Please excuse ANY grammatical errors.

May 10, 1998

~Tionne's P.O.V~

Life is TOO short to be worried about people who don't care about me, especially since I have Sickle Cell Anemia. Having that has me in and out of the hospital and ALWAYS working if I'm going to live the next day. I'm always in pain because of this and have a shorter lifespan than the average person.

The tornado did horrible damage to Georgia and nearby areas. Being part of this made me realize that I need to let go. I need to let go of this one-sided live thing I have going on with Dalvin. Dalvin doesn't care as much as he says he does. If he did, he would've come to see me at least ONCE out of all those times I was hospitalized. He's NEVER done that and that's the definition of actions speaking louder than words.

Not to mention him constantly cheating on me. I don't know how many women I beat up because of him. I've dealt with so many lies from this man. Truth be told, I was been done with him. I clocked out mentally way before I decided to make this decision. How far ago did I mentally leave him? Honestly, it was before the year 1997 ended but I've been holding on emotionally and physically. Now is time for the physical and verbal to happen now that I'm mentally prepared.

The reason I held on is because of our history. But why was I holding onto a history that Dalvin doesn't even care for? All history isn't good history. History with someone means nothing when the present is shared with many women on his part. He did care for our history so why should I? I waited for Dalvin to pick up the phone. Yes, I'm doing it over the phone because I no longer give a fuck about anything to do with Dalvin. Dalvin isn't in Georgia at the moment either.

"What's up, baby?" Dalvin asked in a tone that shows he just woke up.

"Hey, Dalvin," I replied. "I don't wanna keep you on the phone too long because I know you got shit planned BUT I do need you to be alert for what I'm about to tell you."

I heard shifting over the phone. I could be him but he also could be talking to me with another woman lying next to him. He's done disrespectful shit like that before.

Dalvin cleared his throat. "What's up? Is everything good?" He exhaled loudly.

"I'm fine. Let me cut straight to the chase. I'm done." I told him.

"Done with what? Was you in the hospital or something and just got out?" He said confused.

See what I mean? I've been out of the hospital for about a week and a half now. He KNEW that because I told him when I left. "No, Dalvin... It's over. I'm tired of you and you got me out here looking like a fool. Been having me look like this for years now. Fighting over a man who CLEARLY doesn't care for me. This whole relationship has been one-sided for a while now and I'm done with this relationship." I told him all in one breath. I suddenly felt relieved.

"You done with ME?" Dalvin said sounding surprised. His ego is showing due to his emphasis on the word ME.

"That's EXACTLY what I said, Dalvin. I'm done with you." I repeated.

"What happened to you being down? But most importantly, why you doing this over the phone? You couldn't be woman enough to tell me this in person?" He chuckled. "This has to be a joke and April already passed."

"You was never down, Dalvin. When I realized you wasn't down, I stopped being down. That was the problem. I forgave you too many times for the fucked up shit you did. I made up too many excuses for the shit you should've did that people I'm not even that close to did for me in a heartbeat. I'm done and I been done for a while." I explained to him, completely done with this conversation.

"Okay, but you'll be back. I ain't even gotta worry about it. I'll see you when I see you." He chuckled and I laughed in his ear then hung up in his face.

His arrogant tone slightly pissed me off but you know what? It's whatever because he's wrong and I'm going to prove his ass wrong. Not intentionally but he'll realize that I'm for real this time. I'm not going back to him ever again. I'm older now and I have a lot more sense. This is now history. PAST history!

The relief I'm feeling is like no other. My shoulders are now light and no longer heavy. That relationship took so much out of me and I'm already sick. All that relationship brought me is pain and heartache. That ride or die shit is for the birds and anybody who still uses that term and acts it out is dumb asses. I finally know what Toni Braxton meant when she said to let it flow and let go.

I jumped out of the bed feeling more energetic than ever. That's probably going to hurt later but right now I'm feeling untouchable! I got ready for the day without a care in the world. Now is time for the physical to take place.

July 18, 1998

~Tia's P.O.V~

Since the tornado, my parents have been living in the guest house. The tornado destroyed their WHOLE property. At least we got the most important things out of the house before it started. It didn't even touch Yasir and Ashari's house and I'm thankful for that. If anything did happen to their house, I would welcome them into my own home.

I couldn't even take Yasir's attitude when we were all locked up in my basement for three days, so I know it wouldn't be peaceful in my home if he were to stay in my house. I hate to say it, but I would rather my parents live inside of the house with me than Yasir. I would've most likely had him stay in the guest house.

As of now, we're on a mini-vacation. Well, at least it's a vacation for my parents. I'm here to work. What exactly am I doing? Elijah and I have a fashion show taking place today for our new clothing line. We have been planning this for a while now and it's finally here. Elijah and I worked hard designing the new line.

Tickets sold out and I also gave out invitations to people like Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Jay-Z, Teyana Shumpert, Angela Bassett, Viola Davis,
Kelly Rowland, Jon B., TLC, Denzel Washington, Tracy Chapman, Tony! Toni! Toné!, Michael Jackson, and more. So there will definitely be networking taking place.

There will be other black business owners here introducing and selling their products. That is after the event. Most are black women and I'm not complaining. We black women have been really doing the damn thing! I'm proud of us all! Of course, there will be food and drinks. It's food that people LOVE and not overlooked, unlike how most events are.

"Stop trippin'. Everything good here and I told you that before we left. Elijah ain't even worrying like you. He probably sleep and you up here at-" Donald checked his watch. "It's a quarter before five and we been here for a hour now. We can bounce." He pointed to the exit behind him.

I sighed in frustration, leaning on one of the tables. "It's a lot," I said looking down at the floor.

"I know and I see that. You ALWAYS stress over everything and nothin'. You should hire an assistant. You should've been did that. It would things a lot easier for you." He said looking down at me, rubbing my shoulders in comfort.

"You have to understand that this is the first event that I've EVER-" I cut myself off with a yawn. "That I've ever done. If this goes wrong then people may not want to show up to anything else I do."

"Look at me." He said lifting my chin with his index finger. He moistened his lips with his tongue. "Everything gon' run smooth. You hear me?" He whispered.

I looked up to him and automatically smiled. "Yeah, I'm listening."

He pulled me even closer to him, wrapped his long arms around me, and pulled me into a deep and much-needed kiss. "I hope so." He exhaled once we pulled away.

"I am." I replied.

Donald grabbed my hands then looked around to see some of the people paying attention to us. I'm noticing it as well. "That's how I know I'm different. You wasn't even worried about mothafuckas watchin' us and shit." He chuckled. "Fuck them people watchin'. You my girl." He kissed me again but much deeper than previously. I think he's trying to give the people a show.

"I didn't even think about them." I chuckled and I'm being truthful. That didn't even cross my mind. "Let's roll," I said pulling his hand.

We jumped in the car and went back to our hotel. Donald and I finally moved past the dating stage in early May. I didn't move as slow as I usually would in relationships, but it's still slow in MOST people's books. I really love Donald. Then again, we've known one another longer than I ever knew the other two guys I was in a relationship with. I didn't even have to ask him to come with me that early in the morning, he just offered to come. I'm feeling exactly like Alicia Myers on the I Want to Thank You. We both understand each other's busy schedules and know each other's everything.

There will be other black business owners here introducing and selling their products after the every at their stations. Most are black women and I'm not complaining. We black women have been really doing the damn thing! I'm proud of us all! Of course, there will be food and drinks. It's food that people LOVE and not overlooked, unlike how most events are. At the end of the event, I'll be giving away my skincare products in a gift bag. It works best for people with sensitive skin such as myself.

"Damn, I'm so proud of you!" He exclaimed once we made it into the hotel room.

My body shook as I let out a gasp because he startled me. "Thank you," I said with my hand to my chest.

"I'm sorry, baby. I ain't mean to scare you or nothin'." He embraced me from behind, squeezing me, with his chin rested on my shoulder.

"It's okay," I told him. "I'm proud of you and I'm not just saying that because you said it to me. I really am proud of you, babe." I said with my torso slightly turned, looking him in his hazel eyes. I then turned to face him all the way. "You got almost three years of sobriety under your belt and you started another label that is THRIVING."

Donald rests his hand at the small of my back, looking down into my eyes. "Yeah, I'm proud of us both. It's crazy how we just met each other at the beginning of our careers and where we are currently. A looonnnng ass way from then. Pshh, I can't believe that was only six years ago..."

"I know. Things have happened so fast just blessings on blessings on blessings. We worked all this time and so HARD for it so we deserve to be where we are. It's a beautiful thing." I rested my arms on his shoulders. "You're a beautiful person." I smiled.

Donald licked his lips and pulled me flush against his body by the waist. We stared each other in the eyes for a few seconds before I smashed my lips against his. His hands traveled down to my booty. He slapped my booty then squeezed with both hands. Him doing that made me inhale sharply and let out a small loan but I still kept my lips moving against his. He massaged my booty as the kiss began to turn very lustful.

I moved one of my arms from around his shoulder and squeezed it between our close bodies. I slid my hand down the front of his body and gave his penis a squeeze. I started rubbing my hand up and down the shaft of his penis, getting it hard. I switched to a tugging motion when I felt the need to. MY GOD, he's packing! Our lips vibrated against each other's as our moaning became more frequent. Donald's hands moved lower but he stopped himself and his lips away from mines.

"Shi-" He exhaled through his mouth. Donald's hand traveled back up but up to the middle of my back. "Um..." he tucked his bottom lips into his mouth. "You shou- you should get some rest. Me-me too... Probably." He chuckled lowly. "You been up for a while and we got a big day ahead of us in some hours. A'ight?" He grabbed my hands.

"Alright." I nodded but stood there.

He looked at me with a goofy smile. "You gon' go to bed?" He questioned.

"You gon' let my hands go?" I mocked.

"You holding onto me." He chuckled.

"That's you." I chuckled.

We both dropped our hands. "Goodnight. Or morning?" Donald said confused. "Good sleep. There." He laughed.

I looked down at him in his white sweat pants. He IS blessed! He's got the girth and length. I heard him chuckle at me as I checked him out. I walked backwards all the way to my room. "Good sleep to you too," I replied, finally turning around and opened my room door.

I went into my room, stripped, washed my hands and face, covered my hair and crashed into the bed. When I awoken by Donald hours later, I sat up in bed, then wiped my eyes of crust. I couldn't get them all because some are just stuck in my eyelashes. I looked down at his half dressed body. He didn't have on a shirt but he has on a robe covering the top half of his body.

"You're almost dressed all up, huh?" I spoke with a groggy voice.

"Not all the way but danm near but it's yo turn. You KNOW you take all day to get ready." Donald told me in his deep voice then took a bite out of an apple. "I ordered some room service so you can eat too before we do leave."

I stretched and yawned out loud. "What time is it?"

"A quarter after one so it's about that time that you get up." He patted my thigh.

"How long you been up?" I questioned.

"For a while now. I actually just got back in the room about an hour ago. I needed to check in on them in rehearsals. Now, get up." He repeated taking another big ass bite of his apple.

"Okay..." I fell back into the bed then jumped up. I almost fell because I stood up too fast and got dizzy.

Donald held onto me. "Damn, woman." He laughed. "You good?" He took another bite of the apple and had the juices squirting all in my face and eye.

I winced. "Ouch, babe you got it in my eyes!"

"My bad. I'm hungry!" He laughed loudly, holding onto me with one arm.

"What you order?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"Go see..." He replied.

I walked out the room and saw so much food. Most of it I wouldn't dare touch and some I just couldn't due to my allergies. It was ONLY things he'd eat. I turned to him. "Ummm..." I trailed off confused.

"What?" He asked cluelessly.

"Where's mine?"

"I said I ordered food. I never said I order any for YOU. This for me!" He replied with furrowed eyebrows then he bursted out laughing. "I'm just fuckin'with you! Your stuff on the second shelf." He pointed.

"Oh." I looked under the second shelf and saw things I'd eat. I grabbed a few strawberries.

"That's all you gon' eat, huh?" He looked at me.

"Yeah, I'm going to eat there later for sure but I want my stomach to be on FLAT flat." I chuckled.

"You wonder why I ordered me more food. I knew yo ass was gon' do this." He squinted at me, while pointing to me with his pinky finger.

"You ain't finna eat all that either. That's just eye candy for you." I pursed my lips.

"Well this rooms just full of eye candy, huh?" He chuckled, trashing the core of the apple.

"Bu dum, TSSS!" I made the sound effect that's used in film when people tell jokes. "Corny, but cute."

"Girl, y'all both corny as fuck!" Elijah told me.

"When did you get here?" I frowned.

"I been here. I'm the one who's doing your make-up, remember?" Elijah raised his eyebrows.

"This nigga barged in with our food cart when I opened the damn door. That's how he got in!" Donald spoke up.

"I know what you're supposed to be doing but I ain't even know yo behind was here." I replied with my hand on my hip. "I usually can hear yo voice before you even make it to the floor."

"If you don't know, now you know. Get ready." Elijah told me, rolling his eyes at my little joke.

"I will." I replied irritated and walked back into my room.

I showered and took care of the rest of my hygiene and got dressed. When I was finished, Elijah did my makeup and we were on our way. It took me two hours to get ready, give or take. Elijah didn't ride with DeVanté and myself because he's with his beau. My mother, father, Yasir and his people are sitting at one table. I made sure everything was fine with the time we had left for the event to start. Going onstage is always nerve-wracking for me.

"Girl, do you want me to slap you? Maybe it'll rid all your nervousness." Elijah stated.

"You slap me and we gon' be some fighting mofos." I told him.

"Loosen up, girl. You been onstage plenty of times before. All that's different is this is something you're hosting. Calm ye nerves." Elijah told me.

I nodded at his words. A few minutes passed by and the audience lights dimmed as the stage lights brightened. I walked out onto the stage with Elijah, confidently.

"Hello, everyone!" I did the congeniality wave to the crowd as Elijah and myself greeted everyone.

I'm feeling nervous. The audience cheered and replied which gave me a reason to pause. Yes, I've spoke in front of plenty of crowds and events but it's just different this time around. I have a nervous yet exciting feeling. I looked out at the crowd and made eye contact with Donald. He had this "do ye thang, you got this" look on his face.

I started, "I was once told that the most powerful people in the world are storytellers. We are. We ALL are storytellers but we all tell our stories differently. Whether it's by music, poetry, dance, or art. The story Mr Elijah McBrand and myself are going to be telling today isn't by any of the thing I mentioned. Instead we'll be telling part of our story with fashion." I spoke to the audience.

Elijah also did a quick speech. "This is something Ms. Tia~Nakia here have been working on for months now. Our brand has grown so much and we hope to grow it even further. Our is IS going to grow. I hope you enjoy this show. I'm your host Elijah McBrand and-"

"Tia~Nakia." I said into my mic.

"I hope everyone enjoy the show!" We said together then exited the stage.

I then walked backstage where the models waited to model the stage. Some are people we hang with like Courtney, Algee, Woody, and Chika. I also forgot to mention that all of this is being recorded and aired on television. That's another reason why I'm stressing so much.

Everything went smoothly just as Donald told me it would so many times before. Everyone played their part right. Unc sang his song Fabulous with Mary J. Blige and it was beautiful. All Donald's artist did great. I had to include my boyfriend's artist. Michael Jackson did good as always so that was no surprise in that. Isn't that something? Michael Jackson performed for OUR event! Let that sink in. EVERYONE did great and I feel a big weight off of my shoulders.

After the show, Donald met up with me backstage, looking good might I add. We're both sporting all-white that belongs to my clothing brand. It just isn't the new clothing line.

"Hey, baby." Donald hugged me and gave me a kiss.

"Hello. Everything went smooth just as you said. Thanks for your encouraging words." I cheesed.

"You welcome. You was nervous, huh?" Donald asked.

"Oh God, YES." I chuckled.

"I know, I could tell." He nodded.

"Could you?" I said with widened eyes.

"I could, but I'm positive that the rest of the crowd besides your family could detect it." He reassured me. "You good." He told me as we began walking around to get from backstage and to where everyone else is mingling.

We eventually parted ways as everyone kept grabbing my attention telling me how much they loved Elijah and I's new clothing line. I ended up having a full-blown conversation with Beyoncé and Teyana. They're really down-to-earth people despite what the media says about Bey.

"You know, I like this type of environment. A space for black people to just show their talent and network. Being in one place where there is no drama just mingling." Teyana told me.

"You aren't worried about the newer business owner here getting more popular than yours?" Beyoncé asked me.

I shook my head. "No. It happens. There are black businesses already that are doing better than mines. I look at it like this. If you get up then it's only right to help others up as well." Besides, I have MULTIPLE streams of income now. I'm making BANK!

"That's beautiful and I hope other people understand that too. We all ain't gotta be fighting each other to get to the top." Beyoncé told me.

"Yes, ma'am." I agreed.

I had family members that didn't want to help other family members up because of this competition thing happening. It's like they wanted to be the only ones in the family to make it and look down on everybody else who's trying to make it. It's ridiculous!

"You both are out here grinding and I love it. Y'all just mind the business that pays y'all. I never hear y'all being in drama. It's beautiful to watch black women not being in competition with each other. We're just making it together." Teyana told us.

"Thank you." Beyoncé smiled then took a sip of her wine.

"Thanks. I can say the same for you. You and your husband are out here getting the bag together." I told Teyana. "You too, Bey," I added as I felt a tap on my shoulder, so I turned around to see who it was.

One thing about friendships, dating, and/or being in relationships with people in the industry is that you'll ALWAYS run into people you had a history with. I sent some invitations out to many people but some actually bought tickets. He's one of the people who bought tickets because I didn't send him an invitation. He hasn't even crossed my mind in over a year.

"Oh, hi," I said surprised at the person standing before me.

"Hey. Long time no see." Taimak told me with a smile. I nodded because I simply don't have a response for that. I don't think there is a response. "You're doing well, I see."

"THAT, I am doing." I nodded once more with a polite smile. "Thanks for coming to show support to the brand."

"You're welcome. Umm, this here is Beverly." He introduced the girl on his side.

"Hello," I said to her.

"Hello, I'm Beverly." She extended her hand out to me.

I don't shake people's hands but this is an event that I'm hosting so I shook her hand. "Tia." I can always wash them.

She pulled her hand back then gave Taimak a look. "Tia?" She raised her eyebrows at him.

"Yes, Tia is my name," I told her.

"Jackie Chan." I heard Donald say from beside me.

I turned to him because he was way across the room, talking to people the last time I saw him. He placed his hand just above my butt.

"Little gospel girl..." Taimak gave off a sarcastic smile.

"Nope, I got braids in my head. What are you doing here?" Donald asked although I know he doesn't really care.

"I just came to show support," Taimak replied.

"Oh, thanks for showing your support. Have a good day." Donald said as a dismissal.

"I will," Taimak nodded. "Tia, you look beautiful by the way," Taimak said then walked away. 

The girls are now conversing with each other. I walked to the food table with Donald right beside me. "You ain't invite him, did you?" He asked me.

I turned to him giving him a blank stare. "Of course not. Why would I do something like that?" I questioned.

"I don't think you'd do something like that but I just needed clarification. Can't stand that nigga. I guess it's the year of the returning ex's, huh?" He chuckled.

I laughed. "I guess so." I shrugged. "You came out of nowhere. Before that, I saw you with Iman, Jay, Michael Jai, and some others."

"I was." He laughed. "BUT I thought I saw that hotlink head ass nigga here and I was right. I ain't gon' ever like that nigga. That shit still pisses me off to this day. Ion even understand why he approached you. I mean, I know why and that's so he could see where you were in life." Donald told me.

"Right and I was just about to say that but it's fine because, at the end of the day, he and that girl spent tickets on my event. I'm making money." I smirked.

"She ugly..." Donald trailed off as if he were about to laugh.

I pushed his shoulder jokingly. "Shush," I said chuckling.

"I guess he decided to date someone his own age... Or older." His eyes widened at the last part.

"You ain't shit," I said laughing.

"When he get on, he leave yo ass for a white girl..." Donald eyed me.

"That part isn't funny. We left each other, but hey! That's him and his business on who he's with." I shrugged.

"Yeah, but DAMN you really look good. I know I told you earlier but it doesn't hurt to say it again. I'm still wrapping my head around us and it's been a couple of months." Donald shook his head, standing back looking me up and down.

"It surely has been, huh?" Dalvin came up behind me and loosely draped his arm over my shoulder, patting it. "I knew SOMETHIN' was going on between y'all. Why is y'all tryin' to hide it?" Dalvin questioned.

"We weren't." Donald and I said in sync.

"Then why am I- WE JUST finding out today?" Dalvin said looking back and forth between Donald and I.

"We wasn't tryna hide nothin'. The thing about y'all not catching on is that we were able to enjoy being around everybody without y'all actin' like children." Donald explained to them. "Somebody knew." He added.

"That would be me." Jojo raised his hand.

"You knew?" Dalvin asked. "How he know before your own brother?"

"Jojo just been around us a lot more and well... He's witnessed a lot more." I spoke up.

"Right, it's not my fault that I found out," Jojo said to Dalvin.

"Right. His ass was third wheelin' like a motha'." Donald chuckled, hitting Jojo in his chest with the back of his hand.

Dalvin dropped his arm from around me and thank God. I have enough baggage with just my breast and I'm wearing heals. I already have back problems and his tall behind is heavy.

"I wasn't third wheelin', I was chillin' like y'all was minus the lovey-dovey part." Jojo frowned.

"In denial," K-Ci said laughing.

"Hell yeah, he is." Dalvin laughed. "So, is that why my parents invited you over next week? I thought they just liked you."

"What?" I said in a highly confused voice then looked to Donald for answers.

"Oh, shit. I think you just started somethin'..." K-Ci told Dalvin.

Donald sighed. "Tia, lo-"

"Tia!" I heard a familiar voice from behind me.

"Michael!" I said matching his tone.

"I been looking all over for you," Michael said to me. "I loved the fashion show. The new clothing line is beautiful. The whole brand." He told me.

"Thank you for your performance and support. It really means a lot." I smiled. "You killed it out there." I complimented.

Michael Jackson has really been supporting our brand heavily since we started. He wore some of our things to his shows and that's so beautiful. Two people from the same city supporting one another.

"Thank you. I enjoyed performing." Michael nodded. "I just wanted to have a few words with you before I leave."

"Thank you." I nodded with a small smile.

"Are you still coming to visit?" Michael asked me.

"Huh?" I said confused.

"You said the next time you came back to California that you would visit." Michael reminded me.

I stood there and thought about it for a few seconds before I remembered that I did say that a WHILE BACK. He surely did hold me up to something I said early this year. I did visit the last time I was here a few times. I told him I'd come back whenever I was to come back to California.

"Oh, yeah." I looked to Donald. "I'm sorry, I can't make it," I replied. "I'm leaving soon and I still have some business to handle here," I told him.

"That's fine," Michael told me. "Business comes first."

"Thanks for the invite though." I exhaled.

"You're welcome. Nice to see you all again. JoJo, K-Ci, DeVanté, and Dalvin." Michael smiled and shook their hands.

Michael and I have spoken about plenty of things and he has expressed that he loves Jodeci music. They all met Michael Jackson some years back and he told them that.

"Hey, MJ," Jojo replied.

"Wassup," K-Ci replied.

"What's good?" Donald shook his hand.

"Wassup, man." Dalvin shook him up.

"Those are some of DeVanté's artists that performed tonight." I made sure to mention.

"Really?" Michael asked Donald.

"Really." Donald mocked.

"I know you write but did you write the songs that were performed by your artist?" Michael questioned.

"I wrote some, played the instruments, and produced all," Donald told him.

"The music was banging. Maybe we can work together sometime?" Michael asked Donald.

"For sure!" Donald nodded, slightly taken aback. "That would be great." Donald reached into to pocket and handed Michael a card. "This is my business card. Just say when."

Michael handed Donald a card too. "Just in case anything happens."

Tuh, if anything happens, I know how to get in touch with Michael. This collaboration WILL happen! It needs to happen.

"Right." Donald nodded in agreement and took the card. "Thanks, man." He dapped him up.

"Thank you. I have to go. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your day." Michael told us then walked away.

"Damn, Ms. Big stuff over here hanging out with the greats. You hang out with Michael Jackson?" K-Ci questioned.

"That's cool but I like the fact that she made sure to mention her man over here," Jojo said bringing Donald closer and putting his arm back on his shoulder.

"Nigga, get yo sweaty ass offa me." Donald laughed, grabbing Jojo's arm and throwing it.

Jojo grabbed his shoulder. "Ouch, mothaf-"

"Jo," I called out chuckling.

"Alright but damn. Yo man over here dislocating my arm and shit. Shit hurt." Jojo winced in pain.

"He forever doin' that shit." Dalvin shook his head, laughing.

"I don't do that often. Stop lyin' on me." Donald frowned with a laugh.

"You do it a lot though." I agreed with them.

"Wow. Tia, you supposed to be on my side." Donald placed his fingertips against his chest.

"I'm on the RIGHT side and unfortunately they're being truthful." I shrugged.

"Okay, imma remember that." Donald nodded and laughed, with his hands to his side.

"Write it down or take a picture. You choose." I replied.

"Ooooo." Dalvin, K-Ci, and JoJo said together.

"Y'all makin' somethin' outta nothin'!" I said laughing.

"I know y'all big-headed asses just joking," K-Ci told us.

"People with big heads have big-"

"Woahhh... Don't tell me you a man?" Dalvin turned to me then started laughing.

I rolled my eyes. "Alright now, Carl Thomas..." Donald laughed right along with the other two.

Courtney came over. "Girl, I looked good up there on that stage." She pursed her lips.

"Yes!" I told her. "You look good now too girl."

"I know. I got a lot of compliments from people." She leaned closer to me. "A few numbers too."

"Did you now?" Cole said popping up out of nowhere.

Courtney turned around. "Yeah." She nodded.

Cole gave her a blank stare. Why!? He acts as if he doesn't see other people. They both do and didn't make anything official, but that's they business...

"Cool." Cole nodded.

"Okay..." Courtney frowned. "What's wrong with you?"

"Aye, Tia. The show was good but I got a flight to catch." Cole told me then gave me a hug, dapped the guys up, then left.

"Oh, wow!" K-Ci had to be the one to comment. Dalvin shook his head at K-Ci.

"That was awkward," JoJo said lowly.

"Why did you say no to Michael Jackson's invite?" Dalvin asked me. "Who does that?"

"That show was great, sis." Yasir came up to me and hugged me.

"Thanks," I replied.

After the whole event was over, everyone went home, and I made sure the venue was clean before I left. So by the time Donald and I made it back to the hotel room, it was nighttime. We showered dressed comfortably, then ate some food while conversing. I'm pigging out because I haven't eaten a REAL meal in a little bit.

"Why did you decide not to go?" Donald said threw mid-chew.

"Go where?"

"Michael Jackson's house." He said licking the sauce off his fingers. "You don't have much to do. You got time."

"Because I wanted to spend time with you. After all, we will be miles apart from each other VERY soon." I replied, rubbing the crumbs off my fingers.

Donald will be in Georgia and I'll be in Pennsylvania working on the biopic. I've been back and forth with the whole process of this. Why? Because of the seasons. We're MOSTLY done with the filming though, we need to redo a few clips. We also wanted there to be an actual change in the season within the movie. Editing biopics are a lot of work, especially since this one is a mini-series.

He smiled. "Okay." He cheesed, showing his bottomed teeth as he did, which he rarely does publicly.

"I knew you were taking me to Charlotte next week to show me part of where you grew up but why didn't you tell me about the invite to your parent's house?" I questioned.

"Ahh, about that..." He said in a serious tone then smirked. "Because you stress over things that you shouldn't even stress people out." He chuckled. "Nahh, for real though, I was DEFINITELY gon' tell you after the event. You've been stressing so hard over the event lately and you didn't need the added stress."

"That's where you're wrong. I'm not stressing over meeting your folks." I took a sip from my straw.

"You aren't now but when the time comes you will be." He laughed, biting the end of the paper from his plastic straw. "Ion even know why you worry so much about shit. You just be needing to calm yo ass down." Then he blew through the straw making the bigger piece of the paper hit my face.

"Keep playin' with me." I pointed to him laughing and he joined in.

"Damn! You sho' can put it down!" He laughed watching me eat my food.

"I haven't had no meal in a while and you knew how I ate before you got with me." I rolled my eyes and covered my mouth as I spoke because there is still some food in it.

"I did but it's rare seeing you eat other than like a bird." He said ALREADY finished with his food.

"That's because I'm not like you. You can eat and barely gain an ounce. I could gain twenty pounds from one meal." I laughed.

"Shut up." He said laughing and shaking his head.

"It's true!" I laughed.

"You said you used to be fat, how come I never saw any pictures of you fat on the walls or tables of your house?" Donald asked me.

I cleared my throat. "Many pictures of us were lost in the move."

"I still don't believe you about that. There's no physical proof." He squinted.

"Not my problem." I giggled, eating some of my key lime pie.

The food in California is TRASH. I don't know what the hell they do to their food but they know dang well they need to change the ingredients. I grew up on southern food and THIS ain't it...

Author's Note: DeVanté and Tia are OFFICIALLY together now! They're so cute! College is the reason for me not posting as much. Chile... Anyways! I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter!

Word Count: 6,500
Please feel free to like and comment. Feedback gives motivation, and motivation urges me to continue to write.

Thank you all for taking the time out of your day to read another chapter of this story. Thank you for staying despite the slacking.💚🖤❤💜💙💛