Page 82 of Guarding Zuri
Zuri stared down at her gorgeous, heart-shaped engagement ring Daemon just happened to have had on him when he unexpectedly returned from the dead four weeks ago. In one hour, she would be Mrs. Daemon Msongo-Knight—or Madam President Msongo-Knight.
They wouldn’t take a honeymoon for at least a few months. Daemon was relocating his main offices to Msongo, and Parliament’s second session of the year had begun. The session promised to be a long one as the list of the most pressing needs of the country continued to grow.
They had arrested the last of President Gohi’s high-ranking men. Soon, they would face judicial proceedings. Law and order hadn’t been fully restored, but most of the Bendolans had made the transition less stressful for the politicians, taking safety into their own hands and fighting against people seeing an opportunity to create unrest. Vigilante justice cases dropped to a daily average of three percent after Zuri’s pleas to let the young justice system prove itself.
She couldn’t believe that a month ago, she had thought Daemon was dead. After the romantic haze surrounding his return lifted, anger and frustration surfaced about his and David’s agreement to let her believe he was dead. Zuri forgave Daemon, but she still looked at David with suspicion. He was supposed to be loyal to her.
She eventually saw the wisdom of their decision; she would’ve spent a lot of time caring for Daemon when her country required her complete attention. But now that Daemon was alive and the country was settling into its new course, she could take some time to marry the man who had won her stubborn heart.
A knock on the door drew her attention there. “Enter.”
David walked through. “You look beautiful, my friend.”
“Thank you, David.”
He looked nervous and clasped his hands in front of him. “I’m still your friend, right?”
Her heart warmed at him and she released the last of her indignation. Zuri moved quickly to him, her hands outstretched. They gripped each other. “Of course you’re my friend. You’ll always be my friend, you know that.”
“For a little while, I thought I’d lost your trust.”
“I was angry that I spent months believing Daemon was dead—a choice I didn’t make—but I understand why you made that decision. It must’ve been difficult to put Bendola ahead of the feelings of your friend.”
“It’s not a decision I would wish on anyone.”
She squeezed his hands. “I know I would’ve done the same, if I were in your shoes. I’m convinced of it.”
“That’s why I knew it was the right choice. You would’ve put Bendola first.”
“And I respect you for it.”
“You’re marrying a good man.”
Her cheeks heated. She turned back toward the mirror. If the wedding didn’t happen soon, she’d have to touch up her makeup. “His is a good man. I wish I knew where he was.”
“Don’t worry. He wouldn’t miss this day for anything.”
“Any news?”
“Nothing yet, but his plane was in the air a few hours ago. He should be here soon.” He came beside her and stared at her image. “I’m sorry your father couldn’t be here to see this.”
“Thank you for representing my family today.”
“Always.” He squeezed her shoulders and left her alone in the room.
Bayo Msongo never got to see, with his own eyes, his dream realized. Bendolans would forever remember him as the man who stood up to President Abdullah Gohi and whose followers won their independence. The new parliament memorialized the date of his birth as a national holiday. She hoped he was smiling from heaven and that he was proud of his daughter’s accomplishments.
Gohi’s long tenure as president of Bendola spearheaded Bendola’s parliment to adopt the United States’s two-term policy. Although she was almost a year into her term, Zuri anticipated not running for a second. She wanted to set her country on a course that would familiarize her people with a change in leadership after Gohi’s thirty-year span. Although she thrived in leadership, Zuri wanted none of the fame. A job in conservation would suit her just fine. As would being a wife and a mother.
Mother.Zuri was grateful for her father’s journal entries on life as a married man with her mother. It gave her insight into the woman who had died trying to protect her.Mother, I hope you are proud of me and approve of my choice,she said to herself.Daemon is a wonderful man and I know you would’ve liked him.
She smoothed the front of her traditional Bendolan wedding dress, the bright blues, yellows, and greens exciting her nerves even more. Marriage to Daemon promised to be exciting. With her as president and him running a global corporation, they would have their hands full juggling politics, business, and their family.
Zuri looked at her phone and frowned. Still no message from Daemon. He was overdue to return to Bendola by more than a week. He left soon after proposing to transition his office to Bendola. Before he left, he had mentioned his fatherhadcancer. Although Arthur Knight had creeped her out at their first meeting, Zuri hoped in death he might find some peace at the side of his first wife. Daemon mentioned Arthur had established a trust for her and any future children she and Daemon would have. She smiled at the thought of Arthur being a sentimentalist.
Being the CEO of Knight Industries was eating into Daemon’s time. Zuri didn’t mind it so much as she had her own busy schedule as president of a country. For the foreseeable future, she would continue to fly all over the world meeting with leaders to solidify fledgling relationships. She didn’t expect them to be on the same page at all times, but she expected him to be here for their wedding.
Neither of them wanted anything lavish. Instead, they would have a simple ceremony in the presidential palace and enjoy a meal and traditional dessert foods during another policy meeting. Daemon promised that when the two of them had a weekend free, he would take them on a cruise around the Indian Ocean and spend the night on a private island he’d inherited from his father.
