Jamal's POV

Meanwhile, at Pacifica West Headquarters...

"All right, team," I said as everyone gathered around in the main showroom of our store and studio. It had been a hectic morning of making phone calls and arrangements with the sponsors before I heard from Franklin that Tyler would join Jamal in being our newest models. And sure enough, the duo (with Tyler coming in from his shift at Verano's) were at either side of me. "Before we get down to business, I wanna first introduce our two newest additions to our company- our male models who will be joining myself, De'Andre, Joshua, and Franklin as the mainstay models for Pacifica West. Welcome Jamal Oglethorpe and Tyler Candler."

Everyone clapped and let out cheers as Jamal and Tyler smiled warmly.

"Guys, do either of you have anything to say to the staff?" I asked, looking at Jamal and Tyler.

Tyler stepped forward. "You may have heard about us by word of mouth, so we can only imagine how things might go from here," he began. "My story may not be like Jamal's over here, but we both are looking for new beginnings. We've been here for like nearly a month by now, but it feels like forever since we arrived. And though we don't know what's in store and while we're still working on our mental and emotional health, Jamal and I can only ask if you can keep things real with us and make sure that we're standing on our own two feet. Keep us from making fools out of ourselves and call us out when we're getting ready to clam up. But above all, never let anyone make us do what we don't wanna do."

"I can't agree more," Jamal commented as he stood forward. "Some of y'all may know me by now with my backstory and how I met Cameron back in New York. But the facts don't change. I am just ready to be who I can be and only ask that you help me and Tyler help ourselves."

"You'll have what you say," Tonya, the main jewelry designer, replied. "Everyone has their stories to tell and roles to play in the world's stage. We have our falls from grace and redemption arcs. And trust us, chile, when I say that no one's squeaky-clean. The only thing that matters is how we choose to move forward. As long as you stay true to yourselves and want to move forward, you can't go wrong."

"Word," De'Andre said, nodding slowly.

"With that said, folks, we gotta talk about the preliminary fashion show that will be held in three weeks," I said as the guys rejoined me. "De'Andre, how are things with the PR campaigns?"

"We're coming along, but there's been a bit of a problem with some haters coming from Joshua's family," he commented. "Nothing we can't handle, but we need to prepare ourselves for impending harassments."

I turned to Joshua. "How are you coming up with that front?"

"I just talked to the attorneys and the officials from town hall," he replied. "And fortunately, they're just as exasperated with my family and De'Andre's as much as we are. De'Andre and I filed two more restraining orders to keep them away from this place as well as from Jamal and Cameron, given that they might try and contact them."

Jamal gave me a cautious glance. "How's that?" he asked.

I turned to him and sighed. "You know how they're persistent in their religious beliefs and insisting that Joshua and De'Andre date women, right?"

Tyler nodded. "Sounds a lot like my family," he remarked.

"Well, they're twice as bad," Joshua stated, his eyes full of contempt. "And though we're doing what we can, you might wanna brace yourselves for any 'impromptu' drop-ins by them as Cameron already warned you by now. My family's going to try and smooth-talk their way into having you join them at church and all as will Andre's sister and father. If anything, they'll might invite you to dinner with them."

"And how should we respond to that?" Jamal wanted to know.

Joshua, De'Andre, and I looked at each other. "We can only tell you this," I intoned. "It's never a good idea to refuse them, but it's also never a good idea to go along with them. And with your life stories and all that, they'll be twice as bad."

"Yikes," Tyler winced. "All the more reason to just prepare for their arrival."

In stepped one of my guards from downstairs. "You boys might want to," she told them, "because Hugo and Francesca as well as Treniece Beckham have arrived. And they're asking for Jamal and Tyler."

The air went cold at that last sentence. "I thought that they're not to come to this place," I hissed.

"Sir, you know that Josh's parents won't be deterred," the female guard replied stiffly. "I took the liberty of informing Naomi and her uncle and they're already here."

I turned to Jamal and Tyler. "It's really your call, guys," I said tiredly, "but again, it's never good to turn them down or go along with them."

"Then let's settle the score right here and now," Jamal intoned, his stare hard. "The sooner we can put this to bed, the better off we'll be."

I hoped he was right, folks. Otherwise, he and Tyler were screwed.

**************

Jamal's POV

Hugo and Francesca Ortega, glamorous in matching Kenneth Cole pastels.

Treniece Beckham, a diva in her own mind in a tight Baby Phat ensemble in pink.

Both of them were with me and Tyler as we sat down in an empty conference room with Naomi and Dr. Boatwright silently playing guards and mediator. "Well, well," Francesca said in her distinctive musical accent. "It seems like word of you two being models for this...establishment seem to travel fast."

"Obviously," I heard Naomi mutter as she rolled her eyes.

"But of course," Hugo commented. To me, "Gentlemen, you might have heard that this establishement is mainly a hobbyhorse for our son and his friends, an eyesore for my family, De'Andre's, and our social circles. You two, on the other hand, are wild-cards that can change things drastically."

"How's that?" Tyler asked.

Treniece smiled, two of her gold teeth glistening under the dim lighting that made her look more and more like a demon. "Straight up, aren't we?" she drawled teasingly. "Well, boys, we'll play along. Look, you two are too damn fine to be gay boys and shit. We know about your pasts and wanting to start fresh, but being faggots and all that ain't helping y'all's cases."

She turned to Tyler. "Especially when it comes to having a well-respected family who cares for you."

I saw Tyler's eyes narrow in silts. "How do you know my family?" he asked tersely.

"Darling, your father's sister was Treniece's mentor way back when," Mrs. Ortega crooned. "And when your parents couldn't hear from you, they contacted our friend who got wind of your impending involvement with the riff-raff. Hence our appearance so we can talk to you."

"Look, boys," Treniece said as she continued to smirk at my and Tyler's looks of dismay. "All the Ortegas and my family as well as ourselves are asking y'all is to consider what's best for your future. Hugo and Francesca are putting together a little party that will feature some of the single ladies around this town and the nearby cities- Providence, Newport, Haines City, Baymont Springs, Smyrna, and the like. We would really love it if y'all come over and maybe let one of the ladies charm you into their beds before you put a ring on their finger. Who knows? Maybe y'all aren't as gay as you think."

"But we are," I pointed out.

"Really, now? But why have Tyler take a chance of being labeled as a black sheep or have his family drag him back to Georgia?" Mr. Ortega said, giving us a predatory grin. "With one phone call, I can have his life here in our town upended before he could have it cemented and he'll be forced to comply with his parents' demands. We can't do anything to you, Mr. Oglethorpe, since you're a bit of a lost cause."

"Your mammy and pappy," Dr. Boatwright shot back.

"At ease," Francesca crooned. To me, "We know that you're still stuck in your ways, Jamal dear, but don't you think that you owe your young ward a chance to do right by his family? He deserves to follow the right path set by his family and make sure to keep his family name lasting with a wife and a child. I insist that he attends this party for his future's sake his family's. Believe us when we say that it's never a good idea to reject our offer of goodwill."

I turned to Tyler, who looked as if he was ready to fight. He nodded at me as I did the same, knowing that it was time to finally settle the score.

"Mr. and Mrs. Ortega and Ms. Beckham," I began calmly, "I can tell that you and your social circles want nothing but the best for this town and you want everyone to follow into your conservative views, right?"

"But of course," Mr. Ortega said formally just as we saw Cameron arrive with drinks on hand. "It's too late to get Joshua and De'Andre on board, but you and Tyler can be educable. All we ask is that you play nice with us."

I smiled. "I'm glad you think so. And if that's the case, allow me and Tyler to give you our answer and leave you, your wife, and Treniece something to remember us by."

"What's that?" all three adutls asked.

Tyler and I stood to our feet, took the glasses of iced tea while Naomi grabbed the pitcher full of the beverage before the three of us dumped the contents on them.

"My ensemble!" Mrs. Ortega wailed. "Really!"

Her husband spluttered a string of Spanish profanities as Treniece screamed indignantly.

Cameron and his newly-arrived companions vainly stifled their laughter while Dr. Boatwright was cackling and filming everything.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Mr. Ortega bellowed angrily. "Gentlemen!"

"How's that for an answer?" Tyler said fiercely. "Or do you prefer this?"

He swung his fist back and landed a powerful punch to the man's jaw that knocked him out cold. Turning to the now-livid Treniece, he spat in her face. "I dare you to call my family, toots!" he declared. "Let them know that I want nothing to do with them whatsoever?"

Treniece sniggered lowly as she sneered at him. "Trina was right, y'all two ain't worth shit," she remarked angrily. To De'Andre, "I hope you're happy."

"In a way, sister, I am," he replied just as a female lawyer walked in. "And on behalf of Jamal and Tyler, you and our father as well as the entire Ortega family are to leave Tyler and Jamal alone- that means that you're not to step near the homes or come by this facility or their jobs. I also took the liberty of informing their employers that you all are to be blacklisted and warn them of your attempts to discredit them."

"You can't do that," Mrs. Ortega breathed.

"They can and they did, you toucan-nosed heffa," Naomi shot back. "Now get the hell out of this building and take your man and your gal-pal with you!"

"Gladly," Mr. Ortega said stiffly before glaring at me. "You, Mr. Oglethorpe, will-"

I just pointed two fingers at him. "All that you've done to your son and what you're planning to do to me and Tyler...has already been done to you," I intoned. "This is my curse and my vow: your family will reap what you've sown to your victims and families. All that you touch will turn to ash as you will meet your demise."

Mr. Ortega sneered at me before he was led away by Treniece and his wife just as two policemen arrived to take the trio away.

"Nice," Cameron commented, granting me and Tyler a smile each before his face grew serious. "But you should know that this isn't going to over when it comes to them."

I turned to Cameron with a nod. "I know, but as my grandmama would always say...the good Lord tends to work in mysterious ways," I replied. "And let's just say that it would take some divine intervention to finally put the Ortega and Beckham families in their places once and for all. A little bit of faith can do wonders, a little faith."

And that was the truth.

I'll bet it is, folks, and let's just say that Josh, Tyler, and De'Andre's families will get their just desserts in due time.

Anyway, we're checking in with De'Andre as he has a therapy session with his mother in the next chapter as they finally hash things out after the revelations made at the failed "intervention." Don't miss a beat!

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