Chapter 8: A Night of Ups and Downs

One week later - the first night of the opening tour...

Felicia and Taylor arrived at the arena together. Realizing that she needed her manager with her, Felicia insisted Taylor come along with her for emotional support. Because her husband was not with her, she felt isolated and totally alone. She needed him now more than anything - and he wasn't there. He promised to be by her side and he was not. Felicia didn't know what to do about her husband. And right now was not the time for her to ponder on it.

Legions of fans gathered around to see their first glimpse and hoping to talk to Felicia. She was all too happy to take the time to meet and greet her faithful many. As soon as she stepped out of the limo, she acknowledged them by waving. Security came to escort her over to where they were standing, screaming and chanting her name. She took pictures and signed autographs. This was one of the many things that she loved about her career. She could be who she was around her fans - there was nothing fake about it. It showed in her music and her life. She was real from head to toe.

After a few hours, Felicia headed into the building and went to her dressing room. She sat her things down and looked at her cell phone. The time read 5:30 P.M. She had about two and a half hours before show time. She made the best of her time by doing various things. Felicia talked with Taylor about all her appearances she had coming up; she even made time for a 45-minute workout. Afterwards, she took her shower and picked out two outfits. One was a long white beautiful gown-like that had an open back. The other was a pair of black boy-cut shorts with a white button-down shirt that when opened revealed a white bikini top.

After getting dressed in the gown for the first half of her set, Taylor helped her apply as little makeup as possible. Felicia was a natural beauty so she didn't need that much. All she needed was a bit of foundation, mascara and lipgloss. Her hair was pulled up in a sweep off her neck and shoulders. Taylor was adding the finishing touches when she saw water buildup in Felicia's eyes.

"Lish, you okay?"

Even though she had tried to keep her emotions in check, Felicia knew that Taylor knew better. "Yes, I'm fine."

"No you are not."

Felicia knew she was fighting a losing battle. "I just got a lot on my mind now." She stated. "I have a concert to open and I'm very nervous."

Taylor shot Felicia a look. "I don't believe you." She started. "I mean, I know that you have the concert tonight, but I also think there is something else you are not telling me."

Felicia closed her eyes and tried her hardest to ignore Taylor. But it was honestly a losing battle. Taylor knew her all too well, but this was something that Felicia was not ready to talk about to anyone, not even to her best friend.

9:30 P.M.

With flowers and teddy bears in her small arms from fans, Felicia walked offstage and back to the dressing room area. She walked in with Taylor about two minutes behind her. A bit winded but still excited, Felicia sat down on the leather couch in her boy shorts and bikini top that she finished the show with. She ran a hand through her highlighted hair, and exhaled. She looked over at Taylor, who was sitting in the chair. As Taylor studied Felicia, she began to cry. Taylor decided it was time to find out why.

"Lish, I got a question for you."

Felicia turned her attention to Taylor by looking at her after once again running her hand through her hair. "What's up?"

"Are you okay?"

"Of course! Never better! Why do you ask?" Felicia grabbed a towel and placed it around her neck.

"Well, earlier you looked like you were about to cry."

After all the singing and dancing, Felicia had long forgotten about that. All that she was concerned with was getting on with the show and making it the best show of her life, which she did. But she addressed Taylor's question as best she could. "I was just nervous about tonight, that's all."

Taylor, ever the skeptic, shot Felicia a look. "Are you sure?" Taylor paused and kept watching her. "I mean, are you positive?"

Getting up and taking a couple of steps across the room to the small refrigerator to get a bottle of Evian water, Felicia kept her back turned before responding. "Yes, Taylor, yes."

"Okay, if you say so."

"Look, I've just been thinking about the tour and how I'm gonna get through it." Felicia started. "That's all."

"Alright."

"You know what?" Felicia paused. "I'm feeling really energetic now. What do you say we go out dancing?"

"What?"

"Come on." Felicia said. "I'll call Dewey, and he can go with us."

"'Where did you get all this energy all of a sudden?"

"You know how I get when I start dancing - it takes me a while to stop moving." Felicia said as she started moving her body from side to side and grabbed her cell phone from her purse.

Felicia called Dwayne. She talked to him for only about 10 minutes. He agreed to go out with them. About 30 minutes later, they decided to go to the Mansion - an exclusive Miami nightspot that Dwayne had exclusive VIP Access in.

After getting there and escorted to the VIP room, Dwayne ordered them all a drink. He had a Gin and Tonic while Felicia and Taylor drank Long Island Iced Teas. As they were drinking and enjoying each other's company, Dwayne heard his name being called. In a deep but soft masculine voice, Dave came strolling into the room. In his now signature black pin-striped suit jacket, white muscle shirt, black slacks and black Gucci shades and smelling of Armani Black Code. Not only did he appeal to her eyes and her nose, Dave appealed to Felicia's very being. As Felicia and Taylor looked as the two men greeted each other with an embrace, Dwayne invited Dave to sit down with them to Felicia's objection. Felicia stood and watched them in disbelief. She shot looks at the both of them - Dwayne for inviting him to sit with them and Dave for accepting. As Felicia continued to stare at Dave disapprovingly, Dwayne and Taylor could sense the tension building all around them. It was obvious that Dave's sudden appearance upset Felicia. But why? No one knew that but Felicia herself - and it didn't look as if she was going to answer that question anytime soon.

Sitting down and listening to the music pump through the club, Felicia realized at that moment what she had come to do originally - dance and have a good time. She was not about to let Dave's appearance stop her from doing what she wanted. She downed the last of her Iced Tea and stood up. She gave Dave a last staredown before heading to the dance floor. And Dave responded by returning the same look. Taylor soon followed suit.

After getting downstairs and going to the DJ and requesting a song, Lloyd's "I Want U", Felicia took another look up at Dave who was still looking at her.

Can I be for real
This is how I feel
Im in need of love
So lets dip up out of here
Ooo your just my type
Everything's so right
And I just wanna chill so lets dip up out of here
Dip up out of here

(Huh huh uh uuuuhhhhh uuuuhhh)
She's fine too but I want U

As they were dancing up a storm to the rhythm of the music, Felicia looked up to see Dwayne, Dave and another woman sitting beside him. She glanced over at Taylor who was smiling gleefully and dancing with a guy. Felicia danced her way over toward her.

"Do you see that shit up there?"

Taylor, still dancing, kept her rhythm and turned her head up towards the VIP section. "What?"

"Up there?"

"What is it?"

"That woman! Who is she?"

"I don't know."

"Well, I'm gonna find out!"

Felicia, now a bit curious, walked hastily upstairs to the table. When she got there, she found something that she didn't expect - another woman who was sitting directly in Dave's lap. Dwayne greeted her. "Hey Lisha, you were really causing a commotion out there."

"Yeah, whatever." Felicia said as she tried to look at Dwayne but was distracted by the scene between Dave and this strange woman. Her face was of all angles and planes - with her squinted smoky eyes and soft full lips. Her body was tall and a bit curvy with a bit of seductive flare and she was quite busty. Her hair was long, wavy and dark. All in all, she looked to be an exotic woman. She was no doubt - through and through - a beautiful and irresistable woman. Felicia, not too thrilled with the sickening display before her, decided to introduce herself.

"Hello." Felicia said, stepping around so that she could see her.

The woman looked at Felicia and knew who she was instantly. She excitedly responded to Felicia. "Oh my God! You are Felicia, the singer!"

"Yes I am!" Felicia responded. "And you are?"

She climbed down off of Dave's lap long enough to introduce herself to Felicia. "I'm Natasha." She said as she stuck out her hand to Felicia.

Felicia shook her hand in return. "Well Natasha, it's nice to meet you."

"Oh, it's a pleasure meeting you, Felicia - do you mind if I call you Felicia?"

"No, I don't mind at all, Natasha."

"Do you know anybody here? Are you playing tonight?"

"Yes, my brother is Dwayne." Felicia looked at Dwayne, who was looking back at her. "And no, I'm not singing tonight."

"Oh, is he?"

"Yes, he is."

"Well, then you must know Dave."

Felicia watched as Natasha sat down beside Dave. Felicia answered her. "Yes I do."

"Oh, that's great." Natasha said as she laced her fingers within Dave's. "You didn't tell me you knew Felicia."

Dave looked over at Felicia, who was shooting him looks that could kill. "You didn't ask about who I knew."

"Oh well." Natasha said while looking adoringly at Dave. "Maybe I should ask next time, huh?"

Felicia, who by now totally disgusted by what she was witnessing, decided to excuse herself. "Well, it was nice meeting you, but I have a friend downstairs who is waiting for me. So I'm gonna leave." She started. "Dwayne, if you don't mind can you come downstairs with me to leave these two lovebirds alone."

Dave swallowed the lump in his throat and cringed at Felicia's last statement. Felicia took the liberty of one last look before turning her back to go downstairs to the dance floor. He could tell by her demeanor Felicia was not happy with what she saw. And that's exactly the response that he was looking for. He was determined to make Felicia see she was not the only woman in the world. His plan was working - and it was working beautifully.