I woke up to a text from A.B. that Mr. Dave gave him the rest of the week off. The privileges of working for family. A.B. needs a break, though. He's a hard worker.
Me: That's great, A.B.
A.B.: If you want, I can take you and Monica to the airport
Me: Do not play! Yes, you can take us. Pick us up in an hour
A.B.: I'll be there
To avoid Monica's annoying antics, I didn't tell her A.B. was picking us up. I just told her that I got us a ride. As soon as A.B. said he was outside, I took another bite of pancakes before hugging my mom and beating Monica out the door.
A.B. had the back door of his Mustang open.
I rushed over to him. "Good morning," I grinned.
"Good morning! I'll take your luggage."
"Thank you." I released the handle.
A.B. grabbed my bag and put it in the back of his trunk.
"Ohh, my cousin got us the top of the line!" Monica shouted as she walked over to me.
"Good morning, Monica," A.B. greeted her.
Monica nearly fell backwards. "Uh-uh! Is this your car?"
A.B. chuckled, "I'll take your luggage."
Monica released her luggage as A.B. picked it up. He put it in the trunk.
I don't know if it was just me, but I was loving A.B.'s approach with Monica. He was not going to bend to her ways.
He directed us, "Backseat, ladies. Let's get to the airport on time."
Monica smacked her lips. "I get in first, because I'm sure your girl - I mean, Jamie has been in your car before."
I gritted my teeth as I got in behind her. I changed my face when I turned to look at A.B. He put his pointer finger to his lips before closing the door. I nodded my head.
A.B. really made us feel like celebrities. He adjusted the A/C, gave us mints, and bottled waters. The man even had chargers for our phones.
The ride to the airport felt way too short. At the same time, I was ready to get there. Monica was running out of things to say, so she started back up about A.B. and me.
A.B. parked and helped us out of the car. Then, he gave us our bags. "Y'all have a safe flight."
"Bring it in, Family." Monica spread her arms wide for A.B.
I giggled as they hugged.
Monica went ahead of me inside the airport.
A.B. pulled out a small Thank You card and an ink pen. "I couldn't find the paper I wanted, but I believe this will keep it protected."
"Keep what protected?" I asked.
He opened the card. "Please tell me I'm the first to ask... Can I have your autograph?"
My eyes opened wide. I smiled at A.B. "You are the first to ask, and I'm glad it was you." I signed the card with my first official autograph.
"Me, too." He pulled me into a hug. "I hope you know how much God is working things out for you."
I sighed, "Please keep me in your prayers."
"I will," he said.
We separated.
"Thanks for making my return home special," I confessed.
"Same to you, too. Oh! I decided to keep the beach house."
I clasped my hands together. "That was the right decision. Now next time, we have to stay longer."
"I hope so. Have a safe flight, Jamie." He waved at me.
"Bye, A.B.!" I waved at him before going inside the airport.
Monica stared at me. "I ain't saying nothing."
"Please don't. Let's go," I told her.
The flight was faster than my first one to Cali. Maybe, I was just eager to get there. Monica ended up falling asleep, but woke up as soon as the plane landed. I led the way in and out the airport. I didn't have to look for long before I spotted Maximo.
He acknowledged me, opening the back door of the Range Rover.
"Who is that?" Monica asked me.
"That's Zeke's family's driver. His name is Maximo," I informed her.
Once we were in speaking distance, I introduced Maximo and Monica.
"Monica?" Maximo pointed at my cousin. "My little sister is named Monica."
Remember that face Marlon Wayans made in the movie "White Chicks" when Terrell said he loved that song? Yeah. That's the face I'm wearing, right now.
They got along so well that I couldn't find quiet time during the drive. Finally, we arrived at the Rivers' Residence. I can't lie. As much as I missed my hometown, I think I missed this place more.
Maximo helped us out of the car. "Remember, Second Sister, anywhere you want to go, I'm here to take you."
Second Sister? I heavily sighed.
"Big Bro Maximo, I will be taking you up on that offer more than once. Okay?" Monica chuckled.
"Yes, Monica! See you later, ladies!"
"Bye, Maximo!" We said in unison.
A man began to take our luggage, but I told him we would carry it on our own.
"Monica, I'll give you the grand tour later. Right now, we gotta go to my room." I guided my cousin to my bedroom, taking the fast route - the side door by the pool.
"Cousin, I know you trying to act like your okay, but I'm not gonna feel okay until we talk to Zeke." She gave me a stern look.
She had already figured out that I was avoiding running into him.
I shrugged, "He probably doesn't know I'm here yet."
We went up the stairs and as soon as we got to the corridor where my room was located, I saw Zeke. He was standing in front of my bedroom door, staring right at me.
Monica gasped, "Oh, my gorsh! It's Zeke Rivers!" She tightly grabbed my arm, "Jamie, it's Zeke! It's Zeke Rivers!"
He immediately began walking towards us.
I glanced at my cousin. "Monica!"
She bucked her eyes at me.
"Glad you made it home safe. Is this the one and only, Cousin Monica?" Zeke smiled at her.
"You know my name?" Monica asked him.
He answered, "Jamie told me a lot of good things about you. I got a gift for you in Jamie's room. Is it okay that I steal Jamie away from you for just a few minutes?"
Monica threw her hands up. "You can have her for a few hours. I'm gonna go see my gift. Bye, girl!" Monica grabbed my luggage and hers by the handle and ran to my bedroom. She opened the door, and shouted with joy.
"Let's go," Zeke told me.
"What did you get her?" I asked as he led me through the hidden door, down the stairs to the room with the pool table.
"What woman doesn't get excited over clothes?"
I playfully rolled my eyes as we walked to Zeke's room. "How was you trip?" I asked him.
"Not long enough," he admitted.
Zeke opened his bedroom door, allowing me to enter first. Then, he walked in behind me. "Have a seat."
Was it me or was he doing a lot of ordering me around? I sat down on his sofa. "I hope you're going to tell me who leaked my song."
Zeke grabbed a cold water bottle from his refrigerator and handed it to me. "Drink."
I'm only going to drink it, because I'm thirsty not because he told me to.
He clasped his hands together. "Collaboration."
I arched my brow. "What?"
"The song is already a hit here. We have to jump on it while it's hot. You and Aja Frost on that song will be big. It will get you the attention you need as a new artist."
I shook my head. "That song is not just any song. It's my song. My first song, Zeke! I wrote the lyrics. I came up with the melody. If I don't get that credit, people will always see it as her song."
Zeke retorted, "Stop crying and just listen for a second. You'll have the writing credit. You're going to be featured on it. Let's be honest. How big would that song be right now if Aja Frost wasn't singing it?"
I folded my arms. "This is wrong. I feel like I'm being taken advantaged of. Who took my song in the first place? What's stopping them from taking my other songs?"
"Jae, I need you to get out of your feelings. Baby, this is big for your career and mine. You're going to go from the status of a nobody to being on a song with Aja Frost. Isn't she one of your favorite singers?" He sat on the couch next to me.
I sat quietly.
"I'm sorry about your song getting leaked to another artist, but that's the music industry. I rather this happen now than later. Remember why we're partners? We're helping each other. The fact that my dad or my brother don't have a hand in this is great. You wouldn't have been able to write your own songs with them."
I looked at Zeke. "Did you do it?"
"Don't do that, Jae. I'm gonna protect you in this business. As long as you listen to me, you'll be good."
Even though he sounded sincere, I had a hard time believing him. If I wasn't for certain earlier, I am now. Zeke was not the same Zeke I knew before or maybe now that I have this hurt, I'm seeing him for who he is - rich and ruthless.
"Cheer up." He caressed my chin. "Look at me, Jae."
I was heated as I stared at the ground
"Jamie Sawyer." He spoke softly.
I slowly looked at him.
"I am truly sorry about your song, but just know that it won't happen again."
I shrugged my shoulders. "Okay."
Zeke leaned forward and kissed my cheek. "We have a meeting with the label tomorrow. So, go spend some time with your cousin."
My heart was breaking as I got up from the sofa and walked out the room. Moving forward, I finally understood that Zeke and I are in a fake relationship for business purposes. He was never interested in me as far as dating, only for business.