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Chapter Eighteen

Britain secured her grip on her clutch as she surveyed the busy crowd of people that filled the lobby of the fancy hotel. They were awaiting entrance into the ballroom to be seated for the annual event that had people in the medical field ranting and raving. As she smoothed her hand down her white gown that Jazzy altered to her exact measurements, she tried her best to find her siblings in the sea of people. Brushing shoulders with premiere surgeons and wealthy private practice owners always made her a little queasy. She always felt like it was evident that she didn't fit in and didn't know a thing about medicine.

This wasn't her first time attending this annual event. With Seven and Henderson making revolutionary advances in medicine, they had been awarded a few times before. This time around, it was bigger than just an award. The two were being honored. Britain could hardly keep up with the details of the advanced surgeries her parents had performed over the years, so she had no idea why the two were being honored, but it didn't matter as long as she was present and cheering them on when their names were called.

It took a lot of convincing from her father Remy for Britain to even show up at the ceremony. She had plans of just makingher rounds and saying goodbye to everyone before getting on the jet back to Italy, but of course, her inner child defeated her will to just leave without trying again with her mother. Once more, she felt weak for even putting in any effort while her mother put in none. She couldn't understand why she was so insistent on trying to make her relationship with her mother work. However, she knew that if things went south tonight, she clearly needed to catch the hint.

Still in search of Brea and Brixton, she checked her phone to read the last text sent by her brother directing her to where they were waiting for her. Of course, it was just like Brixton to be as vague as possible by telling Britain that he and Brea were waiting for her by a wall next to a bunch of doctors.A light frown graced her face as she sent a reply to Brixton, being sure to call him a dumbass in the midst of her response.

She continued her search with no real help from her little brother. As she glanced down at her phone once more, hoping she got a response text from him, she managed to walk right into someone. Sheepishly, she quickly looked up from her phone, spilling out a hasty apology. "Sorry, I didn't mean to run into you like that," Britain let out apologetically as she crouched down to pick up the program that dropped from the woman's hands.

Standing back up, she was met with yet another reason she needed to leave the city tonight and not stay another day. As she handed the program back to the woman, Britain pursed her lips, wishing she had taken another path so she wouldn't have had to endure the awkward run in withPaula.

Standing before Britain with her petite frame, Paula beamed her gorgeous smile as she smoothed her hand over her onyx black gown. The classy strapless gown conformed to the mild curves of her body beautifully. She kept her hair short in a sexy pixie cut that complimented her face. Britain had to admit Paula was gorgeous. She really embodied the model type that Priestdescribed her to be. Her posture was almost intimidating as she stood tall in her open toe heels.

Along with mentally cursing herself for bumping into Paula in the first place, Britain was also wondering why Paula was at this type of event in the first place.

"It's fine," Paula's sultry voice rang into Britain's ears. "With the amount of people in here, I expected to get bumped into a few times."

Britain took another quick glance around, praying that she caught sight of her siblings so she wouldn't get roped into a conversation that would really serve no purpose. "Yeah," Britain nodded. "I'll just go this way." She pointed to the left, hoping that would be enough to excuse herself so she wouldn’t have to continue the conversation.

Quickly, Paula stopped her. "You know, we never formally met."

Britain turned back around to face Paula. Eyeing her, she let out a light sigh. "I didn't think we needed to. We've run into each other enough."

With her strong posture, Paula shrugged with a smirk canvassing her plump lips. "We have," she agreed. "But every time, it seems like something—or should I saysomeone—used tostand in our way. I don't even think I caught your name."

Bitch, you know my name.

Instead of slashing Paula with her witty tongue, Britain remembered the setting she was in and took a better route. "Funny to hear you say that because it looked like you knew my name when you did those slandering press conferences alongside Priest's mother, Sylvia."

A nervous chuckle filtered out of Paula. "Are you familiar with my foundation?" she asked, not even giving her the chance to reply. "We assist mothers who have tragically loss their children to gun violence. It's calledA Mother's Peace.I sympathize with Sylvia during this hard time of mourning her son's death alone. Despite us having history, those press conferences were just business and were used to bring awareness to the community and show them gun violence affects everyone, even prominent community figures like our beloved Priest. What Sylvia said about you, I had no control of, and I can't really censor her."

Britain eyed Paula with a blank look on her face. "Look, we don't have to do this," she reminded her, motioning her finger between them in reference to the conversation they were having.

"I just want you to understand that there are no hard feelings or any reason for you to feel threatened at all." Paula smiled lightly as she reached over to place her hand on Britain's shoulder.

Britain shifted her gaze to Paula's hand before reverting it back to Paula. "I'm wearing white," she reminded Paula as she brushed her hand off her shoulder. "And why would there be any hard feelings? You were with him then, and I was with him after. We weren't dealing with him at the same time," Britain clarified with a look of confusion etched on her face. She couldn't understand why Paula felt as though they had turmoil brewing between them.

"Were you and Priest okay before he died? Your failure to attend the funeral was really shocking since he seemed to be so in love with you," Paula questioned Britain, disregarding everything Britain said.

Britain screwed up her face in agitation. It didn't take much for her to realize that not only was Paula weird, but she was also fishing for information for another headline to feed the press. "Y'know, it's really sick and disgusting that you and Sylvia are using Priest's death so your foundation can gain exposure and for her to gain pity. You questioning me after all you've done to him in the past is very amusing. You've managed to put onthis front to make it seem as though he would have wanted you around and you two were on great terms, but truth be told, he wouldn't even spit on you if you were on fire," Britain spewed at Paula with her head leaned to the side. "Now there are hard feelings, sweetheart. You have a wonderful night, and make sure you clap for my parents when they get honored tonight," Britain concluded before parting ways with Paula, leaving her stuck.

Britain was just so sick of everyone's shit. She had enough of being nice and being the bigger person. Everyone felt as though they could mistreat her and belittle her any way they pleased. After standing up to Cameron the week before, Britain realized she could have that same energy with just about anyone who rubbed her the wrong way. Unfortunately for Paula, she bumped into Britain at the wrong time.

Britain returned to scanning the sea of people in search of her siblings. A sigh of relief fled her lips once she spotted Brea standing alongside their brother, Brixton. She picked up her pace, managing to weave through the throng of people and make her way toward them.

Upon approaching them, she was greeted with open arms by Brixton. During the two weeks she had been in the city, she hadn't heard much from her younger brother since he'd been swamped with work. He was glad that she had come to her senses and decided to attend the event. It was great to see her.

"You look good, sis," Brixton complimented her as he placed a light kiss on the top of her head, his usual way of greeting both of his sisters.

"Thank you. You look good too, Dr. Jewel." Britain grinned as she jokingly brushed her brother's shoulder, indicating his attire was clean.

Brixton laughed. "I appreciate it, Mocha."

She greeted Brea, sharing a hug with her. "I'm so glad you came. Ma and Pops are going to be so happy to see you, Brit," she said with a smile.

"Is she really?" Britain furrowed her brows, referring to her mother.