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letting this dude put his hands on you because you think he can help your career?”
    She inhaled sharply. “Like I said, you don’t need to worry about what I do or why I do it. Ya feel me?” She was back to tough-girl mode now.
    Tangie swung me around to face the mirror so I could survey my hair. I leaned into the mirror and fluffed a few curls. “So, I guess that means that you won’t be making a statement.”
    â€œNo, I won’t. And you listen to me and listen to me closely. Keep my name out of your mouth. Period. End of discussion.”
    â€œSo it doesn’t matter to you what kind of example you’re setting?” I nodded to Tangie to let her know I liked my hair.
    â€œI don’t care about an example. I’m trying to do me and get paid in the process,” Mynique replied.
    â€œWow” was all I could say.
    â€œYou all right?” Tangie mouthed as she started gathering up her supplies.
    I nodded, rolling my eyes.
    â€œI’m telling you now, if you put my name in your mouth, say anything about me on your show, you’re going to regret it,” Mynique threatened. “I promise you that. You don’t want me as an enemy.”
    â€œGirl, bye.” Maybe if Mynique had come to me in a different way, I might have cut her some slack. But she was definitely about to make sure she was put on extreme blast on my show. “The last thing you’ll ever do is threaten me,” I told her.
    â€œYou really want to take it there?” Mynique said.
    â€œIt’s taken. Good luck with getting your butt beat” was all I said as I slammed the phone down.
    I picked up the office phone and punched in the extension to Dexter’s office. I glanced at the clock as the phone rang. Yep, I had enough time.
    â€œWhat’s up, Maya?”
    â€œChange of plans, Dexter,” I said, scrolling through my phone. “We still have about twenty minutes. I want to change the lead story.”
    â€œWhat? Change it? We air in twenty minutes!”
    â€œTrust, you’ll want this. I’m sending you some video that’s going to make your day.”
    I found what I was looking for and pressed SEND.

Chapter 10
    I probably should’ve felt guilty, but I didn’t. Any piece of guilt I felt had gone out the window when Mynique Foxx snapped on me when all I was trying to do was help. No, if she wouldn’t take my help that way, I was about to help her another way—by letting her see what a fool she looked like getting beat up by somebody who claimed to be her man.
    â€œStand by, Maya. We’re up in five, four, three . . .” My director, Manny, gave me the cue to begin.
    I let the theme music come up and then taper off before I began talking. “What’s up, everybody? It’s your girl, Maya Morgan, the fantabulous host of Rumor Central , where we dish the dirt on the celebrities you love. Boy, have we got some goodies for you today. The Rumor Mill is on fire.” I turned to camera two, which I loved best because it had the best lighting. “Which D-list actress recently got publicly beat by her A-list boyfriend?” I paused for effect. “How about I can show you better than I can tell you?” I waited as the video came up. I could only shake my head as I once again watched Demond hit Mynique in the jaw like she was some dude off the street, then snatch her up by the hair and slam her against the wall.
    â€œNo, your eyes are not deceiving you,” I continued. “That is hot, young actor Demond Cash. Yes, that Demond Cash. The star of the new John Singleton sequel Boyz Back In The Hood , and he is definitely acting like he’s from the hood,” I said. I fingered my platinum Tiffany necklace as I continued. “Word is that he’s playing a thug in the upcoming flick and I guess he’s getting his practice off screen as well, and his girlfriend, Mynique, is his punching bag. Don’t