38. The First to Know 🥇

It was Friday morning, and I was on cloud nine. To go from working at a music store to signing a record deal, I was still in disbelief.

Monica woke me up, again, but this time she was getting ready with me. I was planning to be basic like usual, but Monica put a halt to that. I wore light makeup, my hair in a high bun, a fitted sleeveless knee-length denim dress, and white slip-on Vans.

Monica wore a white short-sleeve blouse, a fitted knee-length denim skirt, and white Converses. Her hair was in a low swoop ponytail, and her makeup was light and flawless.

With our purses in hand and phones fully charged, we walked out the bedroom to find two small bags outside the door.

"Ooh, what's that?" Monica asked.

I picked them up and carried them over to the bed. "Tiffany & Co." I read the name on the bags.

"Hold up! Did we just get expensive jewelry from Tiffany & Co?" Monica grabbed one of the bags and opened it up.

"Monica, you don't know if that's yours or not."

She pulled out a small card. "To: Monica. From: ZR. Last time I checked my name is Monica."

I immediately rolled my eyes. "We're not wearing this." I pushed the bag away.

"Girl, you done lost your mind. I'm wearing this." She opened a box of a diamond necklace with a butterfly pendant and matching diamond butterfly earrings.

"The last time I got something like this was from Zeke's brother. If Zeke got this for us, he would've gave it to us or told us he got it for us. Zack, on the other hand, is very sneaky. And I will not give him the satisfaction." I walked over to the door. "Let's go."

Monica continued to look at the jewelry. "You lucky you my cousin and I love you, otherwise, I would've ignored you and wore it anyway." She closed the jewelry box and put it back in the bag.

We walked out the room together and made our way downstairs. Outside, we were greeted by Maximo.

"Little Sister and Jamie, don't you two look beautiful," Maximo complemented us.

We thanked him as he helped us inside the Range Rover. He took the same route to the RiSe Tower. In the parking garage, standing outside the doors with the security guards was Zeke.

Monica jumped out the vehicle before Maximo could open the door. I waited for Maximo as he helped me out.

"You look good," Zeke told me. "Ready for the meeting?"

I took a deep breath. "Ready as I'll ever be."

The place was still one of the most luxurious places I'd ever been in. Monica was acting like me when I was a first timer. Now, I've graduated to a second timer.

When we got back to the room, Rochelle was sitting down with her phone in her hands. I quickly walked over to her. She stood up and we hugged.

"How was your flight?" I asked her.

"It was great. You look good. Are you ready?"

I nodded my head.

Monica and Zeke joined us.

Rochelle and Zeke shook hands.

"Glad to meet you in person," he said.

"Likewise, Mr. Rivers. Hope you can find it in your heart to be cordial with me for the next few hours."

Zeke licked his lips. "There's no bad blood on my end. Your doing your job, and I can respect that."

Then, we were called to the meeting. Monica and Zeke stayed behind.

On one side of the table was Duncan Ledger and Tom Wellington. On the opposite side was Rochelle Ginger and me.

After nearly two hours, I was signing my name on the electronic dotted line. Because of Rochelle's great negotiation skills and experience as an entertainment lawyer, I would own all the rights to the songs that I write and perform, and RiSe Records couldn't touch any of my profits unrelated to music that includes acting, modeling, endorsing as long as it has nothing to do with music. Did I mention the contract was for 2 years and 3 million dollars? In fine print, it says if the seller of "Choose" aka the "stolen and sold song" was ever revealed, then I have every right to sue the seller aka "thief" and the person(s) from RiSe Records that bought the song from them. I do not nor will ever owe RiSe Records for the amount that was paid for "Choose." Plus, as the original songwriter of the "stolen song," I receive all the royalties for it. #untouchable

We all shook hands. The men congratulated me before leaving the meeting room.

I turned to Rochelle and we jumped up and down. A few minutes later, we walked out to the room. Monica ran toward me. She picked me up and nearly dropped me.

We laughed as we cheered.

Zeke hugged me and whispered in my ear, "We're celebrating tonight at Ricky's."

Rochelle spoke with all of us for about ten minutes before departing. She had to catch a flight back home. She does have other clients.

Zeke, Monica, and I left the RiSe Tower and Maximo drove us back to the Rivers' Residence.

"Zeke, is it possible for Monica to get a tour of the garage, like the outdoor path on the side of the house? She asked me about it the other day."

Zeke glanced at Monica. "Yeah. If you ever want to go anywhere, don't hesitate to ask me."

Monica smiled at Zeke before narrowing her eyes at me. She knew I was up to something, but remained quiet about it.

As soon as we got out of the car, Zeke and Monica went one way and I went the other. I rushed to my room, closing the door as I hopped on the bed. I took out my phone and called A.B.

"Hey, A.B." I spoke before he could.

He lightly laughed, "Hey, Jamie. Let me guess... you signed the record deal?"

I lightly screamed. "Oh, my goodness, A.B.! I can't believe it's official. I owe you so much for contacting Rochelle. She saved my career!"

A.B. said, "You don't owe me anything. Rochelle is amazing, though."

"You know she never said I owed her anything. So, am I right in assuming that you are paying her on my behalf?"

A.B. said, "I'm not saying anything about that. I just want to know how do you feel?"

"I feel great! I wish you could he here so we can celebrate together."

"You're going to be super busy, but I know when you get the chance, we'll hangout."

I shook my head, "I can't wait! Do you think you can fly out here tomorrow?"

A.B. was silent before saying, "Jamie, I'd love to, but I c--"

"I'm acting like I can't fly back home to see you," I chuckled, "That's what I'll do. I'll fly out there to see you."

"You sure your schedule will allow that?" He asked out of concern.

"Yeah! I just signed today. What are they gonna do? Have me do a performance tomorrow? That would be crazy," I joked.

A.B. added, "It would be crazy, but not unheard of. Let me know if you're able to make it. If not, I'll understand."

My bedroom door suddenly opened. Monica shouted, "Hey, Aunt Jackie!" Monica kicked off her shoes. "I knew you ran up here to tell yo mama. Is she crying?"

Guilt washed over my face as I whispered, "I'll call you back."

"Congratulations, again, Jamie."

"Thank you, A.B."

We both hung up.

I slowly turned to look at my cousin.

"You ain't right." She wagged her finger at me. "You was on the phone with A.B. Now he knows before your own mama? Jamie, your mother didn't raise you that way."

"Monica, calm down. I'm calling my mom right now." I did as I said I would as my cousin went to the bathroom.

I can't believe I called A.B. first and not my parents, and Monica pointed it out. She'll never let me hear the end of it.

After sharing the news with my mom who then told my stepdad, I knew that I would never forget this moment. The amount of excitement nearly overwhelmed me. Hearing that they are very proud of me caused a tear to fall from my eye. I so badly wish I could see them. We ended the call with "I love you." I quickly wiped my tears, forgetting I was wearing makeup. I looked at the mirror to fix my face. Then, I went on the search for my cousin.

I found Monica at the kitchen table eating fried chicken, mashed potatoes, mac 'n cheese, and collard greens. "Girl, Bridgette in there throwing down! She said she doesn't cook this for the Rivers. They don't eat like this, but she does."

I sat next to her. "I was about to say... This brings me back to the first dinner I had here. I was craving regular food and Zeke had it delivered for me."

Monica smirked, "He's a really nice guy, but he is not boyfriend material."

I chuckled, "What do you mean?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. He's very... not proper but like a businessman. He has his eyes on what he wants to accomplish, and it's working for him. I just feel sorry for whoever gets with him, because he is not going to be focused on them... at all!"

I agreed, "He was engaged to Feva which was probably short lived, because I had to learn about it on the internet."

"I didn't know about Feva, but honestly, I don't think he dated many women," Monica continued, "If you make your fake relationship public, I think you'll be shooting yourself in the foot. Zeke is like... smart, rich, businessman, ladies' man, and a celebrity. He just lacks attentiveness as far as a relationship goes."

I sighed as I rested my head on the table. "I think in the beginning of a relationship, he's romantic and attentive, and maybe at different moments, but he's definitely not consistent."

Monica was silent as she chewed her food.

I confessed, "I can't stop thinking about A.B."

Monica smacked, "It was that beach house love affair."

I lightly slapped her shoulder. "It was not."

"Lies you tell," Monica took a sip of her lemonade. "I bet you wouldn't leave Zeke for A.B. You just got your foot in the game. You're going to go as far as you can with Zeke until you can make it on your own. But by then, A.B. will be married."

"Monica!" Why was she coming for me?

"I'm just speaking your thoughts out loud," she told me.

I rolled my eyes just as I received a text message. I looked at my phone.

Text: Hi, Jae! I'm Ricky Santana's assistant - Colby. Congratulations and welcome to the RiSe family. We will be celebrating you as our new addition tonight. Please arrive no later than 10p.m. at Ricky's HAFH. Please let me know what time you'd like a driver to pick you up. Can't wait to meet you in-person. 🤩

"Who's that?" Monica inquired.

"Ricky's assistant... letting me know about the party tonight."

"We going to a party tonight?" Monica asked me. She finished her plate before standing up.

"Where are you going?" I asked her.

"I'm going to my first celebrity party. I gotta get ready!" She skipped away.

Bridgette came out the kitchen with a plate similar to the one Monica gobbled up. "Hey, Jamie! Are you hungry?"

I slowly nodded my head as she placed the food on the table in front of me. "Thank you, Bridgette."

She fidgeted with her hands before sitting next to me. "Jamie, I have to tell you something."

"Yeah?"

Bridgette lowered her voice. "Warren and I know that you and Zeke are not a real couple."

I froze.

"No one told us. We just put two-and-two together. Ya see, Zeke is a lot different when he's in a relationship. He never goes on any trips without his girlfriend, and they are nearly unbreakable. Also, none of his girlfriends have ever had their own room in the Rivers' house. At first, we thought you must be the one. You are very different from the other women, and that's a good thing, but I don't think anyone is buying you and Zeke are together."

I glanced at her and simply smiled.

"And forgive me, because I did hear you and your cousin talking. I agree that making your relationship public will not benefit you. Zeke's last known relationship was with some model, but after the breakup, she's nowhere to be found. It's like she vanished. Zeke is the one that gets the most attention when in a relationship. But I will say, your story about being here for something other than what you're really here for sold me. And congratulations on getting signed with RiSe Records. Just so you know, as long as you're close with Zeke, Ricky will definitely roll out the red carpet for you."

So much information. "Thank you for even telling me this, Bridgette, because you didn't have to. Please tell me what do you think I should do? The pros and cons seem about the same when it comes to Zeke and I dating."

Bridgette said, "I wish Warren was here. He's helping Kathy rearrange the furniture in a few of the guest bedrooms. He always knows exactly what to say. I do have a question for you, though. What do you think you should do?"

I leaned back in my chair. "At this point, I don't care who knows this, but... Monica knows... There's a guy back home that I really, really like. He's so gentle yet manly and caring with a heart of gold. I can talk to him for hours about anything. He listens to me and hears me. He even gives good advice. And I didn't recognize it before, but he really takes care of me. I'm not sure if it's just me or if he's just being nice, but after he got me this really good lawyer, I don't think he'd do that for anybody, like he's paying her to be my lawyer. On top of that, he makes a lot of money, but he's so humble about it. Like, I never thought I'd find a man like him. I could only dream to be with a guy like Zeke, but I really want the guy back home."

Bridgette rubbed my shoulder. "Just think on it. Don't rush into anything. Really take your time to hear these men, how they talk to you and treat you, and how they act around certain people. Then, take into account how people treat you when your with or not with them. I'm telling you this from my own experience. I came out to Hollywood wanting the life of fortune and fame. I found out quick that either you're in or you're out."

"Were you a singer, too?" I asked her.

"No. I wanted to be an actress. I was in two low-budget films, and I was an extra in the Mission Impossible movie. That was the highlight of my career. Unfortunately, I was head over hills for my new agent. He was married, but he was far from faithful. He got me an audition for the movie Freedom Writers to play one of the students and another audition for Stomp the Yard."

I smiled at the thought of seeing Bridgette on the big screen. She was on her way.

"I was young and dumb and naïve, but I should've known better. I got a call from my agent that I got the job, but instead of telling me for which movie, he asked me to meet him at a hotel to celebrate. This was the first time he ever asked me to meet him at a hotel. I thought I could trust him, and you know... I get to his room and he's in a robe, talking on the phone. When he gets off the phone, he tells me to sit on the bed so we can talk about the role for the movie. Up to that point, we've only flirted. Then, he poured me a drink and kissed me. It was after that kiss when I realized that everything was wrong. He kept complementing me about how beautiful I was and how it would make him jealous when other men said how much they wanted me. It was disgusting when I look back. Good thing is I had enough sense to tell him to stop. He got mad and threatened that he would make it to where I would never became an actress. I told him to do whatever he wanted and that he was fired. The next year, I watched both the movies I auditioned for at the movie theater."

I wish life turned out differently for her. "Would you have done anything differently?" I asked her.

Bridgette answered, "Yes. I would've asked which movie I got the role for, and I would've played sick before going to that hotel. Definitely, would've got another agent, too. Needless to say, I was disgusted with the industry. So, I decided to start my own cleaning business. Once I built up my clientele and got in good with the rich and famous, I was set."

I was glad to hear that she didn't let what happen to her defeat her. "You're a very strong person. Bridgette. I don't know if I could've overcome that situation like you did."

"Oh, you will. With a cousin like Monica, you will never forget where you came from."

True.

"Go ahead and eat your food so you can get ready for your party tonight." She stood up.

"Thank you, Bridgette." I picked up my fork to eat.

With Bridgette's words echoing in my head, I knew I would need to make a decision soon. Zeke was definitely going to the party, and we would have to be a couple. Now, I'm not so sure that this fake relationship should go on any longer.