Shades of Sepia

VII

Beyoncé Giselle Knowles
June 16th
Houston, Texas

"Is it safe to assume you two won't make it to the ball?"

I looked back, watched Onika's ass as she switched up the stairs to her porch. Solange snapped her fingers until I was looking at her again. She motioned for me to come closer so she could whisper.

"Do what you gotta do. I set an appointment to see Mama tomorrow morning. Don't let that mess up your groove or anything, I'm just letting you know."

I looked back again and Onika stood in the doorway, waiting for me. My eyes were so happy to see her. Pretty and perfect, she was doused in all things I'd given her or gifted, and I loved it that way. She was appreciative, but she was nowhere near modest, knowing her worth and willing to make me pay every penny.

There was something about her that I just couldn't put down.

"Beyoncé you are in the middle of a conversation."

"What time?" I asked.

"Eleven so you need to be done, over with, and ready to be picked up at ten. If you aren't on that porch, I will  leave you."

"You taking Sierra with you?"

"Sister get your mind right. I am obviously taking her with me."

"I'll see you in the morning."

I followed behind Onika, placing her cap and gown on the couch. I took my shoes off and trailed behind her up the stairs, my hand in hers, her stack of bracelets singing.

I told myself that I had control of my own body, but there was something about this girl that I just couldn't put my finger on. I was smitten the moment I met her, the moment she opened her mouth to speak to me. I was infatuated with her.

We entered her bedroom and she took a seat at her desk. She pulled the chair from her vanity over to her desk and I went to take a seat beside her. She had parts of the contract highlighted in pink.

"I knew you read it."

"You didn't sound so sure."

"I'm here for you. Tell me where we start."

"That damn NDA. If this is a relationship, which it is, it's normal for me to want to talk about it. Especially to my best friend."

"Were you listening? The NDA applies to sex."

"Duh. I know that. But Sierra and I talk about sex all the time. Best friends do that you know?"

"NDA means nobody."

"That's not fair to me and you have to be fair."

I found myself making compromises for her, just to have her. "Only Sierra."

She smiled, "This says we both have to be open-minded and you have to have mercy on me. What the hell is so harsh that you have to have mercy on me?"

"It only means that I will not put you in the deep end. That would make me a very irresponsible leader. If and when I have to punish you, mercy will always play a large part."

"What do those punishments include?"

"Punishment severity is dependent on your rule breaking. They're set to discipline you and discourage that unacceptable attitude. It could be anything from a paddling to denial of your orgasm to some form of bondage. Depending on what rule you decide to break."

"Is that your favorite part?"

"No, but I do enjoy correcting bad behavior. I have a feeling you'll need a lot of that."