Taraji: Why didn't you just ask your husband to help you?
Danielle: Somebody had to stay with our daughter. You were the only person I could think of to help me. Nobody loves dogs like you do.
Taraji: This is stupid as hell. You're lucky I love you. Come on, let's go find this damn dog so I can go back to sleep.
Danielle: Wait, you can't go out like this. You need to change.
Taraji: Why? We're just going to be riding around. I don't plan on getting out of the car. I'm already tired as hell.
Danielle: I know, but you know paparazzi are always lurking. You don't want to get caught lacking.
Taraji: Whatever.
Taraji waved me off and rolled her eyes, but she turned around to go back inside and change nonetheless. I honestly thought that she would be too smart to fall for this, but she's actually going along with all of the shenanigans. If Fantasia's whacky ass plan actually works, Taraji will have no choice but to take her back.
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Taraji's POV
I laid my head against the passenger window as Danielle drove us around on a wild goose chase. We had been driving all over the city and her dog was nowhere in sight. She had her window rolled down, sticking her head out of it and calling the damn dog's name as if he was going to emerge from the shadows and bark back at her. I was utterly confused when she pulled up to Blue Haze Jazz Club.
Taraji: Your dog is a fan of smooth jazz?
Danielle: I stopped here because I have to pee. Come in with me.
Taraji: Why?
Danielle: Because it's dark and creepy out here. Just come with me.
I smacked my teeth, following Danielle into the club. I found it strange that there were no patrons, yet the club was still open. Then I realized something.
Taraji: Dani, you don't have a dog. You've never mentioned a dog and you don't have any pictures of a dog on your Instagram, so what are we really doing here? What the hell is going on?
Danielle looked around, avoiding my eyes. Instead of answering my question, she took off running out of the door. She got into her car before I could catch he and she locked the doors, locking me out of it. I tapped my hands on the window, but she just pretended not to see me. When I started yanking on the door handle, she drove off. I was so shocked, all I could do was stand there with my jaw on the pavement. It started to get cold after only a few seconds, so I went inside to stay out of the chilly night air. I didn't realize that I wasn't alone until the sound of piano keys filled the empty bar. Fantasia was on the stage. I squinted my eyes, wondering what her and Danielle were up to. Danielle is always the voice of reason, so she's the last person I would suspect to be conspiring with Fantasia.
Taraji: Tasia? What is this?
Fantasia: I wrote a song for you. Will you sit down and listen to it?
Taraji: This is insane.
Fantasia: People do crazy things for love all the time. Please, have a seat.
I folded my arms over my chest, sitting down on a barstool. I shouldn't be here. I'm trying to build something real with Brandee, something healthier than the affair I had with Fantasia. I can't do that if I'm here entertaining her nonsense, but for some reason I can't find it in my heart to walk away from her right now. She started to play the piano, and the beautiful words that followed transported me to a whole other place. She looked right at me, and it felt like she was staring through my soul.
You put your heart in my hands And I bled it dry There was so much sadness In your eyes I wanted to make you smile But I only made you cry If I had to live without you Then I would rather die Because you shine brighter Than every star in the sky My love for you is the truth Taraji Never a lie
Your body's like a temple Built to be worshipped Your mind is a wonderland Too complex to be simple And even if the world was ending To your embrace, I would fly My love for you is the truth Taraji Never a lie
I couldn't stop the tears from falling down my face. I can't even begin to fathom the fact that she put so much thought into doing something nice for me. She's pouring her heart and soul out to me in her art form. She stepped down from the stage, but she continued to sing to me as she made her way towards me. My pulse was pounding like a drum as she got closer to me. I held my breath when she grabbed me by my waist.
Fantasia: I could write a whole album about how much I love you, and I'll do exactly that if that's what it takes to win you back. I promise I'm working on getting a divorce. Kendall isn't making it easy, but I'm going to make it happen for you. For us. I want you more than I've ever wanted anything, and I'm tired of pretending like I'm satisfied with just being your friend. It's not impossible for us to be both, and we can do it right this time.
Taraji: There's no right way to commit adultery. We'll never be able to do it right because it's wrong. The song is beautiful and I will never forget you doing this for me, but I can't go back. I can only go forward, and right now I'm trying to move forward with someone else.
Fantasia: Oh, so that's what this is?
She slowly released my waist, taking a step back and staring at me like she was both confused and disgusted.
Fantasia: Who is she?
Taraji: I don't feel like that's any of your business. I told you that I appreciate you for writing me the song. I don't know what else you want from me.
Fantasia: I want you to kiss me.
Taraji: I'm not doing this with you.
Fantasia: Yes, you are.
When I tried to walk away, she grabbed my wrist and pulled me back. I gave her a hard stare, silently warning her with my eyes to let me go. I have to stop this cycle before it can even start again. We bring the worst out of each other. A nice song isn't going to change that fact.
