Seriously? Settle Down.

"This is the third letter this week. I don't think he's giving up."

"It's only Wednesday, he'll give up soon."

"Have you thought about how you're going to turn him down?"

"Who said I was going to turn him down?"

She smiled up at Lauren who was currently doing her eyebrows. Lauren tilted her head in confusion as she looked down at Nicki. Nicki pointed to her face and she shook her head as if she was coming out of a daze. 

"So, you're going to say yes?"

"Yes, I am, but I want to go on those dates with him. He really got under my skin not being there."

"I could tell, but I heard Candi told you to stop going."

"I'm grown."

"Alright, Nicki."

Lauren simply stated not wanting to hear her mouth. Nicki did as she pleased and all her friends knew that, so most of the time they just let her have it. Lauren finished filling in her eyebrows then passed her the mirror. She looked it over then smiled at her reflection.

"Thanks, Babe. I owe you."

"Where you going?"

"To meet with Webb."

"Really?"

"Yes, He called me today and said it was urgent that I get to him."

"Be safe Nic. You should call Safaree and let him know atleast where you are."

"Bye Lauren!"

She waved her off and quickly exited her bottom floor apartment. She loved that her friends cared about her whereabouts and safety, but she was grown just like them and she could handle her own. She didn't know why Webb wanted her to meet him at this place called the Shack in Brooklyn, but she wasn't turning back now. She pulled up to the front and parked her car. She noted the red BMW on the other side of the lot that sat next to a Baby Blue car. 

She walked into the dark place where only candles were lit to guide her way. Nicki slowed down once she got far into the and saw nothing but walls and a door at the end of the hall. She didn't know whether to turn back or keep going. She chuckled feeling like nosy ass white people in a hunted house with their killer stalking them. She jumped feeling a hand touch her arm. She looked up to see Safaree. She rolled her eyes and huffed at him scaring the shit out of her.

"What are you doing?"

"Webb invited me here and you up here walking like a snail. Move it."

He said with attitude. She could sense that it was towards her by his lack of eye contact. Any other time, he was staring her down just because he had the balls to stare back and not be intimidated by her look. They made it to the door and opened it to see Webb sitting behind a desk and a guy behind the door guarding it as if it was his life.

"Sit ya'll asses down."

Safaree didn't move a muscle until he saw Nicki went to do what he said. Safaree shook his head and helped Nicki back to her feet then leaned over and whispered into her ear.

"Don't listen to him."

"I'm scared, Faree."

She whispered back before pressing her body into his. He looked up at Webb, who looked even more angry as he stood his feet. Safaree grabbed Nicki's arm and pulled her behind him. He knew this day was coming and he was surprised it took this long.

"So you bedding my bitch? And that little ho is in my best friends bed? Explain man what's up with the betrayal?"

"Webb, nigga, you know this ain't no betrayal shit. I didn't betray you and we haven't slept together, so chill thinking I disrespected."

"You disrespected when you pursued my ho!"

"Chill with the disrespect, son, she isn't a ho."

"Don't tell me to fucking chill, son. Ya'll both disrespected me! When this fuck shit started? Creeping behind my back and in my home acting like ya'll didn't know each other!"

He screamed getting angrier. Nicki had stepped from behind Safaree and was now staring Webb down. This was a whole new side of him that she didn't like. The fact he could so boldly call her a ho as if she wasn't standing there made her mad.

"Nobody was creeping, son. Nothing has happened between us that we ain't talked about. You acting different cause you see a real nigga in her life? You want her back? That's what it is?"

Webb chuckled as he placed his hand under his desk. Safaree had been told Webb about Nicki and him. Then he was like fuck her and all kinds of shit, but now that he really saw that Safaree was feeling her feeling her, he wasn't having that.

"You got a lot of nerve ho."

"You got one more time to call me a ho before you get fucked up in your own shit."

"Oh, so this nigga got you feeling yourself like you can talk crazy to me."

"No, but you've lost your fucking mind thinking you gone keep disrespecting me like  I'm not standing right here."

She laughed as her body temperature rose. She wanted to fuck him up right now, but she knew Webb and the shit that was in his desk. He lifted his hand and placed the steel on the table then sat down.

"Ya'll think ya'll gone play me? Naw, ya'll both got the game fucked up."

"You're that mad that you'd kill us?"

"Ya'll niggas betrayed me and that's why ya'll not leaving out of here alive."

Nicki huffed knowing Webb wasn't going to do a damn thing to her. Safaree knew differently though and if he didn't think quick they would both be in body bags. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it before looking at her. She had this smug look on her face as if she knew something he didn't. 

"Webb, do it. I dare you."

"Nic?"

"You're so mad because I actually moved on. Do it!"

"Don't temp me bitch!

"You won't do shit. We betrayed you, but you knew exactly what was going on when I moved in with him! You didn't give a fuck then why all of sudden you care?"

"Stop fucking talking."

"It's because you see him doing shit for me, you could never do, you see me doing shit I never done with you... You love this! Your punk ass is fucking jealous. You've always been jealous of him and now you're jealous of us, bitch ass.."

Safaree pushed Nicki to the floor as Webb aimed to shoot at her. Her heart dropped, but her mind went straight to where she knew the other gun was. She crawled over to it as Webb continued to try to aim and shoot at her. She reached behind the bottom book shelf and grabbed the gun and threw it over at Safaree as a bullet hit the pot next to her. Safaree grabbed the gun and stood up quickly and pointed it at Webb, who kept his aim on Nicki.

"Put it down, SL man... Put it down!"

"Webb, don't play like you don't know I can kill you with one bullet to the head and get off a free man. Stop aiming at my lady and be a man and aim it at me."

"Faree.."

"Nic."

He answered her without looking. He knew what he was doing. Him and Webb both learned to shoot guns early together, but like now, he was always messy with his aim. Webb dropped the gun and Safaree went over and grabbed it. He threw them over in the bin by the door and stepped over to Webb, who was crying.

"Yo, I didn't know ya'll was really trying to make a one-night stand into a relationship, yo."

"I told you, I never fucked her and you knew in your heart I wanted her to myself, Webb stop trying to act like the signs weren't there."

Nicki stood to her feet and walked over to where they stood and wrapped her arm around Safaree. He kissed her forehead then looked at his friend.

"Webb? The world ain't over... I'm still gone have your back.. Just calm down."

"I'm cool, congrats my friend. You got you a good woman, treat her right."

"I plan to if she let me."

He looked at her and she rolled her eyes. She wasn't ready to give him an answer. He wasn't getting one either, so she looked the other way ignoring him. He chuckled then looked back at his friend who was sitting in the chair now just looking like a sad puppy. Nicki turned on her toes as she followed behind Safaree, who grabbed the bin with the guns and carried them out with him.

"What are you doing with those?"

"I'm going to clean them, get a search done on them then turn them into the police."

"Won't you look suspicious..."

"It would be suspicious if I let you do it, everyone knows I'm a good guy."

"What are you saying about me?"

"You're a bad ass girl."

He chuckled at her face turning up as if he had offended her. She bust out laughing with him as he walked her to her car. She looked up at him then patted his hand that was on her open door. She sat down and let him close the door for her. She rolled her window down and leaned back a little on her arm rest.

"Thank You."

"I'd lay my life on the line for you."

"That's why your last relationship didn't last, stop being such a soft ass and moving so fast."

"Damn, hurt a coon's feelings."

"Whatever, get off my car."

"Gimme a kiss."

"You're good."

"Your hero can't get a kiss?"

"My hero, shouldn't have been playing me these last few weeks. Pay backs a bitch."

"What?"

He asked stepping back as she started her car.

"You owe me until then the answer is no."

"I guess, you'll be waiting then."

"Oh."

He nodded then stepped all the way back. She finger waved him back over and he smiled walking over and bending into the car with his lips puckered. She smiled then grabbed the letters out of her purse and smashed them against his face. She laughed as he stepped back grabbing the papers then she pulled out of the lot and headed back to her house.

Safaree crept into the house and walked over to her room. He pushed the door open and watched her sleep for a few minutes. It was dark in her room, but the light coming from the bathroom. He stepped inside and took off his shoes and sat them neatly by the door. He looked up and she was still sleeping. He placed the flowers down on the dresser near the door then pulled off his jacket and placed it on the dresser after picking up the flowers. He looked over at her, to see she had turned over on her side with one hand under the pillow and the other between her legs. He chuckled as he walked over the bed and got in next to her. He put his hand on her thigh and squeezed it a little, but she didn't move a muscle besides her chest rising and falling from her breathing.

"Nic, baby."

She placed her hand that was between her legs over his mouth and shook her head. He laughed then placed his hand on her face and rubbed it until her eyes fluttered open. She simply smiled realizing it was him. She closed her eyes then placed her hand on his chest and pulled on his shirt. He scooted as close as he could get without her moving. She lifted her leg and placed it over his side.

"These are yours."

He put the flowers in her face and she smiled again not opening her eyes this time. She reached up and took them out of his hand and smelled them. She placed them down between them and grabbed his hand and put it on her hip then put her hand on his face. He chuckled at her being weird. 

"You stayed out all night?"

"You questioning me like I'm your woman?"

"You could be.."

"I don't want to be."

"Stop playing yo."

"Who said I'm playing? I told you..."

"I'll do it right, just say you'll be my lady."

"Why should I?"

"Nicki...."

She laughed, grabbed the flowers and placed them on the nightstand behind her. She pushed him back onto the bed and laid on top of him. He wrapped his arms around her and sighed as she scratched at his sides.

"Yo, stop with your long ass nails."

"When are you going to take me on a date?"

"I don't date women that ain't my girl."

"Really?"

"For real, I had everything planned out and now you playing hard to get. I like it. Naw, I love it."

She leaned her head back to where her head was in the crock of his neck. She kissed his neck as she pushed up more on his body. He grabbed her hands and held them as she got comfortable on him then started back kissing his neck. He squeezed her hands and tried moving his neck away from her, but she attached her teeth to his neck and sucked on his neck.

"You a vampire.. Yo. Get off me."

"Stop, I'm trying to seduce you."

"I'm a lady, I only give my man this dick."

She bust out laughing at his voice going high pitch. He began laughing with her as he turned over making her slid to the bed. She grabbed his arm and wrapped it around her body.

"I'll give you an answer on Monday... Night."

"After you get out of your model gig thing with Tamry? That means no."

He huffed looking down at their legs being intertwined. She grabbed his face and looked at him. He diverted his eyes to the top of the bed and she slapped the back of his head. He looked at her as if she were crazy.

"You better look at me when I'm bout to talk to you."

"What?"

"You got an attitude? Get out my bed."

"Naw, Naw, Chill, Ma."

"That's what I thought. Monday night, got it."

"That's in four days!"

"So, will there be a problem."

"You better make these pre-plans worth it!"

"You need to stop with that premature shit before I hurt your feelings worse than Lily."

"You ain't Leslie though... This is right."

He stated kissing her lips, neck then forehead. They laid there talking as the day was beginning. After they got up and decided to start their days, later than everyone else, Nicki cussed him out about the passion marks he left on her neck and he laughed it off. She didn't find it funny at all. She grabbed her make up kit and began covering it up.

"You left three big ones on me! Why you upset about that little one."

"Because your dirty neck ass can't see your hickies."

"Yo, that's foul... I wasn't too dirty, ya mouth was on me."

"Go do some lawyer shit and get out my face."

"I got a new case, want to hear it."

"No."

"Well, this girlfriend, well soon to be girlfriend and her soon to be boyfriend were chilling and she got mad because he didn't go on a a few dates with her, you think she would settle for ten first dates if they got together on Monday night?"

She smirked at his cleverness and shook her head at him. She looked through the mirror at him as he stood staring at her applying make up to the spot.

"Maybe, is he gone show up?"

"He'll pick her up in his Red Lamborghini every date night at 8pm on time."

"I think she'll settle for that."

"Positive?"

"We'll have to see on Monday."

She replied as she walked pass him out the bathroom. He laughed as he followed her out the door.

Butterfly Weeks II

[Next Week]

[February 1- 7]

Nicki looked over herself in the mirror one more time. Candi and TT were at her house helping her pick out an outfit. She had been waiting for this day since she got the note. It had been her main focus since she didn't get to see him at the meetings and at her appearances. She was modeling for an Adult Clothing line that sold dance outfits. So, she did interviews and appearances for them because she is their face. She looked back at her friends who shook their heads no at the simple black top with jeans that she had on. She huffed then stomped away from them. This had been the sixth outfit she tried on and they still didn't like it.

"What am I suppose to wear? I only have an hour before I have to go."

"What about the shorts with the overall straps and the halter top. That's cute."

"I don't want to meet up with him dressed like that. Forget it, I'll just wear some sweats and a tank top."

"Best outfit you will put on tonight."

"Whatever."

"It's so romantic that he's taking you to your favorite park."

"Remember when Nicki first met Derek."

"HA, she liked him so much and he dumped her."

They both fell out laughing as Nicki rolled her eyes at them. Nicki lifted her shirt over her head and pulled the white tank over her head. She snatched the pants off and pulled the sweat pants up and fixed the pants legs over her feet. She walked over to her bed and pulled out her shoe box. She grabbed her timberland and put them on. 

"I don't even understand how you dealt with that fool for two years."

"Who?"

"Sir, Webster."

"He promised me different from what I had. You know, I can't front like when I lived with Safaree, I still wanted Webb because even though it wasn't really real.. He showed me more attention than Safaree did."

"Safaree wasn't and isn't your man, so why would he have?"

"I don't know."

She shrugged as she stood in the mirror putting on her oversized bamboos. She grabbed the matching sweatsuit jacket and put it on. She checked herself out again in the mirror then looked back at them. They got up and followed her out the door. They were going with her because Ty had brought over a note earlier that day telling her to bring company. She didn't understand why because he would be there with her. 

"I'm in love with your house, I don't know why you didn't get it with your first check."

"You still ain't told us why you lived with Safaree so long when you been had money."

"I was afraid, to be honest. You guys weren't afraid of moving into you guys own places alone?"

"Yeah, but it was freedom and just knowing we had our own shit."

"Well, that's how I feel now, but not then. Hell, I was still hoping that Webb would come his dumb ass around."

"Woah, Miss Too In Love With Webb is calling him a dumb ass? Can I record that on my phone.? Say it again."

Candi laughed at TT's extraness. Nicki laughed along with them as they road towards the city and she parked her car. They caught a cab and road down into Queens. They all sat in the back of the cabby laughing and talking shit about their exes. 

"What are you going to do about Safaree?"

"I think you should make him wait longer... Like? Bitch, he fucked up. I want to fight that bitch for you."

"You don't even know her, hell I don't even know her."

"Sit down firecracker, but real shit you should make him beg for it."

"You got the power."

"So you guys want me to turn around?"

"No, bitch.. Lets see what's going on."

They pulled up outside the park. Ty was standing there and handed the Cab driver enough to pay for six rides there and back. He escorted them to a table where they sat down facing a screen. It was big like at a cinema. He came back to the table with a basket in one hand and a remote in the hand.

"This is for you ladies and this is for you. Press play when you're ready. Mr. Samuels said to enough the show and he hopes you like it."

"Where is he?"

"At home."

He simply replied before leaving them to the basket and large screen. She looked at them then at the basket, the screen and the remote. She decided to open the basket first and there was a plate with a note on top of it. She grabbed the plate as Candi grabbed the note with her nosey self. 

"Your favorite dish & dessert. Enjoy and Ty will take you home."

"What are we watching?"

"Let's find out."

Nicki pressed play and they began opening the food as the previews played. Nicki smiled at the Curry Chicken, rice, peas, red velvet cake and an Apple Snapple. There was more food for them that was chicken, curry & jerk sauce, oxtails, rice and peas with pound cake. There was a pitcher of water and tea to go along with it. Nicki was all smiles as they waited for the movie to start.

"Nic, this better not be no sextape... Cause...."

"We haven't even gotten that far and you'd enjoy it anyways."

"Just to see if that nigga got a big..."

"Candi!"

"Just saying, T."

They all looked up towards the screen when his voice startled them from the speakers that were sat at the other end of the table.

"Nicki, yo, I know you love pictures and shit, so I made you a video of pictures and videos. I hope you're with some friends and family or whatever when you watching this. I know you thought I was gone be there, but nah... I'm working on the next thing. Watch every minute of it and don't be crying like no little girl, man up."

He laughed then rubbed his hands together as he smiled into the camera.

"This is pretty boy Lloyd & I'm out."

The video had videos of her dancing on tour, behind the scene videos of her being goofy and annoying him while he was sleep. There was a cute little video of them not too long ago riding on a two person bike. He was behind her as they both stirred into different directions. He was pointing at the beach sign and she was pointing towards the food. She was hungry and he was playing talking about going to the beach on a cold New York night. She smiled when he finally gave in and turned his handle the way she was going.

There was loads of pictures of her dancing on stage, there was even ones where she use to dance at Dip's night club/bar and pictures of her and Faree. It was the cutest video she'd ever seen and she loved it. When it was done then screen went black then pink. White words came up on the screen and all three of the read it aloud.

"Next Saturday. Wear all pink and go to your favorite restaurant and take Ty with you. Nobody else, but him."

"What he trying to say?"

"Candi, shut up."

They all laughed as Ty reappeared with keys in his hand and an arm for Nicki to grab. The girls linked arms and they all walked back to the car to head home.

[The Week After]

[February 8-14]

Nicki laughed then threw a balloon at Dip that was filled with water. It popped and they both fell out laughing as she dropped with water. Nicki was messing with everyone in the office and had wet everyone with water balloons including Paula, who was so mad about it. Today was chill day as they went over money and spending. Of course, Safaree wasn't there and no-one would tell her where he was. She was worried, but she just let it go because asking everyone was dead now. 

"No!"

She shouted as Dip, Dave and Paula came marching into her office with water balloons. They began attacking her as she ran across the office to the bathroom dripping wet. She slammed the door, but couldn't lock it and they all piled in and continued throwing balloons at her. She laughed and tried getting out, but they had her surrounded until they ran out balloons.

Hours later, Nicki had dried off and changed clothes. She walked into Dips office and sat on her desk. They both sat in silence as Dip held her finger up indicating that she was on the phone. She was listening as the person was saying something then she um huhed then hung up.

"What are you doing on Valentine's Day?"

"That's when... Friday?"

"No, Saturday."

"Hopefully I get to see, Faree. Why?"

"Oh, we're all going out to Atlantic City for the weekend."

"That's not fair! Go another weekend."

"We will with you."

Dip laughed at the pout on her face. She folded her arms and batted her eyelashes.

"Nic, whatever. So where you going?"

"To this Jamaican Spot in Brooklyn."

"That's where he said... To meet him?" Dip looked at her confused. "He hasn't stepped foot into Brooklyn since he was sixteen."

"Well, that's where we're meeting and why not?"

"He'll let you know, I guess that's why ya'll are meeting there right?"

"I guess so."

[The Day] 

Ty had come over early in the morning and made breakfast. Nicki was exhausted as she made her way down the stairs. She had been out all night the night before with her girls. She looked down the stairs and called out to him. He placed the fork down and walked to the bottom of the stairs.

"Nicki?"

"I'm not going."

"Get ready, girl."

"Can we just do something here!"

"He's already made the reservations for us. Come eat breakfast and get ready for lunch."

Nicki came down the stairs an hour later with her hair curly. She was dressed in shorts and a baby doll top. It was already lunch time and Ty had thrown out the breakfast food. Ty was dressed in jeans and a white t-shirt. 

"Ready to go?"

"Yup."

She answered happily as they walked out to his car. They made the drive to the spot and there was a pink carpet set out for her. She beamed at the thought of seeing right now. She walked in and saw the table set for two but no Safaree. She frowned back at Ty, who just smiled and walked over to the table. He sat across from her and passed her a piece of paper that was folded smally in his hand.

"What's this?"

"A note from Safaree."

I know you want to see me, but

Like you said. I wasn't ready.

I just missed you, but now I'm ready for 

Real. Ty is going to tell you everything

You need and want to know about my family and why I don't speak about them.

"Oh, really.. So you know about this?"

"I know about everything. I'm his right hand man."

"Why can't he tell me?"

"Because unlike him, I'm not emotional about his past."

She shrugged in agreement. She didn't think she could handle him problem shutting down or crying.

"So, why isn't his mother around? Will I ever meet her?"

"She wanted him to do as she said not what was in his heart. They fell out, but they're slowly trying to become close like they were before. And maybe you will, that I may not be able to answer right now."

"Where are his sisters? His nieces?"

"Here in Brooklyn, he flies them out to his home in Philly a lot. He also spends a lot of vacation time with them and they go out to Jamaica."

"Where is he?"

She asked as the food was being placed on the table. She smiled at the plate of roti and cheese with extra beef stuffed inside like she liked it. He was good at catering to her every need without even being there. She loved his love. 

"He's home."

"Where is that?"

"I just told you."

"Ty."

"Nicki."

She huffed then stuff food into her mouth as she listened to Ty talk about the day that Safaree's father had died to the day that Safaree had finally just given up trying to get his mother to understand why he hadn't given up the riches even the home that destroyed their family.

Nicki laid in bed that night and thought about everything and how she had learned about him. She found a new peace within herself about him. She now understood why he lived in the house alone for so long and to know that he was trying to better his relationship with his mother because of her made her even more happy as she fell asleep with all that was on her mind.

[The Next Week]

[February 15-21]


Dip and Candi had come rushing over when Safaree stopped by the club. Candi was banging on the door until Nicki came to it cautiously until she saw them standing by the window peering in at her. I need to get some darker curtains for these nosy asses. She walked up to the door and snatched it open, but they gave her no time to invite them in because they had something to tell her. It was Tuesday, which was her work out day which turned into her chilling on the couch watching the men run back and forth. Candi was all smiles, but didn't speak and the same with Dip. Nicki rolled her eyes knowing that they wanted her to guess or say what.

"Speak bitches."

"So Lloyd came by the club early..."

"Looking more chocolate than ever."

"Anyways, he told us to tell you that you have a date with a beautiful lady tomorrow."

"What? Why didn't he come by here? I'm not going out until he comes and  gets me."

"I guess.."

"I'm for real, I'm tired of playing his game. He better get his self here."

"He knew you would be stubborn and give up, so he told us to tell you, that he loves you and do this for him."

"Aww, he did, but I'm still not going."

"But you'll be meeting his sister."

"His sister?"

"Yup, Shaneequa."

"Why didn't you guys say that?"

"We didn't think you were going to fuss about it."

"EEEEEKKKK, let me go get dressed."


Hours later, Nicki found herself in a mall with his littler sister. She was gorgeous with lots of long hair and beautiful brown skin. She was more beautiful in person than she was on the picture that was on his phone. His sister was a travel agent for Delta and traveled the world learning knew things to report back to Delta. She was two years younger than them and had got her connect with her brothers help straight out of high school and Delta paid for her to go to school.

"Nicki, you're so pretty. I see why my brother gushes over you."

"He does?"

"Yes, all the time, well since like September of last year."

"Your brother isn't so bad looking himself."

"Don't play my brother. You know you're digging him just as much as he's digging you."

Nicki laughed as she grabbed the door of the boutique and they walked in. Nicki admired her toned body, her beautiful clear skin and height even though they were close in comparison to each other. She grabbed Nicki's hand pulled her towards a yellow flowing dress that came to the knees. 

"You should buy this in red."

"Why? I don't like red."

"Safaree does."

"He never said he did, he has black and white cars."

"You're talking about the ones at pop's house? Those aren't his, those are our dad's."

"He doesn't tell you much about us does he?"

"No, he told me that I should get to know you guys myself."

"I'm guessing you've never seen me before this day?"

"No, he has a picture of you guys on his phone."

"Woah, you've touched his holy phone?"

She joked looking over the outfit in front of her on the mannequin. Nicki shrugged then looked at the clothes hanging up on the rack. She was looking back at the red dress and went back to get it. Neeq smiled down at the floor seeing her from the corner of her eye. Neeq liked her and texted Safaree saying how much she did as the continued shopping and getting to know each other.

"Not to be rude, but I'm glad you have you own place and money. Leslie is such a mooch. He was with her for way too long. Where have you been?"

She asked jokingly looking over Nicki. 

"I'm from Queens.. So I been here."

"You look like a Queens girl, high yellow ass."

"Oh my God, seriously? You Brooklyn bitches swear you can spot us."

"Cause we can."

They both bust out laughing in the middle of the store and everyone turned to them.

"Let's go back to my place, so I can cook you a Jamaican oxtail plate and chat."

"You guys are Jamaican?"

"Full blooded, mon."

They laughed at her heavy accent as she spoke in a Jamaican accent.

"I'm from Trinidad. Wow, he never told me."

"And you never told him cause he swears you're an American to the bone."

She stated as they placed there things on the register to check out. They stayed laughing and talking as the girl rung them up and they paid. This was the funniest day Nic had, had in awhile and she would thank them for it later.

[The Last Week]

[February 29- March 6]

Nicki had refused his offer last week and was going to this week, but he had showed up to their recent meetings which was currently going on. Nicki for some reason was irritated by his presence. It was probably because he as ignoring her beautiful existence or the fact he was just sitting there staring at Paula as she walked back and forth lecturing like always. Nicki was bored, irritated and jealous at the moment and didn't hear when she had the floor.

"Onika?"

"Yes!"

She snapped while turning her head towards Dave. He huffed then gestured to the table. She stood up and walked over to the board and flipped the paper back and showed her new ideas to them. While Paula was still trying to get her to do the cigarette ad, the clothing line and the cosmetics line, she was on to other things.

"So before the next tour, I was thinking that we start marketing in bigger areas and expanding to other countries even if I have to put most of the money up."

"Countries? You're talking about thousands of dollars just to travel not even to live."

"That doesn't matter, expanding is what we're trying to do. I can't keep doing things locally and not answering the calls of the men, who ask for me across seas. Dip, tell her."

"Yeah, she's right because when we were doing C&C, they got flown out to London one night for about 2.3Million in US money. Now that she's branched off alone, this could be doubled."

"What you think Lloyd?"

"Whatever she wants to do... She looks like she has a plan, so go with it."

She huffed a little annoyed that he wasn't saying much just going with the flow and if he looked at his phone again, she was ready to snap. He looked up then back off into Safaree's world tuning them out. He had other things on his mind.

"So what businesses are you trying to start?"

"A boutique, in Queens and if it's successful lets go for Brooklyn, Harlem and the City."

"Why don't we start in the City, first?"

"Which ever one would start off with a good look."

"Alright. So what type of clothing will you be selling?"

"Everyday clothing with the focus of dance clothing tho."

"You have a name for this place?"

"Barbz & Beyond. I did want to say Barbie, but I like Barbz better, it isn't too girly and not too regular degular."

"I like it!"

"You think we can get this done before next tour?"

"Of course, Safaree has contacts and I do too. Don't worry about a thing we'll run everything by you as soon as we get everything set up."

Dave stated grabbing his bag, Paula once again was annoyed by her sudden new found attitude, Dip smirked and nodded her head at Nicki taking her advise. After the others left it was just Nicki and Safaree. He stood up and walked over to where she was standing over the table placing her marker and food in her bag. She looked up at him then looked back down at what she was doing.

"Wassup? This how you treat a nigga when he come back?"

"Hmph."

"Nicki, yo, where you going?"

"Move."

She spoke trying to step around him. It was late and she was annoyed with him. She didn't feel like being bothered with him. He gripped her around the waist and held her between his legs as he sat on the edge of the table. She stood in front of him with her eyes closed and lips folded shut. He laughed then let her go.

"You want to be like that, then fine."

"I know it is."

"Man, seriously."

"Bye, Safaree!"

She waved him off and walked out the meeting room. She had every intention on making him wait on her to come back around. She got in her car and there was an envelope on the dashboard. She grabbed it and opened it to his ugly hand writing.

Onika, girl I be thinking about you this while month and a nigga is tired of being friends with his pillows, tired of to a house with no woman to bed, that side of the bed is cold. This month, I wanted to show you, that I was ready. Have I proved it to you or do you need more? I'll do anything to show your crazy ass. I know you love me and I love you too, if not more. You ever seen the way you look at a nigga? Make a nigga whole heart stop or skip a few beats. What's that saying... Oh, yeah.. Love at first sight. I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't instantly attracted to because I was more than attracted to you, I wanted you as mine. Fuck a friendship, fuck my ex, fuck all that past shit and lets make us the present and the future. Baby, will you be my lady?

She smiled hard exposing her dimples after putting the note back in the envelope and putting it in her purse. She wanted to give him an answer right then, but she decided against it. She was going to let him sweat it out until she felt like letting him know her answer. She pushed her visor up over her head before starting her car and headed home. She smiled at the tingling feeling that she hadn't gotten when she first met him coming back full force and caused her to squealed with happiness. He was finally all hers.

[SORRY FOR THE MISTAKES OF GRAMMAR & SPELLING]

[IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE NOTIFIED OF UPDATES, COMMENT BELOW OR @ ME @NisiCharice & I took off the verification shit and Anyone can comment, SORRY]

Butterfly Weeks

Dip and Nicki were out shopping again that week. This was the first and last week that Nicki had stayed over at her house and they had been making moves all week and going shopping as if they didn't have things to do. Dip would keep tabs on Nicki and report back to Safaree. It was the end of January and it was time for their business meeting. Of course, everyone would be there and they hoped everything was going to go smoothly. Dip marveled at the dress that Nicki had on. It was a black sleeveless, one shoulder black figure fitting dress that she had dressed up in all gold accessories and a nice gold pump.  She looked up then back down as Dip just stared as if she had seen God for the first time in her life.

"What? You don't like..."

"Bitch, if you weren't like a sis to me, I'd fuck this dress into your skin."

"Oh my... You think he would like it?"

"Bitch, he'd be stupid not to love it."

They both signaled for the girl at the register. Her eyes roamed over Nicki and she smiled admiring her body in the outfit. 

"That looks perfect on you."

"Thanks, I'll take it and any other color of this dress you have."

"Really?"

"Positive."

Dip and Nicki responded. The dress made her feel sexy and the attention she was getting boosted her ego. Actually, this week had changed her for the better. She had finally been able to live on her own and provide for herself. She had even found a condo near the home she bought for her mom. She loved it and had it decorated white and black with lots of pictures of herself on the wall, her family and one of her and Safaree.  

"Dip, we're going to be late... Come on."

"We won't, we'll make it there."

"You sure?"

"Positive, just pay for this stuff and lets go."

Nicki laughed at her now rushing her. Nicki paid for the things and grabbed the bags that had her clothes neatly folded up with a free bag if you spent over 500$ in the store. Nicki walked out the store in the new outfit and every man's head the turned to watch her. Dip laughed as a man bumped into a wall watching her. They got in the car and headed to the meeting that they were now officially late for.

Nicki was irritated that Paula once again had the floor, Safaree wasn't speaking up and Dave and Dip were just sitting there like mules. She stood up and hit her fist on the table getting everyone to turn her way. Paula rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest. She didn't too much care for Nicki anymore after their last encounter which Nicki had told her to get the stick out of her ass and stop trying to run everyone else.

"I'm not a fucking product or an object, I don't belong to shit, Paula. And from this day forward everything involving me, needs to be run by me. I'm not doing the People's interview because that's not my thing and it's not my time. The Men's magazine, I'll do and I want a new manager, new style team and accountant."

She stated looking towards Safaree. He nodded his head then wrote it down. She stepped around and headed for the board that Paula had up that was mapped out for the next few weeks, press, interviews and other things.

"I'm not doing any press, none. There's ten interviews, I'm only doing these four, I don't want to be in a cigarette commercial, I'm not promoting that. I'll do the wine commercial and I'll model for the clothing designers. Give him my measurements."

Nicki grabbed her bag and waited for anyone to say something, but none of them said anything just stared at her with amazement. Safaree had a smirk on his face as he wrote down what she had said. He knew she had the boss in her and he loved it. Nicki shrugged then walked over to him and placed her hand on top of his. He looked up masking his smirk with a straight face.

"Meet me."

She grabbed the pen from his hand and wrote down an address. He looked at her to see if she was serious and the look she was giving him read nothing short of seriousness. She placed it back between his fingers then tapped his shoulder. She looked back at everyone else around the table before asking.

"We done or you guys still want to listen to the lecture because I'm out? Safaree be there by 5 or you won't be getting in."

She clutched her purse tightly in her hand as she walked out with Dip following behind her. They both walked down the office building hall towards the elevator. The heels were irritating her feet along with the ringing of Paula's voice. Dumb bitch. She sighed heavily then kicked off her shoe one at a time and quickly stepped into her house shoes that she snatched out of her bag.

"Woah, Miss Feisty, I've never seen you like this before. I like this new you."

"This isn't new, I just let someone muse me for two years too long."

"Webb?"

"Sure."

She answered not really wanting to talk about him to tough. Dip sensed it and didn't question her anymore. They both stepped off the elevator and walked down the first row of cars then made a quick left towards Nicki's Pink G35. Once both were situated Dip began a conversation that they both weren't expecting.

"What changed you? You never been the boss leveled girl you are now."

"A good guy wanting more for me than for himself and at the same time, I'm ready to be on my own and have my own, so I don't have to depend on a nigga no more."

"Is that why you moved into your own place?"

"No, I moved in to my own place because now I can finally afford to do so and it's a new found freedom."

"I like your mind. You remind me of me."

"You? I'm far from you.."

"In the mind, you aren't. What I do with my business, you aren't too far behind, but you aren't ready for the stuff I do."

"Really?"

"Really, better ask your boy."

"Who? Faree.. Please, he's so sweet."

"You really don't know that man.."

Dip laughed while looking over at her puzzled face. 

"Safaree ain't always been the man he is today. He sweet on the ladies, but he's always been a one woman man."

"What does that mean?"

"How do you think he knows how to flip money? It ain't cause he was a cute little rich kid with a silver spoon in his mouth. His Dad was King of Crack and moving weights."

"What?!"

Nicki came to a halt in the middle of the street then made a whole U-turn because she had missed their street. Dip laughed weirdly as the car began moving slowly down the right street. Nicki looked over at her then stopped completely.

"Why doesn't he talk about his father?"

"The same reason none of us do. Nan raised us and that's our father. Back in the day, it was Safaree, Webb, Dave and I.. Leslie and Paula didn't come in until we were in high school selling crack to the other high schoolers and shit."

"Really? Safaree selling..."

"He was the best at it and most of the time all he had to do was smile that damn smirk." She shook her head. "My Dad was King of the Mafia, who sold drugs to his dad and that's how we became cool. They wanted us to marry, but I liked girls even then and he was cool with us being friends. We family."

"How did you start all these businesses tho?"

"That was the plan, always... Girl, drive."

Nicki laughed and started the car back up and headed towards Dip's house.

"Safaree wanted to be on top of shit like his father, but legally.. So he found ways to make the money flip were it couldn't be tracked down and the FEDs couldn't take none the shit he bought for his family. I on the other hand was too deep in, I'm a Mafia princess and that's with you forever even if you're clean."

"So you're clean? You still get him to flip your money tho?"

"Because I'm not clean."

She tapped her nose and chuckled. Dip was as dirty as they got. The Mafia money and riches were deep rooted into her mind, that wasn't the life she was giving up. By the eleventh grade her and Safaree had decided to go to school to be lawyers just to trick the system, but things changed once they got there. One of them had to be clean in case of a bust down and because Safaree had family and a new fiancé they decided on him. Everything had been good since then, but Webb was still heavy in the game and trying to keep them down with him. Neither of them pressured into it and kept their eyes on the plan at hand without him. 

"Lloyd's a good dude don't get me wrong, but he ain't up for talking too much about his past and family."

"He'll come around, Nan told me."

Dip simply nodded because she couldn't say  Nan was wrong. Nan was a reader and she knew people, if anything better than they knew themselves. They pulled up outside of Dip's house and sat in silence before she spoke up before getting out of the car.

"I might show you a few things or more about business and when to stick your hand in and take what's yours,"

"I'm all ears."

They both laughed as she shut the door. Nicki backed out the drive way and raced down the street towards her home. She had two hours to get ready for her visitor.

Nicki was laying on her stomach on top of him as they stared at each other. Nicki wanted to show him her new place and all the pictures. He hated the picture of them because he looked upset in it, but she adored it. She ended up cooking for them both then they watched movies and snacked. 

"Nicki, yo, move your leg off my dick."

"Small balls, I didn't even feel anything on my leg."

"Right."

He stated as she smirked while pulling herself up on his body. He laughed at her looking like a small child on his chest as she looked up at him with her big browns. He rubbed through her hair and kissed her forehead.

"I'm glad you let me come."

"You said you were ready. I'm surprised it was so soon."

"It's been a week and nigga was going nuts not being able to call you up until I was fully ready. Where we at tho?"

"Friends. You owe me, I'm not forgiving that easy. Plus, you aren't ready. You just missed me."

"For real?"

"For real."

"I'm a show you."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

She yawned then wrapped her arms securely around his neck and with in second all he could hear was her light breathing. He rubbed a finger against her jaw and looked down into her soft face. He shifted then moved over to the side gently letting her slid onto her bed. He grabbed his keys and slid on his shoes. He kissed her forehead then took a piece of receipt paper out of his pocket and wrote a note:

I left through the back door.

I'll see you in a couple of weeks.

I'm going to show you, I'm ready.

For real this time.

[The Week After] 

[January 25- 31]

Monday was a drag that morning in Nicki's house. She was doing a phone interview about what inspired her to market and dance at bars and such across the nation. The interview was going well, as Nicki's manager,  Brittany and PR, Tom sat next to her kind of coaching her on what to say and what not to say. To simply keep it short with these interviewers because they could twist things. After she was done with the interviews she looked down at her personal phone and sighed. He hadn't called in a week and it was annoying her that he didn't spend the night last time they were together. She had read the note, but wasn't expecting him to go MIA. He wasn't returning her calls, text or pages. That was annoying and upsetting her.  She couldn't go over to his place because he hadn't been there since she left and the condo was just temporary so she didn't know where he was.

"Still no call?"

"No, I'm worried.. I didn't mean to run him off."

"You didn't, he'd be crazy to run from you, he may just be taking some..."

They both looked towards the door as the bell began ringing. The person at the door kept ringing it until she got to the door. There was a man with a dark beard and a straw hanging out of his mouth. She kept the door closed and talked to him from behind it.

"Who are you?"

"This is a Sing-A-Gram for Onika Maraj."

"Huh?"

She looked out to see four more black guys come around the corner and start humming some country song. She bust out laughing from behind the door then opened it to see if there was someone else out there. They smiled then the tune changed and they began singing a harmonized version of All My Life by K- Ci & Jo Jo. She was amused to say the least as the older black guy took pictures of her then placed his camera down around his neck. He removed the fake beard and straw from his mouth to show a finely cut older guy.

"This is for you."

He passed her a card and she opened it right away. There was a sketch on the card of her and Safaree when they were in the carriage. She awed before opening it and finding an invitation on it.

At midnight be at the Park

On the fourth day of the second month.

Your favorite park.

Catch a cab and don't wear heels.

    - SLS

Realize

Safaree lifted up his leg as he sat on the gym bike. He adjusted the speed and began pedaling and watching the door for his guest to appear. He got up to 35 miles per hour and slowed down the sped back up to go up another five. He pulled off his top and threw it on the floor. His nerves were kicking in just like the first time he had encountered her in the seventh grade. When love was innoncent and they both were pure. That summer was the first time he had bust and the first time he had popped a cherry. He could remember that night like it was yesterday.. One of the only memories he actually didn't forget or force to the back of his mind. He was startled from his flashback at the sound of her voice close to his ear. 

"Hi, Baby."

"Hi, Leslie."

He slowed the bike down the reached over and hugged her tightly. She smiled as she rubbed his back before he pulled away. He stepped over the bottom of the bike, grabbed his shirt and followed behind her to the showers. He turned on the water in one of them then stepped inside of it and closed the curtain as she stood outside of it and leaned against it waiting for him to get out. He threw his bottoms out of the curtain then began speaking to her.

"Nice flight?"

"Better than usual. Where we having lunch at?"

"Marcus' spot. I was thinking we'd have some chicken fredo like old times, cool?"

"Great."

She answered as he stepped out in a towel. He looked her over then headed towards the locker room with her following close behind. He sat down on the bench in front of his locker and unlocked the lock then pulled out his change of clothes. He pulled his boxers up over his leg and to his knees before qstanding and letting the towel drop. Leslie stared at his manly penis then looked up at him. He shook his head then fixed his briefs and pulled his pants up over his waist. She reached out and touched his leg then pulled him towards her. She leaned forward and kissed his clothed package.

"Remember when I first gave you top in high school."

He looked down at her and pushed her head back. She continued to grab at him as she reached for his zipper and unzipped his pants. He shook his head no then stepped back, but she grabbed his pants rim and yanked him forward. She pushed the briefs a little and out popped his large friend. He yanked back and hopped back quickly.

"Yo, calm down... I'm not fucking you."

"You don't have to, right now. I want to make you remember how good I am."

"I don't need to alright, can we just talk first before all this."

She nodded then picked up his shirt and handed it to him. He snatched it out of her hand and in that moment, he remembered exactly why they were together. She always needed sex and if he really thought about it, she had always been like that even when they were together. Those thoughts made it much easier to let her go. He put on his watch then his fitted and grabbed her hand. She smiled happily as they made their way through the gym where everyone watched them.

Leslie had driven a cab to the gym from the airport, so they were currently in Safaree's car on the way to the restaurant. She kept staring at him as he focused on the road. She was still madly in love him and wanted to work it out because she was changed and ready to be married. She could look at him and see that he was still angry with her, but she had planned on getting him over that and had the perfect way to do so. She placed her hand on his and he looked over at her then back at the road. He shook her hand off of his and huffed. He was ready to get this over with. Why the fuck did even want to meet with her? What the fuck kind of crack was I smoking even entertaining her shit again? It was the fear of him actually moving on with Nicki without having closure with Leslie. He had brushed her under the rug back then and tried to keep her there, but he knew that was no way to handle what happen between them. 

He pulled up into the restaurant and took out the wad of money that he had stashed in his car. He smiled at the stash area being one that Nicki taught him about. He laughed at her knowing how to stash money better than him. Leslie looked at him strangely then shook it off. As they both climbed out of the car and walked into the restaurant where they were seated at their old hang out spot. She sat close and waited for the food that she knew he had already ordered. He looked over at her and put his hand around her like when they were just friends. She frowned and lowered his hand, but he put it back over her shoulder.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

"Us, Leslie."

She smiled big, but it quickly faded away.

"There is no, us... Anymore and never will be again."

"Who is she?"

"Huh?"

"The look you use to give me was the look you got when you were messing around in the car. Who is she?"

"Is that important, right now? 

"She's the reason you're changing your mind about us giving it another try."

"No, YOU'RE the reason, I've changed my mind. You're a sex addict, Leslie."

"I'm not tho, I only want you! I've only wanted you."

"Then why you fuck all them other niggas?"

"Because you weren't there! We were suppose to go to school together, we were suppose to have a family by now, you weren't suppose to leave me when I needed you the most!"

She cried wiping her face with the napkin that was on the table in front of her. She looked off trying to gather herself, but broke down again.

"You know what it's like trying to feel what you first had? You were my perfect, I fucked up, trying to find it in those other guys until I could have you again, but don't leave me again please?"

He shook his head then looked at her. Her face was really red with her mascara running down her face. He could see the truth in her face and she was telling it, but that didn't stop her from being addicted to sex. If he wasn't around at her every back and call, she'd fuck someone else for the satisfaction. 

"Leslie, you need help... Not me. I'm sorry, I did this to you. I shouldn't have taken your cherry before you were ready.. Mentally or whatever."

"Safaree, please..."

"You're good, I'll call you later about a program. You'll realize it isn't me that you want."

He kissed her cheek as the waiter came back with their favorite dishes when they were young. Her lobster tail with mash potatoes and his chicken wing platter with extra everything from fries to veggies. He placed a fifty dollar tip in the waiters hand and told him to get her a cab straight to the nearest hotel near the airport. He got in his car and headed towards his house. He kept glancing at his watch and looking up at the road. He had twenty minutes to get to a fifty minute drive to his house from there. Shit, I'm not... Oh. He thought as he grabbed his phone.

"Samuels &...Maraj Residents?"

"Ty, it's Lloyd... Do me a favor!"

"What is it?"

"Stall Nic, I need her there.. I'm still in NY.."

"Why? You didn't.."

"Not now, Ty, come on please."

"Got you."

He replied before hanging up. Living on the city lines of New York was really an obstacle right now. He knew her friends would probably be there, but it really didn't matter. He was going 120mph in a 45mph street zone. He turned onto the Highway and continued swerving and speeding towards his destination where hopefully she was still there.

Nicki was in her room packing up her clothes when Ty came in with juice, almonds and a movie. She frowned as he sat down on the bed with the tray on the nightstand. She sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at him without saying a word. She didn't know how she felt about leaving him, he was a good friend to her.

"You could always stay here with me."

"Will Safaree still be here?"

He smirked a little then sighed and grabbed the almonds. He passed them to her and she began eating them like they were going to jump out of her hand. He could tell she probably hadn't been doing much eating or was just hungry that minute. 

"You need to talk to him. You and I, both, know he's afraid... This Leslie shit was just stupid on his part, but it may bring something more clear to the table."

"Like what? That he isn't over her? That I wasted my time on him?"

"No, that maybe he wasn't going in the right direction. Home is here with you."

"Obviously it's not. He didn't even care enough to make it right."

"Are you sure?"

He asked knowingly. She stuffed more almonds in her mouth then stood up to go pack some more things into her bag. She came across a picture of them on the rooftop at the condo. It was beautiful because he was looking at her and she was looking at the camera. It was the last day of the tour and everyone wanted to go out and celebrate, but Nicki had decided to cook for everyone and they loved it. That was the first night, one of his friends had told him to wife her. She smiled, but frowned at the sound of Ty's voice breaking her from the memory.

"Don't be mad at him forever... You guys are best friends & this is a new year. That was last year."

"Just a month ago tho."

"Okay, well let's talk about..."

"I don't want to leave, I want him to realize that it's us that are meant to be."

"You don't think...."

"I know that?"

She looked up to see him standing in her doorway. He rubbed his hands together then licked his lips before approaching her. He grabbed her cheek and rubbed it as tears fell down her face. Why the fuck am I crying?

"Nicki, it's a lot with being your man and it's a lot with being my girl. I'm not trying to rush us and I don't want to slow us down either, but we're moving too fast. You aren't really ready and neither am I. I don't want to be your Webb replacement and I don't want you to be Leslie's rebound or whatever. Sitting at the table across from her made me realize that I'm sending love letters to the wrong girl. It's you I want, but there's a time for us..."

"When is that?"

"I'll let you know."

"Another seven months?"

"Nicki." He laughed. "This is what I'm talking about. Webb gave you exactly what you wanted and I'm doing the same, I don't want you to have to depend on me because that's what you're used to.. Even if you move, just be in arms distance."

"You want me to leave?"

"I didn't, but on my way here.. I thought about how I was just being Webb in a pretty boy way tho."

She smiled then pulled him closer. He wrapped his arm around her and they began kissing. She lifted up on her toes and sighed against his lips. He pecked her lips again then they looked at her stuff that was packed.

"I'm moving in with Dip. I'll be there until you're ready."

"I'll be over tomorrow to pick you up."

"No, I'll see you, when you're ready."

He looked confused at her, but her face showed she was serious. She turned around and pulled away from him. She grabbed her purse and the bag she had packed. She understood what he was saying and it was exactly what Nan had told her the day she ran to her crying. You just have to deal with the cards that are given to you, you can't play what you don't have and you don't play the best cards before it's time. Safaree was her best card and she was his and right now was time for them to be played. He walked her out to the car and helped her put her bag in the trunk.

"Don't have another bitch in my room."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I'm not playing with you."

"I gotchu."

"Call me tonight before you go to bed."

"Can I get a kiss."

"No."

She answered laughing. He leaned into the car window and she kissed his lips then his cheek. He smirked as she pushed him back then drove out of the drive way. The next few weeks were going to be interested for the both of them.

All For Show

Safaree read over the press release that Paula had issued out soon after the tour was over. It was about the relationship between Nicki and him being one of just friendship and business. Nicki walked into the living room with two cups of coca. She placed one in front of him then reached for some marshmallows. She slid to the floor before going back to helping him sort out the papers that he had collected over the last few months. There was personal papers, articles, newsletters, love letters and all kinds of other papers. She grabbed a piece of paper that had December 03' at the top with Leslie next to it. Nicki frown then handed it to him. He grabbed it then looked down at her as if he had been busted. Nicki looked away and continued to sort out the papers.

"Nicki."

"It's fine."

"Okay." He said slowly still looking over at her. He instantly regretted being a man at that moment and not caring about her feelings.

"Faree! It's not fine! You guys are writing each other love letters! What about us?"

"I don't know..."

"You don't know, seriously? Thanks for crushing my heart!"

"Nicki, hear me out first, me and Leslie had been started back talking before I even knew you... I can't help that I love you both."

"Fuck you! You were just going to keep... You love me?"

She asked realizing what he said and the way he had said it. He helped her stand to her feet and pulled her onto his lap. He sighed then looked up at her as she looked down at him with her hair flowing over her shoulder into her lap. He brushed it back and tugged on it to keep it behind her ear. Her confused face made him love her even more. He pulled her face close and kissed her deeply when things began to pick up, he turned away.

"I do love you. A lot, yo. I just don't think this is our time. I Should've told you about Leslie, but I had already told you, I was over her so..."

"You lied? Kept it a secret."

"I didn't lie, I was over her.. But she contacted me and I kind of missed her plus you said you wanted Webb back..."

"I don't want him... I want you."

She stated with her head against his head. He wiped at her face that was frowned up with tears falling down it. He sighed then cleared his throat. 

"I don't know who I want and I'm not going to lie to you about it."

Nicki stood up and stormed out the room. She didn't understand what she didn't have that Leslie did. She grabbed a bag and began putting clothes in it as angry took over her body. He is really trying to play me for a fool like I'm dumb. He walked in and shook h the grabbed the bag from her hand and she punched his chest.

"Give me my bag!"

"You can't leave, yo."

"Yes, the fuck I can! Gimme my shit!"

"Nicki... Please?"

"What do you want from me?"

"I need you here.. Please."

"Why? Why?"

"You know why!"

"Ask Leslie!"

She snatched the bag from his hand and continued to pack as he stood and watched. He had told her that he loved her being around and that she made him feel good and the house feel like a home. She closed her bag and grabbed her keys then headed for the door. He grabbed her arm, but she snatched away and continued out the door. He followed behind her and watched her leave. He grabbed his phone and called Nan.

"She left."

"Safaree?"

"Nan, she left. I don't understand..."

"What happen?"

"She found out about Leslie."

"I told you, to tell her."

"How? She gets jealous even when I talk to a stranger female. This is a woman from my past, Ma."

"Safaree, you think that matters when she loves you? If you just would of told her up front, would you be sad right now? You think she'd be gone right now?"

"No, I fucked up.. She didn't have to leave."

He stated sadly and low. He dropped down into the seat and sank into it. He listened to her speak and lecture him. He was deeply in his feelings. He knew he owed Nicki his hundred percent, but Leslie was scratching at his back wanting to be back in. Plus, Nicki had said she wanted to remain friend because she was still talking to Webb. He listened to Nan as she began to talk to a female in her background. It was Nicki and she was crying. He frowned at her voice sounding horse. He grabbed his keys and hung up on Nan.

"Nan, why does he still love her?"

"Nicki, the same reason you still love Webb."

"I don't..."

"Nicki."

"Nan, but I don't love him like Faree loves her. He would go back to her!"

"Do you really believe that? Or are you just upset?"

She asked placing the phone down. Nicki sniffled then wiped her face. She didn't believe it but she didn't not believe it because it could be a possibility. The letter was detailed about love and hopefully getting back together. She wanted him to herself and Leslie could possibly have him back because he still loved her.

"Nan, I just need a break from him. He does everything for me and his love is everything to me and that's all I want. I don't want half of him. He's scared to love me because of her."

Nan didn't say anything because if was true. Safaree was scared, but Nicki was the first woman he loved since Leslie and the only woman he cared about since his mother departure from his life. Nan touched her face and rubbed her cheek.

"He loves you, I know this... I told you to give him some time."

"How much? I can't keep doing this.. I don't want to be in the friend zone anymore."

"You're rushing a beautiful thing. Calm down."

Nicki chuckled then placed her hand on Nan's cheek. She smiled then sighed heavily. They sat down and Nan fed her and calmed her down. Nan was sweet on her and loved her to pieces because unlike Leslie, she loved him and only him. There was no games when it came to her feelings and there was none when it came to his. Right now, he was just confused by Leslie's sudden return to his life. She was his first love and she would always be, but Onika was who he wanted to be with in the long run and his heart belonged to her. He was fighting it and he would continue to until Leslie leaves for good. Nan hoped that Nicki would put her foot down in time before it grew beyond them all.

Paula had called an emergency meeting at Safaree's house. Nicki hadn't been there in a week and really didn't feel like being there, but here she was sitting a ways from him as they both listened to Paula. Paula had opened her big mouth and told the media that they were dating. They both groaned when she told them that. Nicki didn't want to be around him and all he wanted was for her to come home. She looked up to see a picture of them hugged up in a frame over the fireplace. She started to smile until she thought about where they were right now with each other.

"Look, I know you guys are friends, but you could fake it for atleast two months then break up."

"Nope. I'm moving to Atlanta soon, so..."

"When did you decide that?"

He asked sadly. Paula frowned and everything seem to be coming back to her at once. She knew this scene, she knew it too well. Dave stepped back then over as she counted to herself. Nicki rolled her eyes at him then turned towards the wall.

"Yesterday, me and Webb have decided to get back together."

"You serious yo? Over that little shit from a week ago?"

"Little shit counts when it turns into big shit!"

"Calm down, Safaree... I told you about this!"

"Paula, fuck what happen to you! That had nothing to do with me!"

"But it effected our business! Our bond! Look at this shit..."

"PAULA YOU RUINED MY MOTHER'S MARRIAGE & NEARLY MY LIFE! This ain't the same!"

"Fuck you, you both can fuck off! I'm out and I'm puillng out the deal! When that little bitch runs out and leaves you... Don't call me!"

"Safaree, bruh, fix up.. All this shit for the show. You can't keep acting when your real emotions are showing."

He repeated what Nan had told them when they tried to pretend in front of her. She could see through them just like they could now see through each other. Webb, Dave and Safaree had all grew up raised by Nan. It was Nan who tried to keep them close their families even when then didn't want to be. Safaree looked over at Nicki and grabbed her hands.

"I'm sorry, just... Come home so I can fix it and we can be friends again."

Nicki snatched her hands away from him and stood up throwing her purse over her shoulder.

"Stop putting on this act as if you really give a fuck about me! This isn't a stage and I'm tired of the act... I'll be moving out this week."

She stated calming herself as she let out what was on her heart. She walked out the door. He watched her leave again, but didn't feel like chasing her. He would let her cool down then go after her. Right now, he had to make everything right starting with Leslie.

Feeling Us

Nicki was on her last week break before the tour ended in late December. She decided to go visit her family and had convinced Safaree to come along. They were both now sitting in the car staring out the window. Neither saying anything just silently in their thoughts. It had been some years, since Safaree had been back in Queens and even longer for his travel through Brooklyn. He was beginning to regret letting her talk him into coming, but he was here and there was no turning back. She reached over and grabbed his hand and held it. She was nervous about seeing her family after not seeing them these last few months. She was kind of embarrassed to have Safaree meet them this way, but if he accepted her as is then he would do the same for her family. She scooted closer to him and kissed his neck. He turned to look at her and she smiled, she grabbed his face and turned his head towards the window and kissed his neck a little longer. When she was nervous, he was use to her touching him, but she was going too far. He put his hand between them and pushed her over. She shrugged and quickly scooted back over and this time, she placed her lips on his neck and sucked on his neck up to his ear which she nibbled on. He tried to focus and get her to stop, but his ear was his spot. His dick began to jump as she continued teasing him by sucking his earlobe then going to his neck. She was beyond nervous and messing with him was easing it. He placed his hand on his private area trying to push it down, but she scooted into his lap and continued her game. This time moving to his full lips. He sucked in a breath as she swallowed his bottom lip.

"Uh."

She pulled away and stared at his lips. She smiled at the look on his face. He was still in shock. She wiped his mouth with her hand then leaned back towards the cabbies front seat that was seperated by a plastic glass window. After coming back to reality, he pushed her over to the chair then closed his legs together and stared out the window even more in his thoughts than before. Nicki had made him hard just by her lips and that drove him crazy. What the fuck was she doing to him? Was she doing this on purpose, trying to break his rule that he told her was a no no. The car came to a stop and he nearly jumped out while it was moving. She watched him grab their shared suitcase and stood waiting for her with his head down. She could see him talking to himself or his friend. She walked up beside him and placed her hand on his forearm.

"I'm sorry, I was just... Nervous, I didn't think it was a big deal."

"Well, it kind of was.." He huffed looking away. He wasn't mad at her, but at himself for being hard now even at the look of her. He had to look away. She had changed their relationship in that moment. She knew exactly, what she was doing. She wanted him just as bad as he wanted her now. "Can we just go."

She nodded then they walked towards the house. He walked behind her like a puppy with his head down. He licked his lips as her plump ass came into his view. What the fuck? He thought throwing his head back, this can't be happening to me. His thought were interrupted by the door opening to Onika's twin. 

"You didn't say you had a sister?" 

He questioned looking at the lady behind the screen, who just looked at them. She looked just like her, but her gaze on them was much more warm than Nicki's gaze that she gave him. 

"I don't. This is my mommy."

"What?"

He choked on nothing but shock. Her mommy? He looked around and shook his head, this can't be her moms. The lady opened the door and pushed it open without a word. She simply let Onika in the house and as Safaree began to follow, she pulled it closed. He was taken back as she stared at him with anger now taking over her face.

"You the young man, that took my daughter away from me?"

"Ma'am, I..."

"No, mommy.. He helped me and took me away from Webb... This is Safaree. He's my manager and lawyer."

"For what?"

"My Dance Act. I told you mommy, I was going to be back once everything was better."

She stated excitedly. She placed her hand on her mothers and gently open the door for him. He was hesitant to walk in at first but her mother then pushed the door open wider with a beautiful smile on her face. Nicki looked even more like her as he stood facing them both. He extended his hand out to her, but she refused it and hugged him tightly. Nicki smiled then stepped over towards them.

"Mommy, I got you a surprise."

"What child?"

"Safaree helped me find you a new home."

"Huh? I can't move today honey... I..."

"You don't need anything, but your personal pictures and stuff, no clothes, no furniture or anything in this place. I got you guys a whole new wardrobe, silver appliances and I hired an interior decorator to come by and get your taste on how you want your home to be..."

"I can't leave your father..."

"Mommy, I did this..."

"We can get him into a rehab center that won't let him leave until he's well recovered, I have connections."

Safaree chimed in before the two ladies began to argue. He knew that was a soft spot for them both and in order for things to go both their ways.. Then he would keep the peace and help out. Nicki shook her head no, but he ignored it completely and turned to her mother.

"I promise, if he isn't back on the right track then I'll buy you this home, fix it up and you can come back here with him. Just at least go see the home Nicki bought you."

He pleaded staring at her. She smiled and grabbed his chin. She kissed his cheek then disappeared back down the hall without a word. He looked confused then looked over at Nicki, who was huffing. He shrugged at her and she rolled her eyes as she stepped up to him.

"Why did you promise her that? We've..."

"Because I keep my promises. Nicki, don't fuss at me like I'm a child."

He stated looking down at her. She moved over to the side then rolled her eyes as her mother walked back in with her two year old brother. He smiled big as he reached out to her. She grabbed him and kissed his cheeks as he squealed. Safaree walked back out the door as the limo rolled up outside the house. Her mother looked at them then shook her head, no.

"Mommy, it's fine."

"Onika, we're in NY!"

"So, you won't be here anymore. Come on and get in the car."

They sat around the furnished house after taking a tour of it. Carol loved it. Nicki loved seeing her happy. They decided to go back to the house in the morning to get their pictures and stuff because they would go out to eat tonight then retire to bed. Carol had called her eldest child and invited him to eat. Nicki walked towards the guest room and stood at the doorway watching Safaree transfer their clothes to the dresser then sat down on the bed and read over his messages.

"Are you staying to eat?"

He looked back then shook his head. She frowned as she stepped inside the room and closed the door behind her. She walked over and crawled across the bed and placed her hands around his body and placed them on his chest.

"You should really stay, for me."

"Nah, I have something to take care of plus, that thing you pulled earlier... Nic."

"I. Said. I. Was. Sorry!"

"Nicki, you crossed the line."

She huffed and pulled her arms from around him before he stood up. She frowned not being able to be held by him or have his affection was killing her. It had been five months and he still acted like he didn't like her. He looked at her and grabbed her face, pulling her lip out of her mouth.

"I'll be back in the morning before you guys go back to the old house, alright?"

"Sure." She answered emotionless. If he was going to have his wall up, then so was she.

"Fix your face, yo.. Call if you need me or whatever." He looked her over then pulled her into a hug. She wrapped her arms and legs around him and bust out laughing when he lost his balance and fell on her. They both looked up when Carol walked in to tell them that dinner was ready. She smiled then closed the door back.

"Mommy!"

Nicki called out as Safaree jumped to his feet. He fixed his clothes then walked out the door with her following close behind. She walked around him to hug her brother and his family. She had missed them all and just for them to be in the same home all together, made her happy. Safaree stood off to the side on his phone again. Nicki was annoyed by his physical presence being there, but not his mind. She snapped at him and he looked up at her as she nodded for him to come closer.

"This is my brother, Jelani, his wife Lisa and their daughters Kellsie and Leeah. This is my friend, manager and lawyer, Safaree."

He shook their hands then quickly turned back to his phone. He looked up and leaned into her and whispered "I got to go" in her ear. She waved him off and turned back to her family.

It was three in the afternoon, Safaree hadn't shown up like he said he was. Nicki was now irritated as she tried to relax in the bed. Her mother came into the room and looked up and down at her daughter, who was gloomy today. She could tell that this boy had a place in her heart and mind because all day she had complained about him not showing up. Then Jelani had showed her an article of a press statement that said they were dating and there was pictures of them hugged up and his hand on her thigh. She couldn't stand it because he had lied and said he wasn't going to do it.

"Onika, you shouldn't stress yourself over him..."

"He said he would be here. If it's not him missing my shows, it's him missing meetings or other things. He'll probably miss my wedding on purpose just to hurt me!"

She stated annoyed. She frowned as her mother laughed at her dramatics. She reached over and placed her hand on her daughters face and kissed her cheek. If she knew anything from vibes, she knew that the young man hadn't stood her up on purpose. 

"Did you try calling him? Maybe something happen..."

"Like, what? Oh my God, mommy."

She panicked grabbing her phone. She dialed him and he answered after the second ring. He didn't answer right away because he was talking to some female in the background that laughed loudly. Nicki listened harder and heard smaller voices of little girls. 

"Wassup? You need something?"

"Where are you? You said you'd be here this morning!"

"Damn, I forgot.. I'm sorry, do you still need me? I mean..."

"No. I guess you're alright... Bye."

She hung up before he could say something else. She was hurt and looked up at her mom, who was staring at her with sympathy. They both looked down at her ringing phone and his picture popped up. She ignored it not wanting to hear his lie or worse the truth. He went to visit his girl and kids. That's why he gave her the home, probably. Trying to keep her on tab. He had to know that she loved him and wanted to be with him. 

"Nicki.."

"No, mommy.. He's with his ex fiancé."

"I'm sorry, baby."

"It's fine."

She said turning over on her side. She grabbed her pillow and held it tight against her chest. She huffed hearing her phone ring again. She grabbed it and placed it to her ear. She smiled big at the voice coming through the phone.

"Bitch, we coming over! Don't move!"

"Candi!"

"See, you later!"

She laughed then sat up and looked at her smiling mother. She wrapped her arms around her neck and they both laughed.

"I knew you missed them... Plus, Safaree called earlier and said you might need company."

"Huh?"

"While you were hanging up the pictures, he called. I answered it and we had a good convo. Why didn't you tell me you guys were living together?"

"I know you didn't like the idea of me living with Webb, so..."

"He isn't Webb."

Her mother stated knowingly. Nicki's eyes bucked then rolled at her mother's statement. She smiled at her mother's approval of Safaree and their living arrangement.  

"What's his name?"

"Huh?"

"TT told us, she heard a guy in your background the day you called her upset."

TT raised an eyebrow as Nicki blushed putting the spoon in her mouth. They all laughed at the look on her face, but then their faces all snapped back towards the door when they heard a male's voice as he pushed the door open. Candi looked back at Nicki, who looked down as he came in then stopped seeing the women looking at him.

"I'll just come back later."

"No, come in... We were just talking about you." Candi stated as the girls fell out in a fit of giggles. Nicki was now blush red in the face as he made eye contact with her.

"Uh, okay.."

He rubbed the back of his neck and stepped back into the room. Candi pointed to Nicki then smiled back at him.

"You trying to fuck my friend?"

"Candi."

"I'm just asking."

"Uh, no."

"No? Why the fuck not?"

"TT!!"

"We're just friends... I'd like to keep it that way."

"It's 03" and niggas still doing the friend to get in your panties shit?"

He laughed at Candi's bluntness. He could tell Nicki was embarrassed by the look on her face, but she knew her friends. He smirked then looked back at Candi, who was still going on about niggas lying.

"I'm not that guy, but if I was feeling your friend, she wouldn't know until I want her to know."

"So you gone play with our girl's feelings? You know she feeling you..."

"I know, but who said I ain't feeling her?"

He asked looking at her as her head popped up. She smiled big exposing her dimples as her friends awed. Candi shook her head then snapped her fingers in a Z formation.

"How long you been feeling my girl? Cause that ass is mine Monday through Saturday."

He chuckled along with the girls laughing. Yo, shorty wild tho. He thought as he laid across the bed near Nicki. She smiled down into his face as he stared up at her. All of them sat on the Cali King Sized bed and talked. Of course, Candi kept directing her talk about Onika and Safaree. 

Later that night, Safaree came out of the bathroom in his pants and socks. Nicki had showered and was laying on the bed watching TV. He went over to the nightstand and looked down at his phone. Nicki looked back at him and smiled as he sat on the bed and tossed his legs up on top of the cover.

"You aren't going to sleep with me?"

"Nah, I'm sleeping on the pull out your mom put out for me."

"Faree."

"Watch the movie, yo."

He laughed at her pout. They hadn't made it official, but they both knew how the other felt. Safaree felt like Nicki wasn't ready for a relationship. Nicki was ready but she would wait for him to come around. They both knew it was because he was scared. He just wouldn't admit it to her, not yet. She grabbed his hand and pulled him close to her. He sighed knowing he wasn't going to win with her, so he pulled the covers back and got under them with her. She pressed her body against his and they both fell asleep comfortably for the first time in months.

The House

Nicki was on stage for the second night in mid October. It was an outdoor men's club house. It has about ten long tables and a stage that was placed in the middle. She stood firmly on it and moved her hips to the right then to the left then rolled her body forward. The crowd went wild as she began whine her hips lower then came back up and gripped the pole and used her upper body strength to pull herself up. She lifted her legs above her head and grabbed the pole with her legs and rolled her body side to side. Safaree watched from the crowd with amazement at her new tricks. He hadn't been watching her shows the last few weeks because he was behind the scenes making sure that money was right and adding up correctly. He watched as she fell down into a split then pushed up on her hands in a handstand stance. With her legs spread she flipped backwards and the music began to play as she danced around and he laughed at her using the dance moves he had taught her when they were on his rooftop at his condo. He watched a few more minutes then headed back to the office. His account and Lawyer sat on the sofa when he stepped in. They both had smiles on their faces as they looked over the computer screen they were looking at.

"Lloyd, you should really think about marketing her and this..."

He looked at the screen and looked at her as if she was crazy. There was an article about him possibly sleeping with Nicki, along with the fact that he had invested in her and that she was his new business plus some. He grabbed his phone, but Paula quickly took it from him. He knew there was more because she knew exactly what he was about to do. She grabbed the laptop and the books and showed him exactly what she was trying to do. Everything important or urgent was in red, blue was up for tossing and yellow was shared ideas or possible change. He looked over the red and frowned at the picture of him and Nicki on a celebration brunch two days ago.

"I'm not going to start a fake relationship because of the media... You know how I am..."

"But this could be a good thing! It would bring in more money because there would be more talk about it and scandal. Like? Everyone wants to know the dirt on the manager fucking the client! You guys could even do a dance duet."

She snuck in the last part looking him over. Dancing was something that used to matter to him, but now that was the last thing on his mind. Paula pushed her lips to the side and thought for a few minutes. He looked at his watch then back up at her and she began smiling before she spoke a new idea to him.

"What about the other marketing suggestions? Cookie Sastification Shirts, Mugs, VIPs and other things?"

"VIPs?"

"Yeah, we think it would nice to, you know, have her interact with her fans..."

"You want her to be in a VIP room with a bunch of thirsty niggas... Paula, get real."

"So? That's more money in our...."

"Paula, you know that's not how I do business! I need my client as comfortable as possible. And you really don't know her.... That's not a possibility."

"She loves fame..."

"Being in a room full of niggas is different from fame... Paula don't be stupid."

She sat on the chair across from where he stood and pouted. Any other time, he would go with her flow and start a marketing campaign, but this time he wasn't and she couldn't figure out why and what was happening to the old Lloyd. They all looked towards the door as Nicki rushed in with a big smile plastered across her face in her robe. She pushed up on her tip-toes and wrapped her arm around Safaree's neck. He smiled and hugged her back.

"You finally came to watch me dance!"

"I've seen you dance before... I saw you doing my move."

"You like?"

She asked looking up at him with big doe eyes. He melted seeing her face so bright and happy. Paula saw their affection and new exactly what it was now. He was falling in love with her and she couldn't have that. This was interfering with business. She cleared her throat interrupting their whispering back and forth. Nicki turned to her with attitude which they all saw, but nobody addressed it. Safaree smiled loving this new side of her. 

"I heard you guys discussing something when I came by earlier, but I didn't want to interrupt."

She looked up at Safaree and smiled with her head titled to the side. He let her go and she furrowed her eyebrows not liking the frown on his face. She looked back to his lawyer and accountant, who didn't look moved then turned back to him. He wasn't sad, but she knew he had something on his mind. She rocked side to side before huffing loudly at the silence. She whipped her head around with her body following towards Paula. Nicki vibed her and sized her up. This was the first time, she had met her and she couldn't figure out, why she didn't like her. Who is this bitch?

"Hi, Nicki... I'm Paula... I'm Lloyd's accountant and business advisor."

"Hey."

"We're just purposing new ideas to your manager. Would you like to see them?"

"Yes."

She said with a serious demeanor. She walked over to the computer and looked quietly over the documents that were on the screen. She read the article then looked back at Safaree. She turned her attention back to the screen then shrugged. She didn't really care about the article, but she thought the marketing was boring and wanted something bigger than just cups, T-shirts and such for men. She cleared her throat then stepped back into Safaree and grabbed the back of his head and pulled him down to her level. She whispered in his ear as he nodded then she tightened her robe and left out the room.

"We'll discuss it tonight then I'll get back to you guys with a contract... Write up yours and we'll see.."

Paula smiled finally getting what she wanted. She grabbed up her briefcase and stuffed everything back into it then went and hugged Safaree then left.

"What was that about?"

"What?"

"You and Shorty..."

"Nothing... She just said we'll discuss it over dinner."

"Ya'll dating? What's up, Bruh?"

"Dave..."

"Bro, you got that look again... Chill before you lay your heart out there again."

"I'm good.... It's not like that. It's just been cool to have a friend around the house..."

"She's staying with you?!"

His lawyer shouted in a questioning way. He began to pace the floor as Safaree stayed quiet not knowing if he should answer or just chill. He didn't know that he had already landed one foot in the door way of mixing business with pleasure. Any type of relationship besides the one of professionalism with Nicki was pleasure. Safaree knew this, but he couldn't shake her and leave her on the streets with nothing. 

"I can't believe you? Four years and this is when you want to fuck up?"

"We aren't sleeping together..."

"It's only a matter of time... You need to kick her out."

"Serious, G?"

"As ever... If Paula knew this... You'd be dead right now. What have we taught you? Nothing!"

"Business before Pleasure.. Money by all means, but am I suppose..."

"You could've paid for her a hotel or rented one out to her... You knew..."

"I wasn't thinking, G, but I promise on my father, we never fucked."

"You need to get her moved out before someone catches wind of this and it be all over the papers."

"Alright."

"I'm not playing."

"I got it."

He said lowly as Dave grabbed the door, shaking his head on his way out. Nicki stepped in soon after with a smile on her face. She closed and locked the door. She walked around and sat on his lap with a plate in her hand. She sat it on the desk and pulled the foil off and revealed a plate of spaghetti, garlic bread and corn. He looked at her then at the plate again. She grabbed the fork and swirled some of the spaghetti on the fork, grabbed the bread and placed it to his mouth that open and ate the foods together.

"You like? I made it for you... I know you said you love spaghetti and... Well, I can make it."

She smiled as he grabbed the fork from her and began tearing up the food. She loved watching him eat, it made her feel good that a man enjoyed her cooking. He would open his mouth to take a bite of bread the stuff his mouth with more food. He was down to his last bite of bread and spaghetti and looked at her for more. She went to put the bread in his mouth and his lips wrapped around her fingers and she slowly took them out. She bit her bottom lip watching him lick his lips. In the moment she realized how turned on by him, she really was. She stood up quickly and smirked.

"When did you make this?"

"Yesterday Night, I thought you were coming back to the condo but you didn't.. So I saved you some."

"Sorry,  I had to go check on things before tonight."

"I figured you were busy."

"So, was this dinner?"

"Yeah, you want to talk about it now?"

"Yeah...."

"I want to be in the loop of everything.... Teach me."

"Teach you?"

"Boss Shit."

"So you're ready?"

"Huh?"

"You finally growing up... I was waiting.."

"Oh, hush... Just teach me."

"Rule # 1, be in control of everything. Know what you want when you bring something to the table even if it's nothing.. What do you want?"

"A different Marketing Plan and prices... She's crazy to charge people 25$ for a fake autographed T."

"It's just to get your cut back from the money you spend."

"If you sell for less, you can double the money spent though."

"Smart thinking... What about... Marketing?"

"What about Calendar spreads, posters, lighters, beers cups... I mean, my crowd is mostly men why get them a keychain or shirt with me on it? That's not really that manly... & what about advertising though... Men's Magazines."

"You've been hiding these great ideas?"

"I've been studying you and how you do your business... I love it."

"I'll write up a contract for it... How much do you want to earn?"

"Sixty percent, twenty for you, ten for Dip and ten for the kids at the hospital."

"You sure about..."

"Positive, I know it's my dance money... But it's better than nothing."

"Alright.."

"Yay!"

She shouted feeling like a boss. She watched as he typed on the computer then backspaced a few things. She was excited about her knew found boldness. Well, it had been there, but over the course of two years with Webb had slowly turned her into her mother. Silent, letting everything just happen and not being who she really was, but Safaree made her be her and let her be her. He never judged her or got mad when she messed up. She looked down at the calendar on his desk and read over the marked dates. November 4th had Dinner Date on it. Who was he having dinner with? Probably another client or something.

"You having a meeting with a client on the fourth?

He looked at the calendar then back up at her and shook his head. She tilted her head then furrowed her eyebrows.

"Meeting my ex girlfriend for her birthday..."

"Oh, so you won't be at my show?"

"I'll be there, the dinner is before..."

"Oh, okay... What about the article? The rumor..."

"I don't think it's a good idea."

He stated not looking at her. She rolled her eyes then moved around to sit down on the desk. She looked over him then sighed as she looked over some papers that lay next to him. He smirked as she began humming and reading the article that had the picture of them walking hand in hand towards the theater before her next show. 

"You got something you want to say?"

"Why won't you fake date me?"

"Business and Pleasure... I've crossed the line already with you living with me."

"Oh."

She shrugged then looked up at him when he continued to talk.

"Have you thought about getting your own place?"

He asked looking up at her. He really didn't want her to move out, but he knew it was only a matter of time before she may end up like Paula and he couldn't afford another situation like that.

"I have, I liked that place in Atlanta... I was thinking about moving there, you know... After this Dance Tour."

"That's cool..."

"Are you trying to kick me out?"

"No. I was just wondering..."

"Maybe you should move to a new a place... I mean, that house is big for little old you."

"It's my Dad's home away from home. He spent many of nights there... Working and trying to provide for us, but he always had his whores there... That's why I can't raise a family there. It's a place of broken trust and dirty memories."

"Dirty memories?"

"Yeah, but I don't want to talk about it."

"Maybe you should, but today.. I won't pressure you."

She stated jumping down from the desk.

"One day, you'll be in my home and I'll show you a real house."

She smirked before disappearing behind the door. He laughed at her then shook his head. She was something else.

The next morning they were at the house. Nicki had decided to finally put her money into the account that Safaree had opened for her because now it had reached over a million plus tips. She walked down the hall in her swim top and skirt to his door. She knocked on the door and was surprised to see a girl come out of his room in a dress. It was a little after three in the morning and the girl was just as shocked. She quickly looked away from her and hurried down the stairs towards the kitchen. He came to the door and cocked his head to the side.

"Wassup?"

"Oh, I just... Never mind..."

"No, wassup?"

"Nothing.... I'll tell you later."

"Nic?"

"No. I'll talk to you later."

She stated awkwardly as she walked back to her room. She felt the jealousy rising in her chest and tried to fight it, but it was going nowhere. She made it to her room before arguing with herself about her feels.

"Nicki, get yourself together."

She couldn't pep talk herself, so she grabbed her phone and called her friend TT from the block. She listened to it ring and ring as her temperature rised in her body. How could he? He didn't see that she loved him? That almost every night she wanted to be wrapped in his arms and snuggled. 

"Hello?"

"TT, it's Nicki."

"Nicki, where are you? Your family has been looking for you. I miss you girl..."

"TT, I'll explain later... I really need you to find me a place to stay in Georgia."

"Georgia? Nicki... We don't get to see you as is and now you want to move down south?"

"Please?"

"Nicki, talk to me..."

She whipped around and hung up the phone. He stepped inside and reached out to her. She was crying and didn't understand why? They were just friends.

"Nic?"

"Faree, please... If you wanted to be with your whore, you could've been up front with me."

"Huh? My whore? I'm single, Nic. I told you that!"

"Why was she in your room in that little ass skirt?"

"Calm down, stop crying and shouting."

He said calmly walking up to her. He grabbed her face and made her look at him. He smiled at her jealousy. He wiped her face then kissed her cheek. She smiled a little but quickly dropped the smile and folded her arms across her chest.

"Who is she?"

"She's my massage therapist. I have her come here at two forty every morning before you wake up. She puts the therapeutic candles in your room."

"Oh.."

She smirked then looked away from him. He laughed a little then grabbed her face again and made her look at him. She smirked as he got closer to her face. She went to say something when he hugged her tightly around the neck and messed up her hair. She wiggled away from him and punch his back as he laughed at the pout on her face.

"Don't be so jealous, I wouldn't disrespect you even though I don't owe you a damn thing.. You ain't my bitch."

"Bitch? Is that what you refer to your girlfriend as? I wouldn't want to be your girl.."

"All of you are bitches.."

"And all of you are good for nothing ass niggas."

"Is that right?"

"Correct!"

"Whatever, what did you want to tell me?"

"Um... Promise you won't get mad..."

"Promise."

She walked to the bed and reached under it and pulled out the four suitcases. She unzipped them and pushed them open to show him all the money. He looked at her then at the money. It was easy a million dollars finely smooth out and wrapped in rubber bands. She pulled out her money machine that she ran her money through to count her stash and showed it to him. He smirked at her.

"So you're just sitting on 1.2 million? Plus 20 Million in your bank account.. Smart."

"This is just tips and dance earnings."

"Damn, why are you showing me this?"

"I want to add this to my money and buy my mom a new house."

"So? Just go deposit it."

"Like this?"

"Yeah, no-one will question you. I'll go with you."

"I owe you! Big time!"

She hugged around his neck tightly. He laughed then pulled away. She grabbed a stack and placed it in his hand. He shook his head and handed it back to her.

"I don't want your money."

"What do you want? You've done all this for me... How can I repay you?"

"You're already repaying me, just by being here."

He stated as he squeezed her hand. She smiled blushing while exposing her dimples. He poked one and watched her crack up. For all that mattered to him, this was their home and she could stay forever. He just liked her being there and she had even dressed up the dead house with colors and pictures. He admired her family pictures and his own family pictures, she'd found going through the attic. To him, she was this house. This was a home.