Agora Hills

nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

November 15, 2024

Reeva watched Trinity seethe with frustration as Marcus stood there, his face plastered with that infuriating smirk of his. The whole situation was just too much. Reeva could feel the tension radiating off Trinity like heat from a stove, and frankly, she didn't blame her.

Marcus had just walked in with no regard for what was actually happening. And to top it off, he had the audacity to ask when Tookie would be discharged so she could get back to work promoting her album.

It took every ounce of self-control Reeva had not to step in right then, but she could see Trinity was already about to lose it. The look in her eyes was a clear warning. Marcus didn't get it. He never did. He was so fixated on his own agenda, on making sure Tookie's career kept moving forward, that he couldn't see the bigger picture.

Tookie wasn't just some asset to manage; she was a human being, pregnant with triplets, and she needed to rest. Reeva wasn't about to let Marcus steamroll her, and she wasn't about to let him steamroll Trinity either.

Trinity's voice broke through the tension, sharp and angry. "What does she have a team for? Are you really in here asking when a pregnant woman with triplets, by the way, will be discharged so she can promote a damn album? Are you sick?"

Reeva nodded in agreement, her eyes narrowing as Marcus tried to shrug it off. He really had no concept of empathy, did he? He just couldn't see how completely out of touch his request was.

Marcus, unfazed, shot back, "You and your husband think y'all know Tookie better than me. That girl is a workaholic; this is the schedule she made, so we're keeping it."

Reeva's jaw tightened. He'd said it before—the whole workaholic thing. As if that somehow gave him the right to push Tookie beyond her limits. Reeva had seen it for years—how Marcus could manipulate the situation, twisting Tookie's own dedication to her career into something he could use to his advantage. It was disgusting.

Trinity rolled her eyes in frustration, clearly losing her patience. "Things have changed, and we are not risking Tookie and the babies' health. So get her team to promote the damn album without her. People do it all the time."

Reeva could tell Trinity was this close to reaching her breaking point. If Jonathan had been there, Reeva was certain Marcus would already be knocked out. But thankfully, he wasn't. And Reeva knew she needed to handle this before things escalated.

Marcus, still looking as smug as ever, leaned in with a sickening smirk. "You think Tookie wants you or your husband?" he sneered. "She doesn't share."

Reeva couldn't help herself. That was the last straw. She stepped between them, her body blocking Trinity's view of the guy who was about to make her lose her cool. Marcus' eyes flicked to her, but she didn't back down.

"Enough, Marcus," Reeva said firmly, her voice cutting through the air. "We all know you have a crush on Tookie, but take a damn hint. She didn't want you then, and she doesn't want you now. Be professional, have some empathy for a pregnant woman in the hospital, and do your job. Or else, I'll make sure Tookie fires you."

Reeva didn't flinch as Marcus glared at her, his expression darkening with obvious irritation. But she wasn't about to let him intimidate her. She crossed her arms and stood her ground, unwavering. "Glare all you want, Marcus, but you know I'm right."

And with that, he walked away, muttering something under his breath that Reeva didn't care to catch. She didn't need to. He was out of the picture, at least for now.

Reeva turned back to Trinity, who looked like she was trying to catch her breath. The anger was still there, but it was mingled with the relief that came from knowing Marcus was finally out of the room. She had seen Trinity in moments like this before—on the edge of breaking but holding herself together for the sake of those she loved. But today, Marcus had pushed too far, and it was starting to take its toll.

"Is he always like that?" Trinity asked, her voice still tight with frustration.

Reeva gave a heavy sigh, rubbing a hand over her face. "Sometimes worse," she said. "But he's been Tookie's manager for years, so she doesn't see what trouble he really is."

Trinity nodded, her brow furrowing as she thought about it. Reeva knew that it wasn't easy for Tookie to see the flaws in people she had grown close to. Tookie was loyal to a fault, and Marcus had been there for her from the beginning, which made it harder for her to recognize when he wasn't doing what was best for her.

Reeva had been trying to point that out for years, but it had never stuck. Marcus was good at playing the long game, using Tookie's trust and loyalty against her. It made Reeva angry, but she had to stay patient—she couldn't lose sight of what mattered.

"So, how is she and the babies?" Reeva asked, her voice softening with genuine concern.

Trinity's face brightened a little as she spoke. "Better," she said, her smile showing a glimmer of hope. "But they're worried that she may have preeclampsia."

The weight of those words hit Reeva like a freight train. Preeclampsia. That was serious. The last thing Tookie needed was complications in her pregnancy, especially with triplets.

Reeva could see the worry clouding Trinity's expression, and she knew she had to act fast. Tookie's health had to come first, and everything else would have to take a backseat—including Marcus.

Reeva didn't hesitate. "Oh my goodness. Okay, yeah, I'll go get Papa Phil to fire Marcus and have Kayla temporarily step in as her manager. We'll handle the album stuff. We'll make it work without her."

Trinity's eyes widened in surprise. "You guys can do that?"

Reeva smiled, a little relieved to see that Trinity was finally getting it. "Oh yeah," she said, her confidence returning. "Phil is our legal guardian and power of attorney. He has control of everything in case of an emergency. And this is definitely an emergency."

Trinity's relief was almost noticeable. She smiled back, her shoulders relaxing just a little. "I never thought I'd say this, but Papa Phil is the best."

Reeva laughed, glad that she was able to lighten the mood a little. "He's gonna be so happy to hear that. He hates Marcus, too."

Trinity's laugh echoed hers. "I think we all hate Marcus."

Reeva nodded in agreement. Marcus had crossed the line one too many times. He didn't respect Tookie, and he certainly didn't respect the people who cared about her. Reeva wasn't about to stand by and let him continue to take advantage of Tookie's kindness and dedication to her work. She didn't care how long he'd been with her; if he wasn't going to put Tookie's health first, then he didn't deserve to be part of her team anymore.

"Alright, I'm gonna go handle this," Reeva said, her mind already running through the steps. "I'll get Phil on the phone, and we'll get Marcus out of the picture. You stay with Tookie. We'll take care of everything else."

Trinity nodded, her face softening with gratitude. "Thanks, Reeva. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Reeva smiled back, a little touched. "Don't mention it. You've always got me. And Tookie, too. Always."

With that, Reeva turned and left the room, her mind already focused on getting everything sorted. She would make sure Marcus was out of the picture, and she would make sure Tookie's health and well-being were the top priority. Nothing else mattered.

And if Marcus didn't like it, well, he could take it up with Papa Phil.