"It's not about what you did, Nene. It's about control. Gates wants to control. He sees you as a way to get to me." Kentrell's voice was low, filled with a mix of anger and frustration.
Serenity looked up at him, her eyes wide and filled with fear. "But why you? Why does he hate you so much?"
Kentrell paused, the weight of the past pressing down on him. "It's a long story, but it goes way back. Gates and I, we used to be close. We were like brothers. But things changed. We had different paths, different choices. He think he can own me and control me and ion allow it."
Serenity reached up, placing a gentle hand on his cheek. "So you don't let him bitch you and he's mad? Childish."
He covered her hand with his, feeling a warmth that he hadn't felt in a long time. "I aint bitch, ion got a single drop of bitch in me." He said as they both smiled.
The room fell silent for a moment, the only sound being the faint hum of the city outside. "I've been thinking," Serenity said softly, breaking the silence. 
"Maybe we should leave town for a while. Just until this blows over."
Kentrell's grip tightened on her hand. "No. Leaving won't solve anything. Gates will just find another way to get to you.."
"Ion run from my problems... but maybe you can." He said starting to think about moving her out. 
"But what if staying here puts you in more danger?" Serenity's voice trembled slightly. "I don't want anything to happen to you because of me."
Kentrell shook his head. "Let me figure it out, ite? Give me some time." There was a determination in his voice that gave Serenity a sense of hope, a feeling that maybe, just maybe, they could get through this. She nodded, "Okay."
Kentrell leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. "You pretty."
Serenity blushed before pressing her lips onto his, "Than never leave me." 
"Ian going no where." Kentrell responded as Serenity sat up as Kentrell helped her on his lap, leaning his back on the wall as she looked at him.
"If you leave out my life I don't think I will be able to shake back like I did when you came." She said honestly making Kentrell move her braid from out of her face, laying it behind her shoulder.
"Ion care if you wit' someone else ina future, ima be in yo life forever. Until you tell me to leave." He said making her smile.
"I love you." She said making him look up, into her brown eyes that glistened. 
"Oh yea?" He smirked, wrapping his arms around her waist as she nodded. "But do you love me?" 
"I love you with everything in me Ne." He responded in the most serious and genuine tone that she knew he was telling the truth.
"Happy one month Kentrell." She said making him smile.
"Happy anniversary mama." He kissed her cheek before she laid him down on the bed, straddling his lap.
"I got you some by the way." He said as he rested his head on her pillow, adjusting himself with her still on top.
He began pulling a longer box out of his pocket, putting it on his chest. "More jewelry? No." She smiled and he began opening it for her.
She snatched it out his hands making him laugh as she opened it herself. She opened the box slowly, revealing a diamond pendant that matched his and a chain. She closed it immediately, her mouth opened in absolute shock.