Chapter 27
Xylina
Icouldn’t stop the smile from forming on my face as I stood backstage watching Simone on stage.
Today was the first day of the R&B festival and it was finally her set.
We’d gotten here a little over two hours ago and had been on the move since.
Her hair ended up taking longer than it was supposed to, which threw everything else off schedule, but we figured it out.
Figuring out the right look for the occasion was a bit of a challenge.
Simone had a certain vision in mind for when she got on stage, but I was up for the task.
The past two months working with her had been a learning curve, but I was enjoying it.
Thankfully she wasn’t a diva and was open to the looks I presented to her.
With her new album preparing to drop, everything had to be on point.
Next week, we left for London and I would be there for a week while Simone was staying a bit longer.
It had been a while since I’d been out of the country, so I was looking forward to it.
With everything that went down with my dad last month, I was looking forward to a change in scenery.
Things at home couldn’t have been better.
Instead of dwelling on the situation with my dad, me and Yosiah had been working on our relationship.
Between date nights and intimate talks, I feel we’d grown closer than we once were.
Everything in my life was starting to align in the best way.
My pregnancy was starting to show a bit more, causing me to be more sensitive to certain foods and smells, but so far it hadn’t been anything I couldn’t deal with.
At my last appointment, Yosiah arrived on time and was present for everything, even asking questions I didn’t think to ask.
It was a complete one-eighty from my first appointment, but it brought me security seeing how engaged and excited he was.
Once the heat started to get to me, I left my position backstage and headed to the food and drinks set up for the talent and crew.
“Xylina, hey girl!” A feminine voice sounded from behind me just as I got my bottle of water. Turning around, I saw Kinsley and her twin sister Kayleigh. “I’ve been looking for you.”
“Why, what’s up?” I asked, uncapping my water and bringing the bottle to my mouth. It was so refreshing to my dry throat that I could have moaned.
“My sister’s been wanting to get in contact with you. She—”
Kayleigh cut her twin off and said, “Girl, I don’t need you to speak for me. I got this.”
“Well excuse the fuck outta me.”
“You’re excused.”
“Girl, fuck you.”
Their banter caused me to snicker. It was clearly all in good faith.
“Anyway,” Kayleigh dragged and popped her lips. “Twin wasn’t lying when she said I’ve been wanting to get in contact with you. I saw what you’ve been doing with Simone and I wanted to know if you’d be open to working with me too.”
I had been a fan of Kayleigh aka Lady K’s music since she was anonymously releasing. Once she revealed herself and started releasing more original songs, I became even more of a fan. Hearing that she wanted to work with me was a blessing.
Simone approached us, saying, “Hold on now, K, I know you’re not tryna poach my stylist.” I hadn’t even realized her set was close to being done when I walked off.
“Don’t be stingy with her, Simone, damn. You can’t be the only one experiencing her talents.”
“I’m just saying. I found her first.” Simone shrugged. “But since you’re my girl, I guess I don’t mind loaning her to you from time to time.”
“Oh how generous of you.” Kayleigh rolled her eyes.
Simone faced me. “When you’re done talking to her, meet me in my changing room please.” I nodded as she waved to the twins and walked off.
“Back to business. I’m doing a small, local, pop-up event in August, and before then I have a couple promo shoots.
Normally I dress myself, but between the studio, my daughter, my man, and having a social life, I don’t have time to always go shopping.
Plus, I feel like I don’t have a signature look.
I see you’re starting to help Simone find hers and I was hoping you could do the same with me.
My PR swears it’ll help expand my brand.
” She rolled her eyes and used her fingers to put the last part of her sentence in quotations.
“There you are. We’ve been looking all over for you.” Legend walked up with their daughter clinging to him in his arms.
“I told you that I had some business to talk.”
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his side, kissing her cheek. “You still could have let me know where you were going.”
I watched Kayleigh turn into a blushing schoolgirl right before my eyes.
“Y’all are annoying.” Kinsley’s eyes left her phone temporarily and she balled her face up.
“Don’t be a hater, twin. It doesn’t look good on you.” Kayleigh faced me again. “Back to what I was saying. I’m hoping you can help me.”
I thought for a second before nodding. “I think we can make it work. Simone has some things going on and she’s my first priority, but as long as your stuff doesn’t interfere with my work for her, I’m down to help.”
Since connecting with Simone, I had worked with a couple of other people for single day events, mainly just giving my input or opinion.
Going into my fanny pack, I pulled out my phone and tapped the screen a couple times. “Here’s my info. We’ll set up a time to meet and work everything out then.”
Seeing that I was growing a small demand, Yosiah suggested and helped me set up a QR code that potential clients could scan and get all my contact info.
I didn’t even know they had virtual business cards before he told me, but they had been convenient.
I was still getting the hang of working and doing more than just social media and brand deals.
I now had a separate social media strictly dedicated to my styling and I was still doing influencer work, just not as much as before.
Yosiah had been a great help in assisting me to gain some kind of direction in what I wanted to do going forward.
He might not be the most organized person, but he knew business and structure when it counted.
He also helped me invest some of the money he was able to get me so that it would grow and I never had to risk being broke depending on someone else’s dime.
“Thanks, boo! I’m going to hit you up ASAP,” Kayleigh mentioned.
“I can’t wait.” I grinned.
We talked a little longer before she walked off with Legend and their daughter who ended up falling asleep in his arms.
“Oh, before I forget, I’m planning a hair show that I want to collab with you on, if you’re interested,” Kinsley mentioned. “I was going to call you to discuss it, but since you’re here, I figured I could put the bug in your ear now. It’ll be in September.”
I wasn’t due until December but I didn’t want to put too much on my plate the closer it got. Still, I enjoyed working along Kinsley, so I would at least hear her out.
“Sure, call me with the details and we’ll talk.”
“I will! Thanks, boo!” After our goodbyes, she walked off and I turned to head in the direction of Simone’s trailer.
“If Aaliyah’s gonna be there, then I’m not coming,” I told Savannah as I moved around my room.
“I know, I know. She’s not invited, don’t worry,” she insisted. “Plus the girls haven’t really been feeling her since that night at the club.”
I leaned against my dresser and sighed.
Savannah was throwing a pool party and wanted me to come. Her summer parties were always a good time, and normally I would jump at the opportunity to go, but this time I wasn’t feeling it.
“Xylina!” Savannah whined. “C’mon, you love my pool parties. Hell, everyone loves my pool parties. You have to come!”
My mouth twitched as I stared at her pouty face on the phone screen.
Rolling my eyes and sighing, I slowly nodded. “Fine. I’ll be there. But, but!” I started when she started grinning. “Don’t forget I’m pregnant, Savannah. I can’t do the shit I used to do right now.”
“I know, I know. Don’t worry. Just come and have a good time, that’s all. Jeez, it’s like pulling teeth to get you to come out and have fun nowadays.”
After talking with her a little longer, we hung up and I tossed my phone on the dresser and looked around my bedroom.
My stomach flipped when my eyes landed on the bed and zeroed in on the papers on top. I’d had them for a week now and it was time I stopped being scared and used them.
Princess must have felt my anxiety because she came over to me and rubbed against my leg while whining.
“I’m okay, Princess. Mommy just needs to put on her big girl panties.” Kneeling down, I scratched her between the ears. “How do you think Daddy is gonna take this?”
She barked, causing a slight grin to form on my face. Sometimes I felt like she could really understand what I was saying.
“Okay, it’s now or never.” Giving her one final scratch, I stood and made my way across the room to my bed and grabbed the papers. I scanned the first page and the knot in my stomach grew tighter, but I knew I couldn’t keep putting this off.
“It’s okay, little baby.” I rubbed my stomach and turned for my bedroom door.
Leaving my bedroom, I walked through the house, heading toward Yosiah in his man cave. With each step I took, my heart pounded louder.
When I reached the door of the mancave, I stood outside it for a few seconds. The papers felt like weights in my hands. My nerves felt like they were shot with adrenaline. Inhaling a deep breath, I pushed it out and balled my hand up, bringing it to the door.
The door was pulled open and Yosiah stood in front of me in nothing but a pair of black sweatpants.
“You need something?” He smirked down at me.
Lifting my eyes, I met his stare. “I need to talk to you.”
He opened the door wider and invited me in.
Walking past him, I went directly to the couch and took a seat. For a second, memories of the last time I was in this room popped into my head. The day I’d gotten pregnant. My hand went to my stomach. I wanted to forget how it happened and just remember it did.
Pushing that memory away, I was brought back to the present when Yosiah’s hand landed on my bare knee.
“What’s wrong?” He squinted and bounced his eyes around my face. “Is it the baby? Do you feel sick?”
I shook my head. “No. The baby’s fine. I just need to talk to you,” I managed to get out. Instead of saying anything else, I lifted the papers for him to take. He looked confused as he grabbed them from me.
The churning in my stomach returned. My pulse raced through my veins as I waited for him to respond.
“Separation papers?” His words came out slowly. He furrowed his brows and stared at me. “You want to divorce?”
Quickly, I shook my head. “No. No. That’s not what this is.”
“Then explain it to me because I’m confused. What’s the meaning of this?” His eyes were like lasers as they peered into me.
Swallowing the lump formed in my throat, I explained my reasoning to him.
“Our marriage is so tainted and has been from the beginning. I don’t want to bring our baby into it like that.
That’s how my parents’ marriage was and we see how that played out.
From the beginning you were forced into it, just like my dad was, and although I know you’re nothing like him, it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
I want to be better than my parents. I want our baby to be brought into a real marriage.
Not one that was built on a one-sided obsession and lies.
“I spoke to a lawyer and this doesn’t mean we’re divorced.
Legally, we’re still married but we’ll be able to start fresh and go forward on our own terms, just like we talked about.
I want this to work, Yosiah. You’ve done so much for me in just a short period of time that I want to finally be the one doing something for you.
Even if you say you don’t, I don’t want you to feel trapped or forced to stay with me.
You’re a great guy and deserve a choice, so I’m giving it to you.
I won’t fight you once you decide on what you want either. ”
For a long while, Yosiah didn’t speak. He dropped his eyes to the papers and silently read them.
“In the case of divorce, prenup still stands. Your company, all the money you made during our marriage, it’s all yours,” I mentioned.
Yosiah froze. My heart hammered wildly behind my breasts and my leg bounced uncontrollably. The minutes seemed to go by sluggishly and I was starting to think that maybe this wasn’t a good idea until Yosiah spoke.
“I agree with you.” His words shocked me.
Finally looking back into my eyes, his face stayed neutral as he continued.
“This marriage and everything surrounding it doesn’t come from a good place.
We agreed to start over but that doesn’t mean the lies and deception go away.
In order to really start fresh and do this the right way, we need to do away with the past completely and turn over a new leaf. ”
Yosiah turned and tossed the papers on the nearby glass table then faced me again. He reached for the back of my head and curled his fingers in my hair. His eyes bounced around my face and a lazy, crooked grin formed on his face, causing butterflies to flutter in my belly.
“When did you become so reasonable?”
My shoulders lifted. “I guess you’re rubbing off on me.”
He chuckled lowly and pulled my face forward to meet his. “We’ll continue our original plan. Foregoing the contract, dating, and getting to know each other.”
I nodded. “I agree. Nothing changes, except we’re coming to an agreement together.”
“Together.” His words were soft, making my skin prickle. His stare burned with intensity. “A fresh start.”
Like we were drowning together, our lips met and his grip on my hair tightened. The kiss was unhurried and sent heat rushing up the nape of my neck. Goosebumps covered my skin and electricity shot through every nerve of my body.
Yosiah spoke against my lips. “I’m proud of you and thank you.”
Before I could respond, I was silenced by another kiss.
A lot had happened between me and Yosiah in just a few short months. Some good, some bad, but I believed it was meant to help us get to this point. There was no telling how things would play out for us in the future, but I believed this was a step in the right direction.