Chapter TWO(II)

Masks and Contracts. 

Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction. All characters, locations, and events depicted in this book are entirely the product of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or real-world events is purely coincidental.

Author's Note:

 it's a little bit of steel, a lot of caffeine, and just the right dash of "don't mess with me vibes". 

"Ahhh!" Denise squealed, her voice ringing with unrestrained excitement as she pulled Nalani into a fierce hug. "I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed, her joy bubbling over as she tightened her arms around her sister like she'd never let go. 

Nalani felt the warmth of her sister's embrace and couldn't hold back her own excitement. She hugged Denise back just as tightly, her heart racing with a mixture of pride and disbelief. 

"Have you told Mom yet?" Denise asked, finally pulling back to look Nalani in the eye, her soft blue gaze filled with curiosity and delight. 

"Not yet," Nalani admitted, her voice softening. "She doesn't get off work until 6:30 PM, and I don't want to disturb her. Besides…" She hesitated, her voice faltering. "I have so much to figure out. It's all happening so fast." 

Denise placed her hands firmly on Nalani's shoulders, shaking her gently but purposefully. "You know what you need right now?" 

Nalani tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "What?" 

"Lunch. And it's on me," Denise declared, her tone leaving no room for argument. She spun Nalani around and gave her a playful push toward the stairs. "Go change! I'll book us a ride." 

Nalani glanced over her shoulder as she ascended the stairs, her heart swelling with gratitude. She couldn't help but marvel at her older sister. Denise stood near the doorway, her phone in hand, radiating confidence. Her short, neatly trimmed white-dyed hair framed her face perfectly, and her warm brown skin glowed under the soft light. Her slim nose and striking blue eyes gave her a sharp, yet inviting look. 

Denise felt Nalani's gaze and looked up, flashing her a mischievous smile. "Go!" she mouthed, pointing exaggeratedly toward the upper floor. 

Nalani laughed, the sound light and carefree, as she hurried to her room to change. 

Twenty minutes later. 

the sisters were cruising through the city in a sleek Honda SUV. The rhythmic hum of traffic blended with the upbeat music blaring from the car speakers. They danced in their seats, laughing between bites of chocolate they'd grabbed from the backseat stash. 

"Hot Johns!" the driver announced as he pulled into the parking lot of the popular fast-food restaurant. 

Denise pulled out her phone to settle the fare, while Nalani slid out of the car and stretched her legs. 

"How much was it?" Nalani asked curiously as Denise joined her. 

"(ꓘ)75.32" Denise replied, grinning. "But he said I could pay half if I gave him my number." 

"And…?" Nalani prompted, raising a skeptical brow. 

"Let's just say I'm (ꓘ)75.32 short of cash right now," Denise said, bursting into laughter. 

Nalani groaned, grabbing her sister's arm as they walked toward the entrance. She often wondered how Denise managed to handle the constant attention she attracted so effortlessly. Nalani herself dealt with her fair share of stares but usually warded them off with a scowl big enough to scare anyone away. 

******

Inside, the warm aroma of fried chicken and spices greeted them as Denise approached the counter. 

"I'll take one Super Twelve-piece Hot Chicken, a dipping sauce, and Bubble Spice," Denise rattled off confidently, her usual go-to order. 

Nalani, lost in thought, barely noticed. 

"What about you?" Denise asked, snapping her fingers in front of Nalani's face. 

"Anything is fine, really," Nalani said absentmindedly, waving her hand. 

Denise rolled her eyes dramatically and turned to the waiter. "She'll have the same as me." 

Grabbing Nalani's arm, Denise led her to an empty booth. As they sat, Nalani found herself admiring her sister's boldness. While Nalani preferred loose clothes to keep her curvy figure under wraps, Denise reveled in her confidence. Today, she wore a pink cap with "Bossy" emblazoned on it, paired with a lime green two-piece hoodie and track pants, finished off with Crocs. Denise's outfit, by contrast, was sleek and commanding—a cropped black top under a fitted zipper jacket, body-hugging pants, and boots that clicked with authority. 

Denise caught Nalani staring and smirked. Fix your face! You look like you're about to rob the place, she teased via text. 

Nalani chuckled, texting back, I might just. 

Sliding a tablet and a stack of papers onto the table, Nalani began organizing her designs for the Newpark Summer Fit Walks. Her screen displayed to-do lists and planning strategies she had been refining tirelessly. 

"Really? Right now?" Denise asked, raising a brow. 

"The earlier, the better," Nalani replied, flipping through the sketches. 

Before Nalani could react, Denise reached over and snatched the papers and tablet, tucking them out of reach. 

"What are you doing?" Nalani asked, half-annoyed, half-amused. 

"You need a break," Denise declared, folding her arms. "And I mean it. Take a breath, eat, and let your brain rest for five minutes." 

Nalani sighed but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. Denise had always known when to push her, and right now, a part of her knew her sister was right. 

"Listen," Denise began, her tone equal parts exasperated and teasing as she leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "I know how eager you are to work and grind, but seriously, when was the last time you did something… you know, outside? Something not related to school or work?" 

Nalani sighed, running her fingers along the rim of her cup. "I don't have time for that." 

Denise rolled her eyes dramatically, a signature move that could rival any actress. "You're going to grow old and alone, mark my words. As your older sister, I can't just sit back and watch you wither into misery. So…" She clapped her hands decisively. "I'm putting you on game. Pick a dude." 

"What?!" Nalani's voice came out louder than she intended, her face heating up as a few heads turned. "Hell no!" she hissed, lowering her voice. 

"Come on, just pick one!" Denise urged, her grin widening as she leaned back in her chair, clearly enjoying her sister's mortification. 

"I… I need to use the bathroom," Nalani mumbled, standing abruptly, her only escape route from the relentless teasing. 

But in her haste to leave, she collided with someone heading in her direction. The impact sent a scalding heat across her chest as the boy's drink spilled over her. 

For a moment, everything seemed to freeze. Nalani's brain struggled to process the pain that followed, a sharp, burning sensation spreading over her skin. She stumbled back, clutching her chest. 

"Oh my God, ouch!" she cried out, tears stinging her eyes. 

Denise was already on her feet, frantically pressing a wad of kitchen towels against Nalani's chest. "I'm trying, I'm trying! Your huge melons are in the way!" 

Nalani winced but couldn't help a small laugh bubbling through her pain. It was short-lived as her focus shifted to the boy standing a few feet away. He looked at her with a blank expression, his dark eyes unreadable. 

"You still owe me a new Chocolate Volcano," he said flatly, his voice devoid of apology. 

"What? Are you serious?!" Denise snapped, her tone protective and fierce. "You nearly burned her, and you're worried about your stupid drink?" 

The boy shrugged, shifting his skateboard to his other hand. "She bumped into me," he said nonchalantly. "And I really needed that drink." 

Nalani's gaze flickered over him. He wore a black leather jacket that seemed to glisten faintly under the restaurant's lights, paired with matching pants and dress shoes. A crossbody bag hung over his shoulder, and his curly black hair almost covered his face. There was something disheveled yet deliberate about his look, an odd mix of effort and indifference. 

"I'm… I'm so sorry," Nalani stammered, stepping forward before Denise could escalate the situation further. She fished her phone from the table. "I can transfer you the money. FlexPay, right?" 

The boy groaned, adjusting his beanie as if the entire exchange was exhausting. "Don't bother," he muttered, brushing past them. "Not like you could afford it anyway." 

Before Denise could respond, he was already heading toward the door, where a group of boys waited. 

"What's up, dude?" one of them called out loudly. 

"Nothing serious," the boy replied, glancing back at Nalani briefly before one of his friends threw an arm over his shoulder and ruffled his hair. 

"You got a crush on her or something?" the friend teased, his voice carrying easily over the chatter. 

"What? Ew, no," the boy shot back, his tone defensive as he walked out. 

Denise stood frozen, her jaw tightening as she watched them leave. "He did not just say that," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "That piece of—" 

"Let it go, Dee," Nalani interrupted softly, tugging her sister back toward their table. 

******

On the ride, Nalani looked out the window, her mind spinning. She wasn't mad at the boy, oddly enough. No, she was mad at herself. She hated how her thoughts kept circling back to him—the detached expression in his eyes, the way he'd brushed past her without a second thought. Why couldn't she just let it go? 

Denise, on the other hand, was still fuming. "I'm telling you, sis. Next time I see that guy, it's on sight!" 

"Dee, it's fine. I'm trying to focus," Nalani said, her voice carrying a note of exhaustion. 

"Focus on what?" Denise leaned over, peering at Nalani's phone. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of an open chat window. "Wait. Is that… Arielle Kate? The supermodel?!" 

Nalani groaned, trying to pull her phone away, but Denise was too quick. 

"Oh my gosh!" Denise practically squealed. "You're working with Arielle Kate?! That's insane! I saw her walk in the Sun Show last Year. She's stunning." 

"I haven't worked with her yet," Nalani corrected, her tone resigned. 

"What does that mean?" Denise asked, her excitement dimming slightly. 

"It means," Nalani began, "I still have to convince her to collaborate with me for the Newpark Summer Fit Walks. And right now, I have no idea what to say to her." 

Denise's face lit up with a mischievous grin. "Oh, I can help with that." Before Nalani could react, Denise snatched the phone and began typing furiously. 

"Dee, wait—"

Nalani's protest was cut off by the soft ping of a sent message. Wrestling her phone back, Nalani stared at the screen in horror. 

The message read: Hi, my name is Nalani, and I'd love to work with you for the Newpark Summer Fit Walks! I have some really cool designs and would love for you to see them and decide if you're interested. 

Denise grinned triumphantly. "See? Problem solved." 

Nalani groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Dee… you're unbelievable." 

Nalani wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. If jumping out of the moving car was an option, she might have considered it. Instead, she sat frozen, staring at Denise, whose grin stretched ear to ear. 

"What? Trust me, she'll reply. Positive vibes only!" Denise chirped, wiggling her fingers in front of Nalani's face, showing off her freshly manicured nails. 

Nalani's gaze shifted, catching the shimmer of a ring on Denise's hand. "Oh my gosh, is that… Jackie Rose?" 

Denise's smile grew wider. "Yup. Tommy got it for me! Oh, and he's coming over for New Year's." 

"Wait, what?! Tommy's coming over? Why am I just finding out about this now?" Nalani's voice pitched higher, half-annoyed and half-surprised. 

Denise waved her hand dismissively. "It was supposed to be a surprise, but I kinda let it slip… so, surprise!" She grinned, completely unbothered. 

Tommy was Denise's boyfriend-turned-fiancé. He worked as an engineer in Basco, a state far from Jasson. It had been a while since Nalani last saw him, but she remembered him fondly. He was the only guy aside from their dad that Nalani felt any connection to. Tommy was tall, blond, and light-skinned, with a neatly groomed appearance that often made him look like he was heading to either the office or a golf course—no in-betweens. 

The ring on Denise's finger was a proposal ring. She'd originally received a simpler one months ago, but it hadn't fit quite right, so Tommy had taken her shopping and opted for the dazzling Jackie Rose instead. Denise flaunted it again, the diamond catching the light as a notification buzzed on her phone, drawing her attention. 

Nalani couldn't help but think about how sweet their relationship was. Denise's carefree, outspoken, and playful nature was such a stark contrast to Tommy's calculated, calm, and quiet demeanor. Yet, they fit together perfectly. The thought made her heart ache a little, knowing that once they were married, Denise would likely move to Basco. 

"So… when's the wedding?" Nalani asked, trying to sound casual. 

"Tommy wants to wait until his mom gets back from the West before we set a date," Denise replied, scrolling through a video of a cat chasing its tail. 

"Oh, cool." Nalani nodded, her attention shifting back to her phone. Her eyes lingered on the message Denise had sent earlier. Everything was riding on Kate's reply now. Though Nalani wasn't particularly religious, she found herself silently praying that things would work out. She really needed this win. 

******

The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the city. Despite the cold, Kate stuck to her workout schedule. She wore a cropped purple hoodie from Luca & Verdure, its fabric riding up just enough to reveal her toned, sun-kissed stomach. It was one of the many samples she received from brands—both small startups and big names—vying for her attention and a potential collaboration. She paired it with black leggings tucked into crisp Raymonds socks and finished the look with a pair of sleek Panda Rocks sneakers. 

Through the transparent glass doors of the gym, Kate spotted her manager waving at her. He held a file in one hand and wore his usual businesslike expression. Bald, 5'7", and sporting a neatly trimmed beard, Jerry was a constant in Kate's life—the one person who could put up with her antics. 

Kate sighed, tapping the treadmill's controls to slow it down. She let the machine carry her backward before hopping off and pulling out her earbuds. Pushing the door open, she greeted him. 

"Good morning, James. How long have you been standing there?" 

"Good morning, Katey." His attempt at a smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "A few minutes. I called out, but you were in the zone." 

"Ha-ha, very funny." Her tone was flat as she crossed her arms. "So, what's in the file?" 

"Nothing serious. Just work stuff." 

Kate raised an eyebrow. "Work stuff? You work for me, so it's my stuff." 

James rolled his eyes but didn't take the bait. "Sure, if you want to call it that. It's more about managing contracts we haven't burned and restoring your public image." 

Kate's lips thinned. "Not interested." 

"Well, I am," James shot back. "That's my job. Have you checked Vibestream lately? They're roasting you. Sponsors are pulling out left and right. Whatever you're dealing with, you need to deal with it fast. If not, kiss your career goodbye." 

Before she could respond, James's phone buzzed. He answered the call and walked away, leaving Kate to stew in his words. 

Turning to the window, Kate stared at her reflection, her chest rising and falling as her breathing grew uneven. Her hands trembled slightly. How was she supposed to get back out there? Not after what had happened. The cameras, the scrutiny, the endless opinions—it felt like too much. Maybe things were better this way. 

"Yo, Katey—" 

She turned sharply, her voice biting. "Don't call me that." 

"I'm sorry, Katey, sweetheart, but how about a drink? Maybe coffee? We could talk about this there," Jerry said, tapping the file in his hand, a warm smile on his face. 

Kate knew he wasn't going to leave her alone—he never did. He wasn't giving her much of a choice, either. With a sigh, she turned to grab her phone. "I need a shower," she muttered, brushing past him. 

"You have five minutes. I know exactly how long you take," James called after her, watching as she jogged up the stairs. 

He sighed, his smile fading. He wasn't sure if she'd ever be able to overcome it. Whatever "it" was, it had a firm grip on her, and Jerry hated seeing her like this. The best he could do was support her and hope she found her way out. 

"You'd better hurry, Kate, or we're going to lose everything," he muttered to himself, turning to the glass wall that overlooked the bustling traffic below. "Man, I love glass walls," he added as an afterthought, his attempt to lighten the heavy moment. 

Kate, of course, took more than five minutes, but James didn't complain. Getting her to even agree to talk about the contract was a miracle in itself, and anything beyond that would be pure luck. 

When she came down, she wore black cargo pants slung low enough to reveal the waistband of her Tommy Harper underwear, its white lettering standing out against her skin. Her black strapless crop top didn't help conceal it, but the oversized bomber jacket she wore made an effort. A beanie covered her head, and a pair of Tommy Harper glasses sat perched on her nose. 

James couldn't help but admire her. If she tried, she could stop traffic—she had the kind of figure people described as perfect, though he'd never say it out loud. Being by her side and helping her through her chaos was enough for him. 

"What?" Kate asked, catching him staring. 

"You look amazing," he said, trying to hide his awkwardness. 

"I know. It's literally my job," she replied, brushing past him as he opened the door to her customized black Panther Survivor SUV. She hopped into the passenger seat, and Jerry followed. 

"So, where are we headed?" she asked, scrolling through her socials. 

"Someplace with good coffee," James replied, knowing the conversation was over. 

Kate slipped in her earbuds, blasting Sweet Martha at full volume. The music drowned out the world, and her thoughts wandered. She liked the artist's work—maybe she'd visit him someday. As the exhaustion from her earlier workout settled in, her eyelids grew heavy, and she drifted into a light sleep. 

******

"Katey," Jerry's voice broke through her slumber, accompanied by a soft tap on her arm. 

She groaned, pulling the blanket off as she looked out the tinted window. They were in the heart of the city. The streets were alive with people and movement. 

"Really? The middle of town?" she asked, her tone flat. 

"When was the last time you were here?" James countered, grinning. 

"I don't know… since half the world knows my face?" 

James held up a black face mask that could double as a beanie. "That's why I brought this." 

She sighed, pulling off her old beanie and sliding the mask over her head. It fit snugly, concealing her features. 

James stepped out first, exchanging a few words with security before tapping on her window. She opened the door, taking his outstretched hand and hopping down. He led her into a cozy café, his eyes scanning the surroundings. 

They settled at a corner table with two steaming cups of coffee. Jerry slid the file across to her, opening it to reveal the details. 

"What's this? A… tubey?" Kate asked, squinting at the logo. 

"It's a rubber company," James explained, his voice faltering at the last word. 

"A rubber company? Like condoms?" 

"No! Well… sort of. They make all kinds of rubber products, not just that." 

"So, let me get this straight. You want me to sign a two-year deal with a condom company?" 

"Could you not make it sound worse?" 

"What do you want me to say, James? Jeez." 

James sighed. "Listen, Katey, I know you're frustrated—" 

"Frustrated? James, I'm furious. This is the best we could get?" 

"That's the problem, Katey. It's not the best—it's the only company willing to work with us without demanding more from you." 

"More from me?" 

"You know what I mean," James said quietly. "I vetted the company; it's legit. It's easy work. A few pictures, some videos, a couple of posts on Vibestream, and you're done. But if we don't act soon, we're out of options." 

Kate's face remained expressionless. She stirred her coffee, lifting it to her lips for a sip. 

"A year ago, companies were lining up to work with us. Now? Stepping back from the cameras is killing us. If we wait any longer, it's all over. I love my job, Katey. My baby girl just got into college, and…" His voice trailed off. 

Kate softened slightly. "Really? That's sweet. What's she studying?" 

"Biology. You know, smart-people stuff." 

"She must've gotten that from her mom," Kate teased, her lips curling into a faint smirk. 

Jerry didn't respond, but he was relieved to see her easing up. 

"So… the contract?" he asked after a moment of silence. 

"I'll take it, but I'm not doing the condom ads." 

"Done. I'll talk to their team and get you started." 

Kate nodded and waved down a waitress. "Can I get another coffee? And some chocolate breadsticks, too?" 

The waitress nodded and left. 

Kate stared out the café's glass door, watching people pass by. She wondered if anyone wished they were her. Sometimes, she wished she were them—living a simple, quiet life free of all this chaos. 

Author's Note:

James is honestly my spirit animal. A bald, sarcastic dad who's just trying to keep his life (and Kate's career) from crashing and burning? Goals. But seriously, I love how his dynamic with Kate brings some balance to her chaotic energy. It's like he's the steady anchor she desperately needs but doesn't want to admit. 

Also, let's talk about Kate for a second—homegirl is a hot mess but in the most relatable way. She's out here dodging the world, rocking beanies, and sipping overpriced coffee while contemplating life's deeper questions like, "Why do I have to endorse condoms?" She's the perfect mix of flawed and fabulous, and we're just getting started with her story. 

Chapter 2 is all about showing the cracks in her armor. Beneath the sass and perfect eyeliner, there's vulnerability, exhaustion, and the struggle to stay afloat in a world that's always watching. Stick around; things are about to get real (and maybe a little messy).