Everything Started Here With You

What We Do

"I'm someone who's hoping for you to have a happy ending."

W
-- Yeon Joo

"Would you mind?"

I pulled my arm away from Hayden and brushed it off.

"What? You always want me to hold you."

"Too much, Hayden. Tonight is not the night to be touchy."

Hayden ignored my pleas for personal space as we entered the gates to Lexi's house. I wasn't surprised by all the lights and camera crew crowding the entrance. At first, I was going to tell Hayden to go around back, but I needed Lexi to see us or she'd think we were being sneaky. We were here to celebrate with Lexi, not rob her.

"There they are!"

Either of us didn't have enough time to react. Before we knew it, we were being surrounded by flashes and questions. I wanted out already, but we came here for one thing and we were going to get it done. There was no way I'd quit the job I promised my worst enemy I'd do. No one could beat me to it. As long as everything went according to plan, I didn't have anything to fear.

"Sha'Kera, who are you wearing?" they asked.

I so wanted to get smart with them and state the obvious, but I didn't want them to see me as some rude New Yorker no one could see why Lexi was friends with. I was Sha'Kera Davis. Or Blue Ace. From the last time they could remember, I was a nice woman. I loved everyone.

"A little bit of Dior with a touch of Versace," I said kindly.

"What about you, Hayden?"

"Dior," Hayden said through gritted teeth.

"I don't know if it's true or not, but some say you're coming back as Blue Ace soon. What do you have to say to that? Is it true?"

"No, not at all. It's not that I don't want to come back, it's because I can't come back."

"What do you mean?"

"As far as my old company is concerned, they don't want singers who go through a struggle. If you're rich, stay rich. If you get robbed by your ex, then it's on you and no one wants you anymore. If I ever come back...I won't be signing with the same company under the same name."

With that, Hayden took me straight to the house. I don't know where Lexi was, but I do know she didn't need to see me at all tonight. Not until the time was right. I don't even think she knows where I work anyway. If she did, then she was doing a pretty good job with keeping her mouth shut. Here goes nothing.

"Where is everyone?" Hayden asked someone. I looked up just in time to see the most perfect man stare right at me and keep walking. I had to know who he was.

"Not many people have arrived yet," a lady informed us. "Most of everyone with some sort of great social status is hanging inside."

"Oh. You wouldn't mind if my wife and I joined you, no?"

"Not at all, Mr..."

"Williams. This is Sha'Kera Williams. Close friends of Lexi."

"So nice to meet you, Mr. Williams. I'm Jade Cowell."

"Call me Hayden."

My gaze snapped away from the handsome man. Jade Cowell? There was no way she was here and Lexi wasn't around. From what I can remember, she was always with Lexi when I wasn't visiting. There wasn't one picture on the internet without her in it when they were younger. Sometimes I was jealous, but it was sort of refreshing to see her. She is so beautiful now.