Southern Gossip: A Complicated Love Story

by Tiece

  “Of course not,” he responded to her delight. “Listen baby, I’m positive. You know this time of the year I get super busy and for once I just wanted to relax and get my thoughts together. I didn’t even realize my phone was missing until later.”

  Mrs. Gray just looked at him. She really didn’t know what to say. At that point all she could do was get out of bed and get prepared for breakfast at Mama Gray’s. Thoughts of the newspaper coming out had her on pins and needles. She was hoping that none of the Gray men would be the targets since she was already hiding the bags under her eyes from the stress eating at her. Luckily, her MAC make-up made up for that. She knew that Jada Kent would hit the gossip column. There was no way around that, but hopefully this could be news that would come and blow by just as quickly as the March winds.

  ***

  “Hey, wake up!” Tara called out as she ran upstairs toward Jada’s bedroom. “The newspaper just arrived.” Jada turned over and rubbed her eyes. She’d certainly had a night to remember. Hopefully, the gossip column wouldn’t bare it all.

  “I don’t even know if I’m up for this. I feel like I have a hangover.” She said sitting up and rubbing her eyes. “What time is it?”

  “It’s 8:40 in the morning. I’m surprised you didn’t hear that loud ass doorbell ringing. I don’t know why they have to personally hand you this newspaper like they’re making sure that we read it.”

  “That’s just how it’s always been living on the Gray Plantation. Don’t act like you’ve forgotten.” Jada said with a loud yawn as she covered her mouth and fell back on her pillow.

  Tara sat down on the foot of Jada’s bed and opened the newspaper up. “You think you’re in here?”

  “I’m sure I am.” Jada said.

  “I bet they’re talking about you being back home and if you’re back to claim either the sweet boy, Marlon Gray or the bad boy, A’keem Gray.”

  “You sound like you work for the newspaper.” Jada teased. “Plus, I ain’t back to claim anybody. I’m back to figure things out and to stop running from fears of letting go and finding love.”

  “Well, I know that, but you know that’s how the story is going to go. Let me refresh your memory on what’s probably in this gossip column and if I’m spot on then you have to cook dinner this evening for me.” Tara said causing Jada to softly laugh.

  “Dinner?” she questioned with a shake of the head.

  “Yes dinner. Just because you’ve been away for five years doesn’t mean that I’ve forgotten that you can throw down in the kitchen. Shit, Grandma taught you well. You know what she’d always say when she’d be teaching us how to cook.”

  “The key to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” They laughed.

  “I should’ve been paying more attention. Maybe I would’ve locked one down by now.” Tara joked.

  “We’re Kent women. Maybe it’s not meant for us to settle down unless it’s with a Gray,” Jada pointed out.

  “I don’t believe in that myth anymore. Plus, you’re the chosen one. We shouldn’t all be subjected to that stupid myth just because we’re Kent women.”

  “But you are, unfortunately. Otherwise you’d be with someone now.”

  “I’m not with anyone because Grandma, Aunt Denise, and you find it hard to be with a Gray man. The curse is said that until a Kent woman chooses a Gray man that we Kent women will never be happy.”

  “For some reason I can believe it. Being a Kent woman hasn’t made it easy for us to find love outside of this plantation and on it is too much love to handle.” Jada added.

  Tara shook her head. “Man, what a myth.” She said with uncertainty then said, “Anywho, back to this paper. I can already imagine that it’ll go something like this… Jada Kent is back on the Gray Plantation after leaving town unexpectedly five years ago. Is she back because she has finally come to her senses and is ready to choose either Marlon or A’keem Gray or will the hex that hovers over the Kent’s happily ever after continue?”

  Jada laughed out loud. “Yep, it’ll probably say something like that.”

  “Well, I can’t wait to see what it says. I wonder if I’m back in the spotlight.” Unlike Jada, Tara never had a problem with being in the gossip column. Matter of fact, she actually loved it, but she didn’t like being in Jada’s shadow. She felt it was time for her to step out of that light and start to create some shine of her own. She opened up the newspaper then looked over at Jada who was still rubbing her sleepy eyes. “By the way, we got an invitation to breakfast this morning with the Grays.”

  Jada stopped rubbing her eyes as she stared at her cousin. “Mama Gray has invited us to breakfast?”

  “Yep, I got the invitation from the guy that dropped off the newspaper.”

  Jada laid there with a blank expression on her face trying to figure out what Mama Gray was up to. “This should be interesting, but I don’t know if I want to go.” She said.

  “Since when have you ever turned down an invite from Mama Gray?” She questioned knowing good and well that sick or not if Mama Gray invited someone to come to her enormous, country estate, especially a Kent woman, that the offer would be made good. “Anyway,” she said flipping from one page of the newspaper to the next. Are you ready to hear what the gossip column has to say about you being home?” She teased.

  “Not really,” Jada said.

  Tara laughed. “Anywaaaaays, here goes,” she said…

  Chapter 10

  What’s hot in “Here’s The Tea,” This Week…

  Earlier in the Week

  On Tuesday morning, Brandy Foster, the high powered, well rounded attorney for the Gray’s was seen coming out of the Hilton Hotel through the back entrance doors leading directly to the Hotel’s parking garage. The way she was anxiously looking around indicated that maybe she was hiding a new lover somewhere inside of the exclusive hotel. Speculation has gotten the Tea wondering if this allegedly new love interest is as young and vibrant as her last significant other. Even though she never confirmed that relationship, pictures of the two seen in city was all the evidence that the Tea needed.

  ***Under the gossip were two side by side photos showing Brandy Foster coming out of the hotel, looking around anxiously. Her hair looked as if she’d stayed the night. The way she hurriedly got inside of her white Bentley indicated that she didn’t intend on the morning light catching her.***

  Now isn’t that some rejuvenating Tea to wake up on this Sunday Morning? Moving on…

  On Thursday, late in the evening, after the sun had set, the soothing winds of March blew in an unexpected resident of the city. Her arrival would more than likely send everyone’s wandering minds into a frenzy of speculation and gossip. If you haven’t figured it out, let me enlighten you. My fellow citizens of Rocky Springs, GA., Jada Kent is back on the Gray Plantation. No one knows for how long, but we’ll be sure to get the scoop on why she left all of a sudden with no explanation. Don’t think we forgot about that… On that day, just in case you missed it, Marlon Gray had proposed to the beautiful Jada Kent after they’d been exclusively dating for about six months. This engagement and possible reunion of the two would have settled an old legend that has attached itself to the Gray & Kent family name for the past three generations. However, Jada turned down his proposal and unexpectedly moved away to live close by her aunt Deena Kent. Is Jada Kent back to end this complicated love spin between she and the Gray brothers? Or will the reason of her returning send the city into an uproar of assumptions that will bring back some very unsettling feelings of her sudden departure five years ago? Hmmm, I guess only time will tell.

  What an interesting way to stir up the Tea. Now on to some juicer gossip…

  Last night, Marlon Gray seemed like a composed man throughout the night. His exotic lounge was hands down the hottest entertainment going on Saturday night in the City of Rocky Springs. The Lovely Jennifer Faraday made sure to be on his arm to let the women know that he was off limits. Or, was that to tell Jada Kent to back off?
Jennifer word of advice, you are a classy lady; watch how you down those AK’s. Going over your limit may result in knocking you off of your rocker. Hm, well her night apparently went well regardless of the fact that Jada Kent was lurking as Marlon Gray was later seen leaving the Lion’s Den with his girlfriend, Jennifer, on his arm. Allegedly, the two spent the rest of the night at her house located on the Gray Plantation.

  While sipping this good tea, a few other things allegedly occurred after the blissful night of partying had ended. Can you say more gossip??? No worries, I got you.

  Seth Gray, with his sexy gray eyes and handsome facial features, was seen entering the Gray Plantation alone. However, home wasn’t where he’d gone for the night. Wonder where he went since he was spotted leaving the Gray Plantation much later and heading back into the city before dawn.

  Tara Kent was seen leaving the club alongside a longtime family friend of theirs; Serenity Foster, the daughter of Brandy Foster. They were later spotted entering the Gray Plantation to turn in for the night, allegedly… Hm, wonder if Tara Kent is back on the Gray Plantation to stay since her cousin has finally returned home or will she end up heading back to her secluded condominium on the outskirts of the city. My money has already betted that she’ll stay. I think Tara Kent is excited to be back. If you’re thinking like I am, I believe she has her eye on a particular Gray. With an interest of this kind it’s sure to be some Kent women drama on the Gray Plantation this summer. I can’t wait to see the fireworks.

  This tea is getting tastier and tastier. And, in other news…

  The Infamous, bad boy A’keem Gray was arrested late Friday night for driving with a suspended license and allegedly for possession of marijuana. Daddy dearest bailed him out as always. Hm, don’t you find that A’keem is certainly a lot like his great uncle, John Gray, also known as Ol’ man Gray? I think so. Well, it was reported that the heartbreaker and notorious lover boy of Rocky Springs, GA., was just leaving Regina Smith’s house after 6a.m. this morning. These two have been spotted more than a couple of times around the city. We’re hoping to be able to confirm their relationship status soon since neither of them has verified it as of yet. However, with the hot kiss that he and Jada Kent shared while ducked off on the side of the Huddle House around 4a.m. this morning may prevent that union from ever happening. Is that why A’keem left Regina’s house in a hurry with a not so pleasant look on that handsome face of his? Hmmm, I guess only time will tell. It looks like this love affair is just heating up.

  ***Shown under this hot gossip are two side by side photos of A’keem Gray and Jada Kent in a passionate lip lock***

  Whoooo, look at that kiss… Now, that is some good tea. I’m hoping to not give you too much too soon, because the gossip isn’t yet over.

  ‘Here’s The Tea,’ always end its gossip column with a Big Story; a story that we’ve been following for quite some time. A Big Story usually leads to a Major Story that you’ll have to follow-up on until the juicy scoop is revealed. And now, here’s the Big Story for this Sunday Morning.

  The BIG Story

  Recently, ‘Here’s The Tea,’ observed late night arrivals from that of Mayor Gray. We’ve learned a bit more of why Mayor Gray’s office hours have extended. Could it all be because of Denise Kent?

  Allegedly, around 9:30p.m., on Saturday night, the two were spotted coming out of the low key, very expensive, sophisticated restaurant of ‘Southern Dining’ which is on the outskirts of the city. Mayor Gray exited the restaurant out of the front doors, and then headed for his sporty Mercedes Benz Coupe where he got inside of his car and drove off. And, Denise Kent was spotted coming out of the back entrance of the restaurant, not ten minutes later, heading to her BMW 750 where she got inside of her car, and then she drove off. Wonder what that meeting was all about. Hm…

  This Legendary, Complicated, Love Story between the Gray & the Kent’s is a mystery that no one has yet solved. What makes this story unique is the said hex that was put on the Gray Plantation decades ago by the bitter and very wealthy Oil Typhoon Billionaire, John Gray. Unfortunately, until a Kent woman chooses to be with a Gray Man, no one will ever be fully content. The so called hex has made this union difficult, because what the heart wants may be more than what the heart can handle. What are your thoughts on this? No worries, I’ll give you mine.

  ‘Here’s The Tea” believes that happiness may be right around the corner for an unexpected couple. Will it be one of the Gray men to one of the Kent women? FINALLY??? Or, Maybe it could be someone else on the Plantation marrying someone from the city. One thing’s for sure is that the history of the Gray Plantation has and will always keep this city on its toes. The Tea doesn’t care who you are. Any resident of Rocky Springs, GA., will always want the inside scoop on the rich and the wealthy; especially those living on the Gray Plantation.

  In conclusion, ‘Here’s The Tea,’ would like to wish each and every one of you a safe and Blessed Sunday. Try to be on your best behavior, because you just never know whose watching. ‘HTT’

  Jada sat with her mouth open as she listened to Tara read the entire gossip column. She knew without a doubt that she’d make the newspaper, but she didn’t think they’d be on her like that. Being gone for five years had caused her to forget just how relentless Lynn was at getting her juicy, Sunday morning gossip.

  “Let me see that picture,” she said almost snatching the newspaper out of Tara’s hand. Her eyes widened as she stared at the picture of her and A’keem lip locked in the most affectionate hold like oxygen was no such a thing.

  “Breathe bitch.” Tara said with a shake of the head, noticing Jada’s very surprised facial expression. “Seeing that kiss has literally taken your breath away.”

  “My God,” she finally said just above a whisper. “I had way too many AK’s last night. Wow,” she said looking at the picture again. “I knew that A’keem and I kissed, but it was in playing around with each other. This picture looks like we’d just confessed our love or something. It wasn’t even like that.”

  “You just didn’t think it was like that, but it looks like one helluva kiss if you ask me.” Tara said then got up off of the bed.

  To her this was nothing new. Jada was always caught in the act somehow doing something mischievous with one of the boys, mainly A’keem. That’s why it surprised the city back when she’d confirmed that she and Marlon was a couple, but then ended up running off on him instead. Speculation teased around hints that she’d chosen the wrong brother. Jada never confirmed or denied it.

  “Are you getting dressed for this good ol’ southern breakfast or not, because I’m going?” Tara asked.

  “I’m sure you wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Jada said dragging out of bed. “I’m so not in the mood for this; especially now.”

  Tara shrugged her shoulders as she empathetically looked over Jada. “Oh well. You may as well tighten up Cuzzo, and face the music. This should be like riding a bike.”

  “Not any bike that I’ve rode on.” Jada commented with an unpleasant smirk on her face. As Tara exited her bedroom, she walked into the bathroom to wash up. She stared at herself in the mirror and then said, “I’m gonna need a long, soothing shower before I take on the Grays this morning. God, please be with me at this breakfast table and shield me from the shade, because I’m going to need all the back-up I can get.”

  Chapter 11

  An hour and a half later, Jada and Tara was walking up on the huge front porch of the Gray’s Family home. It was hard to say who was already inside the house since they didn’t see any cars parked out front. It didn’t mean that they weren’t parked in the back of the immaculate home, though. Just as Tara reached for the doorbell, Jada’s phone started ringing.

  “Hold up, Cuz. It’s mama.” She said then quickly answered the call. “Hello.”

  “Jada, what are you doing?” Denise asked.

  “I’m at Mama Gray’s house.”

  “What are doing there this time of,” she paused while thin
king. “Don’t tell me. She invited us over for breakfast.”

  “You guessed it and why aren’t you here, or shall I ask why didn’t you come home?” She pondered thinking about what the tea had reported about her mom and Mayor Gray.

  “Well, it has nothing to do with what you’ve read already.” She said aware that by now the Sunday morning newspaper had been delivered on their front porches. “I won’t lie. I was there at that restaurant, but it wasn’t with Ian Gray. I can promise you that.” Denise explained.

  “Mama, what kind of coincidence is that? Are you sure you just don’t want me to know. You know I’m not going to say anything.” Jada said as she glanced around the big house to make sure that she and Tara were alone and no one was eavesdropping.

  “I can assure you that I wasn’t with him. I was there seeing someone else, but it wasn’t Ian. I didn’t even know that he was there. I’m sure that he’s just as surprised as I was to read that mess this morning.”