Back to Love

2

January 3, 2026
Los Angeles, California

| Third Person Omniscient |

"Key, stop throwing my stuff down like that. Just place it on the floor." Karina said with an attitude.

"Man shut all that up. You ain't even grabbed yo own boxes, we doing all the work." He said while throwing down another box. Karina smacked her lips and pushed his arm. He shrugged his shoulders and walked back out to the car to see if there was anything left to grab.

"I wish y'all would shut up all that arguing. Y'all been at it since we pulled up." Ashley said as she closed the door behind Key.

"I swear. Don't nobody wanna hear that shit." Janiyah said as she sipped her water.

"Anyways, thank y'all for helping me with the rest of my stuff." Karina said as she looked at the boxes of mostly clothes.

"How you been?" Ashley asked with a saddened look.  Karina shrugged and gave a closed mouth grin.

"I've been okay- well I've been stressed lately. Between getting the rest of my things from Houston, the new hair care launch, and Chris being gone...I feel like I can't catch a break." Karina said truthfully, feeling her heart getting heavy. Ashley walked over and hugged her tight.

"You know you got us Rina. You don't have to deal with all this alone." She said while still hugging her.

"I know...it's just hard." Karina said softly.

"Why is yo ass poking like that in this dress?!" Chris said with an eyebrow raised. Karina laughed and looked in the mirror.

"You bought the dress, Chris."

"I know I did but damn." Karina laughed again and walked over to Chris who was standing near his bed.

"Chris, do we have to go out tonight? We can just stay here and chill." Karina asked grabbing his hands. This was their third time going out this week and she was tired of being outside.

"We not gon be gone long, Rina. I promise." He kissed her forehead. "Grab yo purse so we can go."

Karina grabbed her things and they left out in Chris's Lamborghini. She silently prayed that Chris was telling the truth of not being gone long because being outside was not for her, especially three times in one week. They pulled up to the club in 30 minutes, and got out the car and quickly went inside while paparazzi took their pictures. Chris had a firm grip on Karina's hand, making sure she wasn't getting too overwhelmed or lost as they walked into the packed club. He took her upstairs to VIP and got them both drinks.

"Cheers." He said biting his bottom lip.

"To what?" She said with a smile.

"To us." They hit their shot glasses together and downed the drink.

"Whew that's licka!!" They said in unison with their faces turned up from the burning sensation.

"Chris, try not to drink too much tonight please. That lambo is just too fast for me." Karina said and Chris laughed because the last time she tried to drive that Lamborghini, it drove her instead.