Diamond Revelation (2 page)

“W
ork that thang, baby, cause you got me so in love when you make it sang.”

Nina turned around to glance at Niki, who was sitting behind her in a car seat. She shook her head and smiled. Her six-year-old daughter started singing before she learned to talk. They were on the way to Niki's school in Sherman Oaks. Her cousins Baby Doll and Chris also attended. Kyle usually dropped her off, but he was away on business.

“What are you singing, little girl?” Nina smiled at her daughter through the rearview mirror.

“It's Sabre, Mommy.”

“Sabre?” Nina was shocked. Niki's favorite singer was Donnie McClurkin, but she also enjoyed CeCe Winans and Mary Mary.

“Where did you get that CD?”

“Daddy bought it for me,” Niki replied, and continued singing. Nina was not surprised that the child knew every word, but she was used to hearing Niki serenade her with gospel music…not this.

“Mommy.”

“Yes, baby.” Nina met her daughter's eye again.

“Is Daddy in trouble?”

“No, baby.” Nina tried not to smile. “Daddy knows I used to be Sabre's manager when she was in the singing group with Sky and Shawntay. He also knows how much you like her.”

“What's a manager, Mommy?”

“It's the person who's in charge of a singer's career.”

“Are you Aunty T's manager?”

“No, baby. Aunty T doesn't have a manager right now.”

“Are you a manager on your new job?”

“I'm the CEO. It's kind of like a manager, but I work with the managers of all my artists. I'm in charge of making their CDs, getting the CDs played on the radio, and getting them into the stores.”

“Oh.”

Nina pulled into the schoolyard, and an attendant met them at the car.

“Mommy, can I go home with Baby Doll and Chris after school today?” Niki had already unfastened her seat belt. She hung over the front seat so she could look into her mother's face.

“I thought you were going to spend time with Nana today.” Nina brushed a curly lock of hair out of Niki's face that had worked its way out of her ponytail.

“Nana doesn't have any children at her house.” Niki stared at her through amber eyes and gave Nina a look that made it impossible for Nina to say no.

“Don't look at me like that.” Nina pulled Niki into the front seat and tickled her. “I bet you gave your Daddy that look so he would buy you that CD.”

Niki giggled as Nina covered her face with kisses. “I'll call Aunty T. If it's okay with her, you may go home with your cousins after school.”

“It's always okay with Aunty T.” Niki smiled, and Nina's heart melted.

Nina smiled too and hugged her daughter one last time. “I'll see you at home tonight. I love you, baby.”

“I love you too, Mommy.”

Nina watched the teacher's assistant lead Niki into the school before she drove off. Niki looked so adorable in her uniform with her hair in ponytails.
My baby is growing up too fast
. Niki was finishing her first year of kindergarten. She would be graduating in a few weeks. Nina had a celebration party to plan, and she quickly typed a few reminders in her BlackBerry while she was paused in traffic.

Thoughts of Niki flooded her mind until she pulled the Bentley into a reserved parking space that said “CEO Revelation” at the Music Group building in Burbank. Nina smiled every time she arrived because she still couldn't believe it was really true. She, Nina Beaubien Ross, was actually the head of one of the hottest hip-hop labels in the business.

“I am so fly. I'm going to be the next Sylvia Rhone,” she announced the day she and Kyle signed the contract. They were co-heads of the label formerly known as Suicide Records, the brainchild of her late ex-fiancé, Jamil Winters, and his partner, India.

When Nina introduced a former high school classmate, Char Jackson, into the equation, a lot of drama and negativity resulted. Jamil, India, and Char all died very mysteriously. Nina was asked to take over the company by Jamil's mother. Nina, still feeling some-what responsible for their deaths, vowed that Jamil's musical legacy would continue.

Nina had big plans. Since she had all the experience in the music business and her husband had none, she appointed herself as the front person for the team. Her first move was changing the name Suicide Records to Revelation Music.

She strolled into the sixth-floor offices looking like a sophisticated socialite in a white Armani pantsuit and gold Manolo Blahniks rather than wearing clothing stereotypical for the head of a hip-hop label. Her black hair was brushed into an updo. With oversized black Chanel shades and gold Chanel earrings, she looked like a chocolate Audrey Hepburn.

“Good morning, Mrs. Ross.” A receptionist greeted her with the utmost respect as she breezed by, heading toward the suite of offices that once belonged to Jamil.

“Mr. Katz is waiting in the conference room for you.” Her assistant, Anita, spoke in a serious tone as she reached for Nina's Louis Vuitton briefcase and bag.

“I wasn't aware that I had a meeting with him.” Nina took off her shades and looked at Anita. Sherwin Katz was the president of VMG, the distributor and financial backer of Revelation Music. So technically, he was Nina's boss.

“There was no meeting scheduled.” Anita took several sips from a bottle of Fiji water. “He showed up ten minutes ago asking for you.”

“Thanks, Anita. I'll be right back.” Nina walked the few steps to the conference room and took a deep breath as she pushed the door open. Sherwin Katz, an okay-looking, middle-aged Jewish man with salt and pepper hair, was reading
Billboard
.

“Sherwin, good morning.” Nina gave him a warm smile. “How can I help you?”

“Sit down, Nina.” Sherwin closed the magazine and focused on her as she pulled out a chair and slid into it. “We just went over the last quarter's profits. I know you're doing the best you can around here. We want to honor Jamil's wishes, but we really think we need to get a more experienced music exec in here to run things.”

Nina crossed her legs. Trying really hard not to twitch, she focused on Sherwin's nose. She had to remain calm and collected. This was definitely not the time to get emotional.

“All of the income being generated is from previous projects. If you don't sign some talent and generate new income, we'll have to discontinue our relationship with Suicide.”

“Revelation Music,” Nina corrected Sherwin. “With all due respect, Sherwin, I discovered VMG's number one artist and moneymaker, Sabre Cruz, when she was a member of So Fine. I managed the group. I signed them to Suicide. If Sabre were still a Revelation artist, we wouldn't be having this conversation.”

“We understand that, which is why I am having this conversation with you. We want this to work.” Sherwin shifted out of attack mode. “Janice Winters insists you're the woman for the job, even with your limited experience. Maybe we should get you some help?” Sherwin looked hopeful.

“I can handle this. I know what needs to happen. I have a very competent staff. I'd like to give them a chance to prove themselves. We're looking for talent, but we won't just sign anyone. We're looking for a real superstar,” Nina declared, fully confident.

“Wonderful, Nina, but it's the B and C talent that pay the bills while you're looking for that superstar.” Sherwin stood up and tossed the
Billboard
on the table. Nina hadn't noticed that Sabre was on the cover. “We'll review the sales figures again at the beginning of the next quarter. If things haven't started to turn, I'm definitely making changes.” He left the conference room, and Nina collapsed on the long mahogany table.

How dare he threaten me! How dare he? And with my artist
…“Ooh.” Nina was seething. She grabbed the
Billboard
and studied the cover. Sabre was the industry's hottest young diva, and her second single was blazing up the charts. Her debut CD,
This is Sabre
, was steadily climbing
Billboard
's Hot 100. Jamil planned for Sabre's solo career right from the start. He knew a diamond when he saw one. Just like he knew Topaz was a star and signed her to his first production deal.

Nina took one last look at the cover. Something about Sabre's piercing black eyes made her shiver. She took the magazine with her when she left the room.

“Everything okay, boss?” Anita gave Nina a tentative look.

“Nothing I can't handle.” Nina smiled, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt. It was then that she noticed the company was unusually quiet. She couldn't remember when she had ever been in a record company and not heard music pouring out of the offices and into the halls. The building would be charged with energy and creativity so thick, you felt like you could touch it. There was nothing around her at Revelation but silence…even the phones were quiet.

Nina went into her office and closed the door. The walls were lined with platinum and gold discs heralding Jamil's numerous accomplishments as a producer and songwriter for a myriad of number one artists. She sat down behind her desk, covered her eyes with her hands, and slowly massaged her temples. All of a sudden she had an awful headache. “I won't let you down, Jamil. I promise,” she whispered as she buzzed her executive assistant over the intercom. “Come on in, Anita. We've got a ton of work to do.”

T
opaz woke up screaming.

“What is it, baby? What is it?” Germain's strong hands pulled her into his arms. She could feel his heart beating against hers. She looked into his eyes and knew immediately that everything was right in her world. Her breathing and racing heart regulated as soon as she snuggled up next to him. She inhaled his scent…a mixture of shaving gel, rubbing alcohol, and the soap he always scrubbed with before surgery.

“Bad dream again?” He looked concerned as he ran a thumb across her forehead.

It was more like a nightmare. She wanted to tell him so badly, but she couldn't. He might ask questions she was unable to answer.

“It's nothing,” Topaz lied. In her dream, Topaz turned on the television and saw Niki floating underwater. She was screaming. “Mommy, help me. Help!” A trail of bubbles escaped out of the little girl's mouth with each plea for assistance until she slowly sank and disappeared from Topaz's sight. Topaz kept waiting for her cousin, Nina, to appear and rescue her child. But Nina never did.

The dream was recurring, and it was really starting to get under her skin. Was something wrong with Niki? Did the child really need her help? Nina was an excellent mother, so Topaz couldn't understand why Niki would want
her
help…unless something deeper was going on.
Maybe God is trying to tell me something,
Topaz thought.

For the moment, she pushed the dream out of her mind and kissed Germain gently on the cheek, then tossed back the covers and jumped out of bed. Duty called…she had a household to run. She stretched her arms over her head as she walked over to the huge window and admired the amazing view of the Pacific Ocean.

“Are you sure?” Germain got out of bed and stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her as he kissed her on one of her favorite spots behind her ear.

“Sure about what, baby?” She was hoping he had forgotten the dream.

“You had another bad dream. Are you okay?”

“Oh, that…Yes, I'm sure.”

“I was just checking in case I needed to give you a prescription.”

I have got to get him off of this.
“I've got your prescription.” Topaz's eyes still registered concern as her mood suddenly changed and laughter bubbled out of her. She pulled Germain into her arms and gave him a proper good morning kiss. “You'd better get out of here before I make you late for work again.”

“That's one of the perks of being the boss. I can be late anytime I want.” Dr. Germain Gradney was the most sought-after plastic surgeon in Hollywood. He had a thriving practice booked solid for months and was known as the plastic surgeon to the stars. The kiss definitely succeeded in taking his mind off the dream. He pulled her into the mint marble bath that resembled a lush tropical lagoon, and they both jumped in the huge steam shower. He loved her from the moment he first laid eyes on her, over twelve years ago, and he still couldn't get enough.

“So what's on your agenda today, pretty lady?” Germain handed her a white fluffy towel. “Anything special?”

“I have a couple of ideas for a song.”

“You're going to write. That's wonderful, baby!” He watched her rub body oil into her flawless butterscotch skin. Taking the container, he squeezed oil onto his palms and massaged it into her shoulders and back.

“Mmmm. That feels so good, Dr. Gradney.” She closed her eyes and relaxed as he continued the massage. “Your hands are so soothing.”

“We aim to please,” he said with smiling eyes.

“You always please me, Doctor,” Topaz purred in her sexiest voice. She wanted him more than anything. She stood in the mirror over his-and-hers sinks and applied moisturizer to her face. Full pouty lips and deeply set topaz eyes stared back at her. She was named Topaz because of her golden skin tone, eyes, and hair.

Germain and Topaz met eyes and kissed again.

“Don't start what you can't finish.” Germain rinsed the last bit of shaving gel from his face, exposing smooth skin. He was only a shade or two darker than his wife, and at times people mistook them for brother and sister.

“I can always finish what I start. But right now, I have to drive your children to school.” She kissed him on the lips and took one last look in the mirror. “Call me later, sweetie.”

In the kitchen, the children were finishing up breakfast with their nanny. Topaz smiled at her daughter. The resemblance between the two was uncanny. As some people would say, “Topaz spit the child out.”

“Morning, Mommy.” Turquoise refused to be called anything but Baby Doll. She puckered up a smaller version of her mother's lips in Topaz's direction.

“Good morning, sweetie.” Topaz planted a kiss on her lips.

“I'll be waitin' up until you get home cause I can't sleep without you.” Baby Doll, off-key as usual, was wearing the headphones to her iPod and singing along with Mary J. Blige.

Topaz lifted the headphones. “What did your daddy tell you about singing and listening to music while you're eating?”

“He said ‘Work it, gurl'.” Baby Doll laughed as she did the 1–2 step.

Topaz laughed along with her. “You are so silly. Finish your breakfast so we can get out of here, Miss Thing.”

She focused next on twelve-year-old Chris, who was watching the Discovery Channel. Regular TV programming couldn't hold his interest. “How's my little genius?”

Chris laughed as Topaz rubbed her hand over her son's tawny short hair. She playfully pulled him into a headlock, and he looked at her through an identical set of topaz eyes and smiled.

“I'm cool, Mom. Just watching some TV.” Chris kissed his mother on the cheek. He was almost as tall as Topaz.

Chris shared his father's thirst for knowledge. He was an excellent middle school student who made straight As at the Buckley School in Sherman Oaks. Baby Doll loved music, dance class, and her friends, but she wasn't interested in academics. She did love to read, because her father and Chris always had their noses in a book. Baby Doll had to do whatever they did. Germain breezed into the kitchen, and Baby Doll lit up like a Christmas tree. “Daddy, Daddy.” The same little girl who had been so nonchalant with Topaz clamored for her father's attention. “Good morning, darlin'.” He grabbed her up in a big bear hug and Baby Doll squealed with laughter. Topaz smiled as she watched them. They were wonderful children, and Germain was a great father. He hugged Chris, kissed him on the head, and left.

She silently thanked God for her wonderful family as she watched Germain drive away in his convertible Porsche. She was so blessed to have them. It still pained her to think of a time when she was not so grateful—Germain was in medical school and Chris was barely a year old. She left them in Maryland to go to Los Angeles to pursue a singing career.
I was such a fool,
she thought for the thousandth time.

Germain, always supportive of her, had allowed her to go to California for a semester. Caught up in the lure of the limelight, she refused to return home to her husband and son. Like a fool, she divorced him and married Baby Doll's father, the late Gunther Lawrence, a brilliant film director. Gunther's personal issues, a bad heart, and a heavy cocaine habit sent him to an early grave.

It had been a long, hard journey, but eventually she and Germain reconciled and remarried. Topaz had promised herself that nothing was ever going to come between them again.

“Come on, Mommy. Let's go.” Baby Doll tugged on Topaz's hand, bringing her back into the present. Although she employed a nanny, several housekeepers, and a personal chef, there were certain duties she insisted on doing for the family herself. Driving the children to school was one of them.

Topaz picked up Baby Doll's pink Princess backpack, loaded the children into her black Range Rover, and headed to the Valley.