Shawnie's POV

I woke up a couple hours later and instantly went for my phone. I know Aubrey was supposed to call me when he got on the plane but I must've slept through the call. I checked my phone and he called twice. I went to the text messages and he texted me he was on the plane and then he texted me when he landed. I can't help but feel like I shouldn't have given him a hard time especially after he turned around and came back and apologized for how he's been acting.

He really wants me to go to Vegas and support him with these two shows. The Wynn approached him about doing two shows to raise money for charity and of course Aubrey, being a great guy, and a workaholic, he gladly accepted. There's nothing wrong with him accepting any opportunities that presents itself, especially when it comes to charity, but the shows just fall at a horrible time for us.

With this show being as big as it is there's gonna be a lot of press. This is like a huge deal for him and they've been promoting it like crazy. There's already a lot of big names that's gonna be in the building for this show and I'm not up for smiling and posing for pictures when Aubrey and I are not at 100%. But on the other hand, I definitely feel like I have to be there to support him just to keep up appearances and to clear all the rumors up. Even though we're going through something, we're still very much married and I don't want that type of negativity being spoken about us.

I think the only option is for his wife to be there.

I text Mercedes and Dori to let them know that we're going to Vegas and we're gonna leave as soon as possible.

We were on our way out within the hour. For whatever reason, we had to leave out of the main lobby doors. Paparazzi caught me leaving but as usual, I didn't say anything to them. It took everything in me not to say anything because they wanted me to address the rumors of Aubrey and I breaking up, and the abuse. I chose not to say anything. I just simply can't stand them. They got their pictures though.

Once we got to Vegas we got off the plane, then the car service took us straight to the hotel. We were staying at The Wynn. I was surprising Aubrey, so I texted Eric once I got there and let him know we were downstairs. Eric came and got us and brought us back upstairs to Aubrey's Presidential suite.

I walked in and Aubrey was sitting at the table, busy doing a Zoom interview. He saw me walk in and his face lit up. He couldn't end his interview, so we sat on the sofa and listened until he got finished.

Once his interview was finally done, he closed his MacBook and hurried over to me. He was so happy and it made my heart so full because he seemed so grateful that I was here. He hugged me so tight and kissed my cheek several times before he finally let go. He sat on the sofa next to me and I cuddled up to him.

"I'm so happy my baby is here. You just don't know." Aubrey says

"Oliver told me how you were crying..." I laugh

Oliver bursts out laughing and Aubrey just looks at him.

"I'm joking. I know how much this means to you and even though we have a few problems right now, that shouldn't come between me supporting you." I say

"I appreciate that. I really wanted you here. The first show is tomorrow and I want to be holding your hand when I do all of this. I want you right next to me."

"Well I'm here now." I say, then I smile, "So what are we doing?"

"As always, we were gonna go out to eat and maybe Drai's after." He says

"Okay. Well, you know I'm here now and it sounds like I have to get three outfits for today. So... Me and the girls are going shopping. I'll try to be back in a couple of hours."

"That's cool because I have to make an appearance at the OVO store downstairs and that's probably gonna take an hour. After that, I have to shoot back up here and meet with Crystal. Why don't you just have her bring some pieces for you too.

"Because it's super last minute. That's gonna set you back. Plus, she's your stylist, not mine."

"Okay. Everybody's gonna be here by 630. Jean Georges Steakhouse at 7."

"Okay, so we will shop here and we will be ready by 7." I say

"Aight. Sounds good." He says, then whispers in my ear. "You think we can get a quickie in before you leave?"

I smile, "Yes, let's go to the room."

We both get up from the sofa and I hear Mercedes.

"Oh my god, really? Do you really have to do this now? We're on a time limit." She says with a disgusted look on her face.

"We'll be quick." I laugh as Aubrey pulls me away into the bedroom.

Mercedes POV

"This shit is so rude." I say rolling my eyes.

"You know how they are...especially when they're good. We don't matter. All they care about is them." Oliver says

"I could've stayed in Cali. I feel like this is how this trip is going to be the whole time, them in their bedroom, while we sit out here bored...waiting on them to finish fucking."

"Leave mom and dad alone." Niko chimes in and we laugh.

"I love her but it's still rude." I say

We start hearing moans and noises coming from the room.

"Oh my god! I'm gonna go gamble or something. Tell her we're downstairs." I stand up and leave, Dori follows me out.

As we were waiting for the elevator, Dori had words for me.

"I thought they were having problems." Dori says

"I thought so too. I guess Chris was right when he said he thought she was going to work it out with him."

"What are you going to do now?" She asks

"I'm calling Chris. He needs to get his ass here and fuck this shit up." I take my phone out of my back pocket.

"But..." she says and I look at her, irritated.

"What Dori?"

"If they're happy, let them be happy. Why are you so adamant about getting her back with Chris?" She asks

"Because they should be together...plus Chris asked me to." I say

"But she seems happy right now, don't mess it up. I know you're her cousin and all but I'm her friend and I want her happy too. Let her make that decision."

".....you're right. I know you are but—I feel so bad for Chris." I admit. "He says he's okay but I don't think he is. He's lost. Drake stole her from him and that shit still doesn't sit right with me. Drake is cool as hell when he wants to be but I can't just not do anything."

"I feel you but that's her decision. When she tells you to jump, then jump but right now, chill...at least for these couple of days. You don't want to ruin this for Drake."

"Fine." I put my phone away and we see Shawnie coming down the hallway.

"Took you long enough." I say

"Bitch, that was quick. We know how to make it work." She smiles, skin flushed, looking like she's still on a high. "I'm relaxed and recharged. I'm ready to shop."

"So you guys are good?" I ask as the elevator opens and we get in.

"We're okay. I'm putting our issues aside for this weekend." She says

"And he's okay with this?" Dori asks

"Please, anything I say he'll do." She waves her off.

"So even though you guys are having all of these problems, you're just going to not address them this weekend? You're just gonna sweep everything under the rug and act like nothing happened?" I say

"Yeah. This weekend isn't about us, or our marriage, it's about him. He can't do something this big, and his wife not be there. It would just throw fuel on the fire that the media has started. People think we broke up, they think we got into a physical altercation because of the little sex marks I have on me. And of course that has nothing to do with Chris, but they're going to make it seem like it's about him. All we're trying to do this weekend is make it seem like everything is fine, so what better way to do that then to act like everything is fine." She explains

"So you don't wanna make things work with him?" Dori asks

"Of course I do. It's just not gonna happen overnight. We're just gonna sit everything to the side and address it after this weekend. Amanda, our publicist, is really working overtime with this so the least I can do is act like shit is sweet right now."

"Okay." Dori says

I was just looking at her shaking my head. I can't believe she just basically letting him walk all over her while he does whatever he wants to do and she's just gonna show up and be there for him because it's a good look. That shit blows my mind. But I'm not gonna say anything, it's her life.

"I don't know what you want me to say Mercedes. We're married, it's not like I could just be like whatever about it." She snaps at me. "I get that you're concerned, but you are not in my position. You've never been married so you don't understand."

"You right. Let's just go shopping." I say. I'm not about to sit up here and argue with her about shit she is going through. I'm not gonna keep being concerned for someone when it seems like she doesn't even appreciate my concern. She's going to do what she wants to do. I just have to deal with that. This is her decision.

***************

Shawnie's POV

We arrived at Aria, to go to dinner at Jean Georges Steakhouse. We got out of the SUV's and walked in. Everyone was screaming and taking pictures of us as we walked into the building. I was annoyed. Aubrey followed right behind me, hand on my lower back, before sliding it down to my ass, giving it a little squeeze. I know that was for the paparazzi. The security guards stand on the sides and in front of us. We're about 20 people deep.

Aubrey and I walk in, everyone following behind. We make our way through the casino, with random people snapping pictures of us. Telling him how much they love him. We finally got to where the restaurant is. We are escorted into a private room and we all get seated, Aubrey at the head of the table, me on his left, Chubbs on the right of him, Oliver, then Niko next to him. With Mercedes next to me, and Dori next to her.

Aubrey grabs my chair, sliding me over to him. He places his hand on my thigh, leaning down to kiss me. I kiss him, placing my hand on his cheek. I feel a light flash, and I look and see that it's Oliver taking a picture.

"For ig." He smiles

Aubrey goes to say something, but I kiss him again, ignoring Oliver.

It's been around 35 minutes, and Aubrey and I have been wrapped up in each other, kissing, sipping wine, and just enjoying each other. In our own world. It feels good to be this way with him. I've missed this us.

Aubrey releases my thigh, grabbing my hand. He kisses my lips, before standing up.

"Hey, I got something to say to y'all!" He says, all eyes are on him. The noise quickly does down.

"I just wanna thank you all for coming out this weekend to support me. I appreciate everything you guys do for me." He says, before looking down at me. "And to you, my wife." He smiles down at me. "I want to thank you for always being by my side, and sticking with my psycho ass through everything. You're the mother of my child, you're my soulmate, and I love you so much." He finishes, tugging me to stand up.

He kisses me, and it's not a regular peck, we make out for a few seconds.

"As a thank you to everyone here, there is a bag in front of you, with a little thank you gift from me." He says, as everyone picks their bag up, and looks inside.

"Cartier TimePieces." He smiles.

"And for my beautiful wife..." He smiles

He then reaches down, grabbing a Tiffany's Bag, pulling out a big square necklace box, he takes out the necklace.

I see it and I squeal in excitement. OMG!

He moves behind me. I hold my hair up, as he places the cold diamonds on my chest.

I then see Oliver snapping another picture.

"I don't know if y'all know this about my baby but she is obsessed with Tiffany's and this is from the Tiffany Victoria Collection. This piece is worth almost $90 thousand." He says

"Damn." Mercedes says, reacting to the price.

"She's worth it." He says

"Thank you, baby!" I say

We take our seats, kissing again.

Aubrey's POV

Our food came and Shawnie slid back over to her side of the table. Even though she's sitting next to me, she's too far. We were all enjoying our food and my phone went off. Shawnie looked at me but continued to eat and talk with everyone.

I check my phone and see the notification is from TMZ, headline reading: Update, Chris Leaves SLS Hours After Shawnie Graham Is Spotted Leaving.

I skim the article, and it's saying that Chris and Shawnie were on a sneaky link staycation. With an inside source confirming the story. Inside source? That has to be on his side.

My body temperature heats up, and my blood starts to boil. I am hot. I look up from my phone at Shawnie, who's smiling and laughing, having a good ol time. Then I glance down at Mercedes and Dori, thinking they may have something to do with it. Like was she really staying there with him? I thought he was only visiting, but he was staying there too? I swear if he was in that room with her....

"Shawnie looks at me and places her hand on mine, "You okay, baby?"

"Yeah, Mami. I'm good!" I smile as I pick her hands up and I kiss it.

I'm not gonna bring this up right now, I'm going to continue having a good time. That's what we decided to do so that's what I'm gonna try to do. Chris isn't about to ruin my weekend.

*********

After we ate, some of us headed to the private "high roller" roulette tables. I thought since I had a few free minutes before Drai's, I'd place a few bids. Shawnie was very uninterested. She sat off to the side with her drink in one hand and her phone in the other.

Instagram

Shawniemarie

Shawniemarie . #Aria

After that, we head to Drai's for some fun. This was a work thing too. They were paying me to host tonight along with DJ Pauly D. I figured we could stay and party for a while before it was time to get down to business tomorrow.

When he pulled up to Drai's, the paps and fans were standing outside. I decided to stop and talk to some paps, answer some of their questions. I know they had something to say about Chris and Shawnie. I was about to shut all of that down.

Shawnie's POV

I'm not going to lie, I was a little intoxicated, and then answering questions that I've heard for the last week was annoying me more. One pap asked if we had broken up. I just rolled my eyes.

"As you can see, we're still very much together, still very married. I don't know where that rumor came from." Aubrey says, pulling me closer to him by my waist.

"Right, y'all keep making up bullshit stories." I say with an eye roll.

"That's exactly what they are, bullshit. I love my wife and we're very much in love with each other." He says

"So it's not true about you and Chris Brown shacking up at SLS Hotel?" Another pap asks.

"I'm not answering that stupid ass question. Get the fuck out of here." I wave them off. I tried walking away, but Aubrey held me in front of him.

"No, it's not true. She's standing here with me isn't she? I think you guys should give that up. There is no her and Chris. Only the Graham's." Aubrey says.

"What do you have to say to the fans who think they're together?" He follows up

"Does this look like Chris Brown's girl?" He says before tilting my head back, capturing my lips in a possessive kiss. It's intense, and heavy. I deepen the kiss, before finally breaking it.

He pecks my lips again.

"Post that." He says, turning us away from them and slapping my ass.

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