Elevation (Jacob Perez Story)

Chapter 87 | Reception

Lucky's Father pulled Jacob aside and introduced him to the rest of the family while Riya, Terri and Shaniqua were sat having a conversation. Shaniqua got Paris, Simone and Reggie involved as they shared memories they all had with Lucky. They had a good laugh and they all eventually cheered up and threw a toast for Lucky on that note apart from Simone. Simone was feeling a little uncomfortable that she took herself away and went outside for some air

After Jacob was done talking with Lucky's side of the family he excused himself for a breather on purpose. He walks out onto the balcony and there is stood Hakim laughing with an elderly women. Jacob narrows his eyes like 'Tf he playing at?'. Hakim slyly ended the conversation as he saw Jacob stood there waiting to approach him

Hakim: "Yeahh. Okay you look after yourself" [He chuckles]

The elderly women walks past Jacob flashing a friendly smile as Jacob did the same and stormed to Hakim, stepping to him and grabbed him up by his collars

Jacob: "TF you doing here huh?!!"

Hakim: "Jacob bruh let me go. You ain't tryna cause a scene now are you bruh?"

Jacob: [He let go] "Why TF you here?! Did I stutter?!!"

Hakim: "Jacob relax bruh... I know you mad aight? I know you mad and I don't blame you for it. I would be mad at me too if I were in your shoes bruh but not now. Whether you wanna hear it or not Lucky was my boy too before everything! Look you ain't gotta understand but just let me pay my respects and you won't have to see my ass again"

Jacob: "FUCK YO RESPECT!!"

People turned round to them. Jacob then cooled it

Jacob: "Leave! This yo last warning!"

Hakim: "Look I'll leave aight!... Again, I'm sorry about what happened to Lucky. It wasn't supposed to turn out the way it did. If I could change things I would but that speech taught me something... Gave me a reality check and you right bruh! You right. We'll never see eye to eye, but I respect what you said up there!"

Jacob just looked at him sternly, like he wasn't buying his bullshit. Hakim nodded and walked away...

Jacob went back inside and bumped into Simone drinking

Simone: "I was just looking for you. Look I can't stay for long Jacob. I already have a flight booked back home. My plan wasn't to stay for this long but here I am"

Jacob: [He nodded] "Aight well it's a shame we couldn't catch up properly. I miss you. Me and Paris Simone"

Simone: "What happened with you two?"

Jacob: [He sighed] "...You got a ride to the airport?"

Simone: [She shook her head]

Jacob: "How about I ride you to the airport and I'll explain it to you in the car?"

Simone nodded. Simone went round and quickly met with Lucky's Father as Jacob introduces her for a quick conversation. Then Jacob follows Simone to the table Reggie is sat at with Paris and her girls. Simone said her goodbyes

Paris: "Already? Babe you just got here"

Simone: "I know but duty calls sis. Duty calls! Jacob's going to drop me off at the airport"

Paris: "Oh I'll come too then!"

Jacob: "Nah your good, your good. I got this!" [He looked at her sternly]

Simone turned to Jacob then to Paris as Paris then screwed up her face getting an attitude. Reggie pulled her back down to sit

Shaniqua: "Um no boo boo! Who you talking to like that?!"

Jacob: "Stay outta this!"

Reggie: "Your good baby. Sit down. You heard what he said leave the dude to it" [As he gave Jacob this look and Jacob looked back at him as if to say 'You tryna start sum or what?']

Paris: [She sighed and turned to Shaniqua] "Don't bother girl. Don't bother..." [As she sat back down next to Reggie with his arm round her]

Jacob: "Cmon let me drop you to the airport"

As Jacob and Simone left and walked to his car, taking off. Jacob was in a mood the whole time driving

Simone: "I have to say Jacob, what you did back there was uncalled for"

Jacob: [He turned to her defensive and turned back to the road and sighed] "Simone... You don't even know the half of it"

Simone: "I know somethings happened between you two. Whatever it is... sort it out. Life is too short to be stuck having this odd tension lingering"

Jacob: "I want to Simone, believe that. It's just Paris ain't easy you feel me? I want things to be smooth but I don't know mann. Shit is complicated especially after she told me she loves me"

Simone: [Her face lit up] "Oh... she really told you..."

Jacob: [His eyebrows rose curiously] I'm guessing you knew too..."

Simone: "Jacob it doesn't take a genius to notice how Paris really felt about you. Me and Lucky used to talk about it all night, how you two should just straighten things out and make up already"

Jacob: "You think it's that easy?"

Simone: "Well... [She shrugged] what makes it hard?"

Jacob: [He chuckled] "What makes it hard? What makes it hard is Paris is my closest friend and if things change, that 'love' might ruin whatever friendship connection we already have. Friend and lovers in the same boat is complicated asf"

Simone: "That's only if you make it complicated Jacob. It sounds to me like you just aren't ready to commit to her"

Jacob: "I'm ready to commit to her Simone. Bruh I been committing to her and I always will"

Simone: "Like you did just after Lucky passed?"

Jacob: [They both looked at each other] "What she tell you? I know she told you sum"

Simone: "That you basically ghosted her. And I know you were hurting Jacob, trust me I know it was hard but so was Paris. You two are like the yin yang Jacob you can't have one without the other. You should've at least tried to be there for her more but I see Reggie is already putting in that effort"

Jacob: "I'll be real Reggie a real clown. But I don't care about that nigga, I wanted to be there for her but I was too much of a wreck. I still am but I'm trying girl. I'm tryna fight for her but we both don't want the same thing. She wants me to love her in all the unconditional ways you could think of but [He shook his head] Ion think I can do that for her. Not with her anyway"

Simone: "Jacob, talk to her..."

Jacob: "You wanna know what she's mad about?..."

Jacob got explained the secret fling he's been committing to with his therapist on the side. Simone was shocked when he explained Paris's reaction to that. Simone went all quiet just as Jacob was pulling up outside the entrance of the parking lot by the airport. Jacob turned off his engine as they both sat there in their 2 mins silence then Simone let out a big sigh

Simone: [She turned to him] "Jacob... talk to Paris. No matter how many times she tries to push you away, push harder. All she wants is for you to fight for her. For this thing you two have to really work out but only if you feel the same which I know you do otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation"

Jacob looked at her then looked down. Simone lifted his chin up

Simone: [She sighed] "Whatever decision you do make, I'll know you'll choose right and what's right for the both of you... Look after yourself Jacob. Chin up"

Jacob nodded as they both went in for a hug. Simone patted his back and got out

Jacob: "Look after yourself Simone"

Simone: [She nodded] "I will..."