Black Rose || The Outtakes

Black Rose || Outtake 110

Author's Note: keiathegypsy

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1987 – The Penthouse, California

BRENDA

My heart needed to sing again. My soul wanted to dance again. After two months of leaving that second home, I returned. I'd called Mom and the family after landing back in this wonderful state. She'd completely understood my frustration after I rested for so long. I'd never planned to take such a hiatus anyway. There were obvious reasons of course.

Even the concierge dropped his jaw behind a long desk when I marched through the spinning lobby doors. Behind Aviator sunglasses, I rolled my suitcase along the marble floor as a glorious chandelier gleamed overhead. I'd scribbled my signature as expected and leaned across the desk, arching an eyebrow.

"Henry." I grinned after setting down the pen in my hand. "It's been a while." Jazz music echoed throughout the lobby as patrons chattered.

The receptionist grinned for a moment. I winked back, but we'd never even thought about flirting. This man could've been old enough to be my father. "It has. Ready to join us, again?"

I sighed out loud and glanced around this open space. Faces smiled in my direction, but thankfully wouldn't glare. "Of course. Just had to break away from media blitz for a while."

Henry whispered for a moment. "Sorry about your troubles."

I tried to reassure him by smiling. My heart reassured this man with an improved mindset now. "Thank you so much for understanding, but I fall back to get back up, okay?"

Henry smiled and gifted me with brand-new emergency keys for the residence unit I loved so much. "That's right. Welcome back." I winked right over my shoulder with the rolling suitcase in hand.

__

My ears heard those elevator doors chime open for the first in two months. Just when I planned to bring out a sigh of relief, smiling faces greeted me in the living room. My jaw dropped at the view of my nephew Anthony running straight to my feet in tiny sneakers. When now carrying my angel on one hip, I nearly sobbed.

Prince stood right in front of me. Without hesitation, he revealed both Mom and Jazmine to my damp eyes. I'd finally realized that they weren't at home when I called. Probably en route. I looked to find nephew Anthony drooping his head onto my shoulder, shutting his adorable brown eyes.

Jazmine quietly excused herself from the happy crowd and exchanged places with me before leaving the place. I pouted, but understood. To reiterate, my younger sister never enjoyed attention. Prince then stood back and I quickly hugged both of my parents, sobbing in their embrace.

Best surprise on Earth. I thought to myself.

"This is what I told you about." Mom held onto my face with both hands while my father Raymond stepped off for a moment. "We might not agree when it comes to your career, but no matter what, people care about you. Remember that." She kissed the top of my head and even softly prayed with me before leaving with my father. We'd all bid farewell in polite manners.

Within seconds, Skip looked at me with a clever grin on his face when the elevator finally closed. I shook my head as he moved toward the massive stereo I hadn't used. Even Shelia chuckled to herself while Prince clicked his heels on the wooden floor.

We all knew that look.

Party time.

Shut up already, damn!
Tell me who in this house know about the quake?
(We do).
I mean really, really.
If you know how 2 rock say 'yeah' (yeah).
If U know how 2 party say 'oh yeah' (oh yeah).
But if U ain't hip 2 the rare house quake:
Shut up already, damn!

"Housequake" couldn't even begin when the phone shrilled. Prince sent me right back down memory lane as we all resembled a nostalgic Soul Train line, but the stripe broke up with groans and frustration. Prince led me toward the couch and Shelia scooted away with a grin to give me room. I smiled right back, grateful.

My eyes narrowed, but Prince smoothed my back in gentle circles. "Hello? This is Brenda Hughes."

Michael faked desperation within his voice. I knew for he probably fucked Angel once more. At the same time, I should've changed my number or something. "Baby? I'm so sorry. Are you all right?"

"Fuck you!" I slammed down the phone and Prince knew exactly who I screamed about. This entire squad of his friends and exes knew. I lowered my head in shame.

"Mo?" Prince asked so innocently.

"No," I shook down my curls. "Can everybody just leave now? We have to talk, Skip." Without hesitation, people filed out of this celebration.

Alone minutes later, we'd migrated to my bedroom. My heart almost melted when Prince even helped me unpack that massive suitcase and other luggage. I lay on my side with a hand in my own curls as he just gazed in my eyes, smiling between kisses.

"What's wrong?" he finally asked.

I sighed out loud. "First, I wanted to thank you for defending me during the hiatus. You were probably one of the only stars who said anything after that Valerie Mitchell bullshit. Thank you."

He kissed our locked hands. "You're welcome. I've defended you before, I'll do it again. But why didn't Michael say anything? I thought he was supposed to be your man."

I shrugged. "We kind of broke up."

"Damn." Prince honestly sighed without looking at me.