La Douleur Exquise

Chapter 10

After the show, Khalid was planning on going to the studio. Since I had been with him since eight in the morning, he let me have the night off. I was able to catch him alone before he left though, needing to talk to him about another opportunity I had been debating about. Something telling me I had to take it now regardless of everything else.

"I have to talk to you about something before you go."

He nodded, coming over to lean against the dresser I was sitting next to.

"Okay. About what?"

"Uh.. quitting."

He looked confused but just nodded, waiting for me to elaborate.

"Did you know I used to work for Normani?"

"Yeah of course. Why? Do you want to go back?"

I laughed before I could stop myself, starting to use my legs to spin the chair I was in side to side.

"No. We actually go way back, like grade school back. And before I... left we sort of had a not so pleasant falling out."

I paused trying to find the words, him taking the pause to put pieces together himself.

"And the meeting earlier didn't help, huh?"

"Actually I think it did sort of."

The confused look fell over his face again.

"Okay I'm really lost now."

"It's too much to explain but the dynamic of our friendship is changing and earlier only confused me more and..."

"And us about to work together soon would make it worse."

I sighed, shaking my head.

"I mean I could separate work and personal and I know she can too, but I think I just need to get like away away. Which brings me back to the quitting part. Kehlani's about to leave the country for a writing camp next week and I wanted to know if you could help finish seal the deal with me going with."

He was quiet for second making get nervous about his answer. After a few seconds though he sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

"I hate to let you go... but yeah. Sure."

"You sure?"

"Of course."

"Thank you. I really do like working with you. I just.."

"Nah, I get it. I'm glad you told me now instead of leaving me in an awkward middle man position with you two for hours on end. 'Cause from what I heard, we'd probably be working together for a couple weeks."

"Yeah. Perfectionist doesn't even begin to describe her."

He laughed along with me as he stood up off the dresser.

"Just give my manager the number and stuff. He'll handle it."

I nodded as he walked out so he could make his session. I was still spinning the chair, now gazing at the ceiling. I had to go meet Normani now. I couldn't just leave the country after what happened earlier. I still didn't know what was next though. I didn't even know what to say to her when I walked in.

I ignored my thoughts long enough to get up and walk towards the room before I could talk myself out of it and ruin this relationship anymore.

I put my hand on the handle of the already barely ajar door, stopping when I heard her friend groan clearly frustrated. Instead I took my hand off the door and just listened.

"Mani she doesn't care. I don't get what you see."

"You'll never get it. She loves me C. I'm not crazy. I know her."