Last Call to Love TAke 2

Ari tells Sarik that she wants to prioritize him in her life and has given up her illegal activities. Sarik reassures her that he has changed and wants to prove it to her. Ari, however, is tired of waiting for him to change and wants stability, which she believes Sarik cannot provide. She mentions having a good man already and leaves, but Sarik promises to keep trying and declares his love for her. She crossed her arms over her chest and rapidly tapped her heels on the pavement while giving me an, I'm listening to you nigga, look, I know I told you a million times how much I want to change, and this last bid has made me realize that I have to make you a priority in my life. So I finally listened to your complaints and took them into consideration and have given up my entire operation. Ari, I have enough money stacked up, so taking care of you is no longer an issue. Baby, what I plan to do is remove every worry, wipe away every tear you shed to show to you and prove to you how much you mean to me. Ari cocked her head and then shook it. Sarik, how often have you begged and asked me for one more chance? 50, 1100 of them? She responded in a sharp tone with a frown coating her lips. I sighed heavily, taking in her response while clenching my jaw tightly. I know, Ari, damn, I fucking know I've said this before, but babe. I grabbed her hand and smiled back at her, letting out a breath when she didn't pull her hand back. I continued this time staring intensely into her eyes. I really have changed, and I want to put it into motion so you can see how much I've changed, boo. Why can't you listen to me and find out how much I've changed? Don't you think our relationship is worth saving? I asked, questioning her while awaiting what could have been a painfully obvious answer. Opening and closing her mouth, she pulled her hand back. Teary eyes and her voice choked up with tears. Ari uttered, Sarik, you probably have made strides to change, but I have time and time and again given you nothing but chances, and quite frankly, I'm tired of waiting for you to get it together. I want a family and to settle down, and I can't settle down with a kingpin. I mean, come on, Reek, you and I both know how limited the life expectancy for a street nigga is. It's not long. I have a good man, Reek, a really good man who does everything I want and need, and I refuse to leave him. He has a good paying job, owns his own home, and sends me flowers to work. Something, and I quote, a thug nigga like you refuses to do. The most you ever gave me was money, and money is not everything. I need stability, something I know you can't give me. I took in everything she said, including the praises of that stuffy-ass nigga of hers. But I love you, ma, and that lame nigga don't know you the way I do. Fuck it, that nigga can't love you like I do. With a quaking voice, she replied, What's love got to do with it, Reek? Tina Turner had love for Ike, and all it did was get cake smashed in her face, and Ike chasing her up and down her house, beating the fuck out of her. She let out a silent sigh, whimpering as she finished. I have to go, Reek. Feeling a pulse writhing in my throat, I grabbed her one last time and kissed her passionately on the lips. I'll never stop trying, baby. I love you, and one day you will see just how much our love is worth fighting for.