Ch. 21

"YEAHHHHH! DAMN RIGHT! THAT'S MY GIRL!"

My eyes fluttered open from the loud screams I heard coming from down stairs. I slowly crawled out of bed and attempted to rub the sleep out of my eyes to no avail. I marched down the stairs ready to bite Julian's head off for making all this noise while I was trying to sleep. He must have never heard of not disturbing a pregnant person while she slept. Once I reached the bottom of the stairs he turned in my direction and let out a huge smile. Before I could start cursing him out my feet were already off the floor and he was spinning me around while kissing all over my face. I tried to break free from his grasp but had absolutely no luck. He finally placed me on the floor with a wide grin spread across his face. I side eyed him before asking him what he was so excited about.

"Kapow!" He said before flashing a letter in front of my face. It took my eyes a while to get adjusted to the paper in his hands. I scanned the letter and realized it was from the mayor of Chicago. I was being honored as Chicago's most influential woman of the year. Apparently someone had nominated me and I was selected.

"You see that babe all your hard work is paying off" he said before planting a kiss on my cheek.

"But I haven't really done much"

He rolled his eyes and sucked his teeth before saying "You're out your damn mind, majority of your proceeds go to women's shelters, to kids community centers, what do you mean ?"

"did you nominate me?"

"No, if I knew it was a thing I would've because you deserve it. That just goes to show you that people know whats up they recognize your greatness."

I smiled at his words then frowned when I came to the realization that I wouldn't be able to go even if I wanted to.

"Babe, I can't go"

"Why not?" He frowned.

"Well for one I'm pregnant af, I'm huge, and it's too short notice, who's going to watch Janae, this letter says they want me to perform an original song and I haven't sang or written anything in so long and I don't want to go by myself.

"Babe, we'll ask your mom to watch Janae, I'll be done doing what I have to do with the team by Saturday I'll catch a red eye to you and be there before the banquet, you're a genius you'll think of something to sing and you're Julian Epps woman theres no such thing as short notice, I'll do whatever and I'll pay whatever. Whatever you want baby you got it"

I stared at him long and hard and said "Fine. Promise you'll get to me as soon as possible."

"I promise" he said before placing a kiss on my forehead.

I don't know if I was just nervous or if it was the hormones from this pregnancy but nothing in me wanted to go to Chicago. I didn't even consider myself influential or a philanthropist, I didn't even consider myself much of a singer any more at that, I was just doing what people should do for one and other. I spent the remainder of the day packing, and getting things in order for Julian and Janae. Before I knew it It was time to go and I was being loaded into the car. I watched Julian strap Janae into her car seat and finish loading my bags into the trunk and I Couldn't help but feel sad, I didn't want to leave my family. Julian slid into his seat and grabbed my hand giving it a gentle squeeze. I forced a small smile and thats how we rode the entire way to the airport. After what felt like an eternity we arrived at the airport. Julian got out the car and assisted the baggage handler with my things. I watched him through the window then turned around looked at a sleeping Janae and I felt my heart swell up with love. A few moments later Julian came back to the car and opened my door. He helped me out slowly and we just stared at each other for a while before he pulled me into a tight hug. I snuggled my face into his chest and and he placed a kiss on my forehead before saying " I love you". "I love you more baby" I replied. He stared at me a few moments before pulling away and telling me if I didn't hurry I would miss my flight. I made him promise to give Janae a kiss for me before I made my way into the airport.

My flight was pretty quick and was landing before I knew it. I let all the other passengers get off the plane before I attempted to yank my carry on bag out of the over head compartment. I was slow to get off the plane because something just didn't feel right about Chicago anymore, nothing really felt right about Chicago since my father died. I took a deep breath and made my way off the plane. As I approached baggage claim my eyes landed on an older gentleman dressed up in a suit and tie holding up a sign that had my name on it. I waved at him and he ran over and took my carry on bag. It only took a few minutes for my other luggage to round on the conveyor belt and once they did he snatched them off and we made our way to the town car. I was amazed that the organization would even go to this extent for me. I rummaged through my purse to find the letter I was sent to confirm the address to the hotel but before I could speak my driver said "Marriot Marquis ma'am" "Yes, I was just looking for the address for you, how did you know?" "The chairman of the committee let me know ahead of time where I would be escorting you to ma'am." Wow, I thought to myself these people are so accommodating. "You'll have just enough time to drop off your bags and freshen up before we have to leave to the Mayor's welcoming dinner." "Oh great" I mumbled under my breath before putting in my headphones in. I wasn't even finished writing the song I would be performing and I definitely didn't have it in me to meet the mayor. The longer I dwelled on it the more I regretted even coming. We arrived to the hotel and I was quickly checked in, it seemed like as soon as I sat my bags and got a breath it my phone was ringing telling me it was time to go. I got dressed quickly and made my way back down to the front of the hotel and got into the town car that waited for me. Just as the driver pulled off my phone rung and when I saw it was a FaceTime from Julian my heart started to beat fast. I answered and was instantly greeted with a warm smile. "Hey baby how was the flight, are you settled?" I sighed. "It was fine, I miss you, I want to come home now." He rolled his eye before saying "I miss you too but do your thing Daddy will be there soon" He winked and I faked a gag "The only peoples daddy you are is Janae and this here human inside of me" "Yeah Yeah whatever, but for real I know you're nervous but I'm there with you in spirit. I just wanted you to know I love you very much and you never have to be scared as long as I'm alive. Now go kill it." I blushed. I loved this man so much. "Thank you baby, get here soon. I love you I'll call you on my way back to my room." "Alright, love you too." With that we hung up the phone and the rest of the ride was silent for me.

Upon my arrival I was greeted and was immediately brought to my seat. Someone grabbed the mic and all the chatter in the room stopped and everyone's attention was brought to the speaker up front. "Good evening everyone we would like to welcome you all to our annual Time 100 Gala" the clapping erupts and then quickly dies down before the speaker continues. "This evening we will be honoring influential individuals from our beautiful city. Our first honoree grew up right here in Chicago, She received her masters degree in social work with a minor in music studies from Chicago State University and has opened a chain of retail stores where she only employees youth from rough areas. She says it's her way to give back to the community and ensure these kids stay off the streets. Tonight she will be blessing us with an original piece that she has written. Without further ado I'd like to welcome to the stage Ms. Heaven Cassanova" I heard my name and my legs started to move, before I knew it I was seated on stage. It was like I was having an out of body experience and I just somehow floated up there. I adjusted my mic and took a deep breath. "Good evening everyone, I hope you guys don't mind that I brought along my guitar, I wanted this to be authentic for you." People cheered and I heard someone scream we don't mind. I chuckled. "This piece is something I just wrote, it's from the heart and about everything I'm feeling. Sometimes life gets rough but we just have to hold on to anything constant. This is Cocaine Rose."

I've been to hell and back

It's all the same but just a little bit brighter

But I didn't mind the fire

Reality pulled me back

Do anything to go back

Since then the heat has been my main desire

I got addicted to bad habits cuz they helped me get through my days

I need to hold on to anything constant cuz the world is certain to change

I'm trapped in the snow and my body's frozen I'm fading away no body to save me

I'm trapped in the snow and my heart is frozen, nothing to hold but this cocaine rose

The world is funny how people will walk around looking for independence while holding on to their demons

Judge me if you must but, the rose is all that I trust

The only thing that doesn't change with seasons

I got addicted to bad habits cuz they helped me get through my days

I need to hold on to anything constant cuz the world is certain to change

I'm trapped in the snow and my body's frozen I'm fading away no body to save me

I'm trapped in the snow and my heart is frozen, nothing to hold but this cocaine rose

All that I know is this cocaine rose....

As I sung the final note to my song people stood up and began to clap. I was completely taken aback but stood up and took a bow before stepping off the stage. After my performance there was a quick intermission that allowed people to mingle. I stood up to get a some water when I heard a voice from behind me say "great performance" I turned to thank the person when our eyes locked and I realized I was face to face with Devin.

"Oh...Devin. Thanks" "That's Chairman Pratt to you" "Oh yeah big money? It's like that?" He chuckled "Nah I'm just messing with you, but really you did great. I'm proud of you." "Proud of you too chairman, would've never thought you would be the chairman." "I take offense to that" I shrugged my shoulders. "I call em how I see em" we both laughed. "Listen Heaven, I never got to really apologize about.." I cut him off. "Devin, that the past we are both adults now. It's okay everything happens for a reason." He shook his head and let a small smile form at his lips before walking away and greeting the other party goers. I stayed for another hour or so before calling my driver and going back to the hotel. I was exhausted. The drive seemed like it took forever but as soon as I got to the hotel lobby I called Julian and let him know I made it back and would call him once I woke up so we could figure out when he would be flying in. I got off the elevator on my floor and once I made it to my room quickly pulled out the room key and unlocked my door. I stepped through the door and noticed a pair of legs on my bed. Before I could react the person stood up and it was a face I knew all too well. "Robyn?" I said. I turned to reach for the door and as I backed up I ran into another person. I turned around and felt like all the blood was draining from my body. "Rico?" Their faces were the last thing I remember before being knocked unconscious