INFLUENCE

The Bed-Stuy mansion was quiet. Golden lights spilled across the tall windows & polished hardwood floors, but it didn't soften the tension crawling between the two women in the kitchen. Brooklyn leaned against the marble island, her silk robe slipping off her shoulders, pale champagne pajamas clinging softly. Her reb bob, pinned into a tight ponytail, brushed her jaw as she poured herself a glass of Barefoot, pink moscato. Anxiety buzzed like electricity in her chest, making her fingers tremble slightly. She could feel it, something was off about Yeturah tonight, even though she couldn't put her finger on it, she had enough of it. "You really letting Novi's world pull you in?" Brooklyn asked, calm but sharp. "Trips, tours, interviews. All these lights. And you're forgetting who's actually been here for your dramatic ass". Yeturah turned, cinnamon colored twist pinned high, silk burgundy nightgown hugging her curves. Her eyes flared, Tina sharpening inside her like a blade. Aisha whispering slyly in the corners of her mind. "Oh, we getting personal now?" Yeturah's voice hissed, dangerous & sweet all at once. "Bet". Tina's edge slid through her thoughts: Hit her where it hurts. Aisha's sly grin curled: Make her feel it. Make it sting. "Exactly what I expected" Yeturah spat. "Always calm on the outside, but burning on the inside. Pretending like you don't see me shine". Brooklyn sipped her wine slowly, steadying herself. " You're pressed because I'm with the hottest rapper in Brooklyn right now" Yeturah continued, pacing like the kitchen belonged to her. "The spotlight follows me everywhere. Trips, tours, interviews, I'm seen! Meanwhile you sit behind your desk wishing for a taste of this life. Admit it." Brooklyn's jaw clenched. Controlled. Calm "And yet. Rosé," Yeturah's tone turned acidic, cutting. "Finest secretary at that law firm, & still you deal with transphobia every damn day. Didn't your coworker ask you if you top!?" Then she burst into a loud, hysterical laugh. The kind that cut through the quiet & reverberated off the walls. Brooklyn felt her chest tighten, a pang of hurt soothing through her. Anxiety spiked in her chest, claws raking at her calm, but she swallowed it down, set her jaw, & kept her composure. She knew this wasn't truly Yeturah talking. "You're living a careful, structured little life, & you think that makes you better than me?" Yeturah continued, voice rising, pacing again. "9-5, rules & regulations, deadlines. Pretending that world protects you. But don't front, you see me, on tours, in the spotlight, living how I want & that eats at you, doesn't it? & Novi doesn't hide me! EVER!" Brooklyn let out a dry, quiet laugh, crossing her arms. "And there it is" she said. " The arrogance. Acting like my life is small because it isn't on social feeds. I'm not less. I'm not stuck. I'm surviving! Bill paid. Apartment mine. Life built on my own hands". Yeturah froze for a heartbeat. Tina sharpened, slicing, grinting in her mind. Aisha's grin twisted, plotting. "Goodnight" Brooklyn said, calm & firm. She turned, silk robe whispering over her pajamas, & walked to her guest room. The mansion felt colder now, but Yeturah's mind was alive. "Too composed. Too careful" Tina hissed. Aisha's sly voice purred: Put her in the spotlight. Let her feel it. Let her burn. Then watch what she does. A wicked smile spread across Yeturah's lips. No this isn't over, not by a long shot.