Under the Influence

Start It Slow

Chris POV

I'm on my jet on my way to Chicago to surprise Shawnie. I haven't seen her in about a month and a half. I've been extremely busy with my new album, but now, I have a couple of free days. I actually can't wait to see her. We've been texting, FaceTiming, and talking on the phone ever since that weekend she spent with me in LA, but it's not the same. I want to see her face in person. Shawnie is different from other women I've dealt with. She's very independent, and she doesn't want me to do anything for her or buy her anything, and that's so attractive to me. People always want something from me. It's nice to know she doesn't want me because I'm Chris Brown. She doesn't like all the attention, the cameras, and all that shit. I love that. It's refreshing to meet someone like that, someone who isn't using me to get famous.

Lately, I don't know what's going on with her, though. She plays me hot and cold. It's a little annoying because I am Chris Brown; I can get any woman I want, but I'm trying to give her some of my time. I know she was going through a breakup when we first met, but it's been 3 months since then. I don't know what's going on, and that's another reason I'm going to Chicago. I'm about to claim what's mine.

I told her I was going to be a distraction for her so she could get over this guy. I like to think I've been doing that. I know she doesn't want a relationship or anything, and I'm cool with that, but I can see us getting together eventually. I actually wouldn't mind that. But for right now, I'm going to play my part and just be whatever it is that she needs to get this motherfucker gone.

But until then, I need to know what's going on with her. Sometimes I text or call, and she doesn't get back to me for hours. I'm hoping it's because of work and not her ex. I need to see her and make sure she's okay.

I don't know why I'm so invested, yeah, we had a great weekend the first time she came to LA, but I don't get caught up in someone because of sex. I can get that from anyone and anywhere. It was more than that for me. We had a connection, and she understood me. I've never been able to talk to someone like that. Well, I have, but Kae and I aren't together anymore. I completely opened up to her, and it was nice, almost therapeutic.

It's Friday, and I plan to take her somewhere this weekend so we can have some time alone. She's been working a lot, and so have I. So we haven't been able to FaceTime or talk as much. I want to take her to my house in Miami for a couple of days. I want to reconnect with her, make sure nothing has changed between us, and we're still as solid as we were when she left my house that day.

I sat in a blacked-out Suburban right in front of her house, parked on the street, waiting for her to get home. I only waited for about 45 minutes before she pulled into her driveway. When she got out of her car, I got out of the back seat of mine. She didn't notice me until I was about a couple of feet away from her.

Walking up her driveway, "Shawnie!"

She whips around, "Oh my God! Chris, what are you doing here?" She smiles and hugs me, then kisses me on my cheek. "Why didn't you call me and tell me you were coming?"

"I wanted it to be a surprise. Did I surprise you?" I ask, hoping I did.

"Yes! I'm happy to see you." She closes her car door, "Come in."

I followed her into her house.