𝚂𝙸𝚇 𝚈𝙴𝙰𝚁𝚂 𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚁

𝙵𝚁𝙸𝙳𝙰𝚈

𝙹𝚄𝙽𝙴 𝟷𝟾𝚃𝙷

"Finally done." Cherish said while looking around.

Cherish had finally moved back to her hometown after being gone for 6 years. After the craziness that took place outside the abortion clinic, she randomly picked a place that was kind of far. Booked a flight and never looked back until a month ago, when she decided to move back.

For now, she'll be staying in her aunt Rissa's guest house until she finds a place of her own. Her aunt didn't mind. She had more than enough space since Marcus had bought his mother a mini mansion that had a nice size 3-bedroom two bathroom guest house in the back.

Cherish loved living where she moved to, but her family and her best friend were still in her hometown. Plus, it was time. She knew eventually she'd run into Priest since he still lives there, but she dreaded it. They needed to talk, anyway. She stood up and stretched before wiping the sweat beads that formed on her forehead off with a towel. Moving is exhausting, and she just finished unpacking the last of her boxes.

"What do you think Soul is going to say about you finally being back? I still can't believe you left and stayed gone, knowing he didn't cheat on you. That man was raped. He hates that word, though. Men don't like admitting when they've been assaulted. He struggled with it; you know?" Yazmine spoke.

It was revealed to the ones who didn't know what went down between them. That Cherish thought Priest had cheated then later Priest confessed about him being drugged even had test results of the drug in his system, but still no one but Truth and Shooter knew about him choking her.

In a way, she didn't want them to judge because he wasn't abusive or laid a finger on her in that way prior to that day. Despite the anger he showed that day, she saw the regret in his eyes. It wasn't right to choke her, but he could've fucked her up given the way it played out.

"Why would I care what he struggled with? I hate he was taken advantage of, but that's it. Now, can we not talk about him?" Cherish rolled her eyes while grabbing her bottle of water.

He didn't care about me. She thought.

Cherish had just turned 26 on May 10th. Her dream of opening up multiple clothing stores and becoming a multi-millionaire came true. She currently owns 10 stores which are globally. Two of those stores sell nothing but clothes for children. The tenth store which she's opening in her hometown, the grand opening will be happening in a couple of weeks. She's always been about her coins and on top of her boss shit.

She heard from Marcus that Priest left the street life alone and now owns multiple businesses in different states as well. She never believed Priest when he told her that he had been drugged in that moment. Truth sent her Priest's test results before she changed her number, but nothing had changed for her. Choking her and throwing something hurtful in her face twice was something she couldn't forgive at the time. Despite him saying what he did, she still didn't cross that line with him.

"You need to talk to him, cousin. You know why. You're still in love with him, no matter how much you deny you aren't. You know, the hoe that drugged him tried to pin a baby on him? Turns out the baby wasn't his. She didn't come around until she was five months."

"I caught her in a lie a little after she turned 6 months and I ended up telling Soul. He didn't want to risk getting a test while she was pregnant, so he wanted to wait until the baby was born. She knew the truth was going to come out. Soul had passed out before even nutting. His shit was soft the whole time. She gave him something to make him aroused, but again he passed out. How do I know? I heard ole girl conversation with her friend who was always with her."

"Wow! So what happened?" Cherish asked surprised.

"Another nigga obviously was the daddy. How she thought she would get away with pinning it on Soul is beyond me. This is where things get crazy. That dumb bitch injected poison into her stomach, as if she wouldn't be affected as well. Then had someone to beat the baby out of her. When I say beat, I mean it caused her to go into an early labor and the baby was stillborn. I don't mean to sound insensitive, but I was happy that Soul hadn't grown attached to the baby in that month she was around because that would've crushed him."

"The hoe acted like she was so broken about losing her baby, until the doctor revealed about the poison. Her friend sung like a bird. That's murder what she did and she was going to jail."

"What in the lifetime movie." Cherish shook her head.

"Girllllll, I still get chills about that story because it's crazy. She was so desperate for a come up. I don't know what she told them people, but she's not in jail. She's in a mental hospital instead. She's definitely crazy, but I think her sick ass needed jail time as well. She tried to kill her baby with the poison, then I guess by some miracle that didn't happen, so she had it beaten out of her instead. It was a little girl."

"Hearing stuff like that breaks my heart. These babies don't ask to be here." Cherish frowned.

"That's true. You should also know Soul is with someone. His girlfriend is a bitch, but whatever. She plays that innocent role, but I see right through her gold digging ass." Yazmine shook her head.

Cherish felt her heart crack a little at hearing that he has a girlfriend. Still, she didn't let it show about the obvious jealousy and hurt she was feeling from the mention of a girlfriend. He moved on. Yet, she hasn't in the sense of having a relationship with another man. It wasn't just that she still loves him. She's still in love with him. Even when she thought he cheated, she never stopped loving him.

"Does he love her?" Cherish found herself asking.

"He's still in love with you. If you ask me he's not even into her. She's just a distraction. They've been together for two years and she still hasn't been to his house."

"Oh. Good for him." Cherish cleared her throat.

"Cherish." Yazmine looked at her. "You know I tell you all the time that you were wrong. That he deserved—"

"Mommyyyyy! I loveeeee my room and the colors. It's so pretty." Malaysia giggled while wrapping her arms around Cherish.

That's right, Cherish never had the abortion. The moment she stepped foot in the procedure room, it didn't feel right, and she couldn't go through with it just because she was emotional about Priest. She had to think about her baby and not herself. Priest has no clue about Malaysia's existence.

The only people who know are Yazmine, Marcus, her aunt Rissa and her uncle; Rissa's husband. She made them promise not to say anything. They disagreed with her, but it wasn't their place to tell. They all felt bad for keeping it from Priest, especially seeing how much he loves kids.

Cherish knew she was beyond wrong for keeping his daughter a secret from him, but she did what she felt was best for her sanity. The day at the clinic, she had every intention of having Priest believe she went through with the abortion, then planned to let Priest know when she was a few weeks from her due date, which she did. After what he said to her that day, along with choking her, she made the decision to not say anything in that moment. Whether she moved back or not, she was going to tell him. The thought of her daughter possibly hating her forever is what stopped her multiple times over the year.

Though Priest had no clue of their daughter's existence, Cherish never publicly revealed her or her pregnancy on social media. She actually was able to hide her pregnancy. By the time she was due, her belly wasn't as big as a house. You'd think she was at least 6 months. She currently had a 5.5 million following on Instagram, since that was her only social media. She didn't want her private life to be public, which over the years she's managed perfectly.

She wasn't in the blogs unless it was something positive or having to do with her stores or a celebrity rocking something designed by her. She was proud of that, but she still didn't want their daughter all over the internet because there are cruel people behind a screen that would talk down on a child without a care in the world. Another reason was Priest not knowing about Malaysia. She peeked at Priest's Instagram a few times. But his girlfriend wasn't posted, so she guessed he feels the same about his privacy.

"I'm glad you like it, snuggle-bug. Where is Honesti?" Cherish smiled.

"She fell asleep on my bed."

Honesti Monroe Smith is Cherish's two-year-old daughter. One day, Cherish went out drinking, then ended up having a one-night-stand with a NFL player. The condom broke, which resulted in her getting pregnant. He wanted nothing to do with the pregnancy since unbeknownst to Cherish he's married with kids. He offered to pay her 100k to get rid of the baby and to sign a NDA. She went off on him and said that she didn't need his money and her baby wouldn't need him. They had gotten a DNA test per his request and once the results came back that he was the father; she had him to sign over his rights, which he did with no hesitation.

"Okay, I need to get her up otherwise she'll be woke all night." Cherish sighed.

"Mommy, will I get to meet daddy?" Malaysia innocently looked up at her. Malaysia's a bright little girl. At 8 months she was already saying Ma-Ma, Dada, ba-ba for bottle, and Up for when she wanted to be picked up. At 11 months, she was identifying colors and shapes. Walking at one. Talking very clear at the age of two. Since then, on her birthday when she'll blow out her candles, she always wished that she would meet her father. Now she was 6 in the second grade.

Cherish stared into her daughter's eyes and wanted to cry at how much time she has let go by without them meeting. All because she was hurt and wanted to prove she was fit to be a mother. She did tell Malaysia about Priest. Told her how much he loves her, which wasn't a lie. When she was pregnant, he was already in love with their baby, even though she wasn't far along. Malaysia sleeps with an old picture of Cherish and Priest, then one of just Priest. She knew that once Priest found out about their 6-year-old daughter, all hell would break loose.

"Yeah, you will." Cherish gave a nervous smile. As far as Malaysia knew, Priest wasn't around because he has no choice, which is also the truth. Cherish took Priest's choice to be a part of his daughter's life away from him.

"I can't wait!" Malaysia spoke happily. "I'm going to meet my daddy. I'm going to meet my daddy!" Malaysia did a little dance.

Tears filled Cherish's eyes as her guilt continued to paralyze her. She tried to hide her tears from Malaysia, but it was too late.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" Malaysia asked.

"Nothing." Cherish cleared her throat. "I'm just as happy as you are."

"Good. I don't like when you're sad." Malaysia smiled while hugging Cherish's legs before going back to her room.

"Are you okay?" Yazmine asked.

"No, I'm not. I really fucked up, Yaz. Priest will never forgive me, especially since I knew the truth about what really happened to him. If he says anything to Malaysia about me keeping her away for selfish reasons, she'll hate me. You know she smart as hell. She's not your typical kid." She shook her head. "I never told you or anyone this but..." She made sure Malaysia's room door was closed.

"I called Priest a few weeks before I went into labor then the day I went into labor to tell him about Malaysia. He said he had nothing to say to me the first time, then the second time I didn't get the chance because he went off on me. Obviously, still mad about the abortion he thought I went through with. Said I was a bitter and miserable motherfucker and didn't deserve to be a mother. I lost my mother when I was young, so the baby would've been better off without me. Said that he didn't know what he saw in a damaged person like me. I swear my entire soul left my body. I hung up, cried, and changed my number again. I couldn't believe he had once again said some hurtful shit, so I vowed to be the best single mother I could be. To raise her without him to prove I would be a good mother." She sniffled.

"Oh my God! He really said that?" Yazmine looked surprised.

"Yeah, I wouldn't lie about it. It doesn't matter. Despite what he said, I should've thought about Malaysia. Her feelings. Her growing up without a father. Her little heart feeling like something was missing. But my pride was in the way. Throughout the years, anytime I wanted to tell him, I thought about his words, then thought about my daughter hating me."

"I think she will be a little sad, maybe even mad, but Laysia won't hate you. That little girl loves you more than anything and anyone in this world. I have no doubt that she'll be a daddy's girl once she meets Soul, but she will also remain a mama's girl. Are mama's girl even a thing? If not, that's what she'll be. Soul is still in love with you like I said, of course, he's going to be mad as hell, but he could never hate you either. No matter the hurtful things he said to you. I'm not taking his side, but he thought you had an abortion, then you left him after knowing he was assaulted. Even knowing the truth, 6 months went by, and you didn't come back. His heart was broken, and he was in a dark place." Yazmine told her.

"I just hope I don't lose my daughter. As for Priest still being in love with me? Girl bye. He's in a whole relationship, and I lost him a long time ago." Cherish sighed.

"Doesn't mean he's happy. If he breaks up with her and want to be a family with you, what would you do?" Yazmine tilted her head with a smirk on her face.

"I wanted that when I called years ago, but he didn't want me anymore." Cherish shrugged. "Doesn't matter, like I told you, I'm over Priest. I will always have love for him, but that's it." Cherish lied.

"Lie again." Yazmine laughed. "That's the first person you fell in love with. The only person you've been in love with. The last person you will ever be in love with. Sleeping with Von here and there over the years then having a one night stand doesn't count."

"Last time I slept with Von was over four years ago."

"My point exactly. You gave up fucking a NBA player that wanted to wife you. You dropped him because you still love Soul Blackmon." Yazmine smirked. "You even still wear your engagement ring on a chain around your neck. You thought we didn't know or something?" Yazmine slightly pulled up the chain around Cherish's neck revealing the engagement ring.

"First off, I stopped sleeping with Von because I've been lucky thus far to not end up on a blog speculating that we're together. I don't need that type of attention. Secondly, I would never let Von wife me. No matter how many times he's claimed that he was only sleeping with me. If an NBA player is faithful, then I salute them, but Von is always in some messy shit. He was my brother's best friend, and still is Marcus's, he'll always be special to me. Just not relationship material. He didn't even want kids, which means I would've been in the same predicament had Honesti been his. Well, he would've accepted responsibility. Thirdly, I'm going to give the ring back once I see Priest. You know, to get closure once and for all. Then to figure out us co-parenting."

"Sure you are. You could've sent it back with me or Marcus during one of the times we visited you."

"I know you're not talking." Cherish gave Yazmine a look. "Still pretending like Truth is only your friend when you're in love with him and have been for years. I wouldn't be surprised if y'all was juicing on the low."

"Not juicing." Yazmine laughed. "Bitch, we're grown. I don't juice anyone. I fucks him—I meant..."

"I knew it! Been doing all that lying. When this happened?"

"I slipped up. Last year my car was acting up and Marcus was busy, and so was Soul. Soul asked Truth to pick me up. He took me to my shop one day, then came to pick me up. You know when hoes see him, Soul, Shooter, and Marcus they get over thirsty. So, I did what any sane childish person would do. I tongued him down in front of my whole shop."

"Whatttttt?" Cherish smiled. She always liked Truth for Yazmine, but Yazmine's mother has Alzheimer's so that became a priority in her life over everything.

"I was so embarrassed that I let jealousy of hoes who wouldn't have a chance with him get to me. I instantly told him that was a mistake, and I did it for one reason only." Yazmine said.

"What happened after that?"

"He told me he didn't like being used because he actually cares about me and all I had to do was let him know what's up. We started arguing. One thing led to another. Next thing I know, he fucked me right out of my wig in the back seat of his Trackhawk. I'm not even joking. My wig was on the floor. I got out his shit limping and looking like Wanda from Holiday Heart when she was trying to get that bike back."

Cherish busted out laughing. "I am not about to play with you. Not you getting fucked out of your wig. Not looking like Wanda. Whew." Cherish wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Mannnn, cousin. I'm telling you, Truth isn't nothing to play with. I went in the house that day, tossed the wig on the floor and fell on the couch. I was in a coma until the next day. Was late to do a client head and everything." Yazmine laughed. "I don't need no man that'll have me like that. You know I don't play about professionalism."

"So what? Yall had sex once and that's it?"

"Hell nah. We still be having sex, but that's not my man." Yazmine smiled. "Whenever things get too serious or personal, I shut it down. Like him wanting to take me on a date or wanting to know more about me. I just can't. I've been avoiding him for like a week now because he said he wanted to be in a relationship with me, not just us sleeping together."

"You been like that since we were teenagers. Your father leaving. Aunt Kenya having Alzheimer's. I understand completely. Getting close to someone is scary. Priest was the first person I let in after losing my parents, then losing Rakeem, you know that, and it hurts that he would use their death to hurt me not only once but twice. Truth is nothing like that. Your father wasn't shit for leaving, and I know you don't want to hear this, but he has tried to be in your life and make up for it since. You just won't let him. I know it's hard with Aunt Kenya, but loving Truth and letting your guard down is not the end of the world. Truth is a good man always has been one."

"I'm just scared." Yazmine spoke sadly.

"It's okay to be scared, but never stop living. That's not what Aunt Kenya would want." Cherish hugged her.

Cherish and Marcus are related on her mother's side. Her mother and his were sisters. Cherish and Yazmine are related on her father's side. Yazmine's mother is Cherish's father, twin sister. Despite Yazmine and Marcus being related through marriage, blood couldn't make them closer.

"We both need to get our personal life in order." Cherish chuckled.

"Nah, we really do." Yazmine agreed.

"Where the hell is Paris? She was supposed to been over here helping. I need to wake Honesti up then run to the grocery store."