INFLUENCE

Chapter FIVE The Crown Heights mansion was still when Yeturah returned. She showered first. Letting hot water strip away hospital air, flashing lights, and the weight of being watched then she changed into something comfy. A fitted long-sleeve shirt, flared leggings, house slippers. No glam, no performance, just her. The door opened quietly. Novi didn't say anything at first. His eyes searching her face. Instinctively checking, landing on the thin red scratch underneath her eye. "Talk to me" he said. Yeti took a deep breath. "Babe, I couldn't call you. We were taken to Woodhall's G unit & admitted. They took our belongings & kept us there all night! I know seeing those clips online & not being able to reach me or Bk had you worried, but we're fine." She stepped closer. "And trust me. Those loud, busty ass bitches couldn't hold a candle stick to me, or Brooklyn." Relief flickered across his face before concern returned. "I was losing my mind" Novi admitted. "Clips popping up everywhere, people tagging me in shit, leaking shit while I'm out on the road." Yeturah sighed softly & said "I hate you had to go through that." Her tone smooth. He studied her. "You don't have to carry this alone Yeturah. We are partners. A team. Stop acting like this only affects you." Novi said tone firm. "I've just learn to move on from things, detach." Yeti replied. "I've been there through it all. From when we were kids spending the night at each other parents house, to when feelings crept in sophomore year before you dropped out, to when we both stepped into the spotlight. I was there Yeti." He said, genuine. She lifted an eyebrow & smirked. "Correction." He looked at her & formed a smirk of his own. "Go head." "I liked you in middle school, you were just slow." She said. That made him blush. Brief laughter before his tone turned serious again. "This situation is getting out of control." He paused. "And I didn't even know Bk could throw down like that." Yeturah nodded. "Yeah babe, my best friend gets active. We use to fight side by side in school all the time until I dropped out, then I'd meet up with her after school & we'd give bitches the business if anyone messed with her. Anyways that's why we were on suspension most of the time, & had to always meet you after school." He nodded slowly. "I know what you're capable of. The world does too now." Then he got quiet for a minute. "Brooklyn caught me off guard. I know she can go off the hinges sometimes but seeing that clip makes me feel like both of y'all need some therapy, anger management, counseling I don't know something. I'm worried about y'all." Yeturah replied "Brooklyn doesn't go looking for trouble, you know how she is. She's not going to let anyone corner her." Novi said "I get it. I just don't want either one of you paying for one bad night." Brooklyn's POV: She didn't get to linger at home. She showered quickly, washing of antiseptic & exhaustion. She changed into a 3 piece silk tailored nude women's suit. Clean lines. Professional enough to remind herself who she was. She put on her favorite Prada six inch heels, then sprayed her favorite perfume Victoria's Secret Dream Angel in the air as she walked through. When she was done getting dressed she called her Uber. Rosé HeadQuarters in Astoria felt colder than the firm in Jamaica Queens ever had. She sat in the waiting area until the secretary at HeadQuarters escorted her to Michelle Rodriguez *Chief Human Resources Officer* office. Michelle asked about the footage, optics, whether public incidents affected her role as a secretary at a highly respected firm. Brooklyn answered evenly. "My performance has never been compromised, despite ongoing hostility I've remained professional." Michele smirked. Admiring Brooklyn's courage. Brooklyn wasn't fired. Not today. After the meeting Brooklyn bumped into Romare outside. "You okay?" He asked. Caring, attentive. "I am" she said. Steady, guarded. "Let me take you out to eat. Just food" he offered. Brooklyn paused. Anxiety buzzed but fatigue won. "Okay."  Neither of them noticed the phones lifting nearby. The city was now watching.