Destined To Collide

Chapter 16

A few minutes later; the same day

Linnie-

I'm still thinking about what Donny and I just spoke about while I'm walking to the Boutique to meet Ashley (I know everyone's shorthand for it is the Bistro now but it'll always be the Boutique to me). To tell the truth, I don't know what I was expecting his answer to be and I'm not sure what my reaction would be to any of them. I can't believe I got defensive when he didn't automatically say 'yes'. It's a big decision and I should kick myself for asking it in the first place especially since only moments before I was voicing the same concerns in my head that Donny did.

I arrive at the store and it's busy as usual these days. I get shouts and even cat-called about Pantsuit Powderkeg before I spot Ash. I see Gina but I don't see Kenny. I shrug. Maybe he took a day off.

"What's up, Ash?" I ask, "You wanted to see me?"

"Sure do, girl," she says, "come with me upstairs. You're mom's not here, she's visiting Chester, there's something else that wants to see you."

We get upstairs and open the door and I see a face I haven't seen in awhile.

"Derrick!?" I skreech excitedly; this is a nice surprise. Derrick is Ashley's son; he's one of the most successful black Hollywood wheelers and dealers. I run to and give him a big hug and kiss on the cheek.

"How've you been?!" I ask, "What brings you into town?!"

"I've been great, Carolynn." he replies

"Boy, I told you she goes by 'Linnie' now." Ashley scolds her son.

"It's alright, Ash," I say, "so tell me, why are you here?"

"I'm here for you, Miss Powderkeg." he reveals. Ugh, I should have known. Makes sense; he's works for many of the top movie studios in Hollywood. I really don't want to hear another movie pitch but since he came all this way, for me, I should at least hear him out. Besides, he's an old friend, it would be rude if I rolled my eyes and left.

"Ok," I say dryly, "what's the movie pitch?"

"It's actually not a pitch, but an offer," he explains, "we already have the rights to option your video for a movie. We have a script, a cast and crew; it's going to be made. My question for you is, would you like to come LA and be our consultant since, obviously, you were there. This is, after all, essentially a biopic of you."

"Of me?" I ask, curiously, "All I did was stand up for myself and the man that I love and people decided to film it on their phones. I've only been doing all these interviews because Donny encouraged me to do it so it'll raise my self esteem. Outside of that video, my life has been pretty boring."

"The hell it has," Ashley pipes in, "you were living a lie until you met that boy of yours."

"That's true, Ash," I reply, "Speaking of, you want me to call him to come over here? I assume he's coming, too, since he's as much apart of that video as he is."

"The offer is only for you, unfortunately," Derrick says, "and with respect, he doesn't have that much to do with the video, at least not to public perception."

"Well, you're doing a biopic on my life, right?" I say, starting to sound annoyed, "And he's the most important part of that. He's who inspired me to do what I did in the video. Is he even portrayed in this thing?"

"Sure, he is," he says, "he's your boyfriend after all."

"Well, I'm not going unless he can go, too!" I strongly protest

"Then he'll have to make his own flight and hotel accomodations and he won't be allowed in the lot." he says sternly, "Look, I'm not here to force you to do anything, but to be honest, if I were you, a young, attractive, sexy lady like you wouldn't want him along anyways."