Chapter 14
fourteen
. . .
After Kier and I had our date at the Japanese garden, the next day was laid back.
I managed to find a salon that removed my braids, washed, and styled my hair.
My silk press was deadly, or at least I felt it was.
I was looking and feeling good, which made heading to the album release party a tad bit easier.
It was clear that I was once again stepping into his world, and that came with its own sort of stress.
By the time we pulled up, my nerves kicked in completely.
An uneasy feeling formed in the pit of my stomach.
Celebrity or not, I questioned why people put themselves through this type of attention.
Cameras flashed before we even stepped inside, the voices overlapped, and people called out names, trying to be seen just as much as they were trying to see.
Security navigated us through quickly. I smoothed my dress without thinking, taking a quiet breath as everything around me picked up speed.
Kier didn’t say anything, just placed his hand on my back, helping to guide me through.
The venue was packed. Anybody who was somebody in the industry was here.
I think it had less to do with Kaori, and more to do with Kier.
Knowing he’d been instrumental in getting so many careers off the ground made it clear that a lot of people were here in support of him.
There were ‘journalists’ from The Blade Room here, as well as other media outlets.
Even one of the DJs from the World’s Greatest Morning Show was in attendance. Kier was so loved, and I knew why.
There was no avoiding the cameras now. Kier pulled me along to every photo opportunity but never answered their questions about us. He diverted every question back to the label.
“Kier Stone, what an honor it is to be invited to this album release party. What can you tell us about what to expect tonight?”
“You can expect dope ass music, a couple of surprises, and one big announcement.”
“And you are indeed full of surprises. Speaking of, this beautiful woman has been spotted with you several times over the last few months. What’s the story here?”
“The story here is, Kaori’s album drops on Friday. It’s dope, and I can’t wait to hear what songs yall are feeling the most. Excuse us.” He said, ushering us into the party.
It was a lot calmer once we got past the interviewers.
Kier moved nonstop. With his hand on my lower back, he guided me through the crowd, introducing me to some people and avoiding others.
People nodded at him as we passed; some spoke, some didn’t.
He acknowledged just enough to keep walking.
I stayed close because I was literally in a room full of strangers, whether they were a celebrity or not.
Eventually, I found myself needing a break, which was cool because I had just made it to a cozy section.
“You straight?” He asked, glancing down at me as we reached the section.
“I’m good babe,” I smiled.
The section sat moderately elevated, tucked away just enough to feel private but still part of everything. Bottles lined the table as well as small charcuterie boards. I saw a few familiar faces and some I didn’t know. I exhaled slowly, settling in, and certainly wishing Treasure was here.
For a second, everything appeared normal again, whatever that was.
Then—
“Look who I ran into?” I watched Kier and the words leave his lips. And even though I knew the person standing next to him, it still caught me off guard. “What a surprise right?”
“Naomi?” I stood, barely recognizing my sister. Hugging her, I questioned her arrival. “What are you doing here?”
“I wanted to see my little sis. And—”
“She was telling me how you told her I was a producer and thought it would be a good idea to play some of her music for me.” Kier chimed in.
My mouth hung open. Kier’s frustration and sarcasm were evident.
I felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Do I truthfully deny it and crush my sister’s dreams?
Or do I go along with it and become another person in Kier’s life who used him?
I was dumbfounded, so I stayed quiet. His eyes bore disappointment and sadness while my sisters gleamed with excitement.
“So where do I put my stuff?”
“Um—” I barely mumbled, still trying to process everything.
“And Naomi, you can meet me at the studio tomorrow morning. I’ll have to squeeze you in before the other artists. Are you ready to work?”
“Of course! Thanks so much. My sister said you were a sweetheart.”
“I’m sure she did.” He added, turning to walk away. Naomi went searching for the bathroom, while I went running up behind Kier.
“Babe, wait. It’s not what it looks like.”
“Look, Sibley, I’m used to it. It’s all good.”
“No, it’s not. Listen to me, Kier.”
“No need, love. I gotta get back to the party. I’m hanging out tonight, so in about an hour or two, I’ll have the driver take you and your sister back to the crib. I’ll see you later tonight, don’t wait up.”
Kier stepped back into the crowd. Was he mad?
He had to be, he called me Sibley. He didn’t give me a kiss, hug, or anything.
He felt cold and I didn’t blame him. I couldn’t believe everything had gotten turned upside down so quickly.
A myriad of emotions cruised through my body, and I get it; the optics weren’t in my favor.
It looked fucked up. But still, he didn’t give me the benefit of the doubt or a chance to explain.
My heart hurt, and I was sure his did too.
An hour or so later, I was informed the driver had arrived.
When I searched for Kier, he was in the middle of announcing something big.
I wanted to stay and witness the surprise, but there was tension, so we just left.
Naomi talked endlessly about nothing, and I refused to indulge.
I was so mad at her. Her lies, her impromptu visit, everything!
Hell, I didn’t even know how she knew where we were.
Probably Treasure, I wasn’t sure but I was beyond annoyed.
When we walked in, she was in awe at the beauty of Kier’s home. She dropped her bag and began drooling over it.
“This villa is gorgeous, girl.” She gasped. “Is this where you’ve been all summer?”
“Naomi, what are you doing here? How did you even know where to find me?” I asked her, never answering her question.
“You invited me, Sibley! I quit my job and bought the first flight out. I’m feeling hopeful! Your rapper man seems more excited to see me than you!”
“He’s a producer!” I screamed.
“Why are you so upset, Sibley?”
“Because you just blew up my spot! I didn’t say anything to you about him cutting you a record, giving you studio time, none of that shit! Why would you lie and tell him that?”
“I just thought—”
“No, you didn’t think! Now I have to undo this mess you created.”
“What mess?! Seems like he’s on board to me. He said I could come to the studio with him. He wants to work with me. He seems excited.”
“You don’t know him! You think just because he agreed to studio time that everything is fine and dandy? You practically put him on the spot, in front of cameras on HIS big night! Of course he agreed!”
“I just thought-”
“Stop saying that Naomi! You didn’t think about Kier or me. And quitting your job? Naomi, have you lost your mind?!”
“You’re the one that’s always telling me to go after what I want, Sibley!”
“Yes! On your OWN terms, and within reason!”
“Well fine! If you don’t want me here, why did you invite me?”
“Naomi, please. I invited you to join me well over a month ago. I invited you to SISTER TIME, and you chose not to accept the invitation. Now you show up with a guitar and oversized glasses thinking you’re about to pluck your way into a deal.
He doesn’t produce the type of music you write.
I haven’t even mentioned you and music to him. ”
“You don’t talk about me?”
“No, Naomi, not really. I just wanted a break from your drama, so no, I’m not sitting around with him discussing you.”
“Well fuck it out! I’m out, I have no problem leaving.”
“No, you are not!” I yanked her back as she darted towards the door.
“Because this impromptu visit may have cost me some real shit. So, if he offering you some studio time, take it. After this, I’m not indebted to you anymore.
I want to build a sisterly relationship, that’s it, and that is all.
And if you can’t do that without telling me what you did for me, we are done! ”
“Fine!”
“Fine! Hell you gon get mad at me and you’re the one starting shit!” I yelled after her.
Naomi disappeared into the guest room, slamming the door harder than she needed to.
She had her damn nerves, slamming doors and shit like she was at home.
Naomi was dramatic, and that was the exact reason I didn’t follow her.
There was nothing left to say without making it worse.
Besides, my mind kept going back to Kier.
The look on his face and the fact he didn’t give me a second to explain.
I reached for my phone, then stopped. Calling him right now wasn’t smart.
He needed space, and once again, I needed to sit with what was happening without letting my mind wander.
I headed to our room, removing my accessories, dress and taking the pins out of my hair.
The only thing that would calm me in this moment was a nice hot shower.
The shower helped, but not as much as I wanted it to.
I climbed into bed hoping sleep would do what logic couldn’t.
Instead, I spent most of the night staring at the ceiling, drifting in and out while replaying the evening over and over.
Around 1:30 in the morning, I made the mistake of picking up my phone. I told myself I was just checking the time. Instead, I opened social media. The algorithm wasted no time reminding me who I was dating.