by Heiress
“The richest country in Africa, yes you’ve said that already,” I continued her sentence.
Walking up to me, she lifted my head with her fingers so that I could look at her. “Me and your father weren’t a great example of marriage at all, but we were indeed a partnership. He accomplished so much with me by his side and vice versa. He gave me the best gift of all and that was you and your brothers despite the drama that came along with that. You and Zoen don’t have to be in love to live a happy life. You just have to be willing to make it work.”
I opened my ears and heart to hear my mother’s words. I agreed with her to a certain extent. I still believed that marriage should be built on love, but at the same time, you do have to be willing to make it work for it to actually work. I didn’t want to give it a chance but for her, I would. She was my mother and I respected her. At the end of the day, this was still going to be my decision, not hers.
“Okay, mother,” I simply replied flaunting a smile.
“Good. I’m going to go mingle and talk you up to the people. I will see you and Zoen out there in a bit.” She kissed me on the cheek before walking away.
I turned back to the mirror to look at myself. I looked like the perfect princess.
“Princess, Zara? King Zoen is ready for you,” one of the guards spoke.
“I’m ready.” I took one more look at myself and took a few deep breaths before I walked out the door to join the ball. Slowly I entered the ball where everyone was. Not a soul in sight looked out of place. Everyone looked like they belonged here. It was perfection at its finest.
Gold curtains hung from the windows and down to the goldish-yellow brick floor. Sparkling diamond chandeliers with sprinkles of gold flung from the ceiling. The tablecloths, napkins, silverware, and dishes were all made of gold. It was beyond beautiful, it was marvelous.
I scanned the room, noticing all the fancy people in attendance. My eyes finally met King Zoen and he smiled my way.
“There’s my beautiful guest of honor.” He extended his hand to me so I could take it. “Everyone, this is Princess Zara of Droga. I invited her here in hopes that she falls in love with my country and agrees to sit by my side on my throne. So, everyone, be nice.” He laughed along with everyone else.
“This place is beautiful, Zoen. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Why, thank you. I did this all for you. I really wanted to make a good impression. I know that with you being a princess, you enjoy the finer things in life. I know I can give that to you and more,” he spoke, strumming his hand up and down my arm ever so gently.
“That’s true, I do enjoy fine things but I’m more than silver and gold. I can enjoy the simple life too,” I responded as my mind drifted off to Twan. I had been trying to keep him out of my head, but it was almost impossible. I thought that hearing him engage in sexual activity with another woman would turn me off from him completely, but it didn’t. I think it only made him come across my mind even more. Yes, I’m hurt but for some reason, I still care for him.
“The simple life? Would this have anything to do with the man that showed up to your home that night?” he asked.
Without words needing to be said, I nodded my head yes.
“Princess Zara I don’t mean to come off rude, but he can’t give you even half of what I can. I can give you anything you want in the world. I’m the richest King in Africa. I have access to everything that a woman like you may want or need. I’m offering you a country, Zara. What more could a young lady ask for?” He smirked.
I knew King Zoen meant well. It wasn’t his fault that he was raised to think that his power and riches would be all he needed to get a woman. I was raised to believe that beauty was all I had to offer, but I was now seeing how untrue that was. Twan taught me that I had so much more to offer than just my body and my good looks. He made me see how smart and talented I was. He was the one who gave me the idea about opening up a school and he was behind me one hundred percent.
Twan saw me as more than just a princess. I was a regular woman in his eyes and because he treated me like that, I couldn’t possibly go back to being just a princess. I couldn’t go back to just being a pretty face with a nice body. I couldn’t even go back to being a virgin which I had Twan to thank for that.
“Princess Zara?” King Zoen snatched me out of my own thoughts. “Are you okay?” he asked, seeming concerned.
“To be honest, no I’m not. I’m not ok, King Zoen. I’m sorry to have wasted your time but I shouldn’t have come here. It’s nothing against you at all, you’re a wonderful man and I know you will make a great King. I just wouldn’t do you any justice as your Queen.” I held my head down low.
“Why do you think so little of yourself?”
“I don’t think little of myself. I just know that I can’t fully be what you want me to be when my heart belongs to someone else,” I confessed.
He didn’t seem too shocked when I told him the truth. “To be honest, Zara, I already knew of your love for him. I could see it all in your eyes when he walked in. I tried to ignore it because I too wanted you, but I can admit that I was being selfish by only thinking of myself. I thought that I could persuade you with my riches and charm, but I guess not.” He smirked. We both shared a laugh.
“I’m sorry, King Zoen. I’d just rather marry for love and not for riches. I hope you can understand that.”
“I have never been in love before, Zara, so as of now I can’t understand it but when I am, I’ll make sure to let you know.” He smiled.
“Thank you,” I offered up.
“You’re welcome. Even though you won’t be taking my hand in marriage, please stay and enjoy the ball. We can still enjoy the night.”
“I think I would like that.”
For about an hour, King Zoen and I got to know each other a lot better. He proved to be nothing like his father. He was truly a good man and I’m sure any woman would be lucky to have him. Just not me. We danced for a little while and then he introduced me to some very influential rich women who offered to donate to my school. The night was turning out to be a complete success, even with me not choosing to wed Zoen.
As I was talking to Zoen and his friends, my eyes wandered the room. They seemed to have fallen on two little kids who were peaking around the corner. They both looked so familiar, but I had no idea who they were.
“I’m sorry to interrupt you, King, but who are those two children over there?” I pointed at them.
“Oh. Uh, those happen to be the children of Mena and Iman; Mani, and Eros. Mena lied to my father and told him they were his before she took off. We just found out who they really are and instead of sending them to an orphanage, I decided to keep them. They happen to be really nice boys. Would you like to meet them?” he asked.
I was still stuck on the children being for Eman. No wonder I thought I knew them from somewhere. They looked just like him. “I would love to meet them.”
“Then let’s go meet them.” He took my hand and we walked across the ballroom floor to where they were. When they spotted us coming, they grew scared in the face. “Don’t worry, you won’t get in trouble. I know you were only being nosey. Lucky for you, this young lady wanted to meet you. Boys, this is Princess Zara from Droga. She knew your father.”
“You knew our father?” they both asked in unison.
“I did. He was my big brother’s best friend. He was kind of like a big brother to me too.” I smiled.
“Wow. That’s cool. Our father was best friends with the King of Droga.” One of the boys said with joy.
“Now which one are you?” I asked him.
“I’m Eros and this is my little brother Mani. I’m seven and he’s five,” he enlightened me.
“Well it was a pleasure meeting both of you.”
“It was a pleasure meeting you too Princess.” Eros spoke before he ran off with his brother.
“So, do they legally belong to you?” I asked.
“No, not entirely.
I just care for them. Why do you ask? Do you have someone that might want to adapt two boys?”
“I might.”
Present Day…
Today was the day of my school’s grand opening. I had been working so hard and today was finally the day it all paid off. I was both nervous and excited. Everyone all over Africa who was high in power came to see my success. The support I was getting from all of my loved ones and people I didn’t even know gave me such joy.
“I’m sorry, Leah but I have to give the twins back to you. I need to put on my dress.” I struggled to hold my nieces in my hands as I walked over to her. She was sitting on my bed fully dressed and pretty. Bella was in the mirror putting on make-up and the men were downstairs yelling for us to hurry up. We had to drive to the school, and we were already running late.
“Amir stop yelling, we’re coming!” Leah came to my defense.
“Here, Zara let me help you because you’re proving that the struggle is real.” Bella laughed at me.
“Thank you, Bella. I’m just so nervous. I have the opening today and then I’m supposed to tell Twan about what I did. I hope I can get him back.”
“Girl it’s, Twan. He’s so in love with you that I’m sure he’s going to jump in your arms. Now I don’t know how he’s going to take the news about what you did but we can only hope for the best,” Leah expressed.
“I knew I should have thought this through. What was I thinking? I can’t do this. Twan isn’t ready. What if he doesn’t accept what I did? I can’t do this alone. Oh, my God!” I panicked.
“Zara? Sis calm down. Everything is going to be just fine. Just breathe. Focus on the opening and we will help you deal with Twan later. Okay?” Bella soothed me.
“Okay,” I agreed.
I took a few breaths as she helped me into my dress. The whole time I couldn’t stop thinking about if I had made a horrible mistake or not. I was already attached so I couldn’t take it back, but it was going to be a lot harder if Twan chose not to accept what I did.
“Okay, we are all ready to go. Come on before Adonis starts yelling-”
“I’m leaving in three seconds and if you three not down here then you walking!” Adonis yelled just in time.
“See. I know my husband. Let’s go.”
We all ran downstairs. Bella and Leah handed my nieces and nephew over to Estella so she could watch them. It was too much to have to bring them. Once we were in the car, we took off to the school. Upon pulling up, I saw so many royal cars in the parking lot of the school. Our new school buses looked amazing and the exterior was superb. We all did such a great job.
“I don’t know why I’m going to ask this but where is Desiree? I haven’t been smelling shit,” Bella snared.
“You just couldn’t help yourself, huh?” Leah chimed in.
“Oh, she’s been gone since the ball. I made a deal with her. If she promised to be a better person, I would set her up with King Zoen. She promised so I sent her to Zlato. I don’t know if he will choose her to be his Queen, but I did my part.” I snickered. I had to get rid of her. She was my dearest friend and I still loved her, but we had grown apart. She stayed the same and I changed. It was time we parted ways.
“I’m so nervous.” My hands shook.
“Well prepare to be even more nervous. Twan is here and he’s not alone,” Amir spat.
I glanced out the window and my eyes grew wide. There he was. Standing in the middle of the parking lot with Eros and Mani. I couldn’t even get all the way out the car before he started.
“You got some fucking explaining to do!” he barked.
“Twan, I can explain-”
“Yea, explain to me why I come to the crib to drop some shit off and find two little boys in the house claiming that I’m their new daddy. What the fuck is going on, Zara?”
I really should have thought this through.
Twan
For the life of me I couldn’t separate real life from a nightmare. I had a dream years ago that this was how I was going to die. Finding out I was a dad before I even knew I was a dad. I didn’t even know what to think about Zara and the two little boys standing in front of me. It was like I had woken up from a bad dream but yet I was still in the bad dream.
“Start talking woman!” I barked, startling her.
“Okay. Yes, maybe I should have thought this through but at the time it seemed like the perfect plan for us to rekindle. It’s like an apology gift,” she explained.
If looks could kill, she would be picking out her coffin. “Zara have you lost your mind. You thought that breaking the news to me that you have two little boys on this earth was a gift?”
“Wait, Twan no that’s not-”
“Woman I’m not done talking,” I interrupted her. “When I met you, you were supposed to be a virgin. That means untouched and here it is, you got two sons? Here I’ am over here not cheating like a good man and you been creeping before we started sleeping,” I spat.
“Wait, so you didn’t sleep with that woman I heard you with that night we ended?” she asked.
“No but trust me it crossed my mind more than once. I wanted to tear her little ass up but unfortunately all I kept thinking about was your ass. I didn’t give her this perfectly primed dick because I was too busy confessing to her how much I was in love with you. A woman who’d rather go seek another nigga who don’t even look better than me all because of his status and wealth. Ain’t this some shit,” I hissed.
“Twan… I’m sorry,” she offered up with sadness in her voice. “I know what I did was wrong, and I wish I had an excuse, but I don’t. I can’t keep using how I was raised to justify my actions and I know that now. But being with Zoen made me realize how much status and wealth means nothing when it comes to love. I love you, Twan and you are the only man that I want. I can’t fathom my life without you. Please give me another chance.”
Zara took my hand in her hands and got on her knees.
“Aye, if you about to do what I think you about to do, maybe we should take this inside. The people of Droga don’t need to see how much of a freak they princess really is.” I chuckled.
“I’m not about to go down on you, Twan. I’m trying to… well I want to know if… look this is really hard to do. Usually the men are supposed to do this.” She took a deep breath before speaking again. “Twan, I want to know if you would do me the honor of being my husband?” she asked.
My mouth along with everyone else’s dropped.
“Zara, did you really just ask Twan to marry you?” Adonis spoke up.
“Stop being sexist, baby. Women can propose to men,” Bella chimed in.
“I was more so putting emphasis on Twan, not the actual proposal,” he shot back.
“Adonis!” Bella slapped him on his arm, and they whispered to each other back in forth. I was still in shock of what was going on. I have never seen a woman propose to a man in my life. It was weird. It was new. It was awkward yet I was turned on like hell.
“If you love me so much, why didn’t you tell me about your sons?” I asked.
She started to laugh. “Twan, these are not my sons. They are the sons of Iman and Mena. They were living in Zlato with Zoen and though they were treated right, I thought they would be better off with us. With their actual family. This was my way of showing you I can be responsible and ready for a real relationship. I adopted them,” she clarified.
“Wait, so these ain’t your kids? Like you didn’t push them out that pussy?” I asked for more clarity.
“No, Twan I didn’t have them vaginally, but they are legally mine. And yours if you agree to marry me.”
I took a moment to really think about Zara’s offer. She was not the woman I pictured I would end up with. She was so far from my dream wife, but she was exactly what I needed. She made me happy and at the same time, pissed me off. She brought so many emotions out of me that I didn’t even know I could feel. She was the best thing that ever happened to me and I wasn’t going to let two little
boys and black King Jesus stand in the way of that.
“If this is a proposal, where my ring at? It ain’t official until I get a ring,” I spat.
“Twan!” Leah whined, annoyed with me.
“Will you give my sister an answer please so we can get this over with!” Amir barked.
“Alright. Alright. Fine. If it means that much to you, I’ll marry you. Damn.” I laughed, pulling her up to her feet. I wrapped my hands around her waist and planted a long deep kiss on her lips. Our tongues met and got even more acquainted. I think they missed each other more than us.
“Yaaay! Congratulations!” Bella screamed.
“I’m so happy for you both!” Leah chimed in.
“Yes, we are all ecstatic. Now, can we get this over with? I’m hungry,” Amir snapped.
“Amir shut the fuck up, smile and be happy for our little sister and soon to be brother in law,” Adonis contributed.
“Thank you, Don.”
“You break my sister’s heart and I’ll behead your ass with a fucking butter knife,” he threatened with no bluff in his eyes.
“Me break her heart. She the one who ran off with another nigga and came back with two kids. You need to be threatening her ass,” I countered back.
“Good, God Twan, shut up.” Zara giggled.
The others gave us a moment so we can talk alone. “So, to properly introduce you, Twan this is Mani and Eros. Boys, this is my fiancé, Twan.”
I took a knee so I could be face to face with them. “Y’all know how to fight?” I asked.
“I do,” Eros answered. “Mani here is the timid one.” He shrugged.
“That’s cool. He can be our assistant. That’s the most important person.” I winked and he shot me a smile. “We gone go in here and support Zara and then y’all training begins tonight. I’m not raising no pussies.”