Unique. 1

Faded to Black

The Tabby Hotel was abuzz with anticipation. Kennard had orchestrated every detail to perfection, booking over a hundred rooms for the week, including the opulent Presidential Suite for himself and Unique. The excitement in the air was palpable, and the hotel was the epicenter of activity for the fight of the decade. As Kennard juggled a myriad of responsibilities, Unique sought solace in the tranquility of the hotel's luxurious bathroom.

She stood beneath the cascade of hot water from the custom showerheads, letting the warmth envelop her. Despite the comforting environment, her mind was in turmoil. She grappled with the decision of whether to come clean to Kennard about the unsettling encounter with Fat Tee the previous day. Revealing the details would mean opening up about her entire past—an ugly reality she'd rather keep buried. And the thought of dredging up old wounds, particularly when God seemed to have designed life to be a series of well-kept secrets, was daunting. She questioned whether she should tempt fate and share her darkest moments or continue to keep her secrets hidden.

The continuous flurry of last-minute arrangements had kept Kennard away for most of the week. Even when he did return to their suite, exhaustion had rendered him nearly incapable of anything beyond a brief, half-hearted attempt at intimacy. Unique knew that eventually, she would have to disclose the truth to Kennard. The fear of someone else spilling the secrets, or worse, Fat Tee approaching him with incriminating details, weighed heavily on her. If Kennard learned about her past from anyone other than her, it would seem as though she was hiding something—because she was. Secrets, she mused, gnawed at one's conscience until they consumed everything. They were like rabbits, breeding and multiplying until they took over one's entire life.

Her resolve hardened. As she rinsed off the luxurious shower gel, she decided she couldn't hold her secrets any longer. She vowed to herself that she would come clean to Kennard about everything—at least the parts involving Fat Tee and Took. She would lay bare the reality of her past, akin to Eve handing the forbidden fruit to Adam. She knew she had to reveal it all, or at least as much as was necessary to clear the air. The robberies with Took, the betrayal that led to her being drugged and sold in Mexico, and the subsequent blackmail by Fat Tee—these were things Kennard needed to know.

As she scrubbed the soap across her toned stomach, she contemplated how much to reveal. She was prepared to recount the sordid details of her past, but part of her wondered whether sharing every single detail was necessary. The robberies with Took, the sale into forced prostitution, and the blackmail—these were the major points she intended to cover. She would reveal how Took had betrayed her in Mexico, leaving her in a dire situation. She might omit some of the more grimy details but would be honest about the essence of her past.

She had resolved to do this after the fight, believing that now wasn't the right moment to shatter Kennard's focus before one of the biggest milestones of his career. One more day to pretend and then, she hoped, she could address the truth.

Lost in thought, Unique continued her shower, turning the volume up on the radio tuned to Hot 97. She closed her eyes, letting the warm water soothe her. The built-in steamer helped ease her stress. Tonight, she was scheduled to attend the weigh-in with Kennard, and she had agreed to meet him downstairs at 6 P.M. for photos. Her makeup team would arrive in an hour, and shortly after, Tyeedah would be knocking on the door.

Unique had selected a stunning custom-made dress for the occasion, a prelude to the breathtaking outfit she planned to unveil the following night. She had worked hard to maintain her physique, and this event was her final opportunity to showcase her toned body before the baby bump began to show.

Entertainment Tonight, Extra, and Inside Edition had all requested interviews with Kennard, and Unique wanted to look impeccable in case the cameras caught her. She had no qualms about attracting attention or criticism from the fashion police of tabloids; she intended to be fabulous.

As Unique finished her shower, the unexpected happened—the lights suddenly went out, plunging the bathroom into complete darkness. Her initial thought was that Kennard had returned and was playing a prank.

"Ha-ha, Kennard, real funny. Now turn the lights back on. I'm running late as it is," she called out, feeling for the knob to turn off the water.

But the response she received was far from what she expected. "Maybe you will think this is funny now." The voice that answered was not Kennard's.

Fear surged through her. Before she could react, a pair of hands yanked her from the shower and delivered a crushing punch to her face, rattling her teeth. The force of the blow left her disoriented, but she was still on her feet. She had faced adversity before and was determined not to let Fat Tee's brutality break her spirit.

Fat Tee's words cut through the fear like a knife. "Where's your pistol now, bitch?"

Unique was bewildered by how Fat Tee had gained entry into her secured hotel room. Why had she left her gun unattended? The room's security was supposed to be impenetrable. As she absorbed the punch, she knew she had to act fast.

Regaining her composure, she threw a looping right-handed punch that landed on Fat Tee's chin. Her boxing and self-defense training had made her a natural fighter, but the slippery floor made it hard to generate the force needed for a decisive blow. Fat Tee quickly retaliated, landing another punishing strike to her temple. Her legs buckled, and she fell to the cold marble floor, her vision blurring.

Fat Tee's weight pressed down on her, his knees pinning her upper body. He slithered around with the ease of someone accustomed to violence. The situation was dire, but Unique's resolve remained unshaken. She refused to be a victim again. With his hands around her neck and wrists restrained, she struggled to breathe. The pressure was suffocating, reminiscent of their past encounter, but she fought against it with every ounce of strength she had.

Fat Tee's breath reeked of Hennessy, and he taunted her, "It didn't have to be this way."

Unique tried to speak, but her voice was choked out by his grip. Fat Tee, sensing her attempts to communicate, slightly loosened his hold. She managed to mumble something, but it was incoherent to him. He bent closer, his ear near her mouth. This was her chance.

With a surge of desperation, Unique bit down on Fat Tee's ear, her teeth sinking into his flesh. He cried out in pain, but she held on with fierce determination. Pulling her head back, she tore a chunk of his ear away, a brutal retaliation akin to Mike Tyson's infamous bite.

Fat Tee recoiled, giving Unique a moment of reprieve. She seized the opportunity, swinging her knee upward, striking him in the groin with all her strength. He crumpled to the floor, writhing in pain.

Unique scrambled to her feet, her mind racing. The light from the hallway was within reach, but Fat Tee's grip on her ankle pulled her back. She tried to stomp his hand, but the slippery floor betrayed her, causing her to lose balance. Fat Tee was back on top of her, and he began delivering a relentless barrage of punches.

Desperate, Unique clawed at his face, her nails digging into his skin. Blood—his or hers—was smeared everywhere, but Fat Tee's assault continued mercilessly. The beating left her on the brink of unconsciousness. As her vision faded, Fat Tee's relentless attacks finally ceased, and she lay on the floor, a pool of blood forming around her.

Fat Tee surveyed the scene with a twisted satisfaction. He had always thought Unique was invincible, but now he had finally broken her. As he cleaned his hands of the blood, he murmured, "What goes around comes around, bitch."

Unique's world faded to black as she lay motionless on the cold marble floor. The once vibrant life inside her seemed to slip away with her consciousness. Fat Tee's malevolent victory was complete, and the fight for her survival had come to a grim end.