AG

As the hours ticked by, the city outside grew louder with the sounds of traffic and early-morning hustle. Yet, nestled in our cocoon, the only noises were the comforting sounds of her sleep.

My alarm blared, jolting me from my peaceful state. With a groan, I reached over to silence it, not wanting to disturb the serene picture she painted in her slumber. She stirred but didn't wake. I kissed her forehead gently, feeling the softness of her skin. "I'll be back soon, baby," I murmured, sliding out of bed.

The cold floor against my bare feet brought me back to reality. I had to get ready for the day ahead. I knew we had a big session in the studio, and I couldn't wait to see her talent shine. I took one last look at her, the early morning light playing across her features. A smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I knew we had something special, something that could change the course of both our lives.

I walked into the bathroom, the cold air hitting me like a slap. I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I could still taste her sweetness on the back of my tongue. I left it there, a gentle reminder of the woman who belonged to me. I dressed.

A white T-shirt clung to my skin, a thick Fendi sweater covered my broad chest, and a matching scarf wrapped around my neck. I pulled on my distressed dark denim jeans and chocolate Timberlands. I didn't need to look in the mirror to know that I was dressed to kill.

The AG chain hung heavy around my neck, the diamond studs in my ears glinting in the light. My pinky ring caught the glow of the bathroom light, the diamond winking at me like it knew my secrets. I sprayed a generous amount of Tom Ford Soleil Blanc on my neck and chest and rolled a bit of coconut-scented oil in my hands through my beard and dreads.

I walked back into the bedroom and gently kissed Nova's forehead, her skin like velvet beneath my lips. She stirred but didn't wake. I tucked the covers around her and whispered, "I'll be in booth 7, baby."

The penthouse was eerily quiet as I stepped into the elevator, the cold steel a jolting contrast to the warmth of the bedroom. As the doors closed, I took one last look at our sanctuary before descending into the chaos of the city below. The chilly wind greeted me as the doors parted, and I stepped out into the New Jersey morning. The bustling streets were a stark reminder of the life waiting for me outside.

The sun was a fiery orb in the sky, casting a brilliant light on the pavement that reflected off the chrome of my Lamborghini URUS. Despite the biting cold, the day was crisp and clear, the kind of day that made you feel alive. I pulled a pair of CAZAL shades from the car's armrest and slid them over my eyes; the world around me immediately became cooler and more manageable.

With a smirk, I popped in my diamond grill, the gold glinting in the light as I started the engine. The URUS roared to life, the sound echoing through the garage, a symphony of power and luxury.

Shaking my head, I couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. The man who had once dreamed of making it big now had more wealth than he knew what to do with. But it wasn't just about the money or the cars but about being better. It was about following your dreams and elevating, continuously working towards being the best version of yourself.

But as the car pulled up to the studio, the laughter and camaraderie of the night before were replaced by a sudden weight in my chest. A memory from the event in LA crept in, unbidden and unwelcome. The flash of a drunken kiss, Destiny's hand on my waist, her warm breath against my neck as she whispered sweet nothings in my ear. My brows furrowed, and a sour taste filled my mouth. "Shit," I murmured, the reality of what I had done crashing down on me like a ton of bricks.

Panic took over, though I tried to keep it at bay. I needed to talk to Destiny to see what the fuck. I parked the URUS in my reserved spot, the sound of the engine cutting through the chilly morning air. I rushed into the studio, my heart hammering in my chest.

Once in my office, I grabbed my phone and called Destiny, the tension in my voice evident. "What the fuck happened last night?" I demanded, the words tumbling out before she could even say hello.

Destiny's laughter filled my ear. "Well, good morning to you too, handsome." she quipped. "Oh, please," she giggled. "You know exactly what happened, Swim." Her tone was playful, but I could hear the underlying challenge in her words. "You had a good time, and so did I. Why so serious?"

Her carefree attitude grated on my nerves. "Because I have a fucking girlfriend, Destiny!" I snapped, pacing the floor. " It didn't seem like it last night," she said smugly. "Hold on."

The line went silent for a moment, and then the chime of an incoming video filled the room. I stared at my phone in horror as the screen flickered to life, revealing an explicit scene that I had never wanted to see again. Destiny, her face flushed with pleasure, was straddling my head, her hips rolling as she ground herself against my face. Behind her, a faceless woman with a curvy figure was impaled on my dick; her back arched in ecstasy.

I felt the blood drain from my face, my knees threatening to give way. "Wh-Who the fuck recorded this?" I roared into the phone, the rage bubbling up from the pit of my stomach. The video was grainy and obviously taken from a distance, but there was no mistaking the depraved look in my own eyes, the raw hunger that had consumed me.

Destiny's laughter grew louder, and I could almost see the smug smile on her lips. "Oh, that little birdie?" she sang. "You know how it goes in the Artis. Everyone's always watching." Her voice was light and airy as if this was all just a game to her.

But this was no game. This was my fucking life, and she had just handed a loaded gun to the enemy. The video could ruin everything I built with Nova and shatter the trust we had so carefully constructed. "You better behave, Artis Swim Greer." She chortled darkly. "Or I might just decide to share this little souvenir."

The threat was clear, and I knew Destiny wasn't one to bluff. "Destiny, get rid of this shit, man," I demanded. "Oh, don't worry, Artis. It's safe with me...for now." The line went dead, leaving me staring at the black screen, feeling more exposed than ever. My heart raced, the weight of the situation settling in my stomach like a leaden stone. I had to sit. My chest tightened. "What the fuck have I done."

Just as I was about to spiral into a pit of despair, Romie knocked and peeked his head in. "yo yo yo, welcome back, big homie." His head tilted. After a good stretch of silence."You okay, man?" He looked at me with genuine concern, his eyes searching my face for signs of distress. I couldn't lift my head. I felt like I'd been bitch slapped, the wind knocked out of me. "Yeah, just... just give me a minute," I croaked out, my voice barely above a whisper.

Romie walked in, shutting the door behind him, his heavy footsteps echoing in the quiet of my office. He took a seat in the chair opposite my desk, his eyes never leaving mine. He was loyal, always there when you needed him. "What's going on, Art," he said firmly.

I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. "It's Destiny," I finally said, my voice heavy. "She has a video from LA." The words felt like acid on my tongue. "In a hotel," I clarified, though I knew he didn't need to hear the details to understand.

Romie's expression grew serious, his eyes darkening. "What kind of video?" he asked, his voice low and measured.

"The kind that could ruin me," I replied, finally meeting his gaze. I couldn't keep it from him any longer. "A threesome," I admitted, the words sticking in my throat. "And she's threatening to show it to Nova."

Romie's eyebrows shot up. "Oh shit," he breathed. "Oh fuck." he continued. "Art, what the fuck was you doin', bro?"

I rubbed my eyes, trying to erase the image of Destiny's smug face. "I don't know, man," I sighed heavily. "It was just one of those nights."

"Oh shit," he kept on. "I know Romie... I know," I said. "This shit got my heart beating fast," he said. He hopped up, grabbed a bottle of water, and chugged it.

"She's gon' leave my black ass when she finds out," I said, nodding.

Romie leaned forward, placing the water bottle on the desk with a thunk. "You gotta tell her, Art," he said, his voice firm. I sat back in my chair and shook my fucking head.