Page 13 of Possessing the Prince

I pause and try to take in what I’m hearing. I know both Thomas and his father are liars. However, I can’t help but feel that there may be some truth to what they are saying. I know that Abena will never marry Michael Apeagyei, more so because, unbeknownst to anyone else in this room, she is already married to me. But maybe she is telling her father and brother this so she can run away to America during the four weeks we are waiting to be publicly wed. She has threatened to do so many times.

Or, maybe she wants to take that contract to travel through Australia with British royals, then live as Ashanti royalty with me. She thinks I know nothing about it, but I know everything. I knew before she took the meeting. It has been my job to know every move Abena Owusu makes and to keep her safe for most of my adult life. I always know where she is, because I’ve always had to. Nothing has changed.

It is possible she ran off because my demands for her to sleep in my bed and act as my true wife scared her off. I pray I have not lost my one chance at happiness. I look over at my brothers and see concern in their eyes. They were never convinced of her commitment to follow through in the first place. I’m not sure if I was, either. They know that it was only a marriage of convenience for her, something I outwardly refused to believe, but inwardly knew to be true.

If she were here, I could ask her. I could confront her. I am sure she is in this large compound somewhere, but I specifically asked her to stay away. Certainly, I can’t go rummaging through Chief Owusu’s house looking for her, and it would be improper to ask for her now. Ashanti royalty and their archaic rules!

I tried to handle this the proper Ashanti way. But now I wish she were here with me. I no longer care if they accept me; it is clear they never will. I will now do this my way. I sit on the corner of Chief Owusu’s desk and pick up a letter opener he has on his desk. I file my nail with it and address his open mouth directly.

“Tell me more about this conversation you had with Abena. What did she say, exactly?”

“What did I say about what?” I look up to see Abena standing in the doorway looking like a goddess. Her brown eyes pierce my heart as she stares at me and furrows her brow. Her father looks equal parts worried and displeased, but my heart and dick leap at the sight of my wife.

God heard my prayers, and now we will get to the bottom of all of this.

Confrontation

Abena

“Abena, I thought you were in Kumasi to meet with Mawuli. I’m sure you have many dresses to buy.”

My father says the words as smoothly as silk, but my trained ear hears the malice underneath.

I never told him anything about my plans today, so his driver must have told him. I swear the man has spies everywhere. It’s a miracle he doesn't know Senya and I am standing before him now already as husband and wife. I only decided to go to the market and get fitted for some engagement frocks when I woke up this morning. Senya wanted me to stay away during the knocking and I knew shopping would distract me. Now I know my father was counting on me not being around for the knocking either. His lies can’t breathe with me around to kill them.

My eyes fall on Senya. He looks good enough to eat. It’s going to be nearly impossible to make it an entire year without having sex with his perfect body and sweet soul. He looks powerful in his kente. It's a pattern I've never seen before, and the green and red pop off his mocha-colored skin. His broad shoulders are exposed and so is part of his chest. The cloth wraps around the muscle and smooth skin, and I imagine the ripples of abs waiting for my tongue underneath the folds of fabric. I want to unwrap him like a present. But that is not why we're here today standing in my father’s office. I need to focus.

I smile and shake my head. “Yes, Father, I was heading to the market when I realized I left my phone and wallet here. The driver had to bring me back here to retrieve them.” I steal a glance at Senya. “I know the knocking is taking place and planned to not interrupt, but I heard my name as I was passing by.” That was a partial truth. I actually was eavesdropping outside the door. “But tell me, Father, how did you know I was going to the market?”

My father deflects my inquiry with yelling. “How did you do a foolish thing like that?”

Deflection and yelling are my father’s favorite strategies, but his voice is louder than usual and Senya’s hands are clenched into fists. I pray my father calms down; Senya won't take my father's disrespectful tone much longer.

“Foolish girl,” my father continues. “You need to wrap your head around yourself so that you are not so forgetful.”

I put on my best smile and ignore him. Over my thirty-six years as his daughter, I’ve learned that yelling makes him feel in control of the situation. After my mother died when I was sixteen, his desire to control me became unbearable.

I walk toward Senya to get some answers instead. “Prince, tell me what you all were talking about. What is it that I supposedly said?”

My father steps between Senya and I and slightly pushes him back. I look at him like he’s lost his mind. Senya does not like being touched, and he sure as hell will not tolerate being pushed. But my father’s focus is on me and not his life. “Abena, this is no concern of yours. Leave at once.”

Kofi raises his hand and speaks. I can tell from the look on his face that he is concerned about the direction this meeting is taking. He knows his brother’s temper as well as I do. “No, Chief. It has everything to do with Abena, and she has a right to speak. It wasn’t long ago that I had similar feelings about the value of her thoughts on her marriage prospects. But I have since learned. Deals between men affect women. She should be a part of the knocking negotiations.”

Kofi walks over to me and takes my hand. “Now, Abena, your father tells us that you decided not to enter the marriage contract you and Senya discussed. He states you would rather fulfill your familial obligations and marry Chief Apeajyei’s son.”

I press my nails into my palms hard enough to break the skin. I face my father and count the number of gold chieftain bracelets on his wrist as a means to control my voice. “I never said any such thing and you know it. Father, why would you make up such lies?”

My father is standing in the middle of his office surrounded and sweating profusely. He’s nervous. It’s not a good look to be caught lying to the king and his family. However, he never shows weakness. Instead, he opts for a show of verbal force directed at me.

“How dare you call your father a liar? When you and I finished our conversation yesterday evening, my mind had not changed. I am never approving of a marriage between you and that…Ewe…” Kofi gives my father a sharp look and he clears his throat. “I’m sorry…I mean, Prince Senya. Abena, I thought that was clear.”

Senya steps forward and pushes me to the side. “Exactly how is that the same as Abena saying she no longer wants to marry me?”

My father moves out from under Senya’s wicked glare. “I do not have to answer you. How dare you question me…half-breed.”

“Now, that’s enough, you fat bastard!” Adom yells as he rises from his chair. Senya motions to Adom to stand down. Damn, he’s sexy when he takes charge.

“Answer me, Chief Owusu. Now. Or I will take you before the council for dishonesty. Right now, it looks like you have lied to your king, prince, and the ranking chief. Explain yourself.” Senya looks my father in the eye and does not flinch.

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