Just Friends

Confrontations

"Well, look who we have here? How are you Imani?" I heard Jason say with a smirk. I looked away, not being able to face him and stared at August with a blank face.
"What's wrong babe? Cat got your tongue?" He said with a smirk.
"H-h-hi Jason..."

August-

The waiter finally came with our food and I was so happy, I was starving. I spent the whole day at te studio and didnt get a chance to eat yet. I didn't know what it was, but the second the waiter came to our table I could sense a bad vibe. I looked over at Imani, and I could see her automatically tense the second she made eye contact with him. I didn't know who he was, but I didn't like the fact that he was making my baby girl uncomfortable. My babygirl, I could get used to saying that.  

"Well, look who we have here? How are you Imani?" The guy said with a smirk dancing across his lips. 

I already didn't like him, he knew what he was doing to Imani and was just taking his time. She stared at me, or past me is a better description, her eyes were filled with fear, and her body was slightly trembling. I grabbed her hand under the table and gently rubbed her palm, reminding her of my presence. It seemed to calm her down a little bit.

"What's wrong babe? Cat got your tongue?" He said to her with a smirk. My blood boiled when he called her 'babe.' I could sense how uncountable she was, but I didn't know what to do to make it better. "H-hi Jason.." She said, stuttering. He was enjoying watching her feel uneasy, and I was growing tired of being left in the dark.

"Um excuse me, but I think our food is getting cold. Maybe you could do your job and serve it to us?" I said, interrupting whatever the Jason guy was going to say to Imani. He rolled his eyes, but I could see Imani take a deep breath, relaxing herself. Who is he? How does he know Imani? 

He placed my dish roughly in front of me, and the turned to Imani, "are you sure you want to eat this? I think a salad would be better fitting for you right now, don't you think? "

I was speechless, how dare he say that?! I called the manager over with my hand, not wanting to leave Imani with this low life.

"Is there any problem here Mr. Alsina?" The manager said, looking between me, Imani and the rude waiter.

"Yea, we will be leaving now, you can charge the meal to my account and please check your employees." I said looking at the waiter in disgust.

"Sir, please don't-" The manager starts, but I ignored him, holding my hand out for Imani, she refused to make eye contact with me and I knew automatically that those words affected her. I grabbed he hand, leading the way out of the restaurant. Unfortunately for us, the paparazzi started to go crazy the minute we walked outside. I guided Imani to the car, opening the door for her and helping her up. I guess we will just go to a drive through because I don't think she was in the mood to go out right now.

"Baby girl?" I said once we got into the car, interrupting the silence we shared. 

"Hmmm?" She answered, still not making eye contact with me. I placed my hand on her knee, gently rubbing it. I knew the best place to take her right now. The silence surrounded us for the rest of the car ride until she whispered, "where are you taking me?" She said, her voice cracking. I could feel my heart sink in my chest just at the thought of her crying over some idiot. 

"It's a surprise princess," I said in response, I was expecting some sassy comeback but all I got was silence. I hate him. I don't understand why he would mention her eating, she literally had a killer body. I mean she was a little chubbier in high school, but then....

Then I remembered.

--Imani--
I knew August was trying to comfort me, that's something he would always do when we were kids but I wasn't in the mood. I just wanted to go back to the office, get my car and go home. What Jason said really hit hard, he knew I had problems with eating in high school and college. He used to be really supportive about it, but that was a jerk move. Jason was my only ex, other than August. He was such a sweetheart during college and so supportive, but once my career skyrocketed and he stayed in college changing from one major to another, he got jealous of my success and became abusive. I stayed with him throughout the abuse, but I regretted it now. I hated the fact that he had so much control over me. The thing about Jason was that he was always very observant when it came to me, he made sure I was "okay" all the time. That's how he found out about my eating disorder, he noticed that I wouldn't actually eat food in front of him, but pretend I was. That's something August never picked up on when we we're in High School.

"Baby?" August said again, interrupting my thoughts. This time I looked up at him, staring at the profile of his face. He got so much more attractive after high school, his baby face went away and his jaw line became more definite. He was still skinny, but had more muscle built up on him. Let's just say the pictures really didn't do any justice for him.

 "Hmm?" I asked, not trusting my voice.

"Who was he mani?" He asked, deeply concerned. He was still rubbing my knee for comfort and his touch soothed me. 

"My ex..." I said, trailing off. He stared at me in disbelief. 

"Babe that's your ex? That lowlife? You could do so much better than that, I hope one day you realize that." My heart fluttered when I heard him say that. It was nice to know his opinion of me, even if it disagrees with my own. 

"We are here princess.. Let's go." He said after a moments silence. I looked out the window and I had no idea where we where. It was a beautiful meadow with a little swing set and a mini park, but the slides looked old. 

"This is my favorite place in all of Atlanta, not many people know about it, because the park is old and all, I like to come here to clear my head." 

"It's beautiful August..." I said, speechless. I needed to find out where we are because I want to come again. It gave us a perfect view of the skyscrapers downtown, but was so low key. grabbed my phone out from my wallet and took a picture of the scenery. Everything about it was perfect. After putting my phone away, I looked up to August only to see him staring at me in confusion and horror.

"Baby, what's on your wrist?"
I froze.