SLIM

Everyone knows a couple who just can't leave each other alone. No matter what happens, they're coming to the next function together. Not the ones who bring their arguments to social media, or the ones crying to their family and friends. I'm talking bout the ones who are inseparable, regardless of their problems within the relationship.

That used to be Caly and I. Outside influences didn't affect our relationship, and we didn't play that public display of our relationship issues shit. We dealt with that shit one on one, or not at all.

Rodney took care of Jason's body and had a "friend of a friend" clean up the mess. With my schedule being free for the week, I stayed home to finish the job. That wasn't going too well, cause Caly cleaned the house the right way. I didn't even know where to begin.

The tornado that went through my apartment had to be intense. I couldn't see my bedroom floor, and almost every hanger to the clothes on the floor had been snapped. Luckily, my TV & P5 was in perfect condition. Which meant nothing to me, now that my life demanded more than being able to sit and play the game all day like I was used to.

Getting rid of Jason's belongings out of my guest room was mandatory. So, I bagged everything up, planning to take it to Goodwill. I helped myself to any weed or money he had stashed, and kept a pair of his tan suede Air Force 1's.

"Yeah, these bitches mine." I said, dusting off the unworn soles and admiring the texture of the suede.

It was tempting to claim a few more items, cause that nigga had some nice shit. But, integrating this whole wardrobe with my didn't sound like a bright idea.

By the time I finished bagging everything up, Goodwill was definitely closed for the day. In the meantime, I was gonna stuff everything in my car to get it out of my house. Just in case. I grabbed the biggest industrial trash bag full of clothes, and started to drag it towards the back door. But, then there was a knock at the front door.

"Fuck!" I said under my breath.

Not expecting anyone tonight, I panicked. I shoved all the bags in the guest room closet, and made the bed. The knocks persisted, shaking me up. My heart was pounding outta my chest. Checking the peephole, I was staring at a familiar face.

"London?" I said as I pulled the door open.

She had a suitcase and a sadness to her. Her head dropped, picking at her nails. Still in shock, I just stared at her. When words failed to be exchanged, I grabbed her suitcase and brought it inside. She followed, so I closed the door behind her. Then, we fell into each other's arms as if no time had past since the day we met.

We squeezed tight, breathing as if we'd just been holding our breath all this time. Yet, it was calm and reassuring. Tears filled up in my eyes as her face snuggle in my chest. Having her so close was the first familiar feeling I'd felt in a long time. I needed that. All my worries had disappeared and I was finally at peace.

"I'm sorry-"

"It's okay.."

"No," I grabbed her chin, so she'd look at me. "It's not okay. I should've never put my hands on you. No matter how hurt I was. That's not what I'm bout, I'm sorry I violated you."

"I don't wanna talk about this.." she pulled away, rubbing her arm.

"I think we should." I shrugged.

"I'm tired of fighting, I just wanna forget any of this happened."

"You know that's impossible. The whole world knows now." I said.

"Yeah, cause you decided to do an Interview blasting our business just two days after it happened."

"Nah, nahh. Had you not went on that nigga live and had him pick you up from our house, we wouldn't be right here!" She went silent, as always. Just staring at me stupid and allowing me to talk until I had nothing else but insults to say. "How do you want me to forget this shit when I can still smell his cologne on you? You can't expect me to be okay with another man claiming you like he's been the one rocking with you all these years."

"I don't regret it.."

"What?"

"I needed to get away, I couldn't live like this anymore."

"So, I wasn't enough for you?"

"No, you weren't. You made me so used to abuse, that I expected it. I fell in love with a man I didn't even know because he was nice to me."

"Wow.." I scoffed. "Why exactly did you come back here, then?"

"Being out there, I realized that it's not about us. It's about the image. These media vultures will tear you apart if you show them what's really going on."

"You want me to lie and say you didn't cheat on me?"

"Slim... I never cheated on you. Why do you believe that?"

"I smelled his cologne on you, London."

"Okay, I kissed him that night.." she sighed. "But it didn't mean anything and we never had sex. I promise you."

"What about Jason?"

"Jason?" she scrunched up her face, displaying full disgust. "You still don't know what he did to me?"

"Something happened, and I wanna know what it is." I said.

"No you don't-"

"You just don't understand, I would kill for you, girl."

"Then, I pray you never find out." She said firmly and without a blink. Chills ran down my spine, knowing that was the reason Jason's corpse was recently decomposing in my basement.

"Why did he have my gun?" I blurted out of curiosity. She frowned, realizing I know what happened.

"What would you do with a gun pointed to your head?" She said, then she walked away.

Fucked up by our conversation, I silently followed her lead. Whatever task she began doing, I did the same. She picked up glass, I cleaned up the wax. She picked up the clothes, I took care of the hangers. She threw away trash, I vacuumed the carpet. Before I knew it, we had finished cleaning the entire house, except one room. The guestroom, or so Caly thought.

After hours of cleaning, it was obvious that no one was occupying the guest room. While I was taking a bathroom break, Caly had made her way into the room. She was surprised to see the bed made and room readjusted. I hovered behind her once I realized she was standing in there too long.

"At least he had the decency to clean up before he left." she said.

"Yeah," I said. I walked out of the room, hoping she'd stop looking around and just follow me. "What should we eat tonight?"

"What the fuck is this?" she said. My heart froze, I was too afraid to go look at what she might have seen. I closed my eyes, praying Rodney's crew didn't miss any blood. But, this was worse. I heard the closet door open and the top bag of Jason's belongings fell to her feet.

Out of excuses, I just stared at the scattered debris. Caly, clearly confused, looked at me for an explanation. I shrugged my shoulders, hoping she didn't do the mind reading she was always good at when it came to me.

"Where's Jason?" Unable to speak, I just shrugged again. "Who cleaned up in here?" When I hesitated, her face turned white and she stepped back. "He never left, did he?"

"N-no.." I shook my head.

"Don't tell me it's a dead body in one of those bags, Slim."

"It's not, I took care of it."

"So, there was a dead body in this house?! What the fuck happened?" she started to hyperventilate, shaking her hands pacing just like I had before. "Oh my god, I'm going to prison. My life is over, at this point."

"Calm down, you're not going anywhere."

"Did you forget that my name is still on this lease, or are we gonna skip over that? What if Shayla comes here looking for him?!"

"Jason was never here! Okay? I'm gonna donate all of his shit tomorrow and we won't speak of this again. To us, he's just an old friend from Michigan. You got it?"

"I can't do this.." she stepped over the bag and left the room.

"You have to.." I said, stopping her. "You were here the night it happened.. I think you just helped me destroy evidence."

"Are you serious?"

"I killed him for you." she sat down at the dining booth, shaking her head as her leg vibrated.

"So, this whole time you knew what he did to me and still went on the radio to do-"

"I can't remember anything that happened that night. I had to talk to Rodney. Putting myself in the spotlight would've been the last thing on my mind if I remembered."

"You gotta stop drinking.."

"Already did."

BRIA

Sprung is an understatement when it comes to how I was feeling about Vinnie. I enjoyed those few days in Chicago so much, it felt like no time had passed when I got home. All I had were my mental memories and couple photos to reminisce. My co-workers didn't believe me when I said that I was at the surprise party, but I can point myself out in the photos Durk posted in under a minute. But, that ain't nobody business, so I let them have that one.

My manager gave me an extra floor to do, just cause she be mad I got a life. So, I had to put some pep in my step that Tuesday morning. Otherwise, I'd be putting in some overtime. I was bumping trap music Vinnie put me onto in my Airpods while cleaning and organizing. Vacuuming and rapping, changing the sheets while busting fake shots in the air. I know the occupant in the room next door could hear my theatrics. I cackled so hard at my reflection in the TV.

In just weeks, I had become a popular figure by association. For that reason, my ringer was permanently off. I get too many notifications too often. Some interrupt my music so, I gotta swipe it out the way. Not paying attention, I assumed I had a notification and swiped it. I instinctively began finishing the lyrics I was rapping to, but the music still didn't start. I heard a laugh coming through my Airpods, causing me to look at my phone confused to see Vinnie on Facetime.

"I see I got you BIG trapping at work." Vinnie chuckled.

"Of course!" I laughed.

"That's cute." he said, I rolled my eyes and jerked the phone away from my face.

"Boy.." I giggled. "I be having to get in the mood when I got alot of work to do."

"That's why you should come on ova here. I got a spot for you, wouldn't have to work another day in yo life."

"Mm.." I nodded. "I feel like you been trynna kidnap me since we met. What's that about?"

"I want you close, and with me." he smiled while biting is bottom lip.

"Okay, Mr. I'm not single but I'm available."

"I'm whatever you want me to be."

"Well, what do YOU wanna be?"

"Yo man." we both burst into laughter, I had to hold my belly because I was tickled. "Nah, I'm forreal tho."

"Ion think lil miss Megan gone like that."

"She a be aight." he shrugged. "I'm getting older, I know what I'm looking for in a woman."

"Say it with ya chest then, Daddy."

"Let me break ya lease and move you out here with me."

"What's the rush?"

"I just been thinking a lot about my future and I fasho want you to be apart of that. That talking stage for teenagers, why be scared to commit to something?"

"Because that honeymoon phase would have you buying wedding rings before you find out you really hate each other."

"Bria, I can see right through you. Your flaws and all. But, learning how to love you is part of my job as your man."

"You say that now until you're unhappy with me.."

"The difference between me and all these other niggas that you dealt with, is I'm not looking for someone to make me happy. I don't need a crutch or punching bag. I want someone to share my happiness with. My unhappiness wouldn't be your responsibility nor fault."

"Sometimes, I feel like I'm dreaming when I talk to you."

"Just think about it, ma. Take ya time if you have to, I'm still here."

"Okay. Well in the meantime, how is Caly doing? I haven't heard from her since Sunday. I know she been in her feelings about Durk's ass."

"She's not with you?" he frowned.

"Huh?"

"Wiz took her back to Ohio, yesterday.." he said. "She just up and left."

"Cap, she would've come to my house. Or, maybe she just hiding out at a hotel. Did she have any money on her?"

"Nah, she gave Durk all the money she had left back to him."

"This is a prank, right? Like, you playing with me."

"She left a note and everything. Whole time, I thought she was with you."

"Wow, umm.. Let me call you back." I said before hanging up. I called and facetimed her multiple time to no avail. I even sent a text that delivered. So, I know she see me calling. If she went back to Slim, I was gonna lose my shit.

Getting off work, I was exhausted. I could barely keep my eyes open, and I was dragging my feet. All I wanted to do was sleep, but I was too upset with Caly cause I still hadn't got a response from her. This wasn't like her. So I stopped by her house.

With my patience running thin, I banged on the door. Not even a minute later, Caly opened the door and yanked me inside before slamming it back shut.

"Are you crazy, I got neighbors!" she said.

"Why you whispering?"

"Shhhh!" she pulled me to the bathroom and shut the door. "What are you doing here?"

"No, what are YOU doing here? I been trying to get a hold of you and you just been ignoring me. What is going on?"

"Does anybody know you here?" she said.

"No, w-"

"Good, don't come back after you leave. I'll come to you."

"Why you acting so weird?"

"Will you just listen?!"

"No, tell me what's going on. Last time we were here, I was escaping with your bruised up naked body. Excuse me, if I seem a little put off by being here." she sighed and looked around, rocking side to side as she stood. "Caly.."

"Jason is dead."

"You killed Jason?!" she covered my mouth and shushed me again.

"No, Slim did... But, technically we helped."

"Who is we?" I raised my eyebrows.

"Bria, you broke a damn lava lamp on his head and it knocked him out the night he was killed. This ain't looking good for none of us."

"I- I- I need a blunt." I said sitting on the toilet cover.

"I don't know what Imma do, but you can't be coming around here no more. I don't want you to get caught up in this shit too."

"You need to take yo ass back to Chicago, why dafuck did you come back here? To this house?"

"Slim is all I know, Bria.. It felt right when everything felt wrong in Chicago."

"Yeah well, now you got a whole case on yo hands. You gone take the fall for him, ain't you?"

"He said he took care of it, but I can't let him go to prison for protecting me."

"Protecting you? Girl, if you don't get the fuck-"

"He said he did it for me."

"Who gives a fuck what he said, he had you looking like a MMA fighter after a loss, that same night."

"He apologized for that too, and he genuinely don't remember shit from that night."

"Mm, chile I'm tired." I said and I stood up, walking to the door. "Text me, I guess."

"Alright."

"I want you to think long and hard about your actions from now on, before you do something that lands you in a prison cell right along with him."

CALY

Although, I was enjoying my hiatus. The world doesn't revolve around me, so it surely didn't stop when I did. I may have been adamant about getting away from Durk and the drama, but I still had certain obligations to Chicago. I could only postpone appointments back so far, and only miss a certain amount of interviews and LHH events a certain amount of times before I'd probably get blackballed. So, I waited at least a week before hopping back on the grid.

I had so many messages and missed calls, people probably thought I was missing. In hindsight, it would've been a good Idea to stay on top of things while trying to cover up a murder.

Before I could make a decision about my next moves, I wanted to make sure that Slim and I were on the same page. We were each others only ally, possible alibi, and closest potential enemy. The only way I was willing to move forward is if I had his word that he'd continue to "protect" me.

"I told you that you don't gotta worry about a damn thing." he said as we lay in bed, staring at the ceiling together. It was almost like those days we were closer than we had ever been. We'd talk for hours, reminisce, and just hold each other. Neither one of us were able to sleep nearly at all, and the bags under our eyes would soon be threatening. But, the time we spent together fused us back together as if the bond was never broken.

"I'm scared.." I said. I turned to look at him, he met my eyes and pulled me on top of his chest. He then planted a kissed on my head. "What happens when we hate each other again?"

"I'll never hate you. Never did." he said. I played with the gold chain around his neck that encased a black gem.

"Well, what if everything falls apart like before?" I said. He rubbed my arm, letting out a sigh.

"We won't let that happen this time. And, it shouldn't if we come up with a fool proof plan. Like you said the other day, it's about the image with the media. We can keep our personal shit to ourselves and sell them a fantasy."

"Yeah.. Oooh.. I think I know just what to do.." I said, patting his chest.

Slim and I spent our last 24hrs of being off the grid coming up with our own "story line," as we liked to call it. Going over how we'd act in certain scenarios together, and even alone. We must play our role at all times, unless it's just us.

With Slim's advance that he finessed from Mona, we paid out our lease and hopped on the first plane to Chicago. We got an Airbnb for the time being, and set up phase 1 of our somewhat elaborate plan. Which, had to be done before I began filming my scenes for the show.

It started with him cooking dinner for me, where we ate with a candlelight. He uploaded photos of our plates and table set up to his instagram. I uploaded the view of him kissing my hand. Next, was the Jacuzzi romantically decorated with flowers and candles. He poured us glasses of Champagne for the pictures, getting every shot that captured our love. Then, it was time for the lingerie. While he draped himself in a Gucci robe that matched my lavender SavageXFenty, I let myself remain on display.

This time, we'd play so in love that we can't keep our hands off each other. We'd kiss, I'd giggle. He'd talk, I'd swoon. Everything about him made me breathless, and I was just irresistible to him. Then, it was go time. We somehow "accidentally" started recorded a live video on my instagram. The phone appeared to be in Slim's hand, pointing towards us as he wooed.

"Stop, that tickles!" I giggled, giving him a playful smack on the cheek.

"Aight, I'm done playing. C'mere.." I wrapped my arms around his next neck, and he cradled himself between my thighs, placing a kiss on my lips.

"I love you." I said, looking into his eyes. He genuinely smiled, biting his lip to bring himself back to character.

"I love you too, more than life itself."

"Ever since the miscarriage, you've been so distant."

"I know, I still feel numb about it."

"There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about the fact that I could've been a mom."

"And, you would've been a great one."

"I needed you. I needed your support, I felt like you blamed me."

"I blamed myself, honestly." he sighed. "I wish I was there for you, I probably wouldn't have lost you to some nigga who just wanted to use you for money."

"Well, you're here now-"

My phone started blowing up with calls, facetimes, and texts from Durk, the label's lawyer, Shawn, Bria, and Vinnie. I ignored all calls but one, Durk's. When I answered, I set my phone down and let him listen to us engaging in foreplay.

"I missed this." I moaned into the phone, and he hung up. Satisfied, I pretended to be surprised I was on Live and ended it. All that acting had me hot, so I insisted that we both finish what we started. After all, we were dressed and in the mood.

Having sex that night opened up a can of worms of emotions I had suppressed. Officially hooked on Slim again, and he hooked on me, we were indestructible. It was now time for Phase II of our elaborate plan that worked itself out.

"You ready, bae?" he said. He fastened his tie in the mirror, checking how clean his line up was.

"Yeah, I just need to wait for the paperwork to finish printing." I said. Within 15 minutes, we were pulling up to Mandy's office where a conference was being held.

There we were, sitting at a table around some very powerful people in the industry. Public Relations, label executives, Monami Productions, and a slew of others. We had their attention, and they wanted ours.

"Thank you all for coming," Mandy said. "We've all been called to action and have been presented a proposal. Everyone in this room is either associated, partnered, or plan to do business with one or both Slim & Caly. Everyone will get their one on one time with them, but I'll let them take over the rest of the meeting."

"Thank you, Mandy." I said before standing up. "On behalf of Slim & I, we would like to negotiate a contract. Whether we have contracts binding us or not, the contracts I present to you will not put us in breech. Instead, it will add to it on our behalf. Now, if you do not wish to sign this, and we do currently have a binding relationship, Slim and myself plan on taking legal action to dissolve the current agreement all together."

"Well, what are the terms you discuss in this additional contract?" Mona said.

"I'm glad you asked." I smiled and pulled the stack of contracts out of my suit case. I dispersed them across the room, allowing everyone to get one.

"This says, you require an advance of two million dollars for any type of business agreement."

"And, you want to be paid first and given the authority over the splits. So, I'll be up to you to pay me?"

"But you don't want to be required to provide your own food and shelter, you want it to be covered by the company who's endorsing you?"

"This is absurd!"

"Yeah, it's basically a scam."

"No," Mona said. She smirked and looked at me, then she sucked her teeth. "This is very clever. I'm impressed."

"Oh, yeah? Well, enlighten the rest of us. This sounds like a waste of time and money."

"Entirely."

"Not if you have the money." she said. "She said she wanted to negotiate a contract. That's exactly what we're here for. You have their terms, now try your best to meet them half way. If you can't do that, you're not the company for them."

"I knew there was something I liked about you." I said.

"Oh, sis. We're gonna be the best of friends." she said.

As expected, the label I was associated with was present, causing Durk to be there, without Royale. The look on his face was priceless to see, I finally got him to feel how I felt. The painful stare and aggressive fiddling of the pen in his hand only progressed the longer he sat. He'd clench his jaw whenever Slim grab my hand, or whisper in my ear. I know everyone thought he was being professional and keeping his cool, but his eyes showed me that he was boiling inside.

He wouldn't look me directly in the eyes, but I'd get a tingling in my stomach from time to time whenever I wasn't looking at him. The label's lawyer and Shawn were whispering to him the whole time, it got a little intense. Durk whispered one thing and they were shaking their head and slamming their palms on the table. He didn't say anything else, he was content. OTF was the last to come to an agreement on any of our terms to add to the contract. Of course, I'd expect them to be the toughest to persuade.

"After a few moments of deliberation, we've come up with a decision." The label's lawyer said. He removed his glasses, squeezing his temple. Shawn put his head in his hands.

"Please." I said.

"Umm, we've agreed to all of your terms." he said with a sigh of frustration, then looked at Durk. The room filled up with wide eyes, open mouths, and looks of confusion. I was shocked myself. "But, you will have to sign as an artist to the label, not a business partner."

"But technically-" Durk cleared his throat and cut me off.

"Technically you'll still be an independent artist. You will just be a signed artist on paper. You'll get all the perks, plus the freedom. That's what you wanted, right?" he said.

"Right." I nodded anxiously as he looked into my eyes for the first time.

"We also would like to dissolve the NDA that was signed, given that this new agreement would be in breech of that." the lawyer said.

"But, that would mean we'd have to come up with a whole new PR plan." Mandy said.

"Then, get it done." Durk said. He stood up from his seat. "I'll have Shawn send over the paperwork." Then, he left.

The conference come to an end soon after and Slim and I were able to secure a few great deals with others not interested at all. It was great to weed out the bullshit deals that easily. Mona was now making me just as much as a priority as Durk, and I no longer had to go through him to be in contact with her or the production.

Oddly enough, Slim wouldn't stop mentioning jokes about durk. He'd say things like "Your lil boyfriend was probably fighting the air when he got home." or "I knew he was a trick ass nigga, you got these muhfuckas simping for you and shit!" Little did he know, all that did was make me feel bad. What kinda person does that make me look like to do something like this, and Durk still gives me what I want?

💭💭💭

How y'all feeling about Slim?