Black Celebrity One-Shots (2000s)

Pray You Catch Me (pt.1)

Character POV: Beyoncé

side note: this is not a 2000s story. it is simply an outtake from an old story. let me know if you'd like me to continue this short story.

***

I can taste the dishonesty

It's all over your breath...

I had a fire brewing inside me all day. As I stood in front of the full-length mirror of our bedroom, I noticed how my sheer black Givenchy dress reflected my current mood. It was going to be someone's funeral tonight ---- and it wasn't going to be mine. My hands balled into fists, as I deathly stared at my husband.

I was upset with him about something, and he knew it. Always claiming he's working late, but I knew better. Always claiming that he was out with the boys, but I certainly knew better. He kept his distance and focused on clasping the cufflinks on his suit.

"Are you serious right now?" I exclaimed, "You promised me you would be home early last night, and here you are, barely getting up in time to get ready for one of the biggest events of the year."

He sighed and ran a hand across the top of his head. "I know, Bey, and I'm sorry," he said. "I got caught up in a meeting with my team, and before I knew it, it was two in the morning."

I rolled my eyes. "That's always your excuse, Jay. You're always working late, always too busy to spend time with your family. It's getting old!"

He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, there was a knock at the door. I glared at him before he decided to open it, my publicist greeting us on the other side.

"Hey, we're running a bit late, y'all ready to go?" Yvette asked, a bright smile on her face.

I forced a smile to keep my composure. "Yeah, we're ready," I responded, grabbing my clutch and heading for the door.

"Ok, let's g-," Jay said, taking my arm.

"Don't touch me," I hissed, pulling away from his grasp.

He held his hands up in defeat and walked out before me. I just wanted the night to be over already.

***

"Give us a little shoulder!" "Over here!" "Beyoncé and Jay, face this way!"

As we stood at the red carpet, we put on our happy faces for the paparazzi. I knew I needed to control myself, but I found it more and more difficult each time he would try to interact with me. Jay even took it a step further, getting down on one knee and pretending to propose to me as he picked up my wedding ring that fell on the ground. I wasn't sure what else to do, so I just stood there, pretending to be a part of the act. But the tension between us remained.

It seemed like our marriage was becoming a mere façade, a performance for the cameras.

We made our way inside and found our assigned table, where Solange was waiting for us. I could tell she was happy to see me, and I was relieved to see her. I knew that Solange didn't like Jay too much as of late, and I had hoped that they could at least pretend to get along for one night.

"Beyoncé!" she called, standing up and walking over. She wrapped herself around me, and I hugged her tightly, not sure if I should let go.

I looked over her shoulder to see other A-listers such as Cara Delevingne, Lupita Nyong'o, Jourdan Dunn, Frank Ocean, and John Legend, and other close friends were sitting together at the table, chatting and laughing. We exchanged hugs and kisses before I grabbed a seat and I was glad to see everyone.