Page 51 of Craving a King

She points her finger at me. “You ain’t fooling me. You know Dara is much better at brand new construction than Brandon. You just didn’t want her fast ass near your man.”

I laugh because it’s true. “Well, she does work fast. I don’t need anything else about Kofi to obsess over. Maya, why hasn’t he called? It’s been five days!” I feel the tears start to well up. I’ve cried no less than three times every day since I’ve touched back down in Atlanta. “Maybe it all really was just a game to him. Why would he even think of compromising his crown and legacy for me?”

Maya snatches upright so fast she winces in pain. I lean over to help her, but she pushes her hands out to me, ordering me to stop. “Look, that’s crazy talk. First of all, you’re amazing. He’s probably shit-faced over the fact you’re not in his presence right now. Secondly, don’t sell yourself short; you’re worth a hell of a lot more than a crown. Lastly, if it was all a game, so what?! His loss. You will overcome it and find the love right for you.”

I roll my eyes and let out a sigh. “Yeah, right.”

Maya relents. “Yes, right! I was there when Marcus broke your heart and your confidence. I’ve been here these past three years to watch you systematically close off every entrance to your heart and convince yourself you don’t need love. You hide yourself in that amazing home and your amazing work, scared men are going to bite. Well, guess what, they do. But sometimes, the venom is sweet, and no matter what happens, I’m glad Kofi bit you, because now you know you can fall in love and be happy.”

“Right, I know that now. But I’m also sitting here alone, without him. What good did it do me?” I stand up and pace the room. “I should have never gone to Ghana in the first place.”

“You’re so dramatic, Ella. Look, did he ask you to leave? No!”

I interrupt her. “I had to! You know that!”

She shakes her head. “I know no such of thing. You left him. You left because you were scared to stick around and take a risk. Let’s not get it twisted. You are here with my broken ass because you chose to be, not because he sent you home.”

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. She’s right. I know it deep down. Fear is what has driven me here. It’s driven me away from Kofi. No matter how much he tells me he loves me and needs me, I don’t believe it. I do not believe he will choose me no matter what. So, instead of waiting by his side, I ran. I left him. He looked like an angry and broken man when he dropped me at the airport. For a second, I thought he might come with me. I wanted him to. I was mad he didn’t. But now I know that wasn’t the answer. He’s a king and responsible for 11 million people. My work is a natural extension of the work he already does on a grand scale. It wasn’t right for him to leave. It was wrong for me not to stay. The tears really fall now.

Maya hands me a tissue from her glass top nightstand. “Yep. Get it all out. Then get your ass online and book a ticket back to Accra.”

I look up from my tissues. “Oh my God, Maya, you think he’ll even want to see me? I can’t just show up there, can I?”

She raises her hands and looks to the heavens. “Jesus, please give me strength with this one right here.” Then she looks over to me. “Ella, what did we just talk about? Stop being scared. He loves you. You love him. Go! Do you need me to book the ticket? Shit, pass me my MacBook.”

I go over and hug her shoulders. “No, I got it. You are an amazing friend, Maya Taylor.”

She hunches her shoulders. “I know. I had to do something, because I was about to stab your Black ass if you tried to make me one more of those nasty ass smoothies. I’d rather have Adom—at least he feeds me junk food. This is my one chance to eat it with no guilt. I can’t work out anyway.”

I give Maya a side-eye. “Don’t act like you only want Adom for chicken sandwiches and fries. You like him. Admit it!”

She crosses her arms over her chest and shakes her head from side to side. “I do not! He’s annoying. I tolerate him because he really has looked out for me during all this. But we are just friends. You know Adom is not my type.”

“Oh! So rich, tall, fine, and takes care of your every need is not your type? Since when?”

She smirks. “Since you are trying to delay going home and booking that ticket back to Accra. You can analyze my love life once you get yours together.”

“Well, you can say all that. But I should let you know that with Adom, it doesn’t matter what your type is, because you’re his. We both know that man is relentless in his pursuits.”

Maya shifts uncomfortably in her seat. “That may be true, but I’m not his run-of-the-mill pursuit.” She yawns. “Don’t you have a plane to catch?”

“Fine!” I lean back down and kiss her cheek. “I’ll go. I don’t appreciate you kicking me out, but you know since I suddenly have shit to do, I’m going to let that slide.”

“I ain’t saying you got to go home, but…”

“Yeah, I know the rest.” I grab my purse and wave as I head to the door. “Bye,” I yell from the foyer as I exit Adom’s house. Once outside, I feel ready to do anything. Maya is right. Kofi didn’t want me to leave. I chose to out of fear. I hope he can forgive me. He better, because I’m flying home.

* * *

As I turn on my street, I notice four black armored vehicles lined up across the street from my home. I wonder what rapper or athlete is visiting the area. They often rent the home across the street from mine. It’s a secluded old mansion that offers luxury and privacy in a low-key area of the city.

I park in my driveway and look at the cars in my rearview mirror before exiting my car. Something about the cars feels off. First off, why are there four? That’s a pretty big entourage for your average entertainer. Also, we usually get an email from the owners of the property if there is a big party renting it. I shrug it off and walk to my front door. I have plane tickets to book. I won’t be here to complain about inevitable noise.

I continue to walk up my steps. Suddenly, the hairs on my arms start to stand up. I feel his presence before I ever hear him. I turn around and almost stumble in his arms from the shock. I start at his hair. Moisturized and perfectly trimmed curls as usual. Cocoa-colored skin the consistency of silk. A smile that makes my panties wet on sight. Tall muscular body making his black linen suit grateful for the chance to serve such a work of art. Then I hear the voice. It’s honey and steel. Commanding me to attend to his words.

“Hello, Queen. I have missed you.”

Chapter Thirty-Two

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