Page 79 of Beyond The Stars

“Of course. You can be my little protege.” Luna gasped from the big hug Noodle gave her. And as she hugged her back, she heard the sniffles come from the little girl that felt so personal.

“I know you don’t know me, but thank you for loving Qamar.”

Luna sucked in as much air as possible to contain what bubbled in her stomach.

“Because if you didn’t love him, then he wouldn’t know how to love me and my sister. So, thank you, Luna.” Noodle squeezed her tighter as they both cried silently.

23

Siasia sat beside Qamar in the back of the SUV they were being driven in. For their first official date, Qamar pulled out all the stops. They had a private driver and even security with them. He was giving Siasia a taste of how her life would be from now on. It didn’t take eyes to see she was nervous. The way her leg shook, everyone in the car could feel it.

“Chill, mama.” Qamar gripped her exposed thigh that glistened under the passing streetlights. The sun had started to set beautifully, casting a warm, golden hue over the city, which meant the streetlights had come on to warn of the night.

The SUV glided smoothly through the streets, the cityscape transforming as twilight gave way to night. The hum of the engine and the soft murmur of the radio provided a steady backdrop. Siasia's heart raced, her mind swirling with thoughts of what lay ahead.

Qamar's touch was firm yet gentle, his thumb tracing soothing circles on her skin. His touch gave her a little reprieve from her nerves but not enough to fully make her heart stop beating rapidly.

The whole thing was new to her and frightening because there was a possibility that the news story broke on Ken Barbie’s account, which meant they were walking into the lion’s den. The thought alone made her blood boil. She wasn’t ashamed of her life. Siasia just didn’t think it was interesting enough to have strangers comment on it.

Outside, the city lights flickered to life, creating a mesmerizing dance of shadows and light on the car windows. The atmosphere inside the SUV was a mix of anticipation and excitement, the air thick with unspoken words. Siasia took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.

Qamar felt it too. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to but know I ain’t hiding you from no body and I will take you out and trick on you like the proper nigga I am.”

A smile burst across her face. “You so damn poetic.”

“Nah, I’m in love. Love make me say shit I mean even of its all jumbled up or comes out a little corny.”

His proposition didn’t sound too bad, but Siasia knew she couldn’t hide forever. In just under five months, her heart knew Qamar was who she wanted to be with, even if it scared her shitless. The warmth of his words and the sincerity in his eyes made her feel like she could face anything, even the prying eyes of strangers.

“Fuck them,” she sassed.

“That’s what I’m trying to tell you.” He smiled. “Ain’t nothing nobody can say to me that’ll make me switch up on you, mama.”

Contentment filled her as they finally pulled up to Steak 530. It had been ranked number one for steak houses in Lynn Beach which was saying a lot. The upscale eateries in Lynn Beach were all top tier and people came far and wide to indulge.

All the confidence she had seconds prior started to twiddle down when she noticed the sidewalk filled with people holding their phones out and camera light on. The quiet place of Qamar’s room didn’t seem so bad after all. She missed it and although she wanted to be wined and dined by him, if it came with all this every time, she would happily take a ran check.

“Don’t run, mama.”

“Huh?” Siasia licked her lips, her eyes empty since she was caught up in her own mind.

“I see you ready to leave me again. Not this time. I gave you an out, you didn’t take it. Let’s go.” Qamar cuffed his hand into hers.

It was now or never and based on the firm grip he had on her hand, Siasia knew it was now.

Qamar held Siasia's hand tightly as they stepped out of the back seat, the evening air cool and crisp. They were both dressed to impress with Qamar in a knit designer short-sleeved shirt, jeans that fit his thick and sculpted thighs to perfection, finishing it off with designer loafers and his jewelry. Siasia wore a shimmering silver dress that caught the light with every step, accentuating her juicy thighs with the split that seemed to outline her hourglass figure just right. Tonight was supposed to be special, a night where they could forget the chaos of the past and simply enjoy each other's company while making a statement of being together and not running from the tabloids. Two security guards hired by Luna flanked them, creating protection.

The flurry of camera flashes and shouted questions shattered all that. Paparazzi swarmed around them, their cameras clicking furiously. "Qamar, is it true you got expelled for fighting?" one shouted.

"Siasia, how do you respond to the rumors about you being a stripper?" another yelled.

Siasia's grip on Qamar's hand tightened, her heart pounding in her chest. “The fuck?” Her face twisted. She had never experienced anything like this before. The questions were relentless, and the flashing lights were blinding.

Qamar, her Superman, wrapped an arm around her shoulders and guided her through the throng as his jaw set in determination. “Aye, back the fuck up!” he spoke through gritted teeth. He wasn’t new to being bombarded by reporters but it had been a while since it happened. When he was younger, anytime he was with someone from his family, it happened. Especially with Luna. He life was such a mystery to people that they loved getting a tiny glimpse into it.

They finally made it to the door, pushing it open to get away from the yells.

Inside, the ambiance was serene, a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Siasia took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.

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