𝟺 𝙳𝙰𝚈𝚂 𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚁

𝚃𝚄𝙴𝚂𝙳𝙰𝚈

𝙹𝚄𝙽𝙴 𝟸𝟸𝙽𝙳

Priest sat in a chair as Shooter and Truth sat across from him on the couch that was inside of his man cave. Truth told him that he needed to talk to him about something, and it seemed important to Priest. So, here there are.

"What's the word, bro? You sounded serious as hell over the phone." Priest spoke.

"Shit, I just feel like this is something you should know to prepare yourself." Truth looked at him.

"Damn, now I'm wondering what the fuck going on." Shooter added.

"Prepare myself for what?" Priest raised an eyebrow.

"Cherish is back. I'm not sure if she moved back or visiting for the summer. I saw her out grocery shopping with Yaz, and they weren't alone." Truth spoke.

"Like she brought back another nigga?" Priest's face was emotionless.

"More like she's a mother. Two lil girls. I met both of them." Truth looked at Priest.

"A mother?" Priest scoffed. "So she abort my baby then go have another nigga kids. What type of shit is that?"

Truth scratched the back of his neck. He wasn't going to mention Malaysia being Priest's because it's really not his place; he knew that Cherish would do the right thing and tell Priest. He only mentioned her having kids to prepare Priest, in case he saw Cherish, before they talk about the daughter they have together.

Priest was quiet. He wondered plenty of times what he'd say to her if she ever came back, but as the years went by, he concluded that she wasn't coming back. Those days she called him. He was still pissed, so he lashed out over the phone and soon regretted his words once again. He really was in a dark place. Despite him still under the impression that she had gone through with the abortion, his love for her never faltered. He tried to do anything to get Cherish out of his head and his heart, which is why he got together with Crystal. Nothing worked, not even Crystal but she was a nice distraction. Cherish still has a hold on him that he didn't like. 6 years later and he was still in love with her. Even knowing she has kids by someone else.

"So, she's back and brought kids back with her? Is she married now or something?" Priest wondered, still trying to process that the love of his life is back and is a mother of two.

"I'm not sure about her personal life. But yeah, she's back. I couldn't believe it when I saw her." Truth said.

"She still looks the same? Has she changed?"

"This nigga." Shooter laughed.

"You know I don't look at her like that. Go on the gram, I know you be stalking her page." Truth joined in laughing.

"Nah, I don't. I ain't been on her page since she's been gone." Priest replied truthfully. He hasn't been on Cherish's page, not once. It was too hard, and he was still mad, so he felt it would be better not to see how she was doing. He didn't want to see her pictures on social media. He just wanted to forget about her. He'll see something about her on the blogs that'll pop up on his explore page, but that was it. Even then he wouldn't read what was said. He knew she made her dream come true, and all she had accomplished over the years from Yazmine telling him.

"You serious? Not even once?" Shooter asked.

"Not once. Outta sight outta mind." Priest shrugged, knowing even without searching her page he still thought about her.

"Well, her name still the same on there. If you wanted to look." Truth smirked.

"I'm good." Priest said, while typing in her name on Instagram.

Scrolling down 217 pictures, most of her them was about her businesses, but there were a lot of her as well. He bit his lip from how thick she had gotten. Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration. She was slim when he last saw her, but now she's slim thick. Her booty had grown and fitted her body perfectly. Seems like now that she's older, her beauty just flourish. She's always been beautiful to him, but that's when she was a teenager and a 20-year-old. Now she's a grown woman.

"Shit!" Priest ran a hand down his face.

"What happened?" Shooter asked.

"I accidentally liked one of Cherish's pictures from 55 weeks ago." Priest sighed as they fell out laughing.

"That's not funny, she about to think I'm stalking her shit." Priest mugged them.

"Which is exactly what you're doing." Shooter shook his head while still laughing.

"Don't get mad at us because yo ass scrolling all the way down to pictures from 55 weeks ago." Truth laughed.

___

Now that Cherish was finally situated, she was going to visit Marcus at his studio. He's a music producer that owns his own record label, and she couldn't be prouder of him. She hasn't seen him in a few months since he's been busy, and she understood. Her daughters were with her Aunt Rissa and uncle Ben; hanging with them. Yazmine didn't have any clients, so she came along with Cherish.

"You fine as fuck, cousin. You better hope nobody but Marcus at his label or them niggas about to be on your ass with them lil bitty shorts on. The body is giving what its supposed to." Yazmine smiled.

"Thank you, cousin. It runs in the family. Every time I pull these shorts down to its length, they come back up, so I can't do anything about that. My booty isn't big, so I'm not sure why they they swallowing my thighs. I do a lil thick today. And you talking about my shorts? Truth gone fuck you up for them panties you're calling shorts." Cherish chuckled.

"Truth won't see me, so I'm good." Yazmine shrugged.

"And he not my man." Yazmine was saying as Cherish mimicked her simultaneously.

"You get on my nerves." Yazmine laughed.

After hopping into Cherish's freshly washed cocaine white Bentley Bentayga, both were happy that Cherish's Air conditioner was already on. It had to be at least 85 degrees outside once she visited Marcus; she planned to check on how things are going at her store then back in the house. She hated heat and couldn't wait for Summer to be over with.

"I still can't believe Soul liked an old picture on your page. He was heavy on the lurking."

"And got caught slipping. I don't know why he going through my pictures. You think Truth told him about Laysia and Honesti?"

"You know Truth don't be telling people's business. He probably told Soul he saw you or something and that you got kids now, but no details. Plus, if Soul knew about Laysia he would've said something. He never had no problem speaking his mind." Yazmine told her.

"Mhm."

"Soul was thinking about the love of his life. I'm calling it now, y'all definitely getting back together. Today. Tomorrow. Next week. Some months from now. It's happening."

"If you don't let that shit go. I'm over that man and he has a woman. I don't mind being single."

"I bet 100k you and him get back together." Yazmine smirked.

"If you want a hundred thousand dollars just say that." Cherish chuckled.

"And do, but Imma bet it just so you'll know I was right. Mark my words, cousin. You and Soul are meant to be."

"If you say so." Cherish shook her head.

__

After getting past security and the receptionist they walked further in. As they neared the room Marcus was in, it was filled with smoke and laughter.

Marcus was sitting down, and his back was facing her. The room had at least 10 bodies in it, but it was spacious. Still, she knew she had to hurry up and leave. The moment she walked in, she and Yazmine held their attention. She hated when men acted like they never seen a woman before.

Yazmine was thick, so she automatically got attention wherever they went. Still, Cherish's slim thick frame got her just as much attention.

"This about to be a hit." Marcus said to his artist.

She covered Marcus's eyes as he smiled, he knew who it was. "Guess who." She smiled.

Marcus turned around then stood up and embraced Cherish in a tight hug, lifting her off her feet. He missed her. He knew she had moved back and was planning on coming to see her soon. They hadn't seen each other in months, they still talked and texted. Cherish was more like a sister than a cousin. She and Rakeem were always his favorite cousins and when Rakeem was killed, Marcus knew he would always be there for her whenever she needed him.

Cherish didn't know that Priest and Truth were in the room as well. Priest was a silent partner in Marcus's record label. Marcus never sold a drug in his life, so when he was struggling to come up with the money to start his own label; Priest said he'll be a silent partner since Marcus didn't want a handout. Priest didn't interfere with anything because he knew nothing about the music business. He still came to check out new artists and old ones whenever Marcus would call him. Priest eyes never left Cherish since she walked in, she didn't think nothing of it because eyes were on her and Yazmine. Those pictures didn't do her justice. It was already pissing Priest off how most of the men in the room were staring at her. He couldn't blame them, though. Those shorts were damn near swallowing her thighs.

"I missed you." Cherish said. "And look at this label, I'm so proud of you. I don't care how many times I tell you."

"Preciate that. I missed yo stubborn ass too." Marcus placed her on her feet, still smiling before it turned into a deep frown. "Where the hell you going with these small ass shorts on?" He said firmly as she chuckled. She missed him being overprotective. He was only 4 years older, but still overprotective.

"I'm grown and it's like 120 degrees outside." She exaggerated while rolling her eyes.

"Where the fuck yo clothes at?" Marcus mugged Yazmine while hugging her. Yazmine's shorts had her cheeks out a little.

"Oh my God! Don't start, Marcus. We grown, I'm single and it's hot as fuck." Yazmine rolled her eyes.

"Y'all get on my fucking nerves." Marcus frowned.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt you working. I just wanted to come by and see you. I didn't think you had a whole party going on in here." Cherish apologized, while chuckling.

"You good, ma." Cherish looked over to a fine ass man sitting down, eyeing her like he was ready to risk it all just for a conversation. He sometimes helps Marcus with finding new artists. He had smooth dark skin that reminded her of a dark chocolate Hershey's bar. His eyes were brown, full juicy lips on a mouth that housed a set of the prettiest, perfect, white set of teeth she's even seen on a man and a fresh lining that was accompanied by a taper fade. "I didn't get your name."

"Aight, now. You don't need to know her name." Marcus said since he knew Priest was in the room.

"Cherish." She stepped forward and held out her hand.

"Assad." Assad shook her hand while licking his lips.

"Whew, this man fine." Cherish spoke out loud causing Assad to smile. She removed her hand embarrassed. "See it's time for me to leave already."

"Yeah, it is." Marcus frowned causing her to roll her eyes.

"Shidd, she told no lies." Yazmine agreed. "I'm Yazmine. Not that you asked."

Yazmine and Assad shook hands as Cherish took a step back while bumping into someone in the process. She could actually feel the person's print against her booty. She knew it wasn't Marcus since he was standing next to her; she was glad because that would've been hella weird.

"My bad—" Cherish turned around, but her sentence was cut when her eyes landed on Priest.

REALLY?! She wanted to scream.

Cherish didn't know what to say to him. Staring into his eyes, all those feelings that never went away came rushing to the surface in a way it overwhelmed her. Priest felt like he stopped breathing for a second as he looked into her eyes. He missed this woman so much; she didn't even know how much.

"Cherish." Priest said almost if he didn't trust his eyes.

"I need some water." She brushed past Priest. He grabbed her hand sending shocks through both of theirs. "Let go, Soul." She removed her hand then left out, he followed after her.

"Well, that got awkward." Yazmine cleared her throat.

"That's her man?" Assad asked.

"He something." Yazmine replied.

"I wanna know what the fuck you meant by you single? Stop playing with me Yazmine." Truth said, causing Yasmine to jump. She didn't see Truth until now.

, Cherish was pacing back and forth. The receptionist went on lunch and security was sitting at his desk across the room.

Cherish almost did something impulsive, like kiss him, which is why she needed to leave out of that room. This was not a movie where you see the love of your life after years, then y'all kiss. This was real life. She didn't realize how much she was still in love with him until he stood in front of her. Handsome as ever and smelled like expensive cologne with a mixture of weed.

"That Bentayga you?" Priest asked with a smirk. That wasn't parked in the parking lot when he came and everyone that's there was at the label before him and Truth made it there. He loved to see that she was doing good for herself. He always believed in her as well as her dream, he just hated he wasn't there when she accomplished them.

"Mhm." Was all she said.

He walked over and stood over her. He was 6'5 compared to her 5'4 frame. She swallowed nervously from being intoxicated by his scent. "Can you back up?"

"I always wondered what I would say to you if you ever came back. You moved back or..." He looked down at her. Cherish tried with all her might not to look up into his eyes again. She still got it bad for him. With him being extremely close to her, she struggled to breathe. She was frozen. Every limb in her body was locked.

"Yeah I moved back." She couldn't take it anymore. She slowly moved her eyes up until they locked with his low, hooded red ones. Through his eyes, she reminisced about everything they had been through in the past. Damn, she missed him, but she needed to be strong.

"Damn, I missed you." He said what she was thinking while pulling her close as a gasp escaped her mouth.

"Stop, Soul. You're in a whole relationship." She rolled her eyes while taking a step back. Remembering that snapped her back into reality.

"It's Priest."

"What?" She asked confused.

"Make that the last time you call me Soul. I was always Priest to you." He told her, skipping over the whole relationship thing.

"Like I said, Soul." He just chuckled at her stubbornness.

"So—" They spoke in unison.

"You go first." She said.

"I owe you an apology for everything I said to you years ago. Outside the clinic and when you called months later. I was hurt about the abortion, but I should've never said what I said. You're not damaged, and I regret nothing that happened between us. I apologize for choking you as well. That shit wasn't right. So, once again I apologize, even though I should've been apologized a long time ago."

"That really hurt me, especially since when we got together, you're the one person I always cried to about their death. I couldn't believe you used it against me, not once, but twice. That's the problem when you think you know someone and you don't. I thought you were different, but I was wrong." She shrugged.

"You never been wrong about me."

"Sure I was, but I apologize too." She sighed.

"You have nothing to apologize for. I still feel it's wrong that you got an abortion based on what you thought happened. I wanted our baby more than anything. I loved our baby. I understand you did what you felt was right." He scratched the back of his neck.

Will he be this understanding when he finds out her has a daughter? She thought.

"I heard you're a mother of two now." He looked at her.

"I am. The little one is my mom's twin, it's crazy but the oldest... her father spit her out for real. All she has of me is my eyes, and my thick hair." She smiled a little.

"Are you with their father or married to someone else."

"They have different fathers. Not that it's any of your business, but I'm single."

"Not for long." He licked his lips.

"Mhm." She tried to walk away, but he blocked her. "Can you move?" She crossed her arms. He was one fine son of a bitch whenever he licked his lips, and she loved it. She squeezed her thighs together tightly, annoyed at the fact he'll always have that effect on her.

"You good, mama?" He smirked after noticing her clenching her thighs.

"I would be once you move out my way, Soul."

"I'll move if you agree to meet me to talk."

"Actually, I need to talk to you about something important anyway, so meeting to talk is cool with me." She sighed as he smiled.

"Why you smiling?"

"You just still beautiful as fuck. Making me want to kiss then fuck the shit outta you." He licked his lips.

"That's my cue to leave. Is this how you were when we were together? Flirting with bitches?" She frowned.

That's what Cherish failed to realize. Crystal was just something to do to take his mind off her. Crystal can suck a mean dick, but her pussy wasn't all that. He was planning on marrying Cherish. He didn't see a future at all with Crystal. In fact, he was planning on breaking up with her the moment she come back from her girls' trip that he paid for. Crystal couldn't hold a candle to Cherish. All Crystal wanted to do was spend his money. Go on shopping sprees. Eat at the most expensive restaurants. She had nothing going for herself. Cherish, on the other hand, is a self-made boss/multi-millionaire. Bought her own Bentley Bentayga and who knows what other cars that he has yet to see, owns 10 stores from what he heard. Shit like that made his dick hard. Even if she only had one store, she still had her own business.

He was sure he was done with Cherish, but this was the only woman he's ever love in that way. His one and only true love. The woman he still wanted to spend his life with despite her getting an abortion. He doesn't know what he would've done if she didn't come back, but she is back, and he wanted them together where they both belong.

"You aren't a bitch. And no, I had you—a queen at home, so flirting with bitches didn't excite me. Maybe I want the love of my life back." Priest said seriously.

"You can't be serious? Priest, I am not the love of your life, and I'm done with this conversation. Move."

"I know you better than anyone, Cherish. I saw it all in your eyes. Those feelings are still there. Tell me they aren't?" He moved hair hair from out of her face.

"Stop, Soul." She spoke softly.

"Aight. Can I at least get a hug before you go?"

"No." She rolled her eyes.

"One hug won't hurt. I'll move out of your way." He looked at her.