by Tiece
Monica stood in front of a body mirror as she primped and played with her shoulder length, Bob haircut. She admired the way her curves showed as she stood there stylishly dressed in a sleeveless, wide leg, white Ralph Lauren jumpsuit. She wore a pair of white Christian Louboutin pumps that extended her height while giving her attitude and grace all at the same time.
“Dad, you don’t have to come to this party with me,” she said, as Grant sat down on the edge of the bed and just watched her. “You can stay here, you know.”
“I know, but I want to go. For once, I’d like to see exactly what talents your boyfriend has.”
“Had you hooked him up with some of your connections you would already know,” Monica said.
“Don’t start that. I just didn’t think he took anything serious besides running the streets,” Grant responded with a shake of the head. “I guess tonight he’s going to prove me wrong, huh?”
“I guess you’re right,” Monica chimed in as she put mascara on her eye lashes to give them a full, thicker look. “I just can’t understand why you want to go though. My boyfriend is not one of your favorite people for one. And for two, I intend on having a good time tonight since it’s my first time partying in the A. I don’t need daddy dearest riding my ass about drinking or anything else for that matter.”
“Daddy dearest is going to stay in his lane tonight. That’s what y’all call it nowadays, right? I’ll just stay in my lane,” he repeated, but really he wanted to make sure that she stayed far away from anybody at the party that may have known anything about him. It was a slim chance that anyone would be there that he knew of, but he was certainly going just to make sure.
“Dad, you’re so corny.” Monica laughed. “Well, since we’re talking, I think I should tell you my plans of staying here.”
“Staying where because you’re not staying here?” he said, as he glanced around the big bedroom that Monica had already claimed as her own.
Monica frowned. “Quit treating me like a child. I’m grown and I can very well stay where I please.”
“Not here,” Grant told her. The look he gave her meant business as Monica turned to face him.
“Why not? I don’t understand why you don’t want to live in a home that mom once lived in. I feel at peace here. I feel closer to her here, and I don’t care what you say. Unless you’re going to sale this house, I’m going to stay here,” she insisted. “It’s a reason why you don’t want me here.”
“There is no reason, Monica.”
“Yes it is,” Monica said. “But I’m staying. I like it here and so does my man. We’ve even talked to each other this week about possibly moving here for good.”
“Are you out of your mind? I’m not moving here.”
Monica smacked her lips while shaking her head. “I’m not asking that you move here with us. You can go on back to LA. We’ll be just fine here without you. You can come visit though.” She added in an attempt to make Grant feel better.
Grant stood up. He’d heard just about enough. He had to do something to convince his daughter of leaving with him in hopes that she’d never want to return to Atlanta to stay again.
***
Charlotte stepped inside of A-Town Records with Winter right on her heels. “You think you’re slick,” Winter told her.
“Quit coming for me, Winter. I’m your mother; always remember that,” Charlotte snapped.
“I don’t care about you being my mother. You’ve never acted like one, but now all of a sudden you want to show Rayne some support on her music. Like, what are you really up too, Charlotte besides skipping out on rehab?”
“Can’t a woman change?” Charlotte questioned as she grabbed a glass of wine off of a serving dish that was being carried by a waitress.
“You’ve changed? Yeah right,” Winter said as she watched her down the glass of wine like it was water. “Well, stay out of trouble. If nothing else, this should definitely make Rayne’s night. All she ever wanted was your support,” Winter added before she walked off, leaving Charlotte standing there as she glanced around the party at the lavish decorations that had the building lit up like a real celebrity bash. Charlotte smiled inside thinking that maybe her daughter just might make it.
***
“Have you seen James?” Chase questioned Jeremy as they stood inside of his office talking.
“No, I haven’t seen him since I spoke with him earlier. It was right before he left here to go get dressed. I must say that he did a damn good job though making sure that this party was on point.”
Chase nodded his head. “I totally agree. He definitely surprised me. I know I gave him a budget to work off of, but he outdone himself. I’m really starting to feel like he’s back on the right track.”
“I hope so,” Jeremy said because the way James was acting as of recently had him thinking differently. Something was off. He just couldn’t figure out what it was.
“So, how is Rayne tonight? I noticed that she wasn’t with you.”
“She’s good, man. I left her at the house getting dressed, but she should be on her way now,” he said, as he glanced down at his Rolex timepiece. It had been at least an hour since he’d left her, but she insisted that he go ahead since she was running late after getting her hair done.
“She’s on cloud nine and can’t wait to perform her hit single, though. Winter was bringing her mom tonight too which I’m sure is also going to be another surprise for Rayne. I don’t know why she wants her mother’s approval so bad, but apparently it means a lot to her. I’m glad that she decided to come and spend this moment with her daughter.” Chase smiled. “I’m just happy to see her dreams come true. She deserves it.”
“She does,” Jeremy agreed as he glanced out of the window at the parking lot, which was filling up with cars by the minute. “Well, I see the party is getting crunk downstairs. I think that’s our queue.”
“It is,” Chase said, as he picked up his glass of Grey Goose mixed with cranberry juice and turned it up. “I’m ready to party tonight.”
***
James sat in his car, parked outside of A-Town Records. He was ready to go in and get his party on but he had a lot on the brain. He’d spoke with Brooke earlier in the day and still felt bad about her situation. She’d informed him that she had lost the baby and had gone in hiding to get her mind together. He felt bad for her and wished that he could make it better. However, he told her that she needed to get her act together because Chase was planning to get full custody of Mason. He hated the fact that he’d told her that, even after Chase had asked him not to, but a part of him knew that Brooke wouldn’t go for that if she knew of his plans. She at least had a right to fight for her son and not be blindsided because of Chase being in his feelings.
As he sat there smoking on a Newport and listening to the radio, he spotted a sexy woman, dressed in a stylish white jumpsuit. She was accompanied by an older guy. The woman was not someone that he’d seen on the scene before. However, it became clear who she was after seeing Yung Gunner walk over to meet them as he gave the older guy a firm handshake. He then kissed the woman softly on the lips. Thoughts of Winter entered his mind. She was everything he wanted in a woman. However, she was the first woman that gave him a run for his money and his time. She was no joke when it came to love and he knew that if he ever wanted anything more, he’d have to tighten up and leave the other women alone.
“So, that’s your woman?” James pondered because in the back of his mind, he felt like Yung Gunner may have had a thing for Rayne. Now, he realized that Yung Gunner had his own woman and she was just as fine and pretty as Rayne was. “Dude has good taste.” He mumbled as he watched them enter the building.
James opened up the car door to get out, but stopped in his tracks as his phone rang. He looked down to see that it was Brooke. He started to ignore the call, but then decided to answer it.
“Wassup Brooke? I told you about calling my phone. My girl already been snooping and shit,” he said, havi
ng realized after talking to Brooke that Winter had been in his phone and deleted things that she had no business fucking with. It was a good thing that Brooke didn’t say a lot in her text messages or Winter would’ve been the first one on it.
“Hey,” Brooke softly said. “I just wanted you to know that I appreciate the information that you gave me and I’m gonna get my son tonight.”
“Brooke, what are you talking about? You aren’t supposed to be going nowhere, doing no such a thing. You’re supposed to be laying low and getting your shit together. That way when Chase tries to get custody you’ll be ready.”
“I understand that, but I need to see my son. I’ve lost a baby that I truly wanted to have and you mean to tell me that I could possibly lose my son also. Nooooooo, I can’t let that happen. Chase can’t keep me away from my son.” She cried.
“Calm down, Brooke. You don’t even need to be driving in your condition,” he said, already figuring that she’d been drinking, because of the way her words slurred.
“I’m not driving,” she told him. “I need to see my son.”
“Nobody is over to Rayne’s house if that’s where you’re headed. Everybody is here at the studio for Rayne’s release party.”
“Not everybody,” Brooke said as she got out of the car. She’d been parked in the parking lot down from Rayne’s condominium. She saw when Chase left, but no Rayne, which meant only one thing. Rayne was still inside of her crib.
“Brooke where are you?” James pondered.
“I’m just getting my son, and then I’m leaving,” she said right before hanging up.
James sat there for a moment trying to figure out what he should do. If Brooke had gone to Rayne’s place, then it was cool because nobody was there. However, if she showed up at the party, then all hell would break loose.
“Maybe I’ll sit here and wait to see what happens,” he whispered, just as he started the engine up on his car. He didn’t know if he should go after Brooke to keep her cool or if he should wait to see if she’d show up at the party. He sat stuck for a minute as he contemplated which should he do. Either way, he knew he’d fucked up by telling Brooke the truth and this for sure will have his cousin and brother looking at him sideways.
“Fuck Brooke!” He irritably let out as he hit the steering wheel. “Why the hell you always gotta do some stupid shit?!”
***
Meanwhile, inside the party, Monica was talking to her man as her father walked off to get him a drink at the bar. She looked over in Charlotte’s direction while doing a double-take.
“Hey baby, that’s the lady that I saw in the grocery store that day. Remember the lady that said she knew you?”
“Oh yeah,” Yung Gunner said, as he looked over in the woman’s direction. “That’s the lady I gave a ride to that night I had the accident. She is funny as hell.”
Monica laughed. “She sure is. I only had the pleasure of talking to her for a little while, but she certainly kept me laughing the whole time.”
“That’s her,” Yung Gunner said. “What amazed him about Charlotte was that she was actually Rayne’s mother. A piece of information that he had yet to tell Monica about. He glanced around the studio as the people mingled and talked. He’d shaken a few hands, gave out a few hugs, and signed a few autographs. Now he was just waiting to perform with Rayne, something he’d been waiting for all week long. Just being in her presence made him giddy and their chemistry on stage was undeniable. In his mind, as his eyes wandered the room looking for Rayne, he was already trying to figure out how he’d introduce them without giving himself away.
“Hey Babe,” Monica said. “I’m going to walk over and speak. I don’t wanna be rude. After all, she is the first lady in the A that showed me some love.”
“I feel you,” Yung Gunner said. “Enjoy yourself, Babe. I’m going to get ready for this performance and look for Quincy. I haven’t seen that nigga all night.”
“Okay love, and you know I’ll be cheering you on.”
“I know,” Yung Gunner said with a smile.
“And keep looking for Quincy. I’m sure he’s probably looking for you too. It’s a lot of people here. I’m sure he’s walking around in here somewhere.”
Monica headed in the direction where Charlotte was at talking to Winter. Yung Gunner went in a totally different direction looking for Quincy before he performed.
“Heyyyyy,” Monica spoke as she tapped on Charlotte’s arm.
Charlotte turned to face her. “Hey,” she spoke back with a bright smile on her face. “Monica, right?”
“Yes ma’am,” Monica said. “How are you?”
“I’m doing as well as can be,” Charlotte replied while looking down at the wine in her glass. Even though she needed something much stronger, that would do just fine for now.
“You look so good tonight,” Monica complimented her.
“You do too. I can see why the young rapper is so hooked on you.” She smiled.
Winter just stood back and watched. Never had she saw Charlotte being this nice to anybody, let alone a stranger.
“Oh, excuse my manners,” Charlotte said, as she pulled Winter by the hand. “This is my daughter Winter. My daughter Rayne is around here somewhere. I heard it’s about time for her and Yung Gunner to perform.”
Monica extended her hand as Winter smiled, but she didn’t extend hers back for the cordial handshake. Monica withdrew her hand, but continued to smile just as she spotted Grant heading their way.
“Oh hey, I also want you to meet somebody,” Monica said as she watched Grant make his way over. The only person he was looking at was his daughter. She was his only concern at that party. But the minute he was within arm’s reach he and Charlotte made eye contact for the second time since he’d been in town.
“What the fuck?” Charlotte mumbled almost choking on her drink.
“Hey Daddy, this is Charlotte. I met her the other day at the grocery store. Charlotte this is my father, Grant.”
Charlotte’s eyes widened. “YOUR FATHER?!”
Winter’s mouth dropped open. “Did you just say that his name is GRANT?!”
***
“Brooke, I don’t know why you’re here. Chase nor Mason is here and I’m on my way to the studio for my release party tonight. I’m sorry that you came all the way over here expecting to see Mason, but he’s actually at Chase’s parents’ house.”
“I need to see my son,” Brooke said as the tears fell from her eyes.
“Let me call Chase for…”
“No, don’t call him,” Brooke quickly chimed in. “He’s the one trying to take my son. Are you behind this shit too?” She questioned, now feeling unsure of the whole situation. Could Rayne be the one that was trying to take her son and use him to build her little family with Chase? “You’re behind this aren’t you?”
“Behind what?” Rayne questioned as she stood there feeling clueless as to why Brooke was even there yet again. “Brooke, I understand that you’re pregnant and for that reason alone I’m going to ask you politely to leave my house.”
“And if I don’t,” Brooke said.
“Then I’m going to make you leave,” Rayne told her. She didn’t have time for Brooke’s shenanigans. She had a performance and a party to attend. “Now you can either leave on your own. Or, I’ll call the police and have them escort you off of my property. It’s really up to you.”
Brooke stood in the doorway as she contemplated her next move. Without thinking things through, she forced her way into Rayne’s condo causing Rayne to grab at her arm. Brooke instantly swung on her thinking that Rayne was trying to fight her. They began to wrestle as they both fell to the floor. Rayne was more so trying to hold Brooke back just so she wouldn’t hurt the baby. But Brooke knowing that there was no baby took this as an opportunity to get one in on Rayne as she sucker-punched her in the face.
“Oh hell no, Bitch!” Rayne let out and before she knew it she’d lost it on Brooke’s ass. Baby or not, Brooke had as
ked for it and Rayne was certainly about to give it to her. “You stupid, Bitch!” Rayne said as she punched Brooke in the face. “Didn’t I tell you about coming to my house?!” she questioned while now straddling Brooke’s mid-section and slapping her in the face. “If you lose this baby tonight, it’s your fault!”
“Get off of me!” Brooke squealed while trying to fight but she was no match for Rayne. It was actually an easy battle because Rayne was beating her ass while dressed in Louboutins and a designer Marc Jacobs pants suit.
“No bitch! You been asking for this shit!” Rayne said, but just as she struck Brooke for the last time, something or somebody struck her. All she could feel was the back of her head turn cold as she rolled over off of Brooke, feeling dazed. Her sight was blurry as she found herself blanking out.
“I supposed to be the one whooping your ass, not her,” Quincy said, as he snatched Brooke up off of the floor. He gripped her around the neck. “Where you been bitch? I’ve been calling you all week. Your phone has been off and you haven’t been home,” he said, being that he’d been stalking her crib with thoughts that she probably had skipped town on him.
Brooke wiggled in his arms trying to break free, but it was of no use. Quincy was much stronger than her which meant that she didn’t stand a chance.
“Please,” she got out. “I’ll get you your money!”
Quincy grinned. “Do you actually think that this is all about the money? You are slower than I thought you were. It’s the principle of how you thought you could take from me and I’d be cool with it. I’m here to make your life hell, just because I know that I can do it,” Quincy said as he let her go.
Brooke’s body plummeted to the floor as she lay there beside Rayne who was knocked out cold. “Oh my God,” she said, as she glanced over Rayne laying helplessly next to her. “What did you do to her?”
“I just got her off of you,” Quincy said as if it didn’t bother him.