THE MOTION || BEYNIKA

I

Onika

Houston, TX 

"Shit." There was ruffling and tussling, shuffling and huffing as she tried composing herself. Snatching one side of her fine silk robe, Ashley covered her treasured parts as swiftly as she possibly could.

And there I stood, or sat rather, having just fallen over my own foot and onto my stomach at the top of the stairs. This all reminded me of being a kid when I walked in on my mother caressing her kitty to porn. She yelled at me to leave, and I wanted to, but I'd been paralyzed by astonishment. My body was stagnant and so was my vision.

My eyes focused on the stature that was lowering her to her feet, ending their heated hallway s*x. Call me insane, or even disrespectful but since working for the Knowles', I secretly wondered if her wife was well equipped or barely there. In all of her beautifulness and perfection, there had to be lack somewhere in the equation. Externally, she was the epitome of faultlessness, which made me wonder where her burdens hid.

I came to the realization after staring that the figure wasn't Ashley's wife and it damn sure wasn't a woman. His legs were long, slender leading up to his chiseled cheeks and freshly cut fade. Surely, this wasn't Beyonce Knowles, doting wife, and way-maker.

"Shit." It was my turn to repeat her utterance.

"Nicki. I thought you were gone." She reasoned as if that gave her a good enough excuse to be f*****g –who I knew to be –her beloved backup singer, Trey, in the home that she shared with a woman that I would give my last dime to have on my arm and in my heart.

Beyonce was the definition of a good woman, though they were few and far apart. Hadn't I seen her dedication to her marriage and her woman, I wouldn't have thought there were any decent woman amongst us anymore.

And she was correct. I was set to leave an hour prior. Though I should've been deep in the semi-comfortable cushioned seats in the waiting area of the airport, I was tripping over my own feet as I treaded the large staircase that led to my boss's bedroom. I had allowed time to slip through my grasp as I tended to my untamed skin.

For the life of me, I couldn't understand why my my pimple friend had decided to make an appearance on what I'd like to consider one of the most significant days of my year. My ten-minute makeup routine quickly evolved into a full session at the sight unwanted friend the right side of my face. Guessing the stress of traveling had conjured unwarranted imbalance, which resulted in an outbreak I decided against sulking and fixed the issue.

Of course, I could've ditched the makeup altogether, but I'd learned my lesson the hard way. Each time I traveled, even if only to the grocery store, I was runway ready. With enough experience I knew the very day I opted for the bummy get-up, I'd run across the man or woman that I thought to only be a figment of my imagination. It was against my religion to risk my future by pulling the lazy card. So, here I was running behind and saying my last goodbyes. I'd enjoyed Christmas with the Knowles', but New Years would be experienced in my hometown, the Big Apple.

As the assistant to Ashley Knowles, world-renowned vocalist, traveling was a sport and the exact reason I found myself occupying the lower level of their home. A year ago when I was hired as her "traveling assistant" she'd made it absolutely clear that I would have to uproot myself, leaving my residence for the road. It was only breaks such as the holidays and downtime that I claimed a piece of their space as my own. We were on the road 90% of the time, so I didn't mind a bit. Besides, it saved me a shitload of cash versus renting a place that I would only access approximately four to five weeks out of an entire year.

"I-I was... Was supposed to be out of your hair an hour ago." Finally, able to seal the gaping hole in my mouth, I responded to Ashley with hesitancy. Grief plagued me, entirely, and my adrenaline was instantly altered. The act I'd just witnessed would surely shift the atmosphere and weigh the load I was already carrying.

"But life..." I trailed off, my attention diverting towards the movement behind her.

"Yeah. Well," she started, "I expect for this to stay between the two of us."

"Of course." I nodded, still watching as Trey collected himself and his things. He came racing towards the stairs, with me still on my belly and looking upward. As he brushed past, my eyes followed until he was no longer in sight. Utterly astounded, I could barely collect my thoughts.

"We somehow got a little carried away. I love my wife. You know that, right?" She questioned, waiting for a response while looking down at me.

"Uh... Yeah." I nodded. "Yeah."

"Good, because budgets are being cut and I'd hate to put you on the chopping block. You know, Trough has been wondering what I needed with a Beyonce assistant, anyhow." This was true. I'd heard her question my relevance since I was hired. It wasn't in a harmful way, but out of concern. Ashley had a business assistant, personal assistant, and a travel assistant. The others worked virtually, while I was actually in her presence.

At the sound of her threats, my blood began to bubble in my veins. Her intentions were out of sheer desperation, in which I understood –but met with emptiness where they were meant to leave an impression. If Ashley had taken the time necessary to dissect the woman she'd employed, then she'd understand that I wasn't easily frightened. Just as I had secured the position with her, there were other awaiting opportunities with my name on them as well. I was a firm believer in the term, one monkey doesn't stop a show.

Standing to my feet, I met Ashley's eyes with my own. "I wasn't hired to wife-sit. Neither does my check display income for spying. Your business is your own and has nothing to do with me. Threatening my job won't be necessary. I was coming to wish you a Happy New Year before I jetted out of the door." I turned on my heel and headed back down the stairs.

"Happy New Year, NicNac." She yelled behind me, but I didn't lend the time to respond or acknowledge her half-assed well wishes.

Until this point, I'd secretly admired Ashley for her strength, endurance, loyalty, and knowledge. It wasn't until today that I noticed the one characteristic that she had hidden from me this entire time. Deceit. And unfaithfulness, which makes two traits I'd neglected to notice. My phone pinged alerting me that my ride, was outside of the gates. I had three minutes before they pulled from the curb, which would pose another problem, so I quickened my steps and hauled ass. My blood was still boiling by the time my suitcase and I were neatly stuffed into the backseat of the Impala disbelief had consumed me with no signs of retreating.

"Quickest way to the airport, please," I reassured my driver of my destination. Finally, able to relax, I allowed my head fall onto the rest intended for it and closed my eyes.

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"So, let me get this straight..." I stretched my neck over the counter to be certain I'd heard the attendant clearly. "You're telling me that my plane hasn't boarded or taken off for Christ's sake but they're about to. Yet, I won't be accompanying them because I have a bag that needs to be checked? Is that what you're telling me?"

"Yes. Ma'am the time window for checking bags has elapsed, which makes it impossible to catch the flight."

"So, allow me to catch this flight and my suitcase catch the next one."

"Sorry, ma'am." The attendant shook her head as she stared back at me, vexing me beyond relief. "You must fly with your bags. We can't send it after or before you. It's protocol."

Groaning, I rotated the tips of my fingers at my temples in a desperate attempt to redirect my focus and smolder my anger. It was crucial that I was able to comprehend the airport's regulations. I was fighting an internal battle, highly upset that I'd fallen behind in time, which ultimately led to me dragging into the airport much later than intended.

"What are my other options?"

"Wait for the next flight, ma'am."

"And when does that one leave?"

"As of now, your flight is the only one heading to New York today. Due to the weather, they are being canceled at a rapid speed. New York is expecting a snowstorm."

"On New Years?" I questioned, unaware of information I'd just been given.

"Yes. It's supposed to get crazy." This was my punishment for never entertaining the thought of television. I had no earthly idea that New York was experiencing a storm.

"f**k!"

"The earliest flight I'm showing right now is January second. Five a.m."

"No. No. It's New Years Eve. That means no flights for nearly forty-eight hours?"

"Yes. Ma'am."

"s**t. That defeats the purpose of the trip. My sister is expecting me tonight. We have plans." I was speaking more to myself than to the woman in front of me.

"Sorry..."

"No. It's not your fault. Thank you. Thank you for your generosity." Grabbing my bag, I lifted the handle and followed the ropes until I was out of the congested line and headed for the door. My heart sank into my shoes as I searched got my phone and request yet another Uber. After securing a ride, I made the dreadful call to my sister. Her sweet voice rang loud in my ear after the third ring.

"Ming."

"What's the matter, bug?" Her excitement had fallen through the cracks at the sound of distress in my voice.

"It's my flight. Something happened back at the house that caused to me to leave later than I intended. I'm here at the airport, and though my flight is still grounded, they're telling me that I won't be able to get on because I have luggage. The time cap for me to check my bag has passed. I'm literally sick to my stomach."

"Well." I could feel the shift in her energy, piercing my heart with even larger daggers than what already occupied it. "How about catching another one."

"I tried. The weather is going bonkers pretty soon, so they're all canceled."

"Yeah. The snow has already started to pick up." Another long-winded silence fell between us. "You don't think you'll make it. Do you?"

"I'm sorry." I started. "I'm out of options, Ming. The earliest flight leaves after New Years Day, which defeats..." 

"Your purpose for coming. I know." Ming responded with a lack of cheer.

"My ride is waiting." I pulled my phone from my ear as I heard a notification. "Can I call you back in a second?"

I hated to break my sister's heart. Furthermore, I was excited at the thought of returning home so soon after the entire fiasco this morning. I'd imagined my New Years in New York partying it up with my sister and getting adjusted to her life in the city. Ming was a freelance MUA and stylist who'd recently relocated from Philadelphia.

"The nearest liquor store, please."

"My pleasure." The driver nodded before pulling off and into the junction the airport housed. Leaving my destination off of the radar was intentional. If I was going to stay home for the holiday, then I planned to make it worth my while. The only source of self-medication I owned was waiting for me in my room. Peace would pair well with the greenery I planned to face for the remainder of the day.

The liquor store, the grocery store, and the gas station had me dead tired. My satin sheets were screaming my name as I reentered the Knowles' residence. I could hear them from afar. Making my presence known, afraid to confront any more of Ashley's indecency, I yelled out from the living room.

"I'm home!"

"Hey, Nic." Her voice rang out. "In here."

Following the high pitched sound, I noticed Ashley peeking her head from around the corner, hair flowing to one side as a victim of gravity, full lips glossed and smile on display. Physically equipped as a Goddess of some sort, Ashley's beauty radiated like the bright morning sun through the curtains as you tried getting a few more minutes of rest. It was unquestionable. Irresistible. Undeniable.

"Aren't you supposed to be halfway to New York by now?" She questioned as I halted the wheels on my suitcase and walked into the kitchen with only my bags from the stores in hand.

"Yeah. Apparently, I was a little too late." Shrugging, I removed the contents. Ashley's eyes glistened at the bottle of wine that I held in the air, silently asking if she wanted to any. Though I was praying she said no, I was actually surprised when the words flew from her perfectly whitened teeth.

"No. I think I'll pass."

"The more the merrier, right?"

"That's what they say." She nodded.

"Babe... I..." The hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention and my eyes diverted from the hunk of honey before us, landing on the bottle I held in my hand. Lowering my arm, I grabbed the rest of my things and shimmied myself out of the kitchen. Well, not exactly, but it was how I imagined the next few seconds.

"I'm going to get out of here soon. The snow will hit hard in a few hours. Are you sure you don't want to come?" Beyonce Knowles, Ashley's wife, announced her presence with the intoxicating scent that she wore religiously.

"No. I'm not feeling so well. Besides, I want to enjoy this time alone. New York is exhausting love. Enjoy your family. Tell your mother I said to call me when she gets the chance." Ashley perched her lips and waited for her to give them the loving she knew thought they deserved.

Just a few feet shy of the couple, I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. Just two hours prior, Ashley had been utilizing those same lips to polish someone else's skin, a mans skin. But. That was none of my business. Unexpectedly, Beyonce leaned over and gave her the right side of her face to grace with her kisses. The two were lovesick and it made my stomach knot at the amount of chemistry oozing from their veins. For this reason alone, I was slightly confused as to why she'd chosen to f**k the backup and jeopardize her lifeline.

"Well, I'm going to get a move on. The plane is gassed up and they're waiting on me." She concluded, fastening the buttons on her coat in preparation for the howling winds outside of the door.

"OH!" Ashley snapped. "Nika. Look at God!"

I didn't follow. In fact, I'd catapulted into a foreign galaxy, still searching for a logical explanation for her infidelity. Quickly surrendering to my reality, I questioned her reference.

"Beyonce is on her way to New York! I wasn't expecting her to stop by after the meeting, but I'm glad that she didn't head to the strip first. Baby..." Her eyes glossed and lips puckered. She was going for the kill. I chuckled slightly, knowing that whatever wish Ashley was about to make would be granted. "Nicki needs a lift. She missed her flight. Would you be so kind to..."

"Ashley. I really don—"

"But baby. She hasn't seen her sister in nearly a year. You know how much she's been looking forward to this trip."

While I was thankful for the recommendation, I had an inkling of why my departure was necessary. Mrs. Knowles had plans of her own that didn't include me or Beyonce on her "alone" time and I doubt if she was willing to sacrifice it when there was a solution sitting in front of her.

Looking around aimlessly, Beyonce pondered. I would've paid my last dime to encounter her thoughts at the moment. Since I'd been hired as a travel assistant, her disdain towards me was apparent. She didn't care for my presence and the fact had been noted many moons ago.

"No. I'd hate to burden anyone. My sister will be fine. I'll just see her when we visit New York for your concert in February." I reasoned.

"Well, you heard the girl." She shrugged, allowing her hand to fall to her side. As she prepared to leave, Ashley stood from her stool and beckoned for her attention.

"No. These plans were made months in advance. I refused to let you miss out on the occasion." Ashley spoke to me as she wrapped her hands around her wife's waist.

"Nika. Grab your suitcase, love. You're heading to New York."

"Ashley. Really. I'll be fine with my wine and—"

"Take it with you." She fussed.

"Mrs. Knowles, here, is going to be a great host. The plane ride isn't but two hours. She'll be out of your hair in no time."

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i honestly think it'll be more than a shorty story but y'all gonna read it! lmao

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