𝙼𝙾𝙽𝚃𝙷𝚂 𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚁

𝙵𝚁𝙸𝙳𝙰𝚈

𝙳𝙴𝙲𝙴𝙼𝙱𝙴𝚁 𝟷𝟽𝚃𝙷

Yazmine had finally gotten out of the shower. Her body needed the extra minutes. He was already out and back in the bedroom, laughing at how dramatic Yazmine was being. Her legs felt like jelly from being fucked so good, and she wasn't complaining at all. She was sporting her limp and noodle legs with pride. She'd be lying if she said the sex she and him has been having since day 1 wasn't the best. She craves it. The ways in which he owns her body was everything.

Once Yazmine was dressed in a two-piece set from Cherish's loungewear line, she turned around to see him staring her down. He was always looking at her as if he was seeing her for the first time. That look, plus the look when he about to tear her coochie up, were her personal favorite looks from him. Butterflies erupted in her stomach as she fought the smile that etched across her face. She noticed he had changed the sheets on the bed as well.

"Why you be staring at me like that?" She chuckled.

"C'mere."

I love when he says C'mere with so much lust and authority. Yazmine thought as she walked over and stood in front of him. He pulled her between his legs, then cuffed her booty.

"I got you something."

"You spoil me way too much. I don't need anything else." Yazmine sat on his lap before wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Close your eyes." He pecked her lips. She eyed him, but complied.

His arms maneuvered around her as she waited in anticipation. He told her that he would gift her something every day this month. He called them, just because you deserve it, gifts. They weren't even a couple, but he made sure she was straight on every level. Mentally. Physically. Financially. He upgraded her living situation from a condo to a 4 bedroom, 4.5 baths penthouse apartment. She has a smart home system that controls the lights, her TVs, the blinds, and her security, which she was in love with. She still had her BMW, but was now pushing a G-Wagon that she was gifted on her birthday from him.

"Open them up." He said. The first thing her eyes landed on was his smile. That smile she had fallen for the moment she met him. Then her eyes landed on a card.

"Oooh, I wonder what it says." She beamed as he kissed her cheek once she grabbed the card. That was what he loves about her, and why he had no problem spoiling her beyond the limits. She hadn't read the card or didn't know what was inside, but she was still appreciative. She had changed a lot over the past months and was proud to be living life for herself.

"Here we go." Yazmine said after opening the card. Her smile never faltered. "There's nothing more attractive than a woman who wants better for herself. Who's been knocked down by life yet determined not to stay down. Nothing more attractive than a woman who is on top of her shit and a real go-getter. I love seeing a woman making boss moves without relying on her pussy to get her ahead in life. You never have to say the word, baby, to know that I got you. I believe in you and you're worth being invested into, in more ways than one. Here's gift number 17 for this month. Take this money and open up your haircare business. That's how much I believe in you." Yazmine finished reading with tears in her eyes. She looked at Hendrix, who continued smiling and now had a thick amount of bills in his hand.

"You didn't." She pecked his lips twice before wrapping her arms around his neck to hug him. She wasn't by any means a sensitive person, but this was so sweet of him.

Thinking about what she wanted to do next, Yazmine turned to the one person who was a business guru in her eyes. Cherish. Cherish instantly got to throwing out ideas as a new venture for Yazmine. Selling hair would've been a person's go-to, given Yazmine is a hairstylist, but Cherish thought beyond that. Cherish had been waiting for that moment because she wanted nothing more than to see her cousin winning. When Cherish suggested that Yazmine should start her own hair care line, it caught Yazmine's attention.

Yazmine made her own hair growth oil, diverse types of conditioners, hair moisturizer, distinct types of products relating to hair period. The thing is, people get in the same line of business, but the results won't be the same. Overpriced products only to not see any results since purchased. Yazmine products worked very well, though. She was her own Guinea pig and so was Cherish. She always made her own hair products, but she didn't take it serious as a potential business until Cherish suggested it. Cherish schooled her so much on the ins and outs of businesses, it was now instilled in her mind. Yazmine even started online classes for business school.

"Stop crying, ma. Why you crying?" Hendrix rubbed her back. "My baby getting soft."

"Shut up." She looked at him before rolling her teary eyes. "It's just... this was so thoughtful and sweet. I can't believe you did this for me. I can believe it, but what did I do to deserve it?"

"I told you, I believe in you and you're worth it." He spoke between sensual pecks of kisses. "My hair, Heaven's hair, and Journee's done grew. You got all our shit healthy from your products. You don't believe in your talents enough, so that's where I come in at."

"You, Cherish, and Soul really always been my biggest supporters." Yazmine sniffled. She always gets emotional when thinking about her cousin.

Yazmine along with Priest went crazy when the doctor called time of death. They refused to believe that was where her life ended. Life really does have a way of humbling you. Hendrix wiped Yazmine fresh tears. She hadn't realized she started crying again. It still felt like it all happened yesterday whenever she thought about it.

Hendrix didn't say anything, just kissed the corner of her mouth. Yazmine wrapped her arms around his neck again before looking into his eyes. She needed to change the subject. "Thank you for this, Hendrix. For everything. I told you I didn't want a relationship, and you never once tried to force one on me. We're not a couple, yet you do things for me as if we are. You let me cry in your arms when my cousin... you were there for me. When my mother was killed, you were there for me. You hired a lawyer to sue the nursing home for neglect. Hired one for suing the doctor for misdiagnosing my mother. You spoil me with great dick, love, loyalty, protection, and so much more. How did I not see it before?"

"See what?" He licked his lips. He knew what, he just wanted her to say the words. The way he was looking at her like he needed that answer was way too intense, but just as bad as he wanted to know, she wanted him to know.

"That I fell for you. I thought maybe relationships just weren't for me until you slithered your way into my life."

"I didn't slither." He chuckled. "I walked right on in and showed you what you were missing. You got the unfiltered and raw version of me. That's why you fell unapologetically in love with a real ass man."

"I said fell for you, not fell in love." She smiled.

"Don't lie to me. Speak your truth, ma. I just had you screaming it multiple times not long ago." He smirked.

Hendrix stared deeply into her eyes while grabbing the sides of her face. "I'll go first. Who would've thought when I walked into your shop that night, it'll lead us here almost six months later. I could tell you the very moment you went from a woman I wanted to a woman I needed. These months, getting to know you in a way no other man has, have been nothing short of amazing. My nieces adore you and the way you have been there for them is priceless. That's why you deserve the world. I love you, ma. You knew that already, though. I've been proving it through my actions, not my words."

"Hendrix Ishon Taylor, I love you too. It's so embarrassing that this is about to be my first relationship, but what I'm experiencing with you has me ready to take this step with you." Yazmine said truthfully. She leaned forward and kissed Hendrix's lips, allowing her love to show through their kiss.

"It's not embarrassing. You weren't ready before, but you are." He pecked her lips.

"I don't disagree at all." She chuckled.

For a while, every fiber of her being wanted to fight what her heart has been telling her. The pull was too strong. At first, for many reasons, she didn't want to pursue a relationship with Hendrix, but her mind and her heart disagreed with one another most of the time because Hendrix was something different. Logic took a back seat to her emotions as she tried to rationalize why being single was for the best. She fell unapologetically in love with Hendrix. He didn't change her, try to change her, or anything like that. She changed and healed things in her life for herself. He was just so happen along for the ride.

Yazmine really had changed once she had a sit down with her father, who she now had a growing, healthy relationship with. They say the truth always comes out, and the truth had finally come to the surface on why her father really left. She was hurt. She was angry. But she surprised herself during their conversation. She and Hendrix were still vibing, and she had confided in him about almost everything. At that point, she had changed into the person Truth was hoping she would be with him.

Yazmine choked on air when she found out Hendrix was Assad's best friend. The world was just too small for her liking. She was even more surprised to find out Hendrix's age, which is the same as Assad's; she didn't realize she liked her men over three years older than her, but Hendrix proved otherwise. She always made jokes, calling him her sugar daddy, even though he's only six years older.

Not to be confused, Yazmine and Truth are friends now. Good friends. She still loves and cares about Truth, but you can't be in love with two men. You could love two, but not be in love with em' both. Hendrix is who she was now in love with. There was some bad energy between Yazmine and Truth for a while, but now it's nothing but good vibes. She moved on, and he eventually did as well. He was seeing a pediatrician and their new relationship seem to be doing well from her understanding. They still checked in on each other. Hendrix understood they were friends and didn't have a problem with it.

Yazmine had started bringing Hendrix around a lot. He met Priest, and they been cool ever since. Hendrix was too old to be saying he wasn't rocking with someone just because Assad wanted their ex or something. His loyalties lie with Assad always, but he didn't have a problem with Priest. Assad didn't even have a problem with Priest. That's just the type of man Assad was.

An hour had gone by. Yazmine was sitting in one of her spare bedrooms that she turned into her own little second closet. It was filled with so many designer bags, shoes, and heels, courtesy of Hendrix. The closet in her room is where she kept her clothes. Now she knew how it was for Cherish back when Priest was spoiling her before they became an official couple. Hendrix was getting ready since he was about to leave. She didn't want him to, but knew he had to check on his businesses.

Hendrix used to be one of the biggest gun suppliers in another state. Since the tender age of 20 until 30, Hendrix had been making major money and moves with the lucrative gun-trafficking business he ran. To him, it's all about thinking smarter. He didn't conduct that type of business where he lives, so he did it in another state. He was incognito. No one seen his face or knew he was the one running it. He had workers for that. He did a lot of back-and-forth traveling, but he wasn't complaining. He didn't have kids and was single. It was easy to make moves that way. He was always investing his illegal money throughout the years into stocks, cryptocurrency, and small businesses. Now, he owns a chain of car dealerships with Assad that sells luxury cars. Even celebrities buy vehicles from them. He owns two car detailing businesses and two smoke shops. Hendrix sold everything from weed, vape pens, and edibles; anything that involved smoking, he had it in his smoke shop.

Yazmine rolled her eyes at the comments on her page after posting on Instagram. People were thinking she was talking about Future when mentioning Hendrix. She didn't know who in their right mind would take a man like Future serious, so she wasn't sure why they thought she would. They were tagging Dess Dior in her comments and all she could do was laugh since they're loud and wrong. Her Hendrix was way better than Future Hendrix. Yazmine followers, along with her clientele, had skyrocketed after Cherish's fashion show. She now had a handful of celebrity clients and influencers that she would travel to. She owed it all to her cousin.

𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗺𝗲𝘆𝗮𝘇 𝖡𝗂𝗀 𝖻𝖺𝗇𝖽𝗌 𝗂𝗇 𝗆𝗒 𝖡𝗂𝗋𝗄𝗂𝗇. 𝖲𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺𝖻𝗈𝗎𝗍 𝖺 𝗆𝖺𝗇 𝖻𝖾𝗅𝗂𝖾𝗏𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗂𝗇 𝗒𝗈𝗎, 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝖽𝗋𝗈𝗉𝗉𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝖺 𝖻𝖺𝗀 𝗈𝗇 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝖻𝗎𝗌𝗂𝗇𝖾𝗌𝗌. 𝖳𝗁𝖺𝗇𝗄 𝗒𝗈𝗎, 𝖧𝖾𝗇𝖽𝗋𝗂𝗑. 𝖨 𝗅𝗈𝗏𝖾 𝗒𝗈𝗎, 𝖻𝖺𝖻𝗒. 😘🤞🏽

It was crazy how much had changed in almost 6 months. She missed her cousin, and it was hard with Cherish not around. It took a while for her to even get back to a somewhat normal life. First her cousin, then her mother; it was all too much.

"I'm about to head out, baby." Hendrix's deep baritone knocked Yazmine out of her thoughts.

"Don't get fucked up." Yazmine frowned. She sat her Birkin bag to the side before standing in front of Hendrix.

"What are you talking about?" Hendrix asked, genuinely confused.

"Where are you going in these gray jogging pants? You chose that to wear after saying you love me. Will you be around any bitches? What's their name? Do they have their own man? Not like that'll stop them from looking. Don't play with me, Hendrix." Yazmine partially joked as Hendrix was cracking up.

"Why you be acting crazy?" He cuffed Yazmine's butt while bringing her body close to his. "Huh?" He looked down at her. She melted right into his arms as she stared at his handsome face.

"I'm not crazy. I feel your print, which means I can see it too. Now, think I'm playing if you want to." She smiled.

He kissed her temple before pecking her lips. "I don't want any smoke, ma."

"That's what I thought. Now give me a real kiss."

"You really think you're running shit?" Hendrix smiled.

"I run this." Yazmine grabbed his length through his jogging pants. "That's a fact."

"You run from this motherfucka." Hendrix corrected.

"Sometimes. I won't lie." Yazmine laughed as Hendrix looked at her. Things were great in his life. His businesses were doing better than ever. He finally got his woman and his nieces were happy and healthy. He couldn't complain.

As Yazmine continued laughing, Hendrix silence her with a deep and passionate kiss that had her yearning for more. She couldn't remember the last time she was this happy in her life. She truly believes that things happen for a reason; in her personal life, that is. She wasn't meant to be with Truth. Hendrix is who she was meant for and who was meant for her.

"I love you, Sugar daddy." Yazmine spoke against his lips.

He slapped her ass hard. "Stop calling me that shit. I love you too, baby."

"I'll pick the girls up, so you don't have to worry about that."

"Preciate you." He gave her lips another peck before leaving.

__

"Zaiden, why would you pour that milk in that plant? You be around Honesti too much. That's a no-no." Julissa sighed.

"No-no, ma-ma. No-no, ma-ma." Zaiden hugged Julissa's leg.

"Aht aht! Don't give me that look, lil boy. Just like your daddy." Julissa shook her head while chuckling. Zaiden held his arms up as she bent to pick him up.

"Don't even think about it. The doctor told you no heavy lifting, baby." Marcus discreetly slapped her booty.

"The doctor can't tell me when to pick up my son." She rolled her eyes, causing Marcus to smile.

He picked Zaiden up, who leaned over to give his momma a kiss. Then Marcus tried to kiss her, but Zaiden wasn't having it. "No, dada."

"That's my woman. My wife. How you gon' tell me no." Marcus chuckled.

"No dada." Zaiden repeated with a mug.

"My baby said what he said." Julissa chuckled.

Julissa and Marcus were in a really good place. It may have seemed fast to get married so quickly considering they recently tied the knot, but that's what they wanted. She honestly didn't care what anyone had to say, considering it's her relationship. Whether or not she took him back was no one's business. She couldn't give up on a seven-year relationship. He messed up, but a month without him made her realize she couldn't prolong it anymore. She wanted to work things out with her man. She didn't care if she was called dumb, stupid, weak; any word that's used for women who take their man back after he cheated.

Julissa had gone to visit her mother a month after everything went down. Priest was still generous with letting her take time off, so she took advantage of the time. Zaiden cried for her the entire time she was gone. Even a month after knowing Zaiden no one could tell her anything, he was her son. Marcus, who was clueless to the fact Julissa was bonding with Zaiden behind his back, didn't know who Zaiden was crying for when saying ma-ma. It wasn't until Rissa caved and told him about Julissa's attachment to Zaiden and Zaiden's to Julissa. Marcus loved her even more, knowing she accepted his son despite it being hard on her. He and Zaiden went to Julissa's mother's house to fight for Julissa. Her mother knew nothing about what happened, only that Julissa and Marcus were having trouble.

Prior to Marcus coming to Julissa's mother's house, Julissa had followed him one day when he was picking Zaiden up from Paris's mother. Imagine her surprise when Paris pulled up once Marcus left. It wasn't hard to put two and two together. She wanted to beat Paris ass far worse than Cherish did just off the fact Paris smiled in her face, knowing she slept with and had a baby by her fiancé at the time.

Julissa wanted to go fuck Shooter just to even the score, but quickly came to her senses. Using her coochie for revenge is not something she ever wanted to do. Fast-forward to when Marcus showed up at her mother's house; he told her the truth about Paris. She took into consideration that he didn't know he had slept with her in that moment, he only found out the next morning. Paris knew all about Julissa now raising her son. Once Shooter cut her loose, Paris made Marcus' life a living hell as well as Shooter's. Julissa had recently adopted Zaiden, so legally that was her son now.