I was hoping I could dodge her until her belly grew too large, because I knew her ass wouldn’t be trying to fight then. She needed to protect that little ATM machine in her body, just like I needed to protect mine. I rolled my eyes, thinking about how she was still trying to play like she had an empty uterus for the public. Literally no one believed her.
Before I made it to the venue, I wanted to stop for some Starbucks. They had this vanilla bean Frappuccino that I’d been obsessed with since I got pregnant. I never got anything from Starbucks usually because everything that wasn’t a single espresso shot was so fattening.
After getting my drink, I left out to my car, but I felt someone following me down the sidewalk. My heart began to beat uncontrollably, because I just knew this was Blaise about to clock me over the head. Preparing to windmill her ass to death, I turned around, only to see a somewhat pretty light-skinned girl. I was relieved but confused.
“Is there something you need, weirdo?” I quizzed, sipping my drink and tightening my grip on my Prada bag.
“This will only take a minute. I’m Dionne.” She stuck her hand out, but I ignored it, raising one eyebrow.
“Okay, good for you. Time is money, Dionne, so what the fuck do you want?”
“I’m Will’s girlfriend.”
“Will who?” I laughed. She couldn’t be talking about the Will I’d been fucking. Then again, I’d seen her somewhere but couldn’t pinpoint it.
“Willem Dade, the photographer. I’m his girlfriend, or used to be until we broke up. Someone told me you two had a thing. They said they saw you out together.”
“How the fuck did you even find me? Have you been stalking me?”
“No. I was told you come to this Starbucks every mid-morning for a drink, so I popped up. The only reason I’m approaching is you because I want to be back with Will, but between you and the whores, it’s hard. I need you to leave him alone.”
“Ahhh, okay.” I nodded, gulping down some of my drink. “Well see, it’ll be kind of hard for me to completely leave him alone because I’m having his baby.”
Her eyes instantly darted to my small stomach.
“No.” She shook her head. “Since when?”
“Since a while now. However, I only want my coins from him, nothing else. I mean, the dick is pretty good, but I can do without.” Moving closer to her, I added, “Who you need to be worried about is Priscilla Dimitri.”
“Priscilla Dimitri? We dance back up for Reddi together. What does she have to do with any of this?”
That’s where I’d seen her ass. She and Priscilla stayed popping around like old In Living Color dancers, trying to be sexy.
Shrugging, I replied, “Why don’t you find out? I heard she and Will are very close. I would say closer than he and I, but his sperm is floating around in my belly. Have a good one, Dionne.”
I left her ass standing right there, switching to my car, then driving to my luncheon.
The event went off without a hitch, and there was no Blaise in sight. So after I collected my ten bands from just sitting there looking pretty and eating with a few industry friends, I headed home.
I wasn’t in my house for two seconds before I heard my doorbell ringing. Tiptoeing across my plush floors, I peered through the peephole quietly, and to my surprise, there stood Ian. I quickly removed all the locks, then yanked the door open.
He was standing there looking so tall, handsome, and rich, while clutching a huge bouquet of roses, and bags from Cartier, Neiman’s, and Chanel.
“You gonna let me in, beautiful?”
“For what?” I folded my arms.
“If you let me in, you’ll find out.”
Sucking my teeth, even though I was happy to see him, I stepped back. Ian slid inside, smelling expensive and sexy, then took a seat on my couch as I closed the door.
“Are these my gifts?” I sat next to him.
“Yes, and they come with an apology. I reacted in a fucked-up way when you told me about the baby.”
“Now you say something? It’s been ages, Ian, and you haven’t talked to me at all. It took you this long? I’m having your baby for God’s sake.”
Earlier, when I found out who the father was, I decided that I would still let both men believe they were it. That way I would get 100 percent from both, and then in the end, I would be honest once my little bundle of joy got here.
“Unfortunately. But what’s this shit about Belly possibly being your baby daddy? I thought he was fucking Blaise?”
“Just a rumor some idiot put out because Belly had a thing for me. I turned him down, so he went for Blaise. And those so-called pictures of us from that video is not really me. It was probably doctored up by one of his flunky homies.”
Ian nodded.
“He don’t still be trying to fuck with you, right?”
“I mean, not in the past week, no,” I lied, chuckling inside. It was nice seeing Ian so jealous.
He mumbled something to himself, then rubbed my knee with his large hand.
“Anyway, I came here because I wanna work shit out with you. Having a baby wasn’t really something I wanted, but since it’s you, I can make it work. However, I think we should go a little further.”
“Further?” I watched him reach into his pocket, so I craned my neck a little bit to see what he had.
Pulling out a small velvet box, he popped the top open to expose a beautiful diamond ring. It was literally blinding me, so I had to look away briefly. Ian chuckled because my mouth was open, and I didn’t know how to close it at the moment.
“Nichole, would you marry me?”
“Oh my gosh, seriously?” I covered my mouth, and he nodded before getting down off the couch to take a knee. “Yes, baby!” I screeched damn near and allowed him to slide the heavy rock down my finger.
I grabbed his face to kiss him repeatedly, as he rubbed up and down my thighs.
“I love you, Nichole.”
“I love you too, Ian.” I pulled back to look at the ring. “Nichole Bradshaw; I like it.” I laughed, and he joined me.
“It’s perfect.”
I couldn’t believe this at the moment. I knew bitches in my circle would be hating that I not only pulled a baller, but got an engagement ring. Blaise was no longer the top ringer in this game.
Priscilla
Tonight, Rafi’s record label was throwing a dinner party, and since I knew he would be working the room and such, I invited Blaise and Alivia. Belly had scored an invite already, so Blaise was coming anyway, which worked out.
A part of me wondered if he’d bring Will. That would be awkward, especially because Rafi was now aware of Will’s and my relationship, but I missed him, so I would settle for seeing his face across the room.
Me: Dress or…?
I texted Blaise to find out what she was wearing. It was a somewhat fancy event, so everyone would be pulling out their best threads, I was sure. I wanted to match my friend though.
BFF: A dress, and it’s short. I’m wearing stilettos per usual.
Me: K.
I slipped into my red number that had the back completely exposed, then removed the clips that were holding my hair up. My tresses fell down my back as I walked out of my closet and into my large bedroom to slip my Louboutins on.
“Damn, baby.” Rafi smiled, eyeing me lustfully.
I rose up once my shoes were on, and he pressed his lips against mine. He looked so handsome in his suit, but he didn’t look stuffy. He smelled so nice on top of that. I let my hand caress the back of his head as I admired his sexy face before kissing his lips again.
“You like?” I stepped back to give him a full view again.
“I love it. You ready to go? I can’t wait to show you off.”
“Yes, just let me put on some perfume.”
About ten minutes later, Rafi and I were leaving, getting into his Wraith. We listened to music and chatted the whole way, reminding me of when we first got together.
I remember be
ing so into Rafi that I was afraid to say or do the wrong thing. However, the relationship was still nice and so much fun. The thought made me smile, because I was feeling that again.
We made it to the venue, and Rafi gave valet the keys before helping me out of the car. I texted Blaise to find out if she was here already, and she told me she was on the way. Alivia let me know she was waiting outside, so I made sure Rafi let the man at the door know to allow her inside.
“This is so damn nice,” I commented, taking a champagne flute from the guy holding a tray of them.
Music from one of Rafi’s label mates was blasting, and there were tables all throughout with people seated at them.
“You can sit here for right now, baby. I’m about to work the room for a little bit. You gon’ be aight?” Rafi pulled a chair out for me at one of the nice tables.
“Of course, babe. Don’t worry about me.”
As I sat down, my eyes landed on Yesenia. I guess Rafi noticed what I was looking at, because he kissed me.
“Don’t trip off her. She’s here because she’s signed, you know that.”
“Yeah, of course. I still just don’t like her.” Rafi nodded, staring at me for a few moments longer. “Go, go mingle. I’m fine, Rafi.”
“Aight.”
“Hey, girl, is it okay if I sit at this table?” Alivia showed up, leaning down to hug me before sitting down. She looked cute in a burgundy dress with the matching heels. Her hair was slicked back into a bun, which I’d never seen on her, but she looked beautiful with it.
“Yes, of course. I don’t even think it matters where one sits.”
“Cool.” She looked up at the guy walking by with the flutes and said, “Can I get one, please? Thank you.”
“So how have you been?” I quizzed.
“I’ve been okay. Work has been great.”
“Yeah, I’ve noticed. I see you’ve been doing a lot of parties. I may have to borrow some money from you.”
We both laughed before sipping our champagne.
“I’m not that rich yet.” She sighed.
“How is Manny?”
“I don’t know because I broke up with him. He’s a liar just like the rest of these niggas, and a deadbeat on top of that.”
“A deadbeat? How? He has kids?”
“Yes, a son that he refuses to tell people about. But I’m going with him to do a DNA test, so we’ll see.” Alivia rolled her eyes. I was about to inquire further, but I saw Belly walk in with his ContraBandz Gang and Blaise. I was kind of bummed that he didn’t have Will with him.
“Heyyy.” Blaise beamed, making me stand up to hug and kiss her. Belly hugged me as well, then Alivia. His friends followed suit.
“Aye, I’m watching you.” Belly gripped Blaise’s jaw gently, making her smile before he leaned down to kiss her.
“I’m watching you too,” she replied, getting another kiss from him before all of them, excluding Blaise, went to a different table.
“How are y’all both jealous?” I laughed.
“I don’t know, but it’s fine, because that nigga ain’t going nowhere.” Blaise tousled her long wavy hair.
“I’m sure he feels the same way about you.” Alivia chuckled, and we joined in.
“This place is packed.” Blaise frowned, sitting in between Alivia and me.
“I know, right.”
Just as I said that, these two girls Rima and Leni joined us. Rima and Leni both were dating two of Rafi’s label mates and had kids with them. I’d seen them before, and we’d talked, so I was cool with them having a seat.
Rima was married to this rapper named Cypress, and Leni had been the longtime girlfriend of this rapper named Messiah. Like me, they both had multiple children with Cypress and Messiah. I used to always feel sorry for them because it seemed like their husbands were always in some sort of mischief with other women and drama. But I guess God wanted to humble my ass because I could no longer look down on them or feel as if I had a diamond in the rough.
I looked through my purse purposelessly to clear my mind as the two ladies got champagne and introduced themselves to Alivia and Blaise.
Rafi was nothing like Cypress and Messiah; this was his first offense, so I felt bad for comparing him.
“So Blaise, congrats.” Rima smiled, downing her champagne.
“Congrats on what?” Blaise’s eyes squinted. The party waiter brought her the virgin piña colada she’d ordered.
“The boxer over there.” Rima pointed her chin in the direction of Belly’s table. “He’s so handsome, and he’s going far. I don’t know why some people think he’s not gonna pulverize Mason just because he got shot.” She took down some more of her champagne. “I think it’s because he’s handsome and Mason, well, he looks hurt in the face and is beastly.”
“I know right! Belly’s from the hood, and I heard he got shot before this, so my money is on him. Nothing like a hood nigga turned rich hood nigga, right?” Leni licked her lips lustfully before clinking her glass against Rima’s.
I immediately grabbed Blaise’s hand to squeeze, because I knew her. It was nothing for her to reach across the table and slap, punch, or snatch one of them up.
“Is your man’s dick that boring?” Blaise quizzed, making Alivia choke and me chuckle while covering my eyes.
Obviously shocked by Blaise’s question, Leni started. “No—”
“Look, Blaise is lucky and so is Belly, okay? Let’s move onto another topic, please.” I intervened before this went any further.
Blaise was pretty strong, and I could only hold her back for so long. I’d had to block her plenty over the years, and when mad enough, she always got loose and fucked the person up. So Rima and Leni needed to chill or find a bodyguard.
“Of course he’s lucky; she’s beautiful and a great actress. I love you on Streets.” Rima winked at Blaise.
“Thanks,” Blaise responded dryly.
“So how have you been, Priscilla?” Leni looked to me as she waved down the waiter for another glass of bubbly.
“Pretty great, actually. Thanks. How have you two been?”
“As good as we can be, right?” Rima looked to Leni before they laughed. Turning back to me, she added, “I was worried for a second about that whole Yesenia thing.”
”Please, she is not a factor.” I waved them off, just as I spotted that bitch again, laughing with the A&R.
“Umm, girl, we know that,” Leni scoffed. “I wasn’t sure if you knew that though. You left him for a little bit.”
“Yeah, you’re damn right I did. I’m not going to sit around while he’s being unfaithful.”
Placing her glass down, Rima looked into my eyes rather deeply and expressed, “Priscilla, you have to understand whom you’re dating. With Rafi being who he is, there are going to be times when he strays, and you’re going to have to accept it.”
“No she doesn’t,” Blaise chimed in.
Rima chuckled at her.
“You believe a man that is attractive, successful, in the media, and has women throwing themselves at him 24/7 is only going to be sleeping with you? And honey, Belly is your man, so you can’t possibly believe that. He has quite the reputation.”
“Had. He had quite the reputation. And I definitely expect him to only be sleeping with me, or he won’t be sleeping with me at all. If a man loves you, he will figure out a way to be right. If not, he’s basically admitting that his desires and pleasures are more important than the relationship he has with you. He should be able to change for you.” Blaise stared Rima down as Alivia and I nodded.
“No, it’s just a man’s nature to sleep with multiple women. They’re not like us, sweetheart.” Leni shook her head, just as Belly walked up with a plate of snacks for Blaise.
“Thank you, baby.” Blaise leaned her head back for a kiss. “She says you can’t be faithful? You agree?”
Belly looked to Rima and shook his head in disappointment.
“I couldn’t be faithful to her ass,” he admit
ted honestly, making Alivia’s and my jaw drop.
“Excuse me?” Rima turned her lip up in disgust and shock.
“Yo’ nigga is probably cheating because you got them big ass donkey teeth in yo’ fucking mouth. Niggas can’t even fuck yo’ face without worrying about an accidental vasectomy.”
“Okay, baby, go.” Blaise turned Belly some to push him away as we all cackled uncontrollably. I tried not to, but it was funny as hell, especially because Rima immediately closed her mouth. She had gotten some huge veneers a couple months ago.
Belly thankfully got occupied when his friend Ozzy started talking to him, allowing Alivia, Blaise, and I to fade out our laughs.
“What Rima is trying to say, Priscilla, is that you have to learn to accept Rafi how he is, or let a woman who can, have him. I’ve been with Messiah for a couple years longer than you’ve been with Rafi. There have been a few Yesenias, and I used to get so stressed about it. But when I learned that these women were just something for Messiah to do for a short while, I stopped letting it bother me. We’ve been good ever since, with no issues.” Leni looked me in the eyes.
“Well I can’t do that.” I looked down into my champagne flute.
“Then get a new man, honey. This is the life you signed up for. It’s the life both of you signed up for.” Rima turned her attention to Alivia and added, “You too if you’re dating a wealthy, famous, and attractive man.”
“I’m not, and if I were, I wouldn’t be dealing with anything.” Alivia fake smiled.
“She dated Yono for a little bit,” Leni whispered.
“Again, ladies, let’s change the subject. Please.” I exhaled.
Thankfully, Leni and Rima listened this time.
Getting up, I excused myself from the table to go to the bathroom because I needed a minute. I wasn’t in the luxurious restroom for thirty seconds before Blaise entered, locking the door behind herself.
“You okay?” she quizzed me softly as I leaned my back up against the wall.
“A part of me believes Leni and Rima are right.”
“Right as in what? That Rafi will never change or that you need to accept it?”
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