Monica and I walked through the Rivers' front door while carrying our food. Zeke came in behind us, carrying the duffle bag.
"I know I'm gonna tear this food up," Monica announced.
Zeke and I laughed at her.
Very clearly, I heard a song that I didn't want to hear for the rest of my life.
"Villain! Villain! Villain!"
It was coming from upstairs where Mr. Rivers, Mrs. Rivers, and Zack all stood, watching from a phone.
I glanced at Monica. She bucked her eyes at me.
"What you watching?" Zeke went up the stairs to join his family.
"Son, I'm glad you're here," Zell spoke first. "Zack said he was at this party last night. Someone posted this video, and it went viral. Aja Frost's fanbase is beefing with Jae A.B.'s fanbase on what really happened or something like that." Zell looked at Zack for confirmation.
Zack added, "Somebody posted a 20 second clip of Aja performing her new song. Then, it cuts to Jae's face. Unfortunately, Jae doesn't look too happy. Aja's fans are saying that Jae is hating. Jae's fans are saying the video was edited, and they need the whole video to be released."
"Somebody else was recording," I whispered to Monica.
"Girl, did you miss the part about your fans sticking up for you?" Monica asked me.
I sighed, "I don't like this, Moni."
"Cousin, no matter what - they'll never know that Jae is Jamie. Okay?" She tried to reassure me.
Zeke said, "Monica, let me see your recording from the party."
I hissed as Monica mouthed the word sorry before going up the stairs. She handed her phone to Zeke.
As soon as I heard the Tina Turner song, I was ready to hide. Then I heard myself talk with the crowd as they shouted "Yeah!"
Zell said, "She is a class act. They don't make 'em like that these days."
Did Mr. Rivers just compliment me? As I recalled, Zack and Cathy did tell me that Zell was a fan of mine. I smiled to myself as I continued to listen from downstairs.
My song "Choose" started after I sang a quick acapella. Then, I heard fingers snapping. I looked up to see Zell dancing.
"Dad, stop," Zack and Zeke said in unison.
Zell listened. Why is he such a cute old man?
"DJ cut the record!" Aja demanded.
"I thought they were going to sing together," Zell continued to watch the video.
Monica turned around and we made eye contact. She moved her lips to ask, "You okay?"
I shrugged my shoulders. I could've been in my room by now, but my feet wouldn't move. They just couldn't move. I continued to listen to the audio of the video.
"You see that? I knew it!" Zell shouted. "Aja was looking for trouble."
Zack and Zeke said, "Dad."
"Let her off the stage!" Monica shouted.
Zell asked, "You said that, baby?"
Monica nodded her head. "She lost her mind trying to mess with my cousin."
My eyes grew big as I looked at each person's face.
Zell was the only one that didn't look surprised. He chuckled, "I know that's right. In my head, Jae is my niece."
God, you are working wonders right now. My heart was beating faster with every word that left Mr. Rivers' mouth.
Suddenly, there was a loud noise and the sound from the video ended.
"That's when I grabbed Aja and stopped recording so I wouldn't incriminate myself," Monica admitted.
"We didn't hear that," Cathy said, "but I'm glad you recorded and that you two are safe. Jamie, I wish you could've had an uninterrupted performance."
Zack and Zeke glanced at one another in disappointment of their mother.
Cathy looked at me, smiling, but instantly she put her hand over her mouth.
I dropped my head to stare at the floor. I really should've gone to my room.
"Jamie?" Zell asked his wife.
Zeke sighed, "Dad, Monica is Jae's cousin. Jae A.B. or Jae is Jamie. And yes, I pretended that we were in a relationship so that you wouldn't ask why she was really here. I helped get her signed under RiSe Records. Zack found out probably around the same time that Mom found out."
"Found out what?" Zell asked his son.
"Jae A.B.!" Zack called for me.
I looked up at him.
Monica came down the stairs to get me. "Cousin, it's okay. They're like family away from family."
I nodded my head as I followed her to the top of the stairs.
"This is my cousin, Jamie Sawyer, but to the world she is Jae A.B."
I smiled at Zell.
He pointed at me. "I remember you. You auditioned for Zeke's show." He looked at his son. "Where was that place?"
"East Grove," Zeke and I answered.
Zell looked at me. "Wow... Those nerves completely went away. Huh?"
"A little," I replied.
He looked at Zeke before looking back at me. "If I had known Zeke was going to take you as his artist, I would've made sure Ricky Santana would've never heard nor seen you until he picked up his phone, and Zeke knows that. Is that why you didn't tell me?" He asked his son.
Cathy spoke up for her son, "Zell, you know why he didn't tell you. Give him a break. How we got here is in the past. We are here, right now."
Zell nodded his head before taking my hand in his hands. "My wife is right. We are here, right now. And just like I told this one when I first met her..." He pointed at Monica before continuing, "Zell Rivers is your uncle in Hollywood unless you marry one of my sons. Then, I become your father-in-law." He chuckled as he released me hand.
NEVER!
I could see Zack wearing a huge smile from the corner of my eye.
Cathy nodded her head. "And I already told you that you are my girl. Both of you are."
"Don't you worry about anything," Zell told me. "Don't worry about RiSe Records, Ricky or Anaya, not even Aja Frost. Don't even worry about your fans and social media. I don't know if you have a lawyer, but even if you do, we have a family lawyer that they can team up with, because they will not get away with this."
"Thank you," I spoke.
Cathy said to her husband, "The girls look tired. Let them get some rest."
"For now, but it's still New Year's Eve. Let's do this," Zell clasped his hands together. "Everyone, get some rest, handle your business or whatever you need to do. In a few hours, let's have a family meeting to talk about our next move from this unfortunate situation. After that, we'll get ready for the celebration and have dinner at eleven to finish the night with a countdown. Sounds good to everyone?"
Everyone agreed before going our separate ways. Well, Monica and I were heading to my bedroom with Zack and Zeke behind us. They were talking amongst themselves while Monica and I did the same.
"See? Mr. Z is cool." Monica said, "In any other circumstance, I wouldn't have let our relationship slip like that."
I smiled at her. "Monica, it's okay. I'm actually glad that the secret is out and everyone in the family knows. I should've been brave enough to speak up to the Rivers while living in their house."
Finally, Monica and I made a turn into the hall where my bedroom was stationed.
Zeke shouted, "Baby! Bro, I'll catch up with you in a minute."
Zack and Zeke dapped fists before going in opposite directions. Zack headed to where his room was while Zeke jogged to catch up with us or should I say with Monica.
"What's up, baby?" Monica asked him.
"I'm gonna be busy today, but I'll see you tonight at the family meeting and dinner."
Monica pouted, "I was gonna eat with Jamie before coming to your room."
"I know," Zeke took her hands in his. "But we'll be together tonight. Come here." He gently cuffed her face in his hands as she leaned towards him. They shared a kiss as I quickly turned around and went walked to my room.
I couldn't unlock the door fast enough as I finally opened the door and hurried inside.
"Cousin!"
I rolled my eyes as I left the door open and dropped the duffle bag on the floor. Then, I put my to-go plate on the bed before kicking my shoes off.
Monica ran inside, closing the bedroom door. "That boy is trying to make use of my ovaries."
Yuck! My face could no longer be masked. "Monica, please keep you and that man's extramarital affairs to yourself."
"Cousin, I know you famous and all, but it won't hurt you to use a dictionary from time-to-time."
I sat on my bed and prayed over my food. When I finished, Monica said "Amen! Amen!" She sat on the other side of my bed before digging in her food.
Monica asked me, "Do you think Aja Frost might try to sue me?"
I never thought about that. I replied to her, "I don't know. Part of me now thinks that if we take action, she'll definitely retaliate."
"True. At the same time, she doesn't know who I am. If I lay low, who will she sue?" Monica giggled before digging into her food.
I pointed at her. This woman was too clever. "Lay low, Ms. Thang."
"It ain't no thing, but a chicken wing," she replied.
We both laughed.