One Week Later...Friday

December...

Startling News Part 1

"How dow you handle news that you wasn't prepared to hear?..."

This week has been the longest. I've been so worried lately about everyone around me that I haven't even been able to have straight thoughts.

I had to sit back quietly and watch my brother and Drew take Felicity's statements from the near crime she nearly witnessed against Trace and Yolanda. I wanted to scream and beg my brother to not do that. That he wasn't strong enough to do any of this, but Malcolm insisted that it was his job. He maintained it was his job to protect, and the fact that is was Trace and Yolanda, people he cared about, it was personal.

So, over the span of one week, my mostly calm, laid back brother has gone from sick-leave to early reappointment, resuming his cop duties without so much as a second thought. I believed for sure that after his near death experience he would have reconsidered his profession but I was wrong. He told me he wanted it to end, but not until he solved Yol and Trace's case.

There was nothing I could do to change his mind, so I had to sit back as he questioned Felicity, took her statements and then moved on to Yolanda and Trace as well as a few other Tennman employees who were present at work on the day of the incident.

And then there's Justin...

After Felicity showed up at his home unannounced and dropped that bomb on all of us, he became quiet, allowing her words to maul over. Then, he rudely kicked her out, telling her that they would continue this conversation when he came into work but he didn't want to bring these types of ‘situations' into his personal home. I still don't get why he's so rude and distant with her. I just don't understand it but who am I to pass judgment?

I have my own battles to fight and one of them consists of me letting go of my fears and openly telling my brother about those strange phone calls we've been getting and about...Christian.

I made up my mind that I would be telling him today...tonight actually because he needs to know and since he and Drew are hard at work looking up the owner of the license plates and connections to the almost hit and run, now would be the best time to tell him. That way, he could maybe kill two birds with one stone. He could solve Trace and Yolanda's problem and ours as well and then retire before he gets hurt again on the job. I just don't think I could take my brother getting hurt or worse a second time around.

Malcolm has successfully refrained from mentioning Justin to me though. He really is giving me a chance to do things on my own. I just hope I don't betray whatever trust he has in me and that I'll make the right choices for myself. It's hard on him, but he's really trying. As long as he and Justin are not in the same place, things should be ok. He may have let go of the fact that Justin and I are always spending time together, but I know that if he ever had to face Justin again, he'd have no restraints and that's what I'm afraid of.

Shaking off my thoughts for the most part, I rub my palms over my light blue cotton strapless dress that I'm wearing. It's chilly in here since we're in the studio. I should maybe have brought a jacket but it's too late now. Justin, Yolanda and Tim are hard at work finishing up those remaining songs for the album. In fact, they should be done in a few days since they've been in here every day this past week.

It's nearing Christmas and next week, Justin and I are taking that little trip he promised away from all civilization. I'm a little excited and nervous about it but spending time with him would be good. I guess the nervousness is knowing that the moment we return home, we'll be packing to head on a plane for New York. I'm not even sure how long we'll be there exactly, but I know it will be for a while before we take that cruise and then Justin and Yolanda head off on tour.

I guess I can only hope that all these mysterious cases can be solved soon so that I won't have to deal with Christian directly but I doubt all my wishes will come true.

Sighing, I gaze around at the large, spacious, mostly empty room. I snuck away from the group when Justin and Yolanda were working on their song collaboration together. They were fixing up the lyrics and getting ready to record with Tim. I was sort of bored, so I decided to do a little exploring on my own and found this room adorned with a huge ebony vanished piano. The keys are large, ivory and beautiful and I've been sitting in front of it ever since, just staring at them.

The last time I sat in front of a piano like this was when...

No, I'm not taking any more trips down memory lane. But, since I'm in here alone I might as well...

Lifting my hands up to the keys, I think for a moment, contemplating on what song I could possibly play before a smile slides unto my face. Humming the tune for a bit, I quickly pick out the scale and key of the song and easily begin finding the chords with my fingers. When I have a steady melody going, I play silently for a while, allowing the tune to fill the empty room as the words to the song quickly come back to me, floating through my mind until I finally open my mouth to sing them...

"Lay your head on my pillow, here you can be yourself, no one has to know what you are feeling, no one but me and you...I won't tell your secrets, your secrets are safe with me...I will keep your secrets, just think of me as the pages in your diary."

Getting lost in the tune, I continue to play fluently as I shut my eyes and let all my emotions, fears, joys and memories engulf me...everything I've been holding on to, everything I kept to myself and never really voiced to anyone slowly takes over...

"I feel such a connection, even when you're far away, Oooo baby if there's anything that you fear, call 489-4608 and I'll be here.... I won't tell your secrets, your secrets are safe with me...I will keep your secrets, just think of me as the pages in your diary..."

"And only we know what talked about baby boy, don't know how you can be driven me so crazy boy, baby when you're in town why don't you come around boy be the loyalty you need you can trust boy..."

In the middle of belting the chorus with my eyes shut tight, my fingers falter over the notes when I hear a second voice, deeper than mine harmonizing with the melody I'm singing. For a brief moment panic sets in as my eyes flutter open, but before I can remove my hands completely from the keys, someone slides in to seat next to me, their hands picking up where I left off, playing the remaining chords of the song like there was no glitch in the switch of players.

Moving my hands to rest on my lap, I take in a deep breath when the sustaining of the last note slowly fades off until silence takes over. Turning to look at my company, my hazel latch onto a pair of deeply curious, amazed blues and I just know the endless questions are coming.

He opens his mouth to say something, but then he shuts it immediately before his lips twitch into a light smile. Then, in a faint whisper one word tumbles out... "Wow..." He breathes and I smile before moving to stand and he follows suit after covering the keys.

"You guys done?" I inquire as I head for the exit but my advances are short-lived when he grips my wrist to spin me around.

He's glowering now, looking down at me, studying me quietly. "Where did you learn to play like that and how comes you never told me?" He asks curiously.

"Does it matter Ju?" I inquire but he shakes his head in protest.

"Berry, you're an amazing singer and so talented. Why...how...couldn't I have known this sooner?" His words are laced with amazement and shock and I roll my eyes.

"Well, granted you know a lot about me, you still don't know everything." I point out and his smile instantly falls before it's replaced with a scowl.

"Oh, believe me I know." He snaps coldly but then shakes his head before he pulls me to walk out of the room with him. "Come on let's get back to the studio. We're just about done."

Allowing him to guide me, I don't say anything else as he leads us to our destination. Instead, I glare at the back of his grey t-shirt and then head, trying to understand the tone in his voice when he said he didn't know everything about me. It's not possible for someone to know everything there is to know about a person. Sometimes you don't even know everything about your own self. So, what's his deal?

"Tim invited us out to his club in downtown Orlando tonight. I think it could be good for us with all that's been going on. It's sort of a pre celebration for the album releases since we're practically done now." Justin voices and I nod though he can't see me. Stopping at the studio where Tim and Yolanda are located, Justin turns to face me before swinging the door open. "Will you go with me?" He inquires hopefully and I nod again silently and he smiles. "Good, Trace and Yolanda will be there. I also invited Jeffery since he's a good friend of yours." He explains and I shake my head again.

"Why won't you speak?" Justin says in amusement and I shrug, causing him to groan. Then I giggle and he eyes me strangely.

"It's easy to irritate you too you know. I just need to push the right buttons." I state and he arches a brow at me with a challenging glow in his blues.

"Don't start what you can't finish berry." He warns playfully as he swings the door open and a gush of cold air hits me.

"Never said I wouldn't finish..." I retort as we enter, distracting Tim and Yolanda in the process. Justin laughs out loudly and I smile smugly as I take my place on the couch, leaving them to do what they do best as I become engrossed in my thoughts again.

*****

Later That Night...

I get that her brother hates me. In fact, I really don't care about that anymore, but sometimes I would really love to know what it is that he tells her that turns her mood completely upside down.

After we came out of the studio today, I made it my point of duty to drop Zara home. I mean, that is what boyfriends do right? There was nothing wrong with that. But, apparently, Malcolm felt otherwise.

You see as I was dropping her, he was coming in on the police cruiser with Drew his partner. Now, usually I would ignore Malcolm because he's an overbearing guard dog in my book, but the fact that he spoke to Zara in such a condescending tone, treating her like a little child was enough to make my blood boil.

"What is he doing dropping you home Zary? Don't mistake my kindness and think you can take advantage of it. Just because I'm leaving you all alone does not mean that I need to actually witness the two of you together. Tell him to leave now." He said to her.

She was barely out of the damn car when he said it, slowly, cautiously coming over to us. I would have reacted and cursed him out but his gun was very visible, strapped around his waist, so, I simply coaxed berry along and told her I'd be back to pick her up later to go clubbing.

I'm not sure what resumed after I left, but in those few hours, she went from a mostly cherry Zara to someone who just witnessed the dead body of their relative laying in an open casket at a funeral.

I hate that he has so much effect on her. Sometimes, and I'd never admit this to Zara, but sometimes I wish he wasn't even her damn brother since he always seems to bring out the worst moods in her.

Still, I can see she's fighting to cheer up for my sake.

It doesn't help that Malcolm has been interrogating my employees for the past week. There really wasn't much I could do since I was stuck in studio for the entire week. I only saw Zara when she was with me and there were considerable spaces in between those visits.

She spent a lot of time with Trace who took her to the meetings he had to attend for William Rast as well as allowed her to crash at his house whenever she insisted on waiting for when I got home from the studio at all odd hours in the morning. For the most part it was a regular week, nothing too over the edge.

We're heading to my getaway spot up in the mountains next week and then it's off to New York for promotional work and all that jazz.

I'm kind of excited and I'm kind of not. You see, I spoke to Johnny. And, well, our plan is for berry and I go public officially with our relationship when we get to New York since I'll have endless interviews and shows to attend up there. I'm not sure where or when exactly I'm going to let it out to the public and actually apologize for keeping my fans in the dark, but it's going to take place in New York and knowing that trip is no more than two weeks away is a little unnerving.

Zara's not ready for that type of attention yet. Dr. Lake has been working overtime with her but I just don't think she's ready. But we don't have much of a choice since our faces are plastered everywhere and the speculation has been rising due to the paparazzi. We're ignoring it for the most part, but New York is a different lifestyle. There will be no avoiding it when we're there...

Smoothing my palms over the light Willam Rast jeans and long-sleeved fitted navy blue cotton shirt I'm wearing, I turn to berry at the bar who's been in some type of conversation with Trace for the past how many minutes, leaving me to my thoughts.

We've been here at Tim's club for a while now up in the V.I.P section which is hardly crowded compared to the ground floor. It was a task getting through the entrance of the club past the screaming fans and paps so thank god for Mike, Lonnie and Yolanda's bodyguards.

I'm actually glad that the V.I.P section Tim redesigned is up in a separate room with a door that locks as opposed to ropes and two bouncers keeping watch. He still has that too, but the locking door is what's setting me at ease right now.

It's amazing up here though. Tim only goes for the best so it's no surprise the intricate details in the lavender color scheme and leather seats in the booths. There's a large, wide glass window or more wall that allows us to see the entirety of the dance floor below where club goers are partying it up to whatever tune the Dj is blasting. We actually have a separate Dj up here who is taking requests since the glass window is sound proof, blocking out the noise from the ground floor.

But, no one up here is really dancing per say. Everyone is off in their own little clique engaging in idle talk...and this is like the fourth jack and coke I've downed in the last ten minutes. When I signal for the bartender to make me another, Trace finally turns to look at me with amusement in his eyes...

"You should slow down there man. We're not looking to haul your drunken ass home." He snickers and I shoot him a scathing look before my eyes briefly flit to berry. She's in a simple short black dress with heels. Her hair is as straight as a pin flowing over her shoulders and unto her back and her makeup is light but she still manages to take my breath away.

"I can handle my own." I retort and he snorts before rolling his eyes.

"Is that what you call it?" He challenges me and the annoying tone of his voice causes me to groan.

"What Trace, I can't drink now?" I snap and his defenses go up.

"Hey man, it's your liver. I'm just saying take it easy. At the rate you're going, in the next half an hour, you'll be lucky if you can even get off that stool." He laughs out and I scowl.

"I'll take my chances." I shoot him a sly smile and he gives in accepting defeat.

"Suit yourself. I'm going to head down for a bit. I'll be back." He winks for Zara and she smiles for him before he waves me off and swiftly makes his exit.

When the bartender returns with my drink, I down it in one breath then place the empty glass down before spinning around in my stool to look out of the large glass window at the moving bodies below.

There is a light sigh next to me but I ignore it. I'm a little pissed right now, not really knowing why and the last thing I need is a fight.

"What's wrong Ju?" Zara whispers before her delicate fingers smooth over my arm.

Keeping my vision forward, I shrug. "I should be asking you the same thing with the mood you were in when I picked you up tonight. What did Malcolm tell you this time?" I inquire and she sighs again before walking around to stand in front of me.

Not having anywhere else to look since she's blocking my line of sight, I relax my vision on her caramel brown face, reading her expressions.

"He hates you...I would say I don't know why he does but..." She drifts, seeming deep in thought and my interest peaks. "He has no real reason to hate you though." She explains.

"You know why he doesn't like me don't you? He's told you." I state flatly and she glares at me with indifference. "What I'd like to know is why you're not telling me, helping me to understand his behavior against me since he knows nothing about me." I continue watching as her face falls.

"Malcolm is just being overprotective. Don't worry about him." She brushes me off and that enrages me more but I keep my cool.

"I must worry when whatever he says to you turns you upside down and sour. Why doesn't he like me berry?" I lean in closer to her face, my eyes searching hers, trying to understand her apprehension.

We should be able to share anything with each other. If she can't be open with me, then who will she open up to?

And the moment that thought crosses my mind, I get the answer. Trace. I hate to say it, but I'm sure he'll have an easier time getting things out of her because she won't have to worry about what he thinks of her, if he'll see her differently, if he'll judge her. All the things she worries about with me. She can't possibly think I'll love her any less if I find out about her past.

"Just forget about it Justin. Let's dance please?" She stretches out her hands for me and I take them, hopping off the stool to lead her over to the dance floor where Jeffery is already dancing with Yolanda.

"It's in relation to your past isn't it?" I whisper this time as I pull berry into my arms. Her arms wrap around my neck and she rests her head on my chest, swaying to the music with me even though it's an upbeat R&B song playing. She doesn't seem to care though and neither do I.

"Yes...he's worried my past will repeat itself with you." She admits and I tense slightly because that's utterly unfair for him to pass that type of judgment on me. Still, I know there is more to this surfaced explanation.

"In terms of..."

"It's nothing Ju. Drop it. I told him he was wrong...that's all that matters. He's wrong." Her tone has a hint of finality in it and I know I'm not going to get anymore out of her.

But, Trace might be able to and as much as I love Zara, I'm pretty sure Trace will honor the oath of best friends and dutifully fulfill my request of quizzing her without her finding out.

It's the only way. I'm done waiting for her to open up to me. With berry, that's virtually impossible. It's something she's working on with Dr. Lake as well, but I can't wait. Especially since I'm well aware that her ex is also going to be in New York the same time we are. Yeah, another thing I'm not looking forward to.

Silence takes over between us as I pull Zara closer feeling her soft frame against my chest. She relaxes under my hold and we continue to sway casually to the beat of the music when Usher's ‘Lifetime' filters through the speakers. How convenient.

Laughing to myself, I continue to dance with Zara in silence for a long while. The most I pick up is her steady breathing as her hold around me tightens, Yolanda and Jeffery and the flash of lights from the ground floor since we're standing close to the large glass window.

But then, we're rudely interrupted when Trace comes barging in excited as ever with Mike and Tim in tow.

Storming over to us on the dance floor, he pauses to catch his breath before he can speak. His cell is dangling in his fingertips and I'm just glaring at him strangely. It doesn't help that I'm beginning to feel the buzz from my alcohol consumption kick in.

"Holy shit! Dude!" Trace belts and I groan in annoyance before I let go of berry and we turn to face him with skeptic faces.

"What? Did you see someone downstairs? What's wrong with you?" I continue to stare at him like he's lost his mind.

"No, no, but Malcolm just called."

Ok, I wasn't expecting him to say that. Grunting, I move to leave him and Zara alone to talk but he stops me before I can get very far.

"No, hold on Justin. You don't understand. The license plate numbers Felicity gave him. They found a match. They found the owner!" Trace belts with excitement and I notice Zara tense. By now, Yolanda is at our side with Jeffery after overhearing Trace's loud booming announcement.

I'm interested now and I instinctively pull berry to my side, wrapping my arms around her waist as we all wait for Trace to take us out of suspense.

"And!?" I snap when he goes silent, his eyes flitting between me and Yolanda.

"Maybe I shouldn't..."

"Man, you better spill before I beat you to a pulp." I snap angrily and he raises his hands in defeat before fixing his leather jacket over the light green shirt he's wearing.

"Ok, now this is a little scary, and they said they'll be following up first thing Monday morning since they have whatever paper work and shit to do at headquarters but uh...don't let this get out. And I'm so sorry Yol." He's stalling and I swear I'm two seconds away from smacking the information out of him.

Letting berry go, I take a step towards him but he backs up before quickly rattling out the person's name. Freezing in place, I blink rapidly, trying to understand if I heard correctly. "What did you say?" I say lowly.

I'm pretty sure he can see the fury in my eyes but he ignores it and repeats the name effortlessly now.

"I said, the silver Honda belongs to Blake, Yol's personal trainer." He voices.

That's the last thing that's said before Yolanda lets out a loud gasp as her eyes fill up with confused tears.

I'm not even given time to process what's going on before Zara quickly walks up to Trace, demanding his cell phone before she excuses herself and sprints out of V.I.P, in the processes of dialing someone's number, leaving us all behind...in shock.

*****

Song Credits: Diary by Alicia Keys