Page 12 of Craving a King

It was the same with Marcus. In the beginning, we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. I met Marcus as a 21-year-old with limited sexual experience. I had one fumbling experience at nineteen with Adom, and we decided to never try that shit again. My parents are pastors, so my upbringing was pretty religious. I was taught that abstinence is the way, the truth, and the light. When he assured me I wouldn’t burn in hell for sex, it opened a whole new world to me. I was devoted to him. He was smart, arrogant, and a natural leader. I was like a moth to a flame. He controlled my career and social life. He told me what to major in, he talked me into going to law school with him…he even managed to have our first jobs at the same firm. Everything centered around him. I vowed to never do that dumb shit again. I’ve been doing only what I want ever since then. I’m not giving that up for anyone, not even a king who makes me feel like I’m freefalling. His touch makes me melt, and I lose my whole mind as soon as he calls my name. But it’s time to focus on the business at hand; the foolishness has to stop.

After my shower, I start to ponder what I will wear for today’s events. We’ll be in the center of Kumasi for most of the day, and I’d like to make a good impression on the community. I’m glad I took the time to unpack my suitcases and hang my clothes. I settle on a thin cotton kente sundress, a pair of bright purple wedges, and giant 14-karat gold hoops for my ears. It’s too hot for all this hair, so I decide to put it up in a bun. My curls hang in the front and frame my face. I’m pleased with my reflection in the mirror. I opt for a light tinted moisturizer, blush, and bright pink lips. Anything more will surely melt in the African sun.

I put a few essentials in my LV backpack and head downstairs for breakfast. As I approach the kitchen, I hear loud and happy voices.

“Auntie, have you managed to get Kofi to admit to his crush on the American?” I hear Senya tease. I have not seen him much since I arrived. He took me out the second day for me to get some essentials and a cell phone that will work out here without enormous usage fees. Since then, he’s been scarce. “You should have seen how accommodating our king was the first night she arrived! He even gotout of the carand begged the American to come to his home.”

“Enough, Senya,” I hear Kofi shoot off. “Why have I not fired you after all these years? Nothing but foolishness leaves your mouth.”

“Oh, hush,” I hear a sweet voice cluck. “You keep him because he’s your brother. Since the moment Senya showed up as a hungry little boy at our kitchen door, you have been inseparable. Senya, it is foolish to talk about crushes. The king knows he has no time for such foolishness. It would be a disaster for our kingdom. No American woman will turn our Asantehene’s head.”

Instantly, I want to turn on my heel and fake sick for the day. Every morning, Akua greets me with a death stare and leaves while Kofi and I share breakfast. I can only imagine what she must think of me. I come into her nephew’s house under the pretense of a business deal, and I’m kissing him before I rest my head the first night.

Instead, I take a deep breath, put my big girl panties on, and stalk into the kitchen, head held high.

“Hello, everyone!” I sing the words as I pass by the seat Kofi is pulling out for me. “I hope everyone is having a wonderful morning.” I head straight to Kofi’s Auntie Akua. I will not allow her to ignore me today. She is standing against the stove. “Good morning, Akua.”

She looks at me like I have two heads, and neither one particularly pleases her. “Hello,” she stoically replies. But I am undeterred.

“I’ve heard you be referred to as ‘auntie’…I didn’t know you were Kofi’s aunt as well as his cook.”

She chuckles. “I’m his Auntie, not his aunt.” She turns and begins to place a divine-smelling stew into a bowl along with some plantains for me.

“Oh! What’s the difference?”

Senya graciously answers. “We call all older women that are close as family or serve our families ‘auntie.’ It’s a term of endearment. We rarely use the word ‘aunt’ in the sense that Americans do.”

“Oh, I see.” I feel out of place. Akua’s stare makes me feel like I crashed a party no one invited me to. Except Kofi did invite me, and after this exchange, I cannot for the life of me figure out why. Right now, I wish I were sitting happy with my full complimentary breakfast at the hotel overlooking Labadi Beach. I clearly know nothing about him or his people. I should have prepared more.

Akua continues. “I don’t expect you to know our customs after a little over a week in Ghana. You’re from an entirely different world.”

Is Akua throwing shade? It sounds like she is not interested in serving me anything but a flight back to Atlanta. But why? A hand touches the small of my back, and a rush of heat hits between my thighs. Kofi has come to guide me back to the seat he originally pulled out for me.This is what I get for not taking the seat he pulled out earlier.I am grateful for the save.

Kofi takes the seat next to mine. “That is why Ella is here, Auntie. For me to teach her everything she needs to know. When I finish with her, she will practically be Ashanti.” His eyes never leave my lips as he speaks. His erotic stare makes me question what method he’s contemplating for my Ashanti conversion. I can’t resist smiling back.I’m intrigued.

Akua walks from the stove and places my bowl in front of me. “No one can practically be Ashanti, your majesty. It’s not something you practice. Either you are or you are not.” Senya chuckles at Akua’s words.

Now that was definitely a jab. “You know, I’m not that hungry, your majesty. If you and Senya are finished, I’m ready when you are.”

Akua looks directly at me with an icy glower. “They have not finished eating because they are gentlemen and waited for you to come downstairs to eat. You awake so much later than we do. You know hotels have wake-up calls to help with that.”That’s it! I’m not going to a hotel. I’m staying here just to irritate her. Plus, if I leave, she will think she has run me out.

I continue talking to Kofi as I rise from my seat. “Well, please eat. I’ll take a walk around the grounds.”

Kofi rises and begins to follow me. “I’m not that hungry, either. We should be on our way. We have many events and limited time.” He turns his glance to Senya. A quick nod commands him to abandon his plate. “Auntie, we will be eating all of our meals out today. Please take this day to rest.”

Akua looks completely dejected. “But I am making peanut butter soup and chicken for lunch!”

Kofi goes over to kiss her cheek. “I know, but I will eat it tomorrow. I promise.” Akua gives him a pitiful look.

I almost feel bad for taking her boys from her. It’s obvious she lives to feed them and showers them with the type of love only a mother can give. But then I remember how she came for my throat a moment earlier and decide she’ll live.

Once we’re in the car, Kofi is quiet. His mind is elsewhere, and I decide not to disturb him. Who knows the thoughts of a king? He looks as if the weight of 11 million people is on his mind. The ride isn’t long, but I nap anyway. Twenty minutes later, we arrive at a beautiful structure with the sign‘Manhyia Palace Museum’out front. The moment we arrive, Kofi perks up. He hops out the truck and walks over to open my door.

“Come, Ella.” He offers his hand and I take it. “I am excited to show you who we were and are as a people.”

Once my feet hit the ground, his hand automatically moves to the small of my back. It is a possessive move that I like. Marcus used to do the same move, but it always felt constricting. With Kofi, it feels freeing. “I’m eager to learn, your majesty.”

He smiles. “Please call me Kofi.”

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