Bruno's POV
I paced back and forth at the photoshoot site impatiently waiting for Valentina. She's two hours late and she hasn't even called to say she was going to be. I pulled my phone out and dialed her number. I had already called 12 times and she hasn't answered.
"Valentina Diamond." She huffed out on the fourth ring. Well what a surprise. She finally answered.
"Where the hell are you? You're two hours late!"
"I'm sorry Bruno. I had to run to Aela's school and pick her up. She's sick and been crying and what not. I don't know what's wrong with her. I'm 15 minutes away. Tell everyone I'm sorry and will be there as soon as possible. Kids come first." She said and sighed.
"Alright Val. See you then... I guess." I replied and hung up.
"Brandon.. Val said that she is on her way. Aela was sick and she had to deal with that or whatever. She should be here in 15 minutes." I said and sighed. Valentina's manager looked so pissed!
We all waited patiently for Valentina to come. About 20 minutes later, Valentina showed up.
"I am SOOOOOO sorry everyone. I didn't know my daughter would get sick. I was on my way here when I got the call that she was feeling under the weather. It won't happen again." Valentina explained. Her manger rolled his eyes.
"Hair and makeup are to the right. You two go get ready." He said with attitude and walked away. Valentina sighed and rubbed her forehead. We walked to hair and makeup and sat in the chairs. Val was quiet as they did her makeup. I cleared my throat.
"Sooo... Is Aela doing alright?" I asked to lighten the mood. Valentina looked over at me and sighed.
"I don't know. Chris says she is, but she keeps crying. She wouldn't tell me anything or if something happened... So, I really don't know. Maybe it has something to do with.... Something to do with.... Uhh... Leo." Valentina said. She bit her bottom lip and looked down away from my eyes. I could see the hurt in her eyes and the tears brimming her eyelids.
"Can you gives us a couple of minutes?" I asked the stylists. They nodded and left out of the room.
"Val.. Have you been going to the counseling like you're supposed to?" I asked. She shook her head no.
"For what? I don't need counseling. I just need to get through this on my own. I'm perfectly fine." She said and sighed. I hate seeing her like this. She looks so broken.... Not like herself. I stood up and hugged her. Her face was burried into my stomach as she hugged me back. I could feel her tears staining my shirt.
"I miss him so much Bruno. I know he cheated and everything, but I deeply loved him. Being married to someone for 15 years and being friends with them for basically 10 before that, makes you mentally, physically, and emotionally attached to that person." She said and sobbed into my stomach. I rubbed her back gently.
"It will all be okay. I know you're hurt. I had to go through it with Jessica. You were there for me, so I'll be here for you. Now, wipe your pretty little face. We have a photo shoot to do." I said. Val looked up at me. I could still see the hurt in her eyes, but there was a spark of life there. I handed her a napkin so she could wipe off her face.
"Thanks Bruno. I appreciate it." She said and smiled at me slightly.
"I'm always here to help, baby momma." I said and smirked. She rolled her eyes.
"I hate when you call me that." She said with a small laugh. I gently rubbed her shoulder.
"Deal with it." I said and laughed. The stylists came back in and finished doing our hair and makeup. Unfortunately, I have to wear makeup as well. They put foundation on my face, neck and toned up my cheeks. I feel fake. Val and I were seperated to get dressed. The first photo shoot we're doing is the professional office. I was forced into a sleek, black, Oscar de la Renta suit. They paired the suit with black Armani dress shoes and a red Versace bow tie. I was looking very stylish, and very expensive. My hair was in my famous "Whomp-N-Stomp".
Valentina came out of the dressing room wearing a black, skin tight pencil skirt, a red blouse that showed A LOT of cleavage, and a black blazer. She had on red Louboutin's and her hair was curled and hanging just below her breasts. Her body was looking so shapely and perfect. I remember how she worked her body for me. I still think about having sex with her. It's been 16 years since I had sex with Valentina, and I still think about her perfect she was. The way she walks turns me on. Ugh! She's so perfect.
I know I shouldn't think about Val in that way because of my wife, but I can't help it. I still deeply love Valentina, but I know she doesn't feel the same. She loves me... But she's not in love with me. I do love Kamryn. I love her with my heart and soul, but Val holds a special place in my heart. Val must've noticed me watching her. She looked down at herself and blushed.
"How do I look?" She asked. I gave her a nonchalant look.
"You look nice."
"You don't look too bad yourself. Shall we go on to the shoot?" She asked. I wish we could skip the shoot and---
I need to stop with these fantasies in my head. I have a good wife at home and a lovely daughter. I cleared my throat in hopes of clearing my mind.
"We shall."
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Aela's POV
Saturday
Homecoming Afternoon
2:15 PM
"You have your dress, your hair is getting done, you have shoes, a limo, and a hotel for the night. Is there anything else you could possibly need?" Mom asked. I rolled my eyes.
"A date." I said and looked down.
"What happened to that boy André?" She asked. My eyes stung. I turned around from her.
"We broke up."
"You did what?!"
"We broke up. I don't want to talk about it. We'll talk later. I'm going to get my nails done with Mira and Jaz." I said and walked upstairs. I didn't want to talk to my mom, preferably because of how André and I ended. How do you tell your mom your "ex-boyfriend" could possibly be planning to kill you? I told Mira and she's glad I broke up with Dré, but she's worried about my safety especially because he didn't hesitate to put his hands on me.
"Okay honey bun. I'll talk to you later then." Mom said before walking toward the kitchen. I walked upstairs to Chris' room and knocked on his door.
"Come in!" He yelled. I walked in the room and closed the door before sitting on his bed. He paused his game and looked over at me.
"What's the word Twin?" He asked and elbowed me a little. I smiled at him slightly.
"You coming to homecoming tonight?" I asked him.
"Yeah. Just to show my face and make the girls swoon. Ha! But, then me and Mariah going out to eat and to the movies. Why?" He asked and narrowed his eyes at me. I was contemplating on if I should tell Chris. He can probably sense that something is wrong. It's that twin telepathy thing.
"Is everything alright Twin?" He asked and turned his game off.
"I got to tell you something." I said and crossed my legs. Chris sat in front of me with his legs folded. I bit my bottom lip.
"I... Uhh.. Well.. André.."
"He didn't put his hands on you did he?" He asked really concerned. I looked away from him. I looked back at him and looked down.
"Look at me Aela. What did he do? So help me God, if he laid a finger on you, I will go to jail. I swear to God I will kill him. What the fuck happened?" He snarled angrily. I looked back at him and sighed.
"I went over to his house to ask him why he's been ignoring me. He was like he's busy and he don't want to be bothered with my bullshit. So, I broke up with him. When we started going out, he told me if I ever tried breaking up with him he would hurt me. I don't care about none of that. You know me. So, I started walking away. He grabbed me by my hair and threw me on the floor. I got up to leave and he grabbed my wrists. So, I slapped him. He raised his hand like he was gonna hit me, but I knew he wasn't dumb. Then he kicked me out of his house." I said quickly. Chris hopped out of the bed and picked up his phone. He unlocked it and dialed a number.
"Trey. We gotta do a 215 at Homecoming. This nigga put his hands on my sister. Yeah. I'm saying. His life will end tonight. Iight. I'll holla at you manaña. Let the squad know. Iight." Chris said into his phone. I didn't know what to say. A 215 means someone is not gonna make it home tonight. I don't want Chris to do the 215 on Dré. It's not that I don't want anything bad to happen to André, but Chris just got a full-ride scholarship to Ohio State for football. I don't want his scholarship and life to be gone because of a 215!
"Chris, what about your scholarship? Don't do something stupid." I commented. Chris turned to look at me. He was pissed. His face was red and his veins were popping out of his arms.
"Fuck that scholarship. You are my first priority! I would give my life for you Aela. Now, and forever. You're my blood. Blood comes before anything. Now, stay out of this. Don't worry yourself with this. He won't die. Call Jordan and get your mind off it. I got you." Chris said. There was no talking him out of this. He is stubborn. I sighed heavily.
"Chris.. You can't---"
"Girl... Go get your nails done. You can't say anything to change my mind. Take my card and go shopping or something. Just, take your mind off of this situation." Chris said. He went into his top drawer and pulled out his wallet. He went into it and pulled out his allowance card.
"Chris, I have money. You don't have to---"
"I insist. Here. Take this and go." He said. I took the card and slid off the bed.
"Well, okay. I guess. Don't do anything stupid." I said and slit my eyes at him.
"Alright. I won't. Go have fun." He said. I left out of his room and closed the door. I know Chris is gonna do something dumb. I just know it. I need to call someone that could stop him if something did just go bad. But who do I call? I stood outside of his door thinking. Then it hit me.
I gotta call Uncle Phil and Kam.
*************
Homecoming Time
(Photo of Aela to the side)
After coming from the nail shop, and Victoria Secret, I came home and got dressed. I had on a red Dior bandage dress and gold Christian Louboutin's. Instead of wearing my unruly curls like usual, I took the time to flat iron and semi-curl my hair. I put on 14 karat gold earrings to match my shoes. My nails are painted red to match my dress. I look pretty damn fine if I do say so myself. Jordan had agreed to escort me to Homecoming. I heard a knock on the door. I got excited knowing that Jordan was my date to Homecoming. The only way to heal a broken heart is to move on to bigger and better things.
"Aela! Jordan is here." I heard Bruno yell from downstairs. Mom insisted that Bruno, Kamryn, Auntie Jos, and Uncle Drew came over. I don't know why, but they did. I came down the stairs to see Jordan standing there at the bottom holding a large bouqet of red roses. He looked so sharp. He had on a black suit with a red tie and gold studded Steve Madden shoes. He had a fresh haircut and when he smiled showing his perfect white teeth, I felt like fainting. When I reached the bottom of the stairs and gripped my hand and gently kissed it.
"Roses for my beautiful baby. You look absolutely stunning." He said and handed me the roses. My cheeks turned bright red and my heart rate picked up.
"You don't look too bad yourself. Mom, can you put these in some water please?" I said and smiled. She took the roses from me.
"Now.. There are a few rules I have since you're taking my half-daughter out tonight. Number one, there will be no touching of any kind. Number two, no bumping and grinding. I don't condone that. Number three, she needs to be home at---"
"Bruno, leave them damn kids alone. Have fun ya'll! Be responsible and if ya'll trynna get a little frisky---" Auntie Jos began saying.
"OKAYYY!!! Goodbye family! Ya'll done spoke too much already. Come on Mariah." Chris said and rolled his eyes. I giggled a little as Jordan wrapped his arm around my waist gently.
"Mr. Hernandez and Ms. Diamond, I swear I will treat your daughter with the utmost respect. There is no need to worry about anything." Jordan said and smiled. Bruno sipped his drink.
"Well damn... The little nigga is sharp. Just like me.. I like him." Bruno said and elbowed mom. She rolled her eyes and smiled.
"Bruno.. Shut up!" Mom said and laughed.
"Let's take a few pictures before you all leave." Uncle Drew said and pulled out his camera. He took photography classes during college. We took around a million and three photos before finally getting into the limo mom and Bruno provided Jordan and I. We walked out the house and a driver was holding the door open.
"Hello. My name is Elliot, and I will be your driver tonight." He said. I smiled at him.
"After you my lady." Jordan said and smiled. I got into the limo and he slid in beside me. Elliot closed the door.
"Well, your family is very... Uhhhh... Interesting." He said and laughed.
"Yes. Yes they are. I'm sorry about that."
"I still can't believe that Bruno Mars is your half-dad! That's freaking AMAZING!" Jordan said and smiled.
"Yes. Bruno is very amazing. He's been a really big help since my Dad... You know." I said and sighed. Jordan nodded. We were silent for a minute.
"So, where are we going after this?" He asked. I shrugged my shoulders.
"I don't know. Maybe out to eat, or a movie. I want some Olive Garden pasta." I replied and giggled. Jordan laughed a little. We continued to have small talk about little things. Nothing important and everything was slow and perfect. It wasn't rushed and awkward. It was like, we just clicked.
"You look absolutely stunning Aela." He said and smiled. His scent was intoxicating. He moved a little closer to me. My cheeks turned pink as he cupped my hands with his.
"Thank you." I replied and bit my bottom lip. Jordan stared me directly in the eyes. He ran his thumb over my bottom lip.
"Can I kiss you?" He asked. He just asked if he can kiss me. HE ASKED!! Nobody has ever asked me if they could kiss me. His minty breathe made me hot. I nodded giving him permission, before he cupped my face with his soft hands. He gently ran his right thumb over my cheek and leaned in. He gently pressed his lips on mine. I closed my eyes instinctively as Jordan placed one of his hands on my lower back. He pulled me a little closer to him before he gently bit my bottom lip. I felt the limo come to a stop as Jordan pulled away. His cheeks were slightly flushed and he was smiling.
"Best kiss ever." Jordan said and pecked my lips again. Elliot opened the door and Jordan got out, lightly pulling me beside him. Tonight was going to be great.
Hopefully
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chris' POV
At Homecoming
7:45 PM
Maraiah and I were slow dancing to 'Slow Jam' by Monica and Usher when I saw André walk in with some tacky girl. I looked over at him and glared. I don't want to upset my baby and ruin her night, so I played everything cool. He was gonna get his. Sooner or later. I looked to my left to see Aela and Jordan enjoying each other's company. He spun her in a circle and dipped her back. She laughed and laid on his chest. She looked genuinely happy with Jordan. Good. That's absolutely perfect. André must've spotted Aela, because he was currently walking up to her looking pissed. I looked down at Maraiah who was laying on my chest.
"Baby. I'll be right back. If anything happens to me call my parents." I said. She looked up at me confused.
"What are you talking about?" She asked confused. She held me arms length from her. I looked over at Aela, then looked back at her.
"Something might happen. Promise me, you will call my parents if something happens." I said. Maraiah nodded as I handed her my phone. André had walked up on Jordan and I was soon standing next to my sister.
"André. Just go. I told you I don't want to talk to you." She said in a soft voice.
"I'm trying to talk to you, and you sitting here dancing with some nigga. Who is this cat anyway?" André said and looked Jordan up and down.
"Excuse me. I'm trying to dance with my date. Clearly she doesn't wish to speak with you. So, your presence is not needed." Jordan responded. André, being ghetto as usual, got upset.
"Aela, what the fuck is this? You dancing with another nigga and you supposed to be my girlfriend? Fuck you bitch. You're a hoe." He said directly in her face. Before I could walk up, or let along say anything, Jordan pushed him.
"Aye man. Watch who you talking to. I don't do that disrespectful shit. Last time I checked, Aela broke up with you. Now she with me. So take your ghetto, raised in Compton on food stamps, ass on somewhere before shit gets ugly." Jordan said. André stepped in Jordan's face.
"That's my bitch. When you kiss her, know you tasting my dic---" André began to say. Jordan cut him off with a right hook, knocking André down to the floor. A whole group of boys came from different places around the room. They stood up around André and helped him up. I'm guessing this is André's little "squad" or whatever. My squad stood up behind me. Aela pulled out her phone and called somebody.
"What ya'll trynna do?" Somebody said. Aela stepped behind Jordan.
"What's the problem here fellas? Why so hostile?" I heard a familar voice say. I turned around to see Uncle Phil and Kam. I looked at Aela who gently shrugged her shoulders.
"This fool here with the busted lip was being disrespectful to my date, so I hit him with a right hook." Jordan said. Uncle Phil looked at Aela and then at me.
"Let's not do this here boys. Let's handle this after Homecoming. That way, nobody gets in trouble. Look at this place. Everything looks beautiful. Your dates look beautiful." Kam said. Everybody mugged each other and went their seperate ways.
"Aela and Chris. What the hell is going on here? Chris, why you trynna pull a 215 on this boy? You know the consequences." Uncle Phil said.
"Man, Uncle Phil. That nigga put his hands on my sister, and he disrespected her in front of her date. That shit ain't cool." I responded. Jordan gently held Aela's waist. Uncle Phil furrowed his eyebrows.
"Hell naw! Not my niece! Which one? I'll call up the Hooligans and get shit poppin like the Forth of July." Uncle Phil said. We all laughed.
"I'm gonna head out now before the situation gets worse." I said. Maraiah came and stood next to me.
"Is everything okay, Chris?"
"Everything is fine. Let's leave." I said to her. Uncle Phil elbowed me a little.
"Alright Nephew. I'll holla at you later." He said. I nodded and began walking out with Maraiah on my arm.
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Valentina's POV
"Gimme DAT BOYYYYY!!!" I yelled at Bruno. He rolled his eyes as I pulled my poker chips to my side. So far, I've won 23,900 dollars. Bruno was placing up all this money, and losing it all to me. We were bored. Jocelynn and Andrew went home to their kids, and Kamryn had to run to a mandatory meeting. That left Bruno and I, half drunk with pockets full of money and poker chips. I drowned the rest of my drink and smirked at him.
"You trynna give up or nahh?" I said jokingly. Bruno folded his arms across his chest.
"I quit. I done waisted enough money." He said. I stood up.
"I'm going to get another drink. Do you want one?" I asked and picked up my glass. Bruno shook his head no. I shrugged and sashayed to the kitchen. I went over to the refrigerator and opened it. I like to keep my Champagne in the fridge. It's better chilled. I heard Bruno walk in.
"Hey Val... I got a question." He said. I closed the fridge and open the bottle.
"Sure. What's up?"
"Do you ever think about us? Like what would've happened if we actually worked everything out." He said. I put the bottle down on the counter. I didn't know what to say. I ran my fingers through my hair.
"Uhh.. I've thought about it after Leo passed away, but you're happy with Kam. So, it doesn't matter." I replied. I focused on pouring my wine. If I looked into Bruno's eyes, I knew I might say some things and he might say some things. So, it's best to leave things floating in the air.
"It does matter. Everything matters. I see the way you look at me, and how your heart raced at that photoshoot. The blush in your cheeks and I know it's not from makeup. You feel something for me. I know it." He said as his hand brushed over my lower back. My breathing hitched. It felt like a fire had been started where he touched.
"This is an inappropriate conversation. Let's not talk about this." I responded. Bruno gave a sexy, deep, chuckle.
"We're gonna talk about this now. Why wait? Nobody is here." He said in my ear. His body was pressed firmly against mine. I felt paralyzed. I couldn't speak or move. Bruno pulled my hair out of my ponytail and wrapped it around his hand. He pulled my neck back slightly.
"I want you Valentina Diamond. I have wanted you for the last 15 years." He said sensually. I bit my lip and closed my eyes. Bruno kissed down the side of my neck to my shoulder.
"I have one question Ms. Diamond. Do you want me the way I want you?" He asked with his lips pressed against my neck. My body shuddered at his touches. It has been so long since I've felt the touch of a man. Bruno turned me around and sat me on the counter.
"You didn't respond, so I take that as a yes." He said. His lips crushed up against mine and my hands instinctively went into his hair. God it had been SOOOOOO long since I've kissed Bruno. So many nights that I longed for him. Countless nights of dreaming he was inside of me. He lifted my dress over my head and quickly snapped off my bra. I moaned as his smooth hands kneaded my rock hard nipples. My eyes rolled back as he took his tongue from my mouth and flicked it over my neck. He trailed down my neck, between my breasts, and to my belly button. He looked up at me and smirked.
"Lay back and open your legs." Bruno said. I did as instructed. He ripped the thin, laced, thong I had on and immediately started devouring my cream coated treats. I moaned out and arched my back. My hands tangled into his hair pushing his face further into me. He groaned as he lapped up my juices. He kissed the insides of my thighs and pulled my legs tighter around his face.
"Ohh GOD!" I moaned out and rotated my hips against Bruno's face. My phone started ringing loudly. I ignored it and enjoyed the pleasure being placed on my body. Bruno's phone then started ringing, and instead of answering, he ignored it and went deeper.
"Right there Bruno!" I said and bit my lip. The house phone started ringing, but the answering machine picked up.
"Mom! Answer the phone! Chris got shot!" Aela yelled while crying and hung up. Bruno stopped and dropped my legs as I sat up.
Chris got shot.