Page 16 of Good As Hell

I know I was wrong. I took the coward’s way in not telling him but I just didn’t want to ever see him again after that morning. No one was more shocked than me when two month’s later at the routine physical before the start of the tour I found out that I was eight weeks pregnant. The doctor immediately offered to terminate. Being employed by Creative Chaos I think she thought it was a no brainer. Instead, I had her remove the defunct IUD, which was only good for ten years and I was well past the six month grace passed and needed to get a new one I found out later.

I got another private doctor who took care of me during my pregnancy. I like Dr. Garrett but her staff was gossipy and I didn’t want my condition leaked. Dr. Kassan afforded me the privacy I needed, plus I heard how Delightful raved about her when she was pregnant with Baby Justice.

Thinking of my friend, I know from the text of row after row of frowny faces she sent that she’s mad that I didn’t tell her. I just didn’t want to put her in the position of having to lie to FADE. I wasn’t going to be the cause of them having problems over my decisions. Just as I hate the fact Fi is having to deal with the repercussions now.

Along with Ayaan, I also have no idea where she is. The Rolls-Royce she was placed in peeled off in the opposite direction of the one we took to come to this palace.

Walking over to the seating area facing the interior garden, I look down at the now chilled tea service. My tummy rumbles but I know if I dare eat I’ll hurl all the food from the sheer amount of nerves I feel.

The softness in Hassan’s eyes as he looked down at Ayaan could be rivaled by noting but the sheer malice and rage burning in his eyes as he beheld me. If the earth opened then it would probably be a greater mercy than what the prince has in store for me. And I deserve it, I know.

I’d never expect him to understand the fear. He’s always had power from since before he know he had it let alone wield it. It’s the complete antithesis of a poor girl growing up in the Elyton Village projects. I know he could never understand a woman like me. The things I had to do just to survive. He’s already said he didn’t like me. I’m sure that’s firmly moved over to the hatred column. I would expect nothing less. He can join my family.

I’m aware of every second ticking by until an attendant seems to appear out of no where on silent feet.

“Mistress, His Highness requests your presence in his garden.” Nodding solemnly, she steps over the glass doors leading to the garden.

Standing, I smooth my palms down my hips, trying to calm my nerves. I can already feel the perspiration prickling between my breasts and in my armpits. I already regret not taking the time to freshen up as I should have. Erroneously, I thought Hassan would bring my son to me immediately.

The much taller woman’s shadow falls before us like an omen as she leads me through the private garden that spills from my rooms. Taking me through a hidden path I would have never found, she leads me through a dense thicket that is clearly known to few. Stopping before a dense wall of what looks like orange honeysuckle and smells similar she waits.

“Honey suckle grows here?” I ask to her back.

“Yes, Mistress. This is Cape Honey Suckle, though many kinds are grown or transplanted. The prince’s grandmother had an affinity for them. This was her favorite palace.”

Mutely I nod, trying to imagine having a favorite palace. Yes, I’m wealthy now, very close to being a billionaire in my own right, but having to sit on the floor sharing saltines with my younger sisters is not something I will ever forget.

The wall of honeysuckle springs open as another attendant steps back as we pass.

“I will await you here.” The woman who saw me this far says.

“I’m sorry I din’t get your name —” I start.

“Amari,” she answers hurriedly, her eyes darting to the attendant waiting. “You must not keep His Highness waiting.” Whispering with gentle admonishment she steps back.

Pushing the door closed, the waiting attendant nods ahead of me. “Follow me please, mistress.”

The silence of the garden is almost comforting if I was sure that the new woman who seems older and sterner wasn’t leading to my death. I know men like him, like FADE, his brother, Ghad and Flower’s husband, Akchiro don’t take slights easy. Never mind the grave insult of me keeping his son from him.

Chewing my bottom lip, I follow the woman onto a path similar to the one that led us here until it opens up into a grand courtyard. There is a huge fountain that is the centerpiece of the garden. It looks what I imagine paradise in heaven would be.

There are humming birds in a bath and small animals I’ve never seen outside a zoo frolicking and bounding over each other in the grass.

Attendants are feeding, massaging, and playing with them. A puppy, no, nothing so boring; Hassan has a baby gazelle and lynx in his back yard.

We approach the huge fountain and I hear Ayaan giggling. Rounding it, I see him standing on strong little legs before hisdaddy petting a sleek kitten. The kitten swats his arm as he tickles his long pointed ears.

Hassan doesn’t bother to look up, but the moment Ayaan sees me, he’s nearly tripping over himself to get to me.

“Mommy, mommy—” he squeals in happiness as I sweep him up in my arms.

Burrowing my head in his hair, I nearly weep from relief. Knowing my son’s reaction would be one of immediate despair should I cry in front of him, I take the necessary moments I need to get myself together as I inhale his precious baby scent.

“Hey, my big man.” Smiling as I pull back to meet his jade gaze, I search his face with care for any signs of distress. We are rarely away from each other. Which is why when it got to the two-hour mark, I started to worry. I make sure not more than two hours pass between me laying eyes on him.

“We will share a meal with our son,” Hassan announces as a way of greeting me, I suppose.

He nods to the double doors, then motions for me to sit. No sooner than I do as he bids is the food being brought out by attendants.

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