INFLUENCE

Chapter TEN The mansion in Astoria Queens was quiet except for the tension radiating in the living room. Heavy curtains blocked fading the sunlight yet somehow the space felt electric. Yeturah leaned against the marble countertop, twists messy from the brawl hours ago, lips pressed tight. Jaw locked. Her navy Alo airbrush tights wrinkled from movement, sneakers scuffing against the floor. Novi stood on the opposite side, hands gripping the back of the leather chair, brow furrowed, leaning forward, voice calm & firm. "Baby girl. You need to control yourself. You can't keep bugging like this, it's too much & it's always going viral." Yeturah's eyes flashed, hands clinching into fists. Tina & Aisha were fully activated, Tina's cold & merciless energy pulsating while Aisha calculated, deviously plotting. "Control myself? You know why I beat that bitch up. You're acting like nothing happened like the bitch didn't say yall fucked!" Novi raised his voice, exasperated & trying not to lose his cool. "Baby, that's not even about me. You can't let nobody dictate your reaction, find a different way to handle things." Tina growled under Yeti's skin. Aisha whispered suggestions of escalation however Yeti wasn't listening, she lived the feed of every slight, every disrespect. "Handle it differently? Like what smile & let people walk all over me? Let bitches think it's cute to fuck my nigga." Before Novi could respond Yeti added "Novi Avi Ima ask you this one time. Did you fuck that ugly ass hoe?" Novi rubbed his temples, exhaling sharply. Realization hit him, the argument was spiraling. Yeturah was emotionally triggered, fed by the fight, by Brittney's claim, and by her own internal girls. There was no de-escalating this with words. "No I did not fuck her! I can't do this right now & I can't fix this with you at this moment." He stormed toward the door, fists tightening on the handle. Yeti's eyes narrowed, watching him go. The mansion was quiet except for the echo of the closing door. The argument ended unresolved leaving Yeti fuming internally. Brooklyn's POV: She opened her apartment door with her keys, putting her bag down on the living room table. She let out a loud sigh & went to the kitchen for a glass of barefoot pink moscato. Her wild rose Alo sneakers scuffing lightly against the curb, fitted cap low, hair bouncing slightly. Romare watched her quietly as her anxiety became apparent over her whole body. His hands were in his pockets, he asked gently "Brooklyn, are you okay hun?"     Brooklyn froze in the middle of the kitchen, chest tightening. The flood of emotions hit, every memory of the fight, Yeturah's dominance throughout the fight, the fans comments she mistakenly read after the show & the altercation. She broke down, tears rolling, hands shaking, voice breaking. She hated the weakness, hated needing to be into safety, but for the first time today she couldn't control herself. Romare stepped forward, place his masculine hands gently on her shoulders, bending slightly to meet her eyes. His voice deep, steady & calm "It's gone be okay Brooklyn, breathe with me. You're safe I got you." Brooklyn let herself lean into him, shivering, grounding herself. Romare held her until her breath slowed. Her tears started drying, posture gradually softening. She thought to herself "I always fight alongside Yeti. Just watching & trying to break it up was off. However jumping is weak sauce."   She finally nodded, wiping her eyes, taking a deep breath. She showered, then changed as she put on her professional woman's suit, all pink, no name brand it didn't matter today, she's the OWNER now. She hugged Romare & asked if he'd be in the office today, he replied "I'm off. But you know I gotta come check my bae" she blushed, kissed him then went downstairs to her uber. Entering Rosé the lobby was sleek, minimalistic. Staff looked up, eyes wide, she didn't smile; she commanded presence.   Brooklyn's voice was firm & clear "Everyone needs to leave the building! All of you have been fired, termination emails will be sent out by the end of the day. Rye Kingston you stay." She brought in a completely new team, transgender lawyers, secretaries, executives. When HR contacted her about the number of employees terminated she handled it professionally, grown, reviewing contracts, introducing new staff, setting expectations. She told HR "I will not tolerate a hostile work environment. Most of the candidates contract were expired anyway. I can assure you this new team is far more qualified for this job." Calm, measured & fully in her element. Brooklyn noticed Monique Brown in the corner. She walked over & stated "Monique, I'd love for you to consider joining Rosé." Monique smiled softly, shook her head & responded "Brooklyn I'm retired, however I had to take your case. I'm honored." Brooklyn nodded accepting the decline gracefully "I understand. Thank you so much for your help." Everyone in the building was transgender, male & female except the janitor Rye Kingston. Rye was the only person who remained respectful throughout her time at Rosé. Brooklyn's gaze lingered briefly on him, acknowledgment without approval. She thought to herself "this is my domain, I set the tone, everything & everyone else will fall in line.