32

Violet POV

[ the next day...]

The sounds of the shower pouring down on the bathroom floor woken me up from my sleep. It was almost noon, and today was Nonna's birthday.

I could hear the harsh water running from the bedroom and notice that it was Jason who was in the shower. I got up from the bed and walked my way towards the bathroom to see him.

He was standing there with his towel wrapped around his waist, brushing his teeth in a rapid motion.

I knocked on the side of the door several times. ''Good morning.''

He muffled through brushing his teeth and replied ''Good morning.'' I laughed as he spits out the toothpaste from his mouth and rinsed it off with water.

''You seem like you're in a good mood,'' I said.

''It's Nonna's birthday and I can't wait to party.''

''Yeah, me too.''

''But, I can't stay here too long, I got to go and meet up with Caesar and Cameron to see the final results with the venue. I'm trying to make this birthday the best one for her.''

''You're so sweet.''

''Like honey? Yeah, I know.''

''So, is it okay if I bring Aubree along too.''

''Is she going to rip my head off?''

I chuckled. ''Maybe. But, she's an understanding friend.''

''I don't know baby when she saw me at the hospital it seems like she was going to chop my head off or something.''

"True, true. But, she always comes around.''

''Oh yeah?''

''Yeah,'' I laughed. He placed his gym bag on his shoulder and tap my chin foolishly.

''I'll see you soon?''

''Yes, you will.''

''Alright, enjoy yourself the house is yours,'' he winked.

''Will do love.''

-----

''Bitch, no way,'' Aubree said to me. She was scanning through the walk-in closet and turns herself around looking at all the Armani suits that Jason has.

''Well?''

''You and Jason, huh?''

''Aubree--''

''--You know what? I'm if you're going to be with him then I'm going to learn to be okay with that.''

''Really?'' I said with excitement.

''Yes. But, I got my eyes on him, for sure.''

''You'll come around,'' I jokingly said, poking her as she left the closet.

''Mm-hmm.''

''So, that means yes right?''

''Yes, of course, I will. But, don't get it twisted, I still think he's a dickhead.''

I laughed. ''Aubree.''

''Just saying.''

Aubree and I went towards the stairs and head outdoors, taking a walk and continued to talk with each other.

She was filling me in with some of the situations that have been going on with her family and debating what to do next. Aubree was venting, and of course, I listen because that's what friends do.

In the end, I gave her the best advice I could possibly think of and hoping that it'll give her the right decision to do it.

''--- You know Bre, If you're always telling someone to stop behaving a certain way and they only continue, that person is probably toxic.''

''Yeah but--''

''Bre, listen to me.''

She heaved a sigh.

''This person. The family member is toxic. They seek to find ways to feel oppressed, put down and marginalized in ways they clearly are not.

That's how toxicity works. It's contagious and insidious, even in kind, well-adjusted people. You just need to create distance by occupying your time, and agreeing not to feed into their dynamic.''

''You always say the right things,'' she smiled, teary-eyed.

''That's cause I care for you and love you very much.''

''What would I do without Ms.Violet Johnson,'' she wrapped her arms around my neck and tugged me closer.

I took a deep breath. ''If I were, to be honest, I don't know,'' we giggled at the same time and head back inside.

------

[ 6 p.m.]

All glam, dressed up, and ready to go to the party. I was wearing the dress that I bought over at the mall with Jessica and placed my hair half-up, half-down, loose curls, and a natural pink eye look.

I went over to the front door and got down the steps, walking my way to the limousine. There, I got in with Aubree and Jessica who were doing last-minute makeup.

''Okay ladies, we're out,'' said Pam, the limo driver for the night.

''Okay,'' all three of us replied back.

To the venue, Jessica, Aubree and I discussed Nonna's birthday and who was going to be there. It was sixteen minutes later when all of us were dropped at Oviatt Penthouse.

We got out of the limo and went over the building, making our way up to the rooftop floor.

''Wow, there's a lot of people.''

''--It's Nonna, she likes to go above and beyond when it comes to her parties,'' Jessica replies to me.

We both laughed when Cameron came over to greet us.

''Ladies, welcome!" Cameron said hugging me and Jessica. ''And you must be?''

''Aubree. Bre for short, I'm Violet's best friend.''

''Oh, a pleasure to meet you,'' he smirked, pressing his lips slowly.

''You too,'' she replied with a giggle.

''Ahem,'' I said.

''Oh, right, Violet uh Jason is right over there,'' he pointed.

''Thanks.''

''Mm-hmm,'' he said without looking at me.

The two looked lost, continually looking at each other without realizing that I was gone.

To Jason, I tap him on the shoulder and waited for him to around. He widened his eyes in shock, with a smile, sizing me up and down. He stammered, watching me tucking a string of my hair behind my ear.

''Hi,'' I said nervously.

''H... Hi...Uh.. damn,'' he laughed.

''Too much?''

''No, baby, it's never too much. You look incredibly sexy.''

He took a step closer to me and went to my face and said ''Are you even wearing panties? Perhaps a thong?'' smirking hard.

''Why'd you ask?''

''Curious.''

''I am. If that's what you want to hear.''

''That's exactly what I want to hear.''

He touched my chin and kissed me on the lips slowly. I bit my lips and touched his chin as he interlocked his hand with mine and made me walk with him to meet Nonna.

A security guard came to both of us and halted us from going to see Nonna. He looked a bit scared, standing in front of us while Jason gave me the look of ''what now?''

''Sir, there's a problem,'' the security guard said.

''Not right now, it's not a good time.''

''It's urgent. Sir, we have a problem.''

''Right now?''

''Yes, right now.''