by Heiress
This cannot be happening right now. What do I do? Twan and I just confirmed our relationship and now this. How do I get out of this? Is it even possible to get out of this? I thought to myself as I made King Zoen a glass of water.
Just as I was done, I heard my front door shut.
“Zara!” Twan’s voice bounced off the walls.
Slowly I peeked my head around the wall that separated the two rooms. “Yes?” I quizzed.
“Who the fuck is this Prince Akeem looking ass nigga?” he asked, referring to King Zoen. They were both standing up face to face and for some reason I grew nervous. I had the man I was falling in love with standing in front of the man my mother arranged to have wed me. Not only that, Zoen was the son of the man who caused so much destruction regarding my brother and Bella. I had no clue what to do in this moment.
Twan
To walk in and see baby gold Jesus sitting on Zara’s couch was a surprise. I didn’t know what the fuck was going on, but it looked sketchy as shit to me. On top of that, her momma was here too. She kept looking at me like she had a problem and I was tempted to show her I wasn’t the one. Zara knows I ain’t got no filter, mommas included.
“Well, Zara? Are you going to just stand there in silence or politely ask your guard to wait outside?” Akeena said, with a snooty ass attitude behind it.
“Guard?” I quizzed ready to pop off, but Zara stepped in front of me. She placed her hand on my chest to calm me because she knew I was about to go the fuck off.
“Twan can I have a word with you outside please?” she asked.
“No,” I snapped.
“Twan, please. I will explain everything to you outside,” she pleaded.
I glanced behind her to see the nigga stepping up closer to her. “Princess Zara is there a problem?” he asked her, yet that nigga was looking dead at me.
“And if it was, what the fuck you gone do about it Price a Boo Boo?” I tried to move around Zara, but she had her arms around me so that I couldn’t.
“Twan outside. Now!” she barked, grabbing my hand to lead me out the front door. “King Zoen, make yourself at home and I will be back shortly,” she threw over her shoulder as we exited the house.
“Who the fuck is that nigga? Walking around looking like a giant gold condom wrapper,” I spat, wasting no time.
“If I tell you, Twan, you have to promise me you won’t get mad.”
“Woman I’m already mad. I can’t get madder, so you might as well just tell me what the fuck is going on. And is it just me or does that nigga look just like Enzo?” I quizzed. I had noticed the resemblance, but I didn’t mention it because I was too busy trying to figure out why he was here in the first place.
“Alright. I’ll tell you. Long story short, my mother has arranged a marriage between me and King Zoen who happens to be Enzo’s eldest son,” she blurted out all in one breath.
“Your ass said no, right?” I knew it was something along the lines of that which is why I wasn’t the least bit surprised. Him being the son of Enzo was a shock, but that wasn’t what was important right now. I needed to know what Zara’s response was.
“I mean I haven’t had a chance to say anything. You had walked in right when they got here and-”
“Alright well let’s go in here and tell yo’ momma and King Gold Almighty that you ain’t interested so they can leave.” I grabbed her hand, but she didn’t move. “What you doing? Let’s go.” I pulled at her hand again and still she didn’t budge.
“Twan, I can’t,” she mumbled.
“What the fuck you mean you can’t? Zara did we not just talk about us being something awhile back? We been rocking heavy for a while. I was the first to be in between them cheeks and I told you after I hit, no other nigga can have you. I wasn’t joking about that shit, Zara. So, come bring yo’ ass in here and tell them that you got a man.”
I didn’t force her this time. Instead, I walked to the door thinking she was gone follow me. I didn’t want to look behind me because I was afraid that she wasn’t following me. When I didn’t feel her presence, I knew she didn’t move.
“Twan, I’m sorry but this is what it is to be a royal princess. I have suitors and arrangements. I have to respect my mother and King Zeon.”
“Where the fuck is my respect?” I snapped over my shoulder.
“Twan-”
“Twan nothing! Is your momma fucking you every night? Is she kissing your tears away when you all sad and shit? Is she up late listening to you complain about life? Is she helping you figure out who you really want to be? Is she encouraging you to be something more than a fucking princess? No! I am! I’m doing all that shit. I’m even respecting you and Adonis by sleeping in the guest house when I’d rather be sleeping next to you,” I paused, turning around to face her.
She looked so sad, but her actions didn’t show her empathy. “Zara, really?” I quizzed, stepping closer to her. “I laid down my heart for you. I opened up to you about some shit not even Bella and Leah know about. I gave up fighting for everybody and made the decision to only fight for us. Why you so quick to throw that shit away?” I wondered.
“Twan, I’m not throwing it away. I’m just… I’m just choosing not to disrespect my mother and my duty as a princess. Desiree just made a point about me neglecting the princess side of me. Maybe she was right. Maybe I have been distracted with being with you and trying to change. I’m not saying I want to be with King Zoen, but I have the right to choose.”
“The right to choose? You think having your momma pick a man for you is having a right to choose? That’s the total opposite of having the right to choose,” I barked.
“Well at least he’s willing to marry me and make me his wife. Not just have sex with me and string me along until he’s ready,” she shot back all in one breath.
“You told me you didn’t want to get married.”
“I lied, Twan! I lied because I knew that it wasn’t what you wanted. Of course, I want to get married and be a wife. I want a man to commit to me and only me. I don’t want to just settle for being a bed buddy. King Zoen is ready to marry me now.”
“So that’s what the fuck you want? A nigga that’s ready to marry you now? He probably doesn’t even tie his own shoes, dress himself, or chew his own fucking food. His life is planned out for him, so you think he’s ready, but in reality, someone is telling him he’s ready and he just agreeing with the shit.”
“I’m not ready to marry you because I’m afraid I’m gone fuck up. I’m still immature in my mindset and the last thing I want to do is break your heart. I care about you that fucking much that I’m willing to wait and not jump into some shit I know I’m not ready for. I know you, Zara. The real you. He gone only know the Princess you. Don’t let a convenient proposal get in the way of what we’re working towards. Please don’t do me like that, Zara.” I spoke from the depths of my heart.
“Twan can you just give me some time to think on this. I haven’t made decision yet.”
“If you take your ass in that house, you’re definitely making your choice,” I quipped.
She glanced up at me with tear filled eyes with her lip quivering. “Twan please just-” she was saying but her voice faded when I walked away from her.
She called out for me, but I was too busy ignoring her ass. When I walked away from her, I left my heart at her fucking doorstep. I wasn’t about to beg any woman to be with me. If I wasn’t enough for Zara, then I wasn’t gone hold on to some shit that didn’t want to be kept by me. I was real with her ass and she didn’t want that. She wanted some fake ass King who only wanted to marry her because of her looks and her status.
As I got in the car and pulled out the driveway, I could hear my heart breaking. It was like I was losing my mother all over again. It was the same feeling I got when I lost Bella to Adonis and Leah to Amir. I thought this time was gone be different but maybe love wasn’t meant for a nigga like me.
I drove into the city, hoping to find some type of bar. L
eah, Bella, and I still had yet to go site seeing in Droga, so I had no idea where the hot spots were. As I was driving, I spotted a building that had some French words on it with a picture of a beer bottle next to it. I figured it had to be a bar.
I parked the car and made my way inside. Low and behold, it was a bar. The further I walked in, I realized it was more than a bar. It was a strip joint. “Just what I fucking need,” I said to myself.
I helped myself to a table and waited for someone to serve me. While I was waiting, I caught the eye of a beautiful brown skin honey dancing to the stage left of me. Men were throwing money at her feet as if she was some type of God. She damn sure looked like a Goddess to me the way her ass sat up like a stallion with her long brown hair falling down to her ass. She had cat like blue eyes and the juiciest lips I ever seen. She couldn’t hold a candle to Zara, but she was close enough. I watched her entire set and she never took her eyes off me.
When she was done, she picked up her money and gave it to the security guard. Then she strutted her fine ass over to me.
“You watch, you pay,” she simply said.
“You were watching me too, so I guess you got to come out of pocket as well,” I shot back, making her laugh.
Moving closer to me, she extended her hand out. “I’m, Giselle.”
“Twan,” I introduced myself, shaking her hand.
“Women problems?” she asked, starring intensely at me.
I only shrugged my shoulders in response.
“I have the remedy for that. Come with me.” She reached out for my hand. I was hesitant to grab it, but I said what the hell. Zara didn’t want me, so why not have fun with someone else? Taking her hand, she pulled me up and escorted me to the back of the building. All I could hear was moaning and pussy slapping behind the red curtains.
“Oh, y’all some stripper strippers, huh?” I quizzed more so to myself. She led me to a room behind the curtain and I took a seat on the bed. I watched her walk over to the mini bar and pour some vodka in a glass.
“Here. You look like you need this.” She chuckled.
“Yea, more than you fucking know.” I took the glass from her hand and downed it with no hesitation. I hadn’t had a drink in so long that the shit tasted like heaven in a glass. “Keep them shits coming,” I told her.
“You must really want to have a good time tonight.”
“Nah, not really. I’m just trying to forget some shit,” I responded truthfully.
“I’m sure I can help you with that.” She seductively grinned.
Princess Zara
I wanted to go after Twan. I needed to go after him. I should have gone after him, but my feet wouldn’t move. My heart was chasing his car, yet my feet were still standing in front of my home. I couldn’t believe that I’d just done that. Even with me having the knowledge of not doing the right thing, I didn’t go and make it right.
“Zara go after him. Your falling in love with him. Go after him,” I spoke to myself, yet I didn’t move an inch.
“Zara dear, who are you talking to?” my mother’s voice sang behind me. I didn’t even hear the door open.
“No one, mother. Let’s go back inside.” I gently pushed her inside and closed the door behind us. I walked her back to the living room where King Zoen was standing up waiting for my return. “My apologies about that, King Zoen,” I offered up.
“It’s fine, Zara. Did I offend your… friend?” he asked.
“I’m afraid so. See, Twan is not just a friend. He’s my-”
“Personal guard,” my mother finished my sentence though that’s not what I was going to say. “Not only is he her personal guard, he is head of Droga’s security. He only came by to check on Zara, but let’s not make him the topic of discussion. King Zoen, wasn’t there something you wanted to ask my daughter?” She nudged him in the arm.
“Oh, yes. There was,” he remembered. “Next week, Zlato will be throwing me a ball in celebration of me reigning over Droga. It will be an honor if you would allow me to escort you that night. It will give us a chance to get to know each other and hopefully seal the deal of our arrangement.”
By arrangement, he was referring to us getting married. I wanted to say no. I needed to say no. My heart was slowly belonging to Twan, but my mind was wrapped up in this world. This royalty world where Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses belonged together. I was wrong for thinking like this but after what Desiree said and now my mother showing up with King Zoen, my mind was fuzzy. I was thinking differently.
“Well… Zara?” my mother waited for my answer.
“Uh, ye-ye-yes,” I stuttered, knowing I was making the wrong decision. My lips were talking for my mind and not my heart. “I would love to join you at your ball.” I smiled.
“Great. Well, I should be leaving now. There’s a lot to be handled when I get back home. Things have been chaotic since my father and grandmother’s death. I will have a ship sail to you in a few days to make sure you get to the ball on time. I’m looking forward to us getting to know each other, Princess Zara.” He gently grabbed my hand and pressed his lips against the back of it.
I felt nothing.
“Me too,” I lied, showering him with a smile.
“Great! King Zoen, let me show you out. Zara, give me a moment.”
I watched as my mother and Zoen walked out the door. I didn’t want to talk to her, but I knew once she got back, she would want to talk. Slipping on my shoes, I snuck out the back door and swiftly made my way to Amir and Leah’s home. Since we all had keys to each other’s homes, I let myself in.
“It’s so dark. I can barely see,” I whispered to myself as I made my way through their home blind. Just as I reached the kitchen, the lights flickered on.
“I may be pregnant, but I will kill whoever is in here,” I heard Leah say from behind me.
I turned around to face her and the sight before me was enough to make a jokester laugh. Leah had a spear in her hand as if she was holding a bat. She had her hair pinned up and her robe barely covered her nakedness.
“Sister, you will not kill anyone as long as your holding that spear like that and being practically exposed.” I laughed, staring at her awkward stance.
Rolling her eyes, she sat the spear down on the kitchen counter. “Girl it’s late and I’m sleepy. What you want?” She sassed, folding her arms across her chest.
“You keep getting grumpier by the minute.” She didn’t give me a verbal response. Her glare was loud enough. “My mother is here.”
“Queen Akeena is back?” She seemed shocked.
“Only for a spell. She came to basically arrange a marriage between me and King Zoen. King Enzo eldest son.”
Leah’s mouth fell open and her eyes basically bucked out of her head. “Shut up!”
“That’s not even the half of it. Twan showed up while he was there,” I said, walking over to the sofa to take a seat. Leah joined me. “I tried to explain to him what was going on, but he got defensive and words were said that’s shouldn’t have been said. I hurt him, Leah. I basically told him that I would think about the arrangement.”
“Why would you say that? Matter of fact, why would you even think of giving the son of the man who tortured Bella a chance?”
“Because, Leah I’m not like Amir and Adonis. They are men who can do no wrong even when it is wrong. I’m a woman. I’m a princess. It’s my duty to do as I’m told. This is how I was raised. I wasn’t rebellious like my brothers. I obeyed my parents. Even when I left Droga to go to school, I was still obedient to their every rule and request,” I expressed.
“But Zara we both know how these arranged marriages end up. Look at your parents. Look at Adonis and Mena. Look at Amir and that Creola girl. All of those were arranged marriages and none of them worked. Not a single one. They may have lasted for a long time, but they didn’t work. Neither party was happy and in love. Is that how you want your marriage to be?”
“No but marriages aren’t supposed to be about love
and happiness. It’s about power and alliances. That’s how it works.”
“But is that how you want it to work?” she asked.
I fell silent. That’s not how I wanted my marriage to be. I did want to marry for love, but I also didn’t want to disappoint my mother. I didn’t want to obey her. I wanted to at least give the arrangement some thought out of respect and obedience. Deep inside I knew it wouldn’t work. My heart was for Twan. I didn’t know how long it would be for him since I was so young, but I knew it was for him now.
“Zara let me ask this one question. Do you love Twan?”
“I think I do. I think I’m falling in love, but I’m so young I may not know what love is,
I answered.
“To me, thinking you’re in love, is love. It’s that simple and if you love him then you need to fight for him. You need to stand by him. You need to be loyal to him. I know Twan, and he won’t go anywhere. Not even if you push him away. Trust me, Bella and I both tried. He just keeps coming back,” she kidded and we both shared a laugh.
“Adonis fought for Bella and look at them now. I stood by Amir and look at us now. Twan stayed loyal to you and look where he is. With you. Don’t give up on him just because of your so-called princess duties. Don’t give another man the opportunity to take his place because I’m telling you, he would never be able to fill Twan’s shoes. He’s one of a kind.” She smiled.
“Your right. He is. You don’t find loyalty like that now days,” I agreed.
“Exactly. Now go back to your house and tell your mother to shove that arrangement up her ass. In a very nice, respectful way of course. Then when you’re done, go find Twan and make it right,” she advised me.
“Okay.” I nodded. She stretched out her hands to give me a hug and I embraced her. We were interrupted when I felt my phone vibrating. Pulling it out of my dress pocket, I saw that it was Twan. I couldn’t have answered any faster. “Hi. I was just about to call-” I paused, hearing a woman’s voice in the background. “Hello, Twan?” I called out but the woman’s voice grew. I could hear the seduction in her voice when she asked him to take off her bra. They laughed and flirted. Tears trickled down my face as I realized that Twan was being unfaithful to me.
