1 week later
Jasmine
I walked into my office building and greeted my secretary,Hannah.
"Good morning Hannah."I said
"Good morning.You have a gift on your desk."She said
I furrowed my brows and walked into my office and saw a huge bouquet of roses on my desk.
I walked over to it and saw the note attached.
Dinner tonight at Nobu on me.I'll pick you up at 7:30.
-Aubrey
I sighed and moved the flowers off my desk.I sat down and saw I had a text from Travis.
Just landed.See you in a few weeks mama.
Travis was in the NFL and played for the Chiefs all the way in Kansas City.So during the season he stays there and visits me every few weeks.I hated when he left.
I heard a knock on my door.
"Come in."I said
In walked in one of my employees,Jacob.
"Yes Jake?"I said
"I see you're loved."He eyed the flowers
"Is there anything you need?"I sighed
"I just wanted to see how you were doing.You've been in a mood all week."He said
I looked up from my computer.
"I just have alot on my mind and Travis left last night."I said
"Oh well maybe we can go out for lunch?"He asked
He always flirted when he came in here.
"I would but I have alot to do."I said
"Thanks for visiting now bye."I said
He looked at me for a few more seconds before leaving.
Later
I sat in my kitchen having a drink while I waited for Aubrey.I decided I'd hear what he has to say but I'll definitely need to be a little drunk to get through it.
I heard a knock and I took a deep breath before going to open it.
"Hey."He said
"Hey."I said
"Shall we?"He asked
I nodded as I locked the door.
"So how do you know where I live and work?"I asked
"Um Travis helped me out with that."He said
I nodded.
"There's nothing going on between you two?"He asked
"Just friends.I have to explain that so much."I said
"Sorry.You seem really close."He said
"We are but I've never seen him that way."I said
He looked at me and nodded.
"You look great by the way."He said as he opened the car door for me
"Thanks."I got in
There was a silence as we rode to Nobu.When we pulled up there was paparazzi flashing in my eyes and I couldn't see anything.
"New lady friend Drake?"
"Who's the lucky girl?"
We made it inside and immediately got a table.
"That was annoying ."I sighed
"You get used to it after a while."He said
I nodded.
I looked over the menu while he watched me.
"See something you like?"I asked without looking up
"Hell yeah."He mumbled
I shook that off and looked up at him.
"So are we gonna talk about what happened?"I asked
He looked at me with sorrow.
When we were in high school I was the chunky smart girl.I had a huge crush on Aubrey and he knew it.He got dared to fake ask me to be his girlfriend at a prep rally and after he did he and the rest of the school died laughing at me.It was so traumatic.
"There's no words that could explain how sorry I am Jas.It was so stupid and I didn't mean to hurt you."He said
I felt my eyes well up.
"You knew how I felt about you.You knew and you really ripped my heart out of my chest."I said
"I know and I'm so sorry."He said
"I forgave you a long time ago but I'll never forget that."I said
"I'll take it."He slightly smiled
The waitress came over with a bottle of wine and took our orders.
"So what do you do now?"He asked
"I have a PR firm.It took since I graduated college to get it off the ground but I'm proud of it."I said
"Speaking of PR...you probably shouldn't be seen with me.Eh?"I asked throwing my Canadian accent on
"My publicist will probably scream my head off later but I do what I want."He explained
I nodded."I see that gets you in a lot of trouble as is."
He rose an eyebrow.
"I see the headlines.You're a player out here."I said
He cleared his throat."I don't have sex with all of them.We just kick it."
"Why are you explaining yourself to me?That's not my business."I said
"Well I feel like I should clear that up."He said
I nodded.
"Im interested in you."He said abruptly
"What?"I cocked my head
"I want you, Jas."He stated
I looked away.
"I don't know if I can handle a relationship right now,especially with you."I said looking at him
"Why not?"He asked quickly
"You're a huge celebrity.I work in PR..i know how relationships go with people like you.I also know that you're still in love with your ex."I simply stated
He looked a bit dumbfounded as I sipped my wine.
"I promise you me and her are done for good."He said
I shrugged.
"Whatever."I looked around
"C'mon Jasmine."He begged
"I don't know..you said she's the love of your life.So what would that make me?Backup?"I said taking a sip of wine
He looked away.
"You do your homework."He chuckled
I shrugged."Im not with playing games."
"Im not playing any games."He says
I looked down at my phone.
"Im just gonna go."I said chugging the rest of my drink
He sighed as I got up and walked out.
The uber I secretly requested pulled up and I headed home.I called Travis while I rode.
"Hey babygirl."He said
"Im coming to see you."I said
"What happened?"He asked
"I just..miss you."I said
"Jazzy...my apartment is kinda occupied."He said
"What do you mean?"I asked
I heard a muffled female voice through the phone.
"You have-
"Yeah..she's staying here."He said
"Wh-When were you gonna tell me?"I asked
"I don't know.I just know how you get."He said
"And how do I get?"I replied
"You're selfish and jealous.You want me all to yourself.You know I love you but it can't be like that anymore.Im serious about this one."He said
"Oh..okay."I said lowly
"I'll talk to you later."I said
"Jas.."I heard before I hung up
My uber arrived at my apartment and I immediately went to the alcohol stash..I may have a problem.I sat on the couch and drank all my hard liquors mixing vodka with ciroc and Hennessy.I grabbed my phone and called Aubrey.
"Hey.You good?"He asked
"Come over."I slurred
"You drunk Jas?"He asked
"I said come through."I repeated
"Alright Alright.I'll be there in half an hour."He said
I hung up and went into the bathroom.I showered and shaved my girl.I put lotion on and threw on a thong and a silk robe.I haven't gotten any in years.I heard the door and went to go open.
"Hey."He said
I sipped the wine in my hand."Hey."
I let him in and offered him a drink.
"No thanks."He declined
I sat on the couch and he did next to me.
"What's up with you?"He asked
"Nothing.."I said
I got on top of him and straddled him.
"I want it."I grinded against him
"Jasmine..baby you're drunk."He whispered as his hands travelled down my body
"I know."I opened my robe and kissed him
"Damn."He said through the kiss
"Im not doing this while you're drunk."He said as I kissed his ear
"Aubrey c'mon.."I hiccuped
I felt him pick me up and take me to my bed.He put me down and walked out my room.He came back with a bottle of water.
"Drink this."He said
I did then laid down on the bed.
"Come cuddle with me."I said lowly
I watched him strip into his boxers then get in the bed next to me.
"Mm.If you act right I might let you have a chance."I said drifting to sleep
I felt him kiss my cheek and hold me tight.
Next Morning
Aubrey
I woke up and looked at Jasmine.Damn last night was interesting.I went into the bathroom and looked around for a disposable toothbrush.I brushed my teeth and opened the bathroom door.
I saw her sit up and hold her head.
"You good?"I asked
She nodded and got up.She looked down at herself and covered her body.
"I saw it all already."I said
She rolled her eyes.
"What happened?"She asked
"You were wasted.You tried to fuck me but I made sure nothing happened while you were drunk."I told her walking toward her
"Well you can leave now.."She said
I handed her a glass of water.
She drank it slowly.
"Thanks."She said
"You good?"I asked her
"Yes Aubrey.Now you can go."She said looking away
I nodded."I'll call you."
"Don't."She mumbled
I shook my head and let myself out.
Jasmine
I sighed and grabbed my phone off the counter.
I saw so many notifications from Twitter and so many text messages.I knew it was from last night.The paparazzi caught us together.
I got up and went into the bathroom to do my hygiene.I got dressed and made my way to the office.I was hella late.
I parked and walked inside.All eyes were on me.
"Hi Ms.Davis,you have a meeting in 5 minutes with Dave East."Hannah said
I nodded."Okay."
I headed to my office and sat at my desk.A few minutes later I heard a knock.
"Come in."I said
In walked Hannah with two people behind her.
"This is Dave and Alana his manager."She said
I stood up."Nice to meet you Dave and nice to see you again Alana."
I shook Dave's hand and he held it for a while staring intensely at me.
"Well..We should get started."I cleared my throat and pulled away
He nodded.
"So we have a small problem."Alana said
"What's the issue?"I asked
"David here has made some offensive remarks toward a black woman in his instagram comments.Black women are flooding him with hate comments and his views and streams are decreasing."She said
I nodded."This has been happening a lot?"
"It hasn't happened a lot.Maybe two or three times where he's said something problematic but the internet doesn't forget."She said
I nodded.
"Well Dave to get into black women's good graces again, you'd need to apologize and maybe in your next video have a little more melanin in it.As I can see your videos don't really have darker skinned women in them."I told him
He just nodded.
"We can do that."Alana said writing that down
"Good.Maybe do an interview not just an instagram post."I said
Alana nodded and stepped out to answer a call.
"You got a man?"He licked his lips
"Um no and I'm not interested."I said
He sucked his teeth."Wassup wit chu ma?"
"I don't deal with my clients."I said simply
He leaned back into his chair and eyed me.
I looked back to my computer and started to occupy myself.I heard a knock on my door.
"Ms.Davis?You have a visitor."Hannah said
"Uh who?Im kinda busy right now."I said
"Um..Drake."She said
I sighed."Oh my god."
"Tell him to give me like ten minutes.You can have him wait in the back room.I don't want anybody harassing him."I told her
"Yes ma'am."She nodded
"Drake..that's your nigga?"Dave asked
"Dave.Im single.Just not interested in you."I said
Silence came over the room.Guess he's not used to being rejected.
Alana returned to my office.
"Okay thank you so much Jas.Dave, we gotta go."She said quickly
"No problem!See you later."I said
They left and I called Hannah at the front desk.
"Hey send him in."I said and hung up
Moments later he appeared at the door.
"Come in."I said
He came inside and sat down.
"This is nice."He said
"..Thanks.Anything I can help you with?"I asked
"I know you want me to leave you alone and all but I can't."He said
I almost felt myself smile.
"You don't have to be so cold with me Jas.Whatever you want me to do I'll do it."He said
"I don't understand..after all the time we spent together..after everything you did to me..all you needed was for me to lose weight and all the sudden you want me..?That doesn't sit right with me."I said honestly
Aubrey and I had more than just that one incident in high school.My mom is from Nashville and his dad is from Memphis.So during the summers while I was visiting my grandparents we would hang out.Take the bus to the movies or the park or an arcade..he was my first love.We did everything together those summers.He was my first.But, every year school came around he made sure to tell me that no one could know about us.It was so humiliating.So when he asked me to be his girlfriend in front of the school I thought maybe he was tired of hiding..but no he just wanted to hurt me once again.
"Jas..don't cry."He said wiping my eyes
I pushed his hands away quickly.
"I-"I paused
"I loved you and what you did to me..it ruined the only other relationship I've ever had.I was insecure..checking his phone all the time, following him when he went out...popping up at his house.I can't trust you right now..but I will give you a chance to regain my trust."I told him
His eyes lit up.
"Im going to a charity ball this Saturday..be my date?"He asked
"Sure..What color should I wear?"I asked
"Pick whatever you want..I'll just match you."He said
I nodded."Okay."
My phone started ringing and it was my mom.
"Sorry."I said to Aubrey and answered the phone
"Hi mom."I said
"Hi honey..people are sending me pictures of you and this rapper..what's that about?"She said
"Straight to it huh?"I joked
"Are you dating?"She asked
"Um kinda not really.It's Aubrey..remember from highschool?"I said
"Oh the boy with the curly hair?"She asked
"Yes ma."I said
"Hmm.Well that's good to hear.You need to come visit your father and I."She said
"I will I promise."I said
"Okay ma.Gotta go."I said
"Don't hang up on me little girl."She said
"Mom..I really-
"Is he there with you?"She asked
I looked to Aubrey.
"Uh...yes."I said
"Oooh let me talk to him."She said
I sighed and mentally cursed.
"Aub..my mom wants to talk to you."I said
He held his hand out smiling.I handed over my phone.
"How are you Ms.Davis?...good.Im great..yes ma'am..I'll take good care of her.Absolutely..alright see you soon..bye."I watched him talk with my mother
He was such a charmer..he always has been.
"You're mom wants me to come whenever you go visit."He said
I nodded."How often do you go home?"
"Four maybe five times a year..my mom still lives there."He said
I nodded."I should definitely visit more."
"Why don't you?"He asked
"She's a little..over the top.She's ready for me to get married and have kids but I've been focused on work."I explained
"Sounds like my mom."He smiled
"Im about to take my lunch..you wanna tag along?"I asked
"Yeah sure."He nodded
"You don't have anything to do?"I asked
He looked at his watch."Yeah I'm free until three."
"Okay."I nodded
We walked out of my office and I felt his hand on my lower back.All my employees eyes were on us.
"Im going out for lunch Hannah."I told her
"Okay."She nodded
As we walked outside the building the paparazzi and fans swarmed us.Aubrey's hand stayed on my lower back as he led me to his car.It was a Lamborghini..all black.
"So where do you wanna go?"He asked
"Surprise me."I said
He smirked."Alright."
We pulled up to Nice Guy.I've been here a few times but they don't open until six pm.
"They aren't open."I told him as he parked.
"Yeah I know."He said getting out
I shook my head and watched him open the door for me.
"Thank you."I said
"Of course."He said and grabbed my hand
I looked down at out hands then looked up at him.He smiled at me causing me to smile back.
"You smile?Would've never known."He said
"Oh shut up."I playfully punched his arm
The owner opened the door for us.
"Hey Mark."Aubrey said
"How's it going?"They shook hands
"Who's this beauty?"He said turning to me
"This is Jasmine.We're here for lunch."He said
"Ah.Alright have a seat.Anywhere you like."He said
We took a seat at a booth.
"So you have connections."I joked
"Something like that.I eat here three times a week so Mark always has open arms for me."He explained
I nodded.
"So..about that ex you told me about earlier.If you don't mind me asking..how long ago was that?Where's he now?"He asked
"Only if you tell me about what happened with Nebby."I replied
I watched his face slightly frown."Deal."
"...I was 20.He was amazing.Treated me right.Took good care of me.Helped me lose the weight but even if I didn't he loved me either way.I just..I couldn't understand how someone like that could love me.He dumped me two years in.I could understand why.I was way too insecure."I paused and felt a lump in my throat
"He- I was pregnant when he left..I couldn't tell him.I was afraid and embarrassed.I knew he didn't want me anymore.I miscarried two months in and now..he's married with a daughter and one on the way."I sniffled looking down at my fingers
"Jas..."He said coming to my side of the booth
I laid my head on his shoulder.
"I always needed Travis.Right by my side at all times.I was so broken I couldn't be alone.It was selfish to put him through that.Ruining all his relationships because they were skeptical about how close we were.."I sniffled
"It's okay baby.Im right here."He rocked me slightly
"Im sorry..for getting all emotional."I said
"Don't apologize.I appreciate you opening up."He said
I nodded and felt him wipe my tears.Mark came over and took our orders I made sure to order a cocktail.
"So..Nebby."I stated
I knew about Zineb..we all went to school together but they stayed on and off for years.I saw all of it during college via social media.
"I mean..you know we were on and off.When you and I were on she and I were off...I just couldn't give her what she deserved.She was great.I was immature.I didn't know how to love her right and I only realized that after she left me for good.I cheated a few times..with all the new found fame after So Far Gone..I just I fucked up.She engaged now which is something she always said she'd never do so young but I'm happy for her."He explained
I rubbed my hand over his.
"I honestly don't know how to do this relationship thing Aubrey..I haven't been in one in like six years..I'm a mess."I slightly chuckled
"I'm here.I'll help you.Guide you."He said
I smiled and saw Mark come out with our food and my drink.
"Don't you think you shouldn't have this..?"He said pulling my cocktail away
"Uh no."I grabbed it and sipped it.
"Jas."He stared concernedly
"Im fine.It's just one drink."I assured him
One thing I didn't want to worry him with was my drinking.I'd been to rehab before.I just think I can take care of myself.