As Cherish drove to her destination, she thought about calling Yazmine to vent as usual, but was tired of basically repeating herself when it came to Priest.

She always asked him what is it about Crystal because she genuinely wanted to know. Priest was a smart man, calculated, and always had a reason for the things he did. Cherish wasn't understanding what the reason could be, though. Her mind kept going to Crystal, possibly being with child and Priest keeping her around for the sake of the unborn baby. Her heart didn't want to believe it, but it seems to be the only explanation as to why he wouldn't tell her. She didn't know what was up with Priest always saying to "trust him" about that whole situation, when there were so many reasons being revealed that she shouldn't.

"Am I really about to go out with this man?" Cherish spoke aloud.

Relationships aren't the problem with Cherish. Being broken comes from personal demons she's fighting, but it has nothing to do with getting into a new relationship. She was single after Priest because she couldn't move on from him and didn't want to. She still couldn't move on from him, the only difference this time around was her willing to try. She wasn't pressed for a relationship, yet she needed to change the things that were holding her back.

Agreeing to meet wasn't her trying to be petty, though it may come off like that. She received that text earlier and was debating. Knowing that Priest was just full of talk gave her the push she needed. Some will call her going out with another man petty, childish, or just her simply being stubborn. It's neither. Taking the step to move on is what's best for her. She may have some setbacks when it comes to moving on, but she was determined now, more than ever.

Shaking the thoughts from her head, she pulled onto a block that was in the hood. Immediately, eyes were on her BMW. Cherish wasn't worried because let someone try her, and they would meet her Smith and Wesson 9mm. Maybe she should've thought about the jewelry she was wearing, but she wasn't afraid. Stepping out, she didn't know whether to leave her bag in the car or not, but since her protection was in her bag, she grabbed it.

It was only about 7:45 pm; it was fairly typical for people to be sitting on their porches during a summer day. Some stood on the sidewalk and in the middle of the street. It's safe to say, the block was popping. Now she was regretting meeting him on that block. She was quickly recognized, which had people asking for pictures, hugging her, and letting her know how much they love her line. It didn't matter where she would be. Being rude to those who support her is something she'd never do.

"Omg! Cherish is in my hood." A girl smiled. "I don't mean to bother you, but can I take a picture with you?"

"Of course." Cherish spoke with a smile while taking a few pictures with her.

"I just want to say I love what you're doing for us plus-size girls. Your clothing is everything. I'm manifesting me modeling for you one day." The girl smiled. She looked young, but if Cherish had to guess, she was eighteen or nineteen. She was a beautiful girl and her confidence was refreshing.

"What's your name, beautiful?" Cherish asked.

"I'm Aspen."

"Well, Aspen, email me, and we'll talk. I have all the models I need for tomorrow, but if you're serious, I can make room for one more. I will need to see you actually walk in order for you to model tomorrow, so if you can attach some videos, that'd be great." Cherish told her, and from the tears glossing in Aspen's eyes, Cherish knew that Aspen was serious.

"Are you for real? I can model in your fashion show tomorrow?" Aspen wiped her tears. Cherish reached into her purse and pulled out some tissue.

"Yes, I'm for real. How old are you?"

"I'm 18. I can't believe this!" Aspen sniffled. "I tell my mom all the time that I would love to model for your line. You give plus-size women the same clothing option as a small figured woman and I love that. We big girls like to look just as good."

"I love your confidence, and it's never a bad thing to go after what you want when the opportunity presents itself. You see those girls behind you, secretly hating?" Cherish said, Aspen nodded with a response that those girls don't like her and often talk about her weight. "You are a beautiful girl, Aspen. Never let anyone tell you otherwise just because you aren't a size two. Keep owning that confidence of yours. I promise you it'll help when trying to achieve your dreams."

"Thank you so much." Aspen hugged Cherish.

Cherish told Aspen once she emails her, she'll have a contract sent over. Aspen and her parents could look over it, then get back to her before noon tomorrow. Even though Aspen is 18, she should look over it with an adult. Cherish is way too generous with anyone she hires, so Aspen won't have to worry about Cherish getting over on her. What Cherish didn't know was how much Aspen looked up to her. Making her dream come true had made Aspen's day.

Cherish just knew being in the hood would get back to Priest. Meeting a man will especially get back to him. Just because he left that life didn't mean he wasn't respected or that his name no longer held any weight.

When her eyes finally found who she was meeting, a smile etched across her face. Sitting on top of a clean Range Rover, he was looking every bit of fine. A girl and two young men were rapping for him and the other three men who stood beside him. He was looking at Cherish from the moment she stepped out of her truck, despite her not noticing. As she got closer and closer to him, she was getting nervous. He was dressed in a black Prada Piqué polo shirt, a pair of Balmain jeans, and on his feet were a pair of black Prada America's Cup sneakers.

She could feel eyes on her from those who stood outside as she walked up on Assad. He seemed to have tuned everyone out with each step she took. She walked with confidence and a hypnotizing switch in her hips. She knew like hell those weren't Butterflies forming in her stomach. It had to be the nerves. His eyes were still trained on her. The men who were talking to him had stopped the conversation and were now looking at her. The stares were now even more evident than before. Assad, looking at her now, had the hood doing the same.

What the hell is everyone staring at? She thought.

Assad stood to his full height as his eyes took in her beauty. He met her the rest of the way with that Colgate smile of his that she embedded in her mind. "What's up, gorgeous?" Assad greeted.

"Hey." She spoke softly as he hugged Cherish, enveloping her in his Tom Ford cologne that had her biting down on her lower lip. Assad was looking good, smelling good, and giving off a type of vibe.

Staring down at her, she swore it gave her a feeling she shouldn't be having. She hated to compare in the moment, but it was nothing like the way she feels when Priest looks at her. Still, it felt good. She couldn't remember a time in her life where she was immediately attracted to a man. Priest doesn't count. Von was attractive, but she was never attracted to him in that way after her crush on him had vanished. Her one-night stand was just that. A one-night stand. But Assad, he had her speechless.

"You're so beautiful." Assad smiled. There was such intensity in his expression that it was hard for her to even recall the words that she was searching for.

Bitch say something! Cherish smiled before responding with a thank you.

"Everyone, this is Cherish." Assad wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She found herself leaning into his embrace.

"Nice to finally meet you, Cherish." A fine-ass dreadhead spoke to her. She couldn't even deny that Assad and the man who spoke to her were some handsome men. "I'm Hendrix, Assad's brother."

"Nice to meet you, Hendrix." Cherish smiled while shaking his hand.

While chile, why these men smiles so damn perfect. Chocolate skin, so smooth. Handsome and expensive smelling. Wait until I tell Yazmine about this.

"You heard me, gorgeous." Assad said into her ear. The way her heart was beating almost made her close her eyes at the sound of his voice.

"I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"I said we're about to head out, baby." Assad's deep chuckled rumbled through her ears. Looking up at him, he had a smile on his face. Him calling her baby sounded so good.

"What about my—"

"Trust me. Won't nobody touch it." He held out his hand. She slid hers into his before he dapped Hendrix and the other men up. He spoke to the three that were rapping for him and gave them some encouraging words, which had her smiling on the inside.

As they were walking not far from where they just stood, the lights on a Lamborghini Urus suddenly came on. When Assad opened her door for her, she was impressed. There was obviously a lot to Assad. He was much like Priest in the sense those in the community respected him. She prayed he wasn't in the drug game because that would be unfortunate. Priest had stolen her heart in ways. She eventually stood by his choice to be in that lifestyle. Things are different now. She has daughters to think about and can't be getting wrapped up with someone else in that lifestyle.

When she heard Marvin Gaye- Sexual Healing playing throughout the speakers, once he drove off, she looked over at him. "What you know about Marvin Gaye?"

"What I know? Nah, you know about that." Assad smirked.

"I love old school music. You get a different vibe from it." Cherish chuckled.

"I didn't know youngin's listened to old school." Assad joked.

"Young—you're like what? Twenty-eight? Twenty-nine? Maybe Thirty?"

"I'm Thirty-Three, sweetheart." He chuckled deeply as she choked on air.

"No, you're not." Cherish said, surprised. "You're serious?"

"Seven years older than you, baby." Assad gave her a look that almost, almost, made her clench her thighs.

"That's not major. As you know I just turned twenty-six, but I'm grown grown. You being thirty-three doesn't matter to me. I'm just surprised."

They rode vibing while talking on the way to their destination. Cherish hadn't eaten anything yet, she cooked for her kids and Zaiden since she wasn't hungry at the time, but that was it. Assad asked if she had ever eaten Jamaican food before, which she hadn't. Not even Jerk Chicken, so they were on their way to a spot he knew.

Parking, Assad got out, then walked over to Cherish's side. "I suddenly feel overdressed."

"You good." He looked at her before grabbing her hand. Opening the door to the restaurant, it was so packed. She thought they would've had to go somewhere else to eat, but everyone seemed to have known Assad. From the moment they walked in the door, Cherish could tell that Assad was a well-respected. Hell, probably was one anywhere he went. People were breaking their necks to speak to him or even be acknowledged by him, and it had her wondering once again who is Assad.

"You seem pretty popular anywhere you go." Cherish said.

"This is my momma's restaurant. I stop by a lot." Assad spoke into her ear so that she would hear him.

"So, you and Hendrix share one or both parents?"

"Hendrix is my best friend. We aren't blood brothers."

Cherish replied as they made their way through the restaurant as if Assad owned it. A booth was already awaiting them. Assad had ordered some of everything. Jerk Chicken, oxtails smothered over rice, Curry Goat, and a few other things he thought she might like to try.

Looking around, Cherish was feeling the vibes. The aroma of the food smelled so good. The Reggae music that was playing in the background. She had never listened to Reggae, but she guessed the restaurant was going for an authentic vibe. When her eyes landed back on Assad, he was already staring at her. She bit down on her lower lip before smiling.

They started talking about everything while waiting for their food. Assad wasn't in the drug business. He came from a well-off family and now owns a handful of businesses of his own. He bought his mother her own restaurant. She decided serve Jamaican food after she visited Jamaica more than once and essentially fell in love with everything every time. He's respected and known because, just like Priest, he does a lot for the community as well. He was always bringing people to Marcus who wanted a career in music because there had to be something better out there than just hanging in the hood. Those he would bring just needed someone like Assad, who believed in them. A lot of them he brought to Marcus had made it, whether it was a rapping career or a singing. They were always shouting Assad out in some way in their music.

"I love that. You really changed their lives. Not a lot of people even care what happens to those in the hood." Cherish said.

"You do." Assad smiled. "I can tell, from your interaction with that young girl, that you made her happy in some way."

"She's an inspiring model that may or may not be modeling in my fashion show tomorrow. Depending on what her parents say. I saw a lot of myself at that age in her. That confidence. That ambition. A lot of my ambition comes from pain. My pain is what drives me. I wouldn't encourage anyone to open as many stores as I did in 6 years. I was a little cocky after my first two took off. I was far too ambitious, and it could have blown up in my face. Sometimes I think about closing down a few, then maybe opening them back up in some years. I can tell you, I won't be opening anymore. It'll be years before I do. I don't regret anything, though. If it's one thing I don't regret, it's going after my dreams."

"I like a woman who's not just beautiful on the outside, but is on the inside as well." Assad looked at her. It wasn't only her beauty that allured Assad in; it's also her smile. Her laugh. The fact that she is a little too ambitious at times, and unapologetic about it.

To Assad, a 26-year-old still has some childish tendencies, so he normally dated women close to his age. There was something about Cherish Smith. Just from what he's gotten to know about her today made him like her even more. She opened up about her parents. Talked about her brother. Assad was just easy to talk to, and he felt the same way about Cherish.

Cherish ate that food like she hadn't eaten in years. She was definitely recommending his mother's restaurant. They talked some more, laughed, even danced to the music. Not wanting the night to end, Assad and Cherish continued their night to another destination.

__

Assad double-parked in the street before getting out to open the door for Cherish. She couldn't deny how much she enjoyed the hours she spent with Assad. From the flow of his conversation to the vibes, to the way he made her smile, kept her laughing, the way he looked at her; it all made her feel some type of way.

"So, will you let me take you out again, gorgeous?"

"As you know, it's been a while since I've even been on a date, but I really enjoyed spending time with you. You can definitely take me out again." Cherish smiled.

Assad wrapped his arms around her as she gave him a hug. "I'll see you tomorrow." He kissed her forehead.

was now 11 pm and Cherish was walking into her house. The house was quiet aside from the television that sounded off in Honesti's room. Since Honesti didn't sleep in her room, Cherish made it a guest room two days after Priest found out about Malaysia.

Walking into her bedroom, she cut the light on before jumping when seeing Priest sitting there. "What the hell!" Cherish whispered, shouted. "Don't be sitting in the damn dark like a creep. Why are you here and where are our kids?"

"They with my moms. Question is, where the fuck you been? I'm hearing you was in the hood with some nigga." Priest frowned.

"Okay and?" Cherish rolled her eyes. "I don't know why people are in my business enough to report any damn thing to you. I'm single. You are not my man."

"Was it that nigga Von?" Priest backed her against the wall. "You smelling like Tom Ford cologne and shit. What nigga was close enough to touch you?"

"Priest—"

"I'mma tell you this shit now." His eyes went darker as she bit down on her bottom lip. "That nigga Von is only breathing because I allow it. I know you care about his bitch ass and I don't want another death falling on your conscience. That's the only reason." He leaned closer as she held her breath for a moment. "Make no fucking mistake, baby. If I want that nigga dead, he'd be dead. A bullet would be too easy. He doesn't wanna know what death by Soul feels like. Play with me if you want, and I will fuck your beautiful ass up. Now, I'mma ask you again who the fuck was you with?"

I have problems because why the fuck is that turning me on? I love when this man talk crazy to me. Cherish looked up at Priest. The hold Priest has on her, her heart, her soul; she wonder if she could ever move on. Her heart and soul feel most complete with him.

Damn, I'm so weak for this man, and that's not a good thing to be at all. She knew if she didn't answer, things could turn ugly for Von. "I told you I cut Von off. I was with Assad."

"Who?" He still had a frown on his face.

"Assad. That fine ass man I met at Marcus's label. The one who came to my surprise party with Marcus."

"You been with him all this fucking time? Doing what?"

"Don't question me about shit. You still with Carmen, aren't you? I didn't go out with that man to make you mad, jealous or none of that. I went out with him because I wanted him. Because I plan to move on, and if that is with him, so be it." Cherish pushed past him.

After brushing her teeth, Cherish had only been in the shower for ten minutes before Priest snatched her out and roughly kissed her. She didn't even attempt to fight against him, which led them here...

"Oh my God!" Cherish moaned lowly. She laid flat on her stomach while Priest was digging in her guts. He started to spread her ass cheeks while rotating his hips and going deeper. He always knew her spots, and it always felt like he was made just to sex her.

"Shhh, baby." Priest groaned into her ear. "I don't give a fuck, but you don't want Julissa to hear your ass calling out to God."

"Fuck you." She gripped the sheets below her.

"I'm already doing that." He sucked on her neck. As a mind-numbing orgasm rocked her body and sent her eyes rolling to the back of my head.

Priest grabbed her waist, then flipped her onto her back. Seizing her legs, he pushed her thighs apart. Despite the heavy orgasm she just had, her pussy was tingling from his touch. "I love how your pussy gets so wet for me." He eased his middle finger into her honey pot. She moaned in ecstasy as he slid in another one.

"Shit!" She bit her lip.

"How that feel, mama?"

"So fucking good, bab—Priest!"

"Nah, what were you about to call me? Baby?" He licked his lips from the sight of her dripping down his fingers.

"N-No." She denied it.

"Let me hear you call me baby." He slowly stroked his fingers in and out of her.

"S-Soul." She closed her eyes. He removed his fingers as she whimpered from the emptiness.