Cashmere

Kira's Part

Deja died in the hospital, but her baby lived. The baby was in the NICU for a couple months and the police asked Tariq for a DNA test. Tariq refused so they tested Money's DNA. The baby came out as 99.9 Money's child. It was a girl that the state named Aleesia.I felt bad for the baby but Deja was a whore and a snitch. She deserved everything that came to her. Dating Tariq was definitely not for the weak. He treats me like a queen but he's so picky . Everything gotta be one way or no way. I loved pleasing my man so I didn't give him trouble. We had our son and named him Lateef Rashad. He was a calm baby and I loved it. For weeks on I couldn't put Lateef down. He reminds me of Tarrez. His eyes were a light brown like Tarrez' and he had sandy brown hair. Lateef was blessed and made in love. Tariq's sons got close to me, and I showed them nothing but love. They needed a mother figure, and I filled the space for them. Laysia came and lived with us and I began homeschooling her for a while. I was a housewife and yes it was an adjustment. Going from a stripper to a housewife. But it was done.

"Hey baby." Tariq smiled walking in from work.

"Hey, how was work?" I asked making his plate.

"It was a good baby. How was your day?"

"Pretty good . You know Cashmere's wedding is on Saturday. I asked your mom if she can watch the kids."

"Oh yea?What she says."

"She said she will. I don't have work that day so we can go."

I gave Tariq a kiss and sat down at the table with him and the boys. After dinner I started cleaning up and put Lateef to sleep. The next day I went to pick my dress up from the shop.

I bumped into Tiffany along the way. She cleaned up nicely and was walking with a little boy.

"Hey! How have you been?"She smiled while holding her son's hand.

"I've been pretty good. I live on the west side now and I am married."I smiled.

"Oh fr? Thats wassup Ki.Yeah after the club burnt down i went back to school. I'm working at Saks now."She smiled.

"That wassup. Well it was nice seeing you Tiff."I said walking away. I decided to go visit Tarrez and Juelz grave site. My mother was always visiting and changing their flowers.

"Mommy loves both of you."I said sitting in front of their tombstone. A woman walked up to me and she was holding fresh flowers in her hand. She was a white lady with blonde hair .

"Here. take some."She smiled, handing me five flowers.

"Thank you."I said.

"My name is Ana. I came here to see my daughter...she was killed when she was 5."

"I'm sorry to hear that. These two are my sons..Tarrez and Juelz."I said, smiling at her faintly.

She touched my hand and prayed for a second.

"It will always hurt but just know that they are in a better place baby girl."She smiled

"Thank You." I laid the flowers on their graves and walked away. I sat in the car for a while and smoked a cigarette. I cried for a little while dozing off. When I woke up it was night time and cold. The cemetery is not the place where you want to fall asleep. I started the car and drove home. Tariq was sitting up with Lateef when I walked in.

"Hey. baby sorry i am home late. I picked up my dress then went to the cemetery. I dozed off."I said, hanging my coat up.

"It's cool, baby. A letter came in the mail for you."He said, handing it to me. It was from Rick's sister Yvonne Battle. I opened the letter and sat down. Inside of the envelope was a check for $50,000 .

"Damn...what was this for?"

"Hold on i'm bout to read the letter."I said

"Dear Kira,

Rick always dreamed of moving to Florida..He had dreams of leaving the strip club and just traveling the world. Rick is the one that started the fire.He had depression and was using drugs Before he started it he sent me a letter in the mail with his will. He told me to give you $50,000. He said since you were 16 you worked Monday through Sunday trying to create a better life for your babies. Out of all the girls besides Cashmere you gave him the utmost respect. He left you $50,000 and he left Cashmere a house in Atlanta. Please use this money wisely and thank you for trusting my brother and being a loyal employee from 2003 until 2020.

Sincerely ,

Yvonne Battle." I read. Tears were falling from my eyes and Tariq hugged me.

"You can open your store now baby..and we will put 10 in a savings account for Laysia and Lateef."He smiled.

After all these years and everything that I've been through I could finally say that I was happy.

I called Cashmere to tell her the good news. When she answered the phone I could tell she was crying . Her grandmother passed away the night before . I knew she was happy about getting the house in Atlanta and getting married on Saturday. I wish I could be there for her to comfort her. Tariq fell asleep on the couch and I went to the bedroom. As I scrolled through facebook pictures of Money and I popped up in my memories. A part of me was missing Money. He was my first love and the father of my kids. I couldn't understand why he did what he did to me but I was also glad it happened. If he never would've hurt me I wouldn't have found Tariq... I would've still been stuck at my grandma's house in Queens.

"Thank You Money." I whispered, deleting his pictures off my facebook page. Goodbye past and hello to my future... Cashmere's wedding was lit. She looked so beautiful in her dress and everyone in the room was crying .

"Congratulations sis. "I said, hugging her tightly .

"Thank you girl..we went from hoes to housewives."She joked.

"You got that right."I said, grabbing another glass of wine. Laysia and the kids were running around the dancehall. Cashmere's brothers were dressed in white tuxedos and had their hair cut. I took a couple more sips of wine and danced with Tariq.

"You look beautiful baby."He whispered in my ear as we danced.

"Thank you baby."I smiled. Step In The Name Of Love By R,Kelly came on .

"I love you Kira..You are truly the best thing that has ever happened to me."

"Do you mean that Tariq?"

"Yes..i'm in love with you."He said looking into my eyes. For the longest I've dreamed about being loved properly and protected.

Damion walked in and everyone clapped and hugged him. Damion Knight, the biggest drug lord in Brooklyn NY.. Finally stepped out of the game.. He handed the crown over to Khalil...Khalil was now running shit in Brooklyn and New Jersey .Cashmere was happy , i was happy and i was looking forward to bigger and better things. Ki Babyy out.