"Hayes, is it really your child?"
"How long have the two of you been sneaking around?"
"Makari, did you purposely get pregnant?"
"Hayes, is this your only secret baby?"
"Makari, did you leak the story to demand a higher payout?"
I swung my head to the person who asked that question and Omiri called my name.
"Let that shit go. They're just trying to make you give them a statement. Don't say shit."
I frowned but fought the urge to tell them all to go to hell because he was right. I knew how this went so I got in the car and slammed the door.
They continued shouting questions and taking pictures which made me cringe with the idea of what headlines would be attached to them later. But there wasn't much I could do about it. Omiri's expression remained impassive like he was completely under control.
After he had Avi secured in her car seat, he leaned in the front and pointed behind him. “They’re gonna stand here with you. I’m about to get her portable crib so she has something to sleep in tonight.”
I nodded and his men flanked the Jeep. I was grateful that the windows were tinted so dark. These idiots were disrespectful, still taking pictures, firing off questions and accusations. Omiri eventually came striding out the houselooking sexy and unbothered other than the scowl on his face and loaded Avi’s portable crib in the back before he was in the driver’s seat. His guys ushered people out of the way so he could back out of the driveway. I glanced at Avi then put my eyes on him.
"What the hell happened?"
"Somebody leaked details about us and we're a fucking news story."
"I don't want to be a news story and what do you mean somebody? Did you tell anyone? Your friend knows. Would he have…"
"Nah, this isn't him but I think I know how it got out."
"How?"
"My agent."
"Why the hell would your agent…" I paused. "Wait, the one you're firing?"
"Yeah, he mentioned people were whispering about me having a kid. I don't have a damn clue how that could happen but I'm sure he did this shit and that muthafucker is gonna see me."
"That's not gonna help anything and you're tied to him legally."
He cut his eyes at me in a way that said he didn't give a damn before he made it clear. "Raaj is handling the legal shit. The rest I'm gonna deal with."
I dropped back on the seat and stared out the window. "I knew this was going to happen. These people are so damn nosy. Why do they even care what I'm doing?"
He snorted. "You're the mother of my child, Kari. It's not really about you as much as it is about them making money off my name."
"Right, like I'm doing." I muttered, thinking about the headlines.
"Bruh, chill. Ain't nobody worried about that shit. I'll say whatever I need to clear that up. You don't want shit from me. Still haven’t even picked a new car yet. They want a gotdamn story, I'll share screenshots of the texts we have of you refusing to spend my money." His tone was light and had me smiling and rolling my eyes.
"Buying a new car isn't a decision you take lightly. I have to take my time and make sure the car speaks to me."
"Did that raggedy ass Camry speak to you?"
"What did I tell you about talking trash about my baby?"
He chuckled and turned to look at me. "You mad?"
"Hell yeah I'm mad; that car was good to me."