I was so relieved to be home, I didn't even take my bags in..

I came straight through my door and fell out on the couch..

There was a knock at my door..

Shit! I just got in can I LIVE!

I dragged myself to the door when I heard barking..

"Oh SHIT! I forgot I left my babies with Mrs. Mary"

I opened the door as Sir Meliodas and Rick James jumped on me..

I got down rolling around and playing with them..

"OHHH I MISSED YOU GUYS TOO!"

After embracing them I got up..

"I'm so sorry Ms. Mary please come in..."

She smiled nodding walking in after me and the dogs..

"Let me go grab my purse really fast I left everything in my car in the garage.. You know what to do make yourself at home Ms. Mary.."

"Go ahead baby.. Take your time.."

She said shooing me off and rubbing behind both the dogs ears..

See where I lived it was an little condominium neighborhood that was secluded in the Austin hills just how I like it...

There were no more than 20 condominiums in our neighborhood and it was quiet.. Everyone had their own space and garage.. even a little fence and back yard.. It was perfect, I was so in love with where I stayed.. I couldn't have been more blessed..

I don't know where I pulled the energy from to get up and get all my bags as well while I grabbed my purse but I figured if I don't do it now my luggage will sit in there forever..

I put everything down in the living room and handed Ms. Mary a check that I wrote her for looking out for the dogs and checking out the house while I was away..

"What's this Reign?"

"It's me paying you back for everything you do when I'm not here.. Sorry I didn't come over when I got here I was so burnt out from driving with no brakes except for getting gas.."

She laughed putting her left hand over my right hand and patting it..

"Oh baby I know you were tired you didn't have to do all of this I know you had a long trip that's why I brought the dogs to you.. They heard your car pulling up and went crazy.."

I smiled sitting in the middle of the living room floor to play with the Sir Meliodas and Rick James..

"Well thanks again Ms. Mary.. I put a little extra something in there for you.. And I'm not taking no for an answer this time!"

She laughed..

"Okay baby.. well I'm glad you came back safe and sound in one piece.. But I thought you told me that you were staying for an extra day.."

"I thought I was too... Things change.."

I said looking over at my phone going off..

"Well you seem waaay more relaxed and tense free.. So it seems that this vacation was well needed..."

"Yes indeed! I had a great time.. I took pictures I'll have to show you later on in the week..."

"Okay.. I've been waiting for you to get back so I can read your article in the ACL magazine..."

"I know you always support Ms. Mary.. Who did they have this week while I was gone.."

"Veronica.."

She said rolling her eyes handing it to me..

Veronica was the girl they would get to write in my columns when I wasn't in for the week.. I tried so hard to like her but she was the bitchiest bitch of them all!

I grabbed the magazine and threw it across the table..

"So what was she talking about this time.. Still body shaming women?"

I said looking up at Ms. Mary..

"You know it! That's all that child knows how to do, Shit! But now that you're back we can get the real OKAY!"

I shook my head laughing to myself.. She always knew what to say..

"I swear every time I'm not able to write or I'm on Vacation and she writes in after me one of my readers sends me a letter complaining about her.."

"That's because your readers are REAL WOMEN HONEY! All shapes! All colors! And ALL SIZES! And your articles give them the courage to feel beautiful in their skin and get out here and own it.. When they read your column it gives them the strength and hope to take back power.."

"And that's all I ever wanted to do.."

I said looking down..

"And That is exactly what you're doing..."

She said bending over pinching my cheeks..

"So are you still thinking about going on that cruise with me this summer.."

I shook my head yes..

"Weeeellll.. are you gonna go?"

I sighed..

"I'm still deciding.."

"Okay but don't wait too late I gotta buy the tickets by January 4th.. so you still have time.. It's only 4 nights away in the Bahamas! You work so hard there's nothing wrong with treating yourself Reign.."

"I know Ms. Mary.. I will let you know by the end of next week promise!"

I said getting up from the floor giving her a hug..

"Alright well I'm gone get on outta here.. all your mail is under your fruit dish over there.."

She said pointing to my dining table..

"Oh yes! I almost forgot.. Thanks again Ms. Mary!"

"Anytime baby.. And call your mom she called me the other day carrying on about how you don't call her, and how you just forgot all about her.."

I rolled my eyes.. I swear my mom is so extra..

"Okay I'll call her now.."

"Alright well come see me later if you not busy I have a special bottle of wine with your name on it.."

I smiled..

"Okay Ms. Mary.."

I said as she let herself out.. after locking the door,

I grabbed the mail and my phone as Sir and Rick followed me to my room.. I came out of my clothes and let them fall right off of my body to the floor.. I laid out in the middle of the bed as they both laid on the sides of me.. I kissed them both feeling their big ol' tails wagging from side to side..

"Awww are you guys happy to see your mommy! I missed you both so much!"

I turned over on my back checking my phone..

I had one miss call from Bryshere..

SHIT..

I said to myself.. I'll call him back later.. I called my mom first.. She acts like she can't never pick up her phone and call me..

She almost let it go to voicemail before she answered the phone..

"Oh so now you got time for an old lady.. you didn't have to check on me I'm not important.. I mean it's not like I gave ya birth or anything.."

"Mommy! Don't do that.. Why didn't you call me.. You know I was on Vacation.. But I would have picked up for you.. You act like you can't never call me, I didn't have myself at the hospital.."

"Exactly! I had ya chil'.. Which is why you should pay your mom some respect! I put ya through fancy college.. Give ya everything! WATAGWAN GIRL?!"

There she goes getting mad, all deep into her accent.. My mom is originally from the islands.. Her accent is usually calm.. But when she's mad you can hear it really heavy..

"MOMMY! Stop it.. Why ya always got ta be so above and beyond all time..

When I do call ya tell me say, don't bother ya!

Ya tell me ya alright!

I go on vacation ya tell me say, have fun don't call me less ya die!

When I don't call ya say, why me not call at all..

I can't win fa nothin' huh?"

"Watch ya loud tones with me girl, I still ya mommy..

But you right!

I'm sorry, I guess I just miss ya girl..

When ya come to see me, Huh?"

I sighed..

"Mommy I tell ya time and time.. You still living with that man?"

"Yes that MAN, is my husband and he is your step fatha'... Now I try not to get in between what you two knuckle heads got gwan but you best get over it now.. Stop acting so simple chil'..."

"With all do DISrespect fuck him and whateva else y'all got gwan.. he didn't invite me to y'alls wedding huh? My dad is dead, Meh not have step fatha'!

Don't put that off on me.."

"Reign how ya still mad bout that wedding ah? That happened years ago!"

"He moves you away from me! Your only chil'..."

There was an awkward silence..

"I buy your articles and read them every week Reign.. No matta' What ya think I love ya.. and I always will.."

I shook my head..

"I know.. I love you too mommy.. and I miss you! If I send ya a ticket to come spend the weekend with me will ya come?"

"Yes chil' I guess I can deal with the The states for a weekend.."

"Okay I'll set it up and let ya know.. But he isn't welcome in my home! Neither is his stuck up, boney, bougie ass daughta' come neither.. I'll act like meh don't know ya they show pon' my door step!"

"Okay! Okay! I'll come alone this time.."

"Ya promise?"

"On my honor girl!"

"Okay mommy! I love you, and it's okay to call me every once in a while don't cha know..."

"I be waiting for you..."

"No, your husband tryna keep you from me that's why!"

"Whateva Reign.. I love ya chil'! call meh in the AM.."

"I will...

Alright...

Bye, Bye.."

I hung up the phone turning to Sir Meliodas and Rick James..

"See how your grandmother do me?"

I glanced at my phone that had just received a text..

🧡

I smiled reading his text.. I was gonna hit him up but I needed to take a bubble bath and relax right quick..

I ran my bath water, turned on some Anita Baker and let my body soak..

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

After I got off the phone last night with Reign I went straight to sleep.. that was the first time I slept like that in two years.. I didn't get much sleep, and I was fine with that but it felt good to actually be able to get some good rest.. It seems like soon as I was in a deep sleep Charlie was blowing up my phone.. I looked at the time it was 4 in the morning..

I was pissed!

Really Charlie!

Can I at least get two more hours of sleep..

I through my phone across the room and went right back to sleep.. 5 minutes later there was banging at my hotel door!

FUCK!

I sat up looking around..

I slowly dragged myself to the door as the knocking intensified..

"I'm coming! Stop all that loud ass banging!"

I got to the door and sighed real long and hard.. I flung opened up the door..

"What!!"

I said draping my hands down my face, not amused at all to see Charlie's worry some ass..

He brushed past me turning on the lights..

"Come on I'm giving you 20 minutes to get yourself together!"

He said clapping in my face..

I turned the lights back off and got straight back in the bed..

"Get out of my room Charlie!"

"What!"

"You heard me right.. Get the hell out of my room! I'm sleep.."

"Man I don't give a damn about your sleep! I got you studio time with Swizz Beatz and he's ready to go now! So get yo ass up and get dressed.. Let's go!"

I been wanting to get in the studio with him but not like this.. Unexpected..

I needed to bring my best material.

I needed to be fully alert and on my A1 game, period...

"Charlie WHAT THE FUCK! When were you gonna let me know about this!"

"I just heard back from him.. Look I don't have time for this.. You want this or you want me to call him and tell him we can't come cause you sleepy?!"

"That's not the point! As MY MANAGER! I pay you to tell me these things so I can know in advance.. When were you gonna tell me you spoke with Swizz BEATZ! One of the top Producers in the world!"

He looked at his watch and shook his head

"You stay ready, then you'll never have to get ready.. Now come on he's waiting..."

I was pissed but I couldn't pass up this chance..

I got up and got myself together..

After I was done getting ready we headed out..

Once we finally were outside of the studio I looked at Charlie before I got out the Suburban..

"Make this the last time you wait until the end to tell me something.. I'm not doing this shit no more.. My body doesn't work like that.. this shit is unorganized.. I need to know what's lined up at all times PERIOD! If you can't make that happen I'll have to put you on back burner point, blank!"

He nodded..

"Alright, look I got you... this was just last minute.. You'll know before I do things from now on..."

I hope he meant it.. I didn't want to get rid of Charlie.. he was the reason for most of my gigs... But he started to get sloppy.. And he started to do things on his own without my consent.. So if it came down to it so be it..

I shook my head stepping into the building getting my game face on.. I shook off whatever I was feeling and got myself together.. I had to bring the heat.. After all this is Swizz Beatz we're talking about here..

I stepped in the studio where he greated me with open arms..

"How you feeling man!"

He said..

"I'm blessed man! Pleasure to be here breathing your air.. I'm honored man.."

"The pleasures all mine man.. I'm sorry to get you out here so early but I gotta get back to New York.."

"It's all good.. I would have came through the fire to get to you.. SWIZZ BEATZ!"

I said as he embraced me again..

"You got that hustle and drive I knew you had.. I like that.. Come one in man, let me show your around..."

He showed me a couple of things and how they work...

"Man this shit is dope!"

"Yeah I made some hits in here too.. I'm talking from Hov on down.."

"Man Hov was in this studio?"

"Yeah man! And I got two fire ass beats for you.. You ready to put in some work?"

"Always!"

I said pumping my self up...

"Good well I'll play them both back for you tell me what you think.."

"I'm ready let's do it.."

He played them and just as he said, they were fire..

"So what you think young bro?"

"I think I'm not worthy Swizz.."

"But you ready right?"

"Yeah I'm too ready!"

"We'll go for it.. My dude Reese will que you in.. just send me the tracks when your done all I'll remaster them for you and add a verse.."

"Wait! You not staying.."

"Nah man I gotta be out! But whatever you may need just let Reese know he got you.. Coffee, food, Water a little Herbals to get them juices flowing.."

He whispered nudging my shoulder..

I laughed nodding..

"Thanks man.. I appreciate this! I been waiting on this moment all my life.."

"Don't mention it.. Just make those beats come to life if you really wanna thank me.."

He pointed to some little short young India guy..

"Yo Reese this my man Yazz.. Yazz this Reese.."

We both shook hands..

"Reese take good care of him.. He's up next.."

He bowed to me..

"Alright I gotta catch this flight.. Get my number from Charlie and hit me up when you got it.. The studios yours for the week.. do what you want I'm out y'all.."

He said checking his phone on the way out the door..

I looked over at Charlie and he smiled nodding at me leaving out the studio..

"Hey you know anywhere I can go grab a coffee around here.."

I said to Reese..

"Oh yeah don't worry about it I'll take care of it what you like? Is Starbucks cool.."

"Yeah man.. I just need one espresso shot.."

"Cool I'm on it.. I'm about to spark up you wanna hit this?"

I usually was down to smoke but when I'm working I keep it professional for the most part..

"Nah man I'm cool! Do ya thang.."

He nodded as he began to smoke..

He played back the tracks for me while I began to jot down some notes in my phone..

Soon after a young lady came and brought me my espresso shot..

"Thank you kindly.."

I said nodding..

"No problem Mr. Gray, will you be needing anything else this morning?"

"No mam' this is perfect! Thank you.."

"No problem.. I'm down up front if you'll be needing anything else don't hesitate to ask.."

I smiled taking a sip holding it up..

"Copy that.."

I turned to Reese

"let's work.."

After about 5 takes on each we made magic.. but I was ready for more I just needed a little break..

"You wanna call it a day? You did good in there.. He was right you might be up next.."

"Yeah man.. Is it cool if I stay here for a while?"

"Yeah man here's my number"

He handed me a card..

"Hit me up when you ready to work anytime this week.."

"Cool man, preciate it.."

"No problem.. I left you a little something, somethings to take the pressure of your mind and ease up.. I mean that's if you want.."

I looked over in the chair and seen the herb and some papers..

I smiled..

"Good looking.."

"Cali's finest so take it easy.."

I nodded laughing as I dapped him up and he left..

I sat back and the first thing that I thought about was Reign.. I hoped that she was okay.. I picked up the phone to call her but she didn't answer..

Maybe she's still on the road...

I waited for a little minute and then sent her a text..

I decided to go head and ease my mind with some herbals..

After the 5th puff I got a text from her..

🌎💍

☺️😉

As soon as I text Bryshere back I sat my phone beside me on my bathroom stand and laid back in the bubbles letting them consume me.. Feeling them all over feeling so good all over..

I let the music flow through my ears as I felt every inch of my body.. There I go.. It's like every time I'm alone all I could picture is Bryshere.. His smell, his lips, his mellow baritone, the way he looked at me when he said my name.. The way he made me feel so sexy.. I mean I'm already in love with me, we should all embrace ourselves to the fullest.. But the fact that someone thinks you are, just makes you feel so good.. I closed my eyes reminiscing on our night alone in passion.. I didn't want to go down the road of catching feelings again.. I was just getting back to loving myself and everything God placed over me.. But I can't hide what I feel.. I can only let faith do it's thing.. I dipped my hair under water feeling the water drip down my back from my curls..

That's when my text alert got to dinging...

I opened my eyes and reached over the tub drying my hands before I checked my phone...

I smiled seeing that it was Bryshere...

🧡

I smiled putting my phone back down and finishing washing up..

After I was done I dried off and got myself together.. I didn't put anything on except for a bra and grey shorts.. I threw on my Spongebob slippers and gave the dogs a treat while I filled their food & water bowls..

I watched them eat smiling as I went back in my room..

I wanted to hear Bryshere's voice, didn't make no difference how nervous I was to call.. If I want something I got go for it.. No need to be scared, I can't keep pretending like I don't wanna do all these things I clearly wanna do..

I picked up my phone dialing his number..

I was in the middle of jotting down some lyrics still in the studio when my phone went off..

I looked down and it was Jamillia..

I shook my head and ignored it..

It rang again..

What part of we're done doesn't stick with girl..

I looked again but it was Reign..

Oh Shit.