Company

Chapter 48

After yesterday Tae was feeling the effects of what on and off all day sex with Drake was like. She stood in the bathroom shifting her weight every few minutes. Her whole lower body was sore, her hips, thighs, and lower abdomen burned as if she had a great workout. And it was safe to say that sex counted as one. She ran a flat iron through the last section of hair.

Photos began to surface of her leaving the large hospital after her miscarriage. Sadly gossip sites still placed her as pregnant. Right? That would be the only real reason for her to be going into a hospital. She shook her head at the multiple links she was being tagged in. A txt notification rolled down the top of her screen.

Txt From Draya: congrats on hitting the lottery 😏

Tae knew Draya seen the gossip sites, and she knew Draya was referring to hitting the lottery as becoming "Drake's Baby Momma" the quote-unquote "impossible".

Txt to Draya: the lottery? If you'd like to know, all you have to do is ask. Don't speak to me as if I'm one of your fake reality friends. As if I haven't dealt with you for damn near six years.

Txt From Draya: I don't need to know all your business, just thought I'd congratulate you.

Tae smiled as she read the text as much as Draya was on gossip sites for bullshit, she of all people should know that a picture could say everything but what it really was.

Txt To Draya: if you say so. Speaking of business, I thought I'd come to the shop, pick up a few bikinis. You there?

Txt From Draya: yeah, come down

Tae had more than just a visit for Draya during the week of her run-in with Dollicia, Draya had managed to fit in many shady shots at Tae through IG posts, Twitter, even getting in a second interview. Tae thought about giving her the benefit of the doubt she was clearly showing some signs of jealousy and the fact that Tae was ignoring her and not giving in to her drama like she normally did. Draya was acting out, but enough was enough. Draya wanted attention so Tae was going to give it to her.

Tae pulled up to the beautiful all-white building. Bright lighting lit up throughout the store, white couches popped against the shiny jet black marble floor. Mannikins dawned specific fabric and colors as bikinis of all shapes, colors, and sizes lined racks against the plush white walls.

"We'll look what the cat dragged in, I honestly didn't think you would come, I mean we wouldn't want the paparazzi getting shots of Drake's girlfriend visiting her ex-girlfriend." Draya spoke with sarcasm, as she pointed to the few paparazzi that stood outside the glass doors getting pics off every few seconds.

"Another day another story right? I mean me being here is in your favor..... Or is it?" Tae looked at the paparazzi, then back to Draya who was making her way closer to Tae from behind the long black checkout counter. Tae sat down on one of the couches as she looked around the store.

"So, THIS is where my 60% went to!? ..... I'm very impressed. So not like you though, very pure, very bright, very..... virgin-esc feel. A lot of white." Tae spoke with the exact same sarcasm Draya greeted her with.

"Excuse me? 60%?" Draya's arms crossed her chest as her weight shifted from one heel to the other.

"Awwww don't tell me you forgot? All this fame and attention must be clouding the little room you got left up there." Tae spoke as she leaned forward, the devilish like grin crossed her face as Draya began to frown, almost as if her memory was beginning to come together.

During the winter of 2012 Draya came to Tae asking for help to start her Mint Bikini Swim Suit line, she knew Tae was well connected with the fashion industry and knew Tae would be the perfect person to be a business partner. The two were a couple during that time and Tae agreed to give up to 60% of the money that Draya needed with was more than enough for her to get everything together. Tae demanded that Draya sign a contract that stated she pay her back within a two year period (2014) and if failed she would have to pay 20% interest. Shortly after the launch of the bikini line Tae and Draya split due to her wanting to do Basketball Wives, and because they split Draya refused to pay her back. Tae, being the smart one let Draya rack up the money she owed her. She didn't so much as utter a word to Draya. That is until. Now.

"So this is what you came here for, to get your little 60%" Draya spoke with her hands now on her hips, her voice still carried the sarcasm, but her smile ceased to exist.

"60%.... Oh, honey, it's been a year since that two-year interest rate. I damn near own Mint." Tae spoke but with no sarcasm, she was leaning back on the couch again looking Draya in the eyes. "See that's the problem with creating something you love so much with your then significant other, because when you two split, who gets the baby?" Tae taunted Draya as she stood up walking towards her closing the distance. "You want to be a child? You want attention? You want to act out for the paparazzi and gossip blogs. So I'm now giving you the attention you so desire." Tae's voice became very low as the gap between them closed. Draya continued looking at Tae her eyes narrowed as her nose flared.

"So what? You going to take the swimsuit line from me?.... Really?" Draya spat back at Tae, crossing her arms again.

"No no no, I won't take it from you, not yet, but keep trying me bitch, I'll blackball you so hard, you'll be making bikinis with plastic wrap. Tae was calm as she spoke at arm's length from Draya, she could see Draya's already light skin go flush. "These bikinis or you won't so much as cover a magazine, walk a runway or have a showcase without my say so." Tae closed the arm's length between them, she was close enough to hear Drayas breath deepen. "I'll put you right back on that pole in Philly where I found you at. Continue speaking on my name if you think I won't." Tae finished as a friendly smile graced her face.

Draya stepped back with a frown, her attitude wanted to say something to Tae but she knew better. She knew that Tae could take Mint if she didn't pay her back, but at this point, she was damn near 90% deep in debt with Tae, and she wouldn't be able to pay her off fast enough. Tae began walking to the doors of the store, paparazzi continued pointing cameras, flashes continued to bounce off anything they came in contact to. Tae pushed the doors open as paparazzi followed her, questions began to rain in. Tae kept a straight face until she made it to her car and pulled off.