𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐦 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞

“ In The Quiet ”

The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room where Beyoncé and Onika lay nestled together in the cocoon of Beyoncé's bed. The world outside seemed distant and irrelevant, a mere echo to the sanctuary they had created within these four walls. It had been nearly a week since Onika had come to stay, seeking refuge in the only place where she could truly be herself, away from the prying eyes of the media and the relentless demands of her public life.

Beyoncé was dressed in a cozy grey tracksuit, the fabric soft against her skin as she held Onika close. Onika, in contrast, was wrapped in one of Beyoncé's oversized shirts and a pair of her sweats, the familiar scent of Beyoncé's perfume lingering on the clothes. It was a simple comfort, one that brought a rare sense of peace to both of them.

Beyoncé’s hand gently stroked Onika’s arm, tracing lazy circles on her skin as they lay in comfortable silence. She could feel the steady rise and fall of Onika’s chest, could hear the quiet rhythm of her breathing. It was in these quiet moments, away from the chaos, that Beyoncé felt most connected to Onika, most at peace with the world.

“You know,” Beyoncé murmured, her voice soft as she broke the silence, “you have to leave this apartment sometime. You can’t hide here forever.”

Onika shifted slightly, her head nestled against Beyoncé’s shoulder as she looked up at her with a small, defiant smile. “Who says I’m hiding? I just don’t see the point in leaving when I have everything I need right here.”

Beyoncé chuckled, the sound vibrating through her chest as she leaned down to press a kiss to Onika’s neck. “You’re impossible,” she whispered against her skin, a playful edge to her voice. “But I adore you… you know that, right? I love you so deeply, Onika. I don’t think I’d be able to live without you.”

The words hung in the air, heavier than the usual “I love you” that Beyoncé would casually say. This was different—more raw, more vulnerable. It was as if she was baring her soul, letting Onika see a part of her that she usually kept hidden.

Onika froze, her breath catching in her throat as she stared up at Beyoncé, caught off guard by the intensity of her confession. Beyoncé wasn’t one to express her feelings so openly, so deeply. Usually, she was the composed one, the one who kept her emotions in check. But this… this was different.

“Beyoncé…” Onika’s voice was barely a whisper, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to process the weight of Beyoncé’s words. She had always known that Beyoncé loved her, but hearing it like this—so unfiltered, so real—left her momentarily speechless.

Beyoncé smiled softly, reaching up to gently cup Onika’s cheek, her thumb brushing tenderly over her skin. “I mean it, Onika. I love you. I love you so much it scares me sometimes. I can’t imagine my life without you in it. I don’t want to imagine it.”

Onika’s heart swelled with emotion, her eyes stinging  as she gazed up at Beyoncé. She wasn’t used to this—this overwhelming sense of love and security. In her world, love was often conditional, something that came with strings attached. But with Beyoncé, it felt different. It felt real, genuine.

“I… I don’t know what to say,” Onika admitted, her voice trembling slightly as she leaned into Beyoncé’s touch. “I’ve never felt this way before… with anyone.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Beyoncé reassured her, her voice a soothing balm to Onika’s frayed nerves. “Just know that I’m here. That I’ll always be here, no matter what.”

Onika’s buried her face in Beyoncé’s chest, overwhelmed by the depth of her emotions. Beyoncé’s arms tightened around her, holding her close, as if trying to shield her from the world.