"Oh no, Rick! I'm going to be late! My mom's gonna kill me for sure!" Karma called out desperately as she and Rick raced to her home before the street lights came on. She knew that she wouldn't make it back in time because the street lights already started to flicker and she had several blocks to go before she was safely home but she didn't know how safe she would be once her mother got a hold of her.

"I'm sure your mom won't make as big of deal out of this."

"It's easy for you to say. You don't have a curfew and technically I wasn't supposed to be off the block."

"Doesn't being thirteen count for anything now-a-days?"

"Not when it comes to my mom and being late is the worst thing that someone can do. She says it shows a huge flaw in one's personality."

Rick grabbed Karma's hand, causing her to come to a sharp halt. She looked down at the hand in question and blushed. She had been harboring a crush on Rick since they were ten but he didn't notice at least she thought he didn't. He never hinted that he returned her feelings or was even aware of her own in all the years that she had been dropping hints. Karma was sure that everyone in the neighborhood knew how she felt.

"Rick, what are you doing? I told you that my mom is going to kill me if I'm not home like now."

"I know. It's just that something's been bothering me lately."

"Can't this wait?" Karma said before getting ready to continue her run. Rick quickly grabbed her hand again and held it firmly.

"I just want to talk to you about something that Neil told me."

"And what is that?" Karma asked impatiently with a sigh. She was resigned to the fact that she wouldn't make it home on time, something that Rick figured out sometime ago.

"Neil said that I should take a closer look at our relationship. He said that I'm not seeing something that's right in front of my nose. I have no clue what he's talking about, do you?"

"Uh," Karma began. Rick's steel blue eyes suddenly became too much for her to bear. "I don't have a clue. I thought everything was fine between us."

"That's what I thought. Neil must be the one that's confused." Rick said with a huge smile. He suddenly hugged Karma and she held onto him tightly, secretly sniffing the scent of his shampoo as his blonde hair lightly caressed her face. He pulled away and squeezed Karma's shoulders tightly. "I was starting to think that you liked me or something," He said with a grossed out face before walking in the direction of Karma's apartment building.

"Would that be such a bad thing?" Karma called out before she could stop herself.

Rick stopped and turned to around slowly. The playful expression that Karma had become accustomed to seeing was replaced with a much more serious one."But you don't do you?"

"That doesn't matter, but if I did, would that be a problem?"

"Karma, I uh—I…"

"I don't like you or anything I was just curious." It was a complete lie but she could that Rick was struggling to answer if the question didn't remain a hypothetical one.

"Well, I really don't know. I mean I wouldn't want to ruin my friendship with you. I see how my dad is with women and every one of those relationships, even if ended on good terms, was never the same. You're my best friend, besides Neil, of course. Everything alright?"

"Yea, I told you I was just curious."

Rick smiled again and grabbed Karma's head placing a sweet kiss on her forehead before dragging her home.

'For someone who wants to stay friends, he sure has a funny way of showing it.' Karma thought to herself.

Rick pulled up to the address that Neil had given to him. He was surprised to see how modest her home was. It was a large two story beige house with a large yard that was covered with orange and red leaves. The porch was eye catching. It was entirely made of a nice oak and grand in its size. The porch swing with its hand sewn pillows coupled with many house plants and seasonal welcome mat was enchanting. It reminded him of his childhood home.

Rick jogged up to the porch and got ready to knock on the door when it suddenly opened only to reveal a peeved K. Jones.

"You're late."

"Uhh, I-sorry." Rick stumbled out. He was surprised by her abrupt appearance.

"You know that's a massive flaw in your first impression. Being late means one of two things. You're either indifferent or incompetent; both signal that you are not reliable. Is that what you want someone thinking when you first meet?"

"Oh, so you don't know me."

She didn't say anything, just stared at him blankly. The frown on her face was beginning to mar her beautiful features that Rick had become attracted to.

"Oh, c'mon beautiful, forgive me this once." Rick went to caress her chin but she quickly pushed his hand away.

K. Jones glared at him openly, her arms crossed over her chest as she stared him down. Rick felt the need to loosen his tie but instead released a nervous chuckle before approaching K. Jones. He noticed several of her neighbors were looking intently at them and Rick didn't need any more bad publicity. If word got out that he was reduced to a lowly servant his player status would be over. He tried moving past her and into her home but she stopped him by placing a firm hand on his chest.

"Do you mind? Your neighbors are starting to stare."

"I never invited you into my home. So yes, I do mind."

"Ms. Jones—" Rick began but was quickly interrupted by an impatient K. Jones who looked like she would like nothing more than to rip Rick into shreds with her newly manicured nails, Rick noted.

"Mr. Lawrence, I don't think you understand the situation that you are in."

"I do. I—"

"I am the boss of you. Whatever I say goes and I say that right now, at this moment you are not permitted into my home, understood?" K. Jones' stance changed. She placed her hand on her hips and leaned into Rick's personal space a little, as if challenging him to question him. Rick, being the man that he is, didn't back down and returned her scornful gaze with one of his own.

"Then why did you have me come here? It doesn't seem you thought everything out when you drew up that contract but that can't be helped, you are a woman," Rick baited her. He could tell that she was ready to explode and that was just what he wanted. He was going to definitely enjoy working for such a feisty woman. He hoped that she was just as feisty in bed.

K. Jones' mouth dropped open. She couldn't believe what he just said. She was about to unleash several words that shouldn't be spoken by any civilized person but stopped when the words were about to escape her lips. She saw the smirk on Rick's face and knew that he was trying to make her angry. Instead she took a deep breath and once again folded her arms about her.

"For now, you have to rake the lawn. The gardener that I had was placed on maternity leave."

"That's all? All I have to do is rake a few leaves?" Rick asked incredulously.

"Yes, for now." K. Jones stressed.

She turned around and grabbed something from behind the door. When she faced Rick once again she was holding the rake. He grabbed it and started to walk down the stairs. "Ah, ah, ah." K. Jones called after him. She joined him at the bottom of the stairs.

"What?"

"I don't think the suit will be comfortable for raking."

"Good, because I—what the hell is that?"

She pulled out a school girl uniform, a black pigtail wig, and a sign that said 'Yes, I am Rick Lawrence' from god knows where. She shoved the outfit into his hands, causing him to almost drop everything.

"It's a little chilly out so you better get moving or you'll freeze." K. Jones gave him a wink.

"Wait. You don't actually expect me to wear this, do you?"

"I do and I expect you to have everything done before 3 o'clock."

"But that's in an hour. This yard is huge." Rick opened his arms wide and pointed to the vast yard behind him that seemed to accumulate even more leaves during the time that he had spoken to K. Jones. The universe was against him today. She wasn't the only appointment that he had made today and it didn't look like he would make any of them let alone finish the entire yard by 3 o'clock.

"Then you better hurry up. If you don't get it done in time, the deal is off," K. Jones said seriously before going back into her house. Rick sighed and began following behind K. Jones who stopped him promptly once again with her hand on his chest.

"I'm starting to think you are doing that for fun." Rick said with a smirk. He was frustrated but there was always time to flirt in his book. K. Jones quickly pulled her hand away, almost in disgust.

"Where are you going?"

"What do you mean? I going to change into this ridiculous outfit that you gave me."

"Have you forgotten what I just said about coming into my house, you can't?"

"But what I'm supposed to do?" Rick couldn't believe what he was hearing. She couldn't actually expect him to strip in front of all of her neighbors that could be seen and those that were occasionally peeping through their blinds.

"I don't know, that's your problem. Hello Mrs. Wilson." Karma waved to one of her nosy neighbors before slamming the door in Rick's face

"I can't believe you're pregnant Karma! I thought I raised you better than that. You know that we can't afford to take care of a baby."

"Mama, I'm sorry." Karma wiped the tears from her eyes and shuddered at the cold stare her mother threw in her direction. She never saw her mother as angry as she was at this very moment but what actually hurt her deep in her soul was the disappointment laced in her mother's stare. She had never seen that expression from her mother not once.

"I didn't mean for this to happen, I swear," Karma pleaded as she wringed her hands together in her lap nervously. She didn't know what her mother had planned for them. She just hoped that drastic measures wouldn't be taken.

"What are we gonna do now Karma, Huh?! I can barely pay the rent now. You just had to…"

Vivian sighed as she felt the fear radiate from her daughter's withering frame. It was obvious that she hadn't eaten in awhile, most likely because of the predicament that she was in now. Vivian knelt down next to Karma and held onto her quivering hands before looking deep into her daughter's tearful eyes with a set of her own.

"I know that you didn't mean for this to happen, baby. And while I am disappointed in your actions, I can't only blame you for this. I should have been a better mother to you." Vivian rubbed Karma's head before looking over at the many liquor bottles that littered the kitchen counter. It was obvious to her that she hadn't been guiding her daughter any better than her own mother had been leading her through. Karma was now in the same situation that she had been in when Vivian was her age. Vivian scoffed at herself before kissing Karma on top of her head and standing up. She remembered vowing that she would never let her daughter follow in her foot steps and here she was, helping her pregnant teenage daughter through a tough time.

'Where have I been during all of this?' Vivian asked herself and she hated the answer that followed. 'I've been too busy drinking, doing drugs, being involved with the wrong kind of men. I drove her to this. I made all of this happen.'

Karma watched as her mother grabbed all the liquor bottles from the kitchen counter and flung onto the floor with a loud scream of agony. Karma jumped up from her chair and ran to aid her mother who was now weeping openly over the shattered glass.

"Mama, shhh, everything will be fine." She hugged her mother tightly who held onto her just as fiercely.

"No it won't. You're gonna end up just like me. I made a promise to myself when I was your age that you would have to experience the pain that I went through growing up and look at you now. You're no better than I am and it's my entire fault. I made you this way. I wasn't a good mother."

"You did the best you can and for someone that didn't have any help, you did alright."

Karma wiped her mother's tears away after their embrace ended. "And it's not your fault. I should have known better. I knew better but I let stupidity take over. Mama, don't blame yourself. It's Rick's and I fault. It's our mistake."

"We'll have to move in with your Aunt Ellen. She'll have enough room for us, I'm sure. I'll have to call her." Vivian said as she reached for the cordless that was just behind Karma on top of a side table. She paused midway and turned her attention towards Karma who was in the process of cleaning up the broken glass. "Have you told that boy Rick, yet? Do his parents know?"

"I haven't gotten the chance to tell him anything but I'll go soon, before we move."

"Good, because I'll be damned if that boy get's off scot free. He'll have to do something for his kid, unlike your dad. His stupid ass left ran from home the moment I told him I was pregnant. If I ever see his sorry butt again, he's going to get it." Vivian stood up and dusted of her hands. She looked down at Karma who seemed to be in a daze. "Do you need me to go with you, you know, for support?"

"I can handle it on my own Mama," Karma said before going into the Kitchen to get the broom and dust pan.

She really didn't want to discuss Rick with her mother or how she was going to break the news to him about her pregnancy. She wasn't even sure if Rick would want to be around. It would be in his best interest to steer clear of her and their baby and his actions said that he believed the same. The truth was, she wasn't sure if she wanted anything from him and she wasn't sure that he had anything to give. Rick was just a kid just like her but what was worse was the fact that he was an immature brat. No, she didn't want anything from him. 'But he has the right to know,' she reminded herself before sweeping up the glass.

Rick banged on K. Jones' door roughly. It was 2:59 and he had just finished raking and bagging the leaves. He was still dressed in the school uniform that was forced upon him. Rick had to endure numerous laughs and long blatant stares for an entire hour while he did the task that was given to him. He was completely humiliated.

Rick was about to bang on the door again after several minutes and Karma didn't answer but a small voice just about caused his heart to jump in his throat.

"Who are you?"

Rick dropped the bags he was holding and turned around only to see a little girl staring up at him. Her eyes reminded him of K. Jones' except that didn't hold as much contempt as the super model.

"Does my Mama know you're here?"

"And your mama would be?"

"Nicole, didn't I tell you not to talk to strangers." K. Jones finally came to the door and it looked like she had been napping by her tired gaze.

"But Mama—"

"Get inside the house."

"Yes, Mama." Nicole obeyed before squeezing past her mother. She looked back at Rick and gave him a small wave and disappeared into the house.

K. Jones closed the door and moved away from it and closer to Rick. It was obvious that she didn't want her daughter to overhear their conversation.

"So she's the reason why you don't let anyone know where you live or give interviews. I can't believe you have a daughter."

"Well, believe it. In fact she's the reason that you are here."

"What does that mean?"

"As much as I would like to be selfish and use you for all my house work, I didn't make that agreement with you for something as trivial as that. The next month I'll be busy with runway shows, photo shoots, and television appearances. You know the usual."

"Wait. You want me to babysit your kid?"

"No because babysitters just watch. I want you to take her to the park, the skating rink, any place that she wants to go when I'm not available."

"Then what was the whole point of having me rake the lawn!" Rick shouted as he as he kicked the garbage bags.

"I had to have you do something while we waited for her to get home and I said that I didn't want you in my house, at least not until Nicole came home from school. And no—" K. Jones stopped him before he could open his mouth. "It has nothing to do with being alone with you. Believe it or not, you are not that irresistible."

"Then what about the outfit."

"It was an added bonus."

"Why you—do you know how embarrassing that shit is? I was humiliated."

"First of all, don't curse when you are in my company or in my daughter's and second you deserved it. I'm sure you put some poor girl through more pain and embarrassment than being seen in a catholic school uniform."

Rick's silence was telling.

"So I'm right. Who was she or should I say they?"

"Why don't you like me? What have I done to have you dislike me so much?"

"You really don't know, do you? I didn't think that I changed that much but I apparently did. My cousins did say that they couldn't recognize me when I went to our family reunion. This is going to be interesting."

"Who are you?"

"Figure it out, Rick." Karma opened the front door. "C'mon. Nicole should meet the person that's going to be spending so much time with her this month."