Her parent’s home was in a whirlwind when Cynthia walked in. It was literally the first time she had been in the house since she moved out almost eight years ago. During that time it was not a gated community like it was now. But there was no denying the majestic feel of the house. The high cathedral like ceilings in the foyer to the, floor to ceiling windows with the regal drapery, to the marble floors that never seem to have a dull spot, it was her mini castle and she loved her home, when it was home. Looking in her rearview mirror she saw Samuel park behind her. How do I explain him? She sighed, got out of her car and approached him. “If anyone asks would you simply say you’re here to assist with the media?”
“I could,” he replied politely.
“Thank you,” she said and turned to walk in the house. When he did not follow, she turned back and stared at him, “Aren’t you coming inside?”
“I’ll be fine here.”
“It’s cold out here and wouldn’t you like some dinner?”
He smiled at her thoughtfulness. “Maybe later.”
“Okay, I’ll check back with you.”
Memories of her childhood flooded her mind as she walked through the mudroom. Her memories were interrupted by the crash of glass and raised voices. She followed the sound. “Ah, Sofia at her finest,” her father smiled as he walked into the kitchen behind her. “What she doesn’t seem to understand is if she would only get out of the way, the people she pays good money to will be able to do their jobs.”
“Jackson, don’t you need to finish dressing?” Sofia raised a warning eyebrow.
Jackson looked down at his dress slacks and crisp collared shirt then back up at his wife. “I am dressed, for goodness sake, it is only LaVere’, not the King himself.”
“No,” Sofia replied. “But the Queen will be here. Now go upstairs and finish dressing.”
“What?” Cynthia exploded
“Yes sweetie. LaVere’ just called. His mother and sister will be joining us for dinner. I of course told him that was not an issue, when in fact it is.”
Cynthia heard Sofia rumbling on about something, but had lost interest. LaVere’s mother was coming to dinner. This will be the first time she has met a man’s mother. She shook her head, women tend not to like her. Most times, it was due to her bluntness, so she was going to have to control that for the evening. “Cynthia? Cynthia.” She looked up; it seemed her mother was calling her. “Don’t just stand there like a lost child, go upstairs and change.”
“Change? What’s wrong with what I have on?”
Exasperated Sofia walked over to her daughter. “You are your father’s child. This is your future mother in law, who just happens to be a queen. You cannot meet her in that getup you have on.” She examined her daughter, “While you’re at it, put your hair up. You always looked like a princess with a few strands cascading around your face.” She smiled, then slapped her hands, “Okay, hurry now, you have less than an hour before they arrive.”
Precisely one hour later the buzzer from the front gate sounded throughout the house. Cynthia looked at herself one last time in the mirror and smiled. Her mother had selected a simple a-line black evening dress with a curved neckline, which contrasted against a low v-shape in the back. It was what some would call sexy elegant and it looked good on her. Sheer stockings and black pumps rounded out the outfit. No jewelry with the exception of diamond studs in her ears. Her hair, as her mother suggested, was pinned up with a few strands dangling around her face. Before leaving her room she looked out the window to see Samuel standing out by the gate talking to several other men. This was the right thing to do. LaVere’ will be good for her. With her mind made up she took one last look in the mirror then left the room. She was walking down the staircase when her mother stopped her progression from below. “Don’t you dare! Go back upstairs until I call you down. An entrance is everything.”
Cynthia looked at her mother and exhaled. Turning she mumbled, “Have she forgotten that I’m twenty-eight years old and not a child.”
“Apparently you have, since you are following her instructions.” Blake laughed when she reached the top of the stairs. Cynthia rolled her eyes at him. “Hey, don’t get mad at me, I’m twenty-one and she still does it to me too.”
“How do you put up with her controlling nature?”
“You are the one that desperately wanted her attention. Well, you got it. I’m just thankful it’s on you for a while and not me. I can actually breathe for a minute.”
“I’m happy I could accommodate you. Now will you do something to get the attention back, please?”
He kissed his sister’s cheek, “You look good.”
She smiled, “It’s in the genes.”
“Cynthia,” her mother purred sweetly, “LaVere’ is here, dear.”
Blake smirked, “You’re on.”
Cynthia poked her tongue out at him. “I’m coming mother,” she replied.
She was walking down the stairs when Blake whispered, “I bet odds you will not make it through dinner without going off on her.”
“Shh,” Cynthia replied looking back at him.
As she came down the staircase, all agreed, she was beautiful. She looked the part of a princess even though she wasn’t. Nasheema smiled as she watched her son beaming at the woman walking towards them. At the bottom step LaVere’ reached out, captured her hands in his, and kissed her gently on the lips. “You look wonderful,” he smiled.
“A small attempt to keep up with you,” she whispered back.
“Cynthia, this is my mother, Queen Nasheema Farad Ashro and my sister Princess ZsaZsa Adannaya Ashro.
Pleasing her mother more than she could have imagined, Cynthia curtsy briefly then took the woman’s extended hand. “It is a pleasure to meet you Queen Ashro and Princess ZsaZsa, what a wonderful name,” she smiled.
“Believe me, the pleasure is mine,” Nasheema smiled. “Please Nasheema is fine. I always hoped my sons had impeccable taste, LaVere’, has proven it. You are beautiful.”
Cynthia smiled at the compliment as if she had never heard it before. “Thank you,” she said as her mother and father looked on.
“I’ve set up the solarium for us to sit and talk before dinner. It’s right this way,” Sofia smiled and led the way.
Cynthia took LaVere’s arm. “May we talk in private for a moment?”
He smiled at her, “Of course.”
“Mother we will join you all shortly,” Cynthia announced as she took LaVere’ into her father’s study. On her way home from Ashley’s house she decided to be open with him about the events of the night before. If she was going to fully commit to this man, she was not going to keep secrets from him. Besides, she was sure there will be many occasions when she will do things he will not agree with. Now was as good of time as any to find out what his reactions would be.
Once they were alone inside the room, the conversation did not come as easily as Cynthia had hoped. She found she was nervous. What LaVere’ thought of her was important and she knew her actions last night was not going to please him. She smiled as he stood near the window looking like the prince he was. It would be quiet easy to wake up to him every morning. He was a handsome man, very thoughtful and extremely generous, she thought as she began to speak. “I need to tell you about last night. This is going to be a little difficult for me, so please let me get it out before you say anything. Would you like to have a seat?”
It was clear whatever she wanted to say was making her very nervous, LaVere’ thought as he watched her. He smiled, that indicates she at least care a little about him. If she didn’t she would simply say what was needed and be done with it. “Alright,” he exhaled and sat in the leather chair near the window, crossed his legs and listened.
Cynthia began to pace in front of him and told him everything about the previous night, including the kiss. For some reason she felt she had to protect Samuel. So she did not tell him it was Samuel. “I’m not a deceitful person LaVere’. Before we went any further, I needed to tell you about this. I don’t think there is a place for secrets in a relationship.” She stopped and waited for his reaction. And frankly she had no idea how he was going to take the information. But there it was.
He listened, but more importantly he watched her as she talked. The thought of her in another man’s arms was distracting to say the least. But the fact that she told him the circumstances meant the world to him. He liked her honesty, but most of all he liked the fact that the events of the night before disturbed her enough to confide in him. What he adored was how she was now standing in front of him with a look of wonder on her face. She really did not know what to expect from him, but that did not stop her from being honest. He stood and walked over to her. She was posed for a fight, with hands on hips and a look that said, “Bring it on.” Standing so close that he could kiss her without taking another step, LaVere’ looked into her eyes. “Do you have feelings for this man?”
“I don’t really know him.”
“Hmm, what about Gavin, do you have feelings for him?”
“Of course I do. Our relationship meant a lot to him and to me. We will always be friends, regardless of how much of an ass he can be sometimes,” she pouted and lowered her head a little.
LaVere’ smiled and placed a finger under her chin to look into her eyes. “What about Brian?”
“Brian?” she frowned. “Brian is everyone’s protector. He is the big brother I never had.”
He smiled and allowed his competitiveness to get the best of him. “Do you plan to pursue this man?”
She was honest, but she wasn’t a fool. There was no need to tell him the man was Samuel. “No.”
“And if he seeks you out, what will you do.”
“There is no reason for him to seek me out or vice versa. It was a kiss, that’s all.”
He leaned forward and gently kissed her lips, “Was it a kiss like this?”
The gentle, sweet kiss made her smile. She reached out and encircled his waist. “No, it was more like this.” She tilted her head and pressed her lips against his forcing his lips to part. The kiss was filled with passion as he placed his arms around her to pull her closer. It was not long before he took over the controls and when it ended, it was clear to both there was some chemistry between them. But not like Samuel, her mind protested. Stop that, her brain replied.
“It was like that, hmm.” He said as he held her and continued to kiss the side of her mouth. He looked at her, “Should I be concerned?”
“I don’t think so.” She laughed nervously enjoying his kisses as they continued down her neck. When she felt his body begin to respond to their closeness she started to pull away, but hesitated. If she was going to commit to this man, now was the time. She pressed her body even closer to his. His hands began to roam over her body as did hers. He returned to her lips and had just begun to deepen the kiss when a knock occurred and the door swung opened.
“Umm humm,” They both turn their heads towards the opened door, but never released each other. “Your mother would like for the two of you to join us in the solarium,” her father stated.
“It’s a sunroom daddy,” Cynthia beamed at him.
“Well to your mother it’s a solarium.”
LaVere’ smiled at Cynthia, “Please tell her we will be there momentarily.”
“Will do,” her father said and closed the door.
“Thank you for telling me about last night.” LaVere’ smiled as he held her. “I realize you did not have to share that with me. You are a very beautiful woman. Men are going to be attracted to you. I am a very possessive man. Once you commit to me, you are mine and I don’t like to share. I will allow you time to make sure I am the man you chose to be with.” He ran a finger down her cheek. “Knowing that, would you make me one promise?”
“Anything,” she smiled.
“If at any point you believe you have feelings for someone else, would you tell me first?”
She brushed a kiss across his lips. “I promise.”
“Good. Now, let’s go and see if ZsaZsa has talked everyone’s head off.”
♡♡♡
On the ride home from the dinner Nasheema turned to her son. “I like your Cynthia; she is a breath of fresh air. Though I would be leery of this meal she plans to prepare for you with her own hands. Even her brother nearly choked at that announcement.” They all laughed. “But, I must be honest son. I don’t believe she would be happy in Emure. I believe our customs would suffocate her.”
“I like her too LaVere’. She didn’t treat me like a little girl and her brother—oh he is to die for. Do you think I could see some of his movies before we go home?”
LaVere’ smiled at his little sister and realized, she really was not that little anymore. He was certain she was going to break some man’s heart. “I’m sure I have one or two of them at the house you can see.” He smiled. “I know she is very unconventional, that’s what I like about her.”
“There is chemistry between the two of you. But I don’t see love. Do you love her LaVere’?”
“I could very easily love her.”
Nasheema smiled, “What you are going to be asking her to do is going to take more than I could. It is going to take I love her beyond belief. You will be asking her to come into a hostile situation. It is going to take unbelievable patience on your part to help her through what our people will subject her too. Your father’s and Jamal’s reactions will be mild in comparison. Although, I believe your Cynthia could stand up to anyone she chose. She is a tough little lady.”
“Yes, she is. But she cannot stand up to her mother.”
Nasheema smirked, “Well, her mother is a very arrogant woman. She is determined to see her daughter marry well, whether it’s you or not does not matter to her. Cynthia, on the other hand is looking to be loved. Can you do that LaVere’? Can you love her the way your father loves me? You don’t have to answer to me. However, before you ask this woman to turn her back on her family and her country, you need to answer that question for yourself. Whatever you decide, you have my love and support.”
The depth of his mothers’ knowledge always amazed him. Even as a male child, he realized early in life that she was not just the woman his father married. There was a mutual respect between the two. He wanted a wife that would be his equal, just as his mother is with his father. He believed Cynthia could be that woman. Love may not be there at this moment, but time can change that. He leaned over and kissed his mothers’ cheek, “Thank you for the unsolicited advice. I will take all that you have said under advisement.”
“That’s all I ask. In the meantime keep Jamal out of your relationship with her and for goodness sake watch him at all times. I’m not sure your father’s trust in him is wise.”
LaVere’ nodded in agreement. “I have turned over most of his duties to Edmund. As soon as I can find a way to release him without hindering his family, he will be returned to Emure.”