Damnnnnnn sorry I took so long😂. I had 2 graduations to attend this weekend, plus it's memorial weekend and my family has kept me so busyyyy🙄
But heyyy y'all ❤️ Hope y'all are doing good fr.
It had been a few days since Normani and Von's argument. Both of them hadn't seen each other at all since then. Normani was still upset at Von for actually leaving, and Von was upset at Mani for insinuating that she didn't wanna be with him anymore. Clearly, the two of them didn't really mean what they said to each other that night.
They were just both being stubborn.
With both of them thinking that the other person was wrong, it seemed like nobody was ready to just apologize and move past it.
Normani just found herself standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom, putting the finishing touches to her makeup on. She had been crying all morning over missing Von, and was just trying to make herself look at least put together.
Today was the day of her baby shower, and the party had already begun. Most of Von's and Mani's family members were already here. Ari, Durk, India, Herb, Booka and Muwop were all there too. They had actually been helping make sure Mani was good for the last few days since Von was no where to be found.
Well, nobody really knew where Von was except Durk.
Even though Von was upset and avoiding everyone, he wanted Durk to make sure that Normani was still good and taken care of, along with baby True. Von could be upset with Mani all he wanted, but he still cared and loved her deeply. That was just something that he could never get rid of even if he tried to.
Normani heard a soft knock coming from her bedroom door as she placed her mascara down.
"Aye Mani, you okay?"
Durk's voice could be heard.
She just sniffled a bit, grabbing a tissue to wipe the tears off her face. She was in fact not okay. She just didn't feel like herself at all. She wasn't even in the mood to show face and be social at her own baby shower today. She could hear Durk opening her room door before making his way over to the bathroom.
"Mani?"
He said again while knocking on the bathroom door now.
"Go away Durk. I just need a minute."
She sniffled. Durk just frowned, hearing the sadness in her voice.
"Aw hell naw Mani? Is you crying in there?"
He questioned.
"No..."
She muttered.
"Ok... let me see you then."
He said, attempting to get her to come out.
"No Durk. I'm... on the toilet."
She lied.
"I know you lyin Mani. I've known you for years you can't lie ta me."
He snickered. She just sucked her teeth before rolling her eyes.
"Come on, just open up so we can fix this. I ain't tryna have you cryin at this party. It's supposed to be a fun time fa you."
Durk insisted. Normani just sighed, chewing at the inside of her cheek before finally caving in. She dragged her way towards the bathroom door before opening it. Her eyes met with Durk's as he just looked down at her.
"Seriously Mani? You for real cryin up in hea?"
He frowned. He quickly pulled her into a hug, rubbing her back gently as she just pouted.
"Come on, I'm finna take you right to India and Ari. You know Ion know how to handle girls when they be crying."
He said while grabbing her hand. He just lead her out the room as she followed him. Normani could hear the party going on downstairs in the backyard where everyone was at. Durk just continued to hold her hand as he lead her all the way outside, right to India and Ari.
"Durk... what did you do to her?"
Ari began while frowning. She placed her plate of food down before running up to Mani.
"Durk you made her cry? Seriously?"
India snapped. He just frowned.
"Uh no, I actually found her cryin in the bathroom again. That's why I brought her out here--"
"Boy move."
Ari said before taking Mani's hand from him. He just sucked his teeth.
"Yeah, y'all got that. Ima go get me a drink or sum."
He said before giving up. He just walked off, heading towards where the guys were.
"Mani, babe you still upset?"
Ari spoke softly.
"Ugh, I'm sorry. I just can't seem to keep my emotions in at all these days."
Normani muttered. Ari just pouted.
"Here boo, come sit with us. Let's just talk shit about Von for a second."
India offered. Normani just chuckled surprisingly as they pulled up a chair for her to sit with them.
"Can we talk shit about Herb first though? Because why he thought it was ok to talk to me at this party?"
Ari snickered. Normani raised her eyebrows up.
"He did?"
She questioned. Ari just nodded while rolling her eyes.
"Yup. He been trying to talk to Ari all day. I think it's so cute."
India gushed. Ari just mugged her.
"Hell naw. Ain't nun cute about that. He can go kiss Taina ass with that mouth. Not mines."
She said while rolling her eyes. Both India and Mani just laughed as Ari crossed her arms against her chest.
"But anywayssss, you still haven't talked to Von yet?"
Ari said while changing the subject.
"Ugh... no. I mean, I tried calling and texting him but he just won't respond."
"Seriously?!"
India questioned. Normani just shrugged.
"I don't know. We sort of said some mean things to each other when we were arguing. I told him that I couldn't do this with him anymore, and I'm pretty sure that sort of set him off."
"Hold up? You couldn't do what? Y'all's relationship?"
Ari pointed. Normani just nodded her head.
"Well I didn't even mean it like that. I meant I couldn't just deal with him doing drills at all hours of the night."
She said in a low tone. Mani really didn't want any family members hearing her talk about Von and his killing sprees. Both Ari and India just nodded their heads, completely understanding.
"Chile you and me both. I've been having those same arguments with Durk, trust me."
India admitted.
"Really?"
Normani said.
"Mmhm. I think he's lowkey ready to put his gun up though. He's tired of living that life now... which is exactly what I've been waiting for."
She grinned.
"But also, I understand where Von is coming from as well. It's not easy to just up and leave that life, especially if they have hella ops that always seem to start trouble or want them dead."
She added in. Normani just nodded, completely understanding that part. She did know that no matter what, Von was always going to have enemy's. And especially with him being famous, it was always going to be somebody either jealous of him, wanting something that he had, or just crazy girls that will do literally anything to get to him.
All of those things were truly out of his control.
"Yeah... I guess that's the part that Von just can't seem to help. I'm just an idiot."
Normani muttered.
"Girl you is not no idiot. You just love and care about that man and his well being. That's all."
Ari said.
And it was true. Normani did worry about Von. Just the thought of losing him to all this violence made her feel sick to her stomach. She couldn't imagine going through something like that. It was only so many times that you could dodge a bullet before it finally gets you.
"But it's like, whenever Von feels like somebody is a threat to us, he just won't stop until he gets rid of them.. permanently."
She said while frowning.
"Mmhm. Herb is the same way too. That man is always tryna shoot sum up. Even though I hate his ugly tall dirty dick cheatin ass..."
Ari snickered. Normani just gasped as India cackled out loud. Herb, Durk and the rest of the guys who were just a few feet away looked up at them, watching as the girls were laughing amongst each other.
"Aye what's so funny?"
Herb teased while looking directly at Ari. She just sucked her teeth.
"You see what I mean? His ass stay tryna talk to me. It's so damn aggravating."
She mumbled, completely ignoring his question. Herb just smirked at her before looking away.
"I swear Ima turn into Von real quick and get rid of Herb's ass too.. permanently."
Ari joked. Normani just laughed again.
"I can't with y'all."
She giggled. India smiled, lowkey glad to see that Mani was finally in a good mood now.
"Well, I would definitely reach out to Von and let him know that you didn't mean what you said. Y'all just need to talk it out that's all."
India suggested.
"Oh trust me. I would love to do that but he's just been ignoring me for days. The only thing he'll talk to me about is True. That's it."
Mani pouted.
"Aww. I can already see the jealously happening. True gon come right out and take yo man."
Ari teased.
"Oh you think so? Because if that's the case then I do not mind it at all. She can handle his craziness. Not me."
Mani jokingly snickered as the girls just continued to laugh.
"Von gon be on her ass the moment she's born. I feel like he gon be strict as fuck with her."
India said.
"Right, he gon make sure nobody messes with True period. And nobody better ever think to mess with ha because her Daddy really kill people."
Ari stated.
Normani just truly couldn't keep her laughter in. She couldn't help but think no matter how sad she was, her friends knew exactly what to do to make her smile.
"Y'all crack me up. True has no idea what type of family she's coming into."
Mani chuckled.
"Mmhmm. She gon have some crazy ass Aunties too. Me and India will not play about True at all. Let me find out she has a problem wit somebody at school... oh I'm on they ass."
India pointed.
"Right. And don't let no boys try to break her heart, cus we spinnin they block."
Durk said while walking up to them. Herb, Booka and Muwop followed behind.
"Unt unt. We having girl time. We didn't invite y'all."
Ari snickered, mostly mugging Herb. He just rolled his eyes.
"Well we can't focus with all the laughing y'all are doing over here. We tryna laugh to the fuck."
Herb pointed.
They all just took a seat with the girls.
"So, what's True's full name?"
Muwop questioned.
"Her whole name is True Claire Bennett."
Normani smiled proudly.
"Aww, Claire like Von's mother?"
India gushed. Normani just nodded.
"Yeahh. I thought it would be perfect to pay tribute to Claire since she meant so much to me and Von especially."
"That's just too adorable."
Ari said.
"Yeah well, I can't wait for baby True to get here. She gon have so much love surrounding her from all of us."
Durk said while grinning. Normani just couldn't help but feel the love from all her friends.
"Mmhm. Durk want a baby so bad. He said he was gon practice with True."
India just smirked. Durk waved her off as everyone laughed.
"Awww Durk. is that true? You want to be a Dad?"
Normani teased him. He just rolled his eyes.
"Yeahh maybe one day. Ima see how Von do it first though before I start gettin India pregnant."
He snickered. India just blushed as they both looked at each other. Normani truly admired how in love both Durk and India were with each other.
On the other hand, Ari just kept mugging Herb who couldn't stop staring at her. It was clear that Herb was trying to get Ari's attention, but she just wasn't going for it at all.
"Im gonna get me sum to drink."
Ari began while getting up. Herb just watched her as she walked off.
"Well, I should probably go mingle with some family."
Normani said before getting up too.
"Here, did you eat at least? Let me make you a quick plate before you start using up your energy."
India offered. Normani just nodded as they both made their way inside the house to get some food.
Durk just leaned back in his seat before whipping out his phone.
"So, have you heard from Von at all? Is he coming?"
Herb questioned.
"I'm not sure. He been making me text him updates about Mani, making sure she good n shit."
Durk muttered. Herb just couldn't help but laugh.
"His ass tweakin. Just tell him to stop being scary and come n get his wife."
Booka said.
"Y'all know how he is. He all in his feelings over what Mani said. He'll prolly come around eventually
though. I know he can never stay away from ha for too long."
Durk stated. All the guys just nodded in agreement.
"Where he at anyways? He bet not be cheatin."
Booka pointed. Durk just playfully rolled his eyes.
"He at the studio. Nigga making a song or sum, I don't know. But he would neva do sum dumb shit like that.... Herb."
Durk said just as everyone cut their eyes towards Herb.
"Man, fuck y'all."
Herb said before standing up.
"Matter fact, I'm finna go push up on Ari right now. Watch this."
He snickered. Hs just rubbed his hands together before heading towards the house to look for Ari. All the guys just couldn't help but laugh at him.
"He dumb as hell for real. Ari just gon pop him in the eye again."
Booka said while laughing.
"Yeah I'm mad at you... but I know I fucked up but damn look how you movin- aye hold up, run that shit back at bit..."
Von said.
He was currently sitting in the booth at the studio with his headphones on. He had his notepad in his hand with a pen. The producer he was with just nodded his head while messing with sound board.
Von had been in the studio all day long just trying to distract himself from missing Normani. He knew about the baby shower that was going on today. And as much as he wanted to be there, he just was too upset to go. He was just still in his feelings about what Mani said, he couldn't think of any other way to express himself then through music.
He started making a song which was titled Mad At You. He wasn't sure if he wanted to make it a real song to release or not. A lot of the music he created were stories about his real life. Von just viewed his music as a way to get his feelings and emotions off of his chest.
I mean, it was better then him just being laid up at the club with a bunch of naked women dancing around him while being under the influence...
He could suddenly feel his phone buzzing in his jeans which quickly caught his attention. He just took his headphones off, placing them around his neck. He grabbed his phone, looking at the screen only to see Kayla's contact name pop up.
He sighed a bit, picking up her call.
"Hello?"
He muttered.
"Hey Von... me and Grandbabii just landed at Hartsfield airport."
Kayla said.
"Aiight. I'm finna come get y'all. I'll be there in like 10 minutes."
He muttered. He really wasn't too excited to see Kayla, but after the conversation he had with Durk about making amends with her, Von just felt like it was probably the right thing to do. He had flew both Kayla and Grandbabii out to Atlanta for the baby shower today, and also just to spend some time with his nephew before going on tour.
"Von, I'm just really excited to see you and Mani. Grandbabii could not stop talking about how much he missed both of y'all the entire flight."
Kayla said with an excited tone. Von just grinned a little.
"For real?"
He said before getting up. He just exited the booth.
"Yeahh. I'm just glad he gets to spend some time out of Chicago. It'll be good for him."
She said. He nodded, grabbing his car keys off the table.
"Aye, Ima actually head out. We can finish this up some otha time."
Von said while talking to the producer. They did a quick handshake before he exited the studio.
"Aye Kayla, text me what terminal y'all at. Ima pull up soon."
He said to Kayla. They both exchanged their goodbyes before he hung up the phone. He walked out the building, still glancing at his phone. He just skimmed over the few messages and missed calls that he had received from Mani.
She had been texting him, telling him how sorry she was and how she didn't mean to say what she said when they were arguing. He just wanted to call her back, talk to her and hear her voice. Part of him did feel like Mani didn't really mean what she said when she insinuated that she didn't want to be in a relationship with him.
Von had always struggled with this feeling. He always felt like Normani just deserved better. That was one of the main reasons why he broke up with her in the first place. He just couldn't help his lifestyle. It just always seemed like no matter where he went, trouble would follow.
All Von ever knew was to defend himself and the people that he loved ever since he was a kid. That was just the life that he knew. But he was starting to realize that there was more to life then just that. Especially with being around Normani and wanting to start a life with her, he was beginning to realize that maybe some things did need to change.
Killing people shouldn't always be the answer to everything. Von knew that he just had to get out of that mind set. He was 26 years old, with a baby on the way and a wedding to plan. He knew deep down that he would have to find the strength to change his ways.
He just sighed a bit, hopping into his car before starting up the engine. He zoomed off down the road, heading straight to the airport.
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Some of y'all did NOT want Kayla back in this story 😂 but I was reading some of the old chapters back in book 1 and I remembered how I just wanted them to make amends with each other🥺
I know some of y'all don't like her in real life but in this story... Kayla is very much different I promise 😭😭❤️
So don't fight me 😂