Authors: Imari Jade
Chapter Eight
“He’s dead,” Charisma kept repeating after the plane crash was confirmed. Tears welled in her eyes along with mass confusion. Robert was gone and neither of them ever confirmed how they felt about each other. Did she love him or didn’t she? She searched around in her heart but couldn’t pull out the answer. Was it wrong to feel anything but remorse for him? Charisma walked toward the door. She was mobbed by a bunch of newspaper men.
“Your uncle told us that Mr. Robert Edwards was your fiancé,” one of the said as he stuck a mike in her face.
Charisma refused to acknowledge the comment. She pushed away from him. “Leave me alone,” she replied. “My friends are dead and all you are trying to do is get a story for a tabloid.” She ran past them, out of the room and headed upstairs for some peace. She’d have to hear her uncle’s announcement like everyone else, on the television. She made sure her door was closed and locked before hopping on the bed. Charisma used the remote control to flip on the television. More tears flowed from her eyes now that she was alone. She wiped away the tears and then closed her eyes. Her uncle’s voice coming through the television stopped her from dozing off to sleep.
* * * *
“Flight 0124 African Air crashed in the Atlantic Ocean this morning on the way to the
United States
. Besides the crew, the plane contained 216 passengers. There were no survivors. Among the dead are Mr. Kelsey Edward, the Governor of Louisiana, his wife Ina and their son Robert. Robert Edwards had a promising political career ahead of him.” Julio turned the questioning over to the reporters. Ten minutes later it was over.
Charisma dressed and left the house. Before she knew it she was in her car and driving away from the mansion. She didn’t know where she was going, but all she knew was that she had to get as far away from there as soon as possible to sort out her thoughts. She couldn’t do that with all those people in the house and the constant reminders of what had happened. The next thing she knew she was headed to
Cairo
toward Shakir’s hotel. All eyes turned to her as she entered after the long drive. The young woman behind the desk smiled at her, forcing her to smile back. Apparently they knew who she was but were too polite to comment. She walked toward Shakir’s office but one of the hotel personnel stopped her.
“He’s not there. He’s up in the penthouse.”
Charisma thanked him and walked to the elevator. She changed her mind.
No, I can’t go to him with this
. She turned around the left the hotel.
* * * *
“She’s gone,” Shakir told his father as they sat in the castle throne room. “She left me a voice mail explaining that she was gong back to the
United States
for the Edwards’ memorial service and to graduate from college.”
“I don’t see a problem,” his father said. “You own a jet. Go after her.”
Shakir shook his head. “You know me better than that. I do not run behind women.”
“Don’t look at it as running after her. Look at it as showing concern for her emotional state. Show her that you are there for her in her time of grief.”
Shakir couldn’t do it. He was sad about the passing of the Edwards but he didn’t want Charisma on the rebound. “I appreciate the advice but I think I’ll pass. And besides, I have to be here for Halima’s family. They’re pretty torn up, looking for answers and not understanding why Halima made the decision to leave without letting anyone know.”
“That surprised me too,” the king admitted. “I had no idea that she and Robert had become so attached. I always thought that she wanted to marry you.”
“In her warped way she did, but then I met Charisma and all that changed. Halima latched on to Robert because he was available and I wasn’t. The idea of being First Lady of the
United States
outweighed being a princess to a prince who would never be king.”
“But you do not want to be king.”
“Why are you the only one besides me who knows this?” Shakir asked.
Remmao laughed. “Because I am old and wise and you’re more like me than you care to admit. I didn’t have a choice in the matter since I was the eldest son.”
“Do you regret being king?”
“I did in the beginning but it grew on me. And I didn’t need the title to win the heart of the woman I love.”
Shakir sighed. “Yes I do love her but I’m still not going to
America
. She will return if she wants me. She needs space right now and she needs to finish her schooling which is so important to her. I don’t want to stand in the way of her accomplishing everything she wanted to do before we met.”
Remmao patted Shakir on the hand. “You’re wise beyond your years.”
Shakir agree. “Yes, I know.”
* * * *
Charisma looked out of the limousine window as they rode through the cemetery. It had just started to rain and the mourners were all busy trying to get back to their cars before the downpour. The tiny American flags on the cars flapped in the gentle breeze. Dignitaries from all over the country were there to pay their final respects to the Governor of Louisiana and his family. It was a wonderful service, proceeded by a second line march and then the interment. Later there would be a repast at the funeral parlor which she didn’t plan to attend. She wasn’t in the mood for food or socializing or hearing about the Edwards’ lifelong accomplishments and commitments. She had heard it all before on numerous occasions, at numerous functions and they were now just empty words. When you die it ends. The car sped through the gates and headed toward the Interstate. Charisma ignored the conversation going on around her between her aunt and uncle. Instead she texted a couple of friends in New Orleans to let them know that she was back from Africa and that she wanted to meet up with them later. Her graduation was just a week away and she still had a lot of things to do before walking up the aisle to accept her diploma. Once back at the funeral parlor she said good-bye to her family, climbed in her car and then drove back to her hotel room to change out of her clothes. Later she hopped back into her car and took a drive around
New Orleans
to see if anything had changed. She planned to do as much as she could to get her mind off of her current situation.
* * * *
“Haven’t you called her yet?” Amon asked Shakir as he lounged around Shakir’s office. “It’s been nearly two weeks now.”
“No, I refuse to.”
“You’re as stubborn as Asina.”
“I take that as a compliment. Anyway. I’m not the heartless bastard everyone thinks I am. I sent the family a condolence card and I also sent Charisma a graduation present.”
Amon sat up straight and stared at Shakir who was seated at his desk in his business office in
Nubia
. “What did you sent her?”
“It’s a surprise. She won’t be expecting it.”
“It’s not an engagement ring, is it?”
Shakir shook his head. “No, why would I send something like that through the mail? When I propose I’m going to do it face to face.” He stalled. “No, actually it’s a private joke between her and me.”
Amon looked at him oddly. “Does it have to do with sex?”
Shakir smiled wickedly. “Oh yeah.”
“You’re rotten to the core.”
“It will jog her memory and remind her of a wonderful time we had when we first met.”
“Do you think she’ll be back in time for your birthday party?”
“I don’t know. The funeral and the graduation are over so I guess the Ambassador and his family should be returning home soon. They can’t stay away forever.”
“Charisma might,” Amon replied. “She is not a United States Ambassador.” He paused. “What are you going to do if she decides to remain in the
United States
?”
Shakir frowned. He had not thought of that. Leave it to Amon to waltz in and ask questions instead of being at work at the palace. He had noticed that his cousin had been visiting a lot lately…more than usual. “Before I answer can you explain to me why you have been purposely been avoiding staying at the palace compound and coming here to annoy me?”
Amon feigned hurt. “You wound me, Prince Shakir. I am family. Are you saying that I’m not welcome here?”
“No. You know I’m always glad to see you but don’t you still work for my father? He didn’t find out that you’ve been getting into his brandy?”
“Yes, I still work for your father and no, I haven’t been caught. I haven’t touched that nasty stuff since the last time you and I had some. The truth is it’s been slow. No one has tried to kill him and take the palace over.”
“Very funny, so what’s the truth?”
Amon grew serious. “It’s Layla.”
“What’s wrong with Layla?”
“There’s nothing wrong with Layla. She’s holding out.”
“Holding out?”
“Yes, she’s refusing to have sex with me.”
Shakir stifled a chuckle. “Why is she doing that?”
“Because she wants a commitment. She does not want to be just a one night stand.”
“Will she be?”
“No, I love Layla. I want a future with her.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“I don’t know if I’m ready to settle down. It is all so permanent…so final.”
“So you’re hiding from her like a little boy.”
Amon nodded. “Exactly.”
“Grow up. Layla loves you. Buy a ring and pop the question.”
Amon thought about it for a moment. “You’re right. I’m just being silly. Hey, you haven’t answered my question. What will you do if Charisma does not return here and remains in the
United States
.”
Shakir sighed. “I have no idea,” he replied. “I still think there is hope.”
Chapter Nine
“What’s this?” Charisma asked, spotting the huge box inside her hotel room. It was covered in International postage but the return address definitely spelled out
Nubia
. “It’s from Shakir.” She hesitated for a moment and then opened it. Inside was a bag from a toy store. Charisma pulled the bag out and opened it. She giggled when she saw the stuffed camel. The card attached to it simply said, “Congratulations on your graduation,” and it was signed, “Love, Shakir.”
Charisma hugged the camel, reminiscing about the meaning behind the intent. She put it back into the bag, broke the box down, and then put the box into the trash. She’d give him an A-plus for trying, but right now she really wasn’t in the mood to make a decision even though she missed him desperately. Graduation was over, the Edwards were buried, and her uncle had taken care of all the stuff he need to do while he was state-side. Now it was time to face reality and return to
Africa
. She was filled with both excitement and dread…not knowing what to do. Robert’s death should have solved the problem but instead it had left her confused. Was she going straight to Shakir? Was it right since she just left him and ran home for Robert’s funeral? Was she ready to go back to
Africa
? That one she could answer. No. Was she going back? Yes. Charisma put the camel away and started organizing her suitcase for the return trip to
Africa
.
Carmen knocked on the door and Charisma let her in. “I think you need to see this,” she announced as she entered. In her hand was a stack of legal documents.
“What is it?” Charisma asked.
“The manifest from the airline. It was delivered to Julio this morning.”
Charisma flipped through the pages. “Why would I be interested in the names? I already know that Robert and his family died.”