Chapter 16
“Alright, y’all. Since you loved the last unboxing video I did, I decided to do another. Now, I have a mix of designer bags that I got from my man and a few from some black-owned businesses.” I held up the boxes in front of the new camera my man purchased for me.
Once Essex saw I was taking my content creation seriously, he made sure I had all of the top-quality tools to make my videos pop. I appreciated the fact that he supported me, even though he didn’t completely understand what I was doing.
We went shopping yesterday, and he bought me all kinds of new gifts.
A part of me wondered if it was to make up for some bullshit he was doing behind my back, but I tried my best not to allow my negative thoughts to get the best of me.
We were in a good place, and I found myself falling deeper and deeper in love with him each day.
I spent the next hour recording my new pieces and telling everyone where they could shop to get the pieces from the black-owned businesses I collaborated with.
It still felt surreal to have brands pay me to promote their products.
I never realized how lucrative this business was until I got my feet wet.
I brought in no less than ten thousand a month and had made up to thirty thousand in a good month, not including my commission on certain products.
Up-and-coming designers were sending me clothes almost daily, because they knew if I posted myself wearing them, people would rush to buy them.
I never saw myself as an influencer, and it was crazy to see the way people reacted to me.
There were plenty of times when I posted links to an outfit or piece of jewelry, and the company would reach out to me, crying and thanking me for their website selling out.
While I appreciated that so many people liked me and admired my style, there were also some negative aspects that came with it.
A lot of women couldn’t stand me. They either hated me because of Essex or because they thought I was stuck-up and spoiled.
I couldn’t deny the spoiled part, because my man and brother had me rotten, but I was one of the friendliest people around.
I never gatekept anything because I wanted every woman to feel like the best version of herself.
Still, the bitches hated my guts. Rather than let it get to me, I simply continued to live my life.
I would never please everyone, and quite frankly, it wasn’t my job.
My phone chimed, alerting me to a FaceTime call. I smiled the moment my brother’s face appeared on the screen. The feeling of seeing him free was indescribable.
“Good morning, baby girl. What you got going on today?”
“I should be asking you the same question. It’s barely ten, and you’re already fully dressed with your jewelry on. What hoe are you going to see?” I smirked when I saw the cocky expression on my brother’s face.
“I don’t know why you keep coming at me like that. I’ve been chillin’ since I’ve been home. The only women I’m concerned about are the ones in my family. Speaking of which, what is my niece doing?”
“She’s at Ess—I mean, East’s auntie’s house.”
“Damn, her little butt is busier than me. Every time I turn around, she’s with someone else.”
“It’s called having a village. I love my baby, but I’m grateful to East’s family for the way they love my baby girl.
She is spoiled rotten, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
She called me this morning to show me her new braids and her new purse.
Her collection is almost as big as mine.
” I giggled, thinking about my little twin and her bags.
She was truly my mini-me in every sense of the word.
My girl didn’t like to leave the house without her hair done and a purse on her arm.
“That’s what’s up. I’m happy you’ve had people in your corner while I was gone. I tried to give East some money for his granny, but he turned me down.”
I bit my lip to hide the smile on my face. Essex didn’t play that shit at all. As far as he was concerned, we were his family, and no one else needed to look out for us.
“He takes care of her on my behalf, so that’s probably why. Honestly, she loves Noodle and me, so she doesn’t mind being there for us.”
“That’s what’s up. Anyway, you never answered my question. I see you have makeup on and a fresh outfit. Where are you headed?”
“I’m going to brunch with my girls, and then I’m gonna pick up Noodle and go get our nails done. We have a monthly mommy-daughter pamper day. I need a pedicure badly since I chipped the paint on my big toe.”
Keynauri chuckled as I frowned at my toenail. I hated when my nails or toes weren’t all uniform. If I broke a nail, I took my ass right to the shop to get it fixed. It might have been petty, but it was a pet peeve for me.
“Sounds good. My schedule is jam-packed the next few days, but I want to see y’all. Why don’t you and Noodle come spend the night over here?” he asked.
Internally, I groaned, knowing East would have a fit when I told him.
He was adamant about telling my brother the truth, while I was still ducking and dodging the subject.
While I loved sucking dick, my jaw was sore from me using head as a distraction whenever he brought the conversation up. The truth was, I just wasn’t ready.
“Sounds like a plan. Let me know when you wrap up and are headed home. I’ll pick up some food from that Haitian spot on Arnold Rd. I haven’t had it since you got locked up because it made me feel guilty. Now that you’re home, I need some griot with some rice and plantain real bad.”
“Hell yeah. I don’t know how to work all this new shit. Logic tried to help me set up this banking shit on my phone, but I haven’t gotten the hang of it yet. I can send you the address to the studio if you want to slide by and grab this money for the food.”
“I keep forgetting how much has changed for you. I’ll show you how to work everything when I come over. I’m good, though. Dinner is on me tonight.”
“Yeah. A lot has changed since I’ve been gone. It’s crazy as hell to witness how much more advanced the world is now. Got me over here feeling like somebody’s old-ass uncle trying to figure out the world.”
“Keynauri, please get off my phone. I’m actually surprised to see you on FaceTime.”
“You can thank your daughter for teaching me. She had me on YouTube looking up all kinds of shit just so I could help her.” The distressed look on his face caused me to giggle.
“These new-age kids are advanced. These kids know how to work electronics better than most adults.” I snickered.
Keynauri and I sat on the phone joking and talking about everything and nothing while I got ready for brunch with my girls. My heart felt at peace knowing I could talk to him and see him living the life he always deserved. Life was finally falling into place, and I wanted it to stay this way.
“Damn, I’m gonna be gassy as hell, but these deviled eggs are bussin!” Summyah exclaimed.
We were at this new brunch spot called Toast Elite, and the food was top tier. The four of us ordered a little bit of everything to sample, and I hadn’t been disappointed yet. My appetite had grown recently, and it seemed like I could never get full.
“I feel the same way about this catfish and grits. I’ve been eating my grits wrong for years. I lowkey want to order some to go, but I’m gonna be eating dinner with Nauri tonight.”
“I know you hate it when we speak on your brother, but baby, that mothafucka is fine as fuck. I didn’t think it was possible for him to get finer, but damn.” Kiara fanned herself while I rolled my eyes.
“Eww, please spare me.” I pretended to gag.
“She ain’t lying, friend. If I didn’t have a man, I would have offered him some welcome home pussy.
I knew he was fine by his pictures, but damn.
I couldn’t date a nigga like him, because he’s too fuckin’ pretty.
I just know I would be beating bitches off of him daily.
Hoes already can’t stand me; they would be ready to take me out. ” Summyah chimed in.
“I shouldn’t be shocked because I’ve been hearing this since I was a kid.
Bitches used to go crazy over him, and they still do.
Keynauri is a good dude, so I wouldn’t necessarily have an issue with any of y’all fucking with him.
The problem is that I don’t play about my brother, so the minute you try to put your hands on him or do him dirty, I’ma fuck you up, and then our friendship would be over.
” I shrugged, taking a sip of my orange juice.
I was sad I couldn’t have a mimosa like everyone else, but I would have to get used to it.
“Damn, it’s like that? You would dog walk me over your brother?” Kiara held her chest as if she was in shock.
“Straight drag your ass, friend. We would never be able to recover.”
Just like my brother was my protector, I was his. He never let me put my hands on Tiana off the strength of her being the mother of his child, but everyone else was fair game.
“Well, damn. I guess I’ll just keep fantasizing about him in my dreams and leave it at that.” Kiara snickered.
My phone buzzed, reminding me that I had forgotten to silence my notifications. When I read the message Essex sent me, my heart fluttered, and my coochie thumped. Even the simplest gestures from him made me melt.
Zaddy E: I already paid for you and my little mama to get your nails and shit done. I left a tip too, so save your money.
Me: Thank you, baby. I appreciate you.
Zaddy E: No thanks needed. Only princess treatment for my girls. Let me know if you need anything. I love you.
Me: I love you more.
Zaddy E: That’s impossible, shorty.
I knew my cheeks were red because I could feel the heat.
“Girl, put that damn phone down. I swear you act like you can’t breathe without that nigga,” Valor spat.