Page 22 of Choosing the Chief

Senya crosses a leg over his lap and leans back in the armchair. “Yes, unfortunately. I have been designated Adom’s babysitter. This was definitely not on the original itinerary Kofi shared with me when I acquiesced to this assignment.”

I smirk at his arrogance. “But don’t you work for him? It’s not acquiescing if it’s an order.”

He laughs. “I see why you and Ella are best friends. You are both relentless and direct.” He shifts in his seat and releases a loud breath. “Kofi and I…the relationship is not precisely professional. We are like brothers. In fact, the three of us, Adom, Kofi, and I all grew up together. We were inseparable until Kofi’s mother passed away. The three of us are only separated by a year. I’m in the middle, and Adom is the baby. Adom was always the one getting into mischief and getting all of us into trouble. He never did exactly what was asked of him or what you thought he would do. He is his own man.”

He pauses and leans forward. He gives me a knowing smile. “So, this is less about me following an order and more about…”

“More about you being Kofi’s spy to ensure Adom sticks to the script,” I interject.

“Yes, that’s right. They said you were more than a pretty face. Now I see. You are a great partner for Adom.”

I shake my head at his attempt to flatter me. “You know you can’t control him, right? The moment he feels like you are trying to, he will change the rules to whatever game the two of you and his grandfather are playing.”

Senya nods in agreement. “We are aware. That’s why we don’t hide our intent or what we are doing. He knows what we are doing, so he feels in control. We are fine with that.”

I narrow my eyes and study him for a moment. He is withholding something; I can always tell when someone is lying by omission. I stand and walk over, stopping directly in front of him. He stands also. I look up as he towers over me. Even though he’s a big man, he is not an intimidating one.

“But Adom doesn’t know everything, does he?

Senya chuckles. “Does anyone truly know everything?”

I gently poke him in the chest. “Well, you and your king only need to know one thing. If you do anything to hurt Adom, I will hurt you. He is an arrogant, controlling, pain in the ass, but he’s always done right by me and anyone else he allows in his world. He is fiercely loyal and cares about people way more than he lets on. I love him and will not see him destroyed by old family feuds and tribal bullshit. Am I clear?” Then I remember something Ella said at the ball about Abena Owusu and her being up to something. “What Adom doesn’t know…does it have anything to do with Abena Owusu? She came to Ella and me looking for you at the gala.”

Senya returns my gaze but says nothing.Got him!He walks away without one word and stops at the door of Adom’s study. He knocks on the door, and walks in without invitation. He thinks our conversation is over, but it is not. I will corner him again at some point this weekend.

Five minutes later, they both walk out and Adom walks over to me. A smile is nowhere to be seen.

“Is everything OK?” I ask as he approaches. Adom cracks his knuckles and rotates his neck, stretching out tense muscles.

“Everything is fine, princess. Are you ready for our weekend?” He takes my carry-on from the floor and motions for me to hand him my black Goyard tote bag as well.

I decide to press him about whatever went down in his office later. Right now, I want to have fun with my gorgeous lover and friend. “More than ready.” I give him a genuine smile. “The past couple of weeks have been heavy. I’m ready to lighten our load.”

He leans over to kiss the back of my ear.He does that a lot lately.He lingers and whispers in my ear. “I plan to lighten my load as soon as the fasten seatbelt sign is off. My jet has a lovely bedroom.”

As chocolate as I am, I bet money I am blushing right now. He tosses my tote over his shoulder and takes my hand. He pauses to look at what he’s carrying and strokes the painted canvas.

“I like this design. Do they make a male briefcase in the print?”

I chuckle and roll my eyes. “How can a briefcase be gendered? No, I don’t think they do. However, they do make luggage. You can commission pieces also.”

He pauses. “You still have my Black card from Atlanta, right? When you get a chance, order me a four-piece set in black. I want all four pieces on wheels. Get yourself a matching purple set.”

Hell No!The idea of matching anything I’m wearing with a man I’m seeing makes me want to puke. Not to mention I don’t like the way he ordered me to do it. I’m used to Adom’s generosity, but this seems more like control. I can buy my own bags. Now that we are no longer just friends, I feel different boundaries need to be set. He needs to know now, more than ever, that I can take care of anything I want or need if I choose too.

I cross my arms. “No thank you. I already have a set of Goyard luggage. Sometimes I think you forget I am also independently wealthy. I never spent any of my modeling money—I invested it. I appreciate all you’ve done for me, but you don’t have to buy me anything. I am more than capable of providing for myself.”

Adom tosses his head back and pinches his nose. He lets out a heavy sigh before responding to me. “Maya, I will buy you whatever I damn well please. This isn’t about what you need. It’s about what I want you to have.” When he looks back at me, he gives me an exasperated look before he continues. “And of course, I know you can buy it for yourself, I am the one who invested all that modeling money for you…remember? Your money is with my hedge fund! Plus, I didn’t hear you complain when I bought the diamonds you were rocking at the gala.”

Oh no he didn’t!“Adom, look…everything was different when we were just friends. Now that we are…well, I don’t exactly know what we are, but shit is different, OK? You can’t just go around telling me what to do and throwing your money around. If I need to make it even more clear, you can have every diamond back right now!”

Adom dismisses my last comment with a suck of his teeth. “Yeah, right. I won’t hold my breath. Maya, just stop resisting the fact you need to be cared for. In fact, you crave it.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “I don’t need anything. It is just nice to have.”

“Oh, really? Do you know the stocks your money is invested in? What is your current net worth?”

“I’m careful with my money!” I yell. I didn’t mean to yell. I just hate it when anyone, especially a man I’m in a semi-relationship with, alludes to me needing them or their help. True, I don’t particularly enjoy dealing with money and investments, but that does not mean I couldn’t do it if I had to. That is also why I hire people, like his ass, to do it for me. I do not play with my money.

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