The Other Woman

Beautiful Roses for a Beautiful Lady

I rush out of the court room and make my way into the nearest bathroom as tears fall from my eyes.

I didn't know reliving that video of how Safaree hurt me would get to me this bad. It's not like I could just avoid it as I sat in the court room while the video played as evidence.

It's been months since I left Safaree, so I thought that maybe I could handle watching it, but I could barely listen to it without clinging to Beyoncé's arm.

Standing in the dim bathroom in front of the large mirror, I stare at myself.

This is who I am now.

A woman who is scarred for life. I flinch when someone raises their voice at me. Someone can do as little as try to caress my arm and I flinch. How did I allow this to happen to me? I let a man put his hands on me after I vowed to never let that happen. This is my reality and I can't do anything to change it. I either let this completely take over my life or get up every morning and decide to be strong. I refuse to let this hinder my growth as a person and as a woman. He already ruined me enough, and the last thing I'm going to let him do is control me now that he's out of my life.

I gently pat away my tears with a tissue as I look at myself in the mirror. This is the last set of tears Safaree and this situation are getting out of me.

I hear the door to the bathroom shut, making me turn my head in that direction.

It's Beyoncé.

I compose myself as quick as I can.

"Onika," she whispers softly as she looks at me.

I clear my throat and sigh as I turn to look at her.

"Bey, please, I can't-" I start saying, but she cuts me off. "I know, love. It's okay. Please remember all those times I've told you that you're safe now. I mean it." She states.

She holds her hands out in front of me and I take them, my heart instantly skipping a beat as her warm, soft hands take hold of my cold ones. She caresses them with her thumbs as she gives me a small smile.

"You're gonna be okay, you know? It may not seem like it now, but you are." She says, making my lips twitch into a slight smile.

She's always been good at comforting me. I don't know if it's her voice or the what she says, but she always makes me feel better.

"Thanks, Bey. I was really clinging onto you while the video was playing." I tell her in an attempt to lighten the mood.

She chuckles. "I know. It's okay. I understand. What are you up to now?" She asks.

I shrug as I take my hands out of hers and grab my purse that's sitting on the sink area. "I'm just going home. I was planning to go to my brother's house and see my nieces and stuff, but I need a minute after this hearing. You?" I tell her.

"I have to go back to the office. I've been super busy these past few days that I get home around nine at night." She explains and I shake my head.

"You work too much, Bey. You shouldn't be taking on as much as you do. It's not healthy." I say with a head shake while beginning to make my way out of the bathroom with her following me.

She sighs. "I know, I know, but it kind of serves as a distraction at this point. With all that's been going on with Ali and I recently... I don't really want to be home as often because the more we're around each other, the more we argue. I don't really have the energy to argue."

I nod in understanding as we continue walking out of the courthouse. I really feel for her with all she's going through with Ali.

"I'll see you soon, Nic. Text me when you get home." Bey says as we reach my car. I smile. "See you soon, babe. I will. You text me when you make it to the office." I reply as we lean in and peck each other's cheek.