Janeka and I sat across from each other in the living room doing our own thing at my house. Cherry was curled up in her bed, nibbling on one of the many chew toys while Janeka was bundled up under one of my baby pink blankets. She seemed to be scrolling endlessly and every so often she would suck her teeth, roll her eyes, or mumble something under her breath. I didn't think much about it but after a while I was starting to get annoyed.

"Girl, what's got your thong in a knot?" I teased while taking a screenshot of a candied yam, salmon and cornbread recipe I found online. I already wrote down the ingredient and now I was walking over to my money bag in the living room from last night's earnings at the club. I had to remind myself to eventually get a safe and a money machine because I was tired of counting the shit by hand.

"ain't nothing." Janeka murmured, her eyes still glued to the screen.

"if it wasn't nothing you wouldn't be glued to your phone like you had john's and shit you were texting."

Janeka flashed me a look like I had knew something she didn't know I knew. She took a moment, shook her head as if to convince herself otherwise, and went back to her phone.

What is her problem? I tried to shake it off but Janeka was acting so strange lately. She been coming to work late and her makeup has been thicker and thicker lately. She didn't even need the makeup but when someone brought it up to her she would just up and snap at them. I took it first hand not to say shit to her because over time me and her got close. And some shit you just don't wanna pick fights about if you don't have to.

"Janeka," I called out, grabbing my purse and keys. "You wanna come with me to the store or you wanna stay here?"

"And stay here so Cherry can harass me? Girl you know I'm coming. You don't even have wine!" Janeka teased. She jumped up off the couch, pulled down her baby tee as much as possible and began to walk towards me until her phone lit the fuck up. I watched her with a raised eyebrow as she stopped dead in her tracks. She never was the type to stop her show for nobody so it was pretty interesting to see her out of her element.

"Uh," Janeka stammered, "I actually have to go. My granny needs some help cooking dinner for my brothers so imma head out."

I didn't think she was going to see her grandma worth a damn but I just charged the shit to the game. Shit does happen, after all.

"Alright, cool. You want me to walk you to your car?"

"No that's okay. I got it from here."

Without saying much else, she grabbed her bag and headed out the door in what someone would assume to be a rush. I couldn't help but notice how annoyed and worried she looked in her phone so maybe, just maybe, it was her grandma.

I looked at the door, then Cherry who was looking at me with bone in mouth and all, then back at the door.

"Guess I'm going to the store myself then." I murmured.

-

I plopped back down on the couch with Cherry resting peacefully on my lap. Since Janeka was gone I had said fuck it and opted to cook tomorrow.

I sent Q a text and it didn't even show to be sent this time. I felt a sense of worry build up inside of me. I didn't know what it was but something told me in the back of my mind that since the day Dominic old fuck ass came to my apartment, Q instantly shifted his energy. Which I kicked myself about because I was secretly beginning to like him.

But I had to remember one quick fact: Q doesn't even know my real life. He doesn't know that I'm choosing to strip to rebel and that I don't really have to do this shit. I know it's a small thing to hide in the beginning of a talking/dating phase but the regular person would frown upon someone living essentially a double life, right? Fuck it, I guess.

I sent him another message off principle and just took a deep breath.

Hey, I don't know what's going on with you but I'm worried. I'd like for us to talk and get whatever is off our chest if there is anything.. call me when you see this. Be safe. Xx

I would hate for my sorry, heartbroken ass ex to be the reason that I miss out on getting to know someone I actually liked. I'd literally never forgive him.

I pushed the message to send as a text and put it back down on my island kitchen.

It was almost 8:30. I needed to get ready for this date with Dominic. I hoped to God that after this date he would get the hint and leave me the fuck alone. 

I didn't even realize when I went to my bathroom to start getting ready, Rich was blowing up my phone as well for the date I forgot I agreed to have. 

-

Hello hello hello everyone!

I hope everyone is doing well. 

Needless to say even though my hiatus was needed & enjoyed, I missed y'all!

Not much to say except lets enjoy the ride Pink Sake is going to take us on! 

Also, excuse the length, i'm lowkey rusty. But its back to the quality come next chapter!

Love y'all! xx

- burgundy

P.S. Follow me on Twitter @AMOURDYNASTY to keep up with me and connect!