MINEFIELDS ? michael b jordan

CHAPTER TWO
CLAPBACK

With Winston away, filming his new movie, Robyn invited her sister, Manoucheca, to Milan for a little sister getaway. The two had always been close, but with their busy lives-Robyn's music career and Manoucheca's focus on her family and upcoming projects-time together was precious. After a long flight, they finally arrived at their hotel room, and once the luggage was stowed, they settled into the living area to catch up.

"So, how long do you plan to keep your pregnancy a secret?" Robyn asked, her voice playful but laced with genuine curiosity.

Manoucheca, who was still in the early stages of her pregnancy, shrugged slightly as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "I think I'll tell everyone once I start showing or can't hide it anymore," she said, her tone calm but thoughtful.

Robyn nodded, giving her sister a knowing look. "Do you plan on telling Dad?"

Manoucheca's expression shifted, her face turning serious. She shook her head. "No, so he can run to TMZ and tell them? He can find out when I tell everyone else."

Robyn chuckled softly, understanding exactly where her sister was coming from. "That was very petty of him to do that," she said, thinking back to when their father, Ronald, had shared Manoucheca's pregnancy news with the media before she had even had the chance to announce it herself.

"You know how our father is, Robyn. That man is just something else," Manoucheca said, rolling her eyes. She could still feel the sting of her father's casual disclosure, made while he was watching the Super Bowl halftime show, as if her personal life was something to be broadcast for entertainment value.

"He just makes himself look bad all the time," Robyn commented, shaking her head.

"Yeah, he does," Manoucheca agreed, letting out a long, resigned sigh.

The sisters sat quietly for a moment, the weight of family drama hanging in the air, before Robyn shifted the conversation to a lighter topic.

"So, what are you hoping for?" Robyn asked, laying a hand gently on her sister's still-flat stomach.

Manoucheca smiled, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "I want a boy. I know Michael probably is okay with whatever, but I want a boy."

"Why?" Robyn asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I just feel it in my gut that I'm having a boy. Plus, I would love to see Michael's bond with our little boy, like how Winston is with your son," Manoucheca explained with a soft smile. Her thoughts were filled with the image of Michael holding their baby boy, envisioning the way he would look at him with the same tenderness Winston showed to Robyn's child.

Robyn smiled at the thought, her heart warmed by the connection her sister had with her husband. "Yeah, they do have a cute bond," she agreed, thinking of the way Winston was always doting on his own child, his love for the boy so clear and unshakable.

"So, I heard you're performing at the Oscars," Manoucheca said, shifting topics once again.

"Yeah, I'm performing my nominated song, *Lift Me Up*," Robyn replied, her voice full of pride but also a hint of nerves. The Oscars were always a high-stakes event, and the thought of performing live on that stage was both thrilling and intimidating.

"Are you nervous?" Manoucheca asked, tilting her head slightly. "This is your second performance this year, and it will be the first time you sing the song live."

Robyn took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Not really. I just want to perform the song to honor the film and Chadwick Boseman. I just want my performance to be captivating," she said, her eyes glimmering with resolve. The significance of the performance wasn't lost on her, and she wanted it to resonate with the audience, to make a statement not just about her own talents but about the memory of Chadwick and his legacy.