After being removed from an abusive household in East St. Louis, Illinois, Cheyenne Johnson starts a new life in Minnesota while being under the care of Minnesota's well-known artist.
"Come here," He called for me from the other side of his room.
He was still sitting on his bed when I got up from the sofa and began walking over to him. The moment I stand in front of him, he wraps his arms around my waist. His softly planted kisses my bare stomach which causes me to blush nervously.
Aware of my trepidation, he said, "I'm not going to hurt you.".
He pulled out a gold heart chain from his pocket. I watched calmly as he fastened the chain around my waist. Having stood to his feet, he embraced me with a kiss.
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I look in the mirror, admiring the jewelry around my waist. Another moment that I'll never forget. When he claimed me his. And this chain is the attestation.
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I remember him telling me about his love, and I returned that love.He was Chasity's, but that's in the past. He was just Chasity's tool to be with Calvin. She never loved him. He deserved better. My friend Azalea told me that her brother confronted Chasity about the affair, and he broke down.
The other side of the door, I hear Mr. Kirk ask me: "Cheyenne, are you almost ready?".
I lowered my shirt. "I'll be out soon." I replied.
*********
Prince's POV
Cheyenne and my girlfriend, Toni walked around the complex together as I watched from my window.
Antonella
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While still married, I had the pleasure of meeting this young model at an after party for a fashion show. After my divorce, our paths crossed again. We started hanging out a few months ago and got to know each other better. So far, our relationship's going strong. As a result, I'm confident Cheyenne will warm up to her.
In the evening, my girlfriend and I retire to our bedroom for the night. Still wide awake, I stare at the ceiling in thought.
Toni, who was lying next to me, asked "Penny for your thoughts?".
The question she asked, which I always ask whenever something is on her mind, made me chuckle.
"I was thinking about Cheyenne's adaptability to her new surroundings. Although it's been just a few days, I'm amazed at how well she's doing after what she's been through."
"In fact, I am so sorry that her abusers were her own brother and sister. I would not call it rivalry between siblings, because she was treated as if she was not their little sister."
"Apparently, they have despised her ever since she was born, based on what Darryl told me.".
Toni asked, "What was the name of her siblings?".
"Tommy and Chasity." I told her their names.
"Chasity Johnson with blonde hair and freckles?"
I looked her over and asked, "You know her?".
Tony revealed that their paths crossed at a modeling audition back in Illinois.
"Despite her looks, she's zealous. Several other models were chosen to represent the modeling agency along with her and myself. Both of us made several front covers. I was cool with it, but she wasn't fond of sharing the spotlight. After a photo shoot, she got in my face and said, "If I were you, I'd give up now because I'll soon be the face of the agency while you and the rest of the cows sit on the sidelines.".
In reference to Chasity's behavior towards my girlfriend, I said, "Now that was uncalled for."
"It would've been easy to tell that little heifer what I thought, but instead I decided to let it go because I didn't want to waste my time fighting with her. You're just starting out. Don't expect it to be handed to you just like that. You have to work your way up to earn it like everybody else. There are no free passes."
"You did the right thing to not let her get under your skin."
"All in all, it was same old same old until the week of the first show-case. While we were rehearsing for the fall show case, a woman and police officer walked onto the set."
Antonella POV
Oct.17,1998
During our practice on the catwalk, I saw a woman walking toward the front of the stage, followed by a police officer. As soon as Mrs. Rome notices them, she approaches them as I and the rest of the models stood and contemplated what is going on.
"Can I help you?" Mrs. Rome asked them.
"We want to speak to the owner." The woman replied.
"I'm the owner. Ramona Rome. What's the problem?"
"One of these young ladies has been deemed underage." The officer explained.
"There is no way the girls are underage. There must be a mistake."
"There's no mistake. One of these ladies is underage, and one of them happens to be my daughter."
Prince's POV
"The woman told Mrs. Rome that Chasity was her daughter, which was a shock to us all. I couldn't believe I was intimidated by a little girl who acts as if she's grown up. Boy, did she fool me."
"How'd your boss handled it after she found out?"
Toni concluded that Chasity was terminated due to the fact that Mrs. Rome didn't want her business lost because a 15-year-old lied about her age to make the cover.
"I believe that cop was her uncle after coming to the hospital to check on Cheyenne. So I suspect that woman who was with him was... Gia?"
As hard as I could not turn emotional, I simply replied, "Yeah."
All night long, Toni wrapped her arms around me in comfort, sensing my sadness.
