Chapter 16 #3
“So, I guess you want to know if I still want to be with you after this?” She asked, searching my eyes for answers. I could see all the wheels running in her head, and I knew that I couldn’t force her into an answer. She had to make the right decision for herself on her own.
“Something like that.”
“As much as I don’t like it, I can’t let you go, either.
I love you, Sincere. And I guess that means loving the parts of you that aren’t so pretty.
However, I will say that I can’t be with you if your plan is to do this forever.
I’m willing to work with you for now, but if we’re going to be in this for the long run, then you have to be making plans to get out of that life.
I don’t want you to have to look over your shoulders forever. ”
“I’m already working on it,” I said, honestly.
I never thought that getting out of the game was something that I would consider, especially not with where I was in my life.
However, when I made the decision that I wanted to see a future with Kenedi, I knew that it was a sacrifice that I would have to make.
I couldn’t see myself still being in the streets with her and our future children potentially getting caught up in any bullshit that I had going on.
So, in order to give her the life that I knew she wanted and deserved, I knew that getting out was going to have to start being part of my life’s plan.
“Good. Anything else you need to tell me?” She asked, breathing a huge sigh of relief.
I could tell from her reaction that she thought I was going to tell her that I had a baby or something on the way. But that wasn’t something that she would ever have to worry about when it came to me. I didn’t do fuck nigga shit. And that was for sure some fuck nigga shit.
“Tell you, no. Ask, yes,” I said, reaching in my pocket and helping her stand again.
When she realized what was going on, tears started falling from her eyes, smudging her makeup. She was still beautiful as hell to me, though.
“When you barged into my office, you caught my attention. At the time, I thought I just loved that fighter in you. I know a hustler when I see one. However, I had no idea that I would come to love everything else about you. When I see my future, I see you and only you. Everything I want to make happen, I want you right there by my side. Everything that you want to make happen, I want to be right by your side for. I want to give you the world, no matter what it takes. So, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
“Yes! Yes!” She screamed, jumping up and down and making it hard as hell for me to slip the ring onto her finger. I finally had to grab her and make her stand still so I could get it on.
“Wow, this is gorgeous. You must’ve spent my entire salary on this,” she said, admiring the ring as she looked back and forth between me and it.
“That and then some. But you’re worth every penny and more.”
“I love you so much,” she said, throwing her hands around my neck. Damn near knocking me over in the process since she was still bouncing up and down.
“I love you, too. Now come on, I need to get you out of that dress.”
“I knew you had that shit in you when I signed you,” I said, dapping Kru up as everyone enjoyed the music he shared with them.
The listening party had turned out to be a success, as I knew it would, and I couldn’t do shit but look around as I took in how all my hard work and sacrifices had created something so impactful.
It wasn’t just about the money when it came to Hilltop Records for me.
It was about the movement that I was able to create with it.
I had money and would always have money.
But from a young age, I always knew that I wanted to start a record label.
I used to dream about it when I barely had enough money to feed myself some nights.
Now, it was my reality, and having Kenedi to share everything with only made things even sweeter for me.
“Shit, thank you for believing in me,” he said, smiling.
“You already know. I’m going to get up with you before the night is over. I need to go find Kenedi and make sure she’s good.”
“Alright. You know, I like this woman for you. She got you out here softening up and shit,” he said, laughing.
“Never that. But you wait until you find that right one, you’re going to change up for her, too.”
“I highly fucking doubt it,” he said, tapping my shoulder as he laughed and walked away.
Shaking my head, I walked over to the last group of people I saw Kenedi having a conversation with. After asking where she’d gone, each of them said they didn’t know. Someone in passing said they’d seen her over by the restrooms, so I headed that way.
Once I made it to the women’s restrooms, I knew something wasn’t right.
Stepping inside, I saw Kenedi’s purse and phone lying on the counter, but she wasn’t there.
Before I could figure out my next move, my phone buzzed in my pocket.
Immediately, I pulled it out and clicked the message from the unknown number.
UNKNOWN:
I think it’s time we sat down and had a conversation. And, if now isn’t a good time for you, maybe you can make it a good time.
UNKNOWN:
Picture attached.
UNKNOWN:
I’ll drop the pin. You got an hour.
“Fuck!” I yelled, rushing out of the building and down to my car.