Chapter 28 - Suck It Up

A/N: This chapter contains mature themes.

Sadé's POV:

— Friday, September 30th

Today was such a bad day. I had posted my weekly video since today is Friday like I always do, and it had gotten such a great response.

I had uploaded a YouTube video of my perfume collection. It had been viewed by 77k people for the two hours it's been up so far, but that's not what's gotten to me. It's the comments. It's been the comments for me a lot lately. I know Marshall said to ignore it, and I am. I'm not new to this type of thing, I know hate is there at all times. It's just the fact that it's not the regular amount of hate. Like it's been a lot more than usual and it's gotten really bad. People have been saying some extremely cruel things about me, making fun of me with memes, videos, talking about how I speak, and I've even seen a few racist comments.

It definitely put me in a sour mood today, but I just had to suck it up because it was Jordyn's birthday. She was having a party at her house to celebrate her 26th birthday. So I was getting ready for that, as I had just stepped out the shower. I had went into my walk in closet to find something casual but cute to wear since the dress code was casual. I was sat on the floor, looking at a pair of shoes when my phone rang. I grabbed it, reading the caller ID. It was Marshall.

"Hey"

Marshall's POV:

"Hey" Sadé picked up the phone.

"Hey. How was your day, pretty girl?" I asked, making conversation.

"It was good. And yours?" She said.

"It was good as well. Productive. Worked on recording a song for the album. What did you do today?"

"The usual. Worked on some content for videos, I posted one of them today, and now I'm getting ready for Jordyn's birthday party." She sighed on the other end of the line.

"Oh, tell her I said happy birthday. I hope you have a good time. Don't go too crazy like you did last time." I joked, causing her to laugh lightly.

"I won't. I swear. I'm never going that hard again." She recalled the memory, "So it's a Friday. Are you hanging out with your daughters again? Like you do every Friday."

"Yea, yea. We're going to have a family game night actually. Just me, all the kids, and Kim." I replied, with a smile on face at the mention of my kids.

"Oou, sounds. You better eat them up, Marshall!"

I'm slightly surprised she didn't question me at the mention of Kim. Whenever I dated women in the past, they always had an issue with me mentioning my baby momma. But then again, she's nothing like those women; So am I really surprised?

"You know me. Ima always win." I talked up.

We spoke for a few more minutes when I heard the doorbell ring. That meant they were all here, and that I had to end my phone call.

"I'm sorry, Sae, I gotta go. They're here. I'll call you tomorrow though."

"Okay. Have fun."

"You too, and stay safe." I said, ending the call.

She sounded a little off, but I didn't question it. She was probably just tired from work. I opened the door and greeted my girls and Kim. Let's get the night started.

Sadé's POV:

I ended phone call with Marshall and finished picking out my outfit then quickly did my hair and makeup. I told him I was doing well and had a good day even though I lied my ass off because I didn't. I didn't want to lie to him, but I don't want to share my feelings right now. I just want to have a somewhat good time and get the rest of the day over with already.

I got dressed in a bright pink crop top, black high waited jeans, matching bright pink heels, a black leather jacket, and a pair of pink sunnies (even though it was fall). I also wore my two bracelets that Marshall had gifted me. I never took them off, so they would be paired with every outfit since it meant a lot to me. I posed in front of my mirror, taking a quick selfie for Instagram stories.

I grabbed Jordyn's birthday cake that she requested I make for her then left my apartment to her house. It was a 20 minute drive and when I arrived, it was close to 8. I entered the house and placed the cake on the display table she had set up with various other desserts and small appetizers.

It wasn't a huge party or anything, just a get together slash house party type of vibe. There was maybe only about 30 or so people here. The vibes were there, but I was still a little pressed about today. People were drinking, smoking hookah, chatting, and just all around having a good time. Not wanting to be a party pooper, I went to the kitchen and grabbed a cup, pouring myself up some watermelon Malibu Rum & pineapple juice. I took a seat on the couch, not seeing Jordyn anywhere in sight. I attended the party alone since Alabama still hadn't arrived yet, and Hailie is in Detroit. I didn't really hang out casually with anyone outside of them. I mean I had other friends, mingled around, and had acquaintances, but none that I was super comfortable just casually attending a party with. So I sipped my drink, smoked some hookah and enjoyed the music for a while. Someone tapped my shoulder, catching my attention.

"Hey, there. Mind if I take a seat next to you?" Some random guy asked.

He was referring to the empty seat to my right at the table that the hookah was placed on.

"No, it's cool." I shrugged, blowing out smoke.

"Thanks. You smoke often?" He attempted to make small talk, taking a free tube before inhaling.

"Not at all, but I do today."

"Damn you sound stressed, ma." He laughed deeply.

"Something like that. You?" I politely returned the question.

I turned my head to finally look at who I was speaking to just to be respectful. He was a light skinned dude with a tapered hair cut. Tall. I'd say about 6'6", and buff. He wore a light blue shirt that his tattoo peeked out of, light-washed jeans, a gold chain & watch along with some other jewelry, and white air forces. Not a bad fit, but definitely a classic.

"Yea, I smoke weed. Usually blunts." He replied.

I didn't respond. There was nothing else to talk about. Instead, I continued bobbing my head to the music, sipping my drink, and smoking while I was waiting for Bama to arrive.

"So what's your name?" He spoke up after a few moments of silence.

"Sadé Myers. And yours?" I looked at him with hooded eyes, dazed and tipsy.

"Chase Demoor."

"Nice name. So how do you know Jordyn?" Curiosity getting the best of me.

I guess I could make a friend. I have nothing better to do. Talking to him isn't the worst thing to do in the world.

"Oh we go way back. We used to go to high school together. Just a childhood friend. And yourself?" He answered.

"She's my manager. I'm a social media influencer."

"Oh that's you? Nice to finally meet you."

"Yup, that's me."

"I'm actually a social media influencer myself. Been on Netflix a couple of times, and play professional football." He nonchalantly told me.

I squinted my eyes at him, trying to see if I knew him from anywhere since he said he was on Netflix. Nope. I don't know this man. He's never been on my TV.

"Too hot too handle and perfect match." He confirmed my suspicions.

"Ahh. I haven't seen neither of those shows. Pretty cool though."

"If you don't mind me saying, you look good tonight." He said looking my body up and down.

"Why, thank you. You aren't too bad yourself." I gently smiled.

"Thanks. So what are you doing here alone?"

"I'm not. I'm just waiting for my friend. She should be here any minute now."

"So there's no boyfriend in the picture then?" He inquired.

Was he trying to flirt with me? And now I'm extremely uncomfortable once again. Great.

"And why would you like to know?" I sassed him.

I don't like people in my private business. Weather I have a boyfriend or not is none of his concern. And while I don't, he doesn't need to know that. I am talking to someone after all.

"Because I wanna get to know you a little more." He placed his hand on my thigh.

I immediately froze, feeling uncomfortable. Apparently, I forgot that I can push his hand off of me.

"Well I'm taking to someone." I quietly responded.

It's like I suddenly became too filled with anxiety to speak. My heart raced as he moved his hand higher, scooting closer to me. I wanted nothing more to do than to so badly go home, but I had to be here for Jordyn's night. Today was about her so I had to just suck it up.

"Talking isn't official, ma. You sound mighty single to me." He said lowly, sending shivers down my spine.

Where is Bama? She should've been here about five minutes ago.

"Well I'm invested and so is he. And that's enough for me. Official or not."

"Let me show you a good time." He squeezed my inner thigh.

His hand was practically on my womanhood. On the inside I was screaming and so many red flags were going off, but I had already shut down. I was like a deer caught in headlights.

"No thanks." I simply said.

"Oh come on. Don't tell me you're one of those girls that don't do one night stands, and I have to wine & dine you?" He sounded annoyed.

"Uhh... I -l"

"Come on, let's get out of here." He said, moving my hair from the side of my face about to kiss me.

That's when Bama came walking through with a bottle of Pink Whitney in her hand. Thank God. I don't know what I would've done without her literally showing up at the last second.

"WOO! The party has officially arrived, girl. Come on let's get turnt!" She yelled over the music.

Chase moved back as she grabbed my hand, bringing me along with her. He didn't say anything and just let me leave with her. She didn't seem to notice what was going on, but I didn't even care at this point. We walked away from that area and moved back to the kitchen where we began to get completely wasted.

I know I said I wouldn't go as hard as I did again, but I went just enough to ease my mind and loosen my body up. We took shot after shot after shot. Jordyn joined us shorty after and we all played cup pong with various liquors between us and a few other randoms.

— Some Time Later

I don't really remember much of the night, but I somehow managed to call an Uber and make it home. I stumbled into my apartment, kicking off my heels. I stripped my clothes off as I walked to my bedroom, not having the energy nor patience to wait. I didn't even bother finding anything to wear for the night. I was just happy to be home. I laid my naked body under the covers of my comfy bed, just thinking. I began to cry uncontrollably. I couldn't control my emotions any longer. I had to let it out. Today was such a shit show. I received hate online, lied to Marshall about my feelings when I promised I'd tell him how I felt at all times, almost got sexually assaulted. Or did get sexually assaulted? I don't even fucking know anymore. But I just let all my sadness and frustration out as I cried myself to sleep.