!" he smiled "You ready for this flight?" he smiled. @malikfarouk

[malikfarouk]

Malik paused, taken aback by Talia's abrupt response. He hadn't anticipated such hostility from a simple question. Nevertheless, he maintained his composure, his expression remaining neutral.

"Sorry, didn't mean to offend," Malik replied evenly, his voice calm despite her sharp tone. "Just thought I'd ask the first person I saw, and yeah you blend in pretty well with the locals, so I figured you might know your way around." He gestured vaguely towards the quaint surroundings, the quiet streets and familiar sights of East Haven. "But hey, if you're lost too, I guess we're both in the same boat," he added with a slight shrug. @nataliaxemerson

Talia was already growing bored with the quiet streets of East Haven. Everything seemed like it had jumped straight out of the set of Gilmore Girls, and she just so happened to hate that show. Still, after the disastrous first meeting with her birth father, she had nowhere else to be, and perhaps spending some time in random, tiny towns would help to cover her tracks more than if she stayed in the busy metropolitan area. Despite the small town, she had already forgotten the direction in which her apartment was. Frowning and stopping on the sidewalk, she got out her phone just as she felt the presence of a stranger beside her. Looking up at the man, she simply raised an eyebrow in response to his question. "Do I look like I'm from this one-pony town?" she bit back, already annoyed by what else had happened in the day and in no mood to play nice. "Google Maps is your friend. Use it." She looked back down at her own phone, just as the battery died. Irony or karma, she wasn't quite sure. "Shit."

[malikfarouk]

where: downtown who: @easthavenstarters

Malik strolled through the charming streets of downtown, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling town. The warm sunlight painted the storefronts in a golden hue as people hurried past, engaged in their daily routines. A small paper bag dangled from his fingertips, the remnants of a quick coffee stop at the local café.

As he meandered, Malik realized he needed to pick up a few groceries. He checked his phone for directions and, with a vague sense of direction, started navigating towards the grocery store. The vibrant energy of the town surrounded him, and he couldn't help but smile as he discovered new corners and storefronts.

Turning a corner, Malik found himself on a quaint street that seemed promising. His eyes scanned the storefronts, searching for the telltale signs of a grocery store. Spotting a few locals engaged in conversation, he decided to ask for directions.

Approaching the person stopped on the sidewalk, he flashed a warm smile. "Hey there, I'm on the hunt for the grocery store. Any chance you could point me in the right direction?" he asked, his tone easygoing.

[malikfarouk]

Malik returned Cameron's smile, relieved to meet under more favorable circumstances. "Good to see you too. Yeah, that storm was something else, huh? Glad to hear your friend's doing better now, though. It's always a relief when things start settling back to normal."

He took a thoughtful pause before continuing, "As for me, just riding the waves, you know? Weathering the storms and enjoying the calm when it comes. And hey, with this town being so walkable, at least you get some exercise dodging near collisions, right?" Malik added with a chuckle. "Anything exciting on your agenda today, or are you just taking in the peaceful vibes of the town?" @cameronhatcher

Though he was much more used to driving everywhere he needed to go, Cameron had really started to enjoy being able to walk around through the town more and more the longer he stayed here. Everything was so close by, the weather was colder but no unbearable- it was peaceful. However, he did have a tendency to almost run into people every time he turned a corner, which was something he just couldn't seem to avoid.

Luckily today it was a familiar face. "Malik, hey" Cameron replied with a small smile, "It's good to see you in better circumstances" he pointed out, since the last time he'd seen him was during the storm when they'd been stuck at the lodge at the same time. "I'm doing well, a friend of mine ended up in the hospital from the storm, but she's doing alright now thankfully, so things seem to almost be getting back to normal" he told him, nodding, "What about you, how've you been?"

[malikfarouk]

Malik grinned, a playful glint in his eyes as he responded, "Well, reading minds would certainly be intriguing, but I must admit, getting to know yours is captivating enough for me right now."

As he took a sip of his drink, he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "As for the weekend, no grand plans yet. How about you and I create some excitement together? Any suggestions, or should I surprise you?" @valxdelgado

"It would be a neat trick, but I think I'd be more interested in reading animal's minds," she told Malik, considering her current profession and all, it made a lot of sense that's where she'd head. "I know that you will," though she hadn't known the other all that long, he was clearly one that knew how to impress, regardless of what he did. "I've got plenty of faith in you," she said, keeping a smile on her lips as he ordered from the bartender. "You have any big plans this weekend?" @malikfarouk

[malikfarouk]

where: downtown who: @cameronhatcher

Downtown bustled with activity as Malik strolled through the familiar streets. The echoes of the recent storm were fading, leaving behind a town in the slow process of recovery. Lost in his thoughts, Malik rounded a corner and nearly collided with someone—Cameron. The surprise on Malik's face was mirrored in Cameron's eyes as they locked onto each other.

"Cameron?" Malik's voice held a mix of disbelief and genuine warmth. It had been a while since they'd crossed paths, especially after the chaos of the storm. "How have you been holding up?" Malik's eyes scanned Cameron's face, noting the subtle changes since their last encounter.

[malikfarouk]

Malik chuckled, enjoying the banter. "Reading minds would be a neat trick, wouldn't it? But I'll settle for surprising you with a good drink." He flashed a playful grin, appreciating Valentina's sense of humor. "I'll make sure it's something that suits your taste. Cheers to surprises," he said, turning towards the bartender with a confident stride, ready to pick out a drink that would leave a positive impression. @valxdelgado

"It's like you can read my mind," she joked with him, knowing full and well that it was impossible and let alone by a man - but she'd let him have the small wins as she saw fit. "I'll drink whatever you are having," she told him, "surprise me with something good, though," Valentina teased him once more. @malikfarouk

[malikfarouk]

Malik nodded, appreciating Bee's willingness to have the conversation. "Sure, thirty minutes works for me. Rip off the bandaid, as you said. It's about closure, not trying to rehash anything. We both know it's water under the bridge. See you in half an hour?" He offered a small, understanding smile, acknowledging the awkwardness of the situation but determined to address it for the sake of both of them. @bee-bowen

END.

Bee nodded slowly, deciding to take the man's word for it. Perhaps she wasn't entirely convinced, but she didn't see any harm in him being in town; albeit making her feel ever so slightly awkward for her past actions. "Right. Yeah. I'm finishing up here in thirty minutes if you want to have that talk soon? Y'know, rip off the bandaid or whatever." Did she particularly want to go over why she made such foolish decisions? Absolutely not, but she knew it was the least that she owed Malik.

[malikfarouk]

"I'm not sure of the exact number, but there are a few folks scattered around," Malik replied. He gestured to the room. "Some are in the lounge, others in the back. We're all in the same boat, seeking refuge from the storm. Feel free to make yourself at home, and if you need anything, just let me know." He offered Sam a reassuring smile before checking in with a few others in the room. @samxbradford

Sam nodded toward the other, a quiet sign of gratitude for being invited into safety. For being granted the possibility of seeking refuge in something not much unlike a safe haven.

Taking the blanket, he thanked Malik, this time audibly as he draped it around his shoulders. Walking into the room, warmth slowly began to reach his body and his tense muscles started to relax, slowly. Gradually. "How many people are here?" A beat. "I mean ... you know. Seeking shelter and whatnot." @malikfarouk

[malikfarouk]

Malik chuckled, a playful glint in his eyes. "Well, I can't resist the charm," he replied, giving Val a wink. "Glad to hear the vet clinic is getting back on track. And speaking of escaping routines, how about we make this escape a bit more memorable? A drink or two to celebrate the repairs and, of course, the charming company." @valxdelgado

"It is the highlight of my day," Val smiled as she tipped her head to the side at the other, "Ah, see, who is the charming one now?" She flirted with him in return. Though the woman was married on paper, she couldn't help herself. "Escaping the routine is always a good reason to drink," she gave a smile in agreement, "the vet clinic is almost all fixed, too, from the storms. Some minor roof damages, but no leaks thankfully." @malikfarouk

[malikfarouk]

Malik looked over at Cameron, a small smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, thankfully, I'm alright too," he replied, glancing around at the lodge's surroundings. The wind howled outside, making the walls creak. "Could be worse, though. At least we're safe in here. Dogs and games sound like good company right now."

He pulled up a chair and sat down across from Cameron, leaning back comfortably. "What kind of games do you play?" Malik asked, trying to divert their attention from the chaos outside. @cameronhatcher

Cameron hadn't gotten hurt during the ravaging winds, thank god. He'd managed to get inside the lodge before anything got too bad, but now he was just there waiting for it all to end so he could go home. Cam was just sat down in a chair in the lobby, playing mindless games on his phone to pass the time when he heard someone start talking to him. "Me? Oh yeah, yeah I'm fine. What about you, man, you alright?" he asked, though it seemed pretty clear the other man was also fine. "I wish I stayed home, I would've had my dog and all my games to keep me occupied during all this" @malikfarouk