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₊˚ෆ 𝙈𝘼𝙉𝙃𝘼𝙏𝙏𝘼𝙉
6:00 Pm
Tuesday
Random St 📍
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A/n I realized I've been spelling Rika's name wrong, it's actually 'Rieka'🤦🏾♀️
« 𝐅𝐢𝐭 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 »
With her outfit and confidence on point, Brina was ready to attend the event and make a statement. As she walked into the event venue, She noticed Yuji and Mizuki stuffing their faces with appetizers.
ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ Self love- METRO
Brina couldn't help but chuckle. Mizuki's face lit up as she turned to see Brina. "Mommy!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. Brina bent down and scooped Mizuki into her arms, showering her with kisses.
"Hey there, mamas. Are you enjoying the food?" Brina asked, her eyes twinkling with love. "Mmm! You look so pretty, Mommy!" Mizu exclaimed, her face beaming with joy.
Brina's heart swelled with happiness at her daughter's sweet words. "You do too my love" She smiled. "You look good!" Yuji exclaimed, giving her a thumbs up. Brina laughed and gave Yuji a playful nudge.
"Thanks, Yuji! I had some help from Nobara and Maki," she replied, her voice filled with gratitude. "You look great too Yuji!" After talking with Yuji for a few minutes, Brina spotted her siblings across the room, and engaged in conversation.
She carefully made her way towards them, balancing Mizuki in her arms. As she joined her siblings, they turned to greet her with warm smiles. "Ay there she is, other successful sibling," Kyo remarked. Brina rolled her eyes.
"Success runs in the family, doesn't it?" she replied with a smirk. Jasmine laughed and nodded. "It certainly does. We're all doing amazing things in our own ways. Kyo's trumpet and Rieka's drums, my business and now your photography"
Rieka joined the conversation, her eyes filled with pride. "I'm so proud of you, Bri Bri." Before Brina could say anything her parents walked over, their faces beaming with pride.
"I'm so proud of you," her father said, his accent lending a touch of warmth to his words. Brina's heart swelled as she looked at her family.
"Thank you, Baba," she replied. Her mother hugged her tightly. "Another strong, beautiful, black woman showing the world what she's capable of," her mother said, her voice filled with admiration.
Brina felt a surge of emotion as she embraced her parents. Their words of support meant the world to her. "Thank you, Mama," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.
As the evening progressed, Brina mingled with guests, most of them being fellow artists and art enthusiasts. "Is this your daughter?" "Yes, this is my daughter, Mizuki," Brina replied with a smile. "She very well-behaved, how do you do it?" the woman asked, impressed.
Brina chuckled "Well discipline like, setting clear boundaries and expectations, teaching her empathy and respect," Brina explained. "But also important to give her love, support, and space to express herself."
The woman nodded, impressed by Brina's parenting approach. "You're doing a great job," she complimented. Brina smiled warmly, grateful for the kind words.
"Thank you, Oh give me a moment" Brina excused herself for a moment as she noticed Megumi approaching the venue. She quickly made her way toward him, eager to greet him as she reached Megumi, a smile spread across her face.
"Hey, you made it," she said, her voice filled with excitement. "Traffic was a trippin', but I made it," Megumi replied with a relieved smile.
Brina leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "I'm glad you're here," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "He's looking, isn't he?" Brina asked, handing Mizuki to him.
"Yes, but he's don't matter right now," Megumi replied, his eyes filled with love as he held Mizu in his arms. "You and little one are my focus for tonight." Brina's heart fluttered at Megumi's words.
"C'mon, let's go look at my stuff," Brina suggested, intertwining her fingers with Megumi's. They walked hand in hand, exploring Brina's displayed photographs.
"Excuse me, If I may ask, why are all your pictures of small moments?" One of the critics asked. "Well you will always remember the big stuff, like The Empire State Building, graduations, and all that," Brina replied with a smile.
"But it's the small stuff, the everyday moments, that often hold the most beauty and meaning." She pointed to one of her photographs, capturing a simple scene of the day everyone came to her place after she moved in. "It's kind of like a child growing up."
"The big milestones are important, but it's the little moments in between-the little hand grip, the shared laughter, the quiet moments of connection-that shape who they become."
The critic nodded, impressed by Brina's perspective. "Your photographs are truly beautiful," the critic remarked, her eyes reflecting a newfound appreciation. "They evoke emotions and tell stories that resonate deeply with the viewer"
"It's a beautiful and refreshing approach." Brina's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you so much," she replied, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "Is this your first time exhibiting your work?" the critic inquired, curious about Brina's background as a photographer.
"Yes, It's my first," Brina admitted with a mix of excitement and nervousness. "I've been working on my photography for years, but this is the first time I've had the opportunity to showcase it in a formal setting. It's a dream come true."
"You have made an amazing impression on your debut," the critic praised, pulling out a card from her bag. "Here's my contact information."
"Your work has great potential, and I believe many more opportunities are awaiting you." Brina's eyes widened with surprise and delight as she accepted the critic's contact information.
"Oh, wow, thank you so much! I'm truly honored," Brina exclaimed, her voice filled with gratitude. "You're welcome, and what was your name?"
"Brina. Brina Makino," she replied, extending her hand to shake the critics. The critic smiled and shook Brina's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Brina Makino."
"I'm Lila Ramirez, an art critic and curator" Lila's warm smile reassured Brina, filling her with a newfound confidence. "Is this your husband?" "No, maybe in the future," Brina replied.
"This is Megumi, my boyfriend and this is my baby Mizuki." Mizu waved at Lila, her little hand making a cute gesture. Lila's eyes sparkled as she looked at Mizuki.
"Lovely to meet you," Lila said, her tone filled with genuine warmth. "I look forward to seeing more of your work in the future, Brina. Your perspective is truly inspiring."
When Laila left, Brina felt like she was about to pass out. "Oh, my fuck" Brina leaned on Megumi for support, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and disbelief. The rest of her group gathered over to see.
"Oh Shit! What did I say? I told you! You killed it!" Nobara exclaimed, hugging Brina tightly. Tonya joined in, grinning from ear to ear. "I'm so happy for you!"
"I need to sit down real quick." Megumi guided Brina to a nearby chair, supporting her as she sat down. "You did amazing" Megumi reassured Brina, "Uh Hu, can you get me a drink, champaign please" "Yes ma'am" Megumi nodded and placed Mizu in a chair.
ᴺᴼᵂ ᴾᴸᴬᵞᴵᴺᴳ The let out- Jidenna
He walked over to the bar to fetch a glass of champagne for Brina. As Megumi was waiting at the bar, he bumped into someone accidentally.
He quickly turned around to apologize, but his words caught in his throat when he realized who it was. "Wow, you have changed a bit" Daniel scoffed.
"Daniel, it's been a while" Megumi's voice remained calm and composed despite the surprise encounter. "I don't know if I'd call it 'A while'" Daniel said, taking a sip of his drink and leaning against the bar.
"Well, it's been long enough," Megumi replied, his voice steady. "I hope you're doing well," Daniel smirked, a hint of superiority in his expression.
"Oh, I'm doing just fine," he retorted, taking another sip of his drink. Megumi resisted the urge to engage in Daniel's provocations.
He reminded himself that he was at the event to support Brina and celebrate her success, not to indulge in past conflicts.
"I'm glad to hear that," Megumi replied, his tone neutral. "Does she tell you what to do all the time? Seems like she has you wrapped around her finger," Megumi's calm demeanor faltered momentarily as Daniel's words hit a nerve.
"I'm simply getting Brina a drink because she asked me to," Megumi replied, his voice steady. Daniel's smirk grew wider as he continued to taunt Megumi. "Always trying to please someone, aren't you? Just like in middle school."
"No, I'm doing this out of love and respect for her," Megumi responded firmly, his voice tinged with a hint of frustration. Daniel shrugged, his smirk never leaving his face.
"Hey, I'm just making an observation," he said dismissively. "But hey, congrats on your relationship. You were that desperate you dated someone who had a child with another guy? Pathetic."
Megumi was so distracted, he didn't even realize Mizu was standing there with a fork in her hand. Mizuki jabbed Daniel in the middle of his leg.
"Ow! You little rat!" Mizu then stomped on his foot. "Leave Megumi alone!" Megumi's eyes widened in surprise as he witnessed Mizu's actions. He quickly stepped in, picking her up. "Where you get that fork from?" he inquired.
Daniel winced in pain, his expression a mix of surprise and anger. "What the hell? Get that brat under control!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with irritation.
Brina stood up and walked towards them. She took a deep breath, trying not to put her hands on anybody. "Mizu, why would you do that?" Brina directed her attention to her daughter.
Mizuki looked at Brina, "He's a Dickhead!" She said, pointing to Daniel. Brina couldn't help but stifle a laugh at Mizuki's straightforwardness. She glanced at Megumi, who had a smirk on his face.
"Mizu, let's use nice words even if we don't like dem," Brina gently reminded. Megumi nodded, his smile still present. "You're mom's right, Mizu. But good job," he whispered, kissing her forehead.
Daniel, still nursing his foot, glared at Mizuki and then turned his attention back to Megumi and Brina. "This is the kind of child you're raising? Disrespectful and violent?" he spat out, his words dripping with disdain.
"I'm raising a child that don't take shit from no damn body and when I say any damn body I mean spoiled self entitled Bitches like you," Brina replied, folding her arms. "My baby knows right from wrong, and she knows you are in the fuckin' wrong"
Mizu flicked her ring finger at Daniel, unaware that it was the wrong finger. "That's not the right finger, Mizu," Megumi held back a laugh, As Mizuki swapped out her ring finger and put her index finger up.
"That not the right finger either little Mama" Yuji popped up, demonstrating the proper gesture by raising his own middle finger briefly.
"Here, let me help you" He adjusted Mizu's finger so that her middle finger and thumb were out. "Yuji!" Brina scolded. "My fault" he quickly walked away.
Brina grabbed Megumi and pulled him to their way back to the table, leaving Daniel seething with anger and nursing his foot. As they settled back at the table, Nobara stood up from a nearby table, where she had been observing the situation unfold.
"Mizuki, gives me five" Mizu happily reciprocated, her earlier defiance replaced with excitement. "Next time hit him in his balls" Nobara exclaimed with a mischievous grin, causing Brina and Megumi to glare at her. "Sorry" Nobara walked back to her table.
"Are you mad at me mommy?" Mizu asked, looking up at Brina, her big brown eyes filled with concern. Brina's expression softened as she looked at her.
She reached out and fixed Mizu's hair. "No, if fact mama is proud of you," Brina reassured Mizu, her voice filled with warmth. "Oh, smile," Brina said when she saw the random photographer approaching their table.
Brina put on a smile and posed with Mizu and Megumi. "Ah, my eyes" Megumi ground as the flash blinded him temporarily. When he was done rubbing his eyes, he looked back down and saw Mizu drinking one of the drinks on the table.
"Ay, give me that," Megumi quickly reached out to take the drink away from Mizu's hand. "I didn't even realize she grabbed it" Brina said, shaking her head.
Megumi looked at the cup and realized Mizu had drunk half of it. "More" Mizu reached out for another drink, her eyes wide with excitement. "Nope, no more for you"
"Somebody gon sleep goood tonight." Brina chuckled, "You ready to go home?" Megumi nodded, still chuckling at Mizu's antics. "Yeah, I think it's time," he replied, reaching out to hold Brina's hand.
Timeskip
When they got home, Mizu was knocked the hell out. They tucked her in the bed, kissing her goodnight. As they stood by the door, they exchanged a look, appreciating the eventful evening they had just experienced.
"Today was certainly eventful," Brina said, breaking the silence. Megumi nodded, a playful smirk on his face. "Definitely not what I expected, but it turned out to be quite a memorable night."
Brina walked over to Megumi, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Well. what ya want to d" Before she could respond, he picked her up in his arms, surprising her.
Brina let out a surprised squeal, her laughter filling the air. "This ain't what I meant!" She chuckled. Megumi carried Brina to the bedroom, gently setting her down on the bed.
"I know what you meant," Megumi whispered, his voice filled with affection. "But I couldn't resist." Brina swatted at him, a smile on her face "You play too much" she teased, pulling him closer.
What are you doing over here? 🙂