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Laying eyes on Erika for the first time felt like the first gulp of fresh air after a lifetime of holding her breath. It was at some boring event Nicki didn’t even want to attend at first. C-list celebrities and annoying old men swarmed like flies around the people they deemed important. The food was bad and the decor was even worse. But now, she couldn’t be happier to be there. As if the universe aligned to make sure she was right there at that exact moment to witness the beautiful blonde woman standing a few steps away.
Without her conscious input, Nicki moved to approach her, feeling like she was in a daze. To her pleasant surprise, she didn’t even need to think of a way to begin a conversation with this gorgeous woman. When she entered her line of sight, the woman ran up to her with a big smile. „Oh my god, Nicki Minaj! I can’t believe you’re here, I’m a huge fan!“ The voice calling out to her might as well have belonged to an angel. The scent of her perfume enveloped her like a warm hug and Nicki subconsciously drew in a deep breath.
„I’m Erika! Erika Kirk“, the woman introduced herself, enthusiastically shaking her hand. „Nice to meet you, I’m Nicki Minaj but you already seem to know that.“ Nicki said with a confident smile, skilfully covering up the nervous flutter in her chest. Erika giggled shyly, brushing a strand of her blonde waves behind her ear.
Erika looked up at her through her long lashes, leaning closer. „Would you like to get a drink with me, miss Minaj?“ Nicki couldn’t help but smile, pleased that their first meeting was going so well. „Of course, I would love to.“ She took Erikas hand and gently guided her towards a pair of empty seats by the bar. „You can call me Nicki, if I get to call you Erika.“ she said with a wink.
After sitting down and ordering their drinks, their conversation continued. Erika asked about her music, seeming especially interested in concerts. She blushed as she confessed „I always dreamed about being on stage myself. Having so many people look up to you, listening to what you have to say must be wonderful!“ For a second a heartbroken look flickered across her face before she covered it up with a bright smile and more enthusiastic questions about Nicki as a person.
As they continued to chat, Nicki felt something bloom deep within herself, a feeling she couldn’t name yet. Erika was special. Before today, Nicki had scoffed at stupid, romantic things like love at first sight. But now, sipping cocktails with this gorgeous, sweet and intelligent woman, she was truly reconsidering this standpoint. A few minutes of conversation turned into a few hours and without either woman noticing, the evening was nearing its end.
Nicki simply couldn’t let this angel escape. Fairytale princes would spend years searching for a woman like her and Nicki didn’t plan on wasting time comparing shoe sizes with a glass slipper. Taking the opportunity before it slipped away, Nicki made her next move. „Are you free tomorrow morning? Maybe we could grab breakfast together.“
For a moment, happiness and hope spread across the blonde woman’s face, just to immediately crumble again. „I can’t…“ Those beautiful blue eyes filled with tears, a heartbreaking sight to Nicki, as Erika glanced towards a man. He had short, dark hair and a smile that showed way too much of his gums. Nicki immediately knew she didn’t like him as she watched him grimacing into his drink. Erika took her hand, not daring to meet her eyes. „That’s my husband Charlie.“
„You’re…married?“ Shock spread like ice through her veins as Nicki‘s thoughts came to a halt. Her plans of asking for a date after this, of inviting Erika to a cafe, getting to know her. „I’m so sorry, I wanted to tell you but-“
The man walked up to them, interrupting Erika, grabbing her arm and making her flinch. He showed his awful, gummy smile once again, testing all of Nicki‘s acting skills, lest she showed him exactly what she thought of him. „Erika, we’re leaving. Say goodbye to your new friend.“ His voice was even worse, grating compared to Erikas heavenly tone.
„Nice to meet you, Mr. Kirk.“ Faking an interested smile, Nicki offered her hand and was incredibly relieved when he didn’t shake it. She really did not want to touch this slimy man. Recognition flashed in Charlies eyes upon hearing her voice. „Oh, Nicki Minaj! I’m not really a fan of your and your peoples…music-“ he looked her up and down, calculating and with barely hidden disdain. „-but you have a lot of fans. Would you be interested in appearing on my podcast?“
It took all of Nickis self control not to roll her eyes at him. A man with a podcast, of course. How could a beautiful woman, an angel descending from heaven to bless the mortal realm with her graceful presence, end up with this guy? Still, not wishing to upset Erika, she answered politely. „Yeah, sure. I will see what I can do.“
After another quick exchange of words, the married couple finally left. Erika threw her a last, longing stare before they rounded a corner and left Nicki’s line of sight. A deep rooted feeling of jealousy formed in her chest. It would be downright criminal to leave Erika to this man.
Her husband had to go.
Nicki knew she could get a bit… intense when it came to love. And what she felt for Erika Kirk certainly was love, despite their short acquaintance she was sure it couldn’t be anything but. So, instead of spending the morning eating breakfast with her newly discovered blue-eyed angel, she sat herself down in front of her laptop and found out everything one could possibly learn about Charlie.
Charlie Kirk. A man with a decently famous podcast, rising in popularity among the far-right with his very conservative views. Erika was more of a background character, she and their children often reduced to talking points and examples. This man clearly didn’t love his wife and family as much as he should. As much as Nicki will do.
He needed to leave, disappear from his family’s lives and never show his face again. Nicki would take his place, marry Erika and raise their children together. But how could he be convinced to leave without a nasty divorce or a custody battle?
He couldn’t. But what if instead of a divorce, Erika became a widow? The more Nicki thought about it, the more she realised it was the only logical conclusion. She didn’t even need to hire a hitman for it. As one of KorTac‘s top operators, Nicki had all the skills necessary to rid herself of this unpleasant obstacle. Her past with this private military contractor was not commonly known, no one would suspect her. The perfect crime.
A few days later, Charlie Kirk was part of a public debate at some college in Utah. The place was strategically perfect for Nicki‘s venture: an open space, very little security and an elevated but hidden location on top of a building. Through the scope of her rifle, Nicki could see her target. With all the skills she had at her disposal and without hesitation, she eliminated her target.
Nicki left the vicinity without a trace. Just as calculated, no one suspected her. To prevent themselves from seeming incompetent in the public eye, the investigators blamed some poor student and claimed a political assassination. She forced herself to wait a few days until she went to visit Erika.
Erika opened the door, looking like she hadn’t slept in days. Deep circles stood out from her porcelain skin, her blonde hair looked messy and her clothes were wrinkled and mismatched. All in all, she looked exactly how someone going through such a difficult time would be expected to look like. The sight broke Nicki‘s heart, seeing her beloved Erika in this state almost made her regret her actions. Almost.
When Erika recognised the guest at her door, a tiny spec of relief washed over her expression. „Nicki! What are you-? No, never mind, I’m so glad to see you! Please, come in.“ The blonde angel opened the door further and stepped aside. Nicki smiled, careful to conceal the happiness she truly felt. Luckily, Erika didn’t even think to question why Nicki knew her address.
The newly widowed woman lead her down a long, sterile and impersonal looking hallway. This white and beige hell of a corridor was filled with family fotos that looked off somehow, like they were staged. She finally opened the door to a small room near the end of the house. Entering it felt like stepping foot into a completely different world.
A comfortable looking couch and some bookshelves claimed most of the space. A small, round table and two vintage chairs stood by the only window in the room. Erika pointed to one of the chairs. „Please, sit down. Would you like something to drink?“ Nicki declined with a sympathetic smile and waited for her to sit down as well. She then took her delicate hand, stroking her thumb over the soft skin.
„How are you feeling? This must be so difficult for you.“ Her voice was filled with genuine concern. Nicki truly felt sorry for her blonde angel, just not for her late husband. Erika let out a deep, sorrowful sigh. Nicki didn’t know what to say, struggling for words. „I understand, losing your husband, the love of your life-“
Erika interrupted her. „That’s not it!“ Nicki caught a glimpse of her eyes, once again filling with tears, before Erika buried her face in her delicate hands. „I don’t know how to say it without sounding like a heartless bitch!“ She let her hands fall into her lap again and looked up at Nicki through her lashes. Her voice filled with despair and disgust towards herself. „I know it sounds horrible and I shouldn’t even think about it but I really can’t bring myself to mourn his death!“
„He was not a good husband.“ Erika’s eyes filled with emotion again, disdain this time. Her voice was quiet and resentful. „It was always my dream to be on stage. But that didn’t fit into his worldview. Women shouldn’t be public figures. They should stay home, take care of the children, cook, clean, do the dishes, the laundry, gardening!“ Erika stood up abruptly and her voice rose in volume the more she added to the list. „It was always about his stupid podcast!“
With a frustrated grunt, Erika let herself fall back into her chair, raking her hands through her already messy hair. In an attempt to soothe her, Nicki placed her hand on the blonde woman’s shoulder. Erika let out another frustrated huff, then visibly deflated and blushed „I was too busy to feel sad. Since the day I met you, all throughout the last few days and even now, all I’ve been able to think about is you!“
Erika gave her a guilty look, seemingly preparing herself for rejection. „I’m so sorry Nicki, I- I love you.“ Not wasting another second, Nicki jumped forward and pulled Erika into a kiss. Chaste at first, it quickly filled with passion when Nicki pushed her tongue into Erika‘s mouth with gentle force, making her blonde angel whimper. Erika brought her arms around her neck, holding on tightly as if this moment, this kiss was the first time anything in her life made sense.
If the kiss lasted minutes or hours, neither of them could tell. Each time one thought about ending this heated embrace, the other would drag them right back. When they finally separated for good, the awkward tension left after the first kiss didn’t last long. Uncharacteristically, Nicki was the first to start giggling though Erika wasn’t far behind.
This time it was Nicki‘s turn to jump up from her chair. It tipped over, crashing to the floor with a loud noise. Nonetheless, Erika‘s eyes did not stray from Nicki for even a second. She watched as Nicki slowly lower herself to one knee and let her take her hand. „I don’t have a ring but I can’t wait a second longer. Erika, would you marry me?“ A big smile spread across Erika‘s face.
„Yes!“