18. Derek’s Destiny

DESTINY

1 Day Till The Jubilee

“Come outside,” Derek's voice cut through the phone, not asking, but demanding.

I let out a deep sigh, my eyes sweeping over the chaos of my office. The Jubilee was so close I could practically taste the stress. Gift bags were stacked high, boxes piled in corners, papers scattered everywhere, tickets rolled up, and a box of VIP lanyards sat on the conference table where Eden was typing away, designing something on Canva. The pressure was real, and the last thing I needed was Derek pulling me away.

It was bad enough I couldn’t stop thinking about the wee hours of this morning when Derek asked me not to start my birth control. Part of me wondered if I’d dreamt the whole thing until I saw my pills in the trash as I made breakfast. Derek had already left without saying a word to me, and now he was outside my office acting weird when I was sure he had better things to do.

“Derek, shouldn’t you be in the studio or at rehearsal or something?” I asked, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice. “I have so much to do.”

“I know, but I need you to see something,” he insisted, that tone in his voice that always made it hard to say no.

I rolled my eyes, knowing he wasn’t gonna let this go.

“Is that Derek?” Eden asked, her smile knowing, like she was in on something I wasn’t.

“Yeah,” I replied, still trying to figure out what he was up to.

“Go outside, Destiny,” she said, smirking like she knew something I didn’t.

“Excuse me? Eden—”

“Just go! And take your purse!” she said, practically shoving me out of the chair and towards the door.

It was weird, and I couldn’t figure out why she was so eager to get me out there. But I didn’t have time to argue. I grabbed my purse and headed down the stairs, my mind racing with what could be so important.

As soon as I stepped onto the sidewalk, there he was—Derek, posted up outside the Escalade his security usually rolled in. He was leaning back, one leg crossed in front of the other, his left hand casually gripping his wrist, and that damn smile of his—platinum and diamonds flashing across his bottom teeth, just enough to remind me who I was dealing with. He wasn’t dripping in jewelry today, just a simple watch, but the way he carried himself, he didn’t need anything else.

But it wasn’t just him. A group of guys I didn’t recognize were standing around him, except for Hakeem, who was grinning like he’d just pulled off the prank of the century.

“What’s this?” I asked, my brow furrowed in confusion as I looked around.

“Come take a ride with me, Princess,” Derek said, pushing off the truck and extending his hand towards me.

“Derek, the Jubilee is tomorrow, I—”

“I got it covered,” he cut in smoothly, his voice steady and reassuring as he held my hands. “Hakeem and the rest of my guys here, they’re gonna help Eden with everything today. You’re taking the day off.”

I hesitated, my mind still stuck on the mountain of tasks waiting for me. “The day before the Jubilee? Are you crazy? Derek—”

“Destiny, you got everything locked in, just a couple loose ends to tie up now. Eden’s fully capable of running a team, and she knows exactly what you want and how you want it done,” he explained, his tone leaving no room for argument. “I know they look a little shiesty, and yeah, Keem is a little slow…”

“Aye man, what the fuck?” Hakeem piped up, offended.

“But they’ve handled a lot of my day-to-day over the years and my big events and shit,” Derek continued, ignoring Hakeem. “They just need direction, and Eden’s got that covered. We already had a meeting, and they’re ready to hit the ground running today,” he added, flashing that smile that usually got him out of trouble.

“A meeting? Derek, what are you—”

“Baby,” Derek stepped closer, closing the distance between us, his hand now holding my chin like he was grounding me, bringing me back to what really mattered. “You’ve been working real hard. Before the big day, I just want to make sure you’re relaxed and feeling good. I’m calling it ‘A Day of Destiny,’” he said with a grin, his right hand letting go of mine to gesture dramatically, like he was painting a picture just for me.

There was something in his eyes—something sincere, something that told me he wasn’t just trying to pull me away from my responsibilities. He was trying to give me something I didn’t even know I needed.

I looked at him, feeling the tension start to melt away, just a little. I couldn’t help but smile back, the weight of the Jubilee lifting slightly off my shoulders. “A Day of Destiny, huh?” I asked, a hint of playfulness in my voice.

“Yeah, baby,” he nodded, his voice low and full of that warmth that always made me feel safe. “Just you and me.”

I had so much on my to-do list that day, it felt like I was drowning in it. The idea of stepping away seemed impossible, like abandoning ship in the middle of a storm. But then there was a knock, and when I glanced up at the window to my office where the sound was coming from, there was Eden, grinning, giving me two thumbs up. I shook my head, a small smile creeping up on my face despite the stress gnawing at me.

“You’re plotting with Eden behind my back now?” I asked.

Derek just chuckled, that deep, smooth sound that always seemed to unravel me, no matter how much I tried to hold it together.

“When it comes to you, I’m always gonna be ten steps ahead, making sure you’re good, even if it means teaming up with Eden to get you to slow down.”

“Bro came home and turned soft,” one of the guys muttered, his voice laced with a mix of humor and disbelief, like he couldn’t quite wrap his head around what he was seeing from Derek.

I shot him a quick side-eye, my hand still firmly clasped in Derek’s. He didn’t let go, didn’t flinch, just squared his shoulders and met the guy’s gaze head-on.

“Say what you want, but this right here? This is my life,” Derek said, his voice dropping low, like a growl that carried across the sidewalk. His eyes were locked on the guy, unblinking, and his expression was stone-cold serious. Each word was a warning shot, slicing through the air with a finality that left no room for misunderstanding. “And if you think I’m gonna let anyone disrespect that, you got another thing coming.”

Everyone seemed to hold their breath. Derek’s presence was magnetic, his body tensed like a predator ready to pounce. His jaw clenched, that vein on his temple pulsing, and his stance—solid and unyielding—made it clear he was not playing. He took a step closer to the guy, closing the distance, his eyes never wavering. “Matter of fact, keep running your mouth, and I’ll have you on the next flight home. Coach, one-way ticket, my treat. You really wanna test me?”

A ripple of unease moved through the crowd. The guy’s smirk faltered, his confidence cracking under Derek’s unrelenting gaze. He could see Derek wasn’t bluffing; there was no smirk, no bravado—just a man who was ready to back up every word he’d just said. The tension in the air was thick, like the moment right before a storm hits, and everyone could feel it.

The guy chuckled nervously, but it was forced now, unsure. “Aight, man, chill… I didn’t mean nothin’ by it,” he mumbled, his voice quieter, his eyes darting away. He realized there was no point in pressing further, not with Derek looking like he was ready to go to war over his woman.

Derek didn’t budge, his stare still hard and unyielding. “Good,” he said, his voice steady but firm, “because disrespect my girl again, and you’re gonna find out just how fast I can make that happen.”

“Respect, D,” he finally said, nodding at Derek, and I felt the tension between them dissolve like mist in the morning sun.

I looked up at Derek, and in that moment, something shifted. I saw him in a way I hadn’t before—his strength, his vulnerability, the depth of his feelings for me. His eyes met mine, soft and a little shiny, and I knew he saw it too. This wasn’t just a moment; it was a realization, a clarity that hit us both like a freight train. I meant more to him than anything else—more than the music, more than the fame. I was it. We were it.

“You know I got you, right?” he added not caring what the friend thought, his voice dropping to that low, serious tone that meant he wasn’t just talking to talk—he meant every word.

My defenses crumbled a little more, and I found myself nodding, the weight on my shoulders easing up just enough to let me breathe. “I know,” I finally said, the tension in my voice softening.

Derek’s smile wasn’t just a smile—it was a promise. The kind that had a way of reaching inside me and pulling me out of my head, anchoring me right there with him. His eyes held that familiar warmth that could calm any storm inside me, like he was telling me without words that it was okay to let go, to be fully here, right now, with him.

But as he helped me into the car, his hand steady on mine, I caught the sound of hushed voices behind me. A flicker of tension passed through the air, and I couldn’t help but listen in as I smirked.

“Rich bout to get sent home,” one of the guys joked, his voice low but not low enough.

“Shut up, man,” the one they called Rich muttered back, clearly annoyed.

“I told you he don’t play about his wife,” Hakeem chimed in, his tone somewhere between a warning and a laugh. “Lucky he didn’t knock your whole top off.”

Derek leaned in, gently clicking my seatbelt into place, his eyes still holding that easy calm as he closed the door. But when he turned to face the guys, that calm shifted, hardened. I could tell his smile faded, replaced with a look that commanded respect, one that said he wasn’t about to repeat himself.

“I can’t believe I’m bout to say this, but Keem’s in charge,” Derek called out, his voice firm, cutting through the chatter like a knife through butter.

A collective groan rippled through the group. Keem, on the other hand, couldn’t hide his satisfaction. His grin stretched wide as he cracked his knuckles, stepping into his new role with a little too much enthusiasm.

“Y’all heard what he said,” Keem smirked, his voice rising over the others. “Now get y’all asses to work.”

I watched the guys head up toward my office, my mind racing. What had I gotten myself into? And was Eden going to be okay dealing with all these new personalities thrown into the mix?

Derek pulled Keem aside, their voices dropping to a low rumble I could hardly hear through the window.

“Remember to take care of that for me,” Derek said, his tone dropping to that serious note that left no room for negotiation.

Keem nodded, his expression shifting to match the gravity of Derek’s words. “I got you,” he replied, no longer joking, before heading inside.

What was that about?

Derek slid into the driver’s seat beside me, his hand immediately finding its place on my thigh. He kept his eyes on the road, but his thumb traced slow circles against my skin, a small, comforting gesture. Yet, there was something under that calm exterior—a tension that radiated off him, a quiet storm he was trying to keep at bay. The silence between us was heavy, not uncomfortable, but filled with anticipation, like the air before a thunderstorm.

Where were we going? What was so urgent that he’d pulled me away from everything, from the Jubilee prep? And more importantly, what was Derek planning now?

We ended up in Westonberry, parked in a small plaza that felt familiar. Before I could even ask what was going on, Derek was out of the car, coming around to open my door and take my hand, his grip firm but gentle. He led me inside an office, his pace quick, purposeful. The second we stepped through the door, the staff looked up, and I saw their eyes widen in shock.

“Is that… D-Truth?” I heard one of them whisper, and suddenly the whole office seemed to buzz with excitement. But Derek didn’t pay them any mind, just gave a small nod as they scrambled to compose themselves and led us to a private room in the back. The atmosphere shifted as we stepped inside, and a man in a crisp suit appeared with a warm smile, holding a folder thick with papers.

I sat down next to Derek, confusion twisting in my stomach. He was smiling, looking like a kid who was up to something but didn’t want to spoil the surprise just yet.

“What’s going on, Derek?” I finally asked, my voice a mix of curiosity and nerves.

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes locked on mine, and said it so casually, like he was telling me the sky was blue. “I’m paying your house off.”

I almost choked on my own breath. “What?”

He nodded toward the folder. “A couple of signatures, and the title’s yours, Princess. You’ll own your house outright.”

I stared at him, my mind struggling to catch up. “But… why? Derek, I can’t—”

He silenced me with a look—a look that was soft yet commanding, the kind that left no room for argument. His smile spread slowly, widening with a confidence that sent a shiver through me.

“You don’t have to do anything, Des,” he said, his voice smooth but firm. “I already handled it. All you gotta worry about are the property taxes, and even those? I got them set up, automated, ready to go. You won’t even have to think about it.”

I blinked, the words sinking in like stones, dragging me into a whirlpool of disbelief. “I don’t understand… You can’t just… This is too much.”

He reached for my hand, his thumb moving in that familiar, rhythmic pattern across my skin—the one that always calmed me, made me feel like I was tethered to something steady. He knew exactly what he was doing, grounding me in his touch.

“I can, Des,” he said softly, his voice steady, a hint of pleading underneath. “Let me do this for you. Let me take care of you, like I promised.”

Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, a tightness squeezing my chest, making it hard to breathe. “But Derek, this is huge—I still owe like $145,000,” I stammered, my voice trembling with the weight of it all. “That’s so much money.”

Derek’s chuckle was low, almost a rumble, as he cupped my face with both hands, his touch firm but gentle. He drew me closer, so close I could feel the warmth of his breath skimming across my ear, each word a quiet storm.

“Destiny, money is no object for you anymore,” he whispered, his voice thick with a confidence that sent a shiver down my spine. “A hundred and forty-five thousand? That’s a drop in the bucket, baby. You could spend that on a vacation and still have more left over than most people see in a lifetime. I showed you some of my accounts, and those numbers? They’re about to be yours too. I promise you—after this, we’ll still be more than good.”

“Derek—” I started, my voice barely more than a breath, but he wasn’t letting me talk my way out of it.

“Home ownership, for real,” he insisted, his tone dropping lower, carrying that weight he always did when he was dead set on something. His eyes bored into mine, dark and unwavering, and there was a fire there, a plea wrapped in determination. “I want to give this to you. Let me.” His hands stayed on my face, steadying me, his thumbs brushing along my cheeks like he was grounding me in the moment, anchoring me to him. “This is still all you. You worked hard, saved up, bought this place on your own. I’m just helping you slide to home plate a little faster.”

His words hung heavy between us, and I could feel the intensity radiating from him, the sheer force of his will. It wasn’t just about the money or the house—it was about him giving me a piece of his world, of his love, solidifying our foundation in a way that only Derek knew how. And standing there, caught in his gaze, I felt the gravity of it all, like he was handing me the keys to more than just a house, but a whole new life.

I looked down at the folder in front of me, feeling the weight of his words settle deep in my bones. This wasn’t just some grand gesture or flex—he was giving me something real, something that couldn’t be taken away. A home that was truly mine, not just in name, but in every sense.

I reached for the pen, my hand trembling just a little. Derek squeezed my other hand, his eyes never leaving mine. “You got this, Princess.”

And with that, I took a deep breath and signed my name, feeling the shift in my chest—the sense of something new, something ours.

“All yours, baby,” Derek grinned as I scribbled my final signature. The title officer smiled warmly, sliding the papers into a neat stack. “Can’t nobody take it from you now. Your legacy in Juniper.”

The words hit me right in the chest, and I damn near crumbled into his arms, tears spilling over before I could stop them. I was crying—no, sobbing—ugly and raw, but Derek just wrapped his arms around me and held me like he always did, like he’d never let go.

“You good, Princess?” he murmured into my hair, his voice a soft rumble that I felt more than heard.

I nodded, my face buried in his chest, breathing him in, trying to pull myself together. “I just… I can’t believe you did this. For me.”

“Looks like we’re all done here,” the title officer chimed in, clearing his throat gently, probably to keep from getting caught up in my emotions. “Mr. Harris has already taken care of the wire transfer, so everything’s set.”

I turned to look at the officer through teary eyes, trying to pull myself back to the moment. “Thank you,” I managed to say, my voice shaky but sincere.

Derek pulled back slightly, his hands still on my shoulders, steady and sure. “You deserve this, Des. You’ve been building something real, something solid, and now it’s yours for good.”

I looked up at him, my heart overflowing with gratitude, love, and everything in between. “I don’t even know how to thank you, Derek.”

He chuckled softly, his thumb gently sweeping away a tear that had slipped down my cheek. His touch was warm, and the tenderness in his eyes made my heart ache.

“Just keep loving me, Princess. That’s all I’ll ever need from you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

I felt the words settle deep in my chest, the weight of them pushing against the walls I’d built up over the years. I crumbled, falling into his embrace like it was the only place I’d ever belonged. His arms wrapped around me, strong and secure, pulling me against his chest, and I could feel his heartbeat—steady and certain—against my own.

He tilted his head down, his lips pressing against the top of my head with a soft kiss that sent shivers down my spine. I closed my eyes, inhaling the familiar scent of him, feeling every muscle in my body relax. His kiss lingered there, like a promise, like he was sealing us together in that moment. And I knew, deep in my soul, that no matter what came next, this was where I was meant to be.

“Now let’s go. We got other moves to make today,” Derek said, holding his hand out for me, his eyes gleaming with that familiar spark of mischief and excitement.

“There’s more?”, I asked, shocked.

Derek’s grin grew wider, that devilish glint in his eyes igniting something deep inside me.

“Princess, we’re just getting started,” he said, his voice dripping with promise. He held his hand out to me, his fingers curling in that “come here” motion that always made my heart skip.

I took his hand, feeling the strength in his grip as he pulled me close. “Where are we going?” I asked, my voice barely steady as my mind raced with possibilities. With Derek, it could be anything.

He leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear, his breath warm on my skin. “You’ll see soon enough,” he whispered, sending a shiver down my spine. “I’m breaking you into your new life—step by step. You ready?”

I nodded, nerves and excitement coursing through me. "Ready."

“Good,” he said, his smile turning into something almost predatory. “Because today’s about showing you just how limitless life can be when you’re with me.”

He led me out, his hand never leaving mine, and as we walked, I couldn’t help but feel like I was stepping into a whole new world—one that Derek had built just for us. A world where nothing was too much, and every moment was another chance to fall deeper into this wild, unapologetic love we shared.

And I knew right then—whatever he had planned next, I was all in.