Chapter 57.5 - Side story, Natalie’s decision and Mika’s resolve

As I exited the terminal, I knew I was in for a confrontation. My dad's words still lingered in my mind - "Shanay...Cheveyo is always watching over you, got it?" I nodded, a hint of a smirk on my lips.

Mika was waiting for me, her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. "Bitch, what the hell was that for?" she spat.

I smiled sweetly, unfazed. "At least I managed to pull away a bitch like you.”

Mika glared at me, her eyes flashing with anger. "That's my man, and since you don't hang around with him, might as well walk off, got it?”

I raised an eyebrow, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots, Mika. You think you can take me down with your street talk and your attitude?”

Mika snarled, her face twisted in rage. "You just wait and see, Natalie. I'll show you what's real.”

As I gazed up at Mika, her towering height only fueled the fire in my eyes. We locked gazes, the air thick with tension, until Naomi swooped in like a hawk.

"Hey, hey, girls! No need to get physical, okay?" Naomi chimed, her voice dripping with sweetness, but I knew better. She was just like Mariam, always scheming something.

But before Naomi could intervene further, Hardware burst onto the scene like a clumsy elephant. "Hey, girls! Stop, stop, stop! This is a public place, for crying out loud! Let's grab a seat and cool off with a Coke, got it?”

I seethed with annoyance, my anger boiling over. Mika and I exchanged a look, and in perfect sync, we kicked Hardware, shouting "Shut up!" in unison. Hardware flew across the room, crashing into a chair.

Naomi's eyes sparkled with amusement as she clapped her hands together. "Now, now, girls...no more catfighting. Let's talk this out like civilized people.”

I gritted my teeth, my mind racing with schemes. When I get my hands on Mariam…

Mika's eyes lock onto mine once more, but before things can escalate, Naomi swoops in like a ninja, producing a photo from thin air. “Ta-da!"

The picture shows Alex surrounded by two girls, and my heart skips a beat. Who are they?!

Mika's face turns beet red with rage. "Hey, sis! Who's that girl?!”

Naomi grins mischievously. "Ah, don't you think Alex is popular? Looks like he's got another thing coming...Mariam told me.”

She points to the blonde girl, who's smiling sweetly. "This is Priscilla, a real-life princess from Wales!”

I gasp, my mind racing. This is the girl I'm making clothes for!

Mika whistles. "Damn, she's hot!”

Hardware, now awake from his knockout, chimes in, "Damn, Alex is on a roll!”

Naomi points to the bobbed-haired girl. "And this is Sylvia...Mariam says Alex has a thing for her.”

My eyes widen. This is the girl I talked to before! My hair stands on end, and I can feel my anger rising.

Dad chuckles, teasing me. "Oh, Nat, looks like you've got some competition! Maybe you should step up your game!”

I shoot him a glare, but he just winks at me. "Hey, someone's got to keep you on your toes!”

I seethe, my mind racing with schemes. I need to make a phone call, pronto! That Mariam is going down!

Mika suddenly turn yandere and said to Naomi “hey big sis, what the hell you doing here, huh?” I could feel her anger right now because I’m feeling it as well.

Damien swoops in, a sly grin spreading across his face like a mischievous fox. "Yeah, she's a total babe, Nat. Plus, she took care of Alex in the hospital like a real wife material.”

I narrow my eyes, sensing he's pouring gasoline on the flames. "Damien, what's your game?”

But he just keeps going, unfazed. "That's what you get for messing with my brotha…"

That's it, I've had enough of his trash talk! "You're asking for it, Damien!" I exclaim, unleashing a lightning-fast kick to his groin.

Damien crumples to the ground, clutching his balls in agony. “Aaaaagh!"

Mika's not far behind, delivering a resounding slap to his face. "You're dead, Damien!”

Hardware and the boys recoil, wincing in sympathy. "Damn, homie...that's a direct hit! You got served!”

Naomi bursts into laughter, clearly entertained. "Looks like someone's getting roasted!”

I stand over Damien, my chest heaving with anger. "You should've kept your mouth shut, Damien.”

Damien looks up at me, still wincing in pain. "You...you're so violent, Nat…"

I smirk, my anger slowly fading. "You have no idea."

I shoot Mika a withering glance, our eyes locked in a fierce stare-down. Suddenly, we both turn away in unison, our voices echoing in perfect sync: “Hmph!!!!"

We storm off in opposite directions, our heels clicking in anger. Mika spins back around, her finger pointed accusingly at me. "Since Alex guided me to become an idol, I'll make sure he's only looking at me, got that, bitch?”

I smirk, unfazed. "Better look in the mirror, bitch!!" I retort, flipping my hair over my shoulder.

We both turn away, our anger still simmering. Dad watches us with an amused grin, his laughter barely contained. "That Cheveyo for ya…"

I seethe, still fuming. Just wait till I get Mariam on the phone – she's going to get an earful!

Dad hands me a photo, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Naomi said Mariam printed this for you too.”

It's a picture of Alex, smiling brightly, as if just for me. I wonder when Mariam took it, but I don't care – I'll treasure it forever. I hug the photo, tears streaming down my face.

Dad chuckles, patting my shoulder. "Well, let's head back. You've got a plan to make Alex fall head over heels for you, I presume?”

I nod, determination burning within me. "I'm going full throttle this time, Dad. And I know Mika has the same resolve.”

The rivalry is on!

I never could have imagined that this day would be the catalyst for Mika and me to become sensations in the world of entertainment and fashion. Our rivalry was about to take center stage, and the whole world would be watching.

I speed off towards Pendelton Hills on my bike, the wind whipping through my hair as I try to process my emotions. That girl, Natalie, thinks she is the only person in Alex's heart? Please. She has no idea what I've been through, what Alex has done for me.

If it wasn't for him, I'd still be just another faceless stripper in LA, lost in a sea of desperation. But Alex sees something in me, something worth saving. And now, I'm determined to make him mine.

Natalie thinks she can take him away from me? Just wait, I'll catch up, and this time, I won't hold back. I'll show her what it means to cross me, Mika.

The hills blur together as I ride, my mind racing with memories of Alex, of the way he smiles at me, of the way he makes me feel like I'm home. I won't let anyone take that away from me. Not now, not ever.

I storm into MTV studios, my heart ablaze with determination. I spot Lil Lim, and my eyes lock onto hers. "Lil Lim, I need your help! I want to become a legend like Mariah Carey, and I need your expertise to get me there!”

Lil Lim raises an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "Mika, you know I've got your back. What's driving you this time?”

Hardware, my manager, chimes in, "She's got the fire in her belly, Lil Lim. Alex told me she's got what it takes to go beyond even his wildest dreams.”

I stand tall, my eyes burning with intensity. "I promise I'll reach the top, and I won't let anyone bring me down. I'll make Alex proud, and I'll make myself a legend.”

Lil Lim nods, a fierce glint in her eye. "Alright, Mika. Let's do this. We'll make it happen, together."

Just as I'm about to embark on my journey to stardom, Naomi appears out of nowhere, a warm smile spreading across her face. She rushes towards me, opening her arms wide for a tight hug. "Mika, I'm so proud of you! You've finally found your ambition, something that's been missing in you…"

Her words echo deep within me, stirring up a mix of emotions. I feel a lump form in my throat as she continues, her voice filled with sincerity. "I have to thank Alex for this. Without him, you'd never have discovered your true self. He saw something in you that no one else did, something special…"

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I hug her back, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Alex and Naomi. I realize that I've been given a rare gift - the chance to chase my dreams and become the person I'm meant to be.

Naomi pulls back, her eyes shining with tears. "You go out there and make us proud, Mika. Show the world what you're capable of. Don't let anyone bring you down”

I nod, a fierce determination burning within me. I know that the road ahead won't be easy, but with Naomi's words echoing in my mind, I'm ready to face whatever challenges come my way.

I flash a confident smile, my eyes gleaming with determination. "Just you wait, I'm going to be famous, and you're going to see me again soon. I'll make sure of it.”

My voice echoes through the air, a promise to myself and to the world. I can feel the fire burning within me, driving me to succeed. I won't let anyone or anything bring me down.

"I'll shine brighter than ever before, and I'll make sure you're there to witness it. You'll see my name in lights, hear my voice on the radio, and feel my presence on stage.”

I take a step forward, my heart pounding with excitement. "I'm not just chasing my dreams, I'm making them a reality. And when I do, you'll be the first to know.”

My words hang in the air, a challenge to the universe and to myself. I'm ready to put in the hard work, to face the struggles head-on, and to emerge victorious.

Little did I know, that moment would mark the beginning of a transformation, one that would reshape me into a person I never thought I'd become. The resolve I found would ignite a fire within me, propelling me towards a future I never could have imagined.