112. Social Beings 🦋

After we left the nail salon, Monica insisted that we go shopping on Rodeo. Not even five minutes after stepping into a store, she was making a purchase.

Once I saw the price at the register, I spoke up. "Monica, are you sure about that?"

"It's a gift from E," she told me.

"You don't usually pay for a gift. Is he going to reimburse you?" I asked her.

Monica looked at me. "He gave me his credit card last night, and he told me to enjoy myself. If my future husband wants to spoil me, I'm gonna let him."

I pretended to zip my lips.

Suddenly, I remembered I was supposed to see Chanel and Deonte. I informed Monica. Why did I do that?

"I know the real reason why you want to go over there," she began.

I didn't entertain her.

Monica continued, "But I don't think comparing the two is going to help you decide between them."

I need to nip this in the bud. "Monica, why would I compare A.B. to Deonte and vice versa? They are not the same."

She smiled at me, "How so?"

And just like that I had fallen into her little trap. "To start, they don't look anything alike. Deonte is... Well, A.B. is... Actually,  they have some similarities. They're both tall, around the same height, same body type; same complexion."

"Sounds like A.B. isn't missed all the time," she joked.

I shook my head, "No, they are different. Deonte smiles more. He is kind, laidback, and he has a infectious energy. My mood instantly wants to match his when I'm around him. A.B. is kind, too, but he can be more serious. However, when you get to know him, he's a lot of fun to be around. He makes me want to be around him more. I mean they're both smart, protective, and easy to talk to. I've learned so much from both of them. I guess that's just the type of men they are."

Monica sighed, "Jamie, that's the type of men they are around you." She pulled out her phone.

She will not get in my head about this. "What time is it?" I asked her.

"Almost 2:30 p.m. Why?"

"Monica, we gotta go. Are you done shopping?"

Thankfully, we were able to meet Deonte and Chanel.

"My new two favorite ladies." Deonte greeted us as he led us inside the building.

"Hey, Mr. Way," Monica waved her hand at him.

Everyone could see her ring even if she covered it with her other hand.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Rivers."

I asked, "When did you find out?"

We all got on the elevator.

Deonte replied, "No man ever makes a decision like that without talking to his boys. And who wouldn't want her for a wife? I'll as one last time, y'all are the only two women in your family?"

I chuckled, "Deonte, it's just us. We don't have a big family."

He smiled, "I lied. I'll stop asking when your cute responses stop."

I smiled at him as we got off the elevator. Instead of going to his mom's condo where Chanel lives, he led us to Cha Cha's condo.

"Is Cha Cha here?" I asked him.

Deonte opened the door for us. "No, but if you're hungry, she made some really good barbecue. The mac 'n cheese is perfect, too."

"I'll go make our plates." Monica nearly ran us over to get to the kitchen.

Deonte said, "Another one has been added to the list."

I nodded my head. "So what did Chanel want to show me?"

Deonte sat on the couch. "She went to get something out her room. She should've been back by now."

I sat next to him. "Okay."

At that moment, Chanel walked in and immediately ran over to me. "JAE A.B.!"

I quickly stood up as she tightly embraced me.

"Chanel, this is not your first time seeing her," Deonte told his sister.

I smiled as I hugged her. "Hey, girlie! How you been?"

"I missed you! Oh, my gosh!"

"I missed you, Chanel."

She inquired, "Why does Chanel sound better when you say it compared to when you say it?" She dropped her smile when she looked at her brother.

"Chanel, hurry up and show Jae what you wanted to show her," Deonte demanded.

"Right! Today, an interview was posted with Aja Frost. Have you seen it?" She asked me.

"Hold on! Wait for me," Monica ran over to us.

We all sat on the couch to watch the video.

Aja Frost was sitting behind a microphone. There were two guys sitting across from her.

"We've seen the video," one guy stated, "It blew up all over social media. Then, a second video from a different angle gets posted and it's got the fans divided. The Frosties initially had your back, some still do. Now, some of The Frosties are calling you out."

"Calling me out for what?" Aja asked him.

The second man responded, "Why did you trip Jae A.B. on stage?"

Aja nervously laughed. "Were you there?"

"Aja, we'll understand if you say you're a little jealous."

Aja's eyes bucked. "Jealous? I'm the biggest artist signed to RiSe Records. I have sold out tours. I'm a household name. What do I look like being jealous of anyone?"

The first guy said, "We're not saying you're jealous, maybe, upset that Jae A.B. has outshined you a little."

"Why me? I come on your show to do you a favor. I don't need you. You need me!" Aja stood up and began shouting. She cursed out the men before the video stopped.

Chanel scrolled to another video.

The same interview played for a few seconds before a young girl appeared. She pointed at Aja Frost's image behind her. "Yes, I was a huge Aja Frost fan - a day one Frostie, but I think it's time to cancel Aja Frost and call her out for what she did to Jae A.B. at The RiSe Records New Year's Eve party. Also, isn't it strange that her image has taken on this drastic change? I'm not gonna lie, I like the 'Villain' song, but I refuse to support one."

Chanel scrolled to another video.

A guy laughed loudly. "Wow! As a Frostie, I would like to apologize to any Jaebirds that I discredited. Aja Frost's music just went from my fav to the grave. She cannot get away with what she's done and trying to do to Jae A.B."

Another video came up.

"Justice for Jaebirds. We told everybody that the first video was edited. The second video proved that Jae A.B. did nothing wrong. She was singing and killing it per usual before Aja Frost rudely interrupted her and tried to steal the show, but she failed like losers do. When Jae A.B.'s album drops, support her!"

Then, another one.

"Aja Frost is a narcissist. I knew she was fake since I first heard her music and heard her talk. We have to stop admiring these celebrities as if they are without flaws. They are people just like me and you. I don't agree to cancel her, but she needs to hear everyone tell her the truth. She is not above anyone, and if I were Jae A.B. I'd sue her. But did y'all see how Deonte Way caught Jae A.B.? Didn't it remind you of K-drama?"

Zoomed in was me falling and Deonte catching me in slow-motion.

"People are shippin' y'all like crazy." Monica was enjoying this. "I watched all the fan-made videos of DeJaeWay. Have y'all seen it?" She asked us.

"Never," Chanel answered. "Jae deserves better."

Deonte said, "I've seen a few. Some even wrote fan stories."

"There's fanfiction stories about us?" I asked Deonte.

Monica snickered, "I wasn't gonna say anything, but you should check out 'The Chronicles of Love: Deonte & Jae For Life' The writer had me biting my nails. I had forgot I knew y'all in real life."

"Don't read any of it, please," Chanel begged me.

I nodded my head in agreement. Sometimes, I forget how different my life is.

Chanel began to play another video.

I told her, "I don't have to see anymore."

Chanel put her phone away.

"Why did you want to show that to Jae?" Deonte asked his sister.

"All Jaebirds know that Jae A.B. is not active on social media. Jae, if you feel like you can't take action against Aja Frost, I want you to know that you can. We support you."

It warmed my heart to hear that.

"I know I could've sent that to you, but I wanted to tell you in-person, Jae. You don't have to be afraid of any of them."

"She's right. Now that everyone knows the truth, the ball is in your corner," Deonte told me.

After eating and talking some more, Monica and I left the Denfield's condo.

Back in the car, I decided it was best to take a nap than to talk to Monica to clear my mind. Somehow, I slowly opened my eyes due to the car being motionless. I sat up to see the back door was open. Then, I heard an airplane flying above. I looked out the window to see that we were at the airport.

Monica stood outside with the back door open. "I was just about to wake you up. Get out the car so you can see A.B."

I immediately made my way out the car. "Where is he?"

"He said he was about to walk out," Monica looked at her phone.

Out came Jace "A.B." Bravos. He walked tall, and he looked good. I don't know why it felt like I hadn't seen him in forever. I wanted to walk up to him, but my feet wouldn't move. It's probably because of Erma Demure's lingering advice. Say no. You can do it, Jamie.

Immediately, I thought about Monica. If she let E - I mean, Zeke do all the chasing like she claims, then being a "no woman" actually works. In a matter of months, my cousin got a ring, a supportive-rich family, and Zeke's credit card. How did she remain strong in the face of temptation?

A.B. winked at me before putting his luggage in the trunk.

"You lookin' good, A.B.!" Monica complimented him.

A.B. said, "Thank you, Monica. Congratulations to you and Zeke."

"Thanks." Monica got in the passenger's seat of the car.

"Hello, gorgeous," A.B. smiled at me.

I folded my arms. "I thought you wouldn't be here until tonight."

"I was able to catch an earlier flight. I wanted to surprise you, but Monica text me that y'all were hanging out first before she would allow us to spend time together. I told her about my new flight, and she went along with the plan. Thanks, Monica!" A.B. said loud enough for her to hear.

"I'm on the phone with my fiancé," she announced.

"No, you're not!" I retorted.

A.B. held his hand out. "Let's get in the car."

"After you," I told him.

Once inside the car, the driver started the engine.

I looked out the window. "How was your flight?"

A.B. answered, "It was alright. I couldn't stop thinking about you the whole time."

"Have you ate?" I asked him.

He chuckled, "Yes, but I made plans for us to eat dinner together."

"Where are you staying?" I asked.

A.B. didn't respond.

I looked over at him. He was staring at me.

In a low whisper, he spoke, "I want you on my plate."

"What?" I must've misheard him.

He repeated, "I want you to see my place."

I exhaled, "Oh!"

A.B.'s brows merged, "Jamie, are you alright?"

I quickly nodded my head. "You have a new Airbnb or something?"

"No, it's a new place. You'll see it today."

Monica turned around, looking at me like she knew what was on my mind. "E wants me to come back home. So, the driver is gonna take me back first, then he'll take you to wherever you need to go, A.B."

"Sounds good. Jamie and I will get an early start to hang-out."

"Cool!" Monica looked at me up and down before facing forward in the passenger's seat.

One day when I write a book about my life, I'm not mentioning her at all.

"You just got off the plane," I told A.B. "We can hang out tonight so you can get some rest."

"I got 10 hours of sleep last night, and I took a nap on the plane," A.B. informed me.

"Really?"

A.B. licked his lips. "I'm prepared to do anything you want to do."

I swallowed my saliva. "Monica, you're invited to hangout with me and A.B."

"Ain't!" She hollered.

Why was she being so unhelpful?

A.B. and I made eye contact. I could stare at his face all day, but I'm a no woman. I exhaled. Remember to say no, Jamie.