As soon as Khari walked into his Atlanta home he dropped his bags, next running to his couch and flopping down on it. He missed his home, it was one of his biggest accomplishments in his opinion and wouldn't trade it for nothing in the world.

He began to scroll through his phone, texting some people back and just being nosey on social media. He was then interrupted by a call from Armani.

"Yo." He answered, standing up.

"Did you land yet?" She asked as Khari grabbed his bags and headed upstairs.

"Yes, Mani, I landed, I'm home, I'm actually in my bedroom." He informed her. Armani was scared of planes and she was scared for Khari to get on to one.

Khari was in Atlanta for a few days to talk to his old college, he was giving a speech to the students for a lecture and then he also had an event to attend to for his poetry, once he was done with that he'll be right back in New York, running things.

"Okay, smart ass. You're chair is comfortable as hell." Armani said as she spun around in Khari's office chair. Khari left her in charge back home since she was the only one he trusted to sit behind his desk. He wouldn't have made this trip if he didn't have anyone to watch over things.

"Mani, don't fuck up anything in my office or ima beat your ass, you hear me?" He demanded.

"Got you boss man, bye." She sang next hanging up.

He shook his head and dropped his phone on his bed and walked over to his closet, looking for a change of clothes.

He took out a Nike tech suit and a pair of Vapormax's and laid everything out on his bed the heading to his bathroom to shower.

After his shower he got dressed and texted some friends to see what they could get into, the time read 4:30 pm and Khari was down for whatever. As he waited for some responses he chilled in his bed watching tv untill his phone rang, he looked over lazily but hopped up seeing Kiara's name.

"Hey, what's up?" He asked sitting up.

"Some of my shoots got cancelled for the week so I was wondering if you could email my professor and tell him I'm free for the week, I'm kind of falling behind in some work and I need to play catch up."

"Yeah I got you, what he need me to verify that you can come in for office hours or something?" Khari asked.

"Yeah, he just needs some verifications." She said, Khari nodded and the call grew silent.

"Listen Kiki-." Khari started but got interrupted by what he assumed was her boyfriend.

"Babe, I got the food." The voice announced.

"Ima call you later to check in, thanks for the email." Kiara said before hanging up. Khari groaned in frustration, he wanted to break the silence, they've been awkward around one another since the attempted kiss and he just wanted to make things right again, but it was like every time he tried her boyfriend was around and he was honestly getting tired of it. He just wanted Kiara to himself, he never thought he would be so hung up over a female like this because usually he could get them easily, all he had to do was put on his charm and poof he had a girl in his arms sometimes or in his bed which was the case majority of the time.

An hour rolled by and all of his friends from the city had plans already, either they were working over time, spending time with loved ones or just with their kids. Eventually Khari changed out of his sweatsuit and into something better, he grabbed the keys to his G Wagon and pulled off in the direction of the city. He then found himself at a local sports bar.

As he sat the bar he drank his drink as he watched the basketball game on the tv. Taking his attention off of the game he looked beside him seeing a young women laughing and talking with her friends, she caught him looking at her and waved in his direction, Khari lifted his drink, acknowledging her. She excused herself from her friends and came to sit beside him.

"You here alone?" She asked making Khari nod yes. "Excuse me, can I get some shots." She asked the bartender who then pour the two some rounds and his night began.

Khari was woken up by his alarm going off for the 10th time, he rolled over and checked the time realizing it was almost time for his speech at the school. He hopped up and began to walk into his bathroom to shower. He couldn't remember what the hell happened last night but he just knew he had fun but he also knew he wouldn't do it again.

He walked out with his towel wrapped around his hips and brushing his hair, once lifting his head he saw the young lady from the bar last night, wrapped up in his sheets.

"Hey, I gotta go out, I can order you a Uber or something." He said pulling up his boxers and next putting on his dress shirt.

"It's fine, I already did. Good luck and I hope you and the girl work out. But last night was fun." She said. Khari raised an eyebrow confused on what she was speaking about. She put her clothes on and left the bedroom. Khari finished getting ready and grabbed his tie and keys and phone and jetted out the house, speeding towards his college.

Once pulling up he decided to not use the tie and unbuttoned one button his shirt and walked in getting a visitors pass and heading to the lecture hall.

2 hours passed and Khari was back home after lunch with some students and professors. He was way pass exhausted and he just wanted to sleep. He slipped off his shoes and pulled down his pants, taking them off next flopping down on his bed, closing his eyes.

The next day, Khari sat at the table at the charity event he was invited to. He socialized with other big names in business and even some other poets.

"How's everyone doing? Our next performance will be from my good friend Khari Sage, he'll be performing a new piece of his and he'll also be donating 10 thousand dollars." The women introduced him. Khari stood and walked on stage, adjusting the mic stand. He started reciting his piece. He hasn't performed in a while and doing so did something to him, he felt at peace for once again and he loved it.

Who are you to tell me what to do with my melanin?

My skin glows perfectly in this vitamin D.

And my skin looks immaculate when I'm living.

But just because my skin is pure.

You decide to create a disease.

And your pistol is the cure.

You're worse then the snakes in my grass.

You shot me in the back.

And laughed at my failure to breathe.

Y'all praise the men that serve your country.

But killed the man who made that cotton uniform.

But you killed him cus his melanin beamed.

Khari recited the new piece. The crowd cheered and applauded his performance. Khari said thank you and walked off of stage. He stayed a little longer but had to quickly go so he could make it to his flight.

Kiara and Armani were currently at Kiara's apartment, having a girls night.

As the two girls watched Beyond The Lights, Armani's phone rang, showing an incoming call from Khari.

"Yes Khari?" She answered.

"Can you pick me up from the airport? My pops picked up my car and took it to the garage at home due to the snow." He asked.

"Yeah. I'll be there in 20." Armani stretched. She tapped Kiara and told her to come along. The girls put on their shoes and headed out, reaching Khari in enough time. Kiara got out from the passenger seat and headed to the back seat. The two caught eye contact and a feeling went down Kiara's body seeing the sight of the young man in his Nike sweatsuit. The feeling confused her, what was that? She asked herself. She shrugged it off and got in the car.

"How was Atlanta?" Armani asked.

"Yeah, how was your performance?" Kiara added.

"It was pretty good, you know ya boy had to get lit one time, but overall my performance was really good. I didn't know being an Alumni was so important until yesterday." Khari sighed. He slouched down in the seat and laid his head on the window.

"Yeah, especially when you got bank. They expect you to put some money into the school." Kiara stated.

"For real and it's not like you went to just any school, nigga you went to one of the best HBCU's in the south, man they want all the money." Armani said.

The group drove to Khari's apartment and said their goodbyes, the girls went back to Kiara's house and continued their girls night.

"So what's up with you and Khari?" Armani asked catching Kiara off guard.

"Huh?" Kiara asked in confusion. "Nothing, he got a lil crush on me." Kiara shrugged.

"Girl!" Armani exclaimed. "Don't do that, I remember you telling me you was sprung over Khari, now the man want you and you gon act like it's nothing?" Armani questioned, for the past two years she's worked with Khari she's seen him date some women but he never took them seriously, except Julia which she wish he didn't and knowing Khari the moment he get rejected by a women or she doesn't show him any attention he'll work hard for her to become his.

"I mean to be fair Mani, I'm in a relationship and I'm happy with it, when I crushed on Khari that was before he was my boss, I'm not about to be another Julia." Kiara scoffed.

"You and Darien are cute when y'all are actually around one another but y'all barely chill, y'all both always busy, he's in medical school and you're in business, this y'all last year and y'all graduate in 5 months. I love how y'all are with another and how y'all respect each other hustle but sis, you gon tell me you over ya celebrity crush?"

"Yes, I'm over my 'celebrity crush'. Especially after he tried to kiss me cus we had a moment."

"Kiss?" Armani questioned. Before she could get the tea her phone began to rang and her mother was calling her, she stepped out, leaving Kiara alone in the living room.

Kiara thought of the first time she saw Khari, it was fall and she heard him spit his poem and it made her feel a way and she missed it, it reminded her of when life was good then right after he left that stage everything went down hill. Even when she met him at their photo shoot, he just made her feel a way, every since that day of the kiss, being in his car, something just felt familiar. She always liked the young man but she blocked her feelings off because she also liked Darien, the same way she liked Khari and because she committed to Darien she wouldn't, couldn't let her feelings for Khari overlap. Armani came back and interrupted her thinking. She began spilling the tea and Armani was wiping it all all up.

The next day the two girls got into Armani's car and headed down to the job. As the walked in the lobby was decorated from top to bottom with Christmas decorations, they only had a week left until the holiday and everyone just seemed so jolly. As the two stepped onto the elevator Kiara texted her mother and Troy at the same time. Her mom wanted to meet over the holiday break and Kiara painfully agreed only because Ms. Gonzalez told her to. Kiara didn't want to but Ms. Gonzalez wanted Kiara to go because she at least wanted Kiara to see her mother and talk. Shivani asked Kiara for her pants size because she ordered everyone onesies since it would be a family gathering.

The girls stepped off of the elevator and went their separate ways. Kiara went to her studio and set up for her shoot. As she took some pictures to make sure her camera was working okay, she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned seeing Darien behind her.

"Hey." She said hugging him. "What are you doing here?" She asked confused because she thought he had to go in early today.

"Yeah, I don't have to be in until 11, so I just bought you some breakfast because it looked like you and Armani rushed out this morning." He said handing her the platter.

"Aww thank you." She said giving him a peck. She set the bag aside and continued working, Darien sat in the chair to the side and watched Kiara do her thing, he was honestly proud he had someone as great as her beside him, even though they hardly got to spend any time to together any moment he had he'd choose to spend it with her. Medical school was kicking his ass and he wished he could have one night to him and Kiara.

As Kiara instructed her model she heard someone clapping, her and Darien turned seeing Khari walking in with Armani and in his hands were flowers.

"Excuse me everyone, could I have everyone's attention please." He hollered, gathering everyone's attention. "In honor of the Christmas holiday and just work ethic alone I would like to congratulate our new head photographer Kiara Palet on employee of the month and becoming one of New York's top 50 photographers in the 'Style of You' Magazine at the ranking of number 8 in most hard working rookie in the business!" Khari announced causing everyone to cheer and applaud.

"Oh my gosh, you're lying!" Kiara asked in disbelief, she snatched the magazine from Armani and looked at her name printed across the page in the top 10. She squealed in excitement. "Babe look!" She showed Darien.

"I know, that's why I'm here." He laughed. "Mani told me this morning when you were in the shower." He said pulling her into a hug.

"So in honor of being our first female photographer at Francois Magazine and of your accomplishments, party at my house tonight at 10. I'll see you all then and once again congratulations Kiki." Khari said giving Kiara a smile that made her send one back as well and get butterflies in her stomach. Khari buttoned his blazer and then walked out with Armani trailing behind him.

"Congratulations baby, unfortunately I can't make it to the party though, I'll make it up to you this weekend, I promise." Darien said wrapping his arms around Kiara's waist.

"It's fine. Go get that degree." Kiara smiled. She was actually upset she couldn't spend time with her boyfriend but at the end of the day she would rather him get what he needed to succeed. Darien chilled with Kiara for a little until it was time for him to leave. Kiara continued her work and edited her pictures before sending it to the editors. She took her laptop and did some school work since she had time to. It's gotten to the point where she barely saw a classroom, she was actually fine with it. She got to stay home and work and get paid for doing what she loved. Since she didn't have another shoot until 2 she decided to go out for lunch.

"Mani, you doing anything important." Kiara asked walking into Khari's office.

"Mani just-." Khari began.

"She's down in the lobby." Kiara heard as she turned her head in the direction of the too much familiar feminine voice. Kiara rolled her eyes and turned towards Julia.

"I don't even want to know. Is Armani on break right now?" She asked Khari.

"Yeah, she's downstairs talking to Quinton." Khari waves her off.

"Whore." Kiara mumbled.

"Speak up." Julia spat.

"You a whore!" Kiara sang as she skipped out of the office hearing a snicker from Khari.

Kiara met Armani down at the lobby and the two went out to lunch.

As Khari sat in his office listening to Julia apologize for the hundredth time he couldn't help but wonder if he didn't get a paternity test would she make him still take care of the child. It wouldn't be the first time. But the last time this happened he knew for a fact it wasn't his.

"Listen I hear everything you're saying but I have a party to plan and I really don't have time for your begging. Congratulations on your pregnancy and I wish you and you're family the best." Khari said as he stood, fed up with everything that came with Julia. One minute she was sympathetic then the next she was arguing with his employees. Honestly it hurt to let her go because he began to grow love for Julia but he should've known better.

The day went by and Khari was finished getting things ready for the party later on tonight. He was proud of Kiara but he was mainly excited because for the first time in forever his company made it on a big platform, ever since his father passed the company down to him he was struggling a bit, but he was definitely proud of his achievements.

Khari sent a quick message to Armani to close up everything beforehand. Khari went to go pick up his gift he got for Kiara.

Once he was finished running errands he came back home and let in the bartenders and staff. He took a shower and got dressed, wearing jeans and a graphic tee and jean jacket.

As Kiara, Troy and Armani drove to the celebration party Khari was throwing for her they blasted music, rapping along to Lil Baby. Kiara wore a black bodycon dress and small heels and her butterfly and name chain Troy got her last Christmas. Khari just said to wear something simple, it wasn't going to be nothing too major or big because he knew Kiara wasn't into big parties unless it was mandatory. The group walked into the party hearing the popular music being played and Kiara was impressed, a party fully put together the same day it was thought of, then to top it all of Khari's home was beautiful. The Manhattan penthouse sat high with floor to ceiling glass windows, chandlers hanging from the ceilings, it was just beautiful. Thankfully the party was not too big, it was really just some friends from work and some clients she had from the past that she photographed that she still kept contact with sometimes.

"Hey." Khari said walking over to the group of friends with a drink in hand, giving a welcoming smile.

"Hey." Troy and Kiara said in unison causing them to both scrunch their faces up in disgust causing Khari and Armani to laugh.

"I just wanted to say congratulations again and I just hope you have fun tonight." Khari told Kiara looking down at her. Until now Kiara never realized how tall he was, she was only 5'2 and seeing the 6 foot man tower over her gave her butterflies and just to add more to the nerves he added a smile with his congrats causing her to blush.

"Ard let's go!" Troy said grabbing his best friend and taking her over to the bar to get their night started. Following behind them was Armani who took shots right with the two besties.

As the night went on Troy and Armani danced the night away as Kiara laughed at the two. Seeing the sight of her two friends having fun was all she needed to make her feel good. She turned back to the bar and sipped on her drink. Her mind drifted off to Darien and how much fun he'd have if he was there right now. She was happy that he was doing well in school and that his success was approaching and that he was going to do well in his future but every once in a while she wished they could just spend more time with one another, she wished they could have talks in the car and eat junk food like her and Khari could. Her mind then drifted to that night and a smile grew across her face, reminiscing over their talks and laughs. Now he was throwing her a party for her achievements, she was grateful to have him in her life. Interrupting her thoughts were Khari tapping her.

"I threw you this damn party and you over here sitting?" He joked.

"Yes, I'm enjoying myself though." She ensured him. Khari chuckled and shook his head.

"Can I get 6 shots of henny?" He asked the bartender.

"6?" Kiara exclaimed. "Those better be for you."