Reflections || Prince

Reflections || Chapter 17

1994

The Artist

"I found out who Valerie's dating!" One of my personal assistants yelled out loud in the lobby a few days later. I didn't know what to think until my eyes peeked outside the wooden door. Even some of my quiet studio workers snooped around, nosey.

"Shemar Moore?" Beyond this door, my hair stylist Kim almost lost her cool. Other employees here in the studio laughed. I wasn't the biggest fan of Soaps, but I learned somewhere that Shemar joined "Young and The Restless" and starred in a Toni Braxton music video. Apparently, he was the newest Ladies Man these days.

"Happy now?" Valerie picked up on the second phone ring. Most of my employees had left me alone to deal with this talk and closed that studio door for privacy reasons. There was no other choice, especially since Val could've argued this time.

"Cat's out of the bag, I guess. I was just curious. Now, you've got my entire staff tripping about Shemar and it's a joke, but even Kim wants to fight you." There was a mix of humor and heartbreak in my voice. Maybe this was more karma for me.

"Tell Kim I said hi, but Toni introduced me to Shemar." Valerie permitted herself to chuckle on the other line. My heartbreak just continued. Guilt, insecurity, and envy ran through my veins, but I couldn't hang up yet. She sounded so adorable now.

It didn't even help that recent pictures showed Valerie going out with Shemar. These two looked extremely cute together. Their smiles were infectious and I wouldn't fuss like this unless Valerie still meant the world to me, and she did.

In one photograph, Val left a restaurant while holding Shemar's hand. A black slip dress curved around her body. Gold earrings with this matching bracelet sparkled under moonlight. Her curls faced the ground as she closed her eyes and smiled.

"I'm happy for you." I lied, rather than argue during this conversation. There was still no other choice. My heart broke all over again, but I continued smiling, trying not to cry. As I've said time and time again, I missed my girl. No matter what drama took place between us, I still cared. Other people would never understand.

Only some distractions of music would stop me from concentrating on the pain in my heart. My soul. My mind. She helped me with everything for years, but I needed to shift this hurt again. Without her, I needed more drive. Something different.

____

Several ceremonies and performances later, I saw Val again. She hid in the audience at the VH1 Honors with Shemar. During applause between "Interactive and Endorphinmachine" Mayte and I gestured towards them, just saying hello.

After giving my speech for this charity award that night, I would've usually skipped parties and headed back to the studio or something. Yet, something in my thoughts told me otherwise. Ready with bodyguards as usual, I joined peers, soon going out.

Yet, I still cornered myself away from the dance floor clamor and watched over everyone in this high-rise VIP section. Band members were near, but I couldn't care about their talking points. One of the bouncers told me that Val was up here, too.

Sure enough, Valerie sat on this loveseat. Another perfect outfit shaped her body and I swooned as her makeup still appeared flawless. Terrible venue lighting would've usually ruined people's entire look. As music thumped everywhere tonight, Pretty boy Shemar had looped his arm around Val's shoulder. Colgate smile and all.

"They're so cute! Why are you so upset?" Looking towards Val and Shemar, now Mayte offered the question between sips of water. I didn't want to dock someone else's pay tonight, especially not if she was still a main dancer in my own shows.

"You wouldn't understand." I sighed towards Mayte. In the past, Val was my best friend. She looked overjoyed with someone else and deserved the connection before my eyes, but this hurt. She laughed with Shemar over the music and clanked Champagne flutes. Shemar even kissed the top of her head at one point.

I left this party soon after.

______

"The Gold Experience" wouldn't release until next year, but I kept working overtime. Business as usual. All kinds of promotion still needed to take place, especially since Warner Bros. had offered that ticking time bomb with my contract.

"Val's on TV!" Mayte tried not to squeal at this late hour. My head whipped around as she rushed to turn up the video. NPG had finished three shows at Glam Slam in Miami, most of my band members were out partying. Yet, I still watched the screen. My hotel suite was pretty much secluded again, leaving enough privacy.

This suited news anchor on screen raved about celebrity news. Minutes later, footage showed Shemar and Val sitting across from one another. My heart both thumped and dropped. Shemar faced Valerie with adoration in his perfect eyes.

"Toni Braxton introduced us. Thanks, girl." Valerie chuckled between words, but as soon as she raised her left hand, my eyes widened.

A diamond ring blinded me from the television.