Page 2 of Choosing the Chief

“That’s something we need to discuss in person, once I know you will be here for her—here for the long haul. Judging by the way she categorized you in her life, you may be the only person who needs to know, because you are the only one she will allow to help.”

My heart bursts wide open. Maya needs me, and I will not let her down. I also have a sinking feeling about the cause of this accident. My sweet girl is in trouble. “OK, so you will let me come be with her then. Aren’t there visiting rules about the ICU…family and all that jazz? I take it she is in the ICU.”

“Yes, of course. And you are her brother. No one has told me otherwise. Do you have anything to tell me?” I hear the smile in his voice.

I immediately start making a detailed to-do list in my head. I know I will have to tell Ella—immediately. But she’s in Ghana. I hate to upset her over the phone. She will freak out and try to come back to Atlanta. But I will stop her. She has schools to build, and Maya doesn’t need her in this state. She needs me. Maya needs a hero, and I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to put my cape on just for her. I will have to prepare my home for her. She will need post-hospital care, and I will take care of that. She won’t want for a thing while she rehabilitates. We will rebuild her life together once she wakes up. She must wake up. My mind snaps back to the doctor. He is waiting on me to say something.

“Doc, the only thing I have to say is that I’m on my way.”

Chapter One

Healing

Maya

I’m a prisoner in Adom Annan’s mansion.

I’ve tried everything and the man won’t let me go home. I haven’t set foot in my beautiful Buckhead condominium for eight months. Adom offered his home as a space where I could recuperate from the accident. After ten broken bones, three torn ligaments, and the scare of my life, I feel out of control.

My physical therapist is overjoyed with my progress and says I can live on my own. He says it’s OK to test out my previous exercise routines. To me, that means I’m healed. To Adom, that means nothing. Last time we talked, he said, “No one tests the depth of a river with both feet.”What the hell does that even mean?! He’s so infuriating. Whenever he wants to end a debate, he throws out a random Ashanti proverb like a law. It’s not fair; he’s speaking in a language I no longer understand.

Not too long ago, I could trade proverbs with him and have an entire conversation the rest of the room knew nothing about. I have a Ph.D. in African studies. I researched the linguistic rituals of West and South African tribes. Speaking to Adom used to be easy. However, that was before the accident. Now, my memory is a bit fuzzy. Things committed to long-term memory years ago disappear. I’m not as quick witted as I used to be. I have nagging physical pain.The accident has robbed me of my body and mind.I hope it’s only temporary. To add insult to injury, my short-term memory is intact. I seem to be destined to relive the scariest day of my life over and over again.

My cell is a bedroom fitted with silk purple and gold drapes. My California King Bed is heaven on earth and customized to my needs. The furniture is sleek: glass, marble, and brass. My closet is stocked with the latest offerings from Chanel, Valentino, and Dior.The only three designers I wear.Adom knows me well and has spared no expense. This room has been a haven for my healing. I still don’t know how he had time to create it.The perks of having billionaire Adom Annan for a best friend.Too bad I’m bored out of my mind.

I’m also uncomfortable. I feel like something is crawling inside of me and trying to escape through my skin. The pain of its efforts is constant, and I am on edge. I look to my right and eye the nightstand that houses my relief: Codeine. I know if I pop one, I will feel like Maya again, at least for a few hours. The pain clinic I found is a lifesaver. The doctor doesn’t ask too many questions past how much pain I am in, and he gives me enough pills to last seven days at a time. I’ll be glad when I’m better again, so I don’t have to take pills at all. I’ve already had four today. I know that’s too many, but if I don’t take one, I will be in pain all night long. I don’t want that. If Adom notices the pills or pain, he will never let me leave. I want to go home. So, I am going to have to take one. Me popping pills won’t last forever, just until I’m better.

I lean over and open the drawer. I locked my door behind me and Adom is not home yet, but I still watch the door. I grab the pills and take one, and then two more, out. I quickly pop them in my mouth and wash them down with a glass of stale wine on my nightstand from earlier. I only have a moment to let the feeling of relief wash over me before I hear Adom walking down the hallway.

“Maya, come. I have something to share with you.”

The warden calls. I know he has an iced cinnamon latte waiting for me. I used to drink at least three a day before the accident. However, Adom has limited me to one cup of caffeine per 24 hours. He brings it every afternoon at 5 p.m. No sooner and no later.I miss my life!

I check my reflection in the mirror and my breath before I lock my bedroom door and ease down the hallway. If I do not lock the door, Adom’s nosey housekeeper will go through my things, and I do not like my privacy invaded. Adom is a neat freak and she is a snitch. I’m sure she would give a full inventory of whatever she found. I enter the vast living room and eye Adom waiting for me on a couch by the floor-to-ceiling windows he spends so much time staring out of. Adom’s entire house is in shades of white, ivory, or cream. He’s nothing if not consistent. I join him on the ivory leather couch, where he is pouring over a document.

“What’s up?” He hates when I ask him that. So, I do it often.

He looks up and studies me. Lately, I feel like he’s always trying to diagnose me. He knows something is off.

“Ella and Kofi are having a baby. They sent us a copy of the royal announcement.” He hands me a luxurious piece of cardstock. The announcement is colored with the Ajyei family’s kente print. They already know it’s a boy.

Ella is my best friend. She was my first and only roommate at Spelman College. We’ve been inseparable ever since. Until last year, she was running a charter school network that spread to many urban areas. Then, she caught the eye of Kofi Ajyei. In his position as king of the Ashanti tribe, he commissioned her to build schools in the Ghanaian city of Kumasi and throughout the region. She ended up not only building schools, but also building a life as Kofi’s queen. She now lives in Ghana with Adom’s cousinand brother, the king, and I miss her every day. Atlanta is not the same without her.

I laugh and grab my latte off the coffee table before I sit down. “That’s what you called me for? I knew Ella was pregnant two months ago!”

He shifts on the couch and opens his mouth in protest. “And you did not tellme!”

“No, because she told me not to. It was literally a royal secret, but I’m her best friend, so I get special privileges.”

He raises a hand in protest. “I’mher best friend.”

I shake my head and study my nails like this whole conversation isn’t the highlight of my day. “No…you are not. You are her bestguyfriend. That’s different. Honestly, now that she’s married, your role is obsolete. Kofi is her bestguyfriend by default.”

“That’s nonsense, Maya.” He dismisses me with a wave of his hand. But I can tell that I struck a nerve. He values the few close relationships he has above all. And loyalty is his number one value. When Ella married Kofi,-a brother he barely spoke to, his heart took a hit. The revelation that he has also replaced him in friendship might kill him.

“Adom, you may not be her best friend anymore, but you know Ella adores you. I was just teasing.”

Adom raises his eyebrow. “Well, I’m still your bestguyfriend, aren’t I?”

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