the busiest and most hectic week I'd had since I canceled all of my gigs back in September. I was now working again but not only did I have to attend a plethora of meetings and castings, but I was also still planning for Giovanni's birthday. He wasn't the easiest to keep secrets from nor the easiest to distract so I had more than enough happening at once. I didn't mind it though because after being home so much I felt like I had nothing going on. I felt lazy. I needed to be bum-rushed with work.

Not to mention, I'd handled it well. I'd solidified a couple of deals, nailed a few castings, and the night of Giovanni's party was finally here. Since Halloween was around the corner I chose to make his party-themed – a gala. It was an event that would be lively with real food, and allowed people to get fancy. That alone had me excited to see how tonight turned out.

The elevator doors spread apart and I grabbed ahold onto the bottom of my dress and stepped off. My heels clicking against the floor echoed throughout the hallway until I finally reached Giovanni's door. I pounded against the door while also checking my phone for the time. It was nearing seven. Traffic was a little heavy tonight so I hoped that we were able to make it on time.

"Who is it?" Mr. Jonas called from the other side.

"It's me. Korin."

Immediately, the locks began to unlatch until the door was pulled open. He gave me a wide smile and stepped aside. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you. Is your son ready? I have a feeling that he's not and we're going to be late."

"You might be right 'cause I think he just got out of the shower."

"Are you serious!?" I shrieked. I rushed toward the staircase and went up the steps as fast as I could. When I barged into his bedroom he sat on the edge of his bed putting on socks.

"Jesus have mercy." he bit his lip while staring at me.

"Gio why're you just now getting dressed?"

"I was stuck on the toilet longer than I planned. I'll be quick. But you look amazing, baby."

I smiled bashfully, "You think so?"

"You don't?" he questioned.

I walked over to his mirror and observed myself again. It was the side part pixie cut that had me a little self-conscious. When I first tried the wig on I loved it but now I wasn't too sure about it.

"The cut with this dress is too fye." he added.

The gown was sunset yellow, backless and strapless. Rather than ordinary fabric all over, the top portion of the dress — in the front at least – was covered in diamonds. The diamonds ended in the shape of a window's peak to enhance the width of my hips. Once the dress reached my knees, it began to flow out into a small train which was perfect for dancing.

"Yeah? I thought so too. I just never had short hair before so it feels a little weird." I admitted.

"Don't feel weird. You look amazing." he quickly buttoned his shirt before swinging on his suit jacket.

I turned away from the mirror and watched as he continued to get dressed hastily. He simultaneously brushed his hair and applied his scent for the night. Savauge. An aroma that could bring any woman to her knees.

Once he was finished, I walked up to him and adjusted his collar a bit. "I never knew you could look so sexy in a suit."

Since the party was deemed a gala, of course he chose to wear a suit. Rather than the typical black and white combination, he paired deep sea blue and charcoal gray. The blue complimented his dark hue like a reflecting light and the studs in his ears only intensified the gleam. He looked to be outside under the moon light all while being inside and I loved everything about it. I nearly wanted to pounce on him and say screw the party.

"Don't hype me up now. I might act up." he smiled a mile wide.

"Oh Lord." I playfully rolled my eyes and gave him a kiss. "If you're done we have to go before we're really late."

"We can be a lil late. Black people never on time and people know this so ain't no point in rushing."

"Well, I hate being late so come on please."

He collected all of his belongings then gestured for me to go ahead of him. I picked the bottom of my dress up and headed downstairs. Soon, Giovanni came down as well and we made our way down to my car. All while in the elevator, he couldn't keep his hands or lips to himself which meant two things: I looked damn good and he was in a good mood. If he was already in a good mood then it was guaranteed for him to have fun tonight.

"I hope they at least play radio hits man. I don't want to hear house music. I at least want to dance a few times." he spoke from the passenger seat.

He had no idea that the party was a celebration for his birthday. I'd told him that it was an industry party I'd been invited to and I wanted him to be my plus one. At first he wanted no parts of it, but I continued to ask and he eventually gave in.

"It's not that type of industry party. I'm sure they'll play some hits. And what do you want to dance for? You can't dance."

"Who can't dance!? Girl this waistline lethal. You just better hope you can keep up when I pull you to the floor."

"Is that a challenge sir?"

"Call it what you want. You heard what I said though."

"Heard you." I nodded.

We pulled up to the old mansion and unlike earlier when I was decorating, all of the outside lights were on. It was gorgeous. The beige three story building modeled castles from the Victorian era and screamed vintage wealth.

In their rightful place at the top of the stairs were the videographer and photographers to capture the entrances. I pulled around into the parking space I had reserved for us then climbed out. Giovanni followed suit while also gawking at the building.

"Damn this spot clean. I didn't even know something like this existed in New York."

"Me either."

Discreetly, I slipped behind him so that I could text Britney and let her know that we were on our way up. She, Chad and Pete had been my helpers to get this done, and without the guys Giovanni would have been found me out.

He realized that I wasn't beside and glanced back at me. I slipped my phone inside of clutch and slightly jogged to catch up to him. He grasp onto my hand, and we waltzed up the stairs into the building. The ballroom was on the third floor so we had to ascend the three short sets of stairs. However, the walls were mirror and Giovanni was able to peep the videographer and photographers behind us.

He leaned down to be inaudible. "Why are they following us? We can't be the last ones to get here."

"If we are it's all your fault since you wanted to take your poor time getting ready."

He smacked his teeth. "I told you I was on the toilet."

"Mhm."

"I don't hear any music. I don't even hear people talking. Kori what's going on man."

"How am I supposed to know?"

"Nah, something's not right baby." he said just as we rounded the the railing to go up the last few stairs.

"SURPRISE!" everyone shouted just as the lights flipped on.

Already on edge, he jumped back and swiftly snatched me behind him. I laughed and wrapped my arms around him. "Happy birthday babe."

"Oh shit." he dropped his head when he realized what was really going on.

"Happy G-day brother!" Chazmon stepped forward before anyone else and gave him a hug.

"Nigga how you let this go down?"

"I had to man. You was on that boring shit and we need to celebrate another year around the sun. It's a blessing."

"No doubt. Thank you man." they dapped each other up.

After Chad, the rest of the crowd began to bombard him to wish him happy birthday. I took that moment to ease away and make sure everything was in tactic. None of the hanging decor had shifted and the specific table setups with still in place. Everything was exactly how I wanted which made me smile in satisfaction.

"See when I said challenge accepted I didn't mean for you to try and crush my trachea bitch." the voice of Brittney cause me to turn around. She was in an emerald green sequence gown that she was wearing the hell out of. Her platinum blonde hair was pinned up in an elegant up-do with a swooped bang.

"Me? Bitch have my baby cause you look the fuck good."

"Shut up and give me a hug." she laughed. "Did Giovanni suspect anything?"

"A little bit. He saw the videographer tailing us and then he talked about no music playing but he was still surprised. You didn't see it? He acted like he wanted to take off running."

She shook her head. "I was the one doing the lights so I couldn't see his face."

"Well yeah, we got him."

"Forewarning, both Noelle and Eliana showed up but they haven't gone near each other yet. Do I need to be on watch with them all night?"

"Oh no, I just needed to know which one was going to come. But they both did. I'm not going to worry about it though because they're mature enough to keep it cool."

Giovanni walked over to me wearing a large smile. He grabbed my face and gave me a deep kiss. "Thank you, babygirl. This is crazy. I ain't think this many people fucked with me forreal."

"Imagine how surprised I was when I received the RSVP list."

"Brit!" he shouted her name which made her playfully roll her eyes. Over time he'd gotten more comfortable around her seeing as she and I had been hanging out much more.

"Happy birthday big dawg. My girl put in a lot of work to make this happen so you better make it worthwhile."

"Hell yeah, I'm getting drunk as fuck tonight."

"Oh Lord." I sighed.

"Just make sure you keep Korin's spine intact."

We all laughed, but at that moment my eyes landed on Noelle and Eliana. The two of them seemed to be having an argument at one of the tables across the room. I excused myself from the conversation and made my way over to them. Noelle rose from the seat and began to point her finger in Eliana's face. I picked up my pace and slid in between people to try and stop it from escalating even more.

Thankfully the music was loud so what they were saying couldn't be heard by everyone. Only the people close by heard them and of course they were all tuned in to it.

"Noelle you better get your finger the fuck out of my face!" Eli started to stand as well.

"Whoa, whoa." I stepped between them. "This is not the place for this. If you want to talk go outside."

"That's the thing. I don't want to talk but someway, somehow Noelle thinks otherwise. Tell her to back up off me."

"Noey is it important? If it is you two need to step out onto the balcony where there's privacy."

"I just want an explanation. Something to help me understand why she's treating me like this." Noelle stared at Eliana.

"Come on, let's go talk." I grabbed both of their wrists and drug them out onto the balcony. I closed the door behind us which muffled the music. "What do you want to ask her Noelle?"

"I just need help understanding how we went from close friends to having something more to you banishing me from your life like I did something to you."

"I'm not banishing you. I just don't want to deal with you until you realize that there is nothing between us." said Eliana.

"Nothing? Us having sex damn near every other night and you feeding me dreams is nothing?"

"I've never fed you a dream, Noelle. Maybe you interpreted us being a little curious as something else but I never fed you a dream."

"Being a little curious? Nothing about me is curious, Eliana and you know that. If I took what was happening between us the wrong way it's because you allowed it. When I confessed to being in love with you, you asked to eat me out. I didn't initiate any sex between us. It was all you."

"And not once did I say the feelings were mutual. Assumption makes an ass out of both me and you."

"So what was the point? You just wanted to test out your curiosity for women?"

"I don't know what happened but yes I did start it all. And I won't lie I enjoyed but it's not for me."

Noelle began to get teary-eyed. "Okay, so the answer to my question is that you never actually had feelings for me. It was just something fun for you to do and now that you've realized that what I feel for you is real, you want no parts. Got it."

"I don't know what you want me to say, Noelle."

"You don't have to say anything else. The message has been received. I hope all goes well between you and Pete. Korin I'm going to call it a night. Can you tell Giovanni happy birthday for me?" she wiped her eyes.

"Yeah of course. Let me know when you make it home okay?" I gave her a hug. "I love you."

"I love you too."

She looked over at Eliana once more then went back thru the doors. I turned to Eliana who blew out a breath of air. "This is why I didn't want to talk to her."

"You didn't want to give her an explanation?"

"No because she's sensitive. You see she started to cry and now she's going home. I didn't want to make her sad."

"Well, she was sad anyway because she lost one of her bestfriends."

"We don't have to stop being friends. I just wanted to give her some time to get over me not wanting to be with her."

"You really think y'all can be friends? She's in love with you and you've played into her feelings then rejected her."

"I didn't play—"

"Having sex with her is playing into her feelings. You may not have said I love you but you were still intimate with her."

"Right." she closed her eyes. "Alright. I'm going to find Giovanni and tell him happy birthday before I leave."

"You're leaving too?"

"Yeah, I only came to show him a little love. I have a lot of work to do for a report I have in the morning."

"Damn y'all. We didn't even get to take pictures in the photobooth together. I swear y'all hate me." I opened the door.

"Bitch quit the dramatics."

from the large speakers blasting music. To add onto the bass, people were bouncing around. It all put a smile on my face because not only did a plethora of people show up to celebrate me, but they were all showing out. There were only a handful of people sitting down while everyone else we rapping to top of their lungs or dancing.

It had been a long while since I was in an environment this active so I was enjoying it all. Not to mention, my life hadn't been that lively, therefore, it felt like a breath of fresh air. A moment for me to see what life was about again, and my birthday was the perfect time to have that realization. There was no doubt that on this birthday trip to Turks and Caicos would be any less than a moment to remember.

"Try to crucify me like I'm Jesus the way she crossed me. I'm too bossy and too thorough to move like a weirdo, on point like an arrow. We started off with zero now I'm seeing M's." I rapped into the videographer's camera with my arm thrown over Chazmon's shoulder

"Diamonds like water and they jumping out the gym. Shooting like Harden if yo head was the rim. Cause niggas wanna line me like a shape up and a trim damn." Chad took over.

"Back when I was broke they was cool with it. Now every move I make I'm in the news with it. Even if I ain't do they be like you did. My teacher always used to tell you gon' lose nigga. That's why I never went to school nigga. And why I'm rapping like I got some to prove nigga...." we began to rap toward each other.

A song later, I walked over to the table occupied by Pete and his girlfriend Morgan. The alcohol was settling in my system and I was started to sweat. I came out of my suit jacket and hung it on the back of the chair with my name on it.

"Why are y'all sitting down?" I frowned while grabbing the bottle of Don Julio and refilling my glass. This made my fourth cup.

"Pete's being a betty buzz kill."

"Man get your ass up! She don't want to be over here in a corner while everybody else dancing."

"'Nah, I'm cool right here."

Korin came over to me with a grin on her face. "Dance with me."

I chugged the remainder of my drink down then followed her onto the dance floor. I want to do you, whatever you want. She grabbed my hand once we were in place and began to sway her hips. I matched her movements causing her to break out into a smile. When I drink from your water, give me a coke. I spun her around so that her backside was against my front.

She immediately bent over and wound her ass against me. I placed my hand on her back and ground with her. Her waist rotated in large circles gracefully and mine followed suit sure not to be left behind. When she stood upright, she reached back to caress my head and laid her head on my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around her waist and kissed her jawline.

"Show me what you're into. Oh girl you just blow my, blow my." I sang against her cheek. When she smiled at me, I placed gave her a kiss.

"We gotta request by the ladies." the DJ announced into the microphone.

I didn't recognize it but from the expression on Korin's face, she knew it. She turned back to face me and linked her arms around my neck. With closed eyes, she lip-synced the words as we swayed together.

"Pedal to the metal, all gas no brakes. Boy, I would never get in your way. I'mma shut up and let you drive. Put that thang to the floor, one for the ride. Lucky! Loooove me." she sang, this time looking directly at me.

I bit down on my lip. Korin was a damn beautiful woman but with this haircut, she was a force to be reckoned with. I leaned down to her ear and whispered a few desires. Just when I was pulling back to see her facial expression, Chazmon and Brittney approached us.

"Y'all wanna hop in the photo booth real quick?" he asked.

"Ooh yes." Korin smiled. "Let's go."