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nariah

. . .

“How much time we got before we need to leave?” I asked Julius.

“You got like three hours. Do yo shit twin.” He retorted without pulling his eyes away from his phone.

Grabbing my make-up and toiletry bag up from the bed I strolled into the bathroom.

Before getting started I plugged my phone up and turned on Pandora.

When we landed in Miami Julius took me shopping and out to lunch.

After we finished, we met Tito back at the hotel where I was able to take a quick nap.

I barely got any sleep last night and that lil hour cat nap on the jet didn’t do shit for me.

Shedding the tights and t-shirt I had on I turned the shower water on and waited for it to get hot.

As soon as I put my shower cap on, I got in and let the water pelt down onto my body.

Between my hosting, graduation, the party, and now traveling I was tired as hell.

Julius told me we wouldn’t make it back to the hotel until after midnight, so I knew my chances of getting any rest was null and void.

Tomorrow we would be spending the day at the hotel pool, so I had Tito book me at the spa downstairs first thing in the morning.

Grabbing up my exfoliating glove I squirted some shower gel on it and started washing up.

I had to do my hair and makeup so I couldn’t spend too much time in here.

After my shower I stood at the sink and brushed my teeth before doing my skin care routine.

“Julius, you can come on.” I announced as I stepped back into the room.

He got up from the bed and ambled in my direction with his phone held out. “Here.”

“Hey baby.” I sang when I noticed Jude’s little handsome face on the screen.

“Hey mommy.”

“Hey my baby. You being good for granny?”

“Yes ma’am.”

“Good. What you do today?”

“We went to granny Mariah house. I got to play with Tuna.”

“Oh Lord.” I snorted.

“His ass prolly beat the shit out of Tuna.” Julius muttered, making me nod my head in agreeance. Tuna was my granny’s fat ass senior cat. Jude terrorized his ass so much to the point where he tried to hide anytime he was over.

“I love you, Jude. Mommy gotta finish getting ready.”

“Love you too.”

Passing Julius back the phone I tightened the belt on my robe. “Tell my mama to make sure she gives him his medicine before bed.”

“Aight.”

Sitting on the bed I scooted until my back was against the headboard.

Had I thought about it I would’ve scheduled to have somebody come over to do my makeup, but I hated trying to book a service in a different city.

I had gotten a sew in for graduation so all I planned on doing was wrapping the Chanel scarf around it.

Once I finished my face, I shed the robe so I could get dressed.

Leaning against the door frame Julius crossed his arms. “That’s what you’re wearing?”

“Ummhmm.” I hummed while adjusting the top over my breast.

“That shit don’t look like a bathing suit to me.” Julius fussed.

“That’s because it’s not.” I giggled. The silver interlocking G crystal top was actually a bra.

We were going to be in the middle of the ocean, I wasn’t getting wet, so I saw no need to wear a swimsuit.

Instead, I paired it with a black thong, a pair of black mesh crystal Gucci tights, and my silver Tom Ford pad lock heels.

The way Julius was standing there eyeing me I knew I looked good. I held the black and white scarf out to him. “With or without the scarf?”

“I say without but bring it with you just in case.”

“Cool.” Folding it up I tucked it into my bag.

“You looking good Nari. I’m ‘bout to say fuck this party and lay up with yo fine ass.”

“Julius please.” I waved him off.

“Dead ass.” Pushing away from the door Julius swaggered in my direction. “You smell good too.”

“I know. You look good too.” I complimented.

Julius had on a white button up that he’d purposely left undone and a pair of white skinny jeans that were ripped at the thigh.

On his feet were a solid white pair of Alexander McQueen sneakers.

His neck, ears, and wrist were shining due to all of the jewelry he had on.

Wrapping his hand around my waist he pulled me into his chest. “We ain’t gotta go. I can tell them fuck that money and lay up.”

“Boy stop.” I giggled. I loved when Julius flirted with me. It made me feel all sexy and what not. Leaning to the side I grabbed my tennis bracelet and necklace. “Can you put these on for me?”

Taking them out of my hand he instructed me to turn around.

I grabbed my hair up and held it out of the way.

When my necklace was secured on my neck Julius ran his hand down my chest. “Fine shit.” He moaned against my neck, causing chills to spread across my body.

Cupping my titty in his hand he traced the side of my neck with his tongue.

“Julius.” I breathed and stepped to the side. I had to move away before I got horny, and we really ended up cancelling his show.

“My bad.” He lied. “Almost got carried away.”

“Ummhmm. You did.” I held my arm out so he could put my bracelet on.

“You ready?” He probed once he was done.

“Yep.” Giving myself a once over in the mirror I sprayed some Creed Wind Flowers perfume all over my body and tossed my phone in my bag.

Hand in hand Julius and I walked out of our suite and met up with everyone else downstairs in the lobby. Once we hopped in the black truck it took no time for us to make it to the harbor where the boat was docked.

“This it?” I asked while peering out of the window at the large yacht. Julius and I had been on plenty of luxury boats but never nothing this large. I knew whoever owned this had dropped some serious ass money for it.

“Yep.” Tito confirmed. “Muthafucka is nice as hell on the inside.”

“I bet it is. This is nice.”

“This the type of money I’m tryna have before I stop rapping.” Julius shared.

Turning around to face him I chided. “Julius please. You got money.”

“I do, but nothing like this.” He tilted his head toward the boat.

When the truck rolled to a stop the driver got out and opened the back door. Julius slid out first and held his hand out for me to grab. I got out and adjusted my top before linking my fingers through his. Tito led the way to the boat with the rest of us trailing behind him.

The vibes were there for sure. Tito ushered us to the red carpet that led straight to the boat. There was a photographer standing near the entrance taking pictures of the party goers. Julius and I posed for a few shots before being rushed onto the boat.

Instead of going on the deck where the party was going on at, a worker walked us inside to the main level of the yacht. Where we were then introduced to the owner, the guy who had booked Julius to perform.

While the men talked, I excused myself and sat down at the table.

Plucking a grape off the vine I popped it into my mouth and bobbed my head to the music playing on the outside.

A server walked by carrying of tray of champagne and offered one to me.

I needed something stronger, so I declined it and sauntered over to the bar.

“Can I get a shot of Don Julio please?”

“Sure thing.” The bartender smiled.

With my glass in my hand, I resumed my spot at the table and tucked my leg under my butt. Pulling my phone out of my purse I shot a text off to my sister.

Me: I wished yo ass would’ve come with me

Lariah: Bored already

Lariah:??

Me: I’m just sitting here while they talk business

Lariah: I’m sure somebody you know will be there

Me: You know I’on fuck with these folks like this

And that was the truth. I learned early on that these industry folks were full of shit.

I was a solid ass bitch and didn’t play around.

I had seen too much to even deal with these folks outside of business.

In the beginning I used to link with other rapper girlfriends, but I quickly deduced they wasn’t my crowd.

Lariah: Lame ass… Get off the phone and enjoy yourself

Them hoes loved to throw shade at me ‘cause they didn’t understand why I wouldn’t sit around and let Julius take care of me.

I had to tell them having Julius pay all the bills was cool and everything, but it was essential for me to have my own bag.

Me and that nigga could end tomorrow, and all of the financial responsibility would be on me.

Did I think Julius would stop paying the bills if we split? No, I didn’t. But I also knew if he and I weren’t together, he would think that gave him the okay to clock my moves. Yeah—Not happening in this lifetime or the next.

When it was close to the time for Julius to perform, we went outside to join the party. His label mate Sahdiah ended up being on the boat with us, so while Julius was on stage I ended up kicking it with her and her group of friends.

Julius was doing his thing up on stage rapping his song. A few times he’d notice me over by the corner and would either wink or point at me.

“How do you deal with that?” One of Sahdiah’s friends asked.

She was gesturing to the crowd of women standing in front of the stage yelling Julius’s name to the top of their lungs. “Girl they’re fans. It comes with the spotlight.”

“You a strong one for real.” She tittered. “I’m too insecure for that.”

“Can’t be insecure when you’re dating somebody like that.” Sahdiah spoke up. Sahdiah herself was in a high-profile relationship. Her dude wasn’t a rapper, but he was a well-known producer.

He and Julius had worked together a few times that’s how she and I became cordial.

“Exactly.” I proffered. “All you can do is trust that yo nigga won’t do you dirty behind your back.” Doing a quick perusal of the crowd I drew my eyes back to the stage. “On top of that my man look damn good.” I teased and stuck my tongue out.