When I'm With You

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The next morning, I wake up and am curled up on the couch with Hernan. I get up and head to the kitchen to start coffee when he starts to stir. I'm standing at the counter, waiting on the coffee to brew when I feel his arms wrap around me. "Are you okay?" he asks softly in my ear. "I don't know." I tell him honestly. Turning me around, he kisses me softly and ask "Do you want to be with me?" I look into his eyes and say "Yes...but..." He cuts me off. "Do you want to be with me?" He asks again. "Yes." I say. "Then let me handle everything. I'm leaving Bruno here with you for the day while I handle things." he says. "Okay but what happens if I lose my job? I need this job Hernan." I tell him. "You won't. And if you do? I'll take care of you." he tells me and I nod. After we have our coffee, he kisses me softly and says "I'll handle everything. Stay here until I get back." he tells me and I nod. "Please be careful." I tell him. "I will baby. I'll be back." he says before walking out the door.

An hour later, Hernan walks into Mariah Dillard's office. "Hello Hernan." she greets him smiling. She walks over and tries to push herself up against him but he pushes her away. "We need to talk." he says sternly. "What about. Is everything okay?" she asks concerned. "No. It's not. I know about you threatening Sophia. I don't care what pull you have or what you want to happen between us, I am with Sophia. You have no say over that." he tells her. "If she continues to see you, I will end her." Mariah says, getting pissed. "No. You won't. You see, I happen to know just where Cottonmouth gets his financial backing and I have the proof of it, so, unless you want your entire career ruined and to spend the rest of your life in prison, you will leave Sophia alone. Because, believe me, prison orange isn't your color." he tells her before walking out, leaving her stunned.

A few hours later, I am sitting on the couch, planning out my setlist when Hernan comes in. As he comes in, Bruno leaves, and he walks over to me. "What are you doing?" He asks. "Working on my setlist. I don't know why though." I tell him and he looks at me concerned. "As soon as Mariah finds out that we're still together, she's going to have her cousin fire me." I tell him, sitting back defeated. "I spoke to Mariah. I have a little leverage and used it to ensure she doesn't mess with you." he tells me. I look at him a little shocked and he says "I meant what I said. We're in this together. You're mine Sweetheart." he tells me before kissing me softly. I lean against him and he pulls me as close as he can get me. We spend the rest of the day just curled up together, talking. That night, we head to bed and once he kisses me goodnight, he doesn't push me for more yet.

The next morning, I get up and head to Harlem's Paradise. Bruno drives me so that Hernan can make sure that I get there safe. Walking in, I walk to the stage and hand the stage manager my setlist. "What are you doing here?" he asks. "Getting ready for rehearsals. Why?" I ask. I see Cottonmouth walking up "Because you no longer work here." he tells me. "What? Why?" I ask. "My cousin is part owner and says she doesn't want you working here anymore." he tells me. "I'm sorry Sophia." he tells me. "Yeah. Okay. Thanks." I say as I turn around and walk out the door. I take out my phone and call Hernan. "Hey Sweetheart. I thought you were at rehearsals." he says. "Yeah. Not anymore. Cottonmouth fired me." I tell him. "I'll send Bruno." he says. "Don't. I need to clear my head. I'll walk." I say as I hang up the phone. I walk to the same park that I did before and just sit. I was there for just a little while when Hernan sits on the bench beside me. "I'm sorry." he tells me. "Don't be. Hernan, she's not going to stop until she has you." I tell him. "Let me worry about that." he tells me. "No. She wants you. You should be with her. I need to decide what my next step is." I tell him as I get up and walk off, leaving him sitting there.

I walk into my apartment and lock the door. I sit on the couch and sob. That was my dream job. I lost my dream job because I decided to be with someone that actually cares about me. Now, I can't have either. This thought makes me sob harder. I hear a knock at my door and look through the peephole and see my landlord standing there. I open the door and he says "I'm sorry to do this but you're being evicted. You have until the end of the week to be out." he tells me before walking away. I close the door and fall to the floor sobbing. I'm still sobbing when there's another knock on the door. I don't even look before opening the door. I see Hernan standing there. He walks in and closes the door and pulls me to him. "Baby, talk to me." he says. I pull away from him and say "You shouldn't be here." He steps closer to me and cups my face in his hands and says "I'm not going anywhere." I shake my head and say "Well, apparently I am." I tell him, handing him the eviction notice still in my hand. "I'm calling my cousin back home and going to see if I can stay with her." I tell him. "No you aren't. I'm not letting you go. You'll move in with me." he says. "Hernan..." I start but he cuts me off. "You're my girl. I'll take care of you. I promise." he says. "Okay." I say before his lips softly touch mine and he pulls me into his arms.