Page 41 of Possessing the Prince

“Yes, father I am. And maybe with time, I can trust you again and bring the child by so that we can be a family. But I need time to heal, and I will not be pushed. Do you understand?”

He nods. “Yes, I do. Abena, I am truly sorry for how everything turned out. I wish I could say more, but that is all I have.

“I know that father. But right now, that is not enough.”

I turn and leave, not sure of when, or if, I will ever return. But one thing is for sure, this is no longer my home. After my mother died, I’m not sure it ever was.

Lost

Senya

“Where is my wife?” I roar into the phone. “It’s 10 p.m. and I haven't heard from her since this morning!”

Maya is being as patient as she can, but I can tell she’s two seconds from calling Adom to the phone. I do not want that, because then we will fight over me yelling at Maya.I am really not in the mood to kick my brother’s ass right now.I know none of this is Maya’s fault. She was only the last one with Abena, and now I can’t find her. She Isn't answering her phone, her GPS tracker is off, and no one has any answers for me. What if she was taken? She shook her driver also. I took my first wave of frustration out on his face for losing my wife.

“Senya. I told you, we left the doctor’s office this afternoon. The last thing she said to me was that she was going home.”

“But my men have checked her residences in both London and Paris. She’s not in our Accra home and I know she damn well didn't go to her father’s home.” Maya interrupts me with a snort.

“You’ve kept tabs on our girl, huh? Stalker-ish, aren’t we?”

“No! It’s not like that. I didn't start tracking her movements until after she was taken. I didn't tell her because she would have protested. But Maya, I just want her to be OK. Why would she run away and not tell me where she is. She knows how I worry.”

Maya sighs shakily over the phone and I get the distinct feeling she’s hiding something.

“Maya, if you know where she has gone or what has happened, you need to tell me.”

After a long pause, she finally spills the beans. “Look, have you checked the airports? The way Abena was ready to run this afternoon, she could be anywhere around the globe. She was scared and her eyes were wild with fear and uncertainty. I think she might have tapped out, Senya.”

Nothing Maya is saying makes any sense. Why would she want to leave now? We have only been married four months. Everything seemed to be going well. Was that all an act just so she could escape? Was her back even hurting? Did she use the doctor’s visit to slip away? I know one thing: I’m not chasing Abena any-fucking-more. And I'm not cleaning up her messes. If she left, then I’m letting her go. My heart can’t take it.

“Maya, if she is so scared of me and this marriage, then maybe I should just let her go. I do not think she is in any danger. I have eyes on the Apeagyeis that aren’t jailed for her kdnapping, and they know not to fuck with me or mine. I can keep Abena safe from afar and always will. Edem Adepa finally got charges filed against them for trafficking. They are pretty much off the street. I should just set her free.”

“No, you idiot!”

I swallow back my anger. “What did you call me?”

“Idiot! I called you an idiot! Men! Y’all pretend to be so strong but you are all really just big babies. Do you know how many heartbreaks women have to nurse…how many frogs we have to kiss before we finally get a prince charming? A LOT! You’re facing one major bump with Abena and you’re all ready to take your broken heart home. Man up, Senya! Abena is scared of being an inadequate mother and terrible wife. It has nothing to do with her not loving you or wanting to be free of you. She’s just convinced herself that running is sparing you from her madness. “

I pause. “What do you mean she’s worried about being an inadequate mother?” I growl into the phone.

“Just that, she never planned to become a mother, so it was never something she had to worry about. She lost hers at such a difficult age, so unexpectedly finding out she’s about to become one can be overwhelming.”

My heart starts to race and my palms are sweaty. I need a drink because it feels like my throat is going to close up from dryness. Thankfully I am in my office. I go to the bar, pour a single malt whiskey, and knock it back. Once I get my breathing under control, I rejoin the conversation.

“Is Abena pregnant?”

Maya exhales. “Senya, she just found out this morning. And I honestly don't think she is going to run. I think she just needed some space to process the information. She’s scared that she will be like her father. You’ve got to give her some time to come to her senses. I know she will because she loves you. You’ve got to have faith in that.”

“I do, Maya. I have so much fucking faith in her. That is why I agreed to this marriage. I see who she is behind all the walls she puts up, and I thought they were starting to crumble.” I feel myself getting choked up. I’m glad Maya and I are having this conversation over the phone and not in person.

“Well, then keep the faith. She’s gonna to come back. Just give it time, OK? And I promise you if I hear anything, I will let you know.”

“OK.”I know she heard my voice crack that time.

“Senya, it's going to work out, you just wait and see. And Senya…”

“Yeah?” I croak.

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