by Tiece
******
As Rayne sipped the last bit of coffee she had in her cup, the sound of movement on the other side of the door caused her to stand up with the same worried facial expression she had been wearing since Chase alerted her of his hospital visit. He entered the condo first, as Jeremy trailed behind him.
“Baby, what did she do to you?” Rayne examined Chase’s appearance and frowned at the fact that he was still clothed in what he wore the day before. Rayne presumed that Chase was fine physically, as he walked towards her with open arms.
He had a heavy heart as he enveloped Rayne in his embrace. Jeremy stood off to the side while the loving couple hugged. He wasn’t interested in being present when Chase talked to Rayne about Brooke. Unfortunately, Chase had recruited Jeremy for back up when he broke the truth down to Rayne. He knew Jeremy’s co-sign would help Rayne believe what had occurred a little more, as if she didn’t already have enough of a reason to believe what Brooke had done.
Chase pulled back from Rayne and led her over to the couch. He took a seat as she did, while looking quite perplexed and anxious.
“Chase, please tell me what happened. I waited up last night and I must admit, I was pissed, especially after speaking to Brooke.”
Jeremy and Chase glanced at one another in utter shock. “Brooke called you?” they asked in unison.
Rayne gave Jeremy little acknowledgment because her eyes were locked on Chase’s.
“Well, I actually called your phone and she was the one to answer it. You don’t remember speaking to me for all of two seconds?” Rayne probed, while studying Chase’s face for any sign of deceit or guilt.
“We talked last night?” Chase shook his head as he racked his brain, trying to remember the conversation between him and his woman. He couldn’t remember a thing about it and that worried him. Chase was hoping his conversation with Rayne was all that he was unable to remember, for his and Brooke’s sake.
“Chase, you don’t remember telling me you’d call me once you woke up? I mean, what did she give you? It’s obvious it was something she had no business giving you without your permission. Is this what you want, Babe? Brooke will continue to play you until you finally declare enough is enough.” Rayne rubbed his folded hands that sat atop of his lap. He was looking at her, but she could see that he was thinking hard on something.
Rayne wasn’t expecting Chase to say, “You are a hundred percent right, which is why I’m filing for full custody of Mason. Once we film your video this week, I’m starting the process. I already looked into lawyers for this exact reason. I can’t tolerate this shit anymore.” Chase sounded defeated, but he wasn’t. It simply bothered him to drag his child into the mess his mom had started.
Way off in the corner, Jeremy was more excited than Rayne was. Chase hadn’t made up his mind during the car ride but Jeremy was pleased with the verdict he just gave. Jeremy didn’t feel for Brooke at all. He knew one person that’ll be just as angry as Brooke. Toya would probably cut Jeremy off as a result of Chase trying to take Mason. He wasn’t happy about it, but family always came first for Jeremy. He was just happy Chase had grown the balls to do it and stopped making excuses as to why he couldn’t or shouldn’t take full custody.
Rayne was without a reaction for a minute. She thought about the craziness that was going to occur in her life once Chase started the process of obtaining custody of his child. Rayne loved Mason because she loved Chase. She had no problem helping Chase raise his son, if that’s what he chose to do. Rayne pursed her lips as Brooke’s shenanigans popped in her head. She was sure that Brooke would up the ante of her stunts, once she caught wind of what Chase was doing.
She smiled slightly as she silently vowed to whoop Brooke’s ass the next time she decided to pull another stunt. “I’m happy you’re putting your foot down, baby. I support you one hundred percent. I will say this; you know how your child’s mother is. Please stop allowing her to get you caught up. It’s time you flip the script.”
Jeremy caught Rayne and Chase’s attention as he softly chuckled before adding, “Let the games begin. I can’t wait to see how this shit plays out. Brooke won’t know what to do with herself.”
Chase glanced at Jeremy. “Put James up on game. I don’t want her to try swindling him, once she figures out what I’m up to.”
“Bet.” Jeremy nodded his head.
He chatted with the couple for a while longer before making his exit. Chase mentioning James reminded Jeremy of the way his brother had been acting as of lately. Jeremy shook off his negative thoughts as he got in his ride and started it up. He was in route to James’ home and he hoped his brother was there. The two of them needed to have a serious talk.
********
Across town, Yung Gunner and his boo were lying in bed with their naked bodies entangled. They had just finished round two and Monica was ready to drift off to sleep. She hadn’t slept at all since arriving in Atlanta.
“I love you, Bae.” Monica lifted her head and Yung Gunner pecked her lips as his left hand made circles on the small of her bare back.
“I love you, too. I know your pops isn’t too happy you’re here, but I am. You make all this shit worthwhile,” he groggily stated. In no time, the two of them were both out like a light with a smile on each of their faces.
Monica woke up before Yung Gunner. She was feeling much better than when she arrived in Atlanta. Now that she was in Yung Gunner’s presence, she was fine and without a worry. She didn’t stress the car that was ruined because it could be replaced. Grant would without a doubt repair it, but she wasn’t feeling it anymore. The pearl colored Lexus she had begged her father for was now a horrible sight to see in Monica’s eyes. She had it sent to Atlanta, so she could parlay the city in style, but that went out the window hours after she had set foot on the Georgia soil.
Monica’s lips twisted as her overprotective father crossed her mind once again. Grant was going to be a thorn in Yung Gunner’s side during his stay in Atlanta. When she asked him how long he planned on staying around, he made it clear to her that he was without any business events or work related activities for as long as he chose to be in Atlanta. It wasn’t what Monica wanted to hear, but she couldn’t tell him to leave. She was hoping Grant would get the hint, once he realized that she would be devoting all of her time to Yung Gunner.
Monica grew up without a mother, but Grant made sure he filled any void his daughter may have had with material objects that would distract her from her reality. Grant had never been the strictest or the most responsible parent, considering the business he was in. Monica’s life, thus far, was full of fun memories of her and her dad. She was raised with the help of nannies until she reached the age of thirteen. Once puberty hit and Monica developed a shapely physique, her attitude worsened. The nannies that Grant had recruited to watch over his daughter were unable to handle the sharp tongue attached to the pint sized teenager.
Grant was a man with many associates but not many friends. He was a business man and he learned to keep people at a distance after the situation he caused with Charlotte. After losing his wife, Grant only focused on his daughter and the career he had that afforded her a great lifestyle. He took pride in telling people that he was a single father. It stroked his ego when women and men alike would express how great he was for taking on the difficult task of raising a daughter on his own. Subconsciously, it eased the guilt that he hid so well. He presented himself as a successful, accomplished man, which he was. He was also a father to three girls but he only loved Monica, since he never knew the other two.
Now Monica, on the other hand, was a rebellious soul until she met Yung Gunner. In no time, the smooth talking, rugged gentleman had helped Monica change her perception of many things. He was like a savior in her eyes and she loved him dearly.
She leaned over and softly kissed him on the lips as he slept. She’d began to get out of the bed as she thought of the lunch date that she and Yung Gunner were set to have later. He had a studio sessio
n that night, so instead of having a late dinner, Monica decided she’d make a hearty lunch for her man to eat before he went to work.
Monica showered and threw on a sundress with a pair of Prada sandals. She located Yung Gunner’s keys sitting on the nightstand next to where he slept. She was careful to not wake him as she watched his face while reaching for the keys. He wouldn’t want her to drive because of the accident that she’d been in, but she felt that she was fine. She was also hardheaded and stubborn. Once her mind was made up, there was nothing no one could say or do to change it. Only Yung Gunner was able to on occasion.
After successfully getting the keys, Monica dashed out of her father’s house and jumped in the car before he or Yung Gunner could stop her.
***
“This Atlanta weather is better than Cali,” Monica declared out loud, as all of the windows came down at once. She was feeling the way the slight breeze complimented the burning sun shining in her eyes. California weather was much more humid.
After GPSing the nearest grocery store, Monica made her way there. Upon entering the double glass doors at Kroger, she got the feeling that she was being watched. With slight fear, her eyes wandered around the grocery store, but there was no one paying her any attention. She shook her head as she released a breath. The feeling left her just as quickly as it came. Without wasting time, Monica started her grocery shopping. She only had a short window of time to work with before Yung Gunner woke up wondering where she was at.
***
An hour prior, Charlotte had hightailed out of Rayne’s condo after she started preaching about rehab. The icing on the cake was when Rayne interrupted Charlotte as she was having her morning cocktail, to show her the rehab facility she was sending her to. At that point, Charlotte had to leave so she didn’t flat out curse out her child. She caught a cab to her mom’s side of town, where Winter was about to take Big Ma to the store. Upon seeing Charlotte staggering into the house, Winter decided she wasn’t up for the bullshit. She dropped Big Ma and Charlotte off and promised to be back once her grandmother had purchased all the essentials she needed.
Charlotte browsed the aisles at Kroger with a frown etched across her face. Her mother had summoned her help for her usual Sunday grocery store run. Big Ma would cook a grand meal for the twins every Sunday since they were born, up until they became teenagers and had better things to do. It was something the elderly woman loved doing for her two favorite ladies.
Charlotte was looking for the beer and wine while Big Ma did all the grocery shopping alone. She knew Charlotte wouldn’t be much help but she felt the need to spend some time with her only child. It was a bad idea, since Charlotte was only concerned with having a drink.
Rayne’s declaration earlier had little impact on Charlotte. She wanted something to drink and she was going to get what her heart desired. Big Ma had tried to protest but she stopped once Charlotte screamed, “If the good Lord didn’t want us to drink, he wouldn’t make wine from grapes!” Big Ma found her daughter’s statement to be outrageous and she left to finish her shopping without saying another word to Charlotte.
Charlotte was unbothered by that, as she was more focused on the lack of alcoholic beverages Kroger carried. Most grocery stores carried beer and wine, so Charlotte was beyond disappointed to see that this one in particular wasn’t one of them. As she turned down the dairy aisle, her cart collided with another one.
“I’m so sorry,” Monica expressed, while slipping her phone into her purse. Her attention was on her phone as she texted Yung Gunner and she wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings.
Charlotte’s mouth was slightly ajar as she eyed this familiar stranger. Monica moved out of her way as she looked at her like she was a lost soul brought back into her life. Both of them were feeling a connection to one another that couldn’t be explained at the moment.
“It’s ok, honey. I was too busy looking for the good stuff, I wasn’t paying attention,” Charlotte chuckled to ease the uncomfortable look on Monica’s face.
For a second, Monica thought the woman was a relative of Grant’s. Before moving out to California, Grant had made a life for himself and his wife in Atlanta, prior to Monica’s birth.
“What good stuff are you looking for?” Monica pried, seeing that the woman had an empty cart while hers was overflowing with unnecessary items.
Charlotte glanced behind Monica and with no shame, she said, “I’m looking for the liquor but they don’t have it here. I could’a swore this was the Kroger with the wine and beer.”
Monica released a joyful laugh; she had thought the same thing, only to be hit with the same disappointment as Charlotte.
“I said the same thing myself. Luckily, there is a Wine and Spirits in the next shopping center a few minutes away. After I pay for my groceries, I’m heading there. After the night I had, I need a drink or two.” Monica giggled.
She wasn’t a big drinker and she hardly indulged during the day, but she had a few reasons to celebrate. Not only did she escape death and avoid injuries from the accident, she was also reunited with her man; nothing was better than that.
“I hear that girl. I feel the same way,” Charlotte replied with a smile. There was something about the young woman that made Charlotte feel connected to her. It was as if the two of them had encountered one another in a past life.
Monica felt the same way and it was a feeling she couldn’t shake. As a motherless child, Monica felt like Charlotte’s presence told a story. She too had suffered a loss of some sort that made her eyes show a glimmer of sadness that Monica knew all too well. It was the look that she had whenever she passed a mirror and thought of her own deceased mother. The two of them looked so much alike, it pained Monica to know she shared the same face as the woman she would never be able to meet in her lifetime.
Charlotte was more focused on what Monica had said, than the saddened expression that came on her face. “Do you think you could take me to the liquor store with you? I know that sounds crazy coming from a stranger. However, my mom is still roaming the store and I don’t know when she will be ready to leave.”
Although Monica was just about finished with her shopping, she didn’t know Charlotte at all. She also wasn’t from Atlanta and she didn’t know how the crazies looked in the city, but in California, they were everywhere and often in a perfect disguise that would fool a person that didn’t know better. Even after all of those thoughts crossed her mind, she told Charlotte, “I can do that. Just let me pay for my stuff and I will be ready.”
Charlotte wanted to jump up and down as pure joy ran through her body. She had no idea it would be so easy to convince this young woman to do such a thing.
“Thank you so much! You’re a life saver. My name is Charlotte, by the way.”
Monica chuckled as she realized she hadn’t even gotten the woman’s name, yet she agreed to let her into Yung Gunner’s rental car.
Monica extended her hand to Charlotte. “Nice to meet you Charlotte. I’m Monica.”
Charlotte glanced at Monica’s perfectly manicured nails before slipping her hand into hers and gave it a firm shake. “The pleasure is all mine, Monica. It’s not every day I get to meet someone who thinks like I do.”
Charlotte referenced their need to have a drink and found it funny that she had met, yet, another stranger who was more willing to help her than her own family. Never mind the fact that Yung Gunner and now Monica were unknowingly contributing to her addiction.
“While you pay for your groceries, I’m going to find my mom and tell her that I will be back shortly,” Charlotte declared.
Monica nodded her head. “Sounds good to me. If I pay for my stuff before you’re back, look for the white BMW in the parking lot. I’m sure you will see me throwing the bags in the trunk.” The two ladies went their separate ways with plans of linking back up in a few minutes.
Charlotte had located Big Ma getting some meat cut by the butcher and she barely looked her child’s way. Charlotte had gotte
n rid of her attitude and was smiling from ear to ear as she approached her mom.
“Ma, I gotta run to the store. I’ll back before you finish shopping. Whatever you do, don’t tell Winter I left. I promise I will be back before she gets here.”
Big Ma couldn’t remember the last time Charlotte spoke the truth to her. Her promise to be back before Winter sounded like a lie to the wise woman. “If you’re going to be back before Winter gets here, there is no need for me to tell her you left. Don’t you agree?”
Charlotte rolled her eyes. She planned on hanging out outside, so she could drink in peace. She didn’t need the Kroger staff to inquire about the paper bag she was going to be drinking from.
“I agree, see you in a few.” Charlotte left without another word.
Charlotte was unable to find Monica at any of the registers, so she went to the parking lot. She was blown away seeing that the car that Monica was occupying was almost identical to the BMW that Yung Gunner had drove her in earlier that morning.
Monica was throwing the bags into the trunk of her man’s rental when Charlotte came to her side. Charlotte didn’t ask before she took it upon herself to help Monica unload her bags. As she was doing so, something caught her attention. In the far right hand corner of the spacious trunk, there was a nearly empty bottle of Bombay. It appeared to be the same bottle that Charlotte had been sipping from earlier when Yung Gunner drove her to Rayne’s. Charlotte didn’t finish the bottle out of respect and she left a few sips in the bottle for the next person. As she looked at the bottle now, she had to turn to Monica and speak her thoughts.
“This car wouldn’t belong to Yung Gunner, would it?” Charlotte raised her eyebrow as Monica giggled like a high schooler being asked about her crush.
Monica assumed Charlotte had spotted Yung Gunner cruising in the luxurious vehicle prior to her arrival in Atlanta. Although he was an up and coming artist from California, his music had spread like wildfire already and his following was growing rapidly.