Chapter 19 - Making Plans

Marshall's POV:

— September 16th, Later That Night

"Alabama?"

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's Marshall."

"Oh, hey. You were the last person I thought would be calling me right now. How'd you get my number?" Alabama hesitantly asked.

"Hailie gave it to me. I hope you don't mind since it's late and all." I replied awkwardly.

"No, it's alright. It's only 7:05 here. What's up?"

"I actually was hoping you could help me out with Sadé."

"Go on." She encourages me to continue.

"Well I need help deciding what to get Sadé for her birthday next week. I thought who else would know her better than her best friend, right?" I chuckle lightly, "I also was planning on surprising her. She doesn't know I'm coming at all."

"Oou she would love that! She was just venting to me not too long ago about how she wished you'd be there. Of course, I'll help!" She enthused.

I sighed out in relief, knowing she accepted my plea for help. I got up from my bed and quickly grabbed my laptop, going back to the bed. I laid flat on my stomach with it sat in front of me. I put my phone on speaker, so that I could multitask.

"Okay, let's start with her gift. I want to get her something nice, but I'm stuck on what. I was thinking some kind of jewelry?" I suggest.

"That's a good start. She's like gold more than silver, but she doesn't like anything flashy. She's a dainty type of jewelry girl." She informed me.

"I can see that. I've never seen her in anything crazy now that I think about it." I recall, thinking of all the times I've seen her wear jewelry.

I typed away at my laptop as we spoke some more. We exchanged websites to browse, found what caught our eye, and I even found something I considered getting her.

"You know she's also really into smell goods." Alabama mentioned as we online shopped some more in the middle of the night.

"Smell goods? What do you mean by that?" I wondered. I've never heard of that term before.

"Smell goods. Like candles, perfumes, nice smelling body products, etc. Basically, anything that smells good when it comes to lifestyle."

"Oh okay. Makes sense considering she's a lifestyle content creator. She does always smell sweet." I mumbled the last few words, not wanting her to actually hear me say that aloud.

"I heard that." She teased me over the phone.

My face reddened even though I was sat alone. Damnit.

We spoke more about other ideas back and forth until I found the perfect gift. I placed everything in their designated carts before purchasing it. I just hoped she loves it just as much as I think she will.

"Okay. Now let's talk about you surprising Sae." She began.

"Alright."

"Hailie and I were planning on doing a girls night with her the night before since neither of us have seen her in a long time. So you could fly here the day before with Hailie so it'll be easier."

"But won't she know I'm there early?" I questioned.

"No. You'll stay in a room that day at the hotel so she won't see you. Then you can send her flowers like you wanted to, but on the note you can say something along the lines of how you're sorry you couldn't make it. Then Hailie will only reiterate that by telling her how you got caught up with something. You roll up to the party unannounced to her and surprise her. Boom. What do you think?" She eagerly asked me.

I'm not gonna lie. It wasn't a bad plan. And it would make more sense to fly out with Hailie at the same time. I thought about it before responding.

"I like it. You can't let it slip out to Sadé though." I tell her.

"I won't. Trust me." She reassured me over the phone.

"Ight. Can you make sure my name gets on the guest list without her knowing and 3 of my homeboys?" I ask.

"Got it. Anything else?"

"Nah that's it. Thank you so much for helping me out with this. Seriously. I owe you one."

"Don't worry about it. I'd do anything to see my bestie happy. Now I gotta go. I'll keep in touch."

"Alright. See ya."

Once we hung up I placed my laptop on my bedside table before going to sleep.

— September 19th

I woke up Monday morning, the sunlight piercing through, hot on my pale skin. I got up, going down to my home gym. I put my AirPods in, blaring old school rap. I practiced on my boxing skills and did some workouts for an hour. Once I was finished I headed back upstairs into the bathroom to start my day. I did my usual morning routine, freshened up, and threw on some grey nike shorts, a black hooded sweatshirt, and a red Kangol hat. I put my shoes and jewelry on, making myself a protein shake before heading to the studio.

— At The Studio

I sat in my office writing song lyrics. For the most part, that's all I've done today while everyone else was in the studio. I just needed a quiet space to jot all my rhymes and flows down without interruption.

I did, however, stop for a break because I needed to talk to Paul. I hadn't exactly hold him anything about needing to take a few days off work to go a see Sadé, and how I needed him to get the jet ready for tomorrow morning. So I walked over to his office a couple spaces down, knocking on his door. Once he allowed me in, I took a seat in one of the chairs I front of his desk.

"What's up, Paul." I greeted, dapping him up.

"Hey Marshall. What did you need?" He said rubbing his temples.

"Aye, man. I've barely spoken and you're already stressed."

"Marshall...I'm always stressed with you. It's nothing new." He deadpanned, "Now what did you want to talk to me about?"

"I need a few days off. And so do the guys. And the jet by tomorrow morning." I listed off, counting on my fingers.

"WHAT?" He exclaimed, giving me a 'what the fuck' facial expression.

I took a deep breath before continuing, already knowing he was about to be pissed.

"Ight let me explai- "

"Yes, do." He waved his hands around.

"Like I was saying." I cleared my throat, "And don't interrupt me again. Me, Hailie, and the guys are going to Sadé's birthday bash on the 21st, and we need a few days off. I also need you to get the jet ready for us by tomorrow morning so that we can fly out. And actually now that I'm saying all of this, I need the hotels booked too. And a rental car. I just remembered that too." I tell him haphazardly.

He just blinks at me a few times, not saying anything. He then closes his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. In his defense, this was very last minute of me, but I still needed him to do it.

"Okay, I'll get it all sorted out. But we need to talk about this. This is a BIG deal, Marshall. I heard about her party. It's all social media is talking about as the day grows closer. You do realize there's going to be paparazzi there, right?" He asks me.

"You know I'm not active on social media. How was I supposed to know? Is it really that big of a deal?"

"Yes it is! The address got leaked by some crazy fan account apparently. That means fans and paparazzi will be showing up surrounding the place. What are people going to think when they see you at that party? Huh?"

"I don't know, and I don't care. I'm not going to be the only person there. You know how many people this girl invited, Paul? How many influencers and celebrities? A shit ton. You think they gonna assume some shit just because I show up? No."

"You never know! I don't even know what's going on between you two. The world is going to want to know. You both are connected to Hailie, Marshall. They've collaborated before. It makes sense for her to be there, but you? And your buddies? The media can act like FBI agen- "

"Look I get it. I really do. But we haven't been spotted by anyone, and neither of us have posted anything suspicious. So it's not possible. And just to let you know, since you apparently don't, we're dating. No title. Simply seeing where things take us. Everything is going to be fine. Stop having a stroke all the God damn time." I huff.

"Fine. Fine. Don't say I didn't tell you so." He surrendered, going back to whatever paperwork he was doing.

I didn't reply. He acts like I don't know what I'm doing. As if I haven't been in the game for nearly 25 years. No one's going to find out anything. And if they do, oh well.

With that being said, I walked down to the studio instead. I entered the room greeting the guys: Anthony (Boogie), Denaun, and Ryan. I took a seat on the couch, taking my hat off as I leaned back.

"Yo, get Boogie out the booth real quick. I gotta talk to y'all about something." I tell Ryan and Naunie.

Denaun told him to come out of the booth through the speakers. He did so and sat on the couch next to me.

"What's up, Em? Everything all good?" Boogie greeted me, everyone invested in the conversation as well.

"Yea, man. Everything's good. I just wanted to know if either of you found another way into that party you all so badly wanted to go to." I ask, wanting to mess with them a little bit since they always clowning on me.

"No. Ever since some motherfucker leaked the address it's been hard trying to even get our names on the list." Ryan grumbled, twisting his face up in annoyance.

"When I say I've watched these two knuckle heads try everything, I mean ev-er-y-thing." Naunie laughed.

"You dudes are so desperate." I joined him in laughter.

"So? I even dm'd her on Instagram." Anthony confessed.

"You what?" I ask, glaring at him.

"Chill. It wasn't like that. I just asked her if she could get us in because you told us no." He said handing me his phone so I can see the messages between them, "She told me no too." He rolled his eyes.

I looked over the messages.

I laughed reading them. Her calling him out was hilarious. That's my girl, I thought to myself.

"Welp. Sucks to suck, doesn't it?"

I gave them all pitiful looks. We spoke some more about other topics for a while, and i listened to some of what they recorded earlier. About 45 minutes later I decided to tell them that they can come with me.

"SIKE," I yelled, "pack you're shit. We're going to Vegas." I chuckled.

All of their faces shifted to delight. All three of them chanting "Vegas, Vegas, Vegas."

"Yo Em, we owe you one." Royce dapped me up.

"Like hell you do." I said heading for the door, "Meet me at the airport at 9:30 tomorrow morning. Don't be late." I said sternly before leaving the building.

I got in my car calling up Hailie to let her know the itinerary. Once I finished talking to her, I drove off, making my way to the shops. I had to pick up Sae's gift since I ordered them for pickup; One of them specifically had to be imported from Europe so I couldn't get it shipped to my house, unfortunately.

After all that was said and done, I went home around 7pm and packed my bags for the upcoming trip. I continued about my night. Until tomorrow.