by Ebony Garris
Miles was finishing up on looking over some offers Paris had on the table. Her management team had a couple shows here and there and she was requested to do some vocals on new artists’ track that was signed to Kanye’s label. He tied the loose ends on the Kanye deal and decided it would be a good look for Paris to go. Unfortunately he couldn’t go with her because he was already behind work with the Tammy fiasco and his mini vacation to LA to help P with her album. He two wayed Paris giving her the details and told her to be ready to leave tonight.
Paris got Miles message and went home to gather her overnight bag. She was told that she would only be in Chicago for a night to record a track with a new rapper. She was so excited to go back home even if it was only for a night. She had plans to invite her girl Jay to the studio so they could chill VIP style. She hadn’t been back to the Chi in almost six months and she was anxious to get there. She had to admit she was happy that Miles wasn’t coming so that she wouldn’t be obligated to invite him to come chill with her girl. It allowed her to just let loose and enjoy her city. She landed in O’Hare dressed to a T. In a skin tight pair of Chip and Pepper Jeans hemmed and tailored to accentuate her long legs and small curves, with a pair of gold red and purple Loubittan heels and a funky top from Free People, along with her new LV purse. Her hair was straight and died a deep bronze with hints of honey blonde highlights. She was coming back into Chicago a superstar. As she hopped in the town car provided for her she was amazed at where she had come and then it hit her. She wasn’t just a stripper with dreams from the slums of Chicago, she had made it, she had arrived, and wasn’t too proud to show it! As the car made it’s way onto the Kennedy Expressway heading towards I-90 Paris felt that good warm feeling inside letting her know she was home. Paris got out the car and made her way into the studio but was stopped dead in her tracks. Paris girl is that you? Meeka is that you? TaMeeka had been Paris’ childhood friend and was more like a sister when the two of them got together trouble was bound to happen. “Girl what’s up?” Paris asked giving Meeka a huge hug. “Nothing much you know everyone has been talking about you coming back into town. I was talking to Jay and she mentioned that you all would be hanging out but I didn’t believe her. You know how Jay embellished on the truth! How long you in town?” “Just for the night but you are more than welcome to chill with me in the studio if you want, it’s so good to see you.” Paris said. “It’s good to see you too, although I have to admit I hardly recognized you, you up and got all Hollywood on us. You look good though. I always knew your hard work would pay off. I’ve been hearing your single on the radio like crazy, and the track is hot.” Paris didn’t show it but she was smiling inside, it felt so good for people to gravel over her accomplishments and tell her how good she looked, she had struggled with low self esteem all through her childhood and people always made fun of her gear and how she was too light skinned to be black. So she was finally happy to have people tell her she was the shit. I mean she knew it all along, but sometimes it felt better to hear others say it. “Well girl why don’t you come in this studio and do it big for a night with your girl.” Paris said grabbing Meeka’s arm as they made their way into the studio. The vibe at the studio was really laid back, and dimly lit. Paris was greeted by the producer who told her that Consequences was in the booth already and that we would go over the track, in a minute so I could lay down my vocals. Paris couldn’t see what he looked like because his back was facing her. Meeka and Paris engaged in conversation until Consequence came out the booth….. And both their mouths dropped. It was Sean. Paris looked at Sean and he looked at her, and they both immediately hugged each other. Paris and Sean hadn’t spoke with each other since the whole TMZ fiasco between her and Miles. She was happy that they were both happy to see other and squashed everything else in the past. “Pa you look amazing, I almost didn’t recognize you.” Sean said giving her the up down. After all this time he could say he still was attracted to Paris and harbored some deep feelings for her. “Thanks, I’ve been getting that a lot lately.” Paris said with a smile on her face. “I didn’t know you signed with G.O.O.D. Music, I’m so proud of you boy.” Paris said giving Sean a big hug. Damn he smelled so good, wearing her favorite cologne Thierry Mugler AngelMen. He had come up a long way since she last saw him, but one thing was the same, and that was his unmistakable sex appeal. He still gave her that feeling and she didn’t want to stop it. These days Sean was the king of the city and word had it that he had crazy amounts of money due to a huge new deal that he just signed off on with GOOD music. Sean and Paris played catch up for a few and they all decided to get some dinner after the session to catch up. After laying down the vocals and finishing up the track it was damn near four AM. And clearly Meeka and Jay both said they would catch up with Paris next time she was in town. She hated the fact that it took so long, but work and money came first, then playing. “Hey Paris you want to go get some breakfast at Dunkin Donuts like we used to do when we were flat broke? Sean asked smiling thinking back on when they used to share a sausage egg and cheese crouisanwhich with a medium coffee. My how times had changed. “Are you kidding me, Sean I would be honored.” Paris said extending her hand to put around Sean’s arm as they made their way out to his whip. Paris and Sean said all the things that they wanted to say but didn’t get the chance to say before they broke up. She explained everything that was going on between her and Miles and what happened the night she went to his hotel room for a private show. Sean apologized for not being more understanding and supportive with all the things going on in Paris’ life. It seemed like they both had grew up a lot and their time apart did them well. After hours of conversation it was almost time for Paris to catch her flight. But Paris wasn’t ready to leave. She felt a connection with Sean and she felt herself falling for the man she once loved so dearly. It’s funny the whole time she was here she felt guilty being with Sean even though most of the time they were working. Miles didn’t know anything about Sean and Paris’ previous relations. In some ways Paris felt like she was cheating on Miles. But she had to think it wasn’t like her and Miles were official, hell for all she knew he could be doing him right now at this very moment and she wouldn’t be able to say shit about it. Paris and Sean had a great time together and Paris did feel a connection between them but she couldn’t just drop everything and leave her life in the city up for grabs, she had moves to make in her career and money to be made. Sean was very nurturing and he gave Paris the much needed attention that she wanted, but he did lack the maturity that Miles had and she needed that stability in her life. Sean was like a naughty dildo that you know you’re not supposed to have but it feels so good that you just have to keep it around. “Paris are you sure you want to go back?” Sean asked as he grabbed her cheeks. “You know I can take care of you right it’s nothing.” “I know Sean and trust me I can take care of myself you know my album does drop before yours.” Paris said as they both laughed. She loved how Sean and her could just lay back and chill something her and Miles hadn’t done since she hopped her fast ass on the flight to New York with him a couple months ago. Maybe things would be different when she got back. Maybe all her and Miles needed was a little R&R. She couldn’t wait to see him and kiss him and hopefully if she was lucky get some confirmation that he was her man. As she looked Sean in the eyes she responded “yeah I’m positively sure but it was good seeing you we gotta do this again! Next time you gotta come to the big city to see ya girl.” “Oh don’t worry I’ll be there sooner than you think.” Sean replied.
Chapter 8
Irreplaceable
“Miles baby you here?” Paris said as she made her way through the loft only to find that Miles wasn’t there as usual let me guess he must be at the office once again. Paris made her way up to the bedroom and plopped on the bed. She was exhausted. Instead of resting like she thought she would be doing she glanced over to find an itinerary for this week left via Toni (Antoinette, Miles super assistant). She had a rehearsal at 3 for an upcoming musical sho
wcase at the House of Blues. Then tomorrow she had a photo shoot for her album. Damn can a bitch breathe Paris thought to herself. She rolled out of the bed and got ready to head to rehearsal. She headed over to the closet and saw a bag of coke chillen on the dresser. She thought twice about what she was contemplating doing….but she was extremely exhausted and if she was even thinking about making it through the night she needed some help. She never imagined in a million years that she would be snorting, hell even using coke, but got to keep up with the times. Plus this wasn’t a regular thing for her. She wasn’t no crackhead or nothing. She would just use it this one time to help her stay up and energetic so that she could work and get by. Before her mind could talk her out of it she put everything behind and pilled a little mound of the white substance on her pinky. Lifting it up to the edge of her nostril she snorted for the first time. Paris instantly felt a surge run through her body. Her body reacted to the controlled substance going through her system. Her head began to feel light and suddenly she felt very sick. Had she took too much? Was this something other than coke that she wasn’t meant to have. Damn what should she do now? She didn’t want Miles to think she was inexperienced or immature. And she damn sure didn’t want to end up in the hospital and miss rehearsal how unprofessional would that look. She ran to the bathroom and let the faucet water run. It seemed so loud as each water pellet hit the drain. It seemed like all her senses were peaked and every part of her body was sensitive to the touch. She tilted her head under the faucet as the cold water hit her face Paris began to gather herself. She lay down on the bathroom floor with the cold tile from the floor cooling her hot body. She began to come down from the initial shock that raced through her body a few minutes ago. She now felt herself drifting off into an uncanny state of being and she felt good. She pulled herself together and headed out the door.
Miles was anxious to see Paris. He hadn’t spoken to her directly the whole time she was in Chicago. They only BBM’d each other. He made it his business to clear up his schedule for at least twenty minutes so he could be here for the start of her rehearsal. And go figure this chick is late. Who did she think she was Mariah Carey or something? Miles waited for no one and as soon as she stormed her high yella ass through those doors he was going to let her have it. Just as Miles was about to lose it Paris stormed through the door. Miles wanted to be upset with her ass but damn if she didn’t look so good! He lost his train of ass kicking and went into sweet mode. He grabbed Paris arm lightly and asked to speak with her in the back to go over her schedule so that no one would suspect anything! He also didn’t want to make her look bad in front of the band and those working for her. As soon as they got to the back he tongued her down and Paris couldn’t help but get moist between the legs! “Hey babe I’m glad to see you too”. Paris said with a slight slug in her voice. “Good because I missed you like crazy since you were gone, but Paris we got to get better about the time your flight landed at least an hour and a half ago what took you so long to get here?” Miles questioned with authority in his tone. “Well after the airport I stopped at the loft to freshen up a bit, I didn’t want to come to the set stinkin.” Paris said laughing! Miles wasn’t amused. He shot back. “Is this some type of game to you Paris? This is my time and my money and it is not to be wasted or taken for granted, you remember that.” Miles said as he walked away. Paris just shook it off he must have been having a bad day. I mean there was no way he could replace Paris, her single was number one and she was his top pick chick, he was just talking. Paris got herself together quickly trying not to allow Miles to bring down her high. She hit the stage and rehearsed like there was no tomorrow. She got every choreographed step to a T and didn’t miss a beat. She was going to be sure Miles knew why he even signed her in the first place! She was the shit, and there was nothing that could make her think different. After rehearsal Paris left and decided to go back home. Miles had some sessions to go to in the studio with other artists on the label so Paris took the time to go home and write. As she walked through the front door, she stepped over a note that had Miles name on it. It was from someone named Tammy. Paris was hesitant to open it but, decided against it she didn’t want Miles to think she didn’t trust him so instead she just put it on the refrigerator with a metal magnet to ensure Miles would see it. Peeling off her sweaty clothes Paris prepared herself to go get in the shower. But before she could make her way to the bathroom her blackberry rang. She raced across the room to catch whomever it was hoping that it was Miles telling her he couldn’t wait to get home. Instead she was surprised to find out it was Sean. After their mini reunion and late night convo in Chicago Paris wasn’t able to get him off her mind, and she was sure answering this call wouldn’t make it any easier. Yet she couldn’t take not to answer it. “This is Paris.” Paris answered the phone in her usual business manner. She already knew who it was but he didn’t need to know that. “Hey Paris it’s Sean, I know that it’s kind of crazy for me to call but I need to see you again.” Paris mouth nearly dropped to the floor this couldn’t be happening right now. “Sean it was great seeing you and all but I just can’t drop everything and come to Chica-.” Before Paris could finish her sentence Sean jumped in. “I’m in New York staying at the Plaza Hotel 17th floor Penthouse, if you had as good a time as me I’ll be seeing you in about twenty minutes, I just want to talk and see you, just friends.” Sean said and hung up. Paris contemplated the pros and cons of what was before here. Strategically thinking of the outcome that was before her. As she stood there naked she hit the shower and decided to do the rest of her thinking in there.
Miles made his way home feeling pretty good about the woman he had there waiting for him. Paris was really working hard these last couple weeks and he wanted to surprise her with a night of pampering. He had to admit the thought of settling down with her was on his mind more and more lately and he wanted to do things right with her. He already seemed to screw things up with Tammy and look at that mess he had to clean up. He really wanted to do right by Paris and make her his number one chick. He and Paris would need to go public with everything he immediately dialed Dionne telling her to draft up a public statement about him and Paris. Nothing too severe but just enough to let everyone else in the industry know she was off limits. Dionne assured Miles it would be public by the break of the morning tomorrow and she was on it as of now. Miles was so happy to be opening this new chapter in his life and closing the others. Paris was the only girl he needed beautiful, intelligent, motivated, and most of all she had a mind of her own and she didn’t let this industry catch her up. As much as he adored Tammy he saw a change in her the more his status in the industry arose. This is why he had wiped her out so quickly. Tammy having his baby would be like giving Tammy everything he had. Not for nothing but the only girl he wanted to carry his child was his wife, who he knew would be Paris. Miles exited out the Range and made his way into the loft. He called out for Paris but got no answer that was weird. He went into the kitchen and saw a note. He could always count on Paris to leave a note letting him know about her where abouts. He reached for the note and nearly shit his pants at the sight of what he held in his hand. A letter from Tammy. Was it an old note? Who put it in here? How? So many thought were flooding Miles’ mind he could hardly breathe let alone think. He needed to know who put this note on the fridge. It couldn’t be Tammy she was six feet under by now. He picked up his cell and phoned Jihan. The fucking number was disconnected. He dared to open the letter and read what it said. He had to know what the fuck was going on though. Maybe this letter had some answers. He opened the letter to find an ultrasound photo which read 15 weeks fetus: female. Miles wasn’t a mathematician but he was for damn sure that Tammy wasn’t that damn far along in her pregnancy shit she was only about a month along when she broke the news to Miles and he had her merked shortly after. The note said absolutely nothing about who sent it or what this was all about. Was this shit some sort of joke. One thing was for sure Jihan had a lot of questions to answer and Mile
s found it odd that this motherfucker was nowhere to be found. Miles grabbed his keys and headed out the door with one mission in his mind and that was to find Jihan.
Chapter 9
Good Morning
The Plaza Hotel had to be one of the best spots to unwind and relax which is why Paris decided to go there after the long rehearsal she had last night. As she looked out the window admiring the view she was taken out her mind dream by the shower running. “Paris you getting in here too?” Sean asked as he emerged out of the bathroom in a white terry cloth robe, looking good as ever. Sean walked over to the window looking over Paris. Paris looked up “What are we doing here Sean, I really like you but it’s just the wrong timing.” “When you love someone Paris as much as I do you, it could never be the wrong timing unless you don’t engage in it.” Sean got up and walked into the bathroom Paris holding his hand followed behind. She had to find a way to fix this whole thing. She never thought that her and Sean still had so much pent up feelings for one another, but after last night she knew there was something there. She hadn’t thought about Miles once last night until she woke up this morning next to Sean realizing that she hadn’t went home last night. She was for sure that Miles had blown her three phones up. She just wanted to be left alone. As her and Sean showered together she tried to relax as he washed her back and washed her hair. He was so thoughtful and she couldn’t even believe they were back in this place with each other again. They made some of the best love she ever had the night before and she felt connected to him. She couldn’t just shake the feeling. Were her feelings for Miles just lust? She was confused and she needed to get her mind right. She immediately hoped out the shower soap and all. “Paris where are you going?” Sean yelled out over the running water. “Sean I’ve got to get out of here. Thanks for everything but I’ve just got the clear my head.” As Paris dressed Sean ran out the shower trying to catch up with her as she quickly dressed. His efforts were too late. All he heard was the slam of the door. As Paris made her way out the Plaza she was meet by tons of paparazzi asking her questions about her and Miles’ new relationship and when was the wedding date? She was totally confused what the hell was going on. She yelled no comment and hoped in the town car waiting for her downstairs. She looked at her cell and saw the text messages from Miles telling her they were going public today about their relationship and they had a ton of press to do including a photo shoot and interview for Essence Magazine and Sister 2 Sister. He mentioned it would be great timing seeing as the album would be dropping within a month. Could this day get any worse. She just wished she could disappear for a minute. She dug into her Louis Vuitton speedy duffle and took out her stash. She decided to bring some with her last night just in case she needed to relax before seeing Sean. Paris needed something to take the edge off. She had way too much going on. She shuffled a small mound of the white substance on her pinky finger and quickly lifted it to her right nostril. It was way easier to do it this time than the night before. She didn’t feel an immediate sick sensation but instead she felt light and easy. She pressed her head against the headrest and drifted to sleep while the town car took her home.