Chapter 25
“It’s nice as hell in here. I’ve never been in VIP before.” Summyah squealed with excitement. We hadn’t spent a lot of time together since the pool party, and it was mainly because of me. I wasn’t sure how to handle being around her after Valor went missing.
The police in our neighborhood couldn’t care less about crime, so there wasn’t any real coverage on her at all.
Her mother made a post saying no one had heard from her, but outside of that, no one had said much.
I should have felt guilty about the fact that I knew the truth, but surprisingly, I didn’t.
Our friendship had gone through its ups and downs, but I truly felt like it was normal.
I never would have thought she hated my guts.
The police had already advised the family that they didn’t believe she was still alive, so the family held a candlelight vigil and a memorial.
Keynauri had a major performance, so I used it as my excuse to miss the memorial.
It might have been fucked up, but it was what it was.
East donated money to the family and sent a floral arrangement.
They were more excited about the ten thousand dollars than anything else.
They didn’t even care about anything else.
“Yeah, Mendeecees knows how to put on a party. I know he spent a pretty penny on all of this,” I commented. Mendeecees was throwing a party to celebrate one of his artist’s albums going double platinum.
One of the things I liked about him was the way he encouraged the people around him. He poured into his team and celebrated them whenever they accomplished a major milestone.
At first, I wasn’t going to come, but when Summyah sent a text telling me she missed me, I decided to kill two birds with one stone.
As soon as I mentioned the party, she was excited to come.
Mendeecees was happy I was going to be in attendance, so he made sure I had everything I needed, including an outfit.
The party was at a big mansion in Clifton hills. It wasn’t too far from Jonah Hills, but it was for the rich and elite. Keynauri lived in the next neighborhood over, so I was familiar with the area. A lot of politicians and celebrities lived out there.
The house was decorated really well, and I appreciated the vibe and the ambience.
The theme was black and gold, and I loved those colors together.
I wore a backless dress with a plunging neckline.
I was feeling myself the moment I tried the dress on and knew I had to have it.
Mendeecees couldn’t stop telling me how good I looked, but I didn’t need anyone to tell me. I knew I was that girl.
“Champagne, ladies?” a waiter asked, holding a tray out in front of us.
“Yes, thank you.”
The two of us grabbed a flute and thanked him again.
The vibes were elegant with a hint of hood.
Mendeecees told me there were executives, music producers, and various other important people in attendance.
We had been kicking it for a while, but this would be the first public event we’d done with one another.
“Look at your man playing hostess. I wasn’t sure how to feel about the two of you being an item, but he seems like a nice guy. He isn’t your future husband, but he’s a nice placeholder for the moment,” Summyah stated.
I almost choked on my drink as my eyes ballooned. “What the hell, My? Why would you say something like that?”
“Girl, we’ve been friends forever. You and I don’t sugarcoat anything. You might like him, but we both know he isn’t endgame. Mendeecees provides you with a nice distraction so you don’t have to face the reality of your love life.”
“And what’s my reality?”
“You and your baby daddy are out here wasting people’s time when you both know you want to be together.”
“I should have never asked because you are talking nonsense. East and I are simply co-parenting. We’re both doing our own thing.”
“Girl, please. I saw the clips when you were on live a couple of weeks ago. East was ready to reach through the phone and check those haters for even mentioning you. I still don’t understand why the two of you broke up. It’s obvious you love each other.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat as I listened to her talking.
When everything popped off between Valor and me, I never mentioned it to her.
Initially, it was because I was too emotional and wasn’t ready to speak on what happened, but the other part was because I wasn’t sure what she knew.
Valor and Summyah met through me, but that didn’t mean they didn’t have their own friendship outside of our crew.
Summyah was much closer to me, and I wouldn’t have been able to handle it if she knew about the betrayal before it happened.
“It’s complicated. A couple weeks ago, he basically told me he wanted to be with me, but I was selfish.
He was talking about how I don’t reciprocate the energy and love he gives, and I’m still trying to figure out what to do.
Right now, we’re both dealing with other people, but I would be lying if I said there wasn’t a part of me that didn’t want to give us a second chance. ”
“I wouldn’t necessarily call you selfish, but I guess I’m biased because we’re friends.
Instead of looking at his words in a negative way, I would try to meet him where he is.
In the beginning, you were the one who pushed for y’all to be together, but afterwards, he was the one always doing things for you. Why not prove him wrong?”
“How do I do that?”
“Show the man you love him. Plan a date for him or buy him a gift that has more value than some shit you can find in Nordstroms. I’m always watching the couples on YouTube, and they are always surprising each other with gifts and trips.
Book a flight somewhere and cater to the man.
If you want him bad enough, then show him. ”
Summyah’s advice made a lot of sense, and I appreciated her not sugar-coating things for me.
She was right about everything she said, and her suggestions sounded like a good idea.
East’s words had been on my mind for weeks, and I couldn’t help but feel hurt by them.
I never wanted him to see me in a negative light, so the fact that he felt like I didn’t love him the same way he loved me bothered me.
A part of me was so focused on keeping things a secret from my brother, I hadn’t realized I wasn’t loving Essex out loud. I never planned anything for him or went out of my way to make him feel special. To be honest, I didn’t even think he wanted those things. I never tried to find out either.
“Alright, everyone. First, I want to thank everyone for coming out to celebrate with my team. We’ve been working hard this year, and it’s paying off in a major way.
As a collective, we’ve secured some major deals, along with some collabs that are about to put us in front of even more listeners.
My team is full of talent, and this year, I decided to push a little harder to get their music out there.
“To my team, thank you for trusting the process. I know sometimes I stay on your ass, but I promise it’s for a reason.
I can see the potential in each one of you, and if we work together and put in the work, success is guaranteed.
Tonight, we are celebrating Rio38’s album going double platinum in the first sixty days of release.
It’s an incredible accomplishment, and you deserve it, bro.
Your work ethic is unmatched, and I promised that if you gave it all you had, it would pay off.
“I’m proud of you and what you’ve accomplished. You’ve helped put Frost Records on the map, and now it’s time for us to take over the world. Love you, man. Let’s toast to more success and more money than we can handle.” Mendeecees held up his glass, and everyone in the room followed suit.
Afterward, he told us they would be ready to serve the food in a moment, and the DJ resumed his music. We were dressed up, but it was a relaxed setting. There were tables and chairs set up in the backyard, but everyone was doing their own thing, mingling with one another.
I didn’t know very many people in the room, which was why I was glad I brought Summyah with me. There was nothing I hated more than meeting new people and having to be overly social or friendly to strangers. I might have been considered a public figure, but I was an introvert at my core.
“Excuse me, ladies. Do you mind if I talk to you for a moment?” A handsome stranger interrupted our talk with his eyes locked on Summyah.
I expected her to turn him down, but she surprised me when she got up and shook his hand.
I could tell by the chain around his neck that he was part of Mendeecees’s team.
Summyah had always been the loyal type, so I wondered what was going on with her relationship.
While I waited for her to come back, I sat alone, observing the people around me.
I loved to people watch, and it was even more fun when it was people I didn’t know.
Mendeecees’s worked the room, talking and networking with everyone he came in contact with.
There was something about a businessman that turned me on.
I loved a man who knew how to switch things up.
Essex was a prime example because he knew how to handle himself in the streets as well as the corporate world.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been able to formally greet you tonight. The turnout has been crazy, and I’ve been running around all night. You look beautiful, though,” Mendeecees greeted me.
“Thank you. You clean up nicely yourself.” I smirked, admiring his all-black Armani suit. The diamond earrings he wore gleamed brightly under the fluorescent lights.
“I appreciate it, baby. Oh, shit. There go your brother and his team,” Mendeecees acknowledged.