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Conversation continued for another 45 minutes. Timelines and other rollout strategies for the serum were the major topics. The group made plans for future meetings as preparations inched them closer to the targeted distribution date. It was agreed that the announcement of the serum would take place soon. Serum tests had already been taking place since Max, Deka, and Saiida began their partnership. The scientists were confident the product would be ready for the public by the agreed-upon date.
Max was the first to head out of North Saanich. His girlfriend had booked flights and managed to snag last-minute accommodations to the resort mountain lodge they’d originally planned for their weekend getaway. Deka was next- heading for a return trip to Jamaica. There, she was to begin connecting with various media marketing entities regarding the serum announcement.
––––––––
“Mustafa.”
Talking quietly with Cafrey, Mustafa turned to find that Ali had approached. Cafrey was about to inch away so the men could speak. Mustafa slipped an arm about her waist and kept her secure at his side.
“Ali,” he greeted the other man.
Ali offered a hand which Mustafa regarded but a few seconds before he accepted. Broad grins followed.
“What happened to Suleja wasn’t right,” Ali began, “but I know you loved her. You would never have hurt her intentionally.”
“I am sorry, Ali,” Mustafa returned. “I was wrong to pursue her. I knew she was yours and should have kept my distance. I’m grateful for your understanding.”
Ali stepped back from the handshake. He favored Cafrey with a nod and walked away.
“The way you all speak of women,” Cafrey mused, watching Ali Okonkwo take his leave. “Like property,” she added.
“Does it offend you to know I think of you as mine?”
“No,” she smiled up at him, “as long as you realize you’re just as much mine?”
He gave a curious smile. “Don’t know that I’ve ever been thought of that way by anyone.”
“I’m certain that’s not true!” She laughed. “Just as I’m certain you would never allow your actions to be ruled by it.”
“But Ms. Sibanda, that was before you.”
Still amused, Cafrey shook her head. “Do you recall I’ve had a front-row seat to all your sordid escapades?” She patted his abdomen dismissively in a play to move past.
Again, Mustafa prevented that. His hold on her arm wasn’t a bruising one, but firm enough to tell her that he was in no way humored.
“Like I said, Cafrey, that was before you. I mean the words I say.”
Her nod was a slow one. “I’m sor-”
“Never apologize to me, Cafrey. Just believe it when I say you’re it for me. You’ve been it longer than you know. I was just too much of a goddamn idiot to admit it to myself, much less to you.”
“I understand, Mustafa.”
Now, he laughed. “You understand but you still think I’m full of shit.”
Cafrey shrugged. “Witness to sordid escapades, remember?”
“Yeah,” his nod was a solemn one. “Do I have a chance with you, Cafrey? A chance that can survive outside the bedroom?”
“Mustafa we’ve only ever survived outside the bedroom.”
He shook his head. “Not the way we need to for this.”
Some of Cafrey’s amusement waned.
Mustafa noticed. “So I ask again. Do I have a real chance with you, Cafrey? Or do you see me as another silly casanova like my little brothers?’
Cafrey glanced around the room, observing the men in question. “I’m not sure that’s an accurate assessment anymore-considering both are in love and on their way down the aisle.”
“So they are,” Mustafa grinned. “Think that buys me a little good faith?”
“It would,” she tugged the sleeve of his charcoal brown fleece sweater. “It would if you needed it.” She smoothed her hands over his chest. “I know exactly who you are, Mustafa. I’ve known for a long time. You’re a man who loves his family desperately and would lay down his life for them. How could I turn down a chance to be part of your world in a way unlike any I’ve known so far? Now, can you please stop talking and kiss me, you silly Casanova?”
After a quiet chuckle, Mustafa Nkosi did as he was told.
––––––––
“Not quite the business trip you were expecting?” Ali asked Kieli when he found her taking in the view from the long back porch.
“Not quite!” she laughed. “Not at all!”
Ali rested on the porch railing near where Kieli stood. “Too much for you?” he asked.
“Well I think you’re forgetting how much I’ve seen since I’ve worked for the Okonkwo family.”
“Yeah,” nodding, Ali folded his arms over the Jamaican flag emblazoned on the front of his lightweight sweatshirt. “You’ve never been this close to it, though.”
“That was my own fault.”
“That, was Lesotho Raymu’s fault, but it’s not the point I’m trying to make.”
Kieli propped her hip on the railing. “Clarify,” she narrowed a look his way.
“This is the biggest upset my family has ever faced, Kieli. It doesn’t mean there won’t be more down the line. That could be a lot more true once the serum shakes the world and especially true once my brothers start coming down on me for not calling them in on this,” Ali’s features tightened.
“What I mean, Kieli, is that I can’t promise you a quiet life.”
She laughed. “Why would you think I’d want that?”
“Kieli,” Ali looked as if he were trying to force himself to go on, “I think that, because when I think of you it calms me. When I see you, I want peace in my life. I want...love. I haven’t wanted that since... I’ve been terrified of letting it close to me ever again.”
“Ali...” Kieli sighed and moved closer. “Relationships can be-usually are-messy. I’m not saying it would be the same as what happened with Suleja...but I know you’ve had women, many women in your life. You know how those things can go.”
Ali nodded, agreeing.
“Ali I don’t want you to see me as some...representation of light and peace and flowery times only to be disappointed when I don’t measure up.”
“Hey? Hey, hey...Kieli,” cupping her cheek, he brushed at a tear clinging to her lash. “Who you are. Who you’ve been- Kieli, that’s who I want.”
“I’m sorry,” she rolled her eyes. “But you don’t know me, Ali. Not really, I-I have a tendency to pick the wrong man. My latest screw-up undeniably proves that. Ali, you’re the best man I’ve ever met. I don’t know if it's in the cards for me to ever be able to keep a man like you-”
The comment silenced on her lips when Ali closed all distance between them and kissed her.
“Fuck the cards,” he said and joined in when she laughed. Then, he kissed her again.
––––––––
“Looks like you approve,” Bach said when he joined Saiida in the small dining nook off the kitchen. She was smiling at Ali and Kieli framed on the porch beyond the picture window.
“Approve is an understatement,” Saiida confessed when Bach drew her back against his chest. “Kam and I have been rooting for this for a while. Ali’s a sweetheart, but most often when he’s around her. Maybe she’ll get him to soften up even more.”
Bach swayed her slowly from side to side. “Babe, I highly doubt the very lovely Miss Dodge will get your cousin to soften up.”
Saiida laughed, elbowing Bach’s ribs.
“So besides approving of this love match, how are you?” he asked.
“Does it sound weird to say I’m scared to admit I’m happy?”
“No,” he kissed the top of her head. “That’s probably the most sensible thing I’ve heard since all this came out. We’ve been living with this for so long, it’s hard to believe it’s practically over and done with. Makes you wonder...”
Now, Saiida turned. “Wonder?”
“Oh...” Bach sighed. “Just the stuff we’ve all grown up believing-serums and prophecies and blood ceremonies...all of it. Conception is only supposed to take place after the ceremony, right? You got pregnant and we weren’t even...fuck...I don’t know, I-for a while, I thought...I thought that was why you lost it.”
“Bach, no...” she brushed her fingers across his jaw. “You know, I’ve learned a lot since I’ve been working with Max and Deka. Did you know, most Safari couples don’t even have the blood ceremony until they’ve been together over ten years? Some never even take it-they just marry like normal folk. If...if that’s what they want...
There have been losses, Bach- lost pregnancies, but there have been many births between both married and unmarried couples. Do you know what that tells me?” she watched him shake his head.
“Our child was meant to be,” she took his face in her hands. “Our problems- the problems with the pregnancy. It had nothing to do with blood rituals or prophesy. We didn't know enough scientifically to see our child safely into the world. Maybe that’s changing now. I can’t wait to find out for sure.”
“What are you saying?” Bach favored her with a narrowed look.
She drew her hands down his shirt front. “I’m saying that I hope we’ll have the chance to make it work-to try again. To make it all work. The serum is only part of it, you know?”
“I do.” He nodded, the gesture gradually heightening in urgency. “I love you, Saiida. All I want is to make the most of the time I pray we’ll have together.”
“Agreed,” she curled her fingers into his shirt and cherished the kiss he pressed to her forehead.
“So um...” she kissed his jaw, letting her lips linger there. “How are you expecting us to make the most of our time in a dining room?”
“Oh, Doctor Okonkwo,” he took her off her feet. “Let me show you.”
Saiida laughed wildly, happily as he laid her on the table.
***
Chisulo found Kam in their suite. She was on the balcony overlooking the lawn. Somehow, it was the only patch of land that had remained unscathed by the events of the previous night. Despite the serene view, Chisulo preferred the one that had nothing to do with the landscape. Without a word, he took her up and carried her to bed. There, they spent the next hour making love.
––––––––
“You know, all this started for us on a balcony,” he said later as they rested, fulfilled in a tangle of limbs and linens.
“Check your facts, Mr. Nkosi,” Kam drawled, content as she snuggled into the warm, brick wall of his chest at her back. “I remember things starting for us in your office where you harassed me.”
He kissed her shoulder. “I stand corrected. Glad to know I’ve redeemed myself enough for you to agree to marry me.”
“Or I’ve just taken pity on you.”
“Either way, I’m glad. I need to ask you something,” he said once they’d laughed for a while.
“Mmm...” Kam encouraged while reaching back to drag her fingers through his unruly waves.
“Why was it so important to you for me to know you weren’t pregnant and weren’t trying to be?”
“What?” her fingers halted their dragging caress.
“You seemed...alarmed all the time you denied being pregnant. Did you think I would be upset if you were?”
She didn’t answer. Chisulo didn’t seem to need her to.
“Bach was right,” he said, “we really don’t know each other well.”
Kam pushed to sit up. Chisulo did the same.
“I swear that I love you,” her eyes were as steady as her voice.
“I know that love,” Chisulo swore back, bringing her hand to his mouth and kissing it. “The fact remains.”
“Chisulo-”
“For example, do you even know why I’m in charge of my family’s artifacts?”
“Well, I-” her brows drew close as she concentrated. “I’m sure we discussed it.”
“Yeah...and I’m sure whatever I said was something true-ish, but most likely it was slick and shallow to impress you.”
“And the truth wouldn’t have done that?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Not without making me look more vulnerable than I wanted to.”
“And now?”
He tangled his fingers with hers. “Now, I want to share it all with you- to hell with how vulnerable it makes me. It was my grandfather who encouraged my dad-ordered, my dad,” he laughed with Kam.
“He thought I should spend more time at the museum. There was only the one when I was a kid. I had a real problem knowing that so many of the great people in our family were gone before I ever got to meet them. My grandfather showed me the artifacts-paintings, sculptures, baskets, rugs...he said they were the treasures of our family- its history. He said, as long as I could see them, touch them...our family was near.”
“That’s beautiful,” Kam smoothed the back of her hand down his cheek.
“It is,” he offered a lopsided smile. “I didn’t realize how much until recently.”
“So...what you’re saying is, we need time to share things about our families?’
“I think we need another trip,” he said. “One without all the intrigue.”
“And bloodshed,” Kam added.
He laughed. “Definitely without the bloodshed.”
“I like that idea,” a dreamy look flooded her eyes. “How long do you think we’ll need?”
“I’m hoping for the rest of our lives,” again, he kissed her hand. “The trip is our honeymoon, Kam and I want to spend the rest of our lives getting to know each other.”
She laughed again. “So the wedding is still on?’
“No doubt. I love you.”
“I love you,” she linked her arms around his neck and kissed him sweetly. “I hope you know what you’re getting into. A Nkosi-Okonkwo wedding won’t be dull. Hell! A Nkosi-Okonkwo life won’t be dull!”
“No love,” Chisulo pressed his fiancée back into the tangled bed. “No, it won’t be dull at all.”