When I'm With You

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The next morning, I have rehearsals. Once we go through the set once, I see Mariah walking into the club. She takes a seat at the bar and waits on us to finish the song. Once done, we take a break and she motions me over. Walking over to the bar, I'm handed a bottled water and Mariah says "You must be Sophia." I look at her and say "I am." She smirks and asks "You know who I am?" I nod. "Then you know what I can do." she states and again I nod. "Then I should only have to say this one time. Stay away from Shades. He's mine. I find you talking to him or even entertaining the idea of him, I'll make sure you never work in this town again." she tells me. "He's free to see who he wants to see." I tell her. "True. But if you want to keep your job, you'll stay away from him because if you don't, I can make you disappear." she tells me before walking away.

That evening, I walk out of the club and see the car there waiting. Bruno is standing by the door, holding it open. "Good evening Miss James." he says. "Hey Bruno. I'm gonna walk today. I need to clear my head." I tell him. "Shades wants me to take you home." he tells me. "I understand but I need to clear my head for a while. Please tell him thank you." I say before walking off. I walk to this little park and sit. It's still early evening so it's not dark yet and I just sit and look at the little pond and think. Before I know it, it's dark and I check my phone for the time. I see over a dozen texts and voicemails from Hernan. I feel a tear fall and I wipe it away as I stand to head home.

Walking up to my apartment, Hernan is standing outside my door, waiting. "Holy shit. There you are. I was worried. Why didn't you answer your phone?" he asks worried. I feel the tears start to fill my eyes and I say "I can't do this Hernan. I'm sorry." I say as I let myself into my apartment and locking the door, leaving him there shocked. I head to my bedroom and lay on the bed sobbing. I really want to be with Hernan but I can't.

Hernan walks back into Harlem's Paradise, sits at the bar and orders a glass of whiskey. "Something wrong boss? Bruno said it seemed like something was wrong with Miss James when she left here." Quinton asks. "I don't know what the hell happened. I thought things were fine." Hernan says. One of the bartenders overhears and speaks up. "I might be able to shed some light on that for you." Hernan turns to him and the bartender says "Mr Stokes cousin was in here when she finished rehearsals and I overheard her telling Sophia that she wasn't to have anything to do with you that you were hers. She told Sophia that she would make sure she didn't get work in Harlem again if she didn't stay away from you." Hernan runs his hand down his face and says "Shit." The bartender says "There's more." Hernan looks at him and says "Sophia told her you were free to see who you wanted to see and Ms Dillard told her that if she continued to see you, she would make Sophia disappear." Hernan hears this and stands. "We never had this conversation." Hernan says. "Of course. Just take care of her." the bartender says. Hernan runs out the door and to my apartment.

I'm sitting on the couch, with a cup of tea, trying to calm my nerves when there's a knock on the door. I get up and look out the peephole and see Hernan standing there. I walk away from the door. "Sophia, baby, open up. I know you're in there." he tells me and I still don't open the door. "I'll stand out here all night calling your name if you don't open up." he tells me. I finally open the door and he walks in with Quinton and Bruno behind him. "Sure, come on in." I say as I close the door. "Why didn't you tell me what Mariah said?" he asks. "Doesn't matter." I tell him as I walk back to the island where I sat my tea down. He walks over and tilts my head up and says 'It matters to me." I move away from him. "You shouldn't be here." I say. "Why? Because Mariah threatened you?" he asks. I don't say anything. "I'll handle Mariah. We belong together and nothing changes that." he tells me. He pulls me to him and I start to sob in his arms. "It's okay baby." he says. He nods to his guys and they leave us alone. He leads me to the couch and says "I'll handle her. I'll let the band know you won't be in for a few days." he tells me. "Hernan, I need this job." I tell him. "I'll help you with whatever you need." he tells me. "It's not your responsibility." I tell him. "You're my girl. Mine. That makes you my responsibility as much as I am yours. We're in this together. Remember?" he says and I just nod as I start to sob again. He pulls me close and comforts me as he tries to figure out how to hand this shit with Mariah.