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"Girls should never be afraid to be smart."
Emma Watson
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Jules

It takes a very good amount of self-restraint for me not to do a victory dance as I step out of the building that houses the Witch of the Media, Lola Morales' office.

I won't even lie, I had been nervous as heck before going in for the interview, the reason being that all the things I heard about her weren't the best, but at the same time, she had a large number of viewers and I just wanted to get my thoughts out to as many people as possible.

Jules of a year ago would have stayed mute and just taken whatever insult and accusations were thrown her way.

It really is amazing what a year can do to someone.

My phone rings just as I settle into the car seat.

I smile as I see that it is one of my favourite people.

"Hey babe," Terrence says as soon as I pick up. "I saw the interview. You were simply amazing," he adds with a sniff.

"Thanks, babe. But why is your voice like that though? Wait! Are you crying?"

"Is it that obvious?" he asks, and I can vividly imagine him pouting.

"Yes. Your voice sounds so hoarse."

"It's nothing. I'm just..so proud of you."

"Aww." I feel my cheeks getting hot. "I wish I were with you right now."

"To tease me, right? Since a man isn't supposed to cry," he says the second part in such a sarcastic manner I had to roll my eyes.

"You are wrong. I was about to say I wish I were there to hold you, but you just wouldn't let me finish talking."

A moment of silence follows before Terrence speaks again.

"Jules?"

"Hmm?"

"I love you."

"Um..yeah..well..yes," I stutter as I fumble with my car key.

I hear Terrence snort. "Still won't say it back, huh?"

"Terrence."

He sighs. "I know, love, I know." Take all the time you need. I will wait for you."

I take a minute to digest his words.

"I don't deserve you."

"No. I don't deserve you," he instantly replies. "Have you also started crying?" he asks tauntingly.

"And whose fault is that?" I question with a faint smile.

"Mine," he quickly admits. "I will hang up now since I'm a bad person who makes their girlfriend cry."

"Terrence, wait." I stop him from ending the call as I remember something. "Have you gone to see Dan?"

When he doesn't answer, I hit the steering wheel in frustration. "Terrence, until when will you stop being so bullheaded?"

He starts to talk but I am not done. "I could remember a few months ago, you were so happy to have this opportunity, but now, you are ready to let it pass you by. Why? Because according to you, you are dating me now, and..."

"And I want to make it in the music industry without my girlfriend's help. Yes, I said all that, Jules, I don't need a reminder. And I'm still standing by my words." I can hear stubbornness mixed with brewing anger in his voice.

"What on earth is wrong with you?" I ask, also getting worked up. "What kind of person refuses help because the person offering it is their girlfriend?"

I hear him inhale and exhale heavily. I could tell a serious argument is about to start, and I'm so ready for it.

"With what you just said, it is obvious that you are not getting my point. Jules, do you even know how popular and influential you are? Do you know how many tongues would wag if I were to get signed by one of the best agencies in the whole of America just months into dating, as Lola would say: "The Jules Lee"?"

"I'm breaking up with you the next time you mention that woman's name."

"Yes ma'am," he says but I can detect mockery in his voice.

"And as for the tongues, let them wag all they want. Do you even think I care about that? It's our life, Terrence. I'm in a relationship with you, not with them. Or where is the Terrence that told me not to give the slightest fuck about public opinion?"

"I like it when you curse, since you rarely do."

"Terrence!"

"I swear I'm not trying to change the topic," he protests.

"So you will go meet Dan?"

"Yes, yes, I will. And I'm sorry. I just didn't want it to seem like I was using you for connections or anything."

"Use me away. I love being used by you," I throw his words back at him.

He laughs hard. "Alright. Will update you after I meet him."

"Alright. Will be waiting."

"K. Take care of yourself for me."

"I will."

Yes! Unable to hold it in any longer, I do the victory dance as best as I can while seated. If Terrence thinks he's one to get his way, well, he just met his competition.

*******

I walk into Victoria's Secret and more than ten lingerie call to me all at once. It takes half an hour before I am finally able to bring the number down to five. I take a picture of each one of them and send it to Terrence, with a text message asking him to pick out one for me.

Less than five minutes later, I get a reply from him:

Terrence: The red and black one.
Me: Okay. Thanks, babe.

Not long after, I receive another message from him. This one gets me clutching my belly with laughter.

Terrence: So...
Me: So what?
Terrence: When do I get to see you wear it?
Me: Wear what?
Terrence: 😑 The lingerie I just chose for you...
Me: Oh, that.
Terrence: 🤨
Me: It's not for me. It's for Metisha.

I giggle as I type this message. For some time, he doesn't reply. I was starting to think he won't when a message consisting of only two words comes in from him.

Terrence: Wicked woman.
Me: You can say that again😜

"Here's your purchase, ma'am."

The saleslady's voice diverts my attention from my phone's screen.

I take the packed lingerie from her and head out of the mall, all the while making a mental note to also buy a box of chocolates. These two items should be enough peace offerings for Metisha.

Don't get me wrong, I am still vehemently against the idea of her having anything to do with Father Nathaniel, but the only reason I'm trying so hard to appease her is that I said some things I shouldn't have said, as a friend, as a sister.

After a quick trip to the chocolate stall, I head for her office, only to meet her absence. then I do what I was supposed to have done in the first place, which is to give her a call and ask where she is.

"Mety love," I say as soon as she picks up.

"Hey Jules," she responds with a strange voice.

"Are you alright?" I ask, concerned.

"Can I like, call you back?" she asks instead of answering my question.

"Yeah, sure. But are you alright?" I repeat.

"Yes, yes, I am." She doesn't sou d convincing, and this only gets me even more worried.

"I will call you back, okay?"

"Okay," I reply reluctantly.

"Jules?"

"Yes?"

"you made me proud today," she says and hangs up.

A big smile forms on my face at her compliment, but seems just as I remember that Margot has not given me a call yet.

She also watched the interview, right?

So why isn't she calling?

I decide to deal with her after I've dealt with Metisha.

I start the engine and head for her condo.

Damn her if she thought I would just sit here and wait for her call when she sounded so out of it.

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😉