23.

Y/N

"Y/N come to the dinner" Laila said as we were in target going grocery shopping for my place. "I don't feel like seeing Michael" I honestly said feeling torn between in my feelings with how I feel towards him. "Yeah but its his birthday" Laila brought up as I just shook my head then grabbed some tomatoes. "What even happened to you two?!" She asked.

"Something that's should of never happened" I mumbled under my breath.

"Y/N come on" Laila said "Laila no" I repeated. "Michael would've done it for you" Laila stated. "No he wouldn't have" I honestly started off. "I've spent hella birthdays without him while I was in Atlanta so please let's not go there?" I asked pushing the cart. "So be the bigger person with whatever is going on" she suggested. "I am" I started off. "Which is why I'm stepping back from him in the first place." I added. "So no" I answered.

"So no?" She asked "even if Keith went?" She added. "I don't want Keith in the midst of anything Micheal and I have going on because it has nothing to do with him" I expressed. "Well it's only fair Keith goes if Lori is going to be there" Laila said trying to convince. "Or hear me out" I started off. "I don't go" I simply said as she sucked her teeth and I laughed getting some Lemons. "Besides why do you want me to go so badly?" I asked.

"I don't know maybe you can talk to Micheal , he's been acting different lately" Laila said as I got a bag of limes checking them before placing it into the cart. "Different how?" I asked heating for the grapes. "From what I heard he keeps to himself now" Laila said as I laughed. "If you're trying to get me to talk to him, you're doing a poor job at it" I started off. "Y/N I'm serious" she started off. "No like seriously Auntie Donna is concerned about him she said ever since he was getting into character for black panther he's been different" Laila explained.

"Well Michael is grown, he has Lori and a strong support system I'm sure he'll be alright" I simply answered. "Wow it's like that towards him now?" Laila asked. "Laila what do you want me to do?! I can't make someone do something they don't want to do" I explained. "You can at least talk to him

And check up on him" Laila expressed. "And say what Laila?" I shot back.

"Why won't you just be the bigger person?" She asked "because I'm tired of being the bigger person" I simply said. "Whatever I don't care anymore I just thought you should come" she said as I continued getting some fruit. Once we were done going food shopping I dropped Laila back off at home then went back to my place. I was reading a book as my phone started to ring and I seen Michael's name and picture pop up. I just silenced it continuing to read the book.

Around 6 I got a text from Laila the time and location of the dinner. I stood in the kitchen reading the invite over and over before deciding to go to the dinner. I dialed Keith's number and placed my phone to my ear as it went to voicemail.

I went upstairs getting into the shower. Once I was finished with my shower I brushed my teeth and threw on a robe beginning to do my hair and makeup. "Wish your love away" by Brandy begun to play as I just sung along to the song lowly.

I finished my make up doing a natural glam look then placed my hair into and updo style.

I then placed lotion all over my body before slipping into my dress and my nude pair of red bottoms. I grabbed a wristlet placing my important cards, lip gloss and phone into the wristlet. I placed a pair of small drop earrings into my ears.

I then placed a simple bracelet on that matched my earrings then sprayed my body with some Valentino perfume. I grabbed my wristlet going downstairs getting my car keys along with my tan trench coat leaving the front open with a view of my dress.

I turned out all the lights to the house and locked up going on my way to the dinner at Nobu. Once I got by the restaurant I parked my car walking down the street to the restaurant due to hella people out at this time in LA. I was walking as reporters started popping up one by one. I just continued to walk ignoring them. I then walked passed a Rolex shop just casually looking in the window as I stopped and looked seeing one that caught my eye.

I walked up to the window getting a better view then decided to go in leaving the reporters right where they were at.

"Hi what can I do for you?" A man asked. "That watch in the window in the middle" I started off "it's a rare, special edition watch called Rolex president, day to date platinum diamond watch" he said. "How much is it?" I asked. "The buying price is 74k" he started off. "Are you able to engrave it?" I questioned.

"Is your husband or boyfriend with you?" He asked looking around me. "No it's just me" I answered. "Can you engrave it or not?" I asked. "Yes" he answered "how long will it take?" I asked. "Five minutes" he said as I immediately pulled my card out of my wristlet. "You're paying for it?" He asked confused.

"Yes what's the problem?" I questioned. "Nothing" he said before getting the watch as I looked at him weird.

"Can you engrave MBJ into both sides of the case?" I asked. "Okay" he said before he rung it up and I swiped my card. It immediately approved as he looked at me. "It'll be done in five minutes" he assured before handing me my receipt and I took it from him.

The engraving was soon done as he placed it back into the box and placed it into a nice gift bag with white tissue paper. I thanked the man before putting my card up and grabbing the gift bag before walking out. I then walked into Nobu going to the section they had rented out seeing all of Michaels family, my family and his friends. I then seen Lori as her and Michael were smiling at each other.

I was contemplating on walking right back out before anybody actually saw me but then I heard my name. "Fuck" I thought to myself. "Y/N" I heard Miss Donna say before getting up as all the attention was now on me.

Not only did I stop talking to Michael but I kind of avoided mostly everyone so I didn't have to talk about Michael constantly. The only people I didn't avoid was Dani, Laila and Steelo. "Hi baby" she greeted before hugging me as I faintly smiled and hugged back. I then noticed Lori's mother and father was here also. I said hi to everyone at the table as they greeted me back and went back to their conversations. I immediately handed my gift to Michael . "Happy birthday" I simply said as he took it and I walked away going to a seat in between Laila and Dani.

I took my jacket off revealing my dress fully as I looked up meeting eyes with Michael. I quickly looked away

and set my wristlet on my lap before sitting down. "Thank you" Laila thanked as I faintly smiled at her before feeling someone look at me. I just looked seeing Michael look at me. I then looked away looking over at Dani. "If you nervous. I got some edibles" she said lowly as we just smiled at each other. "Right in my purse" she added making me stick my hand out under the table.

She handed me two sour patch kids as I smiled and placed them in my mouth immediately as she did the same. About fifteen minutes it started to kick in and literally everything that everybody was talking about went in one ear and out the other. Good thing we were in low light so nobody seen how low my eyes were really.

I grabbed Dani's hand as we looked at each other and laughed. Steelo just looked at us from across the table and scrunched his brow. "You two alright?" He asked as we finally looked at him and he immediately knew what was up.

"You got some snacks or something?" I asked Laila. "We're at a restaurant why would I have snacks?" She asked before looking at me. "Really?" She asked as I just placed my finger over my lips as Dani and I started snickering at Laila.

"Order us an appetizer" Dani started off "we'll pay you back" I added. "No, let them order their food for themselves I'm trying to see something" Steelo said to Laila. Dani and I continued to hold hands as we started swaying together to the music that was in my head.

"Sweet lady, would you be my, sweet lover for a lifetime" i lowly sung as Dani snickered. "I was thinking the same song" she said in my ear as we shared a snicker.

The waiter came beginning to take everyone's order as I was looking at my menu trying to practice what I wanted to say before the waiter came to Dani and I. The waiter then came to me with a big smile. "Y'all got chicken nuggets?" I asked between the waiter and I but Dani, Laila and Steelo heard.

"Ma'am we sell Japanese food here" he said. "Sir just get them both the creamy spicy crab" Steelo started off as Dani and I just smiled at each other "and two orders each please?" Steelo added.

"We'll make sure their food comes out first" the man assured "thank you for being so understanding" Steelo thanked as Dani and the waiter fist bumped each other. "You so pretty" I complimented Dani. "You too" I said looking over at Laila. I just felt Laila rub my back "and I'm only friends with the baddest women in the game" Dani said as I smirked. "Owe. I know that's right" I said to myself  as Steelo just chuckled.

The first plate Steelo ordered for Dani and I got to the table as we were the very first to get our food and then everyone's food started trickling down to the table. "This shit good as fuck" Dani said placing her hand over her mouth as she spoke lowly for just us to hear. "The fuck Michael keep looking at?" I asked as Dani and I looked at him and he looked at us. Michael then looked at Steelo. "High" Steelo mouthed.

"As a kite" he added loudly as Michael was the only one paying attention due to different conversations going on at the table. Michael just shook his head as I just continued eating my food and staring at Dani. "What?" She asked smiling big. "Steelo got a baddie" I hyped. "Eat your food" Steelo said as we finished our first plate in time for the second one that just got brought to the table as they took the finished ones.

"You two must really like the creamy spicy crab" Lori brought up as we both nodded. "What does it taste like?" Lori asked. "God, this bitch about to blow my high" Dani lowly stressed. "Cheese and crab it's really good" Steelo answered as Dani and I smiled and nodded. "Y/N I've been hearing so much about you between my daughter and the news" Lori's mother started off as I nodded. "So do you have a boyfriend?" She asked "yes, he just wasn't abled to make it tonight" I admitted.

"I know you and Michael have been not talking lately I'm surprised you came to the dinner" Lori started as Michael just looked at her. "I came for the food honestly" I said with a little shrug, turning my head to continue to eat my food. "Y/N" I heard my mother say as I just looked at her as she immediately looked at Dani as Dani and I let out a snicker.

By the time the dinner was done I was now coming down from my high but I was tired. I left out earlier saying goodbye to everyone heading straight to the car. I got in and started it up as I turned the heat on. There was then a knock on my window as I looked and seen Lori.

I rolled my window down and looked at her "yes?" I questioned. "You literally haven't spoke to this man in months and now all of a sudden you pop up at his birthday dinner with a gift?" She asked. "Lori this is between him and I, why do you care?" I questioned . "Because you're affecting his mood to where he's lashing out at me because of the things you're doing" she explained.

"I don't know what you want me to do" I honestly said. "You need to stay away so he can move on" Lori said as I just nodded. "This is something you have no idea about so can we please?" I simply asked. "You like him what's not to get?" She asked as I looked at her crazy. "Excuse me?" I asked "you like him and you have a problem he's finally dating someone" she said. "Girl who the hell told you that?!" I asked in a small laugh. "Don't make him suffer because you're upset he's with someone other than you" she said as I just nodded.

"Okay Steve Harvey" I teased sarcastically rolling up my window. "Girl go to hell" I said to myself before pulling off and going home.