Page 31 of Craving a King

“I’m fine.” I sit perfectly still on my hotel bed and release the breath I’ve been holding since I picked up the phone and called Kofi. Before I called, I showered and put on linen pajama shorts and a camisole to cool off. I poured a glass of Riesling and dialed his number. Now, I wonder if I am even ready for this call.

There is a long stretch of silence after my statement. I hope he is not waiting for me to elaborate. That’s all I can say to him right now. This is not a social call, and the familiar feelings of anger and betrayal begin to rise at the back of my throat. I start to remember the way he treated me. I realize I am the one who called him, but I really don’t have a plan. Maybe I should just hang up and try again tomorrow. The moment I decide to hang up, he speaks.

“I’m pleased you called.” The timbre of his voice almost destroys my resolve. I want to saycome over and touch me until I forgive you. But I don’t say that.

Instead, I sit in my anger. “This call is not to please you. If you knew the things I want to say to you, you would know it is not…”

He sighs in disappointment. “I see. Well, why don’t you tell me some of those things.”

I release a quick breath. “Pfft! You don’t mean that.”

He gives a deep sigh. “I never say things I don’t mean. If I’m asking you to tell me, then I am truly inclined to hear whatever is on your mind. Now, please share your thoughts.”

Is that exasperation I hear? Apparently, the king is not used to apologizing and facing his faults on someone else’s terms. I bite the inside of my cheek in an effort not to curse his entitled ass out.

“Fine. First off, I think you are a world-class jerk for demanding I leave my life and responsibilities in Atlanta and come to Ghana, knowing you were going with my organization from the start. I would have come to Ghana eventually to help implement on an agreed-upon timeline. If I were in Atlanta the past couple of weeks, maybe my best friend would not be lying up in a hospital fighting for every piece of her life back.” I feel the tears wanting to break, but I hold them steady.

I pause to get myself together, and he takes this as a hesitation. “Please go on,” he says.

With pleasure.“Next, you take every chance you can to cross lines and seduce me. Not that I’m complaining, it was wonderful. But I opened up to you in the garden at the museum that day and showed you my scars. You know I am cautious about relationships and love; to trust you with my body and thoughts over the past two weeks took a lot. However, you did not extend that same trust to me. I told you Adom and I are just friends on numerous occasions. You simply would not let go of the fact that we slept together once, when we were practically kids. You continued to ask about it until finally, your imagination made you do the unthinkable by going through my phone and accusing me of some very vile things.” I pause. I have more to say, but he needs to say something in response that sounds like a real apology or I’m shutting up. I don’t have time to explain to him why he is an asshole if he is not willing to address the behavior. He speaks immediately, like he was waiting for me to take a breath.

“What about Adom? You didn’t tell me he was even in the country. We talked about him on several separate occasions, and you didn’t think to mention he was here and that you were in constant communication with him? I told you our relationship was strained and that yes, I am jealous. I never lied to you, but when it came to Adom, you lied to me, by omission.”

What is it with him and this Adom hang-up?It’s tiring.

“Kofi, the only reason I did not tell you Adom was in Ghana was because he asked me not to. I’m sure you know more about his reasoning for you not to know than I do. But he is my friend. Once you and I figured out what our relationship status was heading toward, I would have told you despite his request. You just didn’t give me the chance. You let your jealousy consume you. I don’t need this kind of drama. Not believing what I said and leaving me was the worst thing you could have done. I trusted you. No man has had my heart or body the way you have these past two weeks since Marcus. I thought you were safe to have those parts of me, but apparently you are not the man I thought you were.” I spit the last part out with as much venom as I can muster.

He breathes into the phone. It sounds pensive. “I’ve listened and clearly you’re still mad about what transpired.”

Is he serious? Of course, I’m still mad!

“Why wouldn’t I still be mad? What reason would I have to set my anger aside?”

Silence. I can’t believe it. The Asantehene is speechless. Then he continues, “You’re right, I haven’t apologized.”

“Pfft. Your apology won’t stop me from being mad.”

“Well, nevertheless, I was an ass and I deeply beg your pardon. I should have believed you. And Ella, I’m really sorry to hear about Maya. I know she’s very important to you. I should have been there for you.”

Thoughts of Maya bring back my anger and an unexpected sadness. My tears silently fall. “Yes, I needed you. I wanted to come to you and explain everything, but Senya told Adom and I you left for Kumasi that morning. That let me know that you didn’t just display a flash of anger, you meant what you said. You didn’t even want to be in the same house with me. You ran away.”

I breathe through the familiar heavy pause before he speaks. I actually appreciate him weighing what I say before he answers. I feel like he is listening. “You are correct. I was a coward.”Whoa, I can’t believe he admitted that.“But I promise you, if you allow me, I will make it right. I don’t know how I will, but if it takes the rest of my life, I will return to your good graces. I also must thank Adom for coming to be with you. He is a good friend.”

I smile. “He’s the best. At the moment, he is the only man I can depend on and trust.” I know that is a low blow. But he needs to feel the weight of the pain he has caused me over the past week.

His breaths become a bit heavier. It sounds like desperation. “That is not true! No matter what your anger has convinced you of, you are still my heart’s only desire, and I’m still your servant.” The timbre of his voice drops to something purely carnal when he says, “servant.” I don’t know how long I can keep my irate demeanor up.

“As a matter of fact,” he continues, “It is you that rules me. You are the queen of my mind, body, and soul. I will do anything you command to have you smile at me again.”

Damn, he’s good.I pause to gather my heart, body, and thoughts back together. “I’m a queen now? Wait a minute, queens can order executions, right?”

He laughs a full, hearty laugh. “Is my offense really worthy of death?”

I reluctantly break into a smile I hope he cannot hear. “No, not yet. But in my experience, assholes never commit just one offense. I need to be prepared for your next transgression.”

A pause. “You should stop dealing with assholes, then. Kings learn from their mistakes and do not mind working to get back into the good graces of their queen.” His voice is clear and lacks any hint of hesitation.

I match his tone. “My good graces are not open to you at the moment. But we do have the Akwasidae tomorrow, and I’m mature enough to be civil and keep our commitment.”

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