Stassi saw her sister’s eyes flicker in a moment of uncertainty, and she frowned. “Are you?”
Before Charlie could answer, Demi approached, interrupting them as she placed a hand to the small of Charlie’s back.
“Demi,” Stassi greeted, her tone dry. “Good to see you’re taking care of my sister.”
“I’ma always do that,” Demi answered. “The chef’s ready to start serving dinner.” He grabbed Charlie’s hand and stole her away.
“Come on, you can sit next to us,” Charlie said, reaching back for Stassi.
“I’m good, go ahead. I’ll find a seat. I’m just going to grab a drink first,” Stassi said.
She turned and headed for the fancy bar Demi had arranged. She rolled her eyes as she grabbed a glass of champagne. She took it to the head because although she loved her sister, Demi just got under her skin. It was his dominance that bothered her most. He filled up all the space in the room. He was unfriendly. It was like he only had the patience for Charlie, and everyone else annoyed him.
“Fucking asshole,” she mumbled as she sipped her flute.
Demi was a king, that much was apparent, but he wasn’t a beloved one. He was the king people feared. She could see it all over the faces of the people present. They were there out of respect, not love. The room felt sterile, cold. She just didn’t understand what Charlie saw in him.
The sound of sterling silver against crystal rang throughout the room as Charlie tapped her glass with her fork.
“Hey, everybody, our chef is ready to present dinner for us. If y’all would make your way to the table, that would be great!” Charlie said.
Who is she right now?Stassi thought.This is some Stepford-wife-type shit.
She made her way to the table.
“Come on, Stass, I saved you a seat.”
It felt like the queen was summoning her. She sat on one side of Charlie, and Demi sat on the other while the rest of the guests crowded in around the table.
“Where’s his family?” Stassi leaned in to whisper.
“They couldn’t make it,” Charlie said in a hushed tone, turning to Stassi slightly. “They don’t live here. He’s from Cali. These are his friends and some people from the label and their wives mostly. That’s why I need you here. All these bitches were friends with his ex. They been around a long time. I’m the only newbie.”
“Bitch, you can’t be new in your own house. They’re guests. They better act like it,” Stassi said, getting defensive.
Day entered the room and Stassi could tell by his low eyes and relaxed demeanor that he had taken his time to finish his blunt.
“Babe, what took you so long? I thought you were going to miss dinner.”
She couldn’t hear Day’s reply because he whispered it as he eased into his seat. She looked away and tilted her champagne flute to her lips once more. Motioning for a waiter, she mouthed, “One more.”
Stassi took in the woman who was summoning Day. Model chick. Hmph. She wouldn’t expect less from a man of Day’s status. The girl was beautiful. She wore a blonde, short cut that only supermodel bitches could pull off, and her body was so well proportioned that there was no way it could be natural. Natural or surgeon made, she was bad.
Day took his seat, and Stassi scoffed. It was going to be a long night full of awkward encounters because Charlie had her in foreign territory. This was an industry crowd. Fake people with fake friendships who cared more about their virtual lives than the one taking place right in front of them. They weren’t even interacting with one another. They were too busy going live, taking pics for Instagram, or going live. They were new money, reformed hood niggas, and their red bottom-wearing bitches. Everything about the energy felt manufactured.I wish they’d hurry up and announce this engagement so I can dip. I ain’t got time for this fake, boogie-ass crowd.
Demi cleared his throat, and it was like a judge had banged his gavel. The chatter at the table quieted.
“We want to thank you guys for coming to our new home. We’re excited to share it with y’all. I know this is different than what you’re used to. I’m new to the circle, but I really love this man.” Charlie was nervous. Stassi could feel it. Demi leaned into her and kissed her lips before whispering in her ear. Stassi didn’t know what he said, but it calmed Charlie instantly. “There’s been a lot of speculation on our relationship. I’m a new artist at the label, and he’s the boss, so we know what it looks like. We know what the rumors are, but we just want those closest to us to know the truth.”
“I asked Bird to marry me,” Demi said, cutting through the bullshit and making it plain.
The silence at the table was deafening.
“Wow!” Stassi said, adding enthusiasm to her voice that she didn’t feel. She didn’t think this was the best idea Charlie had ever had, but no way would she throw Charlie under the bus. “Congratulations!”
“That’s dope, bro. Congrats,” Day added, lifting his glass. “To Demi and Charlie.”
The guests lifted their glasses, toasting, but Stassi didn’t miss the skeptical looks between the women at the table.
