Through the Fire (FTM x Fem)
Sometimes, you have to go through hell to reach heaven...
Chef Naaji "Naz" Ofori is a young first-rate chef who's taking the city of Atlanta by storm. He's the author of award-winning cookbooks, a James Beard Award winner, and the owner of one of the hottest restaurants in the city: The Black Ambrosia. Naz's path to success while embracing his transgender identity has been anything but easy. However, he triumphed over all obstacles with his ambitious drive and the prayers of his Ghanaian mother. Everything about Naz screams the perfect man: handsome, talented, and rich, yet his love life is dormant. His picky nature keeps him single by choice, but he has his eyes on one particular woman. She may be out of his league, even for someone of his caliber.
Kaielle Bree "Kai" Havens is a fashion designer and owns the luxury streetwear brand: Haven's Gate. Once upon a time, she was Atlanta's top attraction, a skilled stripper at the city's leading gentleman's club. Now, celebrities and high fashion brands recruit her for her voguish, inventive designs. Kai spent most of last year healing from a toxic four-year relationship with her R&B superstar ex-boyfriend. Her friends and therapist suggest that it's time to return to the dating scene. And though Kai believes they are correct, the ghosts of her past still haunt her.
Naz and Kai are young, Black, successful business owners trying to navigate life, love, and business in the city of Atlanta. They possess the makings of a supreme pair, but can they transcend through the fire as life gets tough?
Rankings achieved:
#1 in FTM
Vibe: healing journey, building a healthy relationship after experiencing abuse, embracing ancestors, a touch of hoodoo, friendships, abusive ex, neurodivergent, spicy scenes: “punishments”
Warning: This book contains adult language and adult topics pertaining to sex, sexuality, drug use, abuse, and trauma. Please read at your own discretion.
The first draft of the book can be read in full here.
Meet the Characters
**These characters are completely fictional and in no terms related to the person they are portrayed as. Celebrities are only a representation of what the characters look like**
Kofi Siriboe as Naaji Kojo "Naz" Ofori (24)
Hometown: Houston, TX
Sign: Leo (August 5th, 1998)
Rx Status: Single
Most Relatable Song: WATERBOYZ- EARTHGANG, JID, & J. Cole / Most likely to succeed, most likely to smoke weed/Most likely to get money doin' somethin' I believe
Raised by a loving Ghanaian mother, Chef Naaji Ofori is a second-generation immigrant who makes his ancestors proud daily. Everyone with a pure soul adores Naz. His positive outlook on life is a motivation for those in his community. He's chill, humorous, always high, and is able to sweep nearly anyone attracted to men off their feet. Naz stays in the gym either practicing his boxing skills or weightlifting. When he's not in the gym, he's at his restaurant, the Black Ambrosia Kitchen and Bar, which he owns with his ex. Oh, yeah, you read that right. The man co-owns a restaurant with his ex. It sounds messy, but the two are still good friends and are able to co-own the restaurant without any complications...for the most part. Chile, let's move on.
Shannon Thornton as Kaielle Bree "Kai" Havens (25)
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Sign: Sagittarius (December 12th, 1997)
Rx Status: Single
Most Relatable Song: Far - SZA / Done being used, done playing stupid/Done faking cool (I don't want none of that shit, I don't want it)
You ever see a bad bitch so fine that you almost break your neck to get a second glance? That's Kai. She's that girl you remember seeing at Starbucks that one time and can't stop thinking, wondering, and fantasizing about. She has a spicy attitude that keeps you on your toes, though she's sweet at heart. Her style, slim-thick figure, and jaw-dropping facial features are out of this world. Though Kai looks like an angel walking on earth, she's been through a lot of hell in her life. Growing up in poverty, excelling in a toxic stripping environment, and surviving an abusive relationship, every weapon formed against her hasn't prospered. Thanks to her endurance, she has become one of the most innovative fashion designers in the world. Though she seems to have it all, she's just missing one thing. One thing that scares her, but she also can't help but long for: an intimate, romantic love.
Luke James as Jévon Marius "Jé Dove" Dove (34)
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Sign: Gemini (June 3rd, 1988)
Rx Status: Single
Most Relatable Song: Nigga What, Nigga Who - JAY-Z / She want us to end cause I fucked her friend/She gave me one more chance and I fucked her again/ I seen her tears as she busted in/I said, "Shit..There's a draft, shut the door bitch and come on in!"
Jé Dove is a certified hitmaker. He's that nigga that had hits since you were in middle school and still making hits while you cry about not having enough to cover rent for your high-ass apartment. Under his belt, he has eight Grammys and ten number-one hits. Women all over the world adore him and bust each other's heads open at his concerts to get closer to the stage. The world believes Jé is the most romantic man on earth. They believe he knows everything about love and how to make it. He sings falsities and the world has no idea. He doesn't even have any idea. To him, he was the perfect boyfriend to Kai, despite his one major mistake. He retired Kai from stripping. He funded her fashion design career. So what if he cheated on her occasionally or sometimes said things that hurt her feelings during their relationship? He isn't perfect. Anyone who experienced their little brother's last moments on this earth is going to be a little bit fucked up. It's been a year since their breakup, and while Kai is moving on, Jé still can't figure out how she could leave him over something so stupid. Who the hell does she think she is?
Smino as Hakeem Anthony "Lil Ballmane" Bridges (29)
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Sign: Taurus (May 6th, 1993)
Rx Status: Married
Most Relatable Song: Powder Blue - Ty Dolla $ign (ft. Gunna) / I bought my shawty new Balenciaga, ain't come with no laces/I put some VV's all up in my teeth and they lookin' like braces
Hakeem is a carefree dude. He's all about having fun, standing up for what's right, supporting his community, and taking care of his family. He has been a top rapper in the game for a decade. His songs are odes to his childhood, his family, his wife, and his culture. He's a breath of fresh air compared to the other industry-manufactured songs and artists. Hakeem is the loving husband of Kierra and father to Milan. He's like a brother to Kai, and one of Naz's best homies.
Victoria Monét as Kierra Alexandra Bridges (29)
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Sign: Virgo (August 27th, 1993)
Rx Status: Married
Most Relatable Song: Golden - Jill Scott / I'm taking my freedom/Putting it in my stroll/I'll be high-steppin', y'all/Letting the joy unfold
Kierra's pen is not to be underestimated. She writes the biggest hits on the charts all while producing, writing, and performing music of her own. Kierra has an innocent soul and couldn't hurt a fly. Her words are uplifting and encouraging to her girlfriends and anyone else who's open to listening. When Kai has a problem, Kierra is the first person she runs to. Her bubbly, infectious personality is addicting and she's the glue to Kai's friend group. Hakeem is her high school sweetheart. Both are musical geniuses who put all their efforts into becoming financially stable off their music when Kierra became pregnant with their daughter, Milan, at only 16. They were more than successful, and now are expecting another child on the way.
J Alphonse Nicholson as Jordan Josiah "Jojo" Mills (28)
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Sign: Virgo (September 18th, 1994)
Rx Status: Single, but he keep a li'l boo thang
Most Relatable Song: Close My Eyes - 21 Savage / I don't wanna go to sleep, I'm way too high, dog/I can't get no sleep, I swear I'm way too high, dog/I see dead bodies when I close my eyes, dog
Jojo is the realest nigga since Jesus Christ himself. You can tell this man anything in the world and he's not going to tell a soul. He's always laid back, always high, and always saying some shit that'll make you...think. Don't let that stoner shit fool you though, he's intelligent, street-smart, and business savvy. Jojo is known as "The Plug of Atlanta." All celebrities in Atlanta get their weed from him. He got strains that motherfuckers never even heard of. He's so lowkey that the cops have no idea of his operation. He's not only Naz's supplier but also his best friend. They trust each other and love each other like brothers. Naz loves how chill Jojo is yet still interesting and just a bit weird and Jojo loves Naz's work ethic, humor, and authenticity. The two are a match made in heaven, and those edibles they make together are*chef's kiss.* Niggas that bake together stay together, I guess. I just pray that man never gets busted. I need my re-up.
Keke Palmer as Melody Alicia "Mel" Craft (25)
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Sign: Aries (April 11th, 1997)
Rx Status: In a happy, safe, stress-free, completely healthy, loving lesbian relationship. Like for real, don't look at her. Her girl will cut you
Most Relatable Song: Small Reminders - Tinashe / When I get to the top it's a wrap/Ain't nobody telling me shit about shit and that's that
You know those cool ass stems that always just be minding their business, but all the bitches trying to fuck them even the straight ones? Yeah, that's Mel. All the girls try to get with her, but she's in a committed relationship with her fine-ass, Kehlani-looking girlfriend. Mel has the energy that can take over a room. She's an actress on the rise and she doesn't let her three best friends, Naz, Jojo, and Hakeem, forget it. Nah, for real, she's always doing some theatric ass shit. Anybody who fakes like they're choking at a restaurant just to test out their acting skills plays way too much. No matter how bad anyone's day is, Mel can make anyone laugh. Her personality is loud and borderline obnoxious, but sometimes she's able to calm down to give Naz advice.
Jasmine Tookes as Danai Michelle Baker (24)
Hometown: Oakland, California
Sign: Pisces (March 17th, 1998)
Rx Status: Single, but she open to spinnin' the block on one of her old thangs
Most Relatable Song: Hit Different (ft. Ty Dolla Sign) - SZA / Hit different when I'm sittin' here alone, all by myself/Hit different when I think you might be with somebody else
Them exes that you are still best friends with lowkey be the WORST. You both know it would never work, but y'all still care and love each other, and there's always that tiny bit of hope that maybe one day y'all will work shit out. But y'all WON'T. Y'all are not J-Lo and Ben, chile. Danai is Naz's ex-girlfriend. She's a talented chef in her own right and co-owns The Black Ambrosia with Naz. They'll always be in close proximity to each other. The two hype each other up, celebrate and encourage each other's successes. They claim they are only friends and will never be anything more again, but those random late-night booty calls say something else. You sending pics of your p#$$ÿ to a nigga you not in love with at 2 AM on a Wednesday morning? Bitch, be serious.
Megan Thee Stallion as Natisha Chloe "Big Chlo" Washington (27)
Hometown: Houston, TX
Sign: Scorpio (October 29th, 1995)
Rx Status: F.N.F.
Most Relatable Song: Numb - LINKIN PARK / Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes/Every step that I take is another mistake to you
If Jojo is the realest nigga since Jesus Christ then Chloe must be Mary. She's one of the first celebrities Kai met when she entered the industry and Chloe showed her nothing but love. The two instantly clicked and became best friends. Chloe is that friend that will give you that raw yet necessary advice. She won't dog you, but she's going to let you know if you got shit fucked up. At the moment, Chloe is on the top of the world. It's her fourth year in the rap game and she's already being deemed one of the best rappers, period. Her flow and lyricism are unique and all her songs hit the top of the charts. Trying to adjust to the fame and meeting deadlines for her album, she doesn't have much time for a partner, but she always finds time for her girls: Kai, Kierra and Tati.
Coco Jones as Tatiana Kristen "Tati" West (26)
Hometown: Charleston, SC
Sign: Cancer (June 25th, 1996)
Rx Status: She, herself and her rose toy
Most Relatable Song: Lonely - Chloe x Halle / I know you wish you had somebody to hold/It don't have to be lonely being alone
Sometimes a bitch just wants to be in love, and not on any delusional shit, real and reciprocated love. I just heard Tati scream, "Amen!" Tati has had her share of relationships, but often, she finds herself more in love than the other person in the relationship. All she wants to do is feel like Sanaa Lathan in a '90s romance movie. But there's no romantic niggas in Atlanta, at least not any that want her. When she's not fantasizing about the perfect partner or swiping left, right, up, and down on dating apps, she's running her lucrative photography business or getting into shenanigans with her homegirls. One thing about Tati, she's fine as hell and she's 'bout her business. She'll meet that right person one day. For now, she'll stay Netflixing and chilling alone in bed with popcorn kernels digging into her skin, chile
