Page 2 of Follow Me to Your Heart

“What does he want?” I grumbled to myself after seeing a text from my ex, Marquis. We’d been broken up for six months, so for him to reach out annoyed me. I wasn’t in the mood for whatever games he was trying to play. He was left on read.

I stretched my body and texted Cage back before getting out the bed to get ready for the day.

My mind and body were exhausted from the first week of class, but it was time to make some money.

I had four clients booked for the day. My first one would arrive in thirty minutes, so I needed to put some pep in my step.

As I was brushing my teeth, I received a call from my mother, Alana. I watched it ring, debating on whether I wanted to answer it or not. Not knowing what type of time she was on, I said a quick prayer before sliding my finger across the screen.

“Good morning, Mom.”

“Good morning, Korren. Listen, I need you to cancel whatever plans you have later. I made us a reservation at Titan’s at seven.”

I inwardly groaned. “Did you forget it was my first week of class? What if I need to study?”

“Oh, girl. Hush. You forgot I went to college. The first week is nothing but syllabus quizzes and short discussion posts about yourself. I’m sure you already got all that done, so you can make some time for your mother.”

As if you make time for me.

“I’ll let you know. I should be finished with my last client around five, and I’ll have to take a Journey to the restaurant, unless you’re coming to pick me up.”

“Why would I do that, Korren? I live ten minutes away from Titan’s. No one told you to move to Harley Grove when you could’ve easily stayed in Camden Cove,” Mom expressed with a hint of disapproval in her tone.

“Well, that wasn’t what I wanted to do. My daddy and brother support me, so I don’t understand why it’s so hard for you to.”

I had a feeling the conversation was about to go left. Anytime I brought up my father, Mom would get in her feelings.

Mom huffed and said, “I do support you. You’re my daughter. Why wouldn’t I?”

“Because you don’t agree with my choice.”

“Just because we don’t always agree doesn’t mean I’m not proud of you and don’t want what’s best for you. I need to go, but I’ll see you later. Don’t be late, Korren. I’d much rather you be early than on time, okay?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

It took everything in me not to launch my phone across the bathroom. With my head leaned back, I closed my eyes and counted backward from ten until I felt at ease. I hated how easy it was for my mother to get under my skin, but it had been that way for as long as I could remember.

Growing up, my mother usually pushed me in ways my father didn’t, and it caused them to bump heads.

I was a daddy’s girl through and through.

He was truly my best friend along with my older brother.

I clung to them, and I believed my mother didn’t like it.

When I was seven, they got a divorce. Daddy got full custody of us.

Words couldn’t express how elated I was to be with him full-time.

I loathed the weeks we had to go with my mother.

For some time, I tried having a relationship with her. I wanted to have that mother and daughter bond, but she was too busy trying to make me live the life she desired for me. She was too busy trying to make me become her, and I refused.

Several knocks at my door jolted me from my thoughts. I quickly finished changing then jogged to my door to let Taylor in. Her bright smile was contagious as she held out an iced coffee and muffin.

“I figured you could use this since it’s early as hell, and we don’t have class today,” she explained, blowing me kisses.

“Oh, you’re a life savior. Thank you so much, Taylor. You deserve a discount on your nails for this.”

Taylor shook her head, and her short, honey-brown bob caressed her face with each sway.

“No, ma’am. You know better than that. Just because I’m your friend doesn’t mean I deserve any special treatment whether I come with treats or not.

I’m always going to pay you full price because you always give me full service. ”

“That’s why I love you.”

I threw my arm around Taylor’s neck and kissed her cheek.

Taylor was one of my best friends. I’d met her during campus tours last year, and we immediately clicked.

She was originally from Harley Grove, so when I made the commitment to attend school here, I would visit often to get familiar with it.

She and her family welcomed me with open arms into their home during that time, and we’d been stuck like glue since.

I got set up in my designated corner while filling Taylor in on my conversation with my mother.

I’d vented to her plenty of times about how Alana could be.

One thing I loved about Taylor was that she’d let me know whether I was right or wrong in the situation.

She wouldn’t sugarcoat anything, which was exactly what I needed.

“For her to randomly reach out and demand dinner, you don’t think something is up with that?” Taylor questioned, sipping her coffee.

“You know I do. The only time she wants to spend time with me is if she needs something. I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case now.”

“Me either. Are you going to go?”

I hunched my shoulders and finished wiping my table down. “I don’t know. I don’t want to, but she’d never let me live it down if I didn’t. I slightly miss her. It’s just hard when I miss her and she ruins the feeling.”

“You want me to go with you? Be a spy in the corner or something?”

Taylor got up and hid behind my couch, peeking over it as if she was an actual spy or something. Her actions mimicked Lil’ Kim, and I fell over laughing. There was never a dull moment with her.

“Girl, come over here before I run into my next appointment. You know how we get, and I can’t lose out on any money.”

“I’d never let you do that. But also . . .”

I held my hand up. “Don’t even start, Taylor.”

“Cage would never let you go without. Everyone knows that, so I don’t know why you act as if you’d be hurting for anything. On top of that, you have your father and brother as well. Don’t downplay how blessed you truly are, Korren.”

“I don’t. I promise I don’t. It’s just . . . I’ve relied on the men in my life for too long. I’ve finally found something I love. Something I’m passionate about. Something I’m damn good at. Why not utilize my gift for profit?”

“You have a point.” Taylor waved her finger at me as she sat down. “That’s some boss girl shit right there. I’m proud of you, for real.”

“I appreciate you, Tay.”

Taylor usually came with an example of how she wanted her nails, but she wanted me to freestyle for her birthday.

She usually kept her nails on the shorter side, so I shaped them into a medium almond shape.

Her favorite color was orange, and she loved a little bling.

It took me about two hours to get them done.

I incorporated her zodiac sign on to both her ring finger nails while adding the jewels and some white into the orange. The set was unique, and I loved it.

“Korren! Girl, these look so damn good. I’m literally obsessed.” Taylor gushed as she observed the final product. “I think these are in the top five.”

My cheeks hurt from how hard I smiled. “I agree. Let me take a picture to post later so I can clean up and prepare for my next client. She’ll be here soon.”

Taylor snapped into hand model mode. Once I got the pictures and videos I needed, I cleaned up my area.

The remainder of my day was long but well worth it. Taylor stayed to keep me company until one of her other friends called to go out for the night. After that, I went into full work mode, channeling the artist in me.

I loved doing nails. It became an outlet for me when I was fourteen and going through a tough time with my mother.

Daddy noticed and took me for a spa day, getting his nails and toes done with me.

I carefully watched the women work their magic and wanted to try.

I expressed my interest to Daddy, and a few days later, he surprised me with a starter nail kit.

That was all she wrote. I’d been doing it ever since.

It was added to the list of many things Alana disapproved of, but she didn’t hesitate to ask me to do her nails for free.

My last client walked out my door at 4:45.

I wished I would’ve worked a little longer to avoid having dinner with my mother.

I turned my music up and got my apartment back in order before going to get ready.

Since we were going to Titan’s, I had to dress up.

Any place my mother chose to attend was upscale, so it was a must my appearance was on point.

The smooth silk felt like butter on my butterscotch skin.

I opted to wear a green dress that brought out my freckles and naturally copper hair which I inherited from my mother.

It was styled in a slick bun with curly whisps around my face.

After applying mascara and lip gloss, I strapped on my heels and grabbed my clutch before heading for the door.

In the Journey car, I snapped a few pictures of myself to post on FameVSYou later. The ride was a bit too quick for my liking, but I got there twenty minutes before our reservation. When I went to the hostess stand, I was led to the table.

What the fuck? I internally screamed upon seeing Mom sitting at the table with Marquis and his mother. I spun on my heels to leave, but Mom called out to me.

“Korren Gates. Where do you think you’re going?”

“Away from here.”

Mom got up and came over to me with lowered eyes matching mine.

My father often told me I’d stolen my mother’s face, but it wasn’t until I was older that I realized exactly how much we looked alike.

Whenever I gazed at her, it was like staring into the mirror of my future.

The only difference was, I was more like Daddy.