Monet DaSilva

"Everything looks great, honestly it could've been so much worse. I'm just going to give you a prescription for the pain from your bruising and your sprained ankle; please remember to keep it elevated for the next for weeks, ice it on and off as well as try your best to stay off of it alright?" I nodded, listening to her instructions. "I'm also going to throw in some prenatal vitamins for that baby that's growing beautifully. Just try your best not to do too much stressing, it isn't good for the baby." The nurse smiled, rubbing my stomach. "With that being said you can go ahead and get yourself ready to be discharged. Alright?" the lady smiled at me once more before stepping out of my room.

My father let out a sigh of relief, "and that is why a pregnant woman shouldn't be at the club."

"Not right now, dad." I shot back at him, swinging my legs over the side of my bed.

"Monet. I know you're sad about spraining your ankle but look you could've lost your life and the baby at that."

"Track is my life dad!" I shook my head, "you just wouldn't understand."

"Of course, I once loved basketball as much as you love to run but my love for it never surpassed my love for life. Monet, you being alive today is a blessing. I keep telling you, on my way into this room last night; I passed so many crying parents and families, I could've been here doing the same. I'd take one little sprain over you being gone, any day."

"Once again, I say; you don't understand. Please, pass me my clothes." I outstretched my hand for the overnight bag he had packed and brought back earlier today. My dad scoffed, before placing the bag next to me on the bed. "Privacy." I added, opening the bag to pull out a tracksuit and some undergarments.

I waited for my dad to leave and shut the door, once I was alone; I held my head down and I shut my eyes. Allowing the images from last night continuously play over and over and over again. Normally my memories would be blurred or broken into bits and pieces; but these; were the most vivid images I had ever seen. I saw everything, heard everything and felt... everything. Every stomp, every kick, every body that fell on top of mine. Every time I remembered this however, the last thing I remembered were those brown eyes and soft lips that told me, everything was going to be alright. That was my last memory; him. I had so many questions for him, I wanted to know where he came from, why he chose to save me out of all people and most importantly; if he knew all of this was going to happen.

"Ugh!" I opened my eyes and rubbed the back of my neck. Although I know everyone was telling me it could've been so much worse; they didn't truly understand that this sprain was a setback in my career. I was just starting to live my dream and as if this pregnancy wasn't bad enough, I was now sentenced to 4-week bedrest when I should be on the track, training my ass off.

I swear, just when things were starting to look good for me, something always had to ruin it for me.

I angrily worked my body out of the hospital gown and into the clothes my dad brought me. Using the crutches provided, I took a spin on them and walked myself to the bathroom. I flipped on the light and the image was so heart breaking; the scars, bruising and swelling. As I touched them; I heard the echoing of gunshots. That nearly caused me to jump.

I clutched my chest and tried to calm down my breathing. "It's all in your head... Monet," I coached myself before washing my face and shutting off the lights.

As I walked back into the bedroom, my dad knocked and poked his head into the room with his eyes shut. "May I come in?"

"Yeah. I'm done. I'm ready to go home."

"Well your doctors on the way back in, let's just get that hoodie of your sweater on cause it's raining out there." he said, inching closer to me. I tried to lean on my crutches to do so, but it was so new to me, that I almost fell over. Just like old times, my father zipped up my sweater for me and placed the hat he had on his head, on top of mine. For extra protection, he put the hood on for me. "Perfect." He kissed my forehead and placed his chin on top of my head. "Thank you, Jesus," he whispered. "Thank. You. Jesus." This time his voice was shaky and I heard a few sniffles.

I looked up to my dad's eyes shut tightly, but the tears he tried to hide were already streamed down his face. I nearly broke down at the sight, I hadn't ever seen my father cry, he didn't even cry when my mother got sick, nor did he cry at her funeral. For as long as I could remember, this was the first time witnessing him so... vulnerable. "Daddy don't cry."

"It's hard not to baby girl," he chuckled. "it's my job to protect you and I feel like I just keep failing every single time. From your first pregnancy, not being able to give you the things you needed, not being able to make ends meet in the past, every heartbreak you've experienced, when those girls used to bully you, what happened at the club; I feel like I'm the worst father out there."

I wiped away his tears with the pad of my thumb and rested my head against his chest. "I'm sorry for my attitude," I spoke softly, "I love you dad, you're amazing and I'm so blessed to have a father like you. I don't get the chance to tell you as often as I'd like but I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for your love and for you always being there for me, motiving me to better and be better. You're my hero, dad."

"I love you more princess," he kissed my forehead once more then dried away the rest of his tears with the sleeve of his sweater.

As if on cue the nurse walked back in. "Great, you're all ready to leave. Here is your prescription, please do follow my instructions with that sprain. I really want to see you running during the Olympics." She smiled, "I'm rooting for you."

"Thank you." I returned the smile and took the prescription from her hands. "I appreciate everything."

We wrapped up our goodbyes and finally I was able to go home. As we walked outside the room I couldn't help but notice the four men that stood outside of it; they dressed in black pants and a black shirt that read; security. "What is all of this?" I asked, looking at all of their faces.

"Like I said in there, I've failed and I don't plan on failing anymore."

"So, all this security... is for me?"

"Correct." Nadia answered, popping out from around the corner with cup of Starbucks coffee. "It's good to see you up on your feet Monet." She said, rubbing my shoulder.

"After everything that went down last night, the media has been going crazy. I decided that if you needed a manager, now would be the time; especially with you having to be out for a few weeks. I figured Nadia could hook you up with some brand deals and even some interviews to keep you in the spotlight."

"Which won't be hard at all, not to say that what happened last night was a good thing; but trust me. It is about to open a whole bunch of doors you didn't even know you would get to see." Nadia gave me a quick little grin before sipping her coffee.

"Let's get out of here sweetie." My dad said.

"Let's."

Walking out of the car, the lights began to flash causing me to nearly go blind. Paparazzi left right and centre. I stood there like a deer caught in headlights, I had two crutches and could barely move as swift as I wanted to. My security tried ushering me through the mess of people that wanted pictures, and paparazzi that stood too close for comfort, but with me moving so slow; I was becoming irritated with everything. I wanted to cuss them so badly but I had to remember my image.

Just as I stopped to take a break and stop myself from getting angry, I felt someone take my crutches from behind. "What the?" I turned around to see... him. The stranger from last night, he wore a smirk on his face as he lifted me up; bridal style and walked me through the crowd, over to the secluded area where my dad's car that awaited me. The man placed me into the passenger seat before shutting the door and walking around to the Jeep that was parked before us. The rest of the security got into the car with him also meanwhile Nadia climbed into the back of our car and my father jumped into the driver's side, cutting on the engine. He waited for the Jeep to drive off before he did the same.

"Dad..."

"Yes baby, you okay? Your leg is comfortable."

"I'm good... I'm good, I just want to know, who that man is?"

"Israel, Israel Dulaney. Your new head of security; he will be replacing Myles for the time being."

"You're missing a piece of that story Antonio." Nadia chimed in from the back.

"I'm still not too sure about that yet, that's why."

"There's nothing to worry about, like I told you earlier. Trust me and I will make sure your daughter makes it alongside the big names. She's injured which is a huge setback but if you stick by me and this plan she is going to stay relevant until she's back on her feet and ready for the Olympics."

"But I don't see why she can't just stay relevant by doing a couple photoshoots and those interviews."

"Like I told you before, yes, those will work but she needs something to shake up the internet."

"Ok, ok!" I held my hands up, "someone please clue me in because I am beyond lost. What are you guys talking about?"

I watched my dad clench his jaw, meanwhile Nadia shuffled in the back before handing me her phone. Looking down, my eyes zoomed in on the latest #BaeWatch on theshaderoom; it was a picture of me and 'Israel' going into the club last night. The caption read; Monet DaSilva, upgraded and onto the next one. #GetItSis #WhatsHisInstaAskinForAFriend.

The comment section was wild and the number of likes were beyond what I had ever received on an article before.

"That's what I'm talking about, that picture is on every blog site as well as in today's UsWeekly magazine. You guys are the couple of the moment."

"But we aren't even together." I laughed, "I don't even know him." I gave her back her phone and chuckled in my seat.

"Not yet. The idea is for you to get to know him, run with this image the media has already set for you and stay relevant until you can run again."

"Oh, no no no no no. I've had enough of these relationships, I am so not interested."

"Exactly, I agree with Monet." My dad commented.

"Brand deals and interviews are going to have to do because I am so not for getting to know anyone all over again. Been there, done that and wasted my damn time."

"Listen, listen. Take it from me as a professional. Yes, you are amazing at what you do and of course all those things are great for staying in the spotlight but trust me when I tell you that nothing keeps your name buzzing more than you being boo'd up. For example, look at Karrueche, Selena Gomez, Kylie. All those A-list celebrities, you know their names, yes but the minute they get into a relationship or even post a picture with their boo, the internet eats it up and their name becomes trending again." I felt her place her hand on my shoulder. "My goal is to keep your name trending for the next four weeks, with the brand deals and interviews as an addition. Right now, you're getting major props from the social media community for moving onto the next. Israel and you suit each other well! I see people making parody pages and fan pages for the both of you; and y'all were only seen together once. Can you imagine what would happen if you went with my plan and just tried this thing out?"

"I don't know, that just seems so fake to me. I don't want to fool my supporters, they don't deserve that."

"Look, Monet. Just think about it, alright?"

"Fine, I'll think about it."

"That's good enough for me." She gave my shoulder a tap before sitting back in her seat. "I can't wait for you to say okay, I'm going to clean up his bad boy image, get him in some designer and have you guys become the power couple of 2018! I swear, I could see it already."

I shook my head, allowing her to just continue talking to herself. As we drove onto the highway, I couldn't help but turn to my dad and ask. "Replacing Myles?... Why?" I whispered.

"Uh, maybe we could have this conversation at home?"

"I think, I'd rather have it now." My brows knitted together.

"Well, Myles is taking some time off after losing his sister last night." He looked over at me, and it seemed as if he read my expression completely. "That's why I wanted to wait for us to get home, I wasn't too sure if you knew his sister or if you were close but he's taking it pretty hard."

"I... could only imagine." I sighed, before leaning back in my seat, fighting back my tears and trying to swallow the devastating news.

I wish I could've saved her.

--
So the person I had in my mind originally for this character wasn't cutting it. At all lol, so I decided to add some chocolate in the mix 😍 Donny savage, everyone