Page 288 of Invisible Bars
Despite what Chiamaka just said about complaining, she disappeared down the hall, muttering something about heatstroke and overpriced sandals.
I turned to Naji, shaking my head with a grin. “Your sister is a trip.” My tone shifted as I grew serious. “But why the hell you trying to carry all this yourself? You should’ve called me before you got out the car,” I fussed, stepping forward to take the bags from her arms.
Naji puffed out her cheeks. “I-I’m independent! L-Leave me alone!” she insisted, though a playful smirk danced on her lips, betraying her feigned frustration. “But... thank you,” she added reluctantly, her eyes softening as she recognized my gesture of help.
I set the bags down gently, then pulled her into a quick hug, pressing a kiss to her temple.
I pulled back just enough to let her breathe, but close enough that she felt every word when I said, “Naji, I don’t give a damn how independent you think you are… you’re mine. And I plan on reminding you exactly what that means tonight.
“Back up, bedroom bully! I bruise like a peach!”
Naji blushed hard immediately after, then groaned and hid her face against my chest.
“Ugh! Continue!”
“And anything that’s mine?" I continued, "I carry it, cover it, and dare the world to try me about it.”
Naji peered up at me, her expression soft and shy, biting her lip like she didn’t know it drove me crazy.
“F-fine, you can carry me sometimes… just sometimes.”
I drew her in closer, our bodies fitting together perfectly, and let my lips hover just above hers, teasingly close.
“Good… although I wasn’t really asking. The magazine is here,” I said, knowing the excitement it would spark in her.
“Wait—ours?” she asked, almost breathless.
“Yeah. It just came in the mail.”
Her eyes lit up instantly, body jerking slightly with a tic as she squealed. “Let’s read it!”
Nodding, I led her to the couch. As we settled in, I pulled the issue into both of our laps.
Naji curled close beside me, her eyes wide and bright, her thumb already twitching with excitement as she prepared to dive into its pages.
And we began to read.
Healing Out Loud: The Love, Growth & Grit of Imanio and Nija Kors
By: Naomi Ellison, Senior Contributor |Verve & Essence Quarterly
They’re an unexpected pair. He’s a private, sharply focused businessman with a growing portfolio and a reputation for staying out of the spotlight. She’s a former model turned advocate and the future founder of a modeling agency focused on representation for those with disabilities. Together, they’re not chasing fame; they’re rewriting the meaning of resilience, partnership, and visibility—from the inside out.
In this rare sit-down conversation, Naji and Imanio Kors speak on trauma, growth, and why real love doesn’t always look the way you expect but always shows up when you need it most.
Naomi Ellison:“So… the question that everyone is probably dying to know is, how did you two meet?”
Me: “Let’s just say... our meeting wasn’t normal.”
Naji: “Not even a little.”
Naomi: “Definenot normal.”
Me: “She was in the wrong place... or maybe the right one. It just depends on how you look at it.”
Naji: “It was chaotic… unexpected. But... it changed everything.”
Naomi: “Sounds like there’s a whole novel behind that answer.”
