When it got to the chorus, Orielle’s vocals flowed from her mouth so raw and soulful, every note felt like it was coming straight from her heart. As if she were trying to melt the same hearts Tamia crooned about putting a move on. Orielle’s poise and superb breath control were insane and had Najee tripping out in the driver’s seat.
He’d heard her sing when they were younger and on tracks, but hearing the unfiltered, raw version of her, even while tipsy, had him ready to pull over and park so that he could experience her without distractions. He was damn near tempted to pull hisphone out to record her so he could play it back and enjoy her by himself.
“Damn,” he mumbled, catching goosebumps and making a stank face.
Orielle was a beast. A humble one, but her friends hyped her up once the song ended.
“I know that’s fucking right,” Cheyla said, clapping her hands. “You better sang! You almost had me ready to cry in here.”
“Iswear,” ,” Zoey agreed. “You’re singing at my wedding.”
Grinning, Orielle agreed. “I’d love to. Just hide me away so no one knows it’s me.”
“Girl, please. You and this incognito mess gets on my nerves. The world needs to really know whoyouare. Stop playing.”
It wasn’t that she was playing. Orielle didn’t want to settle, and she didn’t feel like she was completely ready to enter the industry. She had a few personal kinks, goals, and things she wanted to work on before committing to a label. It was a tricky business, and she wasn’t into selling her soul. When it was her time... she’d know it.
“Yo,” Najee called out as he exited the highway. This was a rare moment, and he was grateful for the Saturday night traffic and the thirty-minute trip. “I knew you could sing, butgotdamn. You gon’ make me hold you hostage for the night and just ride around and let you sing to me.”
Orielle blushed. “Kidnapping a passenger would surely get you a negative review.”
“Shiiiit,” Najee dragged. “I’ll take it if it comes with you. That voice is flawless, RiRi. For real. Got a nigga heart feeling all weird.”
Cheyla and Zoey chuckled but felt the same way. They always did when she sang.
“We don’t have a problem with you kidnapping her. Just make sure she gets to her studio session in the morning,” Cheyla said.
“Yep. I’ma leave my review now. Five out of five stars. The best car service in the city, and he’s a sweet kidnapper,” Zoey said, typing on the app.
“Oh my gosh,” Orielle groaned, snatching her phone away. “Do not write that.”
Najee chuckled. “It’s all good. At least she’s honest.”
“Exactly,” Zoey said, grabbing her phone back.
They rode in a comfortable quiet for a moment, until Orielle leaned forward a little, resting her arms on the back of the passenger seat.
“So, what else is going on with you?”
If she was going to get kidnapped for the night, she needed a bit more information.
Najee chuckled. “You interviewing me now?”
“Maybe.”
“A’ight then,” he said, glancing over his shoulder. “Ask me what you really want to ask me.”
Not all women were easy to read, but he could tell Orielle wanted to know more than how life had been treating him. She was interested.
“Are you in a relationship?” Orielle asked, straight up.
“I am.”
His answer didn’t surprise her. Najee kept a slew of women on his arm back in the day, so it was fitting for him to have a girlfriend.
“Oh, so what is your girlfriend going to think when you bring my friend home?” Cheyla said defensively.
“Who said anything about taking her to my crib?” Najee asked, chuckling. “You making up an entire plot now.”
