𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔

𝐼𝐼

Onika Maraj

The morning after our confrontation came too quickly, and I woke up with a storm of lingering emotions swirling in my chest. I tossed and turned in bed, unable to shake off the weight of yesterday's fallout. The late night argument with Beyoncé loomed over me like a dark cloud—both electrifying and crushing. Had I really stood up to her? Had I truly declared my refusal to be treated as an afterthought?

I stood in front of the mirror, examining myself. My skin still glimmered with the remnants of last night's makeup, a stark contrast to the disheveled hair framing my face. I looked determined, but underneath it all lay a festering mix of anxiety and resolve. Today was a new day, and I needed to show Beyoncé that I was here to stay.

After a quick shower, I pulled on a fitted blazer that highlighted my curves and paired it with tailored trousers. There was something about adorning myself in professional attire that made me feel powerful, ready to tackle whatever lay ahead. I'd spent years building my tech empire, and I wasn't about to let one tumultuous night with a megastar derail my self-worth.

As I headed down to the kitchen, the smell of brewed coffee wafted through the air, and I found Beyoncé seated at the kitchen island, flipping through her phone. She looked up as I entered, eyeing me with a mix of surprise and mild amusement.

"Well, good morning. I see someone decided to put on a battle suit today," she quipped, her eyes sparkling with a playful challenge.

"Let's just say I'm not going to be someone else's sidekick anymore," I shot back, unable to mask the edge in my voice. I could feel the tension ripple in the air, thick and electric.

"Fierce. I like it," she said, smirking slightly as she took a sip from her coffee mug. "So, what's on the agenda for today?"

"Work. Meetings. The usual," I replied, trying to keep my tone neutral. Whether she understood the underlying motivation for this shift in my demeanor was up for debate, but in that moment, I wasn't backing down.

"Sounds thrilling," she teased, still wearing that infuriating grin. "You should really reconsider coming out to an event with me tonight."

"Why?" I challenged, crossing my arms. "So I can stand around while you flirt with some random model again? No thanks."

She laughed, and that vibrant sound sent a wave of frustration through me. "Just trying to be a good partner here, babe."

The playful banter felt different, charged as if we were circling around an unspoken agreement. I wasn't ready to forgive or let her back into my good graces just yet, but there was something intoxicating about the tension between us— the remnants of a battle fought, both of us standing on opposite ends, fighting for our own kind of respect.

As the day progressed, I immersed myself in work, diving into meetings with my team. They buzzed with excitement over potential projects, passionately discussing groundbreaking technologies that could revolutionize the industry. Each brainstorming session filled my heart with purpose, a reminder of why I had built this empire from the ground up.

Just as I was settling into the rhythm of productivity, there was a knock at my office door, and Marley peered in. "Hey, Onika! Can we talk for a sec?"

"Of course! What's up?" I replied, gesturing for her to come in.

Marley stepped inside, her face bare of the usual smiles, replaced instead by a look of concern. "I just wanted to check in. After last night, I hope you're doing okay."

I nodded, appreciating her support. "I'm fine. Actually, I feel... good. More in control," I admitted, my heart flickering with newfound confidence. "But I wish I could get through to her."