"Yes Huey!" The woman screamed in ecstasy.

Huey did one last stroke before pulling out and flopping next to her.

"Damn you need to come around here more often baby." She tried her best to catch her breath after the wild sex she just had with no other than Huey Freeman. She was a part of the lucky few that got to experience his magic stick. She moved her long braids away from her brown skin and looked at him dreamily.

"I've done told you I've been busy." Huey took of the used condom and threw it into the bin next to her bed.

"You and I both know you miss this cookie. Those five rounds showed just how much you did." She bit her lip and rubbed her fingers over Huey's hard chest.

"Yeah which is why I need to leave." Huey swung his legs off the bed when she suddenly gripped his meat. He stopped breathing.

"You're staying." She demanded him.

"Erica. What did I tell you?" He said firmly, trying his best to not give in so easily. He was a man after all, any touch there could trigger him.

She sighed and removed her hand to hold up her head instead. "Fine. Just so I can save some for later."

Huey sighed. He knew of Erica since she was 12 and he was 14 and never really talked but began to have causal sex since they were 21 and 23. It was on her 21st birthday which Riley dragged him to and they both got sloppy drunk and had drunk sex. The morning after was a shock but they both vividly remembered the nights adventure so decided to hit each other up whenever they needed a hook up. However, one took it more seriously than the other.

"I hear you're doing big things Ghost."

Huey rolled his eyes as he checked his phone. It was coming up to 2am, he was going to go do some work.

"Hearing is one thing, when you see it let me know."

He stood and began to put on his clothes that was littered on the floor.

Erica sat up fully.

"You not staying the night?" She pouted.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because."

Her brown eyes stared at his muscular back.

"Because isn't an answer."

"It's the one I'm giving you." Huey zipped up his jeans.

She scoffed. "What's wrong with you Freeman? Is it because your little whore girlfriend left you?"

Huey paused. He looked into the dimly lit room.

'What is she... oh. How the fuck does she know about that? This neighbour hood too damn nosy.' He thought.

He slowly turned and saw Erica sitting with her arms crossed.

"Don't speak on shit you don't know Erica. That pretty little mouth of yours can get you into some serious shit one day."

"Nigga you know this mouth ain't little to be taking in that big ass dick." She smirked.

'Ok that actually caught be off guard.' He chocked inside. 'Forget about it and just leave Huey.'

Huey picked up his phone and threw on his jacket. "I'll call you if I need to fuck again." With that, he made his way out the door leaving a pissed off, naked, Erica in the bed.

"You a bitch ass nigga you know that!" She shouted after him, even though she knew he was already out her apartment. "Fuck you too!"

She breathed out heavily.

'He ain't shit! But that dick game, biiitttttccccchhhhhhh!' She bit her lip thinking about it. 'Lemme text my home girl.' She giggled before pulling out her phone.

Sex with Huey Freeman was always a trip.


"Ok explain this to me again?"

Raven sighed as they walked into the mall.

It was the day after having baby Cairo and Raven had asked her little sister Robyn to join her to shop for him. She had a long conversation with her parents last night who eventually said they were proud of her while Robyn was still in disbelief.

"Girl it's not that hard to understand." Raven told her. She was pushing a stroller that the Freeman's had already brought within the few hours they had Cairo which she was very grateful for. She just now needed to buy whatever else babies need which is why her sister was here. She looked down at the sleeping baby who was peacefully sucking on his pacifier. "Huey had found him at one of the stash houses and brought him here. We were told his parents are dead and I didn't want him to go into the system so I have decided to adopt him."

"How can you adopt an unknown baby?" Robyn asked.

"Huey is going to get some lawyers to sort all the paperwork out. We have what seems like his birth certificate so at least we know his birthday." Raven explained.

Robyn couldn't believe her sister. "This is a big ass step you're taking especially since you still in the gang, which you're still injured because of. You even named him Cairo which I'm surprised you ain't bursting out in tears about it. Plus, everyone knows you, you know how weird it's going to look with you popping out of nowhere with a little white baby."

Raven rolled her eyes. "First of all, I know what I do and trust me I gotta lot of thinking to do. I'm managing the strip club too so I can spend more time doing that than the gang shit. Second of all, I don't burst out crying at Cairo's name you dead wrong for saying that. He was my best friend and baby Cairo is going to be my best friend who I will be able to protect this time. Third of all, fuck what everyone else has to say. I don't give a fuck. And why everyone keeps calling him white? Yeah he got green eyes and blonde hair but he looks like he's getting dark and he has black features which means he definitely had a mixed parent."

Raven took a deep breath. She knew her sister would ask all these questions but at once was a lot to take it and her ribs weren't healed yet. Robyn has the best interest but it would soon rub Raven the wrong way which is why she didn't blow up on her yet.

"You can't blame me for saying what I'm seeing. All this shit is crazy to me."

"Trust me. It's crazy to me too." Raven told her sister seriously.

They walked into a baby store which was suggested by Mackenzie and began to look around.

"So, baby mama, what you need?" Robyn smirked.

Raven laughed. "I never thought I would be called a baby mama. Anyway, we have a stroller which is also a car seat so we good on the traveling part. We need clothes, bottles, pacifier, crib, toys, shoes, basically anything and everything."

Robyn rubbed her hands together before going over and picking up a big basket. "I do love myself a bit of shopping."

"I know that's why I dragged you."

The two sisters began to look around and throwing cute outfits and toys into the basket when an assist came over.

"Hey, can I help you with anything?" The woman smiled at them.

Raven smiled back. "Yes, would you be able to show us the best baby furniture. This little guy here was kind of a surprise so I have nothing ready for him."

"Don't you worry. You're not the only last-minute mother we've had. Right this way." The shop assistant walked them to an area that had everything they needed. "He's such an adorable baby."

The women looked down at the still sleeping baby. "Yeah he is and I should make his bottle soon, he should be waking up soon."

"Aww you already know his routine." Robyn lightly pushed Raven.

"Girl I have to. Let me start preparing it now while you look. I trust you to get something nice."

"Ohh this crib is so cute. You should get this for nephew." Robyn commented as she saw a white and royal blue crib.

"Nephew?" Raven raised an eyebrow.

"My sis has a baby, making it my nephew. Duh." She rolled her eyes.

"If you like that crib, we have a matching high chair which you can get a deal on." The woman told them.

"I will very much appreciate that." Raven smiled at her. "We will come over once we finished getting a few other things."

With that, the sisters were alone again.

"Oh my gosh! Look at this adorable onesie!" Robyn pouted as she picked it up to show her sister.

It said 'The Prince to a Queen' in gold writing.

"You are getting this and in 3 different colours and 3 different sizes." Robyn told her sister.

"Why you getting bigger sizes, you don't see how tiny he is?" Raven shook her head.

"Because like mama always said, he'll grow into it." Robyn smirked as she went to pick up more things. "Alright I think we're done here."

"Ok."

They went over to pay for their items. After finally finding a way to carry the furniture, they walked out the store to do more shopping.

"We really should've done this last." Raven shook her head.

"Or order it to your house."

"That part."

Just then, Cairo began to stir.

"Ohh he's waking up. This is the first I'm going to see him awake." Robyn grinned.

Cairo moved his arms and legs before pushing out his pacifier. Once that left his mouth, he began to cry.

"Cairo. Its ok baby." Raven stopped by a nearby bench and took him out his stroller. Even when she tried to soothe him, he still cried. "Can you hand me his bottle please?" Raven asked Robyn who did so.

Raven popped off the lid and began to feed Cairo who hungrily drunk the milk.

Robyn looked at her sister. "You seem very natural."

"I did help mom with you and I always around our baby cousins. You pick up a thing or two but having your own is a huge responsibility so I still got things to learn. It's not all fun and games sis."

"Well it will for me. I'm going to be the cool, funny auntie." She grinned.

Raven gave her a side eye. "You're the only auntie."

Robyn grin dropped. "Ok and?" She rolled her eyes.

Cairo finished his bottle and Raven burped him. She sat him up so he could look at Robyn. "Cairo, this is your auntie Robyn. You can call her if you have any fashion disasters and she will hook you up ok."

Cairo just sucked on his fist in response.

"Hey Cairo! I am your one and only auntie and if you don't want your mama to know anything, I'm your girl." Robyn looked at her sister. "I cannot get over how green his eyes are. Doesn't that remind you of the bitch Huey was fucking with? What's her name? Jade?"

'Right. I really haven't caught her up.' Raven thought.

"Jazmine, and we made up. The time we spent kidnapped made us have a mutual understanding. We were in the same boat and I only really chat shit about her and her friends because I felt as if they were a distraction to the gang. Even though it was proven right, I still can't blame them, they didn't know what they were getting into but now they are away from here so everything is becoming stabilised."

"Damn. I really be off in my own little world... I'm sorry for not seeing you more." Robyn frowned.

Raven put her arm around her little sister. "Don't you worry, I wouldn't want you around the shit I do. Anyway, you want to hold him?"

Robyn instantly began to smile and reached out for Cairo. Once she got a hold of him, she began to talk to him and take pictures with him. Raven watched the two and knew they would get along just fine.

The sisters spent the next few hours bonding with each other and the new addition to the family while also shopping for him too. They were going to spoil him. The whole time it made Raven realise that she may have made the best decision in her life. This baby boy was going to change her life forever.


After the long day of shopping, Raven went home and had a nap alongside Cairo. They both slept peacefully for two hours before Cairo woke up for a feed and he was very upset.

"Wahhhhhh! Wahhh!" He screamed at the top of his lungs.

Raven bounced him in the bouncer she had brought earlier. It was the first thing she set up before she went to sleep and she was glad she did.

"It's ok, mama is getting your milk now." Raven told him as she tried to bounce him and make his bottle but he didn't care.

"Ahhh! Ahhhhh!" Cairo continued to scream.

"Ok ok, I'm done." Raven gently picked Cairo out the bouncer and put the bottle straight into his mouth. Immediately, he latched on and greedily drank the milk. "Yeah you wanna be quiet now."

Raven watched her son drink in wonder. Her son. It was still crazy to think about. She didn't even have to do the long 9 months carrying. She had no baby shower, no gender reveal, no doctor's appointment, no man, nothing. She just suddenly had a baby.

She knew people around her were going to be shocked, her family too, but she didn't care. Every minute of the day she was falling more and more in love with this baby that was curled up in her arms. He was beautiful and she was glad she met him and now had him.

Cairo finished his bottle and Raven burped him which made him release a big on.

"Damn, you were really hungry." She said out loud. He looked at her confused. "You are so adorable." She laid him on the bed and leaned over him. "You're going to be big in no time the way you're eating, I guarantee it." His green eyes looked up at her brown ones as he sucked on his fist. "I already can say that you are the best surprise that has happened to me. The bound we are going to build is going to be beautiful I know people will be jealous that I got such a cool baby and your friends when you're older will tease you about how fine your mama is." She laughed to herself and Cairo started moving around. "I named you Cairo after a dear friend of mine, my best friend... his name was Cairo. I never talk about him because it was always painful to think about. The day I lost him... I felt as if I lost part of myself and you being here, in a time where everything has gone to shit must be a sign. When I laid my eyes on you, the only name that came to my head was Cairo. I am here to protect you as your mother. I failed my best friend, I won't fail my son. You're my son Cairo."

The whole time Raven talked, baby Cairo looked at her like he understood every word.

That's when he smiled.

Raven gasped. "Your first smile!" She hurriedly found her phone and pulled up the camera so it was on them both. "Show auntie Rob what you just did." He looked at the camera lost. "Smile for mama." Cairo looked up and saw Raven. He smiled at her. Raven squealed. "Awww you're so cute!" She began to smoother him in kisses which made him breath harder as if he wanted to laugh but he couldn't just yet. "I can't wait to see you grow." She told him truthfully after she sent the video to her sister. "So, what are we going to do tonight?" Raven asked Cairo who just looked confused.

Laughing to herself, Raven picked up Cairo and made her way into the bed to take some much-needed relaxation.


"Shit!"

Jazmine's voice got caught in her throat as she rode out her orgasm. The third one for the day.

"Hm. I still not used to grown woman Jazmine's orgasms. I might need to hear it again."

"Give me a break Jayden."

Jazmine slide of the counter, picked up her panties and walked over to his couch.

It had been a week since they had left Chicago and things in Woodcrest were already starting to turn sideways. The main problem was that Jazmine gave in to her sexual demons and was now receiving regular dick from Jayden.

Already!

She needed a distraction and he was a pretty good distraction.

Jayden slipped on his boxers and flopped down next to her, pulling her into his arms.

They stayed in their position for a few minutes in silence, both tired from their recent activities.

"So when are you going to talk to your parents?" He asked out of nowhere after a few seconds of silence.

Jazmine instantly sat up. "We just fucked on the counter and the first thing you say is when I am going to speak to my parents?" She snorted. "Mood killer much."

"Sorry. It's just, you haven't talked about them and I know you haven't seen them since you have arrived."

It was true. She hasn't seen them and wasn't in a rush to do so. Whether they stayed here permanently was still in the air so she didn't want to see them just yet.

"They still have me on Facebook and my number never changed." Jazmine rolled her eyes as she moved from his warm embrace.

"JD just reach out to them. They miss you-"

"Sure they do-"

"Any parent will miss their child-"

"Only if that child wasn't shaking her ass for money."

Jayden and Jazmine stared intensely at each other, neither one breaking eye contact. Jazmine sighed.

"Just leave it alone Jayden." She tore her eyes away to put on her clothes.

Jayden watched her half naked body becoming covered and instantly missed seeing it in front of him and in his reach.

"Where you going?" He asked.

"Home."

"You mean your hotel?" Jazmine whipped her head around and looked at him angrily.

"You really know how to piss a bitch off don't you."

Jayden quickly jumped up and ran over to hug her from behind. "I'm sorry JD. I didn't mean it like that." He silently took in her sweet scent that he just became familiarized with again. "I'm going to take you out tonight to dinner to make up for it."

Jazmine thought about it. She hasn't been out to a nice dinner in a very long time. It would be nice to get dressed up for something different from the club. She sighed and turned in his embrace then lifted her arms to rest on his shoulders.

"Fine but you're paying."

Jayden smirked. "I wouldn't have it any other way." He dipped down and captured her lips in a short kiss. "Hmm. Have I told you I missed you?"

Jazmine rolled her eyes as she pulled away. "About a thousand time. Make sure your ass is on time to pick me up." She began to walk to the door.

"You don't even know when I'm coming to pick you up."

"8pm sharp!" Jazmine shouted with her back still facing him. "Later Jayden!"

Jayden smirked as he watched the door close. Every time she came back over, he was still in disbelief that she was here. Nearly every day after class, he would run back home and text Jazmine to see if she wanted to come through and every time she said yes. The sex was mind blowing. He guessed the time away meant they learnt new skills and he knew Jazmine felt the same. If she didn't, she wouldn't have come back. The only problem is, she was quick to leave. She didn't stay overnight; she was always out the door no matter what time it was. Jayden felt upset about it but couldn't blame her, they needed to take things slow and he was ready for that.

The only problem was, he was moving to Chicago.

He can't just forget about the job he already accepted because of some girl, even if the some girl is Jazmine. He was leaving by the end of next week. It was soon. His stuff was packed he was just waiting for everything to be ready in Chicago. He wished he could take her with him but he knew she wasn't ready for that. She just got away from that man, she wouldn't be ready to go back so soon. It wouldn't be fair on her. That's why he hasn't officially asked her to be his girl, he was going to wait.

They were each other's first everything. Most importantly, first love. He will never forget her. There has yet to be a girl that Jayden would look to as highly as he did Jazmine.

He found his phone and searched for a contact he hasn't messaged for years, hoping it was still active. He had a plan.

A few seconds past and he saw a message.

'Hey Jayden! It has been so long, how are you?'

He smirked and replied. Tonight was going to be good.


On the other side of town, Ming and Cindy stood in front of a large glass window.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Ming asked her friend.

"No. Are you?" Cindy threw back.

"Nope. But we already here so it's too late."

Ming and Cindy looked at each other before grabbing each other's hands and walking inside.

They were getting strange looks but ignored it. Everyone around them were in business attires while they were in very casual wear. They stood out like a sore thumb.

They walked towards the front desk.

"Welcome to Shape You, how may I help you?" The receptionist routinely asked.

"Hello, we would like to see the CEO's." Ming told her.

"Alright." She began to type on the computer. "Have you booked an appointment?" She asked.

"No. We're their children." Cindy told her annoyingly.

The woman looked up shocked.

"Oh." She began to look at the two women in detail. "Oh!"

"Yes yes we get it, you see the resemblance. Can we see them now?" Cindy asked impatiently.

"Please." Ming scowled her.

"What she said."

The receptionist was stuck. She never knew they had daughters. "Did- uh- did you book an appointment?"

Cindy took a deep breath. She was getting annoyed. "Ming. If she doesn't get them, I will make a scene."

Ming turned to the woman. "You do not want to see this girl cause a scene. Love and Hip Hop would want her." The woman looked confused so Ming broke it down for her. "Shits about to get crazy."

Cindy stepped back and smirked. Her eyes found its way to a vase sitting on the side. "Oh pretty." She pushed it over, letting it crash to the floor. "I guess it was pretty."

The receptionist began to dial some numbers quickly while Ming shook her head.

"Should've listened baby girl."

Security began to make their way towards Cindy who had the same smug look on her face.

"All I want to do is see Mr and Mrs McPhearson and Mr and Mrs Long-Dou. Is that so hard to ask for!" Cindy shouted, making everyone turn to her.

"Ma'am. We're going to have to ask you to leave the premises." One of the security guards said.

"Not until we see the CEO's." Ming told them as she stepped up next to Cindy.

"We cannot do that-"

"Call them! Call them right now and say that Cindy and Ming are here. I bet you they will let us up." Cindy crossed her arms over her chest.

"If they say they don't know us, we will leave peacefully. If you don't call them... well, this one is going to be like a bull in a china shop. It won't be nice." Ming visualised for them.

Whenever the group of girls would get themselves into sticky situations, Ming and Jazmine were the words while Royalty and Cindy were the action. That was why it was always best for 1 to be with Cindy or Royalty because if it was just up to them two, they would swing on anyone and they knew they could win. They have won a lot.

The security guard shared a looked before sighing and going over to the receptionist.

"Call them so we can get them out of here." The short one told her.

The woman meekly nodded before dialling a number.

"Hello sir, I have two women by the names of Cindy and Ming here saying they are your daughters..." She looked up at the girls. "Yes they do... oh ok. I will send them right up." She hung up the phone and looked at the two-smirking woman. "Top floor on your right."

"It wasn't that hard was it." Cindy turned to walk away when the security was still looking at her. "You heard the girl, I got somewhere to be. Move." She gestured with her hands for them to move out her way which they did not too happily.

Ming shook her head as they walked towards the elevator, still getting strange looks. "Someone is using their white privilege."

Cindy smirked. "I would say this is more rich kid privilege."

She pressed the button to the top floor and waited silently until they reached the floor. The elevator dinged and they walked to the right where they saw a large meeting round that was surrounded by only glass. They made direct eye contact with their parents.

"Damn, we didn't even get a chance to prepare ourselves properly." Cindy mumbled.

"Come on Cynthia." Ming smirked at her friends annoyed facial expression as she heard her full name. She knew she was going to hear that come out her parents mouth soon.

Their parents watched them intensely as they walked towards the door. Ming lead the way and walked inside with Cindy right behind her.

"Mother! Father! It's good to see you!" Cindy grinned as she sat in the chair at the opposite end, Ming next to her.

"This is quite a surprise, to see both of you here, back in Woodcrest." Cindy's father, Paul, said as he looked at his only child.

"Hey dad." Cindy smiled.

Paul smiled back. "Hello Cindy."

The two locked eyes, blue clashing with blue. Despite his brown hair, the two looked identical.

Susan cleared her throat. "Hello Cynthia."

Cindy faught back her eye roll. "Mother."

As seen, Cindy was a daddy's girl ever since she could speak. Her and her mother have always had friction.


20 years ago

5-year-old Cindy had just come back from a long day of shopping that she was forced to do with her mother. She hated shopping.

"I can't wait for you to wear this dress for dinner tonight. You are going to look amazing!" Her mother told her daughter as they walked inside their mansion. "Go show your father the dress while I go upstairs." Susan lightly pushed her daughter to the living room where she could hear the tv playing.

"Ok mother." Cindy sighed reluctantly. She walked to where her father was and saw him leaning intensely on his knees, eyes glued to the screen. She looked up and saw men in different coloured clothes throwing and bouncing a ball around. "Hey daddy."

Paul turned when he heard his daughters voice. "Hey baby girl. Come watch the game with daddy." He patted the space next to him and she ran to sit there, throwing the bag to the floor.

They sat there for a few more minutes before Cindy asked a question. "Daddy what's that?"

Paul looked to his daughter and to the screen. He saw the fascination on her face and smirked. "This, my child, is basketball. It's a sport daddy used to play in high school and was pretty good at it too."

Cindy tilted her head sideways, making her straight, blonde hair swing a little. "It looks hard."

"It's not that hard if you actually put in the work."

They sat there for a few more minutes, watching the game go back and forth.

Cindy's bright, blue eyes didn't move away from the game. It looked fun to her. She wanted to play basketball and be like them.

"Daddy is there girls that play basketball?"

"Of course there is sweetie. There are hundreds of women that are just as talented as these men- Yes!" Paul jumped up in celebration as the buzzer rang and his team won. He turned back to see Cindy's shocked face. "Sorry. Daddy's team just won." He watched as his daughter looked back at the tv in wonder and asked a question that would change her life forever. He sat back down next to her. "Do you want to play basketball?" He asked her.

Her face looked up. "You will teach me?!" She questioned excitedly.

He smiled. "Only if you want to." She nodded her head so hard, he thought she was going to make herself dizzy. He chuckled. "Alright let's start."

"Now?" She looked at him confused.

"Yes. The earlier was start, the better." He scooped her up in his arm and jogged to the garage where he kept his old basketball and hoop. "You know, if you get into this, I will build a basketball court outside for you."

She gasped. "You do that?" He nodded and Cindy wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug. "Thank you daddy!"

He hugged her back. "Anything for my little princess." He put her only the floor. "Now. For your first training session."

For the next 20 minutes, Paul taught little Cindy the beginning steps of basketball and he was surprised how quickly she understood everything. It seemed as if she was a natural. All she needed was time and practice and she will be the best Woodcrest had ever seen.

"Cynthia! Cynthia! Paul! Where are you two?!" They heard Susan call from inside.

"Oh oh." Cindy mumbled as she took deep breaths.

"Oh oh indeed." Paul agreed with his daughter.

Her mother stormed into the garage with the bag Cindy had in her hand and her blonde hair in rollers.

"Paul! What the fuck are you doing in-" She sniffed the air. "Ugh. It stinks in here and-" She gasped. "Cynthia! You're all sweaty! You both are! You both need to get in the shower now, otherwise we will be late. I can't believe you did this Paul." Susan crossed her arms and shook her head.

Paul held his hands up in defence. "She just wanted to learn the game."

"We're not 17 anymore and she's a girl. She shouldn't be playing such a sport, if anything, she should do gymnastics. It's a sport and one for girls." Paul had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. "Anyway, don't you think this dress is pretty." Susan pulled out the dress she had just brought Cindy and his eyes widen.

It was baby pink and the bottom half was massive. Cindy looked at it with disgust.

"It's... pretty all right." Was the best answer he could give his wife.

"I know. Now stop wasting time and get dress. We need to leave in 2 hours." With that, Susan turned and walked out the door.

Cindy looked up at her father. "Daddy. Don't make me wear that dress."

Paul sighed as he lifted his daughter into his arms. He loved his wife but she has been controlling Cindy's life ever since she found out she was having a girl. She knew this wouldn't happen if she had a boy.

"I'll tell you what. If you wear that dress tonight and dresses any other night we have to go to fancy dinners, I promise you to teach you how to play basketball whenever I can. I will make sure I put it in my schedule and get a basketball court built for us."

Cindy gasped. "Really?!" He nodded. "Pinkie promises?" She held out her tiny pinkie to her father that wrapped his larger one around hers.

"Pinkie promise."

Cindy squealed and hugged her father. "I love you so much daddy!"

Paul hugged her back. "I love you too sweetie."


Present

"Cynthia, what happened to your lip?" Her mother asked.

"Ran into a pole." Was the answer she gave. Her lip was healing but there was still a little cut left which should be gone by next week which she was grateful for.

Susan sighed. "Did you get into trouble? How much do you owe them? Is that why you got beat up?"

"No mother. I was being clumsy and ran into a pole like I said."

"More like you was on it." Susan rolled her eyes.

"Susan. Come on, our child is here now, can we just be happy for once?" Paul asked his wife who just rolled her eyes. He turned to his daughter. "I missed you."

Cindy smiled lightly, automatically feeling guilty. Her dad was her best friend who she could talk to about anything and he was the one to always look out for her and taught her how to play basketball which she grew up loving.

"I miss you too daddy. I'm sorry I never reached out to you as much as I should have."

Paul shook his head, feeling the tears threaten to prick his eyes. "Don't be sorry. I'm just glad you're here and you too Ming. It has been so long since I have seen you girls. How's Jazmine and Royalty?"

"Hey Paul, it's nice to see you too and they're good too just handling their own things." Paul nodded as Ming turned to her own parents.

"Mom. Dad."

"Ming." Ken Long-Dou replied.

"You're back in Woodcrest." Nora Long-Dou looked her daughter up and down.

Ming nodded. "I guess I am."

Tension fell over the room. Ming and her parents didn't have a bad relationship. They were civil a lot of the time even if they could be pushy when it came to her education and overall lifestyle. When they found out she was stripper, her parents didn't speak to her for a good 6 months. When they got in contact with her again, Ming told them she was dropping out of college and from there, their relationship has been rocky and almost none existent. Her parents wanted Ming to continue the family business but it doesn't look like it is going to happen.


16-year-old Ming was sitting down at the dinner table doing extra assignments her parents made her teachers get her when they walked in.

"Let me see your work." Was the first thing her father said.

Ming sighed and showed him her work.

He checked it over. "6 out of 16 of these are wrong. Do them all again."

"You can't just tell me which ones are wrong so I can do it again?"

Her mother shook her head. "No because then you won't learn."

Ming sighed. "I don't think I can do this right now."

"Like hell you are." Nora put the paper back in front of her. "You do this now or you're grounded for two weeks."

"Is that really necessary?"

Ken looked at his daughter. "We just want you to be ready for the pressure of college. You're going to take over the family business we are building which is going to be even harder. We love you enough to help you the way we are." He kissed the top of her head. "We will leave you to get back to work."

Ming held her breath until she heard her parents leave the house, that's when she burst out in tears. Her grandfather had just passed away and she was taking it hard. He introduced her to kickball which she loved and still loved, despite his forceful ways. Their relationship was rocky once she moved to America but he still showed he cared for her every now and then. He would always cheer her up somehow. Her parents were drowning themselves in work as their way of grieving, leaving Ming to grieve on her own. A child should never be allowed to grieve on her own but she was left to.

There was no kickball team in Woodcrest so she couldn't even play in his honour. She was heartbroken and her parents wasn't there to help her.


"Are you girls staying here?" Paul asked.

"Hopefully not for long." Ming answered for them.

"Then why did you come back?" Nora asked the woman.

Ming and Cindy shared a look, wondering what the best answer was. "We needed a break from Chicago."

Ken leaned forward. "So does that means you're no longer acting like a little whore?"

"Ken!" Paul shouted. Out of Cindy's mom and Ming and Jazmine's parents, Cindy's father was the only one that didn't treat them any different. It made Cindy feel even more guilty for the lack of communication she had with her father because of her trouble relationship with her mother.

"I'm just saying something they should be used to be hearing by now."

Ming rolled her eyes. "You know you could act like you're happy to see us."

"Have you gone back to college?" Nora asked.

"No."

"Do you have a different job?" Susan added.

"No." Cindy crossed her arms.

"Then we have nothing to talk about." Ken lowered his head to look back at his paperwork.

Paul took a deep breath to stop himself from exploding. "You know, you three are fucking disgusting." The older adults looked at him shocked. "Our daughters are here wanting to see us and you're all acting like fucking babies. Grow the fuck up. They obviously didn't want to go into this line of business but no, we forced them to go off to college and study something they didn't want to do now they have become exotic dancers. They wanted to escape from us because we drove them away." He turned to his daughter and the woman who was like his other daughter. "Ming, Cindy. I am so sorry for their behaviour. They may not change their mind any time soon but just know that I love you both very very much. I just hope you stay safe and keep in contact with me at least."

Ming and Cindy shared a look. It was as if Paul has been waiting to say that for a very long time. He was always there for all four of the girls. Every competition, every game, he was there. He was like all of their fathers that loved them unconditionally and in this moment of their life, they needed his unconditional love.

Paul stood up and made his way over to Ming and Cindy. "Come on." He held open his arms and the girls ran straight into them. He kissed both of their heads. "I am so proud of you both."

"But we haven't even done anything." Cindy said in his chest.

He shocked his head. "Doesn't matter. I am always proud of you."

Susan, Nora and Ken all looked at each other. They couldn't believe how easily Paul was to embrace them after all the time and money they invested in their children going off to have a good education to work for the same company they built. They were supposed to continue but no, they chose the pole.

The moment was cut off by the phone ringing.

"Yes." Nora answered quickly, happy that this moment was broken up.

"Your 11:30 is here." The voice told them.

"Good. Send them up." Ken instructed her and hung up.

Cindy's father pulled away from the girls with a sigh. "We'll catch up with you soon."

"Ok daddy." Cindy said. Paul heart swelled as he got flashbacks toddler Cindy calling him all the time. He missed those moments.

"Goodbye Ming."

"Goodbye parents."

"Bye Cynthia."

"Mother."

With that, Ming and Cindy left the room of their parents are made their way to the elevator.

Paul watched his daughters leave before turning back to his partners in life and business.

"You couldn't act more disgusting."

Ken rolled his eyes. "Their profession is disgusting."

Susan scoffed. "Profession. That's something to call it."

Paul shook his head and took his seat once again. They could really get on his nerves sometimes.

"Well... that went better than I thought. Pictured people flying across tables." Cindy smirked as she pressed the button so they could leave.

"At least one of your parents acknowledged you. I didn't get shit." Ming sighed frustratingly.

Cindy light shoved her. "Hey, don't worry too much about it. Toxic family members are not something we need so it's their problem if they don't want to change. Plus, my dad is your dad."

"Yeah I know."

Before they could continue their conversation, the elevator door opened but before they could step in, a group of people started making their way out. Ming and Cindy stepped to the side and watched all the men and women in suits step out.

Once it was empty, they tried to make their way inside.

"Um excuse me."

They turned to see two males in business attire like the others. They had dark hair, tanned, light brown eyes and bright, white smiles. Twins.

"Sorry to stop you, my name is Mason."

"And my name is Hunter."

They held out their hands.

Cindy and Ming shared a look before placing it into their hands which they simultaneously kissed.

"Ohh fancy." Cindy smirked.

"I don't believe we have seen you around her." Hunter said.

"Why would you?" Ming asked, forgetting all about holding open the elevator doors.

"Well, our father is partners with the CEO's so we are here quiet often and not many people come to this floor. You must be special." Mason observed.

"If the daughter of the CEO's means special." Cindy shrugged. "Then I guess we are."

They looked at them surprised.

"Daughters? I have never heard any mention of daughters." Hunter told them.

Ming rolled her eyes. "That's what we've been hearing."

"Hunter, Mason. The meeting is about to commence." A woman called from the door to the meeting room.

The twins sighed. "Well, business calls."

"I guess it does." Cindy smirked at them.

"But this is a business I am sure me and my brother would not like to miss." They pulled out their phones. "If you do us the pleasure of putting your numbers into our phones so we can find out more about the mystery daughters of Mr and Mrs Long-Dou and Mr and Mrs McPhearson."

Laughing, Ming took Hunter's phone while Cindy took Mason's. They quickly typed in their number before calling the elevator again.

The elevator came and the girls stepped in when the boys realised something.

"Wait! What's your names?"

"Check your phones!" Was the answer they gave before the doors closed.

Confused, they looked at the screen and saw 'Ming' and 'Cindy' with their numbers.

"Jackpot baby." Mason grinned as he high fived his twin.

"And that's how you do it." Hunter laughed as they made their way inside the room. It was going to be a long meeting but the girls were the only thing on their minds.


Royalty was out shopping on her own since Ming and Cindy went to see their parents and Jazmine was occupied with Jayden. Whenever she was alone, she would be deep in thought about how her life turned out. Her aunt came over from Jamaica to America in order for her to receive a better education and here she was: 23, a stripper, no man, no kids, nothing. She had no one in Woodcrest for her. She always blamed herself for the way Cindy, Ming and Jazmine's life turned out. They were never meant to be strippers, only Royalty.


The second year of college was starting up and Royalty was stressed. Jazmine, Cindy and Ming were all starting their third year since they all took a gap year to travel, work and volunteer and also so they could be closer to Royalty in school years. Her aunt had already moved back to Jamaica, deciding that America was not somewhere she wanted to live any longer so she was on her own.

They were in Chicago for college since Cindy loved Chicago Bulls and always wanted to go there and Ming just wanted to get away from her parents. Royalty and Jazmine didn't mind much about the location so they settled with Chicago. A lot of people thought they were crazy.

The 19-year-old sat in her room looking at all the bills she had. Her and the girls were renting their own apartment off campus but she still wanted to pull her weight with rent, groceries etc. Then she had the overall college to pay for and she could feel herself swimming in debt. She didn't want to worry her family so kept quiet and had just been fired from a local diner for punching a man unconscious because he groped her.

'Pig.' She rolled her eyes as she remembered watching his body slump in his seat.

She had no idea how she was going to pay for everything and she didn't want to worry the girls. They were busy living their best lives finally being 21 and drinking legally.

Royalty pulled out her phone and went on Instagram to distracted her stressful mind. That's when she came across a video and an idea popped into her head. After contemplating about it for a few minutes, she finally made up her mind, all she needed to do was wait for the rest to come home.

Jazmine, Ming and Cindy came back home an hour before midnight.

"Roy Roy! You're coming out tonight, we're going to sneak you in." Cindy said as she threw down some bags.

"We even brought you an outfit so they wouldn't look at you twice, even though you already look our age." Jazmine laughed.

When they didn't get a response, they all stopped and took a properly look to see a zoned-out Royalty sitting on the couch.

"Hey lil sis, why do you look stressed?" Ming looked at her with concern.

Royalty took a deep breath. "So, I got fired from the diner."

They gasped. "Why what happened?"

"Some stupid guy touched me so I punched the consciousness out of him and they fired me."

"That's some bullshit, it's the guys fault not yours." Jazmine crossed her arms in frustration.

"I know but now I need another job to help pay-"

"Baby girl you we done already told you, you don't need to worry about any of that shit." Cindy sat next to her.

"I don't want to be living off you all which is why... I am going to become a stripper." Royalty dropped on them. She said it easier than she thought.

"I'm sorry- Did I- You said- A stripper?!" Jazmine stuttered.

Royalty nodded. "Yeah look." She took out her phone and found the video she found earlier. It was a stripper sitting in a pool of money while her friend walked around with 5 stacks in her hands. "You see all this money? I can get money like that, I know I can. You've seen the way I dance, stripping will be nothing. Yeah I would need to show more skin but I'll be cool with it."

Ming raised an eyebrow. "Royalty. This isn't some walk in the park, this is stripping we're talking about."

Royalty nodded. "I know. The whole time you were gone I studied the pros and cons and the only way I can stay in college is by getting racks of money."

"You know we can help with tha-" Jazmine tried to say but Royalty cut her off.

"I love you guys!" She started off as she stood in the middle of the room, getting all of their attention. "But I can't accept all this hand out, I can't. You've guys have always taken care of me and made sure I never felt left out of your comfy, rich lifestyles. I really appreciate that. Now I'm an adult and need to figure and work shit out for myself. I don't want to be begging you for money when I can find a way to make some of my own. I'm going there tonight so the sooner I start, the sooner I can get my money."

They all starred at each other in silence and just allowed seconds to pass without saying anything. That's when Cindy spoke up first.

"Ite. Let's go."

"Huh?" Royalty looked confused.

"You said you going tonight so we're going tonight."

"You don't have to come with me." Royalty told her.

"First of all, you think I'm going to let you walk up into any club on your own you must be crazy. Second of all, I won't just be tagging along, imma be joining." Cindy said in determination.

Royalty looked at her shocked. "What?"

"And me." Ming stepped up.

"Me too." Jazmine smiled. She wasn't sure what she was signing up to but trusted her sisters judgement.

Royalty started getting emotional and shook her head. "You don't have to do this."

"We're doing it anyway." Ming smirked.

"But you don't need to stoop down to my level-"

"Girl if you chat shit about yourself again I will slap you across the face." Cindy joked.

Jazmine pulled Royalty into a hug. "Fuck the levels. We're all the same Roy Roy."

Royalty let the tears leave her eyes. "Did I ever tell you guys I love you?"

Ming and Cindy joined in with the hug. "I mean yeah."

"We love you too or whatever."

That night, they began to get ready, all nervous about what was going to happen.

"What was the name about the club again?" Jazmine asked as she applied on her makeup.

"The Blue Moon." Royalty answered as she done her edges.

"I guess that's a nice name." Ming shrugged as she strapped on her heels.

"You know what we forgot, our stripper names." Cindy half joked.

Royalty looked confused. "What do you mean our? You guys are serious?"

The other three girls laughed. "You're our baby sis, no way we were going to let you do something as crazy as this without us by your side."

"You don't have to-"

"But we are. Deal with it." Cindy lightly tapped her head making Royalty roll her eyes.

"So who got names picked out?" Ming questioned.

They all went quiet for a few seconds.

"What about a cartoon character?" Jazmine suggested.

"Like who?" Cindy pushed.

Jazmine sunk in her chair. "I have no clue."

"Countries? Actually no that's shit." Royalty frowned.

They sat there thinking for a while longer. Jazmine stared at herself in the mirror, trying to find an alter ego that was confident in her body. She looked down and her eyes travelled back up. That's when it hit her.

"My eyes." She whispered.

"Huh?"

Jazmine laughed. "My eyes! Everyone says my eyes look like emerald's so my name can be Emerald!"

Everyone nodded, liking that idea.

"I love diamonds so I can be Diamond."

"I love red so I can be Ruby."

"And I guess my eyes have been compared to sapphires every now and then so Sapphire it is."

They all looked at each other, pleased at what they have come up with.

"We're pretty fucking awesome if I do say so myself." Cindy commented making them all laugh.

"Right? Now let's roll out!" Royalty lead the group out the door and to the car they shared and went to the club, all holding different emotions.

As they walked inside, they were instantly met with loud music, men and half naked women.

"I never thought the day I attend a strip club was to be joining one." Ming said as she looked around.

"Well if you don't wanna do it, you don't have to. All I know is that Diamond is being made, tonight."

"And so will the rest. Sapphire is ready to shake this little amount of ass she got." Cindy smirked.

"People thought cheerleading would be useless. Emerald is about to pull out some cheerleading moves very soon."

Royalty shook her head as they began to walk to what looked like the manager's office. "You guys are crazy."

They walked to the office door and knocked.

"Come in!" They heard a male voice call out so they walked in. "Hello ladies, names Louis. How can I help you?" He grinned as he looked them up and down. He knew what they were here for, he just wanted to hear them say it.

"Hey... we were looking to work here." Jazmine spoke up first.

Louis smirked. "And your names?"

The girls all looked at each, this was the first time they would be testing out their names.

"Diamond."

"Sapphire."

"Ruby."

"Emerald."

Louis nodded in thoughts. "Good names, good names... you look good which is a plus but can you dance? There is no point in coming here looking to work and your ass can't shake something. Not going to get me much money by standing there."

Royalty crossed her arms. "What mi look like to you? Mi look like one poppy show?" She spoke in Patois.

Louis looked at her confused. "I take that as a yes... anyway. How about I give you a group name? I have a couple of group acts that have a group name and I know this group will stay in people's mouths... Gem's. Yeah. Everyone will call you Gem's as a collective. Got a nice ring to it." Louis looked proud of himself.

The girls couldn't deny that it did sound good. It worked out in their favour and still related to the names they picked out.

Royalty looked at her sisters. "I guess we're the Gems."

And from there, the rest is history.


Present

Royalty was pulled out of her daydream when she heard someone clear their throat next to her. She slowly turned her head and saw an older male that resembled the actor, Matthew McConaughey, a lot.

"Did you-?" She half questioned.

He looked around which made Royalty cautious. He gave her another look up and down before asking in a low voice, "You're Diamond, aren't you?"

'Oh he a creep. Got it.' She thought to herself. She turned to him.

"Possibly."

He chuckled which Royalty though sounded youthful. "Yeah you're defiantly are. That body and charisma is something that club needed and your brought that all in a matter of seconds on the stage."

Royalty smirked as she acted as if she was looking for clothes, wondering where this conversation was going. "I see you was there that night."

"Yeah and I was wondering if you were going to be there more often. I would actually be enjoying myself if I saw you there."

'Old man still got the moves I see.' She laughed in her head.

"Maybe I am. You paying?" She asked.

He shot her a smile. "For you? I'm willing to throw down a lot of money."

She pretended to be thinking. "Hmm I don't know... I might be rolling through there tonight."

"Then I guess I might be... rolling through too."

Royalty couldn't help but laugh out loud at his awkwardness of the phrase. "Ok Mr Silver."

"Ohh." He stepped closer to her. "I have never heard such a nickname... it leaving your lips sounds very alluring."

Royalty smirked. "You're a flirty one isn't you."

He shrugged. "Only when a beautiful woman like you is standing in front of me."

"Hm. Ok. Well, I found my outfit so I guess I'll be going..." She trailed off, wondering his name.

"You can call me Mr Silver."

She held out her hand for him to shake, instead, he planted a quick but soft kiss on her brown skin.

"And you can call me Diamond."

"Or... I can call you my sugar baby."

Her eyes grew wide, shocked. "I'll see you tonight." With that, he turned and walked out the store, not purchasing anything.

Royalty felt a piece of paper in her hand and found his number written on it. He was smooth with it, she never even realised it.

'Damn... am I... getting a sugar daddy?' She asked herself confused as she made her way to pay for her items. 'Where the fuck was you in college?!' She screamed in her head.

She walked out the store, now excited about what tonight was going to hold for her. She was about to get paid.


"Ok. How do I look?" Jazmine did a 360 turn in front of her friends.

"Sexy."

"Hot."

"Fine as hell."

Were the answers she got.

Jazmine wore a brown, thin strapped dress that had a deep V-line paired with white, lace up heels. She spent the last few hours maintaining her curls the best she could in order to keep it all out natural. She also still wore the necklace Huey had given her that set in the perfect space on her chest. However, for the first time in a very long term, she didn't think about him.

"I feel like you always got these fancy ass dates while I'm going to be out here shaking my ass to get money." Royalty joked.

"Word sis. This hoe trifling." Cindy agreed.

"Ay Cin, don't get too jelous. That might be us soon with them twins." Ming nudged her.

"What twins?" Jazmine questioned.

"Well you know how we told you what went down with our parents. As we were leaving these twins stopped us and asked for our numbers and we been texting for the whole day. They kinda cute or whatever."

"And you just going to leave that out?"

Cindy shrugged. "It's not that serious."

"Yet." Royalty added.

"Whatever."

They heard Jazmine's phone go off and she read the text. "Jayden's here, I'll see you guys later."

"If you gonna stay to fuck let us know bitch!" Cindy shouted to her as she made her way out.

"Alright!" Jazmine shouted back.

She made her way downstairs and saw him leaning on his car in navy-blue trousers and a black shirt that was open at the top.

"You cleaned up nice Jayden Giovanni Russo." Jazmine nodded as she looked him up and down.

"Oh you remember my middle name. And you, Jazmine Aaliyah Dubious, is looking mighty fine in that skin tight dress you have on." He complemented her. He held open the car door for her. "After you."

"Such a gentlemen." Jazmine smiled as she stepped into his car.

Jayden jogged to the driver's seat before driving away from the hotel and to the restaurant he had chosen.

It didn't take long for them to pull up to a fancy restaurant that Jazmine remembered.

"My parents always came here." She said out loud.

Hearing that made Jayden nervous. "Oh is it? Interesting." Before Jazmine could question why he was so nervous, he jumped out the car to run around and hold the door open for her.

'Why he acting so weird?' Jazmine thought but decided to say nothing and just let him lead her inside.

"Hi, we have a reservation under the name Russo." He told the waitress.

"Right this way." He led them through the large restaurant to somewhere around the back.

As they walked closer to the table that's when Jazmine's eyes laid on the table that had two seats occupied and two seats empty.

"You have to be fucking kidding me." She cursed, not carrying if people were looking at her strange.

"Come on Jazmine." Jayden went to reach for her arm but she pulled away.

"Jayden did you set this up?" He had the same nervous facial expression. "I can't fucking believe you."

Jayden reached out for Jazmine again but this time she didn't pull away which he was grateful for. "Come on JD. We're already here, we might as well stay and enjoy our meal. As soon as we leave, we can go back to my place."

'Yeah you wish.' She rolled her eyes.

"Fine but I will run the bill up. Fucking around with me." Jazmine stomped towards the table leaving Jayden shocked. Chicago and her friends have definitely influenced her attitude.

The other people stood up with wide eyes.

"Hello Jazmine."

"Mother. Father." Jazmine aggressively sat down, making the two and Jayden sit down awkwardly.

Sarah and Tom DuBois sat in front of their daughter they hadn't seen in about 5 years. They still looked the same but they couldn't say the same about Jazmine. She certainly turned into a stunning young woman.

The table was silent for a good 10 minutes. The only time they talked was when they ordered food and drinks, which Jazmine made sure she got something pricey.

The food came out and they all ate but theirs eyes were glued on Jazmine. She ate as if they were no one there. Feeling the eyes on her for too long, she looked up from her food.

"What?"

Sarah cleared her throat. "It's good to see you Jazmine."

"I guess it's good to see you too mother."

"We've missed you."

"Then how comes you never called me?" She asked them, giving them her full attention now.

"It was kind of hard for us to accept the daughter we raised was getting naked in front of men." Tom told her.

Jazmine scoffed. "You barely raised me. Most of the time you were around you argued."

"That's in the past now Jazmine. We want to build a relationship again, we've missed so much." Sarah said to her daughter.

That's when Jazmine noticed the worried look on their face as they started at her... more like her cheek.

Gripping her fork, she slowly turned her head to Jayden.

"Did you tell them?"

Jayden wanted to shrink into his chair but sat tall. "Yes."

"Jayden!"

"They needed to know Jazmine! Their only daughter nearly died because she got caught up with some gang leaders' business. They deserve to know the reason their daughter had to suddenly come back."

"No they didn't." Jazmine screwed her eyes at him.

Silence fell over the group again before Sarah broke it once more.

"That's a cute necklace Jazmine."

Jazmine smiled. "Thanks. My gang leader boyfriend gave it to me. Pretty right?"

They all looked at her shocked.

'Boyfriend?! Jazmine never said they were going out. She may be lying just to piss of her parents. Either way, that necklace has to go.' Jayden thought as he sipped his wine.

"Don't you think you should throw it away after everything he did to you?" Tom questioned his daughter.

'Yes Tom.' Jayden smiled.

Jazmine screwed her nose. "Nah I'm good."

Jayden's smile dropped. 'What a boy gotta do to get her to forget about him?'

"Jazmine. We're trying here. We want you back in our lives. We miss you. We want you to go back to college, become a doctor you always wanted to be or even a lawyer. We will even let you become a vet like how you wanted when you were 9. You can work part time at our firm so you don't have to be naked all the time. We can do some shopping for that too, I love the dress but it's a bit much." Sarah suggested.

Jazmine looked at her in disbelief before bursting out in laughter.

"What's funny?" Tom asked confused.

"You really think I need a fucking hand out?"

"Jazmine." Jayden tried to interrupt her.

"Nah Jayden you shut the fuck up and stay out of this since you can't mind your own fucking business, I have to tell you time mind your own." She turned back to her stunned parents. "I done told you I am not going back to college. Money can't buy me. I don't give a fuck that you cut me off. Cindy don't give a fuck her parents cut her off, Ming doesn't give a fuck that her parents cut her off. We don't give a fuck. Money can't buy my love. I'm not that scared little girl who would burst out crying over dumb shit. I am a grown ass woman who can make her own fucking decisions."

"Jazmine they just want the best for you." Jayden tried to tell her.

"Nah nah. Throwing money at me won't make me love them like I used to. I mean, I don't love the customers that throw money at me and they throw a lot." Jazmine smirked at how uncomfortable the table got.

"Jazmine Aaliyah DuBois. I don't know what has gotten into you but you need to stop! You need to act like a lady and get a real job and settle down. Jayden right here is perfect for you. He will be the perfect husband and father and you know that." Tom tried to set up which Jayden was actually glad to hear.

Jazmine rolled her eyes. "Listen. You all just need to stop and let me do me."

"That's the problem Jazmine." Sarah started. "We have and look at where we have ended up. You've had to run back to Woodcrest because a drug dealer in Chicago got you kidnapped and beaten by his enemy. You were always too gullible."

Jazmine was taken back and she began to tear up. "You know what. I can't. I don't need this negativity in my life. Like you just said, I was just kidnapped and beaten. I thought I was going to be fucking abused and killed only a few days ago. I've been through a lot and I don't need you both, wait, you three, talking to me like I'm a dumb bitch because I am not. I am a grown woman." Jazmine stood up. "You know, at least Huey didn't talk down at me because of what I did. He saw the grown, strong woman I am and I know he began to love me the way I began to love him." She finally confessed. She was shocked that she admitted it and out loud but it felt right to say.

With tears falling down her face, Jazmine left the frozen table and made her way outside, already pulling out her phone to call her an Uber. This was not how to imagined her night ending but she was ready to go home and cry into her pillow.

As she sat in the car, she thought back to the moment their parents found of they were strippers.


Five years ago

*Ring*

"Hm."

*Ring*

'Just stop ringing.' Jazmine thought as she stuffed her head into the pillow.

*Ring*

This time, it sounded louder.

"Ugh!" She moaned. She flipped over and grabbed her phone. She quickly looked at the time and saw it was only 9am and her mother was calling. She answered the call half awake. "Hello?"

"Jazmine! What is the meaning of this?!"

"Daddy?" She questioned, more awake now.

"Don't you daddy me! Jazmine what the fuck are these pictures?!" He screamed down the phone.

Jazmine sat up. "What photos?" Her heart began to race.

"Look at your messages!"

So she did.

There, she saw 10 different pictures of her, Cindy, Ming and Royalty all working at the strip club. It was them dancing on stage and on different customers in their revelling outfits with money stuffed in different places. She couldn't believe it. Who took these pictures?

"Who took these pictures?" Jazmine asked in disbelief.

"Never mind who took them! Jazmine what are you doing? You know how embarrassing it is to us, to see our daughter half naked in front of these men! We raised you better than this!" Her mother screamed.

"Mom, I'm sorry. I was just helping out a friend."

"What friend? Royalty? Why don't you just let her ass go instead of letting her degrade yourself for money. My child shouldn't be doing this!"

Jazmine looked shocked. They loved Royalty. "Mom, dad. I know you're angry-"

"Furious!"

"But it's not her fault! You can't blame her for this."

"Yes we can! And we don't need a whore as a daughter dragging our name and image through the mud!"

Jazmine began to tear up. "Mom. You don't mean that."

"We mean it Jazmine. Fix this or never hear from us, we're cutting you off until then." Tom told his daughter before hanging up.

Jazmine didn't wait and instantly ran out her room, shocked. Cindy and Ming looked as if they were about to run to her room.

"Did your parents call too?" Ming asked. Jazmine nodded.

"My parents, well, mother said she's going to cut me off. My dad tried to reason with her but she said no." Cindy explained.

"My parents cussed me out in Mandarin for a good 10 minutes. Also saying they will never talk to be as long as I do what I do." Ming crossed her arms frustratingly.

"Same here." Jazmine took a deep breath. "You know what, fuck them. We're adults now, we can work something out."

Royalty had stepped out of her room eventually, scared about all the ruckus.

"I'm sorry..." She whispered tearfully.

"Oh Roy Roy." Jazmine sighed before they all gave her a group hug. "It's not your fault."

"But it is! Your parents wouldn't be angry with you if you weren't such good friends."

"Sorry if you think imma let my home girl walk up in a strip joint on her own and do it by herself. That's now how we roll." Cindy told her.

"I meaaannn did I really want to study architecture." Ming laughed.

"For real thou. We sleep most the time. Just there for attendance."

"I'm not going to lie. I do have a lot of respect for doctors but I don't think I can do it. It's too much for me." Jazmine said nervously.

Royalty sighed. "Same here... so what we gonna do?"

They all looked at each other. "I guess we're just gotta go with the flow."


That morning changed their life forever. They were independent and on their own and they surprising adapted well. They got the freedom they were looking for and collectively agreed to drop out of college, making their parents extra mad but they did what they wanted to do.

Jazmine stared out the window, watching the nightlife of Woodcrest creeping out. The kidnapping had changed them all, she knew that. They may be acting like their normal selves but something was going to change and she didn't know what. She knew that none of them were prepared for it. No one was every going to be the same after what they experienced and witnessed. She just wished that there was someone other than her girls that she could talk to. Yes, they were going through something similar but she needed a new perspective but a therapist just sounded like a waste of time. She was going to have to find another way around it.

She sighed. She really wasted a good outfit... At least she got a free meal out of it.


At The Wild Tiger

"Damn. It's been so long since I have had your weed." Cindy coughed as she passed the blunt to Ed.

"I know you ain't had shit like this. This the good shit." He laughed.

Cindy shrugged. "I mean it's good but Chicago had that good good."

"You saying it like you fucked the drug dealer." Ed and Rummy began to laugh until they noticed she wasn't. "Damn you did?"

She sighed as she took another pull. "You could say that."

"Your ass always said drug dealers weren't shit yet you fucked one. That's cold Cynthia." Ed laughed but stopped when Cindy punched him in the arm.

"You know better than to be calling me fucking Cynthia. Stupid ass bitch."

"Whatever. I wanna get high high." Ed reached into his draw and pulled out a bag of white pills.

"Woah. You on pills now. You said those were for pussies."

"That was back in the day. These motherfuckers sell good." Rummy popped two in his mouth while Ed took three.

"You wanna try one?" Ed held a handful out in front of her.

Cindy shook her head. The most drugs her and her friends agreed on was weed but it couldn't be that bad right? Ed and Rummy have been taking drugs for years and they were still standing.

"But I got work."

"Man fuck that shit. I'll pay you for the shit you missed." Ed told her, the handful of pills still in front of her.

Cindy took a deep breath. Was she really going to do it? I mean, it really couldn't be that bad right? Everyone did this.

'But everyone is dying from it Cynthia.' The angel lectured her.

'Fuck that shit. Take that motherfucking pill like the bad bitch you are. You are that bitch aren't you?' The devil hyped her.

'Yeah! I am that bitch!' Cindy thought before grabbing a pill and swallowing straight.

Rummy laughed. "Let the night begin."


Ruby was serving drinks as normal but today was starting out very slow. She was scrolling on her phone but nothing was interesting expect from the text from Jazmine saying she was back at the hotel. She was interested to why her night ended so abruptly but would wait until after work. For now, she had to find a way to entertain herself.

"You know what would make the night go quicker." A blue haired bartender started.

"What?" Ruby turned to her confused but she also gave an answer.

"If you had something to drink." She shook a bottle of Grey Goose making Ruby look at her strange.

"You drink on the job?"

She shrugged. "Shit be slow sometimes, it's what gets the blood pumping." She poured the liquor into two shot glasses. "You game?"

Ruby didn't even think before backing the liquor, letting it burn a throat. "Another."

The blue haired girl laughed. "I knew I liked you." She said as she took her own shot before filling the glasses back up for round two which Ruby happily took. It wasn't her last shot for the night.


Diamond was fixing her make up when one of the girls came up to her.

"You got a customer. Number 5." Then walked away.

'Weird ass girl.' Diamond thought. She took a once over at her skin tight outfit and plastered a smile on her face before walked to the room she was called to.

That's when she saw him again. Mr Silver.

"I told you I will see you again." He smirked at her shocked look.

"I guess I should have listened." She laughed as she walked over to him.

She played some music and did her usual. Dance in front of him, dipping low, looking at him like she wanted to fuck him, the usual.

"I've been waiting for a text from you all day."

"Been busy old man."

Her chuckled. "Come onn. I'm not that old and I can still get down with the kids."

Diamond made her face. "Yeah, definitely not old."

Her time was up and she made her way towards the door when she felt his hands on her arm.

"Wait." She stopped but didn't turn to look at him. "I know them young boys don't treat you as good as I can treat you. You don't even have to give me that sexy body of yours, just give me some of your time and attention and I will treat you good." Mr Silver pulled a stack of money out from nowhere and placed it in her hands. She weighed it.

'He just dropped 1K in my hand.' Years of stripping allowed her to count money based on the weight and the note, they all learned how to.

She thought about it for a second. A sugar daddy would sound nice and Mr Silver wasn't bad. He wasn't her type but she always knew she would catch a rich, white man's attention who would splash money on her. This could work in her favour.

"I'll text you later." Diamond stroked his faced before strutting out the room, making sure his eyes stayed glued to her until she was completely out of sight.

'A bitch gonna be rich! Well, richer.' She did an evil laugh out loud which even scared herself. She was going to enjoy herself.


My longest chapter yet. We love it really. New chapter for T&T will be dropping next week, I'll make sure of it.

Chel29: Mackenzie is just a female Riley tbvh and Huey doesn't know what he's doing.

malevolentedge: I always deliver

RabbitMelody: Hasn't he always lowkey been a hoe?

BoondocksFever234: Trust me, that nightmare scene creeped me out and OG was never going to die, he wouldn't let a little roughness kill him. And you're right about Huey and Anthony. Anthony maybe a year old but Huey has been through it all which makes him seem as if he is the oldest. Is Huey Freeman really Huey Freeman without him being stubborn? And the I really tried with the fight scenes to give them their own little moments and honestly enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Mackenzie is defo a female Riley and I wonder if you will love Raven even more in this chapter. AND YES. I can't believe you have been leaving us hanging on Silent Beauty. I need my Juey moments now that the secrets are out. I hope to see that soon loool.

Just wanted to quickly add RIP Kobe & Gianna and all those that died. It was something no one expected to hear and they will be missed.

Until next time

-TBG