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One of the biggest things that I was worried about was whether my father was going to show up at this very important event. He knew today was my book signing. I mean, it’s been in the church program for months, and he actually came with me when I picked out the venue, so he knew. He and I hadn’t talked since last week at the hospital. I hadn’t attempted to reach out to him, and he hadn’t attempted to reach me either. Of course, I still attended church on Sundays, and I even taught bible study last Wednesday and this Wednesday, but we didn’t say anything to each other.
I couldn’t believe my father would fall out with me over who I wanted to date. What annoyed me is that in private, my mom was on my side, telling me that I should date who I wanted, but when he was around, she never kept that same energy. She needed to speak up when he was around and tell him that he was wrong. He wasn’t supposed to force me to choose. Me choosing not to reach out to my father wasn’t choosing Billion over him. It was basically my way of saying that I wasn’t choosing, and my father could support me or not.
“While they wait, take this out there with you,” I said and handed her a roll of raffle tickets.
“Make sure that everyone gets one. This is for the giveaway,” I told Twinkle since she was so anxious to get
outside.
She took the items and left. My section was already set up, so I took the time to walk over to the window in the ballroom and looked out. Twinkle was definitely right about there being so many people waiting outside. I couldn’t even find the words to express how thankful I was for this moment.
Growing up, my mother would either read the bible to Naomi and me, or she would read Christian stories to us. I used to love those books because they always had some sort of message. By the time I was in college, I knew that I wanted to become an author as well, but my major was so demanding that it would be impossible to find time to write. I promised myself that once I got settled into my career and everything, I would write my first book, and I made very good on that promise. My books did so well on Amazon. Not only that, but they were also in libraries, schools, and churches around the world.
The time was nearing 12:00 P.M., and I was just getting ready to pull out my phone to ask my mom if they were still coming. A few seconds later, the door opened, and it was my mom. Surprisingly, my father was right behind her, dressed sharp, like he always was. He even wore a hat, but he quickly removed it the second he made it into the building. I was trying to read him, but honestly, it was hard to tell. He didn’t look happy, but at the same time, he didn’t look angry either.
My mother was smiling from ear to ear as she walked in a hurry to reach me. She caught up with me and wrapped her arms around me, telling me how proud she was of me.
“I’m so happy right now, Normani. All those people are standing outside these doors to support you. This moment makes me so proud to be your mother,” she told me, and she even teared up a little bit.
I thanked her as I lifted my hands up and wiped a tear that fell from her eyes. After she and I had our moment, my father came over and hugged me as well.
“Although you and I are nowhere near being on the best of terms, I have to admit that I am happy for you. I know how hard you worked for this. Will he be here this afternoon? If so, your mother and I have come, we’ve witnessed what a success this is, but we will gladly leave right now,” my father spat.
The second I was about to respond, the doors opened again. This time, Twinkle walked in, and Billion was right behind her. My heart started beating a mile per minute because I had no idea how this moment would turn out.
My father’s head whipped around, and he saw Billion in the flesh. I watched as he sucked his teeth. My mother was smiling from ear to ear as she looked at Billion. When I saw Billionaire’s shirt, I had to admit that it got a smile out of me. This man was a mess, and he always did things that shocked the heck out of me. He wore a white V-neck shirt, which fit him perfectly. In black writing, the shirt read, The Pretty A$$ Author is My Girl. I knew my father probably wanted to kill him because of his shirt. It was pretty much rubbed in his face that even if he didn’t like it, I was still going to continue seeing him.
Billion wore black jeans, but they weren’t hanging as low as his jeans would usually hang. Black Nike Air Max sneakers were on his feet, a couple of Cuban link chains were around his neck, plus a watch was on his wrist. His waves were perfect like they always were, and his beard was nice and full. Billion was constantly surprising me; he always came with flowers, and each time, the flowers would be more beautiful than the previous time. He walked with that perfect swagger as he made his way over to me, not even caring that my father was staring a hole through him like he wanted to kill him.
“I’m trying to figure out why you’re here!” was the first thing that daddy said to Billionaire.
“Daddy. Come on. Don’t do this. My event is getting ready to start,” I said, looking at the time on my watch and seeing that it would be twelve o’clock in the next two minutes.
“Don’t daddy me! Why is this thug here? There are hundreds of people here from the church, people that I went to school with, so many people that I know. You are a representation of me, and look who you have here! Look at this, Normani! Look at what this fool’s shirt says!” my dad spat.
He was angry; I could see it in the way his veins were popping out the side of his neck with every word he spoke.
“Daddy, these people are here to see me, not you! I am a representation of you, but look at me! I make you look good! What does him being here have to do with you? You don’t even know him! You are just finding any reason not to like him. You can dislike him, but you don’t have to be disrespectful!” I said, my voice getting a little louder than it should have because I didn’t like the way my father was talking about Billionaire.
What’s so crazy is that I knew Billionaire had a temper. I knew that if he wanted to, he could get really disrespectful with my father, but for whatever reason, he chose not to. I was thankful for that because this could get ugly.
“No! What’s disrespectful is you continuing to entertain this bum after I’ve told you not to!” my dad said, and I knew right then, it was going to go left.
“Yo, I done let you call me a thug, a fool, and a bum! You call me anything else other than my name, and you’re going to taste the bottom of my foot! I was always taught to respect my elders, so I’ve really been letting you slide, but give me the same respect that I’ve been giving you for the last five minutes. You ain’t see me act a fool yet. I should have acted a fool the first time you called me out of my name, but I fuck with your daughter heavy, so out of respect for her, I’m sparing you. You don’t know shit about me, so watch your mouth, man. An old man ain’t exempt from having to feel me. Normani, congrats on everything today, beautiful. Here, I got this for you. Ima dip because I don’t want to ruin your event,” Billionaire said and handed me the flowers.
I didn’t want him to leave. In fact, it felt good that he even came to support.
“No. Don’t leave. I don’t want you to,” I told him.
“Just go! The event is getting ready to start, and you’re obviously not wanted here!” My father just wouldn’t let up.
My mom grabbed his arm and tried to usher him out of the building, but he pushed her off him.
“Not wanted by who? You? The woman of the hour wants me here, and that’s all that matters. Please, listen to your wife, man. I’m really trying to keep my cool, but you’re pushing me,” Billionaire said.
“Dad, thank you for coming. As much as I would love for you to be here, you have been nothing but negative since the second you walked in. If you can’t genuinely support me and all my hard work, then you can just go,” I said.
“I just want you to remember this moment. When he’s slamming your head into the wall, don’t you dare call me. When you lose your values on your purity ring, and you begin to carry babies for this man out of wedlock, and he stomps those babies out of you, don’t you remember me then. You chose your side, Normani, and you better stay there. You let this man stand here and threaten me twice, and each time, you didn’t say anything to stop it. You are no longer welcomed into my home or my church. I hope it works out, although I’m wise enough to know that it won’t. Good day.” With that, he turned around to leave.
