“What does the role consist of? I don’t have any experience with music videos,” I informed him. I was curious, so I didn’t turn him down right away.
“Basically, the song is about a nigga losing the love of his life, and he’s trying to make things right with her. There will be a few scenes with us together, but nothing too complex. You’ll basically be walking around and looking pretty while I pour my heart out to you.”
“Of course, you would have a song about a nigga fuckin’ shit up. Y’all seem to be good at that.” I tittered.
“Damn, you ain’t gotta be like that, lil’ mama.”
“Don’t try to act like you’ve never fucked up before. I’m sure there are a few women telling their therapist about you as we speak,” I teased him. A grin spread across his face as he licked his lips. I wasn’t usually into light-skinned men, but Mendeecees was handsome with his light-brown skin and low-cut fade. His deep dimples told me that he was probably a master manipulator with a smooth game.
“You’ve got a point, but I’ve grown a lot.”
I gave him the “yeah, right” look because that was their favorite line to use when they were lying.
“Anyway. How much does this role pay? I don’t work for free.”
“And I would never expect you to. I’ll cover all of your travel expenses, including your hotel or Airbnb, depending on where you want to stay. You won’t have to pay for food or anything while you’re out there, and I’ll pay you twenty K for the video.”
My brow rose as I eyed him skeptically. “You’re gonna pay me twenty bands to come walk around in your music video? What do you get out of this?” It sounded too good to be true, and I wanted to know what his motive was.
“I swear, I’m not on any bullshit. You’re fine as hell, and I know if I get you in my video, I’m gonna make all my money back and then some. Niggas are gonna be streaming and replaying my video every night just to see your pretty ass.” Mendeecees smirked.
“Damn, y’all still over here talking? I thought for sure you would have shot this nigga down by now.” Keynauri scoffed.
“Nauri, please get a life. He was asking me about doing an appearance in his music video. I wanted to make sure I asked all the right questions and got the details I needed,” I informed him. The frown plastered on my brother’s face couldn’t be hidden.
“I told you I wanted to talk business with her. You can relax those buff-ass shoulders, my guy.”
Mendeecees’s comment made me laugh because Keynauri looked like he was ready to fight somebody.
“What did you say to him?” Nauri inquired.
“I haven’t given him an answer. What do you have to give me?” I changed the subject when I noticed the duffel bags in his hands.
“I’ll let you know once you wrap up this conversation.”
I turned my attention back to Mendeecees, who was looking at me with lust in his eyes. “If you can email me the information, I’ll consider it. I need to listen to the song to make sure it’s something I even want to be a part of. I’ll also need those accommodations we talked about and a wardrobe budget. I don’t mind showing skin, but I won’t be giving the world a peep show of my pussy.”
“Boogie! What the fuck?” Keynauri wore a horrified expression.
“What? I was just laying out my terms.” I shrugged as the two of them stared at me with two different expressions on their faces.
“I can do that. Put your contact info in my phone, and I’ll have my people get in touch with you with all the details you need. Thank you again.”
“I didn’t agree just yet.”
“I’m not worried. You will.” Mendeecees winked as I handed him back his phone. Keynauri stood there, glaring at both of us.
“Alright, I’ma get back in this studio. Your brother looks like he’s about to chop my head off, and we still have work to do. Take care, shorty.” Mendeecees stuffed his phone into his pocket before heading back into the building.
“You are ridiculous. I’m a grown-ass woman, in case you forgot. You don’t have to hover over me.”
“I don’t give a fuck how grown you are. I’m always gonna step in to protect you when I feel it’s necessary. Mendeecees is a cool person, but he isn’t good enough to be with my baby sister. I might be newly released, but I’m not new to the way these cats operate. They’re always looking for the next bad bitch to have on their arm as a trophy, but behind closed doors, they cheat, beat, and break those women down. I’ve already proven that I can do prison time for the people I love, and I don’t mind going back if I have to.”
My heart sank to my feet. Even though I knew he was only blowing smoke, his words triggered me. “I swear to God, if you ever put yourself in a position to be taken from me again, I’ll never forgive you. I’ve already suffered enough due to your absence, and I’m still trying to heal from that shit. You might think it’s funny to joke about, but you’re lucky you didn’t come home to me being six feet under. At the end of the day, I’m gonna live my life how I want, and I don’t need you inserting yourself in my business unless I truly need help.”
I wiped the tears from my eyes, trying to push my dark thoughts to the back of my mind. Keynauri didn’t know about the majority of the trauma I experienced, and I wanted it to stay that way.
“I’m sorry, Boogie. I wasn’t trying to make you cry.” Keynauri moved one duffel bag to his other hand and hugged me. “I know I come off overbearing, but you don’t understand how helpless I felt the last seven years. I wasn’t out here to protect you or tell you which niggas to stay away from. You mean everything tome, and I want to make sure you end up with a mothafucka who is gonna take care of you and love you the right way,” Keynauri expressed.
