Awkward [Part 2]

Nicki rolled over and her right arm shot up and slammed down on her alarm that was waking her up. She took her left arm and stretched it out scanning the bed for Safaree. Opening her eyes, she turned over and sat up straight but didn't keep her eyes opened for long. She sighed opening her eyes again. She threw the cover off her legs and slid her legs off the side of the bed. Sighing again, she hopped up from the bed and headed for the bathroom. Safaree entered her bedroom with her breakfast. He looked around confused wondering where she was but stopped wondering when he heard the sink running. He walked over to the mini dresser beside Nicki's bed placing her breakfast there and taking the water and empty bowl of olives from last night. He turned around heading for the kitchen. As soon as Safaree walked out of the room, Nicki came entering the bedroom still brushing her teeth. Noticing no one else was in the room, she shrugged and went back to the bathroom. Done brushing, Nicki grabbed a face towel and walked back into the bedroom. Smelling the newly aroma of her breakfast she stepped over to her dresser at took the lid off of the food. Picking up a peace of bacon, Nicki turned hearing approaching footsteps. Safaree entered the room again drinking a bottle of water, he put the bottle down and screwed the cap on walking over to Nicki and bending down to peck her lips.

"How long you been up?" Nicki said continuing eating the turkey bacon.

"An hour before you did." he said while taking a seat on the edge of Nicki's bed with her eyes following him. Nicki slid between his legs, standing in front of him and adjusting his hat.

"What have you been doing?" she smiled down at him still messing with his hat.

"You'll find out on that day, Nic. I'm not telling you."

"Faree, pleeeeeeeaaase. Just tell me one little detail."

"It'll be on the 7th of March."

Nicki pouted and turned walking away from Safaree and going back to the bathroom. "You're so mean to me. You never tell me anything."

"Dramatic." Safaree got up from the bed and walked out of her bedroom.

--

"So, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded is number one. How are you feeling after having back to back success with both albums?"

"Uhm. It's overwhelming. I mean, I never thought in a billion years this would be happening to a little girl from-- you know, Southside Jamaica Queens. It's very humbling and it definitely shows my babies and my barbz that hard work indeed pays off."

"Now being the only relevant female rapper out there, did you feel pressure to kind of stay in the RAP lane. Because, obviously hearing this album, it's very diverse. You can tell it's gonna be that way from the cover. But did you feel hesitant to kind of branch out?"

Nicki adjusted in her chair while listening to him ask the question. From the beginning she thought the question was going to be going into a direction she didn't want it to. With him finishing out the question she smiled and began to answer.

"You wanna know what's so crazy? I've ALWAYS done music like..the music you hear on Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. It's nothing NEW. So, in asking 'Did I feel pressure to stay in the "rap" lane?' No. I know what my fans want. I don--"

"Exactly. Sorry to cut you off, but I'm an early fan of yours as well. And you've always done the singing and the kind of Pop records so I don't see the big difference now."

"Exactly!" Nicki snapped her fingers and pointed at the interviewer. "I've always records like these."

"Yeah, because there was this one song.. Uhm.. what was it called?" the interview bowed his head and then looking up at the ceiling trying to remember the name of the song. "Encore 'o7!" he said a little TOO excited that he just remembered the name of it. Nicki giggled and nodded her head. "Encore o7 was like a rap and pop song mixed and that shit was hot!" Nicki laughed again.

"Well thank you. But, yeah like you said. I've always done things like this. And to be completely honest, staying in the "rap" lane wasn't even something I thought about. I just stayed true to ME, and did what I felt like. I love this album. I love it a thousand times more than I love Pink Friday. I'm proud of this album."

"Alright. Enough of the music life. What's going in your personal life?"

"Oh bruhva." Nicki rolled her eyes playfully and looked off to the side.

"No. No. No. I just have a few viewer questions from your barbz and they wanted to know about these things." the interviewer looked over the set of questions. "It shouldn't be too personal. If you wanna pass you can say pass, if you wanna answer, shoot. Ready?"

"Ready."

"When was the last time you wore your real hair?"

"I wear my real hair all the time when I'm at home or when I'm in the studio. That's why I always have my blanket on in Ustreams when I'm in the studio. For you nosy liddle wosies."

"Whelp. You just killed that secret."

"Oop!" Nicki laughed and fell back in her seat. "I guess I did, huh? Whatever, barbz."

"Alright, next question is..." he shuffled through the cards scanning over the question that he should have separated. "Who was the inspiration behind Right By My Side and when will we get to see you walking around wearing his big chain?"

Nicki smirked letting her right dimple show. She crossed her legs and put left elbow on it, resting her chin in her hand. "Well, you know. In about 5 years when I meet someone then you'll see me with their chain on. I don't know what you want me to say barbz." she said in her English accent.

Safaree chuckled in the background but not enough to cause Nicki and the interviewer to look his way. Manny entered the room signaling the interviewer telling him it was time to wrap it up.

"Alright, last question. What was the last CD you bought?"

"Hmm.. I believe it was J.Holiday. His album was so amazing, what happened to him?"

"I don't know. But thank you, Nicki Minaj, for taking the time to sit with us."

"Of course! Thanks for having me." Nicki stood up hugging the interview and fell in place behind her bodyguards, Manny, and Safaree leaving the radio station. Safaree slowed down his pace to get beside Nicki.

"You know you've never been a good liar."

"Safaree, what the hell are you talking about?"

"Whenever you lie you talk in that accent. When he asked about the chain."

"He didn't notice."

"No, but TM will. They already know you lyin."

"Oh. Shut up Safaree and help me get in the car. Big ass head."

"So rude. Remember that on the 7th." Safaree took Nicki's hand in his and Nicki took a step in the SUV, sliding all the way over to the other side. Safaree climbed in and shut the door. He pulled out his iPhone and uploaded a picture of his watch that he took earlier. Safaree got a phone call and hesitated to answer it but he did. Nicki looked over at him wondering why he was whispering and trying not to say much. It clicked in her mind and she smiled and looked back out the window. Safaree ended the phone call and Nicki immediately hounded him with questions.

"Who was that?"

"Someone."

"Someone who?"

"Someone you don't know."

"Is it for what I think it's for?"

"Yes, Nicki. You done now?"

Nicki rolled her eyes and focused back out the window.

"You have fun last night at the party?"

"It was okay I guess."

Safaree chuckled. "You've never been the club type. Ever. I remember back in the day you'd be nodding off and shit if you didn't have to perform. You ain't about dat life."

"Shut up, Safaree." she gave a slight smile and giggled.

Nicki's phone went off notifying her that she had a BBM. Nicki pulled up her BBM and instantly became annoyed. It was Drake. She didn't understand. WHY does he want to speak to her? She made it very clear after the last time they spoke and he said what he said that she didn't want to speak to him anymore. She didn't want to see him anymore either but of course being label mates that was hard. Nicki huffed and opened the BBM.

I'm sorry about the awkwardness last night. I would like to meet to clear everything up. No hard feelings. Take Care.

Nicki closed the BBM and tossed it between her and Safaree into the seat.

"What's that about?"

"Ugh. Drake." Nicki turned away from the window and to the right more facing Safaree. "He wants to meet and talk about who the fuck knows what and I don't know why."

"You don't wanna meet with your boyfriend-stalker?"

"Safaree. Shut. Up. I'm serious." Nicki whined. "I don't wanna talk to him."

"Then don't."

"This is the second time he's asked me in the past 24 hours. It's getting annoying."

Safaree looked up from his phone giving Nicki a look. Nicki looked up from fiddling with her hands wondering why it was silent. She noticed the look on Safaree's face and spoke up.

"Last night."

"When I went to get your water?"

Nicki nodded.

"Why didn't you say somethin?"

"Because I know you. I know you don't like Drake and don't want me talking to him. And I'm sure you would've went and said something to him and you know he's scared of you."

"Yeah, he should be. Messing with my lady."

Nicki smiled and grabbed her phone, moving it out of the way and put her legs up in Safaree's lap. Safaree licked his lips placing his arm on her legs and rested his head back.

"Faree."

Safaree turned his head to the left with it still on the headrest.

"What are we doing for our anniversary?" Nicki said putting on the puppy dog face.

"I'm not telling you. You'll find that out."

Nicki pouted and sighed resting her back against the window. They felt themselves come to a stop and they gathered their things and hopped out of the car.

"How long is this rehearsal?"

"Uhm.. Laurie Ann said she just wants to run over a few changes in the routine and that's all. Why? You got somewhere you need to be? Something you need to do?"

"Nah."

------

I didn't exactly know how to end this chapter, it never came to me. But..yeah. Hope you liked it :D

Awkward [Part 1]

"You  need to figure out what you're going to wear, the party is tonight Nicki."

"I know that Lauren, thank you." Nicki was annoyed and pretty tired. She really needed an overdue day off. She just wanted to relax for a day and not worry about anything today. But of course not.

"I can see you're annoyed so I won't even ask-- never mind." Lauren looked down at her phone.

"Ask me what?" Nicki said sitting across from her at the kitchen table.

"Well... you know you're gonna see 'you know who' at the YMCMB party tonight..."

Nicki rolled her eyes, sighed, and adjusted in her seat. "Yeah..."

"So..."

"So?"

"Don't you think it'll be awkward?"

"Yeah.. which is probably why I won't speak to him.

"Oh. you're just gonna ignore him?"

"That's what I plan on doing. Besides SB will be there, right by my side, and he never wants to speak to me when SB is around. And I doubt I'll be paying him any attention." Nicki got up from the table and walked over to the refrigerator. She opened it and scanned the side of the fridge door looking for her Snapple.  She spotted it and grabbed it also grabbing some grapes as well. She turned slowly holding the Snapple, grapes, and trying to keep the fridge door open. "Did you want something, Lauren?" Lauren looked up from her phone and shook  her head no. Nicki shrugged and slid to the side letting the fridge close on it's own. She sat back down at the table and spoke up again.

"He'll probably do the same anyways... act like he doesn't see me." She opened her Snapple and took a sip.

"Uhm, I doubt that."

"Well hopefully he does, cause I really don't wanna talk to him."

"But y'all are label mates. Eventually you'll have to speak."

"Well I'd rather not tonight in front of everybody."

"Okay. Whatever you say."

Nicki put a grape in her mouth while giving Lauren the side eye. "Just get your ass up, put your phone down, and help me find something to wear." Nicki grabbed her drink and grapes getting up from the table. Lauren looked at Nicki making a claw at her. Nicki giggled and pushed the chair up to the table. "Let's go, Ham."

--

"My baaaaaaaaaaabbbyyyyyyyyyy, Weezy!!!!!!" Nicki sped up walking over to Wayne with her arms outstretched. She slowed down a little when she felt like she was about to fall. Safaree remained walking at the same pace behind her but watched her closely just in case she was about to slip up. Wayne sped up to meet Nicki midway.

"Wuddup?" Wayne said while embracing Nicki in a hug.

"Oh my gosh, I've missed you!" Nicki said hugging Wayne tightly. She kissed him on his cheek and leaning out of the hug while stroking his dreads. "How are the little ones?"

"They good Nic, and you?"

"Well you know, da kid always good." Safaree finally walked up approaching Nicki and Wayne. Wayne and SB greeted each other with a dap and hug.

"That's good Nic. I gotta go ask Mack about somethin' but I'll look around for you later."

"Ok, baby. See you soon." Wayne walked back into the main area of the party and looked for Mack Maine.

"Imma go check my make-up real fast then we can go on." Nicki looked at Safaree, then back down at her clutch in her hand.

"A'ight." Safaree saw a seat over against the wall and sat down. Nicki walked to the left and headed to the ladies room. Waiting for Nicki, Safaree pulled out his iPhone and pulled up Instagram. Looking over his home page, he heard a familiar irritating voice. He looked up to the right when he heard them getting closer. Low and behold it was Drake. Safaree gave an annoyed face not caring if Drake noticed it or not and focused back to his phone. You could tell Drake was looking for Nicki by the expression on his face when he didn't spot her beside Safaree. He scanned the inside lot for her and didn't see her. Though he knew it would be awkward to see her or speak to her, he still wanted to. Nicki came walking out of the bathroom but she was looking down at her phone in hand. Safaree stood up putting the phone in his pocket and walking over to Nicki causing her to slowly look up at the approaching footsteps. She smiled at his hand being out and placed her hand in his. Her smile began to fade when she noticed Drake walking slower than ever and eyeing her and Safaree. She cleared her throat and shook the annoyed feeling she just got and looked at Safaree again with a smile. He chuckled at her assuming he knew what she was thinking and began walking. Drake turned his head when he noticed he was just staring at them. He sped up to get with his crew and walked on in to the party. Safaree looked at Nicki.

"Yo, the effect your presence has on people..." SB shook his head while smirking. Nicki giggled and nudged SB.

"Shut up, Safaree." Nicki slowed down her pace a little because of the pain from her shoes. "Ugh. If looking this fucking sexy is not pain, then..."

Safaree shook his head. "So cocky." Approaching the entrance of main area for the party, Safaree fell in place behind Nicki letting her go first, still locked with their hands. Trying to squeeze through the crowd, Nicki put a tight grip on Safaree's hand and pulled him closer up behind her so they don't get separated. Nicki spotted the area where the rest of YMCMB was and headed in that direction. She saw where Drake and his crew were sitting and proceeded to the opposite side of the area. Nicki let go of Safaree's hand when they came to the sitting area/couch and took a seat. Safaree adjusted his fitted taking a seat beside her.

"You want anything?"

"No. I'm not drinking tonight." Nicki said stroking her long blonde wig.

"Really?" Safaree said sarcastically. Nicki gave him the side eye and continued looking around at noting in particular. Safaree put a piece of gum in his mouth and Nicki held her hand out waiting for a piece. He handed her one and put the rest of the gum back in his pocket. Nicki made a shocked expression that turned in to a smile when she heard Beez In The Trap beginning to play. She put a hand in the air in the form of a gun and bounced her arm up and down. Safaree stood up and pulled out a stack of money bouncing it up and down in rhythm with the beat of the song. Nicki stood up as well moving around as she was in the video. Nicki's faces changed constantly through out the song while she rolled her neck to the music. With the song coming to an end, SB put the stack of my back in his back pocket and took a seat. Nicki looked back and down before taking her seat again. She looked at her phone checking the time and looked to the right when felt someone staring. Drake hurriedly looked down and took a sip of his drink when they locked eyes.  Nicki giggled and rolled her eyes at the same time and looked around again.

"Safaree?"

"Yeah?"

"Could you get me something to drink?"

"I thought you wasn't drinking tonight."

"I'm not smart ass, I need some water."

"Gotchu." SB got up and walked to the left over to the bar area. Nicki looked down at her phone again pulling up her UberSocial app. She looked around out at the crowd of everyone having a good time while letting her timeline load. She smiled at someone with a long green wig on that resembled hers in the Starships video that to her surprise looked really good. She looked down at her phone and laughed but gave the ultimate side eye when she seen what her barbz were talking about. It was #TwitterAfterDark and she couldn't believe how her little bugs and babies were talking. After scrolling over her timeline for some time, Nicki closed her app wondering what could possibly be taking SB so long. She looked towards the bar and huffed looking at the line.

"Hey." Knowing that familiar voice, Nicki slowly turned her head to the right quickly looking at him and then facing forward.

"Hi." she said not giving him another look from her.

"You look amazing tonight."

"Thank you." Nicki crossed her legs and grabbed her clutch to re-apply her lipstick. Wondering why he was still standing there but not saying a word, Nicki looked up. She saw his smile fading and looked to the left to see what he was looking at. Nicki smirked. Safaree was now paying the bartender for the drink.

"I wanna talk to you. Now's not the time. I'll see you later." Drake turned around and made his way back to his seat quickly before Safaree could see him. Safaree approached Nicki with the bottle out towards her and she took it from his hand.

"Thank you." she unscrewed the cap and took a drink. SB took his place beside her. Nicki sat there wondering if she should tell SB if Drake had just came up to her wanting to talk. She ignored the thought and  bobbed her head to the music. After about 30 minutes, Nicki just wasn't feeling it anymore. Though she hasn't been there long she was ready to go. She really was NOT the club type. She leaned over closer to Safaree to speak into his ear.

"I'm ready to go."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I'll call Wayne later or something. Let's go." Nicki put her phone in her clutch, handed her water bottle to Safaree and stood up. Safaree stood up and Nicki grabbed his hand and they followed the same routine leaving the party that they did entering. Nicki walked quickly trying to get out of the crowd. She waved and smiled at random people and looked ahead. Drake looked up from his phone seeing Nicki walking out. He made a blank face noticing how close Safaree was behind her. Almost RIGHT up on her. Drake looked down at their locked hands and looked to the right playing it off and laughing at whatever it was that someone in his entourage just said. Finally escaping the crowd of the party and entering the main lobby, Nicki let go of Safaree's hand. He dug his hand in his pocket searching for his keys. He pulled them out and then nodded saying he was ready. Nicki walked ahead and out the door scanning for where Safaree parked. He pointed her to the car and placed a hand on her back helping her walk. Approaching the car, SB sped up in front of Nicki and opened her door. She tugged at the bottom of her dress before sitting in the passenger seat and holding her hand out.

"I'll take my water." SB handed her the water and waited until she was all the way in the car and situated before shutting the door. He walked around to his side of the car lowering his head before getting in. Safaree laid the keys in lap to put on his seatbelt. Adjusting his hat, he put the keys in the ignition and pulled off. Nicki turned up the music slightly. Safaree of course had the PF:RR CD in. Nicki flipped through the tracks until she got to Masquerade and let it play.

"Did you wannna stop and get something to eat before we head home or you good?" Safaree said never taking his eyes off the road.

"I'm fine. Whatever I do want I'm sure we have at home." Nicki said as they approached a stop light. Safaree took his hand off the wheel and sat back. He looked at Nicki causing Nicki to look at him. He smirked at her and she smiled. He looked away and Nicki looked down at her phone. The light turned green and Safaree proceeded down the street. Pulling up to the house, Nicki sat up and put her clutch in her hand. Safaree eased into the driveway pushing the button in his car to open the garage. He pulled into the garage and pushed the button again for it to close. Nicki closed her eyes feeling a headache coming on. She placed a hand on her forehead causing SB to look her way turning the car off.

"You alright?"

"I have a headache. That's all." Nicki opened her eyes and unbuckled her seatbelt. Safaree unbuckled and got out of the car. He walked over turning on the garage light so he could see. He hurried and walked over to Nicki's side opening up her door and extending his hand. Nicki gathered her things up in one hand and placed her other in Safaree's hand. He placed a hand on her waist helping her stand to keep her balance and she moved to the side allowing him to shut the door. Nicki let go of his hand and walked around  Safaree heading for the door that led into the house. She opened her clutch pulling out her house keys and opened up the door. Entering the house, Nicki took off her shoes and held them in her hands. She heard Safaree shut the car door and turned around making sure he turned off the light as well. He entered the house and locked the garage door behind him. He turned to see Nicki sprung out on the couch with her purse, shoes and water lying on the floor in front of the couch. She looked up at Safaree as he came up to her. He placed one hand under her back and the other under her legs. He picked her up and she placed an arm around his neck and laid her head down on his shoulder, cuddling up into his neck. She gave his neck a quick peck and giggled closing her eyes. Safaree smirked at her and stopped right before her bedroom door.

"My bed or yours?"

"Whose room are we in front of right now?"

"Yours"

"Mine it is." Safaree lowered himself to open up Nicki's bedroom door without having to remove his hand completely. He opened the door and it swung open. He walked to the right side of the bed and laid Nicki down. He walked over to her dresser pulling out one of his t-shirts that she wears to bed and walked back over to her. Nicki sat up taking the shirt out of his hand and pushing her hair out of her face.

"Can you get my water and go get me some olives?"

"Yeah.

Safaree walked out of the room and Nicki hopped up from the bed to go run her a shower. Stepping into the bathroom, Nicki turned on the light and walked over to the towel rack. She grabbed a pink towel and pink washrag and turned on the shower. She adjusted the knobs making it extremely hot. She placed the washrag and towel on the edge of the tub and stepped back into her bedroom at the same time as Safaree.

"Where do you want this?"

"Can you just place it on my dresser? I'll get it when I get out" Nicki walked over to her dresser to get her thongs and walked over to Safaree. When he was done placing her things on mini dresser beside her bed she turned her back to him.

"Unzip me." Safaree unzipped her dress and Nicki continued back to the bathroom taking off the straps to her dress, lowering her dress just under her bra. Nicki unsnapped her bra and threw it on her bed before stepping into the bathroom and closing the door behind her.

Lack of Communication

"I need to call Manny and everyone and figure out which way should we go for the next single. Half of my fans want I Am Your Leader and some want either Pound The Alarm or Whip It."

"I say I Am Your Leader."

"Of course you do SB. But I need to figure out which would be the best move. Or should I keep going how I've been doing it? Urban single and then a pop single?"

"Which ever would be easier for you to do."

"Thanks for the help."

"Hey, don't come at a coon like that I'm just tryna help you out.Whatever would be less stressful for you is which way you should go."

"I'm stressed either way."

"Well don't be. You just got off tour you need to relax." Safaree hopped up from Nicki's bed taking off his wrinkled t-shirt. He still had his muscle shirt on. Nicki sat on her bed admiring this beautiful view in front of her. His back was chiseled and worked on by the Gods. Nicki bit her lip and focused back on the stack of papers in front of her when she noticed him beginning to turn around.

"You gotta get some rest before this fall tour starts up." He turned around walked out of Nicki's room and towards the laundry room. Nicki got up from her bed and headed towards where Safaree was. Before she stepped out of her room she stopped at her door sliding her feet into her slippers and continuing down the hall.

"But Safaree, I need another single out. Unless I wait until I go back on tour again to do it and I'll be even more stressed. So I need to decide now."

Safaree put the wrinkled shirt in the dirty clothes basket and looked around like he was looking for something. He snapped his fingers and turned out of the laundry room. Nicki rolled her eyes and followed behind him again.

"I don't understand why you're stressing so much. Any other time you have to pick a single it's easy for you. What's so different now?"

"This will be the last single for a while so I want it to be a good choice." Safaree walked into his room with Nicki still following behind. He stopped at his dresser while Nicki took a seat on Safaree's bed and folded her arms across her chest. Safaree opened his top drawer and pulled out a red t-shirt with black letters that read "Niggas tryna come for Gali?" on it. (With the back of the shirt saying "pauz" of course) Safaree took off his hat to put the shirt on and put the hat back on adjusting it whenever he was done.

"Worry about this tomorrow." he said taking a seat next to her on his bed. Nicki sighed dramatically and fell back on his bed. Safaree shook his head at her dramatics and looked down at his watch.

"Yo, it's 8:55 already? What have we done all day?"

"Not a damn thing." Nicki said rolling her head to the side and looking down at Safaree.

"We haven't even ate either. You hungry?"

"No... but yes."

"Imma run and go get us something. You coming?"

"Pauz." Nicki said while sitting up. Safaree smirked. "Yeah, I'll go."

Safaree got up from the bed walking over to the dresser to grab his shades and car keys. Nicki rolled to side accidentally hit the remote to the TV. When the TV came on it was E! News and it was the last thing she possibly wanted to hear right now. "Nicki Minaj and Nasir Jones, better known as Nas have recently came out as a couple. In her latest video 'Right By My Side' featuring R&B star Chris Brown, her and rapper Nas share a passionate kiss at the end of the video. Sources say they've been together for a while now. No word on how long but sources also say that they have been in talks of marriage. Do you think it's too soon for the newly opened up couple? We have your answers right after this break." Nicki came out of her trance to see Safaree walking out of the bedroom with his keys in hand and shades on. Nicki sighed turning the TV off and shutting off his light before walking out of the room. Walking down the hall towards the front door Nicki blinked back tears. She really did not want to deal with this. More importantly she didn't want to have so much guilt because of how Safaree is more than likely feeling. She loved him. Is IN love with him. And it just seems like lately to her everything is trying to mess that up. Safaree continued on out to the car and Nicki went to grab her jacket. Nicki sighed once again feeling her mood continuously draining. She threw her jacket over her head putting it on. Nicki zipped up her jacket and put on her hood. Putting on her sunglasses Nicki turned off her bedroom light and headed out towards the car. Safaree had her door already opened for her and Nicki slid in the passenger seat of his red Bentley. Putting on her seatbelt, Nicki glanced over at Safaree. He hadn't moved a muscle or said a word.

"Do you want to talk about this?"

"Not really." He licked his lips and looked out his window. Nicki laid her head back on the head rest and closed her eyes.

"Baby, just tell me how you feel."

"I'm cool. I know it's not true, obviously. People just desperate for a story."

"So there's nothing else you want to say?" She opened her eyes and looked over at him with him still looking out of the window.

"Nope." he said as he started the car and pulled off out of the driveway.

----

Nicki opened her eyes and looked at the clock. It was 3:12 in the morning. Nicki sighed deeply without trying to wake Safaree. She ran her hand down his arm that was around her waist and held his hand. Nicki really wished Safaree would open up to her. She knew for a FACT he was feeling some type of way about this whole situation. First it was this mess with Drake and now with someone else. It was like she and SB could never just be a normal relationship. Of course it wasn't normal because they had been keeping it a secret since she became 'known' as a rapper. It wasn't so that she could still be appealing to guys or anything like that but because she just wanted her relationship to be private. She's always been that way. Yes she's very out going and lively but when it came to her relationships she always kept them private. It was just something about having something like that kept private that kept her sane. Being in the media and them wanting to know every single detail about your life just so they can throw it back at you, she didn't like. She didn't want anything to come in between her and Safaree. As much as they've been through even before pre-fame she knew he loved her and that she loved him. And of course she couldn't wait for the day to tell the world that. But there's a time for everything and she didn't want people to be focused on her relationship but to be focused on her career and her as an artist/mogul. But it seems as though whether she tells people she is in a relationship or not they always have something to say.

Nicki shifted in the bed a little causing Safaree to shift a little. Nicki huddled up and closed her eyes hoping she didn't wake him. Her breath caught in her throat when she heard him speak.

"Nic, you up?"

"Mmhm." she said slowly opening her eyes.

"You good?"

"Yeah."

Safaree shifted around getting comfortable again still clinging on to Nicki, but the way he found comfort left a space in between them. Nicki scooted back more into Safaree. She lifted his hand up and kissed it. She wanted to talk about this but she didn't want to keep forcing him to speak on a situation her clearly wasn't ready to speak on yet.

"Faree..."

"Yeah."

"You can always talk to me about whatever's on your mind. You know that?"

"I know. Sometimes I just don't wanna deal with the bullshit. And I don't want how I feel to be taken the wrong way. So I leave it alone."

"You shouldn't have to feel that way."

"It's whatever. As long as you're okay, I'm okay."

"But that's the problem, babe. I'm constantly worried about how you feel cause you don't wanna talk about it. I want you to be happy as well, not just me."

"I am happy."

"Safaree..."

"Nicki..." Safaree took his hand out of Nicki's grasp causing her to look back at him to see what was going on. He sat up in the bed and leaned back against the headboard. "Turn around to me." Nicki sat up moving her hair out of her face and sitting up next to Safaree. He put his arm her pulling her closer to him with her cuddled up into his side.

"I really am happy. Seeing you do what you do makes me happy. Seeing you smile makes me happy. I'm not lettin the media and the bullshit get to us. I know what's real and what's not. Does it get annoying? Of course. But it comes with this. I've learned to deal with it." he leaned down and kissed her on her forehead. Nicki smiled and lifted up her chin and Safaree leaned down giving her a kiss.

Random

"Babe."

Nicki tugged at the bottom of her shirt while standing on her tippy toes. Being short was something she loved but at the moment it was making her hate it more and more each second she tried reaching for the bowl.

"C'mon Safaree, can you just please get this bowl? I would like to get started today."

Safaree got up from the couch and walked over to the kitchen. Nicki came down from her tip toes, tugging at the bottom of her shirt again and moved to the side, leaning back against the counter allowing Safaree get the bowl.

"I don't know why you put this shit up here, knowing damn well you can't reach." He shook his head and handed her the bowl. She gave him a death glare.

"Oh, no problem. You're welcome." Safaree said with a smirk.

"Sometimes I really just wanna fuck-"

"Well let's go, baby." Safaree said scooting closer to her and placing his arm around her waist.

"Yeah. That's not what I was gonna say." she said placing a hand on his chest and pushing him back. He grabbed her wrist pulling her closer and began kissing her neck.

"Safaree, not right now." she managed to break away from his grasp and walked around him to the sink. "Can you just help me cook this, please?" she sat the bowl down beside the sink and began rinsing the lettuce.

"Coons don't cook though."

"Get out of my kitchen then."

"Nah."

"Safaree."

"What?"

"Ok, you know what? As many times as I have to ask you to help me cook this food will go for each MONTH you will go without my loving. Keep on, Faree. Keep on."

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

"Just let a nigga live." He walked off heading towards the bedroom door.

"Oh?" she dropped the lettuce in the sink to fully turn toward Safaree.

"I'm going to help you woman. I'm not getting my clothes dirty or messing up this expensive ice."

Nicki rolled her eyes and focused back to the sink.



---



"Joyce, I need the mirror." Nicki raised her phone back to her view while letting Terrence put his final touches on the wig, a blonde lace with big loose curls.

"Chile, Imma need you to look up for me. What is so important on that damn phone?" Terrence said moving random fly away curls to where they belonged.

"It's nothing."

"Lies."

"What?" she dropped her hand and looked him in the face.

"Like I said, lies. So spill."

"It's nothing really."

"Tell one more tale and I'm done witchu today. You've been acting mighty strange Ms. Nicki." He stopped fixing her hair and gave her a look. She sighed and adjusted in her seat taking the mirror from Joyce.

"I just feel really...bad."

"For?"

"You know Right By My Side is premiering tonight, and I don't wanna deal with this tonight."

"But I thought you loved the video?" Joyce said finally speaking up.

"I do, but-"

"But you're thinking about how Safaree feels, right?" Lauren said.

"Exactly."

"I thought he was fine with it." Terrence said walking over to the couch taking a seat next to Lauren. Nicki raised up her Hello Kitty mirror to her face to apply her lipstick.

"I mean, he SAID that but is he really fine with it? Lauren you saw how when I told him about the treatment for the video he said absolutely nothing. Then the day we shot the video he wouldn't even come to the shoot. Which makes it worse, and I wish I knew what was going on in his mind."

"You two will be fine. You love each other." Joyce said.

"Yeah, but I'm sure doesn't love the way our relationship goes."

"Of course every man wants to be able to claim his woman, but he understands your reasoning behind it and he's said that."

"Stop stressin' it girl. It's the same damn thing with the Moment 4 Life video." Terrence said while removing his jacket.

"But Moment 4 Life was with Drake." Nicki said placing the mirror on the make-up table.

"And your point is...."

"He knows I don't think of Drake like that."

"And you think he thinks that you think of Nas like that?" Terrence said. They all giggled a little a the way he said that.

"I don't know."

"Well why don't you just ask Safaree?"

"Ask me what?" Safaree said entering the dressing room adjusting his fitted.

"Whelp, time to go." Terrence grabbed his jacket from the other side of Lauren and scurried out of the room.

"Yeah.. I've got a... make up brush to go clean." Lauren said walking out behind Terrence.

"And I've got to... yeah." Joyce sped up the pace walking out behind Lauren and Terrence. Nicki sat there with a blank expression on her face. She couldn't believe they were just going to leave her hanging like that. At a time like this.

"Damn. A coon walks in and everybody walks out." Safaree sat down in Nicki's special chair in a corner up against the wall and removed his shades. Nicki stood up out of the make up chair and adjusted her tight fitted leopard dress and moved the chair closer to the make up table.

"So what's up?" SB said.

Nicki hesitated to ask him about it but since it was weighing heavy in her mind she decided to speak on it. She walked over and stopped in front of Safaree before tugging at the bottom of her dress on last time and sitting on his lap. She ran her hand over his cheek before speaking up.

"I love you. You know that?"

"I love you."

"I just wanted to make sure you're okay. I'm realizing it's not all about me all the time." she adjusted his hat on his head though it was fine. Safaree knew what she was talking about and why she was talking about this. They've been avoiding this conversation for a bit now.

"Nicki, you're an actress as well. I understand. You was actin. I'm cool."

"Faree, are you sure?"

"Yeah."

Nicki gave Safaree the side eye but he wasn't even looking her in the face. He continued looking down their hands resting in Nicki's laps. Nicki removed her hand from his and placed it on his chin causing him to look up at her.

"Babe." she poked out her bottom lip in accord with her pout.

"I'm fine. I love you." He gave her a quick peck on the lips and spanked her leg. "Now get up, this interview is  live. You gotta get out there."

As soon as Nicki stood up from his lap the producers came in telling her they were ready for her. Nicki walked down to the stage with this situation still being heavy on her mind.