Tired of him blowing up my phone, I texted him that I was still attending the dinner, leaving out the fact I was bringing Bayou with me.

"Fuck is to him." I rolled my eyes as if he could see me through texts.

"Okay I'm out of the shower." Bayou's voice boomed through my bedroom. She was in a towel and bath slippers. We decided it was best she just get ready here instead of wasting gas to pick her up from the halfway house.

"Aight. I hope you ain't use all the hot water." I groaned.

"Oh. Okay give it like thirty minutes before you get in." She cheeses heirs giving me a thumbs up and walking into the guest bedroom.

"Whatever." I chuckled flipping through my notes on my Ipad. I was checking over a new plan book for new locations for my restaurant in New York and I had to send it in my five. So far everything seemed well enough and all I could really do was pray everything goes smooth. I clicked the send button before releasing a deep breath I didn't know I was holding.

"There. Now that's out of the way lemme get ready." I waited thirty minutes to get into the shower and I was currently shaving my armpits when a knock sounded on the door.

"Yes?"

"Can I borrow those purple heels you showed me earlier?"

"Yeah it's right there on the floor as soon as you open my closet."

"Okay thanks."

After I finished tidying up in the shower I brushed my teeth and naired my face ridding any hairs from keeping my face smooth looking.

"Wow, that dress is really making your legs pop." I complimented her in her mini purple dress.

"Thanks."

"What you have there?" I questioned her when I saw her holding something square and paper-like.

"I remember this day." She showed me a picture of Cato and I double dating with her and CantGetRight.

"Where'd you find this?" I grabbed the picture from her. The both of us were smiling with our men while they mugged the camera.

"It was inside your heel." She held up the purple stiletto. I sighed, shaking my head.

"Justyce. She's at the age where she can't keep her hands off of things. You alright?" I looked over at her holding her stomach.

"I don't think I can do this. Yeah I think I'll just go back home." She nervously spoke.

"Hell no. You're going to go. If William has a problem he can take it up with the restaurant owner. What he gone do kick you out?"

"You're right. I-it's just I did him so dirty. I could've given it to him. I-" she closed her eyes shut. "I could've given him AIDS Jayda. I was so selfless and stupid. I know for sure I'm damaged goods to him now."

"If we're being honest he wasn't good for you before AIDS."

"Yeah, but he was good to me. I know it sounds stupid, but he treated me like I was the only girl who could call him by his government name. He told me he loved me and we were going to have kids, well more of his kids. I felt like I had a special access to his heart and Lord knows he still has mine even though I hate it." She broke herself down in front of me. Some of what she said got me thinking about Cato. I did at one point feel like I had a special access to his heart and mind.

"Hey enough about him. All you can really do now is try to forgive him and hopefully he forgives you too. And let's make it a goal for you to outshine his current chick of the week. She's not all that." I gave her a heads up on his girlfriend of the week. She friended me on Instagram and she's just like the other Instagram models.

"I have to give it to you, you always were the best dressed out of the both of us."

"Thank you very much." I said in an Elvis Presley voice. I looked good.

I decided against wearing a dress and settled for a brown scrunched mini skirt and black long sleeve bodysuit that allowed me to show cleavage. I accessorized the fit with my cheetah print YSL belt, earrings, fedora, clutch and thigh high boots. My 28 inch hair was in tight black crimps and I settled for lipgloss and lashes. I got my brows and nails done earlier in the week. (styledbyjovon_ •)

"Reservation for a party of twenty."

"Right this way boss. Would you like someone to take your coat?"

"No thanks." The man nodded before guiding us to the long oval shaped table. It was a fancy place and had many attractive scenes inside like the fish tank walls and the glass floor.

"I know that ain't Jayda?"

"Jayda!" I smiled at my name being called from multiple people at the table. I said hi to everyone before Cato stood to his feet and stood in front of me.

"You made it."

"Yeah I guess I did considering we're standing here talking." He chuckled, showing off his white teeth.

"Always a smartass." I smiled. "So we can't hug each other anymore?"

"Remember where hugging got us the last time." I mumbled. I pulled him into a hug anyway. I could feel him rubbing my back during our hug where Alexis couldn't see.

"My boy a dog. Woof woof." Herb whispered.

"Damn you can let her go now Cato she ain't going nowhere. Oops my bad!" CantGetRight laughed obnoxiously while the others joined. I pulled away quickly before Herb shook up with me, always the oddball.

"Wassup?" I smiled when Cato acknowledged Bay.

"Hey Cato." I spotted the round faced girl coming back from what I'm guessing was the bathroom.

"Ari, it's been so long." I embraced her in a hug.

"I know you look great. Just because big ass Cato is a cheater doesn't mean we can't hang out."

"You're right. I missed you girl."

"My daughter Yomii wants to do a playdate with Justyce, do you mind?"

"Of course I don't mind, we'll set a date." I assured her.

"Aight. Herb what the fuck man?" She got mad when he rubbed his black sleeve against her cheek, rubbing some of her makeup off.

"Damn my bad I was reaching for the biscuit don't kill me."

"So where will we be sitting?"

"Right here." Cato, Quart and MadMan spoke simultaneously. I raised a brow looking at the three with an empty chair next to them. I looked at Cato who was looking at the two of them like they were crazy.

"I'll just sit there." I pointed to the seat next to MadMan. He looked more handsome than he used to be. Maybe because his dreads were freshly retwisted.

"MadMan, how you been Mr. Mouse?" I called him that because his ass was practically a mute.

"Aye watch out. I been good. And you can call me Malcolm. We are back as a family."

"Mhm where was family when I was getting cheated on?" I jokingly raised a brow.

"Man listen I was getting my own freak on I wasn't no where near that nigga and Al-" he was cut off by William clearing his throat. I squinted my eyes at him trying to cover for Cato.

"So Bay where you been?"

"Out and about. You know life." She took a sip of water.

"Yeah you better drink that damn water your system probably depends on it dirty ass."

"I didn't come here for all of that William." she looked down mumbling.

"It's CantGetRight to you. Infected ass." I started to say something, but she put her hand on my shoulder to stop me from going any further.

"I got this Jay. William I don't care what went down between us, but I will not sit here and let you try to bully me. Yes I have AIDS and I almost gave it to CantGetRight. Yes I am walking around with one foot in the grave. Happy? Is there anything else you have to say that you can embarrass me with now?" Bayou spoke her peace before dinner even started. I was taken back. I didn't expect her to say all that.

"Shit. Good luck." He nodded before looking away and snapping his fingers at the waitress.

"That's what I'm talking about. Beat him at his own game." I whispered in her ear.

"Thank you for convincing me to come." She smiled, squeezing my hand under the table.

We were eating the foods of our choice and so far I was really enjoying myself. The energy was so right, even with Alexis sitting her mad face there. From the looks of it Cato was barely talking to her ass. He kept trying to make conversation with me through talking about Justyce, but I kept shutting him down.

"Alexis, where you say you are from again?" Ari asked with a face.

"Ari." Herb warned her.

"No cause what the fuck is she here for nobody like her ass." I overheard her mumble to Herb.

"I'm from Miami. That's actually where God decided to reconnect me and Cato once more." That's when it clicked. Red slowly began to take over my vision. It was like I was looking through a red filter.

Miami.

Miami.

Miami.

"Oh so you two met in Miami." I raised a brow clenching the butter knife in my palm and cut through my steak.

"Yes we did indeed. Hit off just like that." She snapped her fingers giggling before planting a kiss on his cheek. He cleared his throat, straightening his posture because he felt me glaring stab wounds through his face. "Best day of my life." She smirked.

"I thought we were here to celebrate, not play 21 questions." Will muttered resting his arm behind his date Kenya's chair.

"Nah nah I'd like to hear more about the beginning, well the recurrence of this beautiful relationship. Continue Alexis." I urged focusing all my attention on the lovely pair. The beautiful couple.

"He was there on a business trip. I saw him in the vip section, so I invited him upstairs." She kept her eyes on me as if she were sizing me up.

"Mhmm keep talking." I let out a laugh.

"We kissed and sparks flew." she made flutter fingers. I sniggered. "It was love at first sight. Again." She laughed.

"You dirty dog." I blurted out, staring at his side profile with disbelief.

"Excuse me?" She scoffed.

"Aye watch out." I swatted my hand at her. I looked straight past her and glared into Catora wide eyes.

"You are so trifling. You're unbelievable." I spat. He sighed, throwing down the napkin in his hand. Yeah because he knows I'm about to get in his ass.

"Jayda, just talk to me, don't overdo it."

"So you didn't think it was important to tell me this was the bitch you destroyed your family for?" Alexis clapped her hands laughing.

"Yup! He told me he had a bitch. I didn't care and I sucked his dick." She kept talking. "We went to a hotel and we fucked. And here we are. High school sweethearts. Boom." She laughed bouncing up and down in her chair clapping her hands. Is this bitch five?

"Alexis bro shut the fuck up."

"And no condom was used. He paid for the abortion. I think that tops having his black card." She smirked licking her cracked ass lips. My heart dropped through my ass.

"Bitch fuck you." I flipped a plate onto her lap causing her fork to fly up and hit her in the face. She gasped and I stood up and she stood up and before I knew it a drink hit my chest ruining my dress. I leaped across the wide table yanking her by her weave before sending punches directly into her face.

"Stop playing with me bitch." I talked in between my punches delivered to her face and head.

"Yeah get that bitch Jayda. She's been trying you." Bay and Ari cheered me on.

"Jayda lemme explain. Chill out. Jayda stop!" Cato's masculine hands removed my grip from her head, which was a mistake on his end because I started to send blows to his face too clearly, catching him off guard.

"I hate you Catora. I wish I never met you bitch!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. I was hurt. I couldn't help my feelings. I just felt like he could've been dating any other girl, but not the bitch he cheated on me with. He finally pushed me a good distance away from him trying to feel his eye for blood. I took that as the opportunity to throw a plate of salmon at his face. "I hope you die!"

"Dayum Cato you gone let her beat yo ass like that?" Herb instigated.

"Herbert shut hypocritical ass up you already pissed me off for the night." Ari told him.

"Shut up you don't mean that shit." Cato disregarded me trying to wipe the food off his face. He came closer to me trying to take my hands in his, but I swung on him again. I kept replaying her words over and over in my head. He got this bitch pregnant too.

"Bitch ass nigga. I hate you." I beat his head in until I felt myself being picked up.

"I hate you so much Cato! You make me sick!" I fought as hard as I could to get out of his hold as he carried me through the restaurant over his shoulder. I pounded my fists against his back and bit on his shoulder blade before he put me down and shoved me into his car.

"No. Let me out before I kill you."

"No, we gotta talk about what just happened." He spoke calmly over my yelling. I tried kicking out his windows, but it was no use. I think they were bulletproof.

"I don't wanna hear none of that shit. You are forever be a liar. You told me you didn't fuck that bitch." I smacked him one good hard time causing his head to jerk to the side. He balled his lips up like he was preventing himself from hitting me back.

"Jayda Ima only tell you this once, keep yo motherfucking hands to yourself before I have to beat your ass in this ca'."

"Nigga I don't give a flying fuck. You really bagged the bitch that partook in breaking us up? You could've bagged any other bitch, but you chose her. You putcho' seed in her? I wanna break your face in right now. You are trifling and you are to never come around me or my daughter again. If you see me on the street, do not look my way." I moved my hands around getting my post across. I could slowly hear my voice going away and getting hoarse.

"I didn't fuck her."

"How can I believe you? You're a liar. You take me for a joke, but when I stab me a nigga everything not gone be funny no more. Let me outta this bitch!" I yanked on the door handles.

"I always loved you and you know I still do. Everything she said I told you already and the other shit she just made up in her head. I'm telling you the truth."

"Fuck you Cato! I hate you. You make my head hurt and I can't take it anymore. You know what? We can never be friends."

"Stop saying that shit Jayda before I really smack the fire outta you. You're saying shit you don't mean at this point." He shook his head like he was disappointed before putting the car into drive.

"Oooh I hate you! Where the fuck are you taking me?"

"We going home."

"Home? Nigga I have a home and you have home. Those are two separate places."

"I still love you."

"Would you stop it? You don't love me. If you did you wouldn't have hurt me the way you did. And you wouldn't have lied to me."

"You don't think I know that shit? That shit eats me up everyday. I think about how powerful we'd be together by now and by now we'd be married. You'd be my wife Jayda. Is you listening?" I didn't respond. "You'd be my fucking wife. Mrs. Sullivan. But I can't help but to think if I didn't do what I did, would you even be in the position you're in right now. You set! You set for life! Your daughter is set for life, she is good! Maybe this is just how our story goes!"

"No." I shook my head refusing to listen to his thoughts about our story.

"Yes Jayda think about it."

"No this is not how my love story goes. My love story goes how it's supposed to go. No cheating and lies. And I'm going to get that one day and it won't be with you that's for damn sure."

"You really mean that?"

"I mean that Cato." My voice cracked. He clenched his jaw staring straight ahead at the road.

"So erm, that means you don't love me anymore?"

If I tell him I'll alway love him he'll think he still has a chance and everything that's happening is just going to repeat over and over again. But if I tell him I don't, he just might drive us over this bridge, hell I'll probably jump out the car my damn self.

"Tell me you don't love me. Then I'll let you go. I'll leave you alone. I'll leave you and Justyce alone forever. I won't show my face, I won't be there to hurt you anymore. I'll move out of the country if that makes you happy! Just tell me you don't love me anymore, then I'll know it's real."

Turning my head so he wouldn't see me crying I looked out the window at the river of water under the bridge. That's how much tears I have left and I'll cry them out tonight when I get home. I slowly turned my head towards him driving. I didn't see anyone else, but him making me happy. I guess that's my problem, I didn't see anyone else.

"I don't love you anymore." Those five venomous words escaped my lips. I really tried looking away to keep from seeing his vulnerable emotion, but I dared to look at him to savor my last moments in his presence.

"Aight." Was his last words before he busted a U-turn in the middle of the bridge, but somehow, when he was turning, a car was coming at us at full speed. It all happened so fast, but it's like I saw it all happen in slow motion. Cato tried getting us out of the way, but it was too late. The damage had been done. Now we were both hurt physically and mentally.

Last thing I remember before blacking out was his hand clenching tightly onto mine before Cato's body went flying through the windshield and me watching him from inside the falling truck. And there was nothing we could do to save each other.

I take it back. I take it all back.

I love you Cato.

Hating you is the very last thing my heart is able to do.

💕

-Once again, college is kicking my ass. I have a D in statistics so I'm tryna get this funky ass grade up.

-But RIP Von man🥺

-Can't wait to get my first tattoo with my friends before the year over🤪I been holding off since the summer bc I'm a scary cat.

-Tattoo pain 1-10?

-2020 ain't shit and needs to be removed from the calendar

-Cliffhanger🤣

💕