INFLUENCE

Chapter 8 03/14/2022 The Queens Supreme Courtroom smelled like old paper mixed with polished wood, and silent judgement. Brooklyn sat still, ankles crossed, hands folded over the leather portfolio Monique told her to bring even if she never opened it. Her burgundy bob was sleek, styled in a side part, pressed flat against her jawline. Framing a face that looked calm, but only because she trained herself to survive that way.    Inside her anxiety was loud. Not spiraling, or panicking. Just present like static under the skin. To her left, Monique Brown flipped through her files with surgical precision. Her dark melanated skin glowing, followed with sharp cheekbones. A stare that dared anyone to underestimate her. She didn't whisper encouragement to Brooklyn, she didn't need to, her confidence & demeanor was enough. Across the aisle, the Stewart's sat rigid. Mrs. Stewart's pearl necklace gleamed like armor. Mr. Stewart avoided eye contact with Brooklyn. Their lawyer leaned back slightly, smug in a way that came from expensive retainers & years of winning by intimidation. The clerk called the case, Monique & Brooklyn stood. Monique didn't raise her voice, rush or dramatize. She began with emails, the printed copies slid across the bench. Emails from HR questioning Brooklyn's attire despite written approval. Emails flagging her "tone" after she defended herself. Emails between Mrs. Stewart & senior staff discussing whether Brooklyn's "identity" aligned with Rosé's image. Monique read them all aloud. She was accurate & came correct with documented dates, time, & senders. Then came the internal messages. Slack threads Brooklyn had quietly archived for months.    One message glowed on the screen bright in blue: "Clients are old school. Let's not confuse them at the front desk." Then another: "It should be grateful we're inclusive enough to keep it." Brooklyn's jaw tightened but she didn't move. Monique was just warming up, next she played audio from the law firm. The courtroom froze as Mr. Stewart's voice echoed through the speakers with a comfortable, disrespectful tone. Audio: "I'm not trying to be offensive, but clients don't expect to see this." A pause, slight laughter in the background. "It needs to remember where it is." The judge leaned forward. Mrs. Stewart shifted sharply. Monique let the silence stretch for a moment. Then she delivered the timeline, dates of micro aggressions, written complaints, witness statements from former staff who quit quietly. Then the Stewarts were allowed to speak. Mrs. Stewart lost control, her voice low, dismissive & bitter all in one. "This is what happens when you let grown men play victim, dress up is over." Mrs. Stewart didn't realize the microphone was live & picked up everything she said. The courtroom inhaled sharply. The judge didn't blink, the gavel came down making the ruling devastating for the Stewart's. The judge announced how the Stewart's as runners of the lawfirm created a hostile work environment, participated in discrimination, retaliated on Brooklyn when they found out about the case keeping her out of work for weeks, & loss credibility. Then the final words spoken from the judge. Almost bringing Brooklyn to tears but she stay strong, confident, & sharp just like her lawyer Monique Brown. "Ownership of Rosé transferred to Brooklyn Zephyr. Congratulations Ms. Zephyr." Brooklyn felt the weight hit her chest. Not like joy, but like gravity shifting. Monique leaned in and whispered some encouragement to Brooklyn "you didn't just win love, you took the power & now you're the owner of the company. You go girl." In the lobby Brooklyn stopped Monique, she said "thank you so much for helping me with my case, I really just wanted the transphobia to stop but this feels a whole lot sweeter. Thank you Mrs. Brown." Tone genuine, relaxed, finally able to let her guard down for a little. Monique responded "It was my pleasure working with you Brooklyn & please call me Monique. I'm happy I got to work this case with another transwomen & help her win. Take care of yourself my love." Brooklyn smiled as she got in her uber home, today was a long day but tomorrow brought a whole other battle Brooklyn needed to be well prepared for. Yeturah's POV: Atlanta glowed beneath the Airbnb's glass walls. Neon & heat bleeding into the room. The city pulsed, live, restless & expectant. Yeturah's & Novi's body mixed with each others sweat as Novi pushed himself deep into Yeturah's  love box. Yeti's moans encouraging Novi to dig a little deeper. Both of them loved each other & the intimacy showed. Novi's hit "Love She" playing in the background "Making love to you is heavens gates, I love looking in your beautiful face." 1hr:45 mins later 8:45 PM The pair finished making love, late for their club appearance. The past 48 hours had been erratic, Novi spent the previous night & morning processing everything going on with Yeti. The fights, the BPD that he didn't detect & felt like shit for, viral videos, memes, & unwavering concern. Novi was dressed, sharply. A crisp white true religion shirt, blue true religion jeans, ALO men's cream colored, low platform sneakers. His customized gold chain that spelled out "Novi Avi" caught the lights in the bnb, his AVI watch that's selling out on his website AviNation.Org world wide, glinting at his wrist. His shoulder length locs flowed as his caramel skin glistened. He exuded confidence & the fans loved it, it's like him & Yeturah both know how to command a room separately, but together they are a dangerous combo. 10:20 PM Club appearance time - 8:00 PM Finally stepping into Tongue & Groove, lights flickered across the velvet walls, reflecting off the VIP tables, champagne bottles, & screens. The crowd surged, buzzing with excitement as the couple arrived. Yeturah chose comfort & style without overthinking it. She stepped wearing a white True Religion leotard, ripped baggy jeans, & white Nike sneakers. Her twist let down today, matching her man's energy. The outfit had aura of street-chic-stylish, confident, yet effortless. As they approached the stage, snippets of "Yeti" played from the speakers, the crowd screaming in unison. Shaderoom, Avi Lanez, & Worldstar about to have a field day. Tina & Aisha flared slightly, but Yeturah kept her calm, moving smoothly in her ripped jeans. She was stepping, exuding that signature energy, Novi had her back every step of the way. Novi grabbed the mic, bass thumping in sync with the crowd's heartbeat. Number 1 song on charts 'Yeti': "You see Yeti, that's my bae She been down for a nigga since third grade A nigga get outta line better run that fade She a bad lil bish & that's no bait You see Yeti, that's my bae She been down for a nigga since third grade" Yeti's eyes glistened under the lights. Every note, every word, every chant of the crowd reverberated in her chest. She caught Novi's gaze mid verse. His energy, love, intensity felt like a protective shield, calming her internal storm. Next on the playlist for Novi to perform came 'Love She'. Flow hitting like velvet: "Yo yo. It's Aviiiiii Got a baddie on my hip, helping me with the fame, no doubt she help a nigga stay down in the game Making love to you is heavens gates I love looking in your beautiful face Some call her Yeti but I say babe She take shopping sprees staying right for a nigga, Yeaaa I love she, love she, love she, love sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee' The crowd bounced & Yeti felt it too. Privately, the intimacy of Novi's lyrics, the love that was hers alone to carry. Tina & Aisha watched silently, letting her absorb the warmth, keeping her alert yet calm. Closing the set 'All About Avi': "Grew up in Cypress Hills, beating niggas up Thought they could bully me but my momma tough Pops had me boxing since I was two They some real ones, ain't raise no fool. A nigga real humble when the baddest bitch in his room" Fans sang along word for word, the social media clips already being captured from every angle. Yeturah stood beside Novi, leaning slightly into him, their energy magnetic, in sync. By the end of the night, the crowd was electric. Phones flashed, cheers roared. Yeti's white True Religion outfit glimmered under the club lights, her sneakers tapping with quiet control. She matched Novi's style, comfortable energy. As the crowds roar subsided, Novi leaned close, brushing a strand of twist from Yeturah's face."We did it." He murmured just for her. Yeti's chest rising & falling, the adrenaline still pulsing, but she smiled softly letting the moment linger.