INFLUENCE

Chapter SEVEN 2 day since Yeturah last heard Novi's voice, 2 days since Novi hung up the phone on her, 2 days since the silence became too loud. Brooklyn felt it before Yeturah said anything out loud. The mansion in East New York was calm, too calm. Brooklyn sat at the kitchen island with a plate pulled close to her chest. Prada sleeves pushed up as she ate slowly. She reheated some salmon Alfredo, comfort food. She propped her phone up against her water bottle, talking to Romare has on FaceTime is something new both have been doing for the past 2 days. Not forced, rushed just vibes. "So you actually sat down to eat" he said as he watched her take a bite. Brooklyn smirked almost blushing "why you sound surprised?" He responded " because you move like you forgot to take care of yourself when things get hectic." She laughed softly "not you clocking me" he responded quickly "I don't mean it in a bad way, I like that you're intentional when you slow down." He winked after his sentence. She liked how he spoke. How he didn't rush to flirt, didn't lean into anything sexual. He was just present without being overwhelming. Masculine without trying to dominate the moment. Butterflies hit her stomach & she hated this part. Down the hall, Yeturah stopped pacing. The front door opened, Novi slammed his keys on the counter harder than necessary. Yeturah didn't greet him, or soften her posture. She stood there with her arms crossed, eyes sharp, waiting. "Who was she?" Novi froze. What?" Yeti said quietly, dangerously calm "the girl I heard at the studio Novi don't play dumb right now." He exhaled slowly, "Baby" she snapped cutting him off "No! Answer my fucking question." He ran a hand through his locs. "I didn't think it was that deep" she fired back "that's the problem you never stop to fucking think." Suddenly Novi said "I saw the video, you know the one where you bugged the fuck out" he continued, frustration becoming obvious. "That shit went viral ShadeRoom keep tagging the podcast page. Everybody saw you fucking losing it!" Her voice rose, "you hung up on my nigga. Afterrrrr another bitch asked who you was talking too" he argued "I ended the call because you were escalating" she shouted "and after? 2 fucking days & I ain't hear shit from you." He admitted "I didn't know how to approach after seeing all those clips online, I didn't recognize you." That sentence cracked her, something cold slid forward. Yeturah's posture changed, her face went still. Tina surfaced, "you recognize me just fine" Tina said evenly "you just didn't know what to do with me." Novi's stomach dropped. "What the fuck!" Another voice followed, smoother, quieter. "And you don't like what you can't control." Aisha added calmly. Brooklyn muted her call immediately. Romare's voice echoed faintly from the phone before the screen went dark. She stepped into the hallway & Novi whispered "who is that?" Tina said flatly "we have BPD & you triggered it." The words landed heavy, Brooklyn stepped in "enough". The damage was already done."You watched us break online" Aisha continued "and you chose silence instead of reassuring us, making us feel safe!" The strength drained out of Yeturah all at once. Her breath hitched, eyes filled. She turned & ran to the bedroom slamming the door so hard the wall rattled. The crying that followed was devastating, raw & unfiltered. Brooklyn didn't hesitate to follow behind her, inside the room Yeturah collapsed into Brooklyn's chest, sobbing like the world had finally caught up to her. Brooklyn held her, rubbing circles into her back "I'm here" Brooklyn murmured, then added "you're safe." Novi stood frozen in the hallway, chest tight, shaken to his core. "You knew?" He asked quietly. "She's my best friend. I been caught on that something was wrong." Brooklyn replied without looking at him. Then Novi moved, he stepped into the room slowly & carefully. Like he was approaching something fragile, he sat on the bed & gently pulled Yeturah into his arms, she resisted for half a second then melted into him. "I'm here" he whispered into her ear, pushing her twist behind her ears, "I want you, only you & im not going no where." Her fingers clinched into his shirt "Don't do that shit again" she whispered faintly. "I'm sorry baby girl. I should've know to come home sooner. That's my fuck up" he said said smoothly. Novi held her without asking questions, without explanation, just steady presence. "You're not crazy or too much babe" Novi added. Yeti's breathing slowed, body growing heavy against Novi's before falling asleep. Novi stayed still, holding her like something precious. Brooklyn watched from the doorway for a moment, then quietly stepped away closing the door behind her. For now, it was enough. Tomorrow would bring answers but tonight Yeti was safe.