I walked on set juggling an arm full of garment bags and a suit case full of stuff I thought we would need for today. My name is Tatiana Williams, but everyone that knew me well called me Tati.
I was a stylist and intern for Karl Kani. Today was my first day being on site for an actual photo shoot. To say I was excited was an understatement.
I had never met a celebrity in the flesh before, but I knew that whoever was being photographed today was a big name in the industry, based on the hustle and bustle around me. "Tati, over here honey" I heard as I looked over and saw Karl inspecting pictures that had been previously shot.
Did I forget to mention Karl was my father? Silly me. I haven't seen him since my parents divorced and I moved to New Jersey to live with with my mother. She claimed his busy lifestyle left no time for him to raise a child. Now that I was 21 and employed in the fashion business who better to reach out to than my father?
"Hi daddy" I replied kissing him on both cheeks as he brought me into a fatherly hug. "Look how big you've gotten, and the spitting image of your mother. You're gorgeous princess." He continued as he motioned for his assistant to grab the bags I had in my hands.
"Thanks daddy, so what are we doing today?" I asked making my way over to the food table that was spread out for the crew. "We're gonna shoot the Fall campaign, Tupac is already waiting in the dressing room.
Pick out something for him to wear and we'll shoot it. I know you're fresh out of Parsons so let's see that education that my money paid for put to use." He chuckled.
" I'm giving you full creative direction but I'll be here if you need my help. I wanna see what you can do. Make me proud Tati." Dad said as he walked over to discuss last minute details with the camera man.
Tupac?! As in Shakur? I started choking on the dry bagel I was eating and stopped to get a cup of orange juice before nervously making my way to the dressing room. I loved Tupac so much. He was my favorite rapper besides Eazy - E. Not only was he a smooth conscious rapper, baby boy was sexy as hell.
His raps were way before his time & the mere sound of his deep voice made my inner regions wet. I knew him and my father were good friends because he rocked my dads clothes religiously.
I knocked twice before I heard his smooth voice say "come in". I walked inside and he was sitting in a chair with nothing on but his death row chain, a gold link necklace, a pair of crisp white socks and Versace Boxers. He looked up at me & his eyes twinkled as he tossed his pager on the table beside him.
"Wassup baby, I'm Tupac" he said getting up to give me a handshake. His muscles flexed as we moved our hands up and down in sync. He was built nicely, not too skinny and not to built, just the way I liked it.
"I'm Tatiana, your stylist for today" I said smiling at the fact that our hands were still connected, almost like he didn't want to let go. "Well, you're beautiful Miss Tatiana." He replied smoothly as he took his hand back and I dropped mine.
I blushed and moved a tendril of my hair out of face. "Thank you, call me Tati" I replied leafing through the clothing on the rack behind him, I could feel his gaze on me but I ignored it. " let's get you dressed."
Once I finished looking through all the clothes I picked out a pair of denim overalls with Thug Life embroidered on them. Dressing someone is important to their image & to me, these screamed Pac. It was kinda brisk out today so I thought dressing him in a simple black T-shirt would be silly.
Instead I picked up a black hoodie and a black & white striped hat sitting it on the loveseat. From what I had noticed his style was urban & street but he managed to make it look classy. Pac sat in the corner watching me thoughtfully.
"Yo these, are phat" he said finally walking up and observing the clothing I had spread out, but mainly the overalls. "You really know your shit, I was a lil scared for a minute. Thought you was gonna have me walking around looking janky." He joked pulling the hoodie over his head. I tried to keep my eyes on his face and not his body, but a girl was sweating like a whore in church.
Pac noticed and cracked up which made me laugh because his laugh is hella infectious. "My eyes are up here ma," he said lifting up my chin and licking his lips. "Nobody looking at you boy, hurry up and finish getting dressed before my dad comes in here being nosy" I replied making sure to look everywhere but his face.
"Kani your dad? Damn, I knew you looked kind of familiar" Tupac replied placing another gold necklace around his neck before grabbing his beeping pager & followed me out.
He was walking behind me & I already knew his eyes were on my ass but I didn't say anything. I put a little extra swing in my hips because I know he was watching, hearing the quiet "Damn!" that escaped his lips & I smirked.
I saw daddy out the corner of my eye as he approached us so I didn't say anything . I wanted to seem professional and I didn't want him in my business. Making my dad proud was very important to me, I hoped to followed in his footsteps and maybe take over the brand one day if he allowed it.
"So daddy, what do you think?" I asked gesturing my hands towards Pac. He was standing beside me and I could smell his Versace cologne mixed with a hint of weed smoke. He smelled yummy & it was making me weak in the knees. He slid his arm around my shoulder comfortably and I looked up at him.
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My dad dapped Pac up & pinched me on the cheek. "You did good baby, he looks great. It's like you read my mind cause I honestly I was gonna pick out a similar outfit.
I'm proud of you" my dad replied pulling me in a side hug. Pac still hadn't let go so I was awkwardly sandwiched between them. My dad let go disappearing as a crew member pulled him aside, so me and Pac searched for a good location.
"I was thinking we could do it over there where the graffiti is on the wall baby" Pac said his arm slung lazily around my waist as we walked. "Baby? I'm not your girl nigga" I replied sassily with my hand on my hip. "With the amount of groupies you have I'm damn sure you aren't tryna be tied down" I continued watching him fiddle with his Rolex.
" Who said anything about being tied down? I'm a rapper baby, I get around. You already know that. I'm just making conversation. I can't lie & say I'm not feeling you because I am. I know we just met and everything but after we done this business thang, I would love to take you out." Tupac replied rubbing his big hands up and down my sides.
He looked deep into my eyes under long voluminous lashes letting me know that he meant every word he said.
Y'all, I tried to say no because if any other bozo on the street tried to spit that to me, I woulda been turned around and laughed in his face. But this was Tupac Shakur. I already knew I was in love with this man even though we had only spent a mere 2 hours together.
The man I idolized. I had his posters all over my walls and made sure I was the first to buy any music or see any movie he appeared in before it even came out, perks of having a famous father.
"Sure, I would love that". I said lacing our fingers together. Something about him was intriguing. He smiled brightly and winked at me as he stood up against the wall in character ready to be photographed.
"Say Cheese" I yelled. "I'm a thug, what I look like saying that shit".
____________________________________ - I'm sorry this one was kinda long & boring but they'll get better 💖 - Kashahnah
