An Envious Obsession

Moving On pt. 2

Ashley & Aaliyah in Multimedia

Chapter 22

Aaliyah

As soon as we got to the party the music was already cranked up, and the people were already fired up, drunk, and way too turnt.

"The party just started, and it's already packed." I said as Ashley, and I made our way through the crowd by the entrance.

"This isn't an invite party, it's for everybody...eighteen and up."

I nod as I slightly sway my hips to the beats of this J Cole song that I wasn't too familiar with. Ashley jumped up on the stage that was in a design of a speaker, and then she held her hand out to help me up.

"Thanks." I said as I pulled the bottom of my tank top down, since it rose as she pulled me up. I followed her towards the right wing of the stage as the stage director handed us our mic.

"First introduce the event, then your gonna introduce yourselves, and after that tell them we have performances lined up that they wouldn't want to miss." The stage director said as he held his headset onto his ear.

"Gotcha." I said and Ashley nodded her head in agreement.

He walked away after giving us two thumbs up. Ashley turned to me, and she smiled an anticipated smile as she held Ber mic.

"Are you ready?" She ask.

I nod. "A little nervous but I'm good."

"Don't be nervous Aaliyah, you will do great...just be yourself."

I exhale deeply as I peeked at the audience, from between the stage curtains. The people were just standing waiting, some had their cameras and phones out ready to capture a highlight moment.

"Alright Aaliyah let's go." Ashley said as the DJ played a upbeat hip hop instrumental. A few seconds later I was walking out on stage behind Ashley as we both received an standing ovation from the crowd. I waved with a smile, as we walked towards the middle of the stage.

The show was on, and popping.

Toni

"Janet guess who texted me yesterday ? "

She looks over at me. "Hazel?"

I shake my head. "He'll no.... why would she be texting me...she's through with me."

Janet gave me a dumbfounded look. "There are plenty of reasons why she could be texting you."

I shrug. "Whatever... but she's not the one who texted me, Marcus did."

Janet looked taken back. "Really?...why?"

I lifted my feet from the water as the Asian woman dried it with a towel. "He needed a favor."

"Well...."

I scoffed. "Soon as he said he needed a favor I didn't reply."

Janet laughed as she glanced at her right manicured foot. "That's how it is though. But I think you should at least see what it is he wants."

I exhale. "Janet your too nice sometimes, I don't need to do anything. I don't owe him anything, plus What could he possibly want with me."

"You will never know. Just text him back."

I dig into my back pocket, and I pull out my phone. I go to the chat where I was texting Marcus and I make up an excuse as to why I replied late and I waited for him to respond.

After a while our pedicure was finished, and we we're walking next door to the hair salon. We had interviews, and press conferences to do for the movie so we had to look our best.

We already had an appointment scheduled so we were seated immediately. I was getting my hair, well my weave styled in curls. And Janet was getting straight hair. Once again Janet, and I were kicking it like we used too. And nothing else feels better than being around someone you care so deeply about.

My phone buzzed snapping me out of my thoughts. I glanced at it, and it was from Marcus. He replied saying...

Meet me at my place tonight at 8 ... it's important

I furrowed my brows, but I just put my phone in my purse and I closed my eyes as the stylist washed my hair. And as I closed my eyes I found myself thinking about hazel. Her beautiful face appeared in clouds, she was wearing all white with red lipstick. She was smiling, as if she was happy. And then Janet appeared in the clouds next to her, she was smiling too. Her cheekbones stood out the most even though her smile was very captivating. I didn't know whether to take this as a sign or what...but I honestly didn't understand it.

Once our hair was finished we left, and went home promising to speak to each other later.

When the time came around, I drove the long distance to Marcus's house. I got out expecting Marcus to be asking for money or maybe sex but what he wanted was totally unexpected.

***

"You want me to what!!?" I shrieked out in surprise.

"Look I know it's a bit much but he needs your help."

"Are you serious right now, I'm not doing anything for that nigga...not after what he did to me, and especially not after what he did to Janet you must be out of your fvcking mind!"

Marcus tried reaching for me to calm me down but I snatched away from him. "Toni...just calm down, you didn't even let me finish."

I wave my hands motioning that there is no way in he'll I would ever considered going to court, and pretend to be Tyson's wife who's struggling with kids without their father just so the judge can have sympathy for him and release him on probation. What kind of woman would I be if I did that.

And what kind of man is Marcus for even coming up with such a plan, who would ever think of some shit like this.

"It's the only way he will be released, plus he's going to pay you a large amount of money."

"I don't care how much money he's going to pay me...why in the he'll should he be released.. he commitment a crime...are you that damn heartless? "

Marcus sucked his teeth as he ran his hand down his face. "Toni why do you have to be so difficult, this is easy money for you...any female I know would have taken this opportunity quick!"

I felt offended. "Any female you know?...Marcus all the females you know are hanging upside down, late nights while guzzling down watered down liquor at that skank ass club you like going to so of course they would take this opportunity. Why don't you go ask one of them to do it?" I pull my purse up on my shoulder, and I stood up from his sofa. "My answer is no...goodnight. "

I didn't think twice about the deal, I wasn't trying to get involved in none of that scheming shit Marcus had going on. I didn't even know he knew Dimitri. What a small world.

***

What do you think is going on between Marcus,Jeffrey, Dimitri & Tyson?

Do you think Toni is starting to crush on Janet again?

Do you think Aaliyah is using Ashley as a rebound?