Page 35 of Choosing the Chief

Abena wipes her face of any vulnerability and continues. “Chief Apeagyei’s son Michael is more than eager to throw money, land, and promises of partnership to my father for a chance to wed me. What my father and Michael do not understand is that I am no longer a 17-year-old child. I am a grown 35-year-old woman with a mind and money of my own.”

I scrunch my face in confusion. I hate when I do that—it is terrible for the skin. But whenever I am truly confused, my face contorts into an image of someone who has eaten a sour grape. “Well, if you have your own money and mind, what is the problem? Why can’t you just refuse to marry this man?”

Abena shakes her head. “My father will cut me off from the family lineage and inheritance if I do not do as he asks. I’m not pressed for money, but I’ll be damned if I see my brother take complete control of all our family gold mines and influence. I love my brother; we are practically twins, and I want my birthright, too. It is unfair that Thomas gets to run around and fuck a 100 women a year and marry whomever he pleases, whenever he’s ready, while I have no options. It’s not right, and something must be done.”

I nod. But how do Adom and Senya play into all of this? I look over at Afia and Senya, still standing between us and the door. They are nervous about something, and it is time to rip the Band-Aid off. “I see, and how can Adom help you with this? Do you think that now he is chief he can be an effective emissary for you? I doubt your father will listen to the opinion of a junior chief.”

“No, but he will listen to and allow me to marry an Ashanti prince.”She better not be talking about Adom.

I cross my arms and give her a stern look. “Adom will not marry you.”

She smirks. “Oh, I know that. It is clear he will marry you. I’m glad to see that you want him as much as he wants you. I’ve known Adom all my life; he is a warrior that believes love is a battlefield. To him, it is all or nothing. You two are a perfect match.”

I steady my gaze. “Well, Adom is the only Ashanti prince I know.”

Abena’s eyes shoot over to Senya and Afia, letting them know the time for secrets is over. Afia sighs as she takes Senya’s hand. He follows her to the table. The sight throws me for a loop. I have never seen Senya follow anyone. He barely follows Kofi’s orders. They take a seat and I feel like I am grudgingly being allowed into their secret club. Afia looks cornered by Abena’s relentlessness, and Senya looks like a pawn in their game. Afia squeezes his hand to keep him anchored. Silence hangs over us, but I refuse to fill it. I can wait.I always have patience for the truth.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Proposition

Adom

The fourth chief in a long line of ten is adding his words of wisdom, warning, and wants while I stand silently in front of him. I am waiting for him to finish so we can move to the next old man. I just want Maya. I tried to steal a glance over to the area I told her to sit with my mother, but she is not there. That makes me nervous. She would never willingly miss any part of the biggest moment in my life unless something is amiss. Since she is with my mother, I know that is the likely scenario.

I am trying not to worry, but I also saw Abena. I like Abena, but wahala follows the poor girl wherever she goes. That is her slimy father’s fault. Even now, Chief Owusu’s bloated body is spilling all over his stool. I have heard him call for more palm wine and food at least three times in the past hour. Gluttony is the worst of the deadly sins in my book. Kwabena Owusu always wants more. People like him are never satisfied and they see to it that no one else is as well. I turn to Kofi, who is at my right, and whisper to him while they throw some chalk-like substance at me and prepare the next chief to deliver his charge.

“Kofi, I have not seen Maya for the past two chiefs. Can you check on her, or do you have to go back and sit on your throne immediately?” He rolls his eyes at me and I realize that sounded snarky. But it is a real question—he is expected to sit through the chiefs’ platitudes along with everyone else.

“Brother, your nose is as wide as a hippo’s when it comes to Maya. Tell me, do you think she may have found your replacement among some of the young strapping Ashanti men here tonight? Are you scared she wants a real Ashanti man and not a rich Atlanta recluse?” He chuckles, and I want to punch him in his face. However, his comment makes me realize how humbling this entire experience is. Standing in front of the chiefs and the entire village in a plain black robe covered in white powder, I am not a billionaire hedge fund manager. I am an Ashanti man that hopes to be a good chief.

“No, that is not my worry. My worry is that she is off with my mother and Abena Owusu. I would call for Senya to check on them, but he also seems to be missing.” Kofi’s face pales for a second and I reach out to steady him. “Brother! What is it? You look as if you have seen a ghost!”

He looks at me and swallows before slapping my back in a shallow attempt at reassurance. “All is well; I am just tired. Between this installation and Ella’s pregnancy, I am lacking sleep. I need to call and check on Ella, anyway. I will check on Maya as well.” We both turn around at the sound of drumming. Kofi nods his approval. “In the meantime, the chiefs need a bit of a break. The dancers and drummers are coming out to perform and celebrate. You are not to move. Stay here, and I will return with an update.”

I watch him walk away and feel a mix of trepidation and annoyance. I want to go and check on Maya myself. Maybe the past week was too much pressure on her. She seemed to enjoy every moment of helping to prepare me and the village for the installation, but she put in long hours and really had no time for herself. I should have taken better care of her. I was too busy trying to keep her happy and eventually make love to her again than to genuinely check on her. That was selfish. Now, I regret it because she may be somewhere needing me, and instead I’m stuck here waiting for ten old men to publicly give me their blessing to do a job I already do. That’s it—I’m going to find her. If that fucks up this ceremony, so be it.

“Mr. Annan.” Fuck! What the hell does this jackal want. Now, I’m stuck here. I force a smile at Kwabena Owusu and respond. “Chief Owusu, how may I be of service?”

His hearty laugh is laced with menace as he slides next to me. I feel his giant hand slap my back and I swallow my anger. I hate when people touch me uninvited.Especially people I cannot stand.“Mr. Annan, I believe you are familiar with my daughter, Abena. I wanted to ensure I re-introduced you tonight. You know her beauty shines bright like the stars in our sky. She would make a lovely companion to any new chief. Her connections in London give her a considerable amount of influence. She is a royal photographer; they treat her like one of the family.”

The fat cat continues to grin as he waits for me to respond to his embellished claims. Forever the opportunist, he is determined to marry his poor daughter off to any man who can advance his causes and fill his pockets. Royalty is his preference, but I have the feeling any rich man will do for Kwabena Owusu. Senya says he is in love with her, but I wonder what Abena really wants. I wonder how far their entanglement can go since Senya has no real means and no real rank. Chief Owusu would forbid the match. That is probably what he really wanted to talk about when we left my compound earlier—his hopeless romance with the chief’s daughter.

I never thought about it before, but the betrothal contract between Abena and Kofi bought Abena time and freedom from her father’s machinations. She was able to love whomever she wanted. Her life has probably been hell since Kofi married Ella. I must handle Kwabena Owusu with careful but steady hands. He needs to remove any silly notion of his daughter and I marrying from his head. My heart and life belong to Maya Taylor.

“Ah, yes, chief! I know Abena very well. You know Abena, Kofi, Thomas, and I were all students together in London. It seems all of our high-ranking parents had the same idea to send us from our warm homeland to the same cold and prestigious English boarding school.” The chief ignores my jab. He slaps my shoulder again as he laughs off my rebuke.

“Yes, and you are all very successful. In fact, your talents are bi-coastal. You are a big hedge fund manager in America.A billionaire! I am sure Tafo’s industry will increase tenfold with your expertise. Thomas has invested the profits from our mines into many industries that will keep our village prosperous. Abena is a member of the royal staff at Buckingham Palace. The insights she provides us are unmatched. Then of course, Kofi is king. A self-made rich king I might add. So, you see, we did you a favor. And now you will return the favor to your homeland and our elders by being fruitful and multiplying the seed we put in the ground and industry…as well as giving us Ashanti grandchildren who will lead long after this old man is gone. That is why who you pick as a wife is so important. Do you understand what I am saying?”

Well, that’s enough of this conversation.I move from under his heavy arm and stand directly in front of him so he will not have any confusion about what I want to say. “Chief Owusu, I will not marry your daughter. Partly because your daughter has no desire to marry me and mainly because I am in love with someone else who will be my wife.” The chief tries to interrupt with a boisterous stutter, but I lift my hand and cut him off before he can even begin.

“Please, know that your daughter is lovely, but she is not for me. Also, please do not waste your time with any false threats or manipulations about my seat as chief or ability to pick my own wife. If my brother, the king, can love and marry whomever he wants, then surely you know I can and will do the same. My advice to you is to stop hocking your daughter for sale all over the diaspora and ask Abena what and who she wants. Her answer might even please you. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to call a servant to find the woman I will marry—I believe she is off somewhere with your daughter this very moment.”

Chief Owusu stands there hot and in shock. He tries to interrupt me as I begin my call, but I continue to talk until he finally walks away.

I hope Maya is feeling safe. I also pray that my mother is not traumatizing her with old demons and past history.For my mother’s sake, she had better keep her mouth shut.

Chapter Twenty-Four

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