K H A R I

Khari was officially back at the office and he honestly was happy. He missed making money, even though he was making some even without a company but it was still nice. He missed his suits the most. As he parked his car he fixed his tie before heading in. It's been 2 weeks since Khari and Kiara made things official and Khari couldn't be happier. His head was up in the clouds and he was loving it. It was just upsetting that they couldn't spend the work day together for a couple weeks because Kiara was going through it in school and Khari wanted her to focus on her education before the business, he wanted her to graduate and become the successful young women he knew she could be.

As Khari walked into the office he was met by Armani walking by his side into his office.

"You have two meetings this week. One with the people so you can purchased the land for your publishing business and the other with the editors for the new issue." Armani informed Khari. "Oh and Prince Kingston will be coming in tomorrow at 4 for a photo shoot and interview for this months issue." Armani told Khari.

"Bet, Kiara should be back tomorrow for his photo shoot and Roman should be in as well for his interview." Khari said looking over the paperwork that laid on his desk.

"Soooo?" Armani cooed as she sat across Khari.

"So, what?" Khari laughed knowing exactly what she was talking about.

"How's you and Kiki, I'm so happy y'all figured things out and I can see your happy, you're glowing."

"What? Niggas don't glow." Khari tried hiding his smile that wanted to appear on his face. He didn't know what it was but just hearing how happy she made him made him happier. He couldn't help but smile at the sound of her voice, name, her presence made him feel welcomed and loved.

"We good, it's only been 2 weeks, Mani." Khari laughed.

"I know but, y'all connection hasn't been two weeks. What are doing for her birthday?" Armani asked and truthfully Khari didn't even know. Her birthday was in a week and Khari knew he wanted it to be just them two and he wanted to make it romantic.

"I don't know, I wanna make it romantic though. As her man I wanna top all her other birthdays and it wouldn't be me if I didn't splurge for her." Khari admitted.

"One thing I know about Kiki is she not impressed wit shiny things. All she wants and needs is quality time. Anything that involves you two being able to talk and have fun she's all for it. As you know she's a big ass kid."

"Yeah I know." Khari said. "Ima call my dad and ask if he still got that cabin up in the mountains."

"Aww that'll be so cute. Me and Troy. Never mind." Armani started causing Khari to laugh. He knew what was going on between Armani and Troy but they were going through the awkward stage that Kiara and him went through, they were both figuring out what the hell they wanted. Armani exited the office after their conversation, Khari began doing some work and filed some paper work. He had a lot going on now that it was 2020. He had new a business coming in, partnerships and him and his father were talking about expanding the company over into Los Angles or Atlanta. Khari chose Atlanta of course, but his dad wanted LA.

As Khari read some papers he heard a knock on his door. "Come in!" He yelled. Walking in was Kiara with two bags of Subway.

"Hey baby." Khari smiled at the sight of Kiara in sweatpants and her university sweatshirt, her hair was up in a messy bun and she wore glasses. He loved seeing her in chill clothing. He stood and walked to her next wrapping his arms around her waist pulling her into a kiss.

"Hi." Kiara smiled, kissing him back. "I bought us lunch. I don't have another class until 2." Kiara informed him.

"That's fine. I'd rather have you other than subway but subway would do for now." Khari grinned causing Kiara to blush a little and drop her head so he wouldn't see. "Stop looking down mama, let me see your face." Khari said lifting her chin up with his index and thumb next placing one more peck on her lips. The two sat down at the desk and dug into their food.

"So how's school going? You need help with anything? Business school related." Khari asked.

"No, it's just a shit ton of work I need to catch up on, but thankfully my professor is letting me do so and I'm almost finished." Kiara said biting into her sandwich.

"That's good. You got this baby." Khari encouraged.

"Thank you." Kiara was happy that Khari was willing to help her with anything she needed but she just knew she could do things herself. It was just the way she brought up. Her granny was independent so she became that way herself.

"Oh, I'm taking you out Friday so get cute." Khari informed her.

"I'm always cute."

"I mean, I guess." Khari teased causing Kiara to scrunch her face up.

"Stop playing with me." Kiara said throwing a balled up napkin at him.

"I'm just playing with you, you're beautiful baby." Khari said taking her hand and kissing it.

"But where are we going?" Kiara asked.

"Out. Just get dressed. It'll be fun." Khari said. The two finished their lunch and chilled in Khari's office until it was time for Kiara to go back to class. As Khari pulled up to her class building he turned down his music so people could stop looking over at them, he knew Kiara didn't like attention especially at school.

"See you later, let me know when you getting out I'll come pick you back up." Khari said before getting out of the car to open her door.

"Okay." Kiara said getting out.

"Have a good day mama." Khari said before pecking her lips.

"K." Kiara said kissing him back before walking into her class building. He watched her go in and turn down a hallway. Once she was fully inside he walked back the car and began to get in before being stopped by two females.

"Are you Khari Sage?" One asked with a blonde wig on.

"Yeah. Can I help you?" Khari asked.

"Oh my god, can I get a picture? I love your work." The other girl said.

"Sure." Khari said before taking the picture with the young women.

"Is Kiara like your girlfriend? She's in my class." She asked with a attitude.

"Yeah, she's my girlfriend. Is there a problem or something?" Khari asked concerned.

"No, that's so cool for her. After her and Darien's break up I thought she'd be hurt but she knows how to move on, especially with a young millionaire."

"Yeah, she does. We done here?" Khari asked as his nostrils flared a bit and he was becoming annoyed The girl nodded. He got back into his car and pulled off going back to the office to finish out his work day. After he was finished he picked up Kiara from class and they headed to Khari's place for the night.

As Khari cooked dinner for the two Kiara was in the shower. Khari took out two plates and prepared their food. He set the steak and potatoes on the table. He walked to the bathroom to tell Kiara that dinner was ready.

"I'm done." Kiara said walking out of the bathroom with Khari's T-shirt and a pair of her shorts. Her hair was damp as she threw it up in a bun, her curls were full and bouncy and he loved seeing her in his clothes. Her skin glowed due to her night skin routine and her skin looked as smooth as silk sheets.

"Ard come on let's go eat." He said grabbing her hand. They walked into the dinning room and sat and ate their dinner. "How was your day?" Khari asked as he sipped on his juice.

"It was good, I caught up on my work and turned it in, so I'm good now and I passed my management quiz."

"Good job. I knew you could do it, you was in here stressing yourself out for no reason."

"Yeah I know, how was your day?"

"The sane as always, stressful, but I got through it. Thankfully my baby can come in with me tomorrow." Khari smiled at her.

"Yeah, I get to take pictures again." Kiara cheered. "Who is that I'm working with tomorrow?"

"Damn I can't remember his name, Mani told me earlier, I just know he some new football player who just sighed with the Eagles. He supposed to be really good." Khari shrugged. Kiara nodded and continued to eat her food. "So what going on with Mani and Troy?" Khari asked.

"I don't know, they've been acting so weird like they don't like one another. Troy be getting so jealous when Armani goes out but then won't confess his feelings towards her." Kiara laughed.

"Damn shame. He act like you." Khari teased.

"No he doesn't." Kiara said as they shared a laugh.

After dinner the two cleaned up and watched a movie until Kiara fell asleep. Khari picked her up laid her down on the bed, next putting the comforter over her small body. Khari took his shirt off and climbed in beside her, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her head before falling off asleep.

Khari sat in the photo studio the next day watching Kiara prepare for her shoot. He then left out to go get their client.

"Hey man, welcome to Francois Magazine." Khari greeted Prince.

"Hey, thanks for having me. I don't know why but you look so familiar."

"I mean you've probably saw me on a few things." Khari said as the two men began to walk to the photo studio. Khari thought the young man looked familiar as well but he assumed it was just from seeing him on ESPN a lot.

As the two entered the studio Prince was immediately taken to hair and makeup.

"Shayla, where did Kiara go?" Khari asked Kiara's new intern.

"Oh she just went to the bathroom really fast." Shayla said. "Oh there she is." Shayla pointed over before going back to doing what she was doing.

"Hey you ready?" Khari asked her.

"Yeah. I'm always ready. Now move so I can work my magic." Kiara lightly pushed Khari out the way. "Where's my model people." She teased with everyone on set.

"Kiara this is Prince Kingston, Eagles-." Rob the makeup artist began to introduce the two causing Kiara to drop her camera but Shayla quickly caught it.

"Kiara?" Prince asked happily, in shock that he was being photographed by her. He was happy to see her again.

"I can't." Kiara said before running off causing everyone in the studio to become confused. Khari saw Kiara rush out and looked at Prince who looked clueless. Seeing Kiara's face in so much fear he immediately remembered who the young athlete was. He began to get flashbacks from the night he saved her from her rapist, Prince.

"Kiara?" He said to himself. Once Khari saw his photographer laying on chair in the storage closet half naked and knocked out.

Khari snapped out of it and rushed over to Kiara.

"Where's Kiara?" He asked everyone in the hall which didn't help because no one knew where she was. He asked one last person and they pointed to the bathroom. Khari rushed inside and found her in a stall.

"Kiki open the door. What's wrong?" Khari asked.

"Khari not right now." She sobbed.

"Kiki, open the door man! You're crying I don't like that , what's wrong? Talk to me baby." He said. He heard the stall unlock and he entered the handicap stall and saw her sitting on the floor crying.

"Kiki what's wrong? Talk to me." He said sitting beside her wrapping his arms around her. She began to sob even louder and hearing her cry this hard began to break Khari's heart, even though he already knew what was wrong he still needed her to tell him.

"He..he raped me!" She sobbed causing Khari to drop his head and clench his jaw. Even though he already beat Prince up he just wanted to punch him one more time.

"I'm sorry mama. I'm so sorry Kiki." He said hugging her as her tears stained his blazer. "You don't have to do it, I'll ask Shayla to handle it."

"No, I won't let him stop me from doing what I love, it'll hurt him more if he sees me doing great. I'll do it." She said wiping her tears.

"You sure? I don't want you doing anything if you're uncomfortable and not safe." Khari informed her.

"No I'll be fine. I got it." Kiara said.

"Ok. I'll stay there with you. Once you feel uncomfortable just call me over."

The two walked hand and hand into the studio, Prince looked over and it bought a strike to his chest seeing Kiara holding Khari's hand. Prince realized who Khari was once he saw him run off to Kiara.

"Let's get to work!" Kiara demanded. She began to take pictures of Prince and Khari watched over. Every once in a while Khari and Prince would exchange looks but Khari didn't pay it any mind because he knew Kiara was way more important than his urge to knock Prince flat out of the floor.

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