Chapter 35 - Still Don't Believe

Sadé's POV:

— Wednesday, October 12th

I was backstage once again, getting ready ready to walk the runway. Today I would be modeling for Versace. I actually had two walks today so it should be interesting to see how we all manage that with time a strict timeframe. For the first outfit, I'd be wearing a light blue, gold, and black feminine suit type of situation with matching heels. I was accessorized with gold jewelry, gold hair clips, and a Versace purse. My hair was slick back in a tight bun, and my makeup was soft glam. Both outfits would be the star of the show so the makeup wasn't meant to be too distracting from that. I would be walking with two other models at the same time, one on either side of me. So we took our positions and when one of the girls finished her walk, we began ours as a trio. Immediately, heads turned once we were began strutting.

All three of us walked in sync. I spotted Donatella Versace, the woman herself, who created these outfits and styled me. She gave me a small smile and tilted her head as a way of showing me her respect. I did have my model face on, meaning I couldn't break character. However, I did make eye contact with her and gave a small nod to show my respect back as I reached the end of the runway, posing, before I began strutting back to the start, finishing my walk.

Once I finished alongside the two other girls, I was rushed back to my dressing room to get ready for my next look. They wanted me to have curly hair for the next look, but because we didn't have the time along with the fact that my hair is natural and wouldn't want it to be damaged, they had decided to put me in a lace front wig. They kept my hair in my bun, placing the wig on top of my hair after the cap. They then began applying the glue and customizing it to fit me, and simply making it look good. They touched up my makeup, before slipping me into my next outfit. I wore a gold cut out dress, silver jewelry, and black boots. We were running low on time and were worried I wouldn't make it out there soon enough.

As soon as I had gotten my shoes on I was rushed out the door. They had called 30 seconds before my turn so I had to run to the stage to make it in time. As soon as I made it, I had only a few seconds to spare before the model finished her walk, signaling my turn.

I put my A game on, not allowing myself to be flustered from the rush. I confidently walked down the runway with a smile on my face. I felt like that girl in this outfit. Like nobody could tell me anything. I was fierce. I strutted my stuff up and down that catwalk like I owned it before I finished. I slipped behind the corridors as I was met with cheers from the girls like we had all been doing for each other these past couple of days. I went back into the dressing room, getting changed into some more comfortable clothes before I removed all of my makeup and slipped the wig off, allowing my hair to breathe. I went back to where all the other girls were watching the rest of the show backstage, joining them. Once the show was as over I departed back to my hotel room like usual.

— At Armani Hotel

I had just gotten back and was eating some bomb pasta when my phone began to ring. I checked the caller ID, seeing it was Hailie. Of course, I answered the phone. I had no reason not to.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Sae!" She greeted.

We had a regular conversation over the next hour or so just chatting about life, upcoming projects, possibly collaborating again soon, and her Halloween party that she throws every year. We were laughing about some weird thing we saw online a few days back when she spoke up.

"So how are things with you and dad going?" She asked.

"Huh?" I almost choked on my own saliva.

"How are things with you and dad?" She repeated, laughing at my distress.

I could tell she had no idea about what was going on between us. I'm assuming Marshall hasn't said anything, and I obviously didn't tell her anything. I feel like it might be weird considering I'm her friend that's "dating" her dad if that's still what you want to call it at this point. So I never felt comfortable talking about that type of stuff with her. I didn't want to make her feel uncomfortable. So when she asked how things were between us I was definitely taken aback.

"It's alright. Things are fine." I replied not really wanting go into detail with her.

"Oh okay that's good to hear. Because I was showing him some pictures of your runway look earlier today and we had got to talking about when you'd be coming to the D for his birthday, and he said something about how he wasn't too sure about that anymore." She said in an unnerving tone.

"Oh. I was still planning on coming." I mumbled.

"Then I don't know what his problem is. Are you sure everything's alright between you guys?" She asked comfortingly.

"Yea. I mean I wouldn't feel comfortable talking to you about our problems anyways since that's your dad and all. Ya know?" I nervously giggled.

"To an extent, but you need to remember this is my dad. I've basically experienced everything he's ever gone through with him. So I'm sure whatever is going on with you guys won't make me feel any type of way towards either one of you. Plus your a very good friend of mines. You know we're super close."

I know she just wanted to make sure things were okay. And I could hear in her voice how it was worrying her. Ugh. Now I have to talk about it again.

"Alright, so basically we got into a heated conversation. I had just gotten back from a club and was drinking but I wasn't as wasted as I was earlier in the night. I had decided to call Marshall and tell him that I..." I took a deep breath, feeling stupid as hell in this moment once a-freaking-gain, "I told him that I had feelings for him and was ready to take things to the next level since we were just taking it slow. And he told me that he didn't want to discuss that matter with me right then because I wasn't sober. And then I got upset with him because I felt like he wasn't allowing me to express said feelings, which kinda really hurt me. Then it got turned into why I was drinking and how I use it to cope with the hate because it's a lot to handle sometimes. So I've been ignoring him." I explained the long story short.

"Okay so why?" She asked.

"Why what?"

"Why've you been ignoring dad?"

"Because like what if he doesn't like me anymore? Or never did at all?" I admit.

"Sae, why wouldn't he like you? Are you crazy?" She deadpanned.

"Because...well because..." The more I tried to explain to her why he probably didn't have feelings for me the more there was no reason why.

"Exactly, Sadé. He really likes you a lot, you know. That day he sat down and told me about you two he said that he really does like you and that you make him very happy. He might've lied to me about you two seeing each other, but he wouldn't lie to me about him liking a woman if it was all just for nothing and he wasn't serious about them. He just wanted to be able to have a real deep conversation with you about how you both felt like grown adults. Not while you're partially sober and partially drunk. He wants it to be authentic because that's all he ever is. He didn't mean any hard feelings by it. Plus you know the struggles he's gone though with that type of stuff. He was looking out for you."

"Well when you put it like that I feel like a total bitch." I said.

"Sadé." She said sternly, sounding just like him, "You're not a bitch, but you should hear him out. Text him maybe."

"Ughhhh. Why do you have to be so reasonable?" I rolled my eyes.

I knew she was right. Just like Bama told me earlier. They were both right. And so was Marshall. But just because he's right, and I understand where he's coming from doesn't mean I believe that he feels the same way about me that I do him.

We continued to talk for a few more minutes before we hung up since it was getting late here in Milan. It was nearing 10pm, but was only 4pm in Detroit.

I guess I'll finally respond to his missed calls and unread messages. I was nervous because I couldn't get rid of my feelings for him, but what else was I supposed to do? He's been the only thing on my mind recently whenever I'm not working and I was wrong. I just felt like he didn't care about my feelings when I first told him, but that wasn't the case. Despite how I may have felt, he was just trying to make sure I was able to think straight and have a real genuine conversation with him about the matter.

Marshall's POV:

— Meanwhile In Detroit, 4PM

I was at the studio as usual, working. The past few days I've barely had any sleep and have been running on a short fuse. I felt like I was losing Sadé because she wouldn't respond to any of my messages or calls. I know what I said wasn't wrong, but it's just how I said it. I didn't want her to pull away or become distant just because I couldn't find the right words to use or may have said something harsher than I meant to. But then, there was this other part of me that was actually pissed as fuck at her. Because I could've sworn the first time she pulled this ignoring me bullshit I told her little ass not to do it again. And what's she doing right now? She's doing it again. She's so damn stubborn.

Then my phone vibrated in my pants pocket. I took it out, to see a text message from Hailie.

What is she talking about? She must've sent a text to the wrong person. Just then I get a notification on my screen saying Sadé texted me. What the fuck? This girl has been ignoring me for days. Hailie must've spoken some sense into her or something. I respond back immediately.

She apologized, but she's still being stubborn. See what the fuck I mean? Why can't she just believe me when I said I felt the same? But she believes everything else? Bet. I text quickly text Hailie back, needing some additional info.

Once I got that, I dismiss everyone from the studio for the rest of the week and head straight to Paul's office. I don't even bother knocking.

"Yo, Paul. Set me up with the soonest flight possible to Milan, Italy. Hotel is Armani." I demand.

"What? For what, and when do you plan on coming back, Marshall? You can't just leave." He exasperated.

"To handle something. And don't bring nobody else along. It's just me and security rollin' up. Until the end of the week max." I glare at him.

"Be at the airport at 7, in three hours. I don't got enough hair on my head for this." He types on his computer, putting his hand up telling me to leave his office.

I leave his office, going home to pack my bags for the next two hours. I don't bother changing what I have on because it's gonna be a long flight and I'm already in comfortable clothing. I throw on my hat and hoodie, pitting my luggage in the back of my car, before making my way to the airport.

Sadé knows damn well she's my girl. We've already been over this, but she's always getting in her own head. And I don't want to lose her over something stupid. I do have feelings for her. Deep. And obviously I need to make sure she knows that before she slips away from me. I can't let a good girl like her just get away from me like that.