𝙼𝙾𝙼𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚂 𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙴𝚁...

"Let me know when you have some free time. Just stop by the house, or I'll come to see you and Julissa." Cherish said to Marcus.

"I got you." Marcus hugged her before kissing her forehead.

"Be safe." Cherish told him.

"Always." Marcus smiled before hugging Yazmine next.

"It was nice meeting you, gorgeous." Assad smiled while holding out his hand.

Cherish smiled back, but in a friendly way, while shaking his hand. She knew Priest was watching her like a hawk, as if she was his woman and wasn't anyone allowed to touch her. She didn't know why she felt the need to be respectful instead of disrespectful by talking to another man while he's standing there.

Wait, why do I care? He has a whole woman. Cherish thought. She shook that thought when she realized it didn't stop her from kissing him back.

Cherish left out of Marcus's building and was immediately hit by the heat. Feeling someone grab her hand, she turned around to see that it was Priest. Yazmine and Truth weren't far behind and looked to be having a small argument.

"What, Soul?"

"Priest." He corrected her.

"It's hot. I'm not about to play with you, Priest." She rolled her eyes, but he just smiled.

"Look, if it's about us kissing, that was a mistake." She sighed.

"We know the truth."

"And what truth would that be?" She looked at him, annoyed, but she knew what he was about to say. She felt like she was her 20-year-old self again. So in love with Priest that he and she were practically reading each other's thoughts.

He walked closer to her, closing the gap between them as she swallowed deeply. It may be hot outside, but he wasn't making it any better. "Priest, don't."

"Don't what?" He smirked.

"Whatever you're about to do. Just don't." She took a step back.

"I never stopped loving you, Cherish. Never stopped missing you. Not even for a second. Despite what you did." He looked at her

I didn't either. She wanted to say.

"Read my lips. You. Are. In. A. Relationship." She frowned. "Stop saying stuff like that to me. I don't believe you can be in love with two people at the same time."

"Am I in a relationship?" He licked his lips. "And I'm only in love with one person. Don't know where you got the idea that I'm in love with someone else from."

"What is it that you want, Priest? I don't have time for this."

"You really wanna know what I want?" He said.

"What is it that you stopped me for? That's what I want to know. It's none of my business who or what you want. You have a woman and Assad seems to be single. He just might be my new man."

"The fuck you say?" Priest mugged her, but she was laughing. She was just playing with him. Yes, Assad is fine as hell, but she wasn't thinking about that man. It was easy for her and Priest to fall back into old habits. She just needed to remind herself not to before he learns the truth. It seems to be hard.

"It's too damn hot to be arguing with niggas. I'm not repeating myself, Truth." Yazmine rolled her eyes while walking over to Cherish. "Give me your keys."

"That's your problem, always running." Truth said.

"I'm walking. Not running." Yazmine replied smartly while walking to Cherish's car once Cherish gave her the keys.

"I'm going to fuck your cousin up. I'm not with these games." Truth frowned.

"Mhm. That's my cue to go as well." Cherish started walking off, but Priest grabbed her hand again.

"Make that the last time you mention another nigga to me. Or I'll fuck yo beautiful ass up." He looked down at her.

She just smiled before it vanished. "Whatever happens, Priest, I just want you to remember that I wasn't trying to hurt you." She gave him a sad look before walking off.

"See you, brother." She waved to Truth who was standing by a car.

"See you later, sis." Truth gave her a smile

Priest was standing there, confused about what she meant by that. Was she referring to her getting an abortion or something else? There was a time when he knew everything about Cherish. With it being six years later, he didn't know what type of skeletons would be falling out of her closet.

"Priest." Cherish called his name softly. He looked up, and she was standing in front of her car door, staring at him.

Part of him wanted to keep a wall around his heart when it came to her, but it was useless. Her hold on him was something he couldn't seem to shake. He walked over to her and this time she grabbed his hand, surprising the hell out of him, given everything she just said. That didn't stop him from tightening his grip a little around her hand.

"This is one of the things I've been wanting to apologize to you for, for a while now. I know we're talking later, but I just want you to know this now. I'm sorry for leaving you when that bitch was..." Remembering what Yazmine said, she caught herself. "For believing for a minute that you lied about what happened to you. You needed me and had I just walked further into the room I would've seen what really happened and things definitely would be different. I still remember the way you were calling my name. I just—I'm sorry." She looked into his eyes.

Priest just stared at her. As much as she wanted to break free from his eye contact, she couldn't. She could see a lot of emotions going through his eyes, and he could see the same in hers. Vulnerable was always something they both could be with each other. People don't believe men when it's the female who rapes them, as if it cannot happen. She hated that, even for a second she didn't believe that's what happened to him. It wasn't that she believed women weren't capable of it, she just didn't believe he wasn't cheating at that moment. He was young, and she thought that maybe one of the many hoes that wanted his attention finally tempted him.

Priest wanted to kiss her again, but he wanted to be free from Crystal first. To him, it was already over. He just needed to tell Crystal out loud, not caring how she would react. Everyone thought he was a fool for Crystal, but he's not a fool for anyone but the woman who's standing in front of him. Crystal genuinely loves Priest, but she loves that he has money as well. Money wasn't an issue with him, so he gave her what she wanted, not including his heart. No matter how many times Crystal tells him that she loves him, he never said it back. Never even replied with a me too, you too or whatever people say to avoid saying those words back. There's only one person in this world he's ever been in love with. Cherish was in a league of her own when it came to his heart, no one could touch it or no one came close to it.

He pulled Cherish into his arms for a hug, kissing her temple in the process. She wrapped her arms around him before inhaling his scent. She couldn't deny that this is where she belongs. In his arms and with him. Both felt it. That chemistry between them was in full effect.

"Preciate that, mama." He kissed her temple again before letting her go.

"You do know this changes nothing between us." She told him. He just laughed because she was so stubborn. Even when it came to her own feelings.

"Drive safely." He opened her car door.

"Aye, sis. Good looking letting me know Cherish was coming." Priest smiled, Cherish snapped her neck so fast in Yazmine's direction.

Yazmine quickly faced the window like she was looking at something. Yazmine did tell Priest that's where they were going once he mentioned that Marcus wanted him to hear one of the artists upcoming Mixtapes.

Yazmine is like a sister to Priest. She really helped him out in a lot of ways, especially after finding out what really went down. She was there for him and gave him a listening ear. That bond between them was deep. He wanted her and Truth to get it right with each other because he wanted to see both of them happy; he doesn't voice his opinion much since it's not his business.

"Don't be mad at her. It turned out to be a good thing." Priest licked his lips.

Out of habit, Cherish pecked his lips before her eyes widened. Back when they were a couple and were going separate ways; he would lean down into her car and she'll kiss him before parting ways with each other. She forgot for a moment how things were now because of all the nostalgia that came with seeing him.

"I'm giving myself second-hand embarrassment. I did not just—"

"It's natural. You still in love with a nigga." He smirked before moving back; she rolled her eyes but didn't deny it.

"I'll see you later, Soul. Be safe." She said while not looking at him.

He got her number, then closed her car door before walking to his. Cherish leaned her head back against the seat before letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Seems like her attempt to push him away did nothing but pull her in closer.

"He's going to hate me." She stared at Priest until he got into his car then she drove off. "What the hell was I thinking keeping his daughter from him?"

"That pride be a motherfucker. I don't wanna say I told you so because it's obvious you're upset. All I'mma say is he been deserved to know. Situations like that make me sick to my stomach. I could understand if there was a good reason. Like he was abusive or something, but there wasn't. I know he hurt you with what he said, but..."Yazmine looked at Cherish who had tears rolling down her cheeks.

One of the things Cherish loves about her relationship with her cousin is right or wrong. Yazmine is going to keep it all the way real with her. No sugarcoating.

"I robbed my daughter and Priest of 6 years. There's no making this right because he already missed out on so much and so has she. You don't have to say I told you so, it's not like I didn't know I was wrong. I owned that a thousand times before." Cherish sighed.

"He loves you. Maybe knowing you didn't abort his baby will soften the blow." Yazmine didn't know what to say; she knew Priest just might go off on Cherish far worse than he did when he thought Cherish aborted their child. They are not talking about keeping Malaysia a secret for a year a two, it's been 6 years.

"I doubt that." She sniffled. "I wanna be mad at Truth for opening his mouth about me having kids. I already know it wasn't you. People just keep telling shit that is not their place—"

"You know, Truth—" Yazmine started to defend Truth, but Cherish cut her off.

"You don't have to defend your man. I'm not mad at him." Cherish chuckled.

"That's not my man." Yazmine rolled her eyes.

"He won't be if you keep playing around with him. Good men are hard to find. I suggest you try to hold on to yours before you lose him." Cherish stated. She knew it'll go in one ear out the other.

"What happened? I mean that led you and Soul to kiss?" Yazmine asked, changing the subject. "And before you try to use he has a woman as an excuse, I told you he doesn't want her gold-digging ass."

"Yet, he's been with her for two years. He felt something for her. I didn't expect for him to be single all these years, still..." Cherish shrugged while wiping her tears.

"Anyway, I'm 26, Yaz. I have never been one for games. I talk my shit all the time when it comes to priest, but seeing him in the flesh. I just... I'll admit I had a few moments of weakness, but I'm glad you interrupted when you did, otherwise—don't get me started. Like I said, he's going to hate me, and it'll be awhile before he forgives me. I shouldn't involve my heart even more into this, only to be hurt. It's just best if we co-parent. That's it, that's all." Cherish sighed.

"Um, so, I think there's going to be a lot of tension here." Yazmine showed Cherish a text from her Aunt Rissa. Rissa had sent out texts to everyone but Cherish, saying that she was throwing her a surprise welcome home party. The Party was in 4 days, falling on a Saturday. Yazmine didn't want to ruin the surprise, but she had to tell Cherish, especially since Cherish planned on telling Priest he has a child.

"I love Aunt Rissa, but really?!" Cherish took a deep breath.

"You know Aunt Rissa loves her some Soul, so I'm more than certain she invited him as well." Yazmine mentioned. "Everybody and they mama want you two back together. You were just so happy and free from a lot of darkness and pain when you were with him."

"Yeah, I was." Cherish had this feeling in her stomach that won't go away.

"I'm here whenever you need me." Yazmine said.

"I know." Cherish smiled.

Stopping at a red light, Cherish pulled out her checkbook and wrote a check for two-hundred thousand dollars to Yazmine before handing it over to her. "This isn't about some bet. I know you're late on some bills, plus paying for Auntie to stay in that fancy ass nursing home that's bleeding your pockets."

"How did you know?" Yazmine looked at her.

"We're family. We are more like sisters than cousins. I know you better than anyone."

"Thank you so much, Cherish. This is why I love you. You're always here for me as well. My mom is getting worse. I thought putting her in a fancy nursing home to get her the best care would help, but I don't know. I just don't understand how this could happen. She isn't even in her sixties yet." Yazmine sighed.

"Some fancy nursing homes probably are worth the money, but there are some who are money hungry. That's all they care about. Auntie is 50. I don't think it's Alzheimer's." Cherish told her.

"Then what could it be?" Yazmine asked, genuinely wanting to know.

"Dementia, maybe. It's rare, but not impossible. The doctor could've misdiagnosed her. Auntie started forgetting things before I left, which she was 44 at the time. It's very rare at that age, but again not impossible."

"I should've known that or atleast looked into it. Damn, why didn't I think?" Yazmine frowned. "This is why I don't need any distractions. My mom is my priority."

__

Walking into his parents' house, Priest went searching for his mother. "Aye, ma dukes, where you at?" He yelled, but didn't get an answer.

His parents stay in a nice 3-bedroom house that he bought for them. It was in a nice neighborhood, but sometimes the neighbors were nosey as hell, especially when his parents throw a cookout. He walked out back and saw his mother in her garden. That's her lil getaway. She had all types of things growing in her garden, from vegetables to flowers.

"Hey, momma. Didn't you hear me calling you?" He walked up to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek before hugging her.

"Hey, Son. I didn't hear you." His mother, Patience, smiled.

Priest's mom looked like she could pass for an older sister more than his mother. Black definitely doesn't crack. There were plenty of times she was with him and young niggas tried to spit some game. She's only 46, but could give these younger females a run for their money. She was in perfect shape, with a beautiful melted caramel complexion.

"You be so focused in your garden; you need to be aware of what's going on around you. I tell you this all the time. You can never be too careful."

"Let them try something." She held up a small handgun that he didn't even notice. He couldn't help but laugh at his mother.

"What's wrong, baby boy?"

"How'd you know something is wrong?" He sighed while sitting in a chair.

"Because I know my son. Now, spit it out." Patience sat in the other chair. She had a small glass table with two chairs right beside her garden. This was her relaxing spot and her getaway.

"Your daughter back." He smiled while thinking about Cherish.

"Cherish back? Why my daughter ain't been to see me then."

"That's a shame you knew I was talking about her." He shook his head. His parents love them some Cherish. When Priest first brought Cherish to meet his parents, they fell in love with her. They knew she was just what their son needed. Cherish proved them right when Priest started thinking about life beyond the streets.

"Who else would I be calling my daughter? I hope you don't think that heifer, who is only after your money." Patience frowned. "Why you still with her is the question. She doesn't have shit on my daughter-in-law. All she's getting is a wet ass and some money from you. They have a word for that; you know."

Priest busted out laughing, "Yooooo! You gotta chill, momma. I'm breaking up with Crystal, anyway."

Despite being with Crystal for two years, he had no intention of ever letting her meet his parents. She met them accidentally one day, he and his parents were out. The moment she met them, neither liked her. Crystal thought because she "got" Priest, that meant something, but it didn't. Crystal wanted to be high maintenance so badly that she steered clear of the hood, which is why she knew nothing about Cherish.

Priest didn't want to sleep with multiple people, so he stayed with what was convenient for him. What happened with him being drugged, he put nothing past any female, that's why he kept Crystal at arms' length. She was the first and only person he slept with since Cherish left him. He'd get head, but that was about it. Crystal doesn't even know where he lays his head at because she's never been to his house. He'll take her to his condo that he rarely uses unless she's spending the night. He had been moved from the house him and Cherish once shared. It held too many memories and with her gone; it didn't feel right continuing to live there.

"Should've been did that. Back to my daughter."

"You know she got two kids now?"

"Oh, lord. I'm a grandmother and never even met my grandchildren. I can't wait to see her and meet them. I got some words for her." Patience said. No matter what happened between Cherish and Priest; Patience would always look at Cherish like a daughter, which is why she referred to Cherish's kids as her grandkids.

"How does that make you feel?"

"When Truth told me she was back, I was so sure about the way I would react once we ran into each other. You witnessed more than anyone how she broke my heart twice. Aborting our baby, then leaving and staying gone, knowing I didn't cheat. I never let anyone in or get so close to my heart, but I did with her, and she double stomped on my shit—excuse my language. I was still angry and hurt. I envisioned, down to the last sentence, what I would say if I ever saw her again."

"Then you saw her, and it was the complete opposite." Patience said, he nodded because it's the truth.

"Seeing her at Marcus's label. As corny as it sounds, I stopped breathing for a moment. It was one thing hearing she was back, but to see her after 6 years." Priest ran a hand down his face. "She still got my heart. I was speaking a lot without thinking. Even threw out there that I wanted the love of my life back. Told her that I still love her. That I miss her. I don't know why I said any of that."

"I think the answer is in what you just said. All in all, Cherish completes you. No matter what happens between you two, there will always be something in her that you won't find in another woman. There will always be something in you that she won't find in another man. As long as she's been gone, you've been incomplete. Speak your feelings, then get your woman back." Patience told her son.

"It's not that easy." He sighed.