103. So Not Expected 😱

This morning Monica came in my room just for us to end up in Zeke's room. He was packing his luggage for his business trip. When I think about it, Zeke is just as busy as A.B. is and if A.B. and I become a couple, Monica will definitely be at my house. Hopefully, she's fertile.

"Jamie!"

"Huh?" I looked at Monica as she held a bottle of water up to me. "Oh. Thank you." I took it.

Monica took a sip of her water. "How long were you daydreaming for? Did you hear anything I said."

"Doubt it," Zeke replied as he zipped his luggage and rolled it towards his bedroom door.

I cut my eyes at him.

Monica walked over to Zeke as he looked at his phone.

"I wish I could go with you," she told him.

Zeke put his phone in his pocket before embracing her. He kissed her lips. "I will be back before you know it. Baby, I'm gonna call and text you like crazy."

"It's not the same when you're here with me."

Eww! I need to exit now. I stood up and walked over to the door.

"Jamie, hold up. I got a surprise for y'all downstairs at the kitchen table," Zeke informed me.

"Okay. I'll be there. I'm just gonna grab from phone really quick."

When I went back to my bedroom, I grabbed my phone off the charger. I checked to see that I had a missed call from my mom, and four texts and a missed called from A.B. I quickly checked the texts messages.

A.B.: You're probably asleep, but I wanted to let you know that I just made it home.

A.B.: I forgot to ask you one more thing?

A.B.: I'll wait to ask you in-person. Goodnight, Jamie

I smiled as I sent him a text.

Me: You're right. I was knocked out LOL I'm glad you made it home safely.

Me: I know that you're gonna be super busy, but make sure you take breaks and get plenty of rest. I've learned the importance of sleep with my crazy schedule.

Me: As you know, today's the day or tonight's the night. Pray for me, please. Ttyl ❤️

I sat on the bed as I called my mom. I put the phone to my ear as it rang.

On the second ring, she answered. "Good morning, baby."

"Good morning, mama. I had my phone on the charger."

"That's right. I called you, because you got some mail. I've been keeping all your mail in a drawer, but this one seemed really important. It's from some music company."

I said, "You can open it."

"Hold on one second. I'm gonna give the phone to your dad while I go get it."

I smiled, "Okay."

"Good morning, Princess."

"Good morning, daddy. What'cha cooking?" I asked him.

He answered, "Rice, scrambled eggs, pancakes, and sausages. What are you eating this morning?"

"I don't know yet. Daddy, I miss you and mama. I can't wait to go back home."

"We miss you, too. Don't feel bad about anything. We understand. Just don't go too long without calling us."

I nodded my head. "I won't. I love you."

"I love you, too, baby girl. Oh, here's your mom."

"Okay, daddy."

Then, my mom said, "I just opened the letter... Oh, my good God! It's a check for $407,631.02."

"WHAT?!" I heard my dad in the background.

I don't think I even heard my mom correctly. "I'm sorry, mama. You said how much?"

My mom giggled, "Jamie, it's a check for you. It's your check of four hundred thousand dollars."

"Are you serious?" I stood up and began pacing the floor. This could not be real. "Okay. Okay."

As my mom and dad talked, I tried to get my head together. "Okay, mama. Hold on to the check. I'm going to call my lawyer to see what to do. I'll call you right back."

"Okay, sweetie."

I hung up the phone and called Rochelle.

"You called at the right moment. I was seconds away from turning my phone off," Rochelle chuckled, "Excuse my manners. Good morning, Jamie. How are you?"

"Hi, Rochelle, my mom just got a check of four hundred thousand dollars with my name on it."

"Hmm... You signed with RiSe Records... So... Okay, that should be right. It's your royalty check."

"Come again?" I asked her.

Rochelle lightly laughed, "Don't spend it all at once. Please set aside 30 to 35 percent for taxes. And trust me, you're going to get more checks like that so don't worry about that 30 to 35 percent. Also, I'd advise that you invest some of that money into something lucrative. I'm not giving any specifics so that I'm not legally responsible for any losses. However, I'd advise that you seek the counsel of Jace Bravos."

My heart was racing. What was I supposed to do with that much money? I've never seen that much money at one time.

"Jamie, you still there?"

"Uh-huh."

"Are you okay?" Rochelle asked me.

I took a deep breath. "Yes, I'm just a little shocked at the moment."

"I completely understand. Forgive me, but my vacation starts right now. I'll be back in my office on January 10th, but if it's an emergency - contact Lucy Chanchez. She'll be filling in for me until my return. I just sent you her contact information."

I exhaled. "Thanks, Rochelle. Have a good vacation."

"Thank you, Jamie! I can't wait to hear about your performance tonight. You're gonna be great. Okay? We'll talk later. Bye!"

"Okay. Bye!" I hung up the phone and put my hands on my hips. "I don't think I can handle anything else happening."

Then, I remembered to call my parents back.

My mom answered on the first ring. "What did your lawyer say?"

"It's a royalty check."

"My baby is got her first check as a singer," my mom said.

"Congratulations, baby!" My dad told me.

I told my mom, "I want you and daddy to keep it. It's yours. Okay, mama? Just make sure you put 30 to 35 percent away for taxes."

"No, Jamie. This is your money."

"Mama, this is the first not the last. This is my gift to you and daddy."

I heard a knock at my bedroom door.

"I have to go, but I'll call you soon to make sure I can get it endorsed over to you. I love you."

My mom's voice cracked, "We love you, too, Jamie."

"Bye, mama." I hung up my phone and opened my bedroom door.

Monica smiled at me. "Who were you on the phone with?"

"Long story. Let's go."

We went to the kitchen. There were three large vases full of beautiful roses on the table.

Zeke and Cathy were talking when I heard someone say, "They're here."

I turned around to see Zeke's assistant Zaporah.

I waved at her. "Hey, Zaporah!"

"HI! I thought you wouldn't remember me," she smiled.

"Zaporah, did E have you carry these flowers in here?" Monica asked her.

"No ma'am. I didn't have to lift a finger. I only ordered them. The delivery person brought them inside."

Cathy walked over to us. "Look at my two favorite girls. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes," Monica and I spoke in unison.

Zeke clapped his hand. "Alright, ladies. I have to leave in a couple minutes, but because I won't be here to celebrate the New Year with you, I wanted to show you all how much I appreciate and love each of you. Pink roses are for you, Mom. The yellow roses are for you, Jamie. And bay, the red roses are yours. Under the silver domes, are your breakfast plates."

A timer went off.

"It's time." Zaporah tapped her phone causing the timer to stop beeping.

Zeke hugged his mom.

"Thank you, son."

Then, he hugged me.

"I appreciate it, Zeke," I told him.

Finally, he swaddled Monica with his arms. He whispered in her ear.

I left the romantic scene to sit at the table.

Cathy broke the two up. "Alright. Alright. Go now, son. She will be here when you get back."

I lightly laughed as Zeke continued to kiss Monica from her forehead to her nose and then her lips.

"Baby, your mom is right here," Monica told him.

"She didn't stop to think about me when dad was kissing all on her." Zeke smiled at his mom. "Take care of my girlfriend." He looked at Monica. "Take care of my mom. She's getting older."

"Ezekiel, don't get slapped," his mom warned him.

Zeke kissed Monica's hands before finally leaving with Zaporah.

"What did you do to my son?" Cathy smiled at Monica. "C'mon, let's have a seat."

They joined me at the table.

"Ladies, let eat," Cathy uncovered her food.

I said a prayer before doing the same.

"What the...?" Monica looked at me. "E plays too much."

Cathy said, "I know a nice brunch spot that we can go to."

I shook my head as I looked at the gummy candy. If I was his mama, I'd get my belt.

After getting dressed, we headed outside to see a package with my name on it from the record label.

Cathy used her car keys to open her trunk. "Put it in the car. We'll open it when we get back."

I don't know if I was more afraid of Cathy driving or what RiSe Records sent me in that package.

"No one wants to sit in the front?" Cathy asked Monica and me.

I looked at Monica and she gave me the truth with her eyes.

We both felt the same way. I've known Cathy to be a passenger since my first day at the Rivers' Residence. God please protect us in this vehicle and take the wheel.

"The A/C isn't as cold back here," Monica told her.

"I apologize. I am going through the change. Bare with me."

Cathy is definitely one of my favorite people.

Monica said, "Don't apologize. We know we're in good hands."

I shook my head at my cousin. I can't believe this is the start of the day. Tonight is gonna be eventful for sure.