Chapter 29: Lucky Me

C H R I S B R O W N: 

 Regardless of what is going on in my personal life, I still have a job to do. The media doesn’t give a damn about the fact that my world is literally crashing down all around me. I haven’t lay eyes on or even talk to Serenity in 5 days, the shit was beginning to get to me. No one gives a fuck about that though. The record company keeps calling, my manager keeps booking interviews and shit, while my days grow longer and fucking harder to deal with. I can’t even step foot into our condo because all it does is make me realize how much of a dumb ass I really am. Why do I fuck up the things that are actually going well in my life? I was so close to happiness with Serenity. I even had my new assistant start hitting up some of the best wedding planners around, just to see where Serenity and I were heading next. This shit isn’t easy, I think the only reason I’m dealing with it is because of my mother. She’s always been my rock and she holds me down through whatever. That’s more than I can say for anyone else though. Mijo and Austin won’t even come back over here like they usually do. They say they’re tired of me fucking things up with the coolest girls they’ve ever seen me with. Like, I’m doing this shit on purpose. I swear I’m not. But, I understand their view on it…I’m supposed to be a role model for Austin and I swear that nigga has more sense than I do at 15. 

“Chris! Come down here! You have company!” My mother yelled from the bottom steps. I didn’t even hear the doorbell, nor did I hear anyone talking downstairs…but for some reason, I just knew it was Serenity. I jumped up out of bed, threw on a shirt and sped down the steps. 

“Serenity, I’m so—” I said as I came around the corner into the kitchen, it wasn’t who I wished it was. My attitude quickly changed as my mom left the room to let us talk alone. Fuck. 

“What’s up Tiff?” I asked her as I sat down at the kitchen table. She did the same and sat down in front of me, tears were already staining her cheeks. The fuck did I do to her now?

“Chris, I can’t take this any longer. I don’t want you to get hurt. I have to tell you before it gets out of hand, I’m not sure what they’ll do anymore,” she started rambling faster than I could comprehend. 

“Whoa, wait..Tiff! Calm down, speak slowly…what are you talking about?” I asked her. 

“The shooting at the club, the calls..the messages, everything…it’s all because of me. Chris before you get upset—” Too late.

“Man, what the fuck? Tiffany, why the fuck would you add this extra stress in my life? Do know what it’s caused me? I lost my fiance` from this shit! Why? Man, I don’t get you!” I said as I pushed away from the table. About to head back up stairs, she quickly caught my arm. 

“Just listen for a minute! I’m sorry, okay? I was just upset and when I told Kevin everything that happened…so was he. He said he was just going to get his friends to scare you, rough you up a little bit…and at the time, it was satisfying because I was so angry with you. Now, it’s just all too much and I don’t want anyone to get hurt. I asked Kevin to call it off, I’m praying that he does but I just wanted to come over and tell you so if it doesn’t stop…you aren’t caught of guard. He promised, he promised he would put a stop to it though.” I looked at her like she was crazy. She is crazy. I just hope my daughter isn’t as crazy as she is. In 3 months, none of that will even matter. I’m debating on even telling my daughter who her mother is when she’s old enough to start questioning it. 

“Man, fuck all of that. Those niggas can try me again if they want to, and I promise I’m going to jail…let your lil OKC nigga know that. Also, I’m calling up my assistant as soon as you leave to get this custody case going. I want you and Kevin to have the perfect little life without my joy, being my daughter…being your burden. I want full custody of her, and I know you don’t give a shit about her anyway…so let’s not make this court case a difficult one, alright?” She just shook her head, she understood…she understood everything well, and she knew I was far from playing or joking about this shit.

“Good, you can let yourself out,” I said as I made my way upstairs. I heard her sniffing as she made her way out the door. For the first time since she threw it at my feet, I took the ultrasound video off of the dresser and put it in the DVD player. It only took seconds before the room was filled with a heartbeat. My daughter’s heartbeat. 

“I have no doubt that you’ll make a good father Chris,” my mother said as she walked into my room, sitting down beside me. She probably heard the whole conversation with Tiffany…the first time anyone besides Serenity knew that I wanted full custody of my child. 

“You think I’m doing the right thing?” I asked her, looking up at her…she was smiling from ear to ear. 

“I know you’re doing the right thing,” she said as she hugged me. 

“I know so too,” The heartbeat grew louder and at one point, it even felt like it was the same rhythm as mine. Like, we became one. I felt so connected to her already. I know from this point on, I need to get my shit together so I can be the best father I’m capable of being…better than my father ever was. 

…………………………………..

S E R E N I T Y:

  My weekend with Delano wasn’t one I expected. I told myself I was just going to sleep on the couch and do very minimum talking with him. My plan failed. I did sleep on the couch, but each night..I found him sleeping on the floor beside me, not wanting to sleep in his bed because he offered it to me. It was hard to stay so guarded around him, I found myself laughing with him one minute then having a deep conversation with him the next. He wasn’t the same person I met in Louisiana. He was so much better, in fact…he made me want to be better. He prayed before he went to bed, when he woke up, and over his food..he was able to quote scriptures from the bible that I didn’t even know existed. My mother was always the religious one in the family but I couldn’t stand her church…it was a building full of Christians but they all seemed to judge me for not being the same race as my mom when I walked in. Once I got old enough, my mom told me it was my decision on whether or not I wanted to go on Sundays…and I chose not to. Delano was able to persuade me to get dressed and go to a small church with him back in Richmond. One of his friends on the football team invited him a couple of months back and he said he never felt so much at home. I felt exactly what he was talking about too. The service was uplifting and after being prayed over…I felt stronger than I ever had. I shed so many tears by the end of service that I don’t think I was able to produce anymore. I just felt…washed clean of everything. Everything I’ve done wrong and everything someone has ever done wrong to me. I was completely free. Now I see how easy it was for Delano to change so quickly and remain the new man he has become. 

“Are you coming to graduation?” Delano said as we walked back into his apartment. I came out of my heels and blazer at the door, I was so uncomfortable in that outfit. 

“Yeah, of course. I wouldn’t miss Macki graduating for the world,” I told him as I sat down on the couch, he soon sat down beside me. 

“You staying with your parents when you go down there?” 

“Nah, I plan on going back to my condo in a few to pick up the rest of my things…including my purse with my credit cards. I should be able to rent a hotel or something. I can’t see myself living with my parents again, not even for a couple of days.”

“Why not just stay at my house for the few days you’re out in Louisiana? I mean, my dad wouldn’t mind and it’s a lot cheaper than a hotel room.”

“I’ll think about it, thanks though. I’m going to go change into something more comfortable then head to my condo. I should be back in like..an hour,” I said as I started to walk back to Delano’s bedroom to get my clothes out of the little drawer I was designated. 

“Wait, I can’t come with you?” he asked as he caught up to me. 

“I mean, you can, that’ll probably be a good idea…so you can help carry my things back to the car,” I teased him. I then went to the back and found a pair of leggings, my Jordan’s, and a simple shirt. I found my keys, picked up my phone, then waited for Delano to get dressed into something more comfortable. 

“Oh my gosh, just find something to wear! It’s not that hard!” I joked after 10 minutes of waiting. 

“Oh hush up man, I’m ready. Let’s go, ma,” he said as we made our way to my car.

—————————-

About an hour later, we pulled up to the empty condo I once shared with the love of my life. As I unlocked the door, so many memories came rushing back at once. Everything so far was almost exactly how I left it. The glass from the Ciroc bottle on the kitchen floor was still there, it looked like he attempted to pick it up but quickly got distracted. 

“Wow, what happened here?” Delano said as he followed me into the kitchen. My eyes were already stinging from the tears I did my best to hold back, so I couldn’t even turn around to face him, and explain. I walked away from him, and wandered into the office where I was caught off guard by the condition the office was in, I didn’t leave it this way. I looked around and noticed several pictures of Chris and I…shattered along the desk, pieces of glass lingering the floor. I found the watch I gave him for Christmas, on the floor, in the corner by another Ciroc bottle…this one was untouched, it hadn’t been opened. The effort I was giving into not crying, quickly failed as I dropped my head in my hands and silently cried to myself in the office chair. 

“Yo, Ni-Ni…I apologize babygirl, you definitely don’t deserve this…any, of this,” Delano said as he came over to me, clearing glass off of the desk then sitting on top of it. 

“I mean, I know I’m not one to talk but—” Delano was suddenly cut off by the sound of keys jingling, unlocking the front door. 

“Serenity!?” he called from the living room, he knew I was here…obviously my car and license plate gave it away. He called my name multiple more times before he finally emerged into the office. Delano became stiff, shoving his hands into his pockets as Chris came near us. 

“I’m just going to pretend like I don’t see this nigga in my house right now,” Chris said as he moved around Delano and stood in front of me. 

“But I am here, get over yourself nigga,” Delano said. To avoid the situation escalating, I hopped up from my seat and stood in between them. 

“Man, whatever…Ni-Ni I’m glad you’re here baby, can we go talk outside…on the balcony?” Chris said as he held my hand, trying to lock his fingers between mine. I quickly let go of it and marched my way to the bedroom, to pack my things. I found another suitcase of mine and began throwing my clothes and shoes in it. 

“Serenity, please…I’m begging you. I just want to talk,” he said again as he opened the door to the balcony of what use to be “our” bedroom. My mind told me not to go out there, but my heart lead my feet to the door. 

“Okay, I’ll start. First of all, I sincerely apologize ma. Words can’t express how sorry I am. I never meant to put my hands on you or hurt you the way that I did, you know it never would have come to that if I was in the right state of mind…not under the influence. I learned that over and over in anger management classes, and then over again at the recent Triple A meeting I went ahead and attended…”A stands for Alcohol, A also stands for being Aggressive when under the influence.” I know the slogan, I know it all too well. I let the stress of the situation with those niggas fucking with me, get to me…it got the best of me, I won’t lie. I guess that’s what Tiffany wanted when she arranged it all—”

“Whoa, you mean to tell me Tiffany is responsible for the shooting at the club…all the harrassing phone calls and text messages?” I asked him while he was in mid-sentence. 

“Yeah, she came over not too long ago and told me. That’s no excuse for how I treated you though. I know I don’t deserve to have you back, at least not right now but I can assure you that my momma got me in training, getting me ready for the day when I make somebody happy,” I couldn’t help but smile at the way he quoted his own lyrics from a song way back in his earlier years, my favorite years as a fan. 

“Wow, I’ve missed your smile,” he continued. “I know I almost took all of it, but I hope you find your joy with Delano or whoever else you decide to replace me with ma.” 

“Chris, regardless of what’s happened….no one can ever take your place. I love you, so much…and I probably always will. Right now, I just need to get myself together and focus on making myself happy for once. Who knows what the future holds for us but as of now, what we have is shattered…just like the picture frames in the office. There are so many pieces to pick up and put back together that, there’s no clear starting place to make progress from yet. I don’t think asking to be friends is too much of a stretch but if that will only make this harder for you to deal with then, I understand,” I told him as tears began to escape their way down my face again. I have no words to express how bad I’m hurting. I don’t think he realizes it either. 

“No, being friends isn’t a stretch at all. I’d rather have you in my life as a friend instead of nothing at all. As much as I wanted this to work, things from my past continued to haunt me and get in the way and for that, I really am sorry Serenity. I’m going to work on me, I promise…and maybe one day I’ll be the man you need, without all the baggage and shit I brought to our relationship. I love you baby girl, I’m always here if you ever need anything.” He wrapped me in his arms and planted a kiss on my lips. I didn’t want this moment to end but I knew it had to. 

“Come on, tell ya boy the coast is clear and he can help you pack. I need to head to this meeting with my management team for this tour. Take care though ma,” he said as he hugged me once again before leaving. I watched my best friend walk right out of the door. Chris is the first guy I can truly say I fell in love with. Despite the bumps in the road, he taught me how to love…especially how to love myself. Saying goodbye is killing me.

Chapter 28: Player’s Prayer

S E R E N I T Y:

I stayed at Macki and Ashley’s hotel for the rest of that night after I said goodbye to Mama J, Austin, and Mijo. Their flight left early this morning to head back to Louisiana so as of now, I have nowhere else to go. I can’t go back to Mama J’s house because Chris will most likely be there. Macki and Ashley kept questioning me about the bruises and swelling but I didn’t feel like talking and I knew Ashley would drive miles to find Chris if I told her how I got them. I left my credit card in my other purse…at the house and I knew I couldn’t go back to get it with the rest of my things, at least not right now. I didn’t want to go home to Louisiana yet either, I’ve been so use to be being on my own with Chris that living under my parent’s roof again would drive me crazy. As I sat in my car in Tropical Smoothie’s parking lot, I pulled out my phone and called someone I never thought I’d call again in a million years. I was hesitant to speak as he answered the phone.

“Yo, Serenity…is this really you ma?” he said into the phone. It felt like I was choking on my words, I couldn’t get anything out so…I did the next best thing, I ended the call. I threw my phone in the passenger seat and drove out of the parking lot. I didn’t know where I was going but I hopped on the highway, heading South. About 10 minutes later, my phone rang. It was him.

“Hello? Serenity? Please! Don’t hang up!” he said, I was silent for a while…I didn’t know what to say.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to call you,” I lied. I did mean to call him…why, I don’t know.

“Well I’m glad you did by accident. It’s crazy because, I know you’re out here in Virginia and so am I. No, I’m not stalking you but the coach from Virginia State University gave me an offer for football, despite what I did…so I’m down here, checking out the campus and everything, then I’ll go check out my apartment. Listen, I’m so glad you called…I know I’m probably the last person you want to see right now but I promise you I’m not the same guy you left knowing. If you just give me thirty minutes of your time, I can explain everything to you. Please, if you don’t mind…can you meet me here, on campus?”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea—“

“Serenity, I’m begging you…please?” I thought it over for a minute. If I was still with Chris, I would’ve said no…so I wouldn’t cross that boundary or disrespect him the way he’s disrespected me. But, I’m not with Chris and I mean…he sounded genuine so…letting him explain himself couldn’t mess anything up more than it already is.

“Fine. I’ll be there in about an hour,” I told him.

“Whew, thank you so much. I’ll see you soon,” he said before he hung up. I was quickly approaching the interstate exit I needed to take to get to VSU. I had to fight traffic to let me over for about 10 minutes, okay I was going to need about an hour and 20 minutes to get there now.

D E L A N O:

I was so surprised when I saw her name pop up on the screen of my phone. I’ve always kept her number in my contacts, but by now I thought she would have changed her number or at least deleted mine and had it blocked. She text me five minutes ago, telling me she was around the corner. I instantly got nervous, I had no idea how this was going to turn out. I just think God has afforded me another opportunity to make things right with her, so I’m definitely going to take advantage of it. I pray that he gives me all the right things to say, so she knows how genuine I am.

“Hey,” I heard her say from behind me. I braced myself for whatever lashing out she was about to give me, I know I deserve it.I was hesitant to turn around so I just motioned for her to sit down next to me on the bench. She did, and I finally saw her for the first time in like…5 or 6 months. Despite the bruises I saw on her arms and the swelling on her face, she’s absolutely beautiful. Her long hair was pulled into a messy bun on her head, she wore leggings, a v-neck, jean jacket, and Jordan’s. It was simple but she took my breath away. I noticed she’s slimmed down….a lot in the past months. That wasn’t what made her beautiful though,she was perfect the way she was in my eyes…I just let society keep me from letting her know that.

“Hey. What’s up ma?” I asked her as I hugged her, she tensed up at my touch…like she didn’t want to be touched or she felt pain when I held her like that.

“Wait, what’s with all the bruises…you fall or something on your way over here?” I said, trying to lighten up the mood, hopefully making her laugh. She giggled but, it wasn’t what I was hoping for.

“Look, you asked for thirty minutes…you’ve used up 10 minutes already, questioning me about my bruises and shit,” she said as she slid a few inches away from me. She was right, I needed to get what I had to say out…I just didn’t know how to start.

“Okay I understand ma. Look, what I did to you was wrong. I mean, it was dead wrong and I beat myself up over it every day of my life. I know you said you forgive me that day at the hospital but…for some reason I didn’t want you to. I don’t deserve your forgiveness and I feel like I never will. But, Serenity…like I said before, I’m not the same guy that you met in Louisiana. I don’t know how much this means to you but I’ve turned my life over to God…I realized that I wasn’t living right. The path I was taking…was a path straight to hell and I was taking all of my friends with me, being as I had so much influence over them. I’m saved now and I’ve tried to get my friends on board with me but that connection with God has to happen…when the individual wants it to happen. I swear to you, I got up one morning…my Dad dragged me to church and I came home a different man. I

know you may not believe me and you have every right not to, but getting saved can happen just that quick. I can never make up for what I did to you but I want you to understand how genuinely sorry I really am. Serenity, I apologize for what I did to you and everything it may have caused, ma…I put that on everything I love.” I searched her expression to give me a hint of what she could possibly be thinking. I don’t know what I want to come out of this meeting with her today. Hopefully, we can leave here on good terms and actually be friends but…if not, I understand why that’s not possible.

“Wow, I was wondering why you sounded so different on the phone. I’m not used to hearing you speak without at least 2 to 3 curse words in one sentence,” she said as she playfully pushed me. “No but really, when I told you I forgave you in the hospital…Delano, I really did mean it. I was so done with being angry at you, it only made the healing process harder for me.I’ve moved on from what happened and so should you, you didn’t do anything I didn’t want you to do that night. Although your reasons for doing it were completely different from mine, you didn’t force anything on me. So, let’s just start over…you know? Let’s move on from the past,” she said as she stuck her hand out, for me to shake it. I pushed it out of the way and hugged her again. I never expected her to be so cool with everything, God really did make everything work out in my favor today.

“Okay seriously, you and your bear hugs have got to stop…I’m in so much pain right now,” she said as she eased out of my arms and got up from the bench. I followed her and we began walking the campus of VSU.

“So, you going to tell me how you really got all those bumps and bruises? I remember you being clumsy but…never this clumsy,” I told her. Before she responded, she took a deep breath and seemed to meditate on her answer.

“Chris,” she said as she gently folded her arms over her chest.

“Wait, what? You mean to tell me, the swelling on your cheek…is from him too?” She just shook her head and stopped dead in her tracks as she began to cry. I couldn’t believe what I just heard, I mean I could but…that’s something you pray never happens to someone you love. I prayed nightly that Serenity was being treated way better than I treated her, she deserves to be treated like the queen she is. Although what I did was just as horrible, I wouldn’t dare think about putting my hands on her, or any female for that matter.

“First he cheats on you, and now he’s beating on you? What else do you think is next?” I asked her.

“Nothing is next, we were engaged but…I gave him the ring back and I plan on moving out of our house soon. I just need to find somewhere else to stay for the time being, somewhere he can’t find me.”

“That’s why you called me, isn’t it? It wasn’t a mistake….was it?”

“No, it wasn’t a mistake. I just had no one else to turn to. I thought you’d be in Louisiana. I don’t want to stay with my parents and Macki’s house is too crowded to stay with her. I don’t have any money because I left my credit card in a purse that’s at our house and I just…I don’t know, I was desperate.”

“Well if you really do need a place to stay, my apartment is like…right around the corner. It isn’t all fancy like what you’re probably use to but it’s decent. I’m staying here the weekend and then I’ll head back to Louisiana to get ready for graduation. If you want, you can stay there as long as you like…I can go to Home Depot and make another key for you and everything.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea?”

“I wouldn’t have suggested it if I didn’t. I mean, we’re grown Serenity. I know we aren’t go to be like…best friends by tomorrow but you need help and I’m in the perfect position to help you…I don’t mind. Put everything else aside and just come to the realization that this is your cheapest route and safest route, he won’t have a clue as to where you are.”

“I guess you’re right. Is there any way we can go there now…I could really use a nap,” she said sleepily as she rubbed her eyes.I couldn’t help but laugh, everything was already turning around. She was becoming the goofy, “happy go lucky,” Serenity I remember her being before she got involved with two idiots that took all of that away from her. I’ll do anything to make her smile again, to make her shine again.

“Haha, come on kid. We’re going to have to ride in your car because I walked from my apartment, here…yeah, that’s how close it is,” I told her as I put my arm around her shoulder and followed her to the car. Man, God moves in mysterious ways. He knew how bad I was beating myself up over this…I didn’t have any closure. He gave me the chance I needed to explain myself and I know I didn’t win her back as a friend completely, I did however, get my point across. She sees the new man I’ve become, and that’s all I ever really wanted.

Chapter 27: Part 3

C H R I S B R O W N:

   I woke up to a silent home and an excruciating headache. I couldn’t remember a damn thing from last night after rushing home from the club. I damn sure couldn’t remember how I got on the kitchen floor and managed to sleep here through the night. The amount of alcohol I ingested in one night, shouldn’t be ingested over a week. Shit, I was afraid to open up my eyes, I knew the light would just make my headache worst. So I felt around on the floor, trying to steady myself so I could get up without opening my eyes. I felt something sharp cut my hand and my eyes instantly flicked open to the sight of blood trickling down my wrist. I looked down at the floor and saw a bottle that belonged to me, smashed to pieces all over the floor, but what I couldn’t figure out was how it got there. I noticed I obviously didn’t get to finish drinking it before it fell because I stood in a puddle full of liquor. I decided I should clean up the mess before Ni-Ni woke up and had a heart attack over the mess I made. I turned around and walked to the closet in the kitchen to get the broom and mop. The first step I took, my foot landed on something hard and I heard whatever it was, crack. I picked my foot up and couldn’t believe my damn eyes. What the fuck was this doing on the floor and not on her hand? I bent down to pick it up and saw that the whole band was bent. 

“Serenity! Come here girl!” I called into the bedroom as I tried to fix the frame of the ring..it was no use. 

“Serenity!” I yelled again. Still didn’t get an answer. I got up and marched my way into our bedroom, I looked at the bed where I was sure I’d find her…but she wasn’t there. I put the ring on the dresser and went to the bathroom, maybe she was there. I opened the door, checked the shower..no sign of her. Before I knew it, I checked all 8 rooms in this damn house, and still didn’t find her. I went back into the room and checked the dresser…all of her stuff was gone. I went and checked the closet, she left all the clothes in the closet but took all of her shoes. Where the fuck is she? I did the next best thing and took my phone off of the charger to call her. It rung twice before I was sent to voicemail, either her phone was off or she sent me to voicemail on purpose. What the fuck happened? What the fuck did I do to make her pack her shit and leave…without telling me a damn thing. I mean, I remember the incident at the club and all but everything else after that is blurry as fuck in my mind. I just thought I passed out on the floor and she chose to let me stay there to teach me a lesson but…I still don’t know why she actually left. Shit, I grabbed my phone and keys and hauled ass out of the door. I made my way to my car and found on one of my windows busted, with a brick and a note attached to it in the seat. I picked up the note and read it quickly. 

“Brown, you slipping up man. I don’t think the world is going to get to hear that album you working on bruh, if they do..it’ll be after your fucking funeral.”

I didn’t even have time to think twice about that damn note. I cleared all the glass out of the seat and hopped in, speeding towards my mom’s house. It took me less than 10 minutes to get there and it would have taken me 20 to get there if I was doing the speed limit. 

“Mama! Mama! Mama!” I yelled as soon as I unlocked the door to her place. 

“Chris! Bring your high yellow ass up here, right now!” my mom said from upstairs. I ran up the flight of step and over to her. 

“Ma, you seen or heard from Serenity?” I asked her, trying to catch my breath. She sniffed me and held her nose, making a face. 

“You smell like you took a bath in alcohol and what the hell happened to you? Where is this blood from?” she asked. I forgot I wiped the blood from my hand on my white shirt. 

“It’s nothing. Ma, have you seen or heard from Serenity? Please, I need to know!”

“Yes, I sure did. She came over here at 2am…to say goodbye to Mijo, Austin, and I. Now, I don’t know where she’s going or why but I noticed the bruises on her arms, and how swollen her cheek was. Christopher Maurice Brown, did you put your hands on that girl? No, I know you did…my question is why did you put your hands on that girl?” 

“Wait, what? You don’t know where she’s going? Where’s Mijo and Austin?” I said as I ran down the hall to look into their rooms. My mom quickly caught up to me. 

“They aren’t here, mainly because they knew this would be the first place you’d look for her and they couldn’t stand to see your face. Now answer my question Chris!” Her eyes were wide and serious, she wanted an answer I couldn’t give. 

“Ma, I don’t remember much from last night…I swear I don’t. But, if you say you saw swelling on her face and bruises on her arms then it only makes sense, that’s why she left and I found her engagement ring on the kitchen floor,” I said as I sat down on the floor, letting my head drop to my hands. 

“I would tell you to get in your car and go all around Virginia to find her, I’d tell you to call everyone she knows and see if they’ve heard from her. I’d tell you to go find her and get her back but honestly, you don’t deserve to have her back. Chris, she’s the best thing that ever happened to you and you found a way to mess it up for yourself. I love Serenity, I loved having her around but…she doesn’t deserve to be treated this way Chris.” 

“Mom, don’t you think I know that! I’ve tried so damn hard to give her everything she could ever want. The finest house on the block, the finest clothes, shoes, jewelry, her own hair and makeup stylist. I guess I forgot about the one thing she needs most…love. And mom, I swear for the life of me…I tried…I tried to forget my past and live in the present, focusing on my future with her but so much shit comes back to haunt me.”

“That’s because you’ve never completely dealt with it. Yeah, you sat through a couple anger management classes but you did it just so you wouldn’t end up in prison. You weren’t there with an open mind and open heart like I prayed you would be. Maybe before you get in another relationship, you need to work on yourself. Chris, I’m your mother and baby I know when you’ve reached rock bottom and Lord knows I’ve done my best to prevent this but…I guess it had to happen. Come on back home baby, so we can work on fixing this together. Just give Serenity some space for now. If she loves you, and I mean really…loves you. She’ll be back, she’s crazy if she comes back but if she loves you, she will. Hopefully by then, you’ll be the man that deserves her love…and you’ll know how to properly love her back.” That was just like Mama, helped me pick up the pieces and sort them out…helping me put together half of the puzzle, but leaving me to figure the other half out by myself. 

Chapter 27: Part 2

S E R E N I T Y:



    Chris always knows how to distract me when I need to stay focused on a certain task at hand, which is getting him to the club without letting him know it’s for his surprise birthday party. He was suspicious about everything I did. He wanted to know why I was getting so dressed up to just go to a “graduation party,” and after the scene in the shower, it was getting harder and harder to focus on making my lies believable. 

“Seriously though, all that make up is not necessary for a graduation party Ni-Ni. I wish you’d hurry up, I’m starving like Marvin out here man,” he said from the bedroom. I just ignored him and continued to put mascara on. I then got a text from Nima saying everything and everyone was in place and waiting on our arrival. I quickly threw on some lip gloss then made my way out of the bathroom. 

“You do realize you’re not leaving my side tonight, right?” Chris said as I looked over myself in the full length mirror. I didn’t look half bad, I just had on a simple pair of jeans and shirt with my pumps..I didn’t go all out. 

“What? I’m not even that dressed up,” I told him as I grabbed my purse and keys off of the dresser. 

“You don’t have to be, you could go to the club in sweats and I’m pretty sure every nigga in there would still try to get with you, and I’m not having that,” he said as he followed me out to the car. I just shook my head as I started the engine and text Nima to tell her we were on our way. 

“Wouldn’t it just be easier to compliment me instead of all of that? You already know I’m not paying these other niggas any attention so they should be the last of your worries,” I told him as I pulled out into traffic. I couldn’t believe he was acting like this. 

“Yeah, I hear you ma…I hear you. Alicia ain’t tell me nothing about this graduation party the few times I saw her around though.”

“Well Chris, maybe she wanted to keep it a surprise. I didn’t know until today, at the damn ceremony.” 

“Oh. Well it’s a Friday night…everybody and their mama usually be outside the club..in line, waiting to get in. There’s no one out here and I know her VIP isn’t that deep,” he said as we pulled up to club Aurora. I noticed the balloons outside in Chris’ favorite colors, blue and black that adorned the arch of the door. He was still too stuck on stupid to see this was actually for him. 

“Chris, just get out of the damn car..please and thank you,” I said as I grabbed my purse and made my way to the front door. While Chris took his sweet ass time getting out the car, I text Nima to let her know we were here, hoping it was enough time to get everyone in place. Chris finally made his way over to me and we made our way inside the club. 

“What the fuck? Why is it so dark in here?” he said loudly.

“SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRIS!” a crowd full of people said once the lights were turned back on. I looked up at Chris’ face and saw two different reactions. One reaction was happy, and couldn’t wait to mingle with his friends and family. The other reaction was cold…like he hated every minute of this. He immediately left my side and went to talk to Mijo and Bow, leaving me like I didn’t exist. 

“What’s up baby girl? Long time no see!” A very pregnant Amber Rose said as she pulled me into a hug. I shook off my thoughts about Chris and focused on mingling with my new friends as well. 

“Hi Amber! I know, I know. I’ve missed you! How are you?” I asked her as we walked to the bar and sat down. 

“I’m great and I’ve missed you as well. What’s up with your boy though? Are you guys okay?” I knew she was referring to Chris. 

“Yeah girl, everything’s cool. Nothing to be worried about.” She just shook her head and looked down at my hand that was resting on my lap. 

“You still have your ring so, I believe you…for now that is mama, You have my number though.” as soon as she got up, Nima, Macki, and Ashley raced towards me and trapped me in their hugs. 

“Hey y’all! Nima, how on Earth did you get everyone here in VA for his birthday party? You rented out the whole club and everything, you even decorated it. How did you get all of this done in such a short amount of time?” I said as I looked around the club, taking note of all the personalized decorations of Chris. 

“Girl, it was stressful but with Macki’s and Ashley’s help..it got done. Where yellow bone baby at though? I got an ice cream cake so we might want to sing happy-damn-birthday soon before it melts and shit,” she said. 

“True. You guys go gather everyone around and I’ll go get him,” I told my sister and friends. They agreed and parted ways to do what I suggested. I then got up from the bar and made my way over to Chris, who was laughing and goofing off with Mijo, Bow, Wiz, and Tyga. 

“Excuse me fellas,” I said as I interrupted whatever they were laughing over. “Can I steal my fiance` from you all for a quick second?” 

“What up Ni-Ni? Go’on head girl, he was startin’ to a annoy a nigga anyway,” Tyga said jokingly while pushing Chris towards me. 

“You good now? That look you gave me earlier has me thinking other wise,” I told him as we walked over to the stage together. 

“Yeah, I’m good shawty. Thought I told you I didn’t want any parties though?” he said while biting his lip. He obviously wasn’t over what it was that had him upset. 

“Chris, it’s not that big of a deal. You’ve done so much for me and I just wanted to do a little something for you…what’s the problem?” 

“Nothing man, nothing.” 

“Alright, Chris and Ni-Ni..yall come on up here,” Nima said through the mic as she waited for us on stage. Chris walked ahead of me, instead of with me. I wanted to snatch him back by the collar of his jacket but to save face in front of everyone…I let it go. It wasn’t long before the cake was brought out and everyone in the crowd starting singing happy birthday to Chris. With all of me, I hoped that bought a smile to his face. 

“Thanks everyone. I love yall man…fo’real, that comes from the heart. Without yall, without my fiance`…I don’t know where I would be. So uh, it’s my 22nd birthday…let’s turn up!” he said as he motioned for me to come on stage and help him cut the first piece of his cake. The caterers then took over the job and I found myself in the middle of the crowd, dancing with Chris like he just wasn’t upset with me minutes ago.

“Yo Chris, your baby mama’s at the door,” Big Pat said as he interrupted our dance. Chris’ facial expression quickly went from smiling to scowling in seconds. I followed Chris and Big Pat back to the front door to see a swollen Tiffany, about 6 months pregnant..pacing back and forth. 

“Tiff, I don’t think you were invited…the fuck you want?” Chris said as he closed the door behind us, so no one inside would hear the fiasco outside. 

“I’m the mother of your child Chris, why wasn’t I invited? I called and text you, wishing you a Happy Birthday and I got no response. We haven’t talked in three months because you’ve been busy with lil miss thang over here. Nigga, I’m having your child, not her! And it’s a girl, just in case you were wondering,” she said as she threw the ultrasound CD at Chris then walked off down the street somewhere. I picked up the CD and put it in Chris’ hand. He was expressionless as he just shoved it down his pocket. 

“I told you we were going to get your ass!” Someone yelled from a black truck the same time bullets sprayed the club, popping the balloons above our heads, barely missing us. Chris immediately opened the door to the club, pushing me down to the ground so he could cover me with his body. Big Pat unexpectedly pulled out his own gun and shot at the black truck that sped down the road. The inside of the club was a complete mess. No one was hurt but the damage those tiny bullet holes made was unbelievable, we were going to pay out the ass to fix all of this. 

“Whoa, y’all good man?” Steve said as he raced towards us, his hand gripped on the back of his belt, where I knew he kept his gun. 

“Fuck no, get everyone up out of here man. I’m going home bruh,” Chris said as he pulled me off of the ground and held  me all the way to the car. He fished threw my purse to get the keys and his unstable hands finally found the ignition and started the car. I didn’t ask questions on the way home, I was too busy answering calls and text messages, making sure certain people got home and back to their hotel rooms safely. Thanks to Chris’ speeding, we got home relatively quickly. He came on my side of the car and opened the door, pulling me out and all the way into the house. When he let go of me, I had his finger prints around my wrist that I was sure would turn into a bruise by tomorrow morning. 

“Fuck! This is why I told you I didn’t want a damn party!” he said as he threw the car keys across the table. 

“What? That doesn’t even make sense. I know you’re not trying to blame this on me!” I snapped back at him. 

“Yes! Nigga, it is your fault! I blame you! If you did as I asked, none of this would have ever even happened!” 

“Chris, what-the-fuck-ever. I’m so over you tonight, go to sleep..on the couch I mean, and get back at me with all this shit in the morning,” I said as I stomped into the bedroom. He followed me. He grabbed me, aggressively, and pushed me up against the wall. I smelled the alcohol on his breath. He wasn’t himself, I saw a whole new person in his eyes. I was scared. 

“Nigga let go of me! You’re hurting me Chris!” I said as tears started to sting my eyes. 

“Nah, fuck that! These niggas have been calling my phone, texting me all damn week…telling me they were lurking and just waiting for me to slip up so they could attack. I told you I didn’t want a party because I knew if they got wind of it, they’d come through and fuck that shit up! Oh, and what happened? That’s exactly what the fuck they did!” He said as he pushed me away from him, I tripped and fell into the dresser, hitting my back against the corner of it. He paced the floor, running his hands through his curls. I was scared to move, scared to even breathe because I didn’t want to do anything that triggered him to do something I knew he was capable of. 

“I saw what my life would have been like if one of those bullets would have hit you. I saw a life I didn’t want. I saw a life I refused to have…a life I was trying my best to avoid but…you just made it so easy for them,” he said as he walked towards me. I tensed up at his touch, I no longer knew what to expect. 

“Ni-Ni, I’m sorry—” the sound of his phone vibrating cut him off. He went to answer it, putting it on speaker phone..I thought he knew who it was.

“Yeah nigga, you thought we were playing. I hope I made myself clear tonight. You got one more time to slip up and next time I won’t be so trigger happy, I’ll actually hit my target nigga,” I recognized that voice from the black truck. 

“See, this shit is not a game Serenity!”

“Well, do you know who it is threatening you? I mean, we could always go to the police,” I said uneasily as I walked towards him. 

“The police? Are you serious? Get the fuck out of here with that. The police don’t give a shit about a nigga like me. I’ll handle this shit on my own.” he said, pushing me again. 

“Look Chris, there isn’t going to be too many times of you putting your hands on me like this,” I told him as I made my way to the kitchen to get ice for my bruises. I looked back and saw he had opened up a bottle of Ciroc, taking a swig of it before looking up at me. I rolled my eyes at him and fished through the freezer for an ice pack. I heard his foot steps behind me, I slowly turned around from the refrigerator. He looked me dead in the eye while taking another drink from his bottle. 

“Give me this, you’ve had enough for one night,” I said as I took the bottle from him and walked over to the sink. He caught my hand and tried to take it from me but I held a good grip on it, I refused to let it go. 

“I’m a grown ass man, I’ll drink what the fuck I want!” he said as he violently tried pulling the bottle out of my hand. I dropped the ice pack so I could put up a better fight with both hands. In a split second, the bottle flew out of my hand, hitting the floor and spilling everywhere. In that same second, I watched his hand as it seem to approach my face in slow motion…as he slapped me across my face. Tears instantly stung my eyes as the side of my face stung from his hand. I looked at him, as he stared back at me…like he didn’t realize what he just did. I marched into the bedroom, holding the side of my face as I packed a bag. I threw any and everything in that damn bag, I probably even packed some of his shit. I then grabbed my phone, my purse, and my keys. I walked back into the kitchen to find him in the same place I left him. 

“Fuck you,” I said as I snatched my ring off of my finger and threw it at him. He still didn’t move, he just stood there as I walked towards the door. I took one last look at him before shaking my head and leaving the house…my house, our house. I got in my car and the tears fell instantly. I had flashbacks of the incident…how he was so cold and expressionless. Like, he wasn’t even here…physically, he was here but mentally…he was somewhere else. How did this happen? Why did this happen? What else is going to happen? All the questions I had absolutely no answer to.

Chapter 27 Part I: A Year Older, A Year Wiser

C H R I S B R O W N:

  It felt nice to just lay in bed with Ni-Ni until about 12 pm. The party ended around 12 am, when the last of everyone started leaving. I actually did enjoy myself though, I haven’t seen Bow in a while and we literally just spent the whole night catching up and reminiscing on old times. I would have felt bad for neglecting Serenity if she hadn’t mingled with just about everyone there. She was literally more social than I’ve ever seen her, she lit up the room with her presence  I instantly saw her on my arm at different award shows, mixing and mingling perfectly with the high class and siddity folk I’m forced to deal with on the regular. 

“Mr. Brown, breakfast is served!” I heard Serenity yell from what must have been the kitchen. I didn’t even realize she wasn’t still in bed with me because as I turned over, she put pillows in her spot to avoid waking me up, clever ass. I smiled and got a shirt out of my drawer then hauled ass to the kitchen, she had the house smelling right. 

“Man, my house hasn’t smelled like this since my mom stayed with me for a week. What you got for me baby?” I said as I slid into one of the dining room chairs. She walked around the kitchen table and sat down a plate full of pancakes, sausage, eggs, and fresh fruit with orange juice.

“There’s something I want to tell you Chris,” she said with an uncertain look on her face. I just motioned for her to continue to talk as I continued to get my grub on. “I talked to Macki today, she said she just wanted to head on back to Louisiana since she declined coming out to Cali with us but…she got accepted to the University of California and well…so did I, my mom called me earlier this morning and told me my acceptance letter came in,” she finished. It caught me by surprise, but what I couldn’t figure out was why she was so hesitant to tell me. 

“That’s great ma! I’m proud of you!” I said as I got up and hugged her, spinning her around in circles. I looked at her and saw her expression was still uncertain. 

“Well what’s wrong, this is good news right?” I asked her.

“Yeah, of course but…I’m not so sure how it’s all going to work out yet. I mean, I can still live here instead of the dorm because your house is only 15 minutes away from the campus but..I don’t know how this will all work out for you,” she told me as she searched my eyes for answers or guidance that I honestly couldn’t give her. 

“Serenity, this was your dream before you met me, right?”

“Yes but things have changed now, you’re a part of my life. You’re my fiance` Chris, I can’t just go to school and forget what me and you have.”

“No one is asking you to do that babe. I’m not going to let you throw away your dream all because you’re engaged to me. If anything, I’ll work around your schedule and adjust mine so this thing works out.”

“But you said you wanted full custody of your child, if I’m at school and you’re on the road somewhere..how is that all going to work?”

“It’ll work because I have a wonderful mother who will step in and help me when I fall short. It’ll work because this child is not your full responsibility Ni-Ni and I’ll do what I have to in order to provide a safe and secure home for all of us, even if that means putting off touring fo a while. Trust me babe, I got you…I got us,” I told her as I sat her down on my lap. 

“And that’s why I love you Mr. Brown,” she said as she kissed me. I felt her smile against my lips. 

S E R E N I T Y:

(3 months later)

      I woke up earlier than I would have preferred so Nima could do my hair. She was supposed to be here yesterday but Chris got her tickets for the wrong flight and everything was just messed up, so she didn’t get here until 3:30 am. It took her 2 hours to do my hair and after she was done, I quickly fell back asleep. It felt like no sooner than I closed my eyes, Chris was jumping up and down on my bed like a little ass kid, telling me to wake up. I rolled over to look at the clock and saw it was 9:45, I needed to get up, shower, and let Nima do my make up, I knew my family would be here soon if they left their hotel in time. 

“So Ni-Ni, what you get me for my birthday?” Chris asked while holding his hand out in front of me, acting like it was a microphone, while recording everything with his camera. He’s such a goofball. 

“I know I’m about to give you this black eye if you make me get foundation all over her white dress nigga,” Nima said as she elbowed Chris in the rib. I couldn’t help but laugh, these two together were pure comedy. I motioned for Chris to point the camera in my direction but keep enough distance from Nima so she wouldn’t have a heart attack. 

“Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear fiance`, happy birthday to you,” I sung in front of the camera. Chris turned the camera to him and smiled, showing all 32 teeth.  

“That’s right, my baby can sing! Guess what else today is though?” he said as he traveled across the room, getting a view at the objects sitting on the couch. I guess he’s going to be recording all of today being as we have quite the day planned. Nima finished my make up within seconds of us hearing a knock at the door. I raced over and opened it to see all of my family members, including my “in laws.”

“Baby girl! Oh, how I’ve missed you!” my mom said as she embraced me, rocking me back and fourth. Without saying much, my dad embraced me just like she did. 

“Ni-Ni! I’m so proud of you!” Ashley said as she tugged me out of Dad’s hug. Macki soon joined our group and all three of us started jumping up and down. 

“Serenity, can you believe we made it this far?” Macki asked me while Mama Joyce and the rest of Chris’ family quickly hugged me so they didn’t interrupt my conversation with Macki. 

“I can’t. It all happened so fast. I’m glad high school’s over with though, and to think, I’ll be there for you in Louisiana next month,” I told her. We hugged again until Mama J came over and told me I should start putting on my cap and gown so we could head to the Siegel Center. 

“Oh, it’s Chris’ birthday right? Happy Birthday Chris!” my mom said as she hugged him, Chris still recording everything. 

“Thanks Mrs. McFadden! Ayo’, can everybody come surround Serenity so I can get a family picture?” Chris said loudly for everyone to hear. I knew what was about to happen too, we discussed finally doing this last night. As everyone circled around me, Chris set up the stand for the camera and then the timer. 

“Oh, and just so you all know. Serenity and I are engaged. —Say cheese!” as soon as he said that, the camera flashed and I’m pretty sure the picture was a hot ass mess. 

“Since when? Why didn’t you tell me? For how long?” were only a few of the many questions everyone started blurting out.

“We’ll fill everyone in after the ceremony, at lunch. For now, just congratulate us, will ya?” Chris said as he held me by the waist and waited for a response, from anyone in the room. 

“Congratulations! Can we go now, I’m starving! The faster we get this over with, the faster I can eat.” Austin said from the back of the room. I just laughed as I shuffled everyone out of the front door.

“Ni-Ni wait,” Chris said as I had one foot out of the door. “You forgetting the most important thing. Congratulations Grad,” he said as he put my cap on my head. 

“Thanks birthday boy,” I told him as I planted a kiss on his lips. I decided to take a picture in my cap and gown with Chris and post it on Instagram and Twitter. 

@Serenity___: Headed to graduation, got my family, got my friends…and I have him. <3

I wasn’t worried about anyone I didn’t want to see that picture, seeing it. Since being engaged, I started all over with my twitter and Instagram, my tweets and pictures are private and protected. I have very few followers but that doesn’t really bother me. 

—————-

“Are you nervous about making your speech?” my new friend, Alicia said as I paced back and fourth, going over my note cards. I still don’t even know why I decided to speak at this graduation, I’ve only been here for a couple of months so I don’t know what qualifies me to do this. 

“I’m a nervous wreck, why am I even doing this Alicia?” I said. 

“Because, you’re story is very inspirational…I think the world deserves to hear it.”

“There’s nothing special about my story…I’m not even sure I have a real story.”

“You do, everyone loves you out here Serenity, just go up there and be you.” 

“I guess, thanks Alicia. What are you doing afterwards?”

“Going out for dinner…then hopefully the club tonight!” she said a little too loudly, disturbing the line of kids behind us. 

“Really? You should come out to club Aurora tonight, that’s where I’m throwing Chris his surprise birthday party.”

“Oh well yeah, I’m down girl, thanks for the invitation.”

“No problem, be there by 11:30, okay?” She agreed and hugged me. As soon as she let go, the teachers clapped their hands to get us to be quiet, the music had started and the procession was about to begin. 

We walked out into the floor of the Siegel Center and I looked up, at how many people there were. I managed to spot Chris out of the crowd thanks to his blonde hair and saw the whole family, including him..recording. I just shook my head as the procession finally ended and we were seated. 

“Good morning graduates, and good morning families of the graduates. I know it’s been a long road here, but you all should be very proud that you finally made it! You can only go up from here and don’t let a soul stop you from achieving any goals you may have. Now, the young lady I’m about to introduce to you all, has done just that. Despite some obstacles, she’s here..standing stronger than ever among her new classmates. Will you all join me in welcoming Miss Serenity McFadden,” Mr. Rodger said as the audience burst into applause. I got up from my seat and slowly made my way to the podium, making me sure I didn’t trip or fall in these high ass heels. 

“Good morning everyone and once again, congratulations to the class of 2013! It’s such an honor to be able to speak before you all today. I know I haven’t been here long but you all have made me feel like family already. I come from a small town in Louisiana, never in a million years did I dream of being here, graduating with such a wonderful class. Although certain situations that led me here didn’t always seem like they were for the best, I wouldn’t change a thing about any of it. Back in Louisiana, things weren’t always bright for me, I probably weighed twice as much as I do now. I had self esteem issues just like anyone else and it took it’s toll on me eventually,” I began to get nervous as I shared this part of my speech but I looked up and made eye contact with Chris. He smiled and mouthed “I love you,” and every inch of nervousness faded instantly. 

“It wasn’t until someone came along..and I think you all know who that someone is,” I continued, completely ignoring what was written on my cards and speaking from my heart. Everyone in the crowd started clapping and screaming, assuring me that they knew who I was referring to. “That someone who came along, brought a new life right along with him. Not only did he love me, but he showed me how to love myself. We hit a few bumps and obstacles in the road but, it only made us stronger as one. I’ll admit, I was afraid…I was afraid this would end up just like everything else back home, in Louisiana, ended up for me. I’ve never been the type to take chances and leave my comfort zone but..he showed me how and I don’t think I can thank him enough for it. With all of this being said, my point is…life can throw some of the craziest curve-balls at us. We think we’ve got it all under control and some times it takes someone else to step in and show us that in all actuality…we don’t, but they’re here to help us get back on track. Some times we limit ourselves to things we know we can have, but often feel like we don’t deserve so we don’t push to obtain them. I’m here to tell you all that you do deserve it, and if you don’t think you do, 10 times out of 10..there’s someone out there, that does. Once again, congratulations class of 2013, I wish you all the best of luck in all of your future endeavors.”  As I finished my speech, I looked out in the crowd and saw everyone on their feet, applauding. I looked over to my family and saw them on their feet as well, wiping tears from their eyes. I looked at Chris who was still recording, but pointed to me before saluting me. I couldn’t help but laugh as I made my way back to my seat. 

“Thank you so much Serenity. Now, I think the only thing left to do…is for you all to walk across this stage and get your diplomas! I have to ask this, but I know you all won’t do it and I honestly don’t expect you to, if my child was graduating, I’d do the same thing..but if you all could try to hold your applause until after all names are called, that would be very much appreciated. We just want every child’s family to hear their name being called. Other than that, the first line of graduates, you all may stand,” Mr. Rodger said as the first line of graduates stood up. By me being asked to speak at the graduation, I was able to graduate along with the first row of students and the valedictorian when I would have been called somewhere in the middle of names at first. 

“Alyssa Adams, Jamie Adoe, Valid Victorian - Kendall Akim, Casey Akell, Mina Akin, Mona Akin, and our speaker today, Serenity McFadden,” Mr. Rodger said. After my name was called, I just focused on walking across that stage without falling down and busting my ass in these heels. I heard all the applause and cheer from my family and friends and this moment..became reality. As I shook hands with the principal and other well known faculty of the school board before finally receiving my diploma, I came to the realization that…I’ve made it. I actually made it through 4 years of high school  Although this last year has been rocky, it’s by the grace of the good Lord above that I’m capable of walking across this stage and accepting something I’ve worked so hard to obtain. 

—————————————-

“Ni-Ni, Ni-Ni!” I heard my family yell while we were being dismissed out of the Siegel Center. I was soon bombarded with hugs and kisses from so many people. My mom and dad were the first to greet me, congratulating me and taking pictures. Macki, Ashley, and Nima were the next group to follow my parents. Then Mama J, Austin, and Mijo bombarded me. It was weird that Mijo tagged a long with them, I’ve never really talked to him much but he seemed happy for me and happy to be around at the moment. It was also a good thing that he came because I was finally able to introduce him to Ashley, who has been dying to meet him since Christmas. 

“Congratulations baby, I’m so proud of you!” the birthday boy said as he pecked my face with kisses. 

“Thank you, Thank all of you actually…if it wasn’t for every last one of you, there’s no way I would have made it this far,” I told my family. “Well, except for Mijo…Mijo didn’t contribute,” I said jokingly to see if I would get a reaction out of him. 

“Man, if Chris didn’t tell you by now then I might as well say it…I didn’t think you were here to stay for very long. Obviously, I was wrong and I apologize for not welcoming you to the family sooner shawty,” he said as he pulled me into a hug. Everyone around us awed and giggled at how awkward Mijo released me out of his hug, almost like he pushed me off of him. I just laughed at it myself. I know he doesn’t mean any harm, this is actually his way of “warming up” to me. 

“Alright, Mijo and I promised we’d take a couple of fan pictures so yall can either get in the cars and wait for us or wait out here, it’ll only take a second, I promise,” Chris said as he and Mijo backed away from our crowd and went over to certain people they seemed to know. We decided to just wait out here for them because finding the cars just seemed like such a difficult task at the moment. 

“Serenitaaaaaaayyyyyy!” I heard someone yell behind me. I knew exactly who it was, he’s the only person that adds the most Southern spin and accent on my name. 

“Steve! Pat! What’s up yall?” I said as I jumped into each of their arms. Last time I saw them was about 3 months ago in Cali for my spring break. I had no idea they’d be here today. 

“Congratulations lil’ mama, Chris gave us tickets to your graduation and we just couldn’t miss it for anything in the world,” Big Pat said as he dapped up and hugged the rest of the members of my party. 

“Okay, we’re done. We need to go before I have to put Pat and Steve back on the clock for security,” Chris said as he and Mijo raced towards us, out of breath. “Yall coming through with us to Red Lobster though?” he asked them. 

“Red Lobster? I’m down nigga, their cheese biscuits be hittin’!” Steve said. 

“I bet yo’ country ass is down for a damn cheese biscuit. C’mon man, let’s go find these cars since I couldn’t get valet to bring the damn car to me,” Chris continued. 

“Man, shut that shit up. You almost had a heart attack over the 10 dollars you owed the man for parking it for you nigga,” Mijo said as we all laughed at Chris, trying to explain his actions. He and I both knew damn well he had no explanation for doing what he did though. 

——————————————

C H R I S B R O W N:

  We finished up lunch with everyone and they went their separate ways, my family gave Serenity’s family an exclusive tour of the rest of Richmond while Serenity and I, just chilled for a few hours, it was about 9pm. Today has been a busy ass day, I didn’t want to do anything but lie in my bed beside my girl. She took off all the make up and the dress she had on for the ceremony but she still looked beautiful laying in my F.A.M.E hoodie and sweats with her hair tied up. I felt proud having her by my side. Most niggas barely get lucky enough to find a girl that is loyal to them and holds them down, it’s rare that a nigga finds a girl that’s loyal, beautiful, smart, and independent when she needs to be. I guess I’m one of those rare niggas because Serenity is all of that and more. Even with everything she’s been through, a whole school change and new location….she was still able to graduate with the third highest GPA in her class. I don’t know how she did it with me nagging at her for always having her nose in a book instead of going out with me that night but I see now that she did it to achieve a goal. Her ambition and drive over these last few months was enough for the both of us, and she inspired me to go ahead and finish up this album. It should be ready to release by next month. If it wasn’t for the motivation she gave me, I doubt it would have been anywhere near ready by now. It was just so easy to write songs for the album though. Every night I went home from the studio, I had another idea for a song simply by something she would do or say, how she would smile or make me laugh. To be completely honest, my vision for the album actually came from Serenity. 

“Brown, what you busy thinking about over there?” Serenity asked as she switched positions from sleeping with her back facing me, to rolling over and laying her head on my chest. For the first time in what felt like hours, I blinked my eyes and came back down from that natural high I was on..I found myself with my hands behind my head, just staring up at the ceiling. 

“Just thinking….thinking about how good my life actually is for once. And, how I owe that all to you,” I said as I faced her. She looked up at me with that smile that would’ve knocked me off my feet if I was standing. 

“I think we owe each other. I don’t think you realize what my life was like before you came walking in,” she said sleepily as she rubbed her eyes. 

“True enough, we’re forever in debt to each other then nigga!” I said as I tickled her torso, after months of being with her, I knew that spot was the most ticklish. She laughed and tried to get out of the bed but she was no match for me at all. 

“Oh my gosh, just let me go! We need to start getting ready anyway,” she said as she tried tickling me with no luck. I stopped dead in my tracks and looked at her. 

“Get ready for what?” I asked her. 

“The graduation party Alicia is throwing me at Aurora, remember? Doesn’t matter, just get ya’ ass up and get ready…please, and thank you,” she said as she got up walked into the bathroom. I just shook my head and did as I was told. I walked to my closet and tried to figure out what I was going to wear. I pulled out my navy blue cargo pants with my Chucks and a Polo v-neck. I found my jean jacket and I then laid out my jewelry, nothing fancy…just my rope chain, the Rolex, and the diamond studs Serenity got me for my birthday. As I walked back to the bedroom, I heard Serenity singing like a damn angel in the shower. I opened up the door and steam hit me like I was in a damn sauna. She didn’t notice I had come in so I did the next best thing. I left my clothes at the door and hopped right in the shower with her, scaring the shit out of her. 

“You know, doors were made so you could knock before entering,” she said as she turned to face me, looking me up and down. 

“There’s a reason you didn’t lock the door, don’t even lie. Besides, I thought I’d just shower with you, that way we don’t waste unnecessary time,” I teased her. 

“You could have come up with a better excuse than that,” she said as she turned away from me. I gently took her by the arm and settled her up against the wall, kissing her neck. She didn’t expect me to, but I picked her up by her thighs and kept her there by the support of my body. She wrapped her legs around me, a signal for me to take it to the next level and I did just that. The gasp she let out once I was in made me feel like I was making love to a virgin all over again, but she and I both knew that wasn’t the case. The only other noises being heard besides the water from the shower running was the occasional sounds she’d make and the sound of her back sliding up and down the wall. I was in my own world….my own zone. Got’damn, could a birthday get any better for a nigga? 

you guys probably hate me by now, I haven’t updated since Moses parted the Red Sea…I know, I APOLOGIZE lol. I’ve been so busy, it’s not even funny. BUT, I’m almost done with the next chapter and should be posting it soon, BARE WITH ME! (:

Chapter 26: My Love, is Your Love

S E R E N I T Y:

  I decided it was best we just head back to the hotel after Chris broke down like that. I went back in the studio and confronted the concerned faces of Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, and Amber Rose, telling them Chris didn’t feel well so it was best for us to go. They all looked like they didn’t believe a word that came out of my mouth but Amber understood completely. She and I really hit it off while Chris was in the booth, putting in work. I felt bad for thinking the horrible things I thought about her thanks to the way the media portrays her but, she was really sweet and had great advice. She even gave me her number and took mine down so we could hang out some time or if I ever needed someone to talk to. I definitely didn’t expect her, or Big Sean and Wiz to be so nice to me. It’s probably only because of who I am to Chris, I’m pretty sure regular fans don’t get treated like this. 

  After a silent car ride, we were back at the hotel. Chris didn’t speak in the elevator and he didn’t speak once we were in our room. He locked himself in the bathroom for a good 20 minutes while I changed out of my dress, into something more comfortable. I didn’t want to annoy him with questions because I already knew who had caused the trouble, Tiffany…I just don’t know what she did yet. I decided to wait until Chris was ready to talk about it. After a while, whenever something is bugging him, it drives him crazy if he doesn’t let it out so, I know he’ll talk sooner or later. 

  As I was about to get comfortable on the couch and watch a movie, I heard a knock at the door. Chris didn’t open up the bathroom door to get it so I eased my way up, causing pain to my leg and limped to the door. 

“Oh, hello Serenity. Is Chris here?” I couldn’t believe who was at the door. How did she even find our room, better yet…the hotel we’re at. 

“Hi, Rihanna…yeah, he’s here. Can I help you with something?” I asked, trying to keep the fake ass smile glued on my lips, knowing damn well I wanted to slam the door in her face. 

“Oh not really, just wanted to stop by and see what was up, I actually have nothing planned for today..for once, needed to get out of my hotel,” she said as she eased past me, into the living room, sitting down on the sofa. Chris finally came out of the bathroom, changed in basketball shorts and a t-shirt, and looked directly at her, rubbing his temple. 

“What the fuck?!” he mumbled to himself, “Yo, Rih…what you doing here man? How did you even find me?” he said louder for her to hear. 

“That’s quite a welcome Mr. Brown…but seriously, I have “people,” just like you have “people,” you know the management team can track anyone down,” she replied. 

“Well that still doesn’t answer my first question…why are you here?” Rihanna got up, walked past me, and stood directly in front of him. 

“I don’t know…I was bored in my hotel…the listening party isn’t until later and I actually have nothing better to do. I was hoping we can hang out?” She took it a step farther and wrapped her arms around his neck, Chris immediately moved out of her grasp. 

“Nah man, I need you to bounce. I’ve had a rough day so far and I’d really just like to chill and enjoy the company of my fiance, if that’s not too much to ask for,” he told her. 

“Fiance? Since when? You said today at the beach she was just your girl…didn’t you? Chris, you can’t be serious. I mean, really…look at her, then look at me…really?” Is she talking about me? I know this hoe is not talking about me?!

“Now wait just a minute bitch, yes…he’s very serious, here’s the ring to prove it,” I said as I flashed her my ring, limping towards her. “What I need you to do is —” before I could finish my sentence, Chris grabbed my arm, telling me to calm down and have a seat. I did as I was told, but if he know’s like I know…he’ll handle this shit before I do. 

“See now, you crossed the line. Yes, she’s my fiance and the only one between you and Kae that has gotten ring, correct? Now, build a bridge and get the fuck over it and go back to where you came from,” Chris said as he went to the door and opened it for her, motioning for her to leave. She rolled her eyes at me before walking over to Chris, mushing his face, then leaving. 

“Man Ni-Ni, I apologize ma. I’m sorry you have to deal with bullshit like that,” Chris said as he pulled me down on the sofa with him. I just curled up next to him and lay my head on his chest. 

“That’s the least of my worries Brown. You ready to talk?” I asked him. He became stiff but shook his head in agreement. He turned towards me so we were eye to eye and took a deep breath. 

“You know that moment I fucked up with Tiffany right?” he said, visibly hurting to revisit those thoughts again. I just shook my head yes so he could continue. 

“Well, apparenlty she’s never been able to let me go. Even though she was with Kevin…she was still mentally with me. She used Grandma Susie’s death to her advantage..knowing I was just as vulnerable as she had been. She knew my dumb ass would fall in her trap. So before I got there..she told me she poked a tiny ass hole in the condom..thinking that if she was having my child..I’d get back with her. I think our breakup mentally damaged her..but the crazy thing is, she broke up with me. I mean..I don’t know how else to handle this,” he dropped his head in his hands. My initial instinct was to grab his phone and let Tiffany know what I’ve been yearning to tell her for a while now but I couldn’t blame this all on her. Chris knew what he was doing, the whole time he was doing it but…I’m over it now…we’re over it. I just wish everyone else would let us move on. 

“You want full custody of the baby?” I asked him, without thinking about the question before it came out of my mouth. 

“If that means losing you then—-“ 

“That’s not what I said nor what I asked Chris. Do you want full custody of the baby or did you just say that…in the heat of the moment?”

“I want full custody of my child…I no longer trust Tiffany to be in charge of another life when she’s barely in charge of her own. I just don’t know how it’s going to work out. I have 6 months left to figure it out.” 

“You don’t have to do this alone. I’m you’re fiance now, right? That means whatever we go through…we go through it together, I’ll always be here for you Chris…and if that means helping you raise this child then…so be it.” I couldn’t believe what I was saying but I just knew I meant it. I never thought I’d be this close to having a family at almost 19 but…I love Chris and I’m not leaving his side for wanting to do right by his child. 

“You are an amazing woman, you know that?” Chris said as he pulled me into his arms, laying back on the sofa. 

“I know, I know, no need to tell me,” I joked with him. He kissed my cheek then turned me around so we were eye to eye. 

“You still have 5 days left on your spring break…what do you say we hop on a plane tonight or tomorrow morning and head to my home out in Cali, get away from this crazy ass city,” he said. 

“I don’t know, if I go to Cali…I might not want to come back,” I told him. 

“Well you have to come back, at least to finish school. Then, if you really do love Cali that much…I don’t mind officially moving back out there. It’ll be a lot easier on me with recording this album and everything too.” 

“I’ll let you know when that time comes. After I graduate…in 3 months, you think I can go back home…to Louisiana and visit my family?”

“Man, once you graduate ma…all you’ll be doing is hopping on the jet and flying wherever you want to go, whenever you want. We’ll be flying to Louisiana, Virginia, Cali, and wherever I’m touring at, all after you graduate. I specifically put off the release of the album until June 15th, so I had absolutely no where to be but your graduation. You ready for this life style Ni-Ni?” 

“Not really…what other choice do I have though? I love you and this is the life you lead so…I’ll get use too it sooner or later, don’t worry about me.” The thought of having a private jet, living in California, and even having a step son or daughter before I’m 19 scares the hell out of me. 

………………………………………

C H R I S B R O W N:

  “Ni-Ni, will you wake your sleeping beauty ass up please?” I said loudly to Serenity as I parked the car in front of my California home. We spent last night packing and decided to leave early this morning, around 8 am. I was so happy to be here. It just felt like I had clean slate at trying to give Serenity the Spring Break vacation I’ve been trying to give her all along, but failing to do so. Yesterday was quite eventful and far from what should be happening on a vacation. Hopefully in Cali, she can just lay on the beach, party at the club with me, and just enjoy these next few days. 

  “Stop yelling Brown, I’m up,” she said as she rubbed her eyes and got out of the car. I was glad to see her walking freely without the crutches. The only reason she ever really needed them was because it hurt to bend her leg and walk where her stitches were..either way, seeing her without them made me happy. 

“Man don’t worry about the bags, come on in girl,” I said as I stopped her from opening the trunk. 

“Who’s going to get them out of the car then?” she asked sleepily, still not fully awake. 

“Big Pat is,” once I said his name, her eyes lit up and he opened up the door right on cue, slowly walking out. I was happy to see Big Pat, even happier to hear from him when he called me last night, telling me he had got stitched up, stayed in the hospital for the day and then took his ass back to where he wanted to be, my home in Cali even though his family told him not to. 

  “Ni-Ni! What’s good ma?!” he said as he picked Serenity up in a bear hug. Once he let her back down on her feet, she assessed the damage. then brought his head down to her level so she could seal his stitches with kisses. I cleared my throat and they both rolled their eyes, I didn’t give a fuck though. 

“Don’t you ever play me like that Breezy, come here boy!” he said as he picked me up in that same gay ass bear hug he gave Serenity. 

“Man, you better go on somewhere ‘for you bust a stitch,” I joked as he put me down. He just laughed while flicking me off, putting an arm around Serenity’s shoulder than walking her in the house. 

“Why the hell the house so dark Pat?” I asked as I flicked on the light. 

“SURPRISE! CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS AND NI-NI!” I couldn’t believe my eyes. I also told Big Pat that Serenity and I got engaged on the phone last night, how the hell he threw a welcome home/congratulations party in a couple of hours is beyond me. 

“Breezy! Congratulations y’all, from me and my little man King,” Mike said as he dapped me up. Chyna hugged me and gave me her congratulations but it didn’t take my attention off of my nephew. I basically had to beg Mike to let me hold King, it was my first time seeing him since he was born so I knew he was going to sit his over protective ass down somewhere and let me have this moment. 

“Congratulations Chris and Serenity, Kae couldn’t make it but she told me to send her love along with mine,” Seiko said as she pulled Serenity in a hug first, then me. I looked over at Big Pat, wondering why he invited Kae and her lil sidekick. He just shook his head, like he didn’t have a clue as to why she was even here. 

“Prince of VA! Who would have thought my nigga would be engaged, congratulations homie and the same to you Ms. Serenity,” Trigga said as he stepped forward, dapping me up and hugging Serenity. 

“Now just have a daughter so Shai here can have someone I don’t mind her playing with and we’ll be straight. Ha, I’m just playing dog. Congratulations though Breezy, and nice finally meeting you Serenity,” Bow said as he shook hands with us, with the arm free of Shai. 

“Wow, thanks everyone. Yall sure do know how to make a nigga feel welcomed,” I told them all. They burst into laughter and began to mingle amongst themselves while I handed King back over to Mike and sat down beside Serenity. She was smiling from ear to ear as she socialized with everyone, showing off that big ass rock on her finger. I decided to let her do her thing while I tried to figure out what Seiko was doing here. 

“Yo Pat, let me holla at you for a second,” I said while motioning for him to lean in a little further so the whole party didn’t hear my conversation. 

“Dawg, what the hell was Seiko doing here..talking about Kae couldn’t make it?” I asked him. 

“I have no idea big homie, I don’t even know how they found out about it. Not unless they saw it on my twitter..but all I said was you were coming home today..I said nothing about a party. My tweets are protected anyway and she doesn’t follow me..I don’t know how it happened man. I just couldn’t kick her out though.” I listened to him and tried to make sense of the situation as best as I could before I was interrupted by Seiko herself.

“Hey Chris, congratulations again…really, I’m so happy for you,” she said as she hugged me again. I just grinned at her, studying her features to see if her expressions or body language gave way to anything. 

“Thanks Seiko, where Kae at?” I asked her.

“She’s here, in Cali…she just had some modeling stuff and couldn’t make it.”

“Word, well thanks for coming by and showing love ma,” I said as I hugged her, trying to act like nothing was wrong with this picture. After she let me go, I headed back over to Ni-Ni, who has playing with Bow’s daughter, Shai..with Bow no where in sight. 

“You’re a natural,” I told her, admiring the she held Shai. The smile she had on her face was priceless, for once..I think Serenity is truly happy. 

“Thanks. You remember Kendall and Kylie, right? Those two hoodlums were my practice, I know what I’m doing now,” she told me. 

“I see ma. You think you’ll ever want one of your own?” I asked her. 

“Of course. As soon as I finish college, med school, and start my own practice then, sure. Until then, your son or daughter shall be quite enough.” I shook my head, hearing where she was coming from. I really do wish Serenity was pregnant with my child instead of Tiffany but..that’s not the way things work out. However, if I have to wait 10 years for Serenity to be ready to have my child, well..that’s how long I’ll wait then. 

Chapter 25: In This Together

S E R E N I T Y:

   I’ve never been the jealous type, maybe because I’ve never had the opportunity to be jealous over anyone. But…I didn’t like the way she looked at Chris. She looked at him like he was hers…like he always had been and always will be. With everything in me, I tried to shake off the attitude I had and simply enjoy the lunch reservations Chris went through so much trouble to have made at some big and fancy restaurant. But I honestly just wanted to go to the hotel, pack my bags, and go home. I don’t know who I’m kidding…I don’t fit in this life style. I’ll never compare to the number of girls Chris could easily have on his arm. 

“Yo Ni-Ni, what’s wrong girl? You don’t like your food? You can order something else if you want,” Chris said as he motioned for the waiter to return to our table. I just shook my head and told the waiter nevermind. 

“I’m fine Chris, just not very hungry,” I told him as I sat back in the booth, turning my attention to my phone. 

“Come take a walk with me,” Chris said as he grabbed my hand and led me out from the table. We walked to the other side of the restaurant that hand gigantic fish tanks with all sorts of exotic fish swimming around. As I looked through the tank, Chris stood behind me..wrapping his arms around my waist and nestling his chin on my shoulder. 

“Elizabeth, talk to me. I know something’s on your mind,” he said as he turned me around and cradled me into his chest. Part of me just wanted to break down in his arms right then and there but by the grace of the good Lord above, I held it together. 

“It’s nothing…I just think I’ve seen enough of New York already..I’m ready to go home,” I told him. 

“What? We just got here ma. I know yesterday was..crazy but..I still have so much planned for us to do. Like tonight, I planned for us to get in the studio with Big Sean..even let you try your hand at recording. I mean..was it something I said..something I’ve done?” 

“No, Chris…it’s just…I don’t think I fit in your world anymore. I don’t think I ever did.” he immediately let me go and walked over to the bench and sat down..running his hand through his curls. I walked over to him and put my hand on his shoulder, he tensed up..like he didn’t want to be touched. 

“Serenity…please, not this again. Was it Rih? That’s what it was..huh?” he asked through a clenched jaw. 

“I saw how she looked at you Chris. The fact that the whole fight last night was over her…makes me realize that I can never take her place or fill her shoes..and honestly, I’m done trying to.” 

“No one has ever asked you to try Serenity! That fight was more so about my pride than anything. If you haven’t noticed, I’m with you and for the life of me…I’m trying to get you to understand that I love you..and only you,” he said as he pulled me down on the seat beside me. I just rubbed my temple, trying to calm myself. Chris suddenly got up and fished for something in his pocket. He then pulled out a red, velvet box and sat it in my lap. I opened it and couldn’t believe what I was holding. 

“Wh-wh-what is this?” I managed to say..like I needed to ask, I knew exactly what it was. 

“It’s an engagement ring…one that I had planned to give you at dinner tonight. Serenity, if the fact that I’m willing to spend the rest of my life with you isn’t enough proof that I love you…then, I don’t know what else to do. Don’t even think about the fact that we’re “moving too fast,” my mother once told me that if I loved something hard enough and long enough, then it was worth keeping. Serenity…you’re worth keeping ma,” he said as he got down on one knee. I felt tears puddling under my eyes. Never, in a million years did I think I’d ever be in this situation. I’ve only seen such things in romantic movies. I never believed in fairy tales but at this moment…I feel like the main character in one. 

“If marriage is too crazy for you to think of right now, just think of this ring as a promise ring. I promise to love you like you’ve never been loved before. I promise to cherish you in a way you never thought was possible. I promise to always have your back in whatever it is that you want to do. I know that forever and eternity doesn’t seem like a measurable time span, we’re both young and a commitment that long…most already think this will end in failure but..I promise you, if you’re willing to have me as your fiance until we’re both ready for marriage, we can work out any uncertainties as we go along. You just have to say yes, and hold me to my word.” Without thinking, I pulled him off of the floor then smashed my lips against his. Once again, my insecurities almost messed up a good thing for me…but this is the last time I’m ever going to let it get the best of me and my thoughts. 

“Well, I guess that’s a yes then, huh?” Chris asked as that goofy smile spread across his lips. I shook my head and he took the box out of my hand, placing the ring on my finger. 

“Now, I could have sworn from day one…I told you, you’d be Mrs. Breezy one day,” he said as he kissed my forehead and pulled me into a hug. 

“Serenity! Did I just hear what I think I heard?” Macki said as she ran over to Chris and I, Nima closely behind her. 

“Yellow bone baby! Congratulations! I knew you’d wake the hell up and figure out what you need to do,” Nima yelled before grabbing both everyone in a group hug. 

“Thanks yall, but listen…I need you guys to keep this just between the four of us. The last thing I need is the media fucking up my engagement,” Chris said. 

“But, you just did it in a public place..don’t you think everyone saw it?” Nima asked.

“Nima…look around you, no one is here ma.” At that moment, we all looked around and noticed the whole restaurant was silent except for our voices and voices of the staff. 

“But you said you weren’t planning on proposing until tonight,” I told Chris, trying to make sense of everything. 

“I wasn’t, I just didn’t want niggas messing up my lunch today either, so I rented the whole restaurant out. Don’t judge me.” 

“A little to late for that homie,” Macki yelled as Chris grabbed my crutch and led us out of the door and into his Range that was waiting outside for us. I looked back at the empty restaurant and shook my head but refused to let it get to me. I have to accept the fact that the person I just managed to fall in love with, is able to do things likes this..which means he’ll probably always do it.

………………………………….

C H R I S B R O W N :

  I had decided a while ago that I was going to propose to Serenity. I just couldn’t find the right time. I knew I was going to do it though, she’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a girl. My family loves her, my friends lover her…and most important, I love her. She fits perfectly in my world, the only thing that kept me from doing it sooner was the fact that she felt like she didn’t. I think I finally got her to see herself from the way I see her, that’s all I’ve ever tried to do. 

  “Breezy…engaged? Damn homie, I never thought I’d see the day,” Wiz Khalifa said as Serenity and I walked into the studio. After we left the restaurant, I let Serenity go in the hotel and change while Nima and Macki went off and did their own thing and as I waited for her, I called my bro Big Sean and told him the good news. It was just like him to run his mouth to everyone in the studio, I couldn’t be mad though. Wiz is my homie too, I would have ended up telling him myself anyway. 

“Well, you thought wrong my nigga. Wiz, Sean…this is my fiance’..Serenity,” I said, introducing them to each other. Serenity tensed up as I called her my fiance’…I hope she gets use to that being her new title sooner or later.

“So this is the girl my nigga hasn’t been able to shutup about lately, I can honestly see why. She’s beautiful man, don’t fuck up and let this one go Breezy..or you might lose her for good,” Sean said as he hugged her. I shook my head, this nigga was always waiting for me to slip up. 

“I’m joking Breezy…calm down bruh,” Sean said as he let Ni-Ni go and flopped down into the chair in front of the studio equipment. 

“You guys are here on business now right, if yall dont get in the booth and lay down some tracks in the next five minutes we’re going to have some problems. Anyway, hello Serenity..I’m Amber Rose,” she said as she pushed me out of the way and hugged Serenity. I just did as I was told and focused my attention on laying these tracks while Amber and Serenity socialized. 

“Ayo Breezy, this your song bruh…I say you do the honor and step foot into the booth first,” Wiz said as he sat down and lit a blunt, offering me to take a hit. I denied it and pulled out my phone as I stepped into the booth. I don’t write my rhymes down, if I simply come up with something while I’m just chilling, watching tv somewhere…I put it down in my iPhone until I an get to the studio to lay a track. I then put on the headphones and nodded at Sean to start the music. 

“Yo, this Virginia

Straight from the country, right there with my kinfolk

Golds in my mouth and they put 26’s on Benzo’s

Dirt roads, back wood

They got weed but I’ve been dope

Ratchet, nigga we act hood

But I’m getting money with these white folk

Sippin and I’m faded, super medicated

Said she wanna check the pole

I said Okay Sarah Palin, so I lay down and lay in

A nigga gon’ be faded, all the way to the AM”

As soon as I was in my zone, my fucking phone rang. The first two times I ignored the same number, then decided to see who the hell was calling by the third time. 

“Yo, who this?” I said through the phone, annoyed as hell. 

“Ohh, you’re such a rude ass baby daddy, you know that Chris?” I excused myself from the studio and stood out in the hall so Wiz and Sean could go ahead and work while I deal with this bullshit. 

“Tiffany, what the hell you want?” I snapped at her. 

“Ohhh, so fiesty Mr. Brown, what’s the matter?” she was either drunk..or high, I could tell. 

“Tiff, you been drinking?”

“Of course I…have. It’s the only way I can deal with the fact that my unborn child has such bad luck already. His or her mom isn’t worthy enough to be loved by his dead beat ass dad.” 

“What? Man, chill the fuck out. Can we talk about this some other time? I’m trying to finish up a song for this damn album that I can’t seem to finish for the life of me.” 

“No Chris, let’s talk about this now. It’s still not too late for me to abort your unwanted baby.”

“Yo, chill with that shit!” I yelled a little too loudly, they probably heard me over the music. “Look, you’re not killing my son or daughter, if you haven’t realized..it’s your child too and the fact that you don’t give a damn about it is actually quite disturbing. 

“Why should I? I thought by me having your child, it would make you think twice about trying to make it work with me. That’s why I poked a little hole in the condom before you came that day. I knew you’d fall right in my trap,” she laughed..she laughed like she was fucking pleased with herself. I felt my blood beginning to boil. I was more so pissed off at the fact that I was so damn dumb. 

“Baby, you alright?” Serenity said as she emerged out of the studio and wrapped her arms around me, laying her head on my chest. 

“You know what, you’re one crazy broad. Fuck you and the horse you rode in on but stay away from the fucking clinic, once you have my child..I’m getting full custody and you won’t be able to visit for birthdays, Thanksgiving, or Christmas. You psychotic ass bitch,” I yelled in the phone before I hung up. Without processing anything, I eased out of Serenity’s grasp and threw my phone down the hall. It hit the wall and cracked into a million pieces as it hit the floor. 

“Chris! What’s wrong?” Serenity screamed as I slid down the wall and dropped my head in my hands. I told myself I’d never shed another tear but I found my eyes stinging, being defeated from holding them back. I expected Serenity to continue to question me but instead she just sat down on the floor next to me, cautious of not causing pain to her leg. 

“Whatever it is Chris…we’ll get through it, we always do,” she whispered. I brought my head up from my hands and looked at her as she twisted her ring around her finger. 

“Whatever it is…I’ll always have your back babe,” she stopped twisting the ring and looked up at me. She then wiped the tears from up under my eyes and held my hand, locking her fingers between mine. I wrapped my arms around her and held her close to me, simply looking at her. 

“I love you,” I whispered in her ear. She turned to look at me, placing her lips against mine. 

“Not as much as I love you,” she said. It was weird how she was able to make me smile when I honestly just wanted to turn around and bust a fucking hole in the wall with my fist. Some times I think God created this woman specifically for me, to keep me out of trouble..to keep me sane, and most importantly..to love me more than I’ve ever been able to love myself. 

Chapter 24: Regret and Forget

C H R I S B R O W N: 

  The doctor sent Serenity and I home with stitches in her leg and stitches in my chin. They want to keep Big Pat for a couple of days just to observe him. The rest of the night in the hotel room was even more quiet than the ride from the hospital. With the help of her crutches, she simply walked through the door, took a shower, and headed to the bedroom. Before I realized it, she moved a pillow from my side of the bed and put it next to me on the couch, leaving me to call for a blanket from room service. 

 ”Serenity, can you just talk to me..please, ma? You can yell at me, curse me the hell out, or something…I just need to hear your voice I guess,” I said as I sat down next to her on the bed. She just rolled her eyes at me and ran her hand through her hair, something she always did when she’s irritated or pissed of with me. 

“Chris…I don’t have anything to say to you. Now, thanks to the pain medicine I’m drugged up on, I’d appreciate it if you made your way back to the couch so I can go to sleep,” she said while sliding to the top of the bed, laying down on her back. I wasn’t taking “no” for an answer, if things go my way…she’ll be doing more than talking, more like screaming my name to the top of her lungs. 

I climbed to the top of the bed where she was and held her in my arms while playing with her hair and to my surprise, she didn’t protest it. I went a step further and kissed her neck…which soon led to sucking and she didn’t protest that either. It was clear that she was more than ready for what I was about to give her next. I moved down to the foot of the bed, careful not to disturb her stitched up leg that was elevated on a pillow. I then took my hand and tugged at her shorts, her eyes giving me permission to go even further. Within seconds, her shorts were off and her panties were by her ankles. The only thought that lingered in my head, was to make sure I made love to her better and more meaningful than Delano did and I did to Tiffany. The fact that she even let me get this far, surprised me and I wasn’t going to take advantage of her. 

 After teasing her by kissing the inside of her thigh, I finally turned up full throttle and kissed her center. The arch she quickly threw in her back told me no matter what Delano did, he didn’t make her feel like this. She dug her left hand into the sheets while her right hand tugged at my curls, pushing me deeper. About what seemed like 10 minutes later, I figured she had enough by the way her legs grew weak and limp, already paralyzed. I took that as my shot to take the next step. I reached into my pocket where I’ve made a habit of keeping protection since I was 16 and strapped it on. Instead of continuing, I first kissed her lips and thought I’d ask for permission to go further. 

“We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to ma, I don’t mind waiting for you” I whispered in her ear. 

“Shh, it’s okay,” she said as she held a finger to my lips. I kissed her once again as she gasped against my lips once I was in. Not wanting to hurt her, I took it slow. That is, until she begged me to work faster and at that point, I was in my zone. It was my first time making love to her, and I planned on making it something she’d never forget. 

—————————

  The next morning she woke up quite stiff, even if she didn’t want to let me know it…but in a better mood altogether. I’ll be honest, in the past…my way of getting out of shit I’ve brought on myself in my other relationships, was to fuck the shit out of her until she forgot what she was even angry about. That’s not the case this time though, I plan to get her to sit down and talk with me about what made her so upset and how we can work on it. 

“Aye babe, I know you can’t get in the water but grab a nice dress or something and we’ll go walk the beach while it’s not so crowded,” I yelled in the bathroom so she could hear me. Less than 10 seconds later she walked out in a long, strapless, light blue dress with her hair flowing past her bare shoulders and her make up matching perfectly. 

“When will you realize I’m always 10 steps ahead of you Maurice?” she said as she limped into the kitchen and found herself a banana. 

“Is that right? From the looks of last night, I think I was clearly 20 steps ahead of you Elizabeth,” I said before smacking her ass then running to the bathroom. I went ahead and text Nima to tell her to meet us at the beach since she ask to come and she text me back assuring me she’d be there before we got there. 

“Chris don’t take forever, it’s just the beach…you can leave all the gold and diamonds here,” Serenity said through the door. I just ignored her, I don’t know why all of my jewelry “scares” her or makes her so..hesitant with me, I’ve never understood it. 

“Man, I’ll be ready in a minute..shut all that shit up,” I teased back at her. I hurried up and showered, brushed my teeth and hair, dressed, and put on cologne. With Serenity’s wishes, I only put on my double bone chain and my g-shock watch that complemented my camo cargo shorts and solid white polo t-shirt, nothing over the top. 

“Finally, you look nice babe…let’s go,” Serenity said as she grabbed only one of the crutches and led the way out of the hotel room. For some reason, I have this weird obsession with trying to be normal so I took the risk and told Steve he could chill today, instead of following me around on the beach all day. I know he’s probably with Big Pat at the hospital, he took the events of yesterday pretty hard…if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m paying him, he probably would have boarded a plane and left my ass out to dry…he can’t stand me right now and I honestly understand why. 

“Oh and Macki said she doesn’t want to go to beach, she hates the sand but she said to pick her up if we plan on going anywhere else,” she told me as we got onto the elevator. 

“Alright ma, tell her to be ready around 2:30 and I’ll go back and scoop her, a nigga has reservations so she can’t be ready at 2:31, or 2:32…I need her ready at 2:30.”

“Relax Brown, she’ll be ready…come on now.”

—————————-

Without being totally recognized, we were able to leave the hotel and get to the beach in a matter of minutes, like Nima had promised…she was there, waiting on us. 

“Nima! What’s up baby girl?” I said while meeting her with a hug. After I released her, she rolled her eyes at me then diverted her attention to Ni-Ni, hugging her then assessing the damage on her leg and my chin. 

“Don’t “baby girl” me Chris, I should kick yo’ lil yellow ass for that shit you pulled at the club. I get up early this morning and see your face and Drake’s plastered all over my damn TV, and you have the nerve to bring yo’ ass out of the hotel. I swear I don’t get you nigga,” she said as she sat down at the bar and actually ordered a drink at 11:27 am. 

“Man, hush all that up. You know they’re about to pin this all on me, like I was the only nigga throwing bottles in that club. It’s all good though, I’ll take whatever charge they’re going to give later but as of now, I came to chill with my girl and my best friend at the beach, you think you can try to relax and shut the hell up for a minute?” I told her as a fan tapped me on my shoulder. I quickly turned around and felt like running all the way back to the hotel once I saw who it was. 

“Hey Chris, how are you?” she asked as she hugged me around my neck. I looked back and saw she had two body guards with her, but they weren’t necessarily following her…if I didn’t know any better, I wouldn’t have assumed they were with her. 

“Yo, I’m good ma…how are you?” I asked, trying to be polite..knowing whole-heartedly, I didn’t want to be polite. 

“I’m fine. Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?” she asked as she eyed Serenity and Nima up and down. I shook my head but played along and walked over to Serenity, holding her by her waist. 

“Serenity, this is Robyn…Robyn, this is Serenity..not that you need an introduction,” I said. Serenity quickly put on a fake smile and held her hand out to shake Robyn’s but I knew she hated every moment of this deep down inside. 

“Hi sweetie, you can call me Rih…I hate the name Robyn, and Chris should know that by now,” she said while pulling Serenity in a hug. I took off my hat and ran my hand through my curls, I can’t believe she’s pulling a stunt like this. Well actually…it’s Rihanna…I can believe it. 

“Hello Nima, how are you?” she said after releasing Serenity. Nima just nodded in her direction, she couldn’t stand her, for various reasons I don’t think I’m even aware of. 

“Well Chris, how’s Big Pat holding up?” she asked. 

“He’s good, I’ll tell him you asked about him.” 

“Okay, well look…I’m having a listening party tonight, I’ll text you with all of the information if you’re interested in coming.” 

“Nah, I’m pretty busy today…hanging out with my baby and my best friend. Good luck with that though, I hope it’s successful. Now, we have lunch reservations we have to attend to, I’ll see you around, okay?” I told her as I got Serenity’s crutch for her and helped her as we tried to make our way through the sand again. “Oh, and tell Drake I said what’s up!” I turned around and yelled back at Rih, it was childish of me but I didn’t give a damn. 

“Yellowbone baby, turn back around and come on here, always fucking with people,” Nima yelled as she pulled me by my arm. I pulled away from her and decided to take Nima and Serenity to the boardwalk, so we could spend some time at least…next to the beach. I knew I couldn’t stay where Rih was, I would be forced to do some stupid, taunting shit to her that I knew would only cause trouble. 

Chapter 23:

S E R E N I T Y: 2 Weeks Later

   After a lot of talking and persuading, my parents finally agreed to let me move to Virginia with Chris. They realized that Louisiana is just way too small and the situation would only get worse before it got better. Mackenzie is still having a hard time dealing with it but Chris promised he would fly her out any time she wanted to come. Ashley isn’t taking it so well either, she claims by her “good luck charm” being miles away, every modeling photo shoot or fashion show audition doesn’t turn out the way it would if I was there. Before agreeing to even move, I tossed and turned trying to make this decision, taking all of that into account. Then, I realized I have to do what’s best for me and if they love me, they’d understand and be happy that I’m finally at peace in my surroundings. 

   The first week after I was released from the hospital, I stayed with Mama Joyce while Chris got our apartment set up. He claims it’s strictly “my” apartment but I find him sleeping over every night after I moved in on Sunday. I now attend the same school Austin attends here in Richmond and I completely love it. I only have two classes because of me being so much more advanced in Louisiana from early bird and night school classes. I’m finishing AP calculus and psychology, which are two amazing classes. Actually, Richmond VA is pretty amazing all by itself. I don’t know if it’s just because I’m in a new place and everything feels and seems so new to me, or because this is just the way things go in Virginia. Since I’ve been here, I’ve made quite a few friends and associates. Everyone at school is so friendly and display much more “Southern Hospitality” than the kids in Louisiana ever did with me. Another good thing about living here is the fact that Chris isn’t that “big of a deal” here. I mean, he still has pretty hardcore fans but almost everyone here has met him before. I found it refreshing for these people to know I’m his girl friend and not make any judgements or treat me any differently. I love it here, I really do. 

“Aye babe, come here for a second,” Chris yelled from the living room. I rolled my eyes to the ceiling before getting out of bed. It’s Friday night and all I want to do is sleep. I’ve stayed up long enough already just doing homework so I wouldn’t have to do it during Spring Break. 

“What do you want Christopher?” I said as I came into the living room. His eyes were bloodshot red as he stared intently into his computer screen. 

“What do you think about New York for your Spring Break trip?” he asked as he lowered me down onto his lap at the computer desk. A while ago, I would have gotten right back up but after losing 40 pounds within a 4 month radius, I no longer worry about stuff like that. 

“I love this hotel ma, I stay here almost every time I’m in New York. I know you’ll like it too,” he said as he pulled up a beautiful 5-star hotel and showed me pictures of the beach that was nearby, we’d have an oceanfront view. 

“Oh my gosh, of course! I’d love to go to New York! I could use the beach right about now,” I told him. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved the beach. It helps calm and soothe me, it helps to clear my head. Just looking at a picture of the beach can have the same effect. 

“Well then, it’s settled. Go pack your bags baby girl, we leave tomorrow around 3:00 pm. You don’t have to worry about packing a lot of stuff, you know you’re probably going to get a new wardrobe out there anyway,” he said as he kissed my cheek then cut the computer off. He then held my hand and led the way upstairs. Instead of packing like we both should have done, we fell into bed. Like he’s done for the past two weeks, he wrapped me in his arms as I lay my head on his chest, it was the beginning of a beautiful routine. 

“Can we fly Macki out to New York?” I asked Chris as I watched him doze off, I decided to interrupt his sleep just like he did mine. 

“She already knows and has a ticket, she leaves tomorrow at the same time. Now, carry yo’ ass to bed Elizabeth, we have a long day ahead of us. Good night ma, I love you,” he said as he used a finger to lift my chin so were face to face. He then sealed our night routine with a kiss. 

“I love you too Maurice,” I told him before drifting off to sleep. 

_____________________________________________

   The next day, Chris and I got up at about 11:30 am to do a little packing then head to his mom’s house so she could drop us off at the airport. I’ve never been so happy to dress in sweats and a hoodie than I was today because the airport was extremely crowded due to everyone traveling for Spring Break. I saw a few friends from school there but for Chris’ sake, I decided to lay low. No one recognized Chris until he made the fatal mistake of taking off his snapback and everyone caught a glimpse of his curly, blonde hair. Even then, it wasn’t totally unbearable to deal with. The fans that recognized him were really sweet and didn’t make a big scene or cause any extra or unwanted attention to him after he signed autographs and took pictures discreetly. 

“Are the fans going to be as nice as those little girls were?” I asked Chris as we got off of the plane and stepped onto the grounds of New York City. 

“Nah, not at all. That’s the only reason Big Pat and Steve are here,” he said as he nodded at Big Pat once we made his way over to us. 

“Ms. Serenity, looking good girl,” Big Pat said as he swooped me up into a hug. I heard Chris clear his throat which caused Big Pat to quickly sat me back down on my feet. 

“Chris, relax yo blonde head ass before I drop kick you nigga. You know I don’t play that,” Big Pat said as he picked up our bags then headed to the all black Range Rover that waited for us in an unoccupied parking lot. 

“Yo Serenitaaaaaayyyy! What’s good girl?” Steve’s country ass said as I got in the car. He can’t pronounce my name correctly for the life of him. 

“Nothing much, what y’all been up to with all of this time off?” I asked them as I buckled my seatbelt then swung my legs over Chris’. Thanks to that long plane ride, my legs were killing me. With Chris having the tendancy to be a complete asshole, I thought he was just going to push my legs off of him but instead he started to massage them. I had to make a mental note of that, how he’s been going the extra mile to show he’s not the same guy as before. 

“Man, just because we ain’t with Chris doesn’t mean a nigga isn’t working. I still do other side jobs, a nigga got to eat, right?” Steve said. I just shook my head, agreeing with him. I wasn’t in the mood to talk anymore, jetlag was starting to hit me. 

“Aye Pat, head to the salon so Serenity can get her hair done and then swing by the hotel so I can drop the bags off before we go pick up Macki,” Chris said. 

“Wait, what? What salon? Why can’t I go with you guys to Get Macki?” I asked him. 

“Relax, I already made your appointment and these upscale ass salons hate it when you cancel on them. So, go in there and get one of them $600 weaves or whatever you want and I’ll be back in an hour, hopefully with Macki,” he said as we pulled up to the salon. He handed me his credit card the leaned over to kiss me. I’m definitely not use to this lifestyle, I’m not use to being able to travel whenever I wanted to, or splurge hundreds of dollars on my hair whenever I wanted to. Compared to others, I consider my family wealthier than others but it still doesn’t compare to this. As crazy as it may seem, I don’t think I’m ready to lead a life like this. 

………………………….

C H R I S B R O W N:

  After Big Pat and I dropped the bags off at the hotel, we raced back to the airport to pick up Macki. She kept blowing my cell, telling me she was bored and for me to hurry my ass up, and like a dumb ass, I acutally picked up my speed. Once we got to the airport, Big Pat went inside, holding a big, white poster that read “Macki, bring yo ass on” in bold, black lettering. I would have done it myself just so I could see the look on her face but I’ve had enough of the airport paparrazzi for today. Five minutes later, Big Pat emerged from the building with a pouting Mackenzie at his side. I fell over laughing at her face, I knew that poster was going to irritate the shit out of her. 

  “Why did you let this nigga come in there with a poster like that? After I walked over to him, everyone knew I was Macki and laughed at the sign, people even took pictures of it. Ugh, do you ever think Christopher?” she said as she slammed my door shut. 

   ”Aye, chill out girl. It was just a joke. You keep playing and you’ll be at the beach and the club later on today looking a hot ass mess. Or, you can calm the hell down and I’ll take where Ni-Ni is to go and get one of those expensive ass weaves,” I told her as I tried to catch my breath from laughing. 

“Whatever Chris, you get on my damn nerves,” she said as she directed her attention to her phone. I did the same and noticed I had two missed calls from Tyga. This nigga never calls me, especially not back to back…so something is up and I quickly pressed the call button to hit him back. 

“Yo Mike, what’s up man?” I asked him as he answered the phone. I heard a lot of commotion in the background and instantly thought he was in some sort of trouble. 

“Chris! Chyna, Chyna, Ch-Ch-Chyna just had my son! I’m a dad Breezy! I’m holding him right now! Man, you don’t know how good this feels right now. He looks just like me!” he screamed into the phone. I was hoping his son was awake, if he wasn’t…the amount of crying Tyga was about to endure by waking him up would be enough to make anyone scream. 

“Congratulations Tyga-Tyg! What yall name him?” I asked. 

“King Cairo Stevenson my nigga!” he yelled back at me. I couldn’t help but laugh, he’s never been this happy about anything…ever. 

“You just had to use Last Kings as a reference for my nephew’s name, huh?”

“Hell yeah, that album was a fucking success…just like my child will be when he’s older. Enough about me though, how’s Serenity?” I consider Mike my brother, therefore…I tell him everything, including what happened with Ni-Ni and the bullshit Tiff keeps pulling. 

“She’s good man. She loves it in VA, I’ve never seen her so happy,” I told him. 

“That’s good, tell her I asked about her. Now, what’s going on with Tiff…is she having your child..or what nigga?”

“That’s what she says man. Honestly, I feel like it’s a bunch of lies though. I don’t remember the condom ripping or tearing that night…so I really don’t feel like this kid is mine, it’s Kevin’s.”

“Now Breezy, we both grown ass men, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Then you know damn well that’s a dumb-ass, high school ass excuse to not claim your seed bruh. I paid attention in sex education class and if you did too, you’d know that—-I’m not going to even go into detail about that BUT, you know condoms aren’t 100% semen proof. You knew what you were signing up for before you did it my nigga.” Fuck! He’s right, he’s always right. 

“Aight man, I feel you. I know you and Chyna moving back to California with lil’ man soon, I’ll come visit when yall get straight. I’m ready to go kick it with Trigga in minute though, I’ll hit you back later,” I said before I hung up the phone and shoved it in my pocket. 

“Trigga? You mean Trey Songz? Let me go with you!” Mackenzie said as we pulled up to the salon, I looked through the window and saw Serenity in the chair, no where near finished. 

“Macki hop yo’ ass up out this car and go get that wig smoked girl,” I said as I reached over her and popped her door open. She rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue like we were in elementary school again before getting out of the car. I shook my head and quickly changed places with Big Pat so I could swing over to Trigga’s hotel room. Once I tweeted about being in New York, he asked could we link up and I was down. Trey has always been my nigga, just seems like I hang with more rappers than I do with singers, like myself…nothing against him though. 

__________________

  I was thankful for security being all over the place thanks to fans hearing about Trey’s stay at the hotel. I was able to be escorted to his room without a single soul seeing or recognizing me, life is good. 

 ”Breezy! The Prince of VA himself! What’s hannin’ baby?” Trey said as he opened the door and dapped me up. 

“Haha, that’s you man but nothing really, out here grinding…the ususal. What’s popping with you?” I asked as I sat down on the sofa. I noticed he had a bottle of Ciroc and blunt sitting on the table, this nigga was in here having a party by himself. 

“Nothing, at all man. Just working on this new album, you heard the single, right?” he asked as he took a sip from the Ciroc bottle, then lit the blunt. He passed the blunt over to me but I declined, a nigga not trying to go to jail behind a failed piss test. 

“Yeah, shit is smooth bruh. What you trying to do with the video?” I asked him. 

“That’s where I need your help man. I’ve seen the Slight Work video and it’s genius. I need you to produce my video. You can have full range of it, let your creative juices flow my nigga. There’s only one thing that has to be permenant through out the video.”

“And what’s that Trigga?”

“Kelly, Kelly Rowland has to play the leading lady.”

“Kelly? Kelly from Destiny’s Child? Bruh, what’s with you and Kelly? Why aren’t yall together already?”

“She on some other shit. She claims I’m too young, she’s only 4 years older though. It’s pure bullshit but trust and believe, a nigga is not giving up!” he took another chug of the Ciroc and stood up, unsteadily. I looked at my watch and knew it was time for me to bounce too. It’s 7:00 pm already and Serenity and Macki still need to go find dresses for tonight. 

“Aight man, we can talk business a little later, tonight…we popping bottles!” I said as I dapped him up once again before leaving. As security escorted me back to my car, I called Serenity. 

“Boo, you and Macki done yet?” I asked her as I pulled out of the parking lot, Big Pat and Steve eyeing me at the way I called Serenity “boo,” not too sure I give a fuck though. 

“We’re almost done, well I’m done…Macki should be finishing up soon,” she said. 

“Alright, well I’m on my way over there. See you in a few beautiful,” I told her before hanging up. 

“Man, don’t ever call Serenity and speak all that lovey-dovey ass shit while I’m around, I almost threw up,” Steve said from the back seat. I noticed he didn’t have his seatbelt on so I pressed hard on the gas and swung the car into a right turn. This nigga literally flew to the other side of the car, I was pleased with myself. 

“Now, just sit back there and shut the hell up,” I told him as I looked at him through the rearview mirror. He flipped me a bird before settling in and buckling his seat belt. Big Pat and I laughed for a good 5 minutes until I pulled up to the hair salon. Big Pat got out first and then made his way to my side, shielding me from the few girls that I’m almost positive would have went crazy if they could see me. I looked back and laughed at Steve, his salty ass stayed in the car. 

  I knocked on the door and waited for Nima to open it. Nima is the owner of the salon and one of my good friends. We don’t talk as often as we use to because we both are always so busy but I know that if I ever need anything, I can go to her and vice versa. 

“Yellow-bone baby! How are you!” Nima said as she opened the door and hugged me. I rolled my eyes at her childhood nickname for me, mainly because she’s almost two shades lighter than I am. 

“I’m cool Nima, how are you? Doing it big I see, business is going good I’m guessing?” I said as I sat down in the chair beside her station. Once Nima told me she wanted to be this upscale, hollywood, celebrity hair stylist, I went ahead and paid for the salon and helped her out with anything else. I don’t normally do it, but because I knew how bad she was willing to work, I didn’t mind helping. 

“Yes, business is going well Christopher. I see things are going well for you too. Baby girl in the back told me all about you, she’s sweet and couldn’t stop smiling as she talked about you. She’s a keeper my little love muffin, she really is and you bet not fuck it up,” Nima said as she threw the clip she had in Macki’s hair at me. I threw it at Macki, just to piss her off. 

“Hey now Yellow-bone, don’t fuck with my customers!” she said. I just ignored her as I saw Serenity emerge from the bathroom. She looked beautiful, her hair was long enough on it’s own so I was glad she didn’t get a lot of that weave shit put in, it looked naturally curly and fit her face perfectly. 

“Hey baby girl, you look beautiful and as soon as Macki is done we can go and get you both dresses and shoes for tonight,” I told her as I wrapped her in my arms and lowered her down on my lap. 

“What about the beach Chris? I thought that’s mostly what we came here for?” she asked, poking out her bottom lip, hitting me with that damn puppy dog pout. 

“Tomorrow is your day Serenity, we’ll do whatever your little heart desires, I promise babe,” I told her. 

“I hope that heart desires bringing Nima with yall! After today, I’m on Spring Break too!” Nima said as she took the cape looking thing off of Macki. I had to give it to her, Nima is talented. 

“We’ll see about that. Here, ” I said as I got my credit card from Serenity and gave it to Nima. I looked down at Serenity’s hands, then Macki’s and noticed they both got their nails done but Nima only charged me for the hair. I hated when she did that, I know we’re like family and everything but I’m the last person she should be worrying about giving a discount. 

“Alright, thanks babies. Come back and see me soon,” she said as she hugged Serenity and Macki. They both agreed then walked out of the door. I took a smaller stack of about $500 out of my pocket and placed it in her apron. 

“Chris, I don’t need thi—”

“Nima shut the hell up and take it, I’ll call you tomorrow and see what we can set up for the beach. Until then though, be breezy!” I said as I hugged her then quickly ran out and into the car, thankful no one recognized me. 

_____________________________

“Serenity, Macki…can yall bring yall asses on! I’d like to get to the club today, not tomorrow,” I yelled in the bathroom. They already had their dresses on, they were just putting on makeup now, which seemed like it was taking hours. 

“Calm ya tits Breezy, we’re ready,” Macki said as she pushed past me and out of the bathroom. She looked like a whole new person, it may be because I’ve never seen Macki out of sweats and UGGS but either way, she looked nice. Serenity was next to exit to the bathroom and she almost made me choke on the damn mint I just placed in my mouth. In my opinion, she looked better than Beyonce, Kim K, Kelly Rowland, Nicki Minaj, Kae, and Rih. I couldn’t believe the girl standing in front of me was mine. 

“How do I look?” she asked as she turned around slowly. 

“Let’s just say you can’t leave my side tonight, not looking as fine as you do. Every nigga gon’ be at you and I can’t have that,” I told her as I got her coat then lead everyone out to the hotel room with Big Pat and Steve waiting. 

———-

Minutes later we pulled up to the club and the flashes of cameras immediately showered over me and the rest of my party. I think Serenity became use to it but Macki…not so much, she tried hiding behind Steve all the way into the club. As we entered the VIP room, I saw Trigga and a couple of my other niggas. I decided to go and introduce Serenity and Macki, since Macki was so interested in meeting him anyway. 

“Trey, I’d like you to meet my girl Serenity, and her friend Mackenzie,” I said as I pushed Macki more so in front so she was inches away from Trey. She avoided freaking out and screaming by cuffing a hand over her mouth. Trey slowly removed it and swooped her up in a hug before shaking hands with Ni-Ni like a real nigga should. He’s the only one that has respected me enough to keep their distance from MY girl. 

“Nice to meet you both. This here is my homie Meek Mill and right there is my lil dude Kevin Hart,” Trey said as he pointed to the people I already knew, the introduction was more so for Serenity and Macki. 

“Y’all are more than welcome to stay in the VIP with us, we only have a few others coming so we just chilling for now,” Meek said as he ordered two bottles of Ciroc over to the table. I excused myself from them and made my way over to the bathroom with Big Pat, Ni-Ni and Macki took up all the time in the bathroom at the hotel and I totally forgot I had to piss.

As I made my way to the bathroom, I heard someone calling my name continuously. I tried ignoring it so I could get to the bathroom but it became annoying so I just turned around and looked over Big Pat to see this fruity ass nigga calling me. At one point, Drake was my nigga…it wasn’t until after that fool started fucking with Rih that I couldn’t associate myself with him anymore. 

“Breezy, what’s up man?” he said as he finally caught up to me and held his hand out for me to dap him up. I just looked at it, like it was a foreign object or something. 

“Nigga, what the hell you want?” I asked without looking at him. 

“I see your new girl over there, she’s cute as a button. You should introduce her to me, not that it matters…I could still take her the same way I took Rih.” Big Pat stepped in front of me as soon as he saw my fist ball up. This nigga was brave, I can’t believe he actually tried that. Big Pat just spun me around and pushed me into the bathroom. I splashed water on my face, took a piss then came out, thanking God Drake was no longer around, if he was…I would have definitely done some shit I’d regret. 

“You okay baby?” Serenity asked as I got back to the VIP section. I just shook my head and poured me a cup of whatever Macki was drinking on. They carded her and Serenity before we got in but no one keeps track of the underaged in the VIP section so Macki was already having a good time. 

“Yeah, I’m good ma, you having a good time?” I asked her. She shook her head then pulled me up so I could dance with her. I then saw a waitress walk past and without thinking, I did something I probably would have been better off not doing. I called the waitress over and told her to take a bottle of Nuvo to Drake’s table with a note on the back of a receipt I told her to give him. : “Here’s a bottle on me, drink up my nigga…it must be hard coming in second all of the time. Couldn’t have Nicki until she probably stopped fucking with Wayne, and you couldn’t have Rih until she stopped fucking with me.” 

I don’t know why I did it. I could have sworn I was done with stooping down to these nigga’s levels but I couldn’t let this Canadian ass nigga play me like that. 

“Who did you send that to?” Serenity asked me while I tried putting my mind back on her and having a good time. 

“Just an old friend I ran into. You want anything to drink? No alcohol, you need to tell Macki over there to slow up too,” I told her as I looked at Macki, she was already slump, talking to Trigga, probably annoying the hell out of him. 

“Yo Breezy!” I heard someone yell, no sooner than I turned around to see who it was, I saw a bottle go flying through the air and as it hit the ground, it scattered all over the club, making a loud noise. I didn’t know what the hell was going on but seconds later, another bottle was thrown, this one hitting ground then bouncing glass fragments up, cutting my chin. I pushed Serenity over to Macki who was now under Steve without thinking. I picked up an empty bottle from my table and looked out into the crowd, seeing that nigga Drake trying to sneak to the bathroom. I bet he was the one that threw the first bottle, so I threw my bottle up in the air…he saw it coming and dodged it..letting it crash on the floor.

By that point, the crowd was going crazy…people were trying to leave while other people were joining in on the bottle throwing. I didn’t even blink good enough before another bottle came cascading my way. Big Pat pushed his way in front of me, taking me down to the ground while the bottle hit him. All I saw was blood on his white shirt, I couldn’t see where it was coming from but I knew we both were probably cut. Another bottle flew and I heard a scream coming from my VIP section, I looked over and saw Steve holding a towel to Serenity’s leg. Once I saw him turn the towel over and blood had completely saturated it, I lost it. I came from up under Big Pat’s grasp and started throwing everything, empty bottles, half empty bottles, full bottles..everything. I no longer saw Drake but I saw niggas from his party, they kept throwing bottles along with everyone else in the club. 

“Breezy, we have to go man,” Big Pat said, I noticed his words were slurred and I finally took the time to look at him. His face was drenched in blood that looked like it came from his head…I took a closer look and saw he was pretty much sliced all around his head, I could peel back his scalp if I wanted to. That’s when I realized he was losing a lot of blood. I took off my shirt and tied it around his head as best as I could, trying to put pressure on it to stop the bleeding as I held him steady while we walked through this war zone. I then raced over to Serenity, Steve was able to pick her up and carry her out of the club while Trigga helped get Macki to the car. The paparrazzi didn’t let up, even though they could clearly see people were hurt so I pushed my way through, trying to get everyone to the car so I could get to the hospital. I couldn’t wait for an ambulance to get here, he’d never be treated because they’d never get here in time. 

“What the hell were you thinking man?” Steve yelled from the back seat. I don’t know, I honestly don’t know what was going through my head at the time.