CHAPTER THREE Going back
THE FLIGHT TO Tehran was always something that drained me. It wasn’t even the length of the flight it took to arrive, especially since I slept most of the way and traveled at my pace. It was the bullshit I knew would greet me as soon as I smelled the fragrant dry air of my father’s homeland. I had to be more on guard here than I did in any other country. The guise of family was just that: a lie. A beautiful lie painted under the screen of progressiveness and acceptance so that the masses had no clue what really went on behind closed doors. The number of times I had to dodge meetings with relatives who would come begging. The ways they attempted to force my hand the way they’d done my father’s by offering dozens of women they felt would be a proper wife. Someone that would force me to stay in the country and do whatever it is he wanted.
A built in spy.
My grandfather the king would love to tout family values, but I saw how family moved around one another. The entire palace and the staff loyal to him would do whatever they could to win his favor. It was a place of sycophants, which is why I never stepped foot inside unless I absolutely had to. He tried to use my American ways against me with the people, but when my American ways put food on their table while his traditional ones bled the coffers dry, I wasn’t seen as such a bad person. His case was further weakened when I knew the language and spoke it as well as a native speaker, knew the rules of the faith and had no issue with participating while in the country and could honor tradition while making way for innovation. In other words, I was the perfect prince. Something my father’s oldest brother, Ibriham and his sons hated.
The trip in was uneventful as always. The envoy that had been sent from the palace were at least two cars away from the car driven by Shoaib with Quentin taking point. The team that was on the ground was hand selected by Shoaib to ensure they were of the highest caliber. Since Sho wasn’t employed by my grandfather, I trusted him implicitly. Too many times, he could’ve ended my life and no one would’ve been the wiser. Hell, he would’ve been given honors by the royal family.
My home in Iran was outside of the city center in a town called Saveh over an hour outside of Tehran. It was close enough that I could get to the palace if I wanted, and far enough away that pop-up visits would be hard to accomplish. Not that they wouldn’t try.
The house had traditional elements and wasn’t nearly as large as the others I owned. Keeping a low profile while still being able to safely accommodate the people that worked for me full-time was the balance I tried to attain. The structure was the same thickened walls common here for insulation, with as much of the material sourced as locally as possible. The rugs were all Persian, and made specifically for this home in nearby Kashan , one city well-known for hand knotted Persian rugs. The artists I worked with in Kashan and then others in Naeen and Isfahan were all put on notice about our upcoming project. There was no way you could come into the mysterious land of Persia and not experience a true Persian rug in our facilities.
“ Amoo , salam . it is good to see you.” I shook his hand and gave him the customary kiss on the cheek. Greeting him traditionally was a sign of respect and when I pulled back he wore a grin on his face. He’d already removed his shoes and was navigating the marble floors in only his socks.
“ Baradarzadeh , you vill never let me live down zhese titles will you?”
“I call you uncle as a sign of respect. You call me nephew for zhe same reason. You give me honor by still claiming my fazer as your brozer despite how zhe king feels.”
“I am only five years older zhan you, Xerxes.” He squinted, his deep brown round eyes narrowing as he did. His hair was covered by a keffiyah but he removed it as he sat down, revealing his soft curly textured hair that was an off black color. Afshin always reminded me of what I expected pictures of Jesus to look like when reading descriptions of him as a child.
“Yes, but even wizout growing up wiz him, you still claim him. Whereas zhose who did have turned zheir backs on him. Zhe respect is appreciated.” He bowed his head giving me his silent acknowledgement as he settled into the sofa. “How are zhings?”
He shrugged and I could tell he was frustrated. “Zhe same. Nozing is changed.”
“Still zhe favorite of zhe people I see.”
He chuckled at my compliment and I knew he would try to lessen just how important he was to the people of Iran. “Only as long as your fazer continues to avoid zhis place. Vhich vill continue as long as zhe king has breath in his body. Of course, I can understand completely. I guess I vill continue to hold up zhe mantle he left behind.”
“I zhink it is more so, he would not avoid being able to do damage to zhe man who has insulted his wife so egregiously. It is his honor not his pride that keeps him away. “ I didn’t want my uncle to think my father had abandoned him along with the rest of the family.
“Something I can understand entirely. There are many times when I feel my emotions getting the better of me. But then I remember that I have a nephew with his own palace that he allows me to use as a place of respite. A place to come without the worry of losing my head.” He waved his arms around the room that he often used while I was away.
“Zhe Lost Prince will always ensure people feel included.”
“And I am zhe pauper prince .”
“ Pauper . If only zhey knew what was in your accounts.” Besides having a position with MC Corp’s Iranian branch, my uncle was well-educated, invested his money and had family income.
“It was very gracious of you to allow me your father’s income portion all those years ago. It has helped me do many great things.”
“You were being treated unfairly. I didn’t like it. So I made it right. It is as simple as that. But you have used that portion to fix the negative image of the Mahdavi family. To feed the starving and build community. The people love their pauper prince. So no, I wasn’t going to have them continue to flit away that money on idiocy like they do with their own funds.”
“They tried to make it seem like such a bad thing when you took over. Despite the influx of wealth that saved them coming from your mother.”
“People like to forget the bad times once they go away. They forget to plan to ensure they never return so convinced are they of their entitlement to wealth. To success. Even without working hard for any of it. The gratitude and effusive praise was cut off as soon as the check cleared.”
“How does she handle zhat? Zhe…disingenuous nature of it all?”
I ran my fingers over the embroidery on my left wrist. It was gold with the Cannon crest woven into the fabric. “My mother is a wealthy Black woman from zhe United States. Sadly, zhat type of slap in zhe face is what she’s used to.”
“So it did not harm her?” Given the issues that happened with Afshin’s mother I knew his surprised was genuine.
“I would not say zhat. I’m sure zhat like all people you hope you will be treated equally and fairly. But I will say it probably did not surprise her when zhat was not zhe case.”
“And as for you?” My uncle had been so used to the bullshit of his family, I knew he needed insight into emotional regulation because the people around him daily had none.
“I keep a tally of wrongs zhat have been done to us all.”
Afshin laughed knowingly because despite all of his virtues, he knew what the deal was with me. “And vhere are ve now?”
“Zhe balance is soon to be tipped.” I watched his face to gage his emotions on what I had to say. He had a slight raise of his brows as though he were wondering if I could predict the future.
“You know zhis?”
I shrugged not wanting to show my hand too soon. “I feel it.”
“And vhat vill tip it?”
A smile I couldn’t contain at the thought of Vanya crossed my lips. “My marriage.”
He sat forward, surprise clouding his features. I knew he was wondering who the woman was because we hadn’t discussed Vanya often. “Your marriage?”
“Yes.”
“I take it zhat your vife is not one of zhe dozens of muslimahs zhey have paraded in front of you over zhe last few years.” His lips were curled into a knowing smile as he too had been subjected to the parade of women for years. And like me, he’d avoided them all.
My lips quirked as I answered his question. “She is not.”
“She is not Persian? Is she Arab?”
“No. She’s a Black American woman who is divorced.”
“ Wallah !” His smile softened his sounds of outrage, as I knew he would be further surprised by what I had to say. Afshin fell out playfully against the back of the sofa cushions clutching his chest.
“And she used to be a Mormon.”
“Divorced and a former Mormon, wallah . Zhey vill zhink you have strayed so far. You are bound and determined to give your grandfather a heart attack.” He was cracking up laughing either at my actions or their potential outcome.
“I would pray Allah not cheat me of zhe vengeance I am owed on behalf of my fazer and mozer. For him to be allowed to die in such an honorable way would infuriate me. I could not control zhe destruction zhat would come from it.”
“Zhen we shall pray for his health until zhe time is right.” His tone was somber and despite how they treated him, my uncle was still an extremely moral man. “People may wonder vhy you still help. Especially wiz all the issues between your fazer and grandfazer.”
“Because zhis is still his homeland. Contrary to how de king feels about him since he disobeyed his orders, he still belongs to zhis land. Same as you. Neither of you should be forced away from zhe only home and culture you’ve ever known because of a tyrant. Zhe people here deserve to have zheir culture preserved, but zhey do not need a government zhat doesn’t care about zhem. Where zhey have no voice. You care because you understand, no one else behind the palace gates does. De people here did not shun my father, my mother nor me. Zhey may not agree, but zhey were never loud with zheir disrespect. Not like zhe others. So I help here the same way I do in my home, because I see a need and can make it right. Zhat is how I was raised and zhat is how I vill always operate.”
“You are an honorable man, baradarzadeh . It is an honor to enjoy a bloodline as vell as a friendship vith you.” My uncle reached over to embrace me briefly and I returned it happily.
“You cannot punish zhe masses for zhe sins of a few. I have seen zhe anti-American sentiments because of zhe actions of a few in government. I’m not under any delusions that I would be welcomed here. I don’t need zhat. Being able to help make zhings better is where my concern is. Zhat’s zhe destiny I was sent here to fulfill. I much prefer zhe shadows to zhe limelight.”
He sighed and ran a hand over the short, full curls on his head. “A position I understand vell.”
“But one you vill have to get over soon enough. Sharbat ?” I motioned toward the kitchen hating I hadn’t offered him something as soon as he walked in.
“Please. Night time has fallen and it is time to replenish myself. Although zhere are times I wish I indulged in somezing stronger.” He smirked and I knew he didn’t mean that. We moved toward the table that was just set for three but I would add another setting.
If nothing else, Afshin was extremely devout. But not like the good Christians in the United States. My uncle was only concerned with his walk with God and living the best life he could. I’m sure whatever he had lived through in the palace made him cling to his religion.
The entire country was observing Ramadan and because of my upbringing, I did as well. In my mind, Ramadan was just the food form of Lent that was observed daily. As a child, I didn’t understand why we did both in our home, but it taught me discipline at an early age.
“Still no alcohol.” It was a statement. One that I made as I motioned for another setting to be put at the table. Sho and Quentin had been around Afshin to have no issues breaking bread with him. Afshin was the only person in my extended family they could tolerate.
“Eseeing zhe vay it corrupts zhe people in our family? I’m far beyond being tempted by it often. Just zhe zhought of what is coming—” He sighed as though the weight of the world was on his shoulders. Afshin had already been carrying the totality of the goodwill for the family for years getting no praise for it. I knew he was built for the next phase of our plan.
The carafe was placed in between the two of us and I poured it without hesitation. Despite the reach of my family, mine was longer and I paid far better. The people who worked for me were treated with respect and had been hired and approved by my father. Afshin was here often enough that they’d grown to respect him the way they did me.
I rotated the glass in my fingers thinking of the words to say to encourage him. “It’s necessary. Even you know it. Zheir antics are drawing far too much attention. Zhe people are whispering and soon enough whispers become shouts. Zhe king is old and set in his ways so he will not listen to zhe words zhat start with him reforming. Your brother has been told zhat he has absolute power so it is doubtful zhat he would do vhat was necessary. He certainly hasn’t tried to control his son so far. Besides zhat, he feels zhat ruling the people is a divine right instead of a job zhat he needs to actually do. Work hard for. So, no, do not be wary of what’s coming. You need to feel energized zhat zhe good is finally on the horizon.”
Afshin scoffed and took a sip of his drink before speaking. “Easy for you to esay.”
“I zhink I’ve done my fair share. But tell me about zhe construction we will be touring tomorrow.” I knew speaking about the building would lighten his mood and I was right. Afshin’s face was shining with excitement and the passion for his work and this project were obvious.
“Zhe project is progressing vell. Ve have multiple areas of interest but I have to agree with you zhat starting zhe build on zhe ocean vas better zhan having it close to zhe capital. It allowed us to move more covertly and it’s paid off.”
“Has your father tried to get his share of zhe build yet?” I was rubbing my chin anxious to hear what my grandfather had been up to.
“I vish you vould not lay ownership of his blood solely on me.” Afshin sighed as though being related to that man was really that bad and frankly, it was so I understood his aggravation. It was the really why I teased him about it.
“You’re closer genetically so I give him to you. But soon it von’t ever matter. Vhat types of business do you tink ve can attract?”
His look was thoughtful and I knew we would carefully consider anyone that wanted to do business on our resort complex. “All are itching to find a lower cost to Dubai that will give them the same experience without so much expense. The people on both coasts are eager to have a new industry, especially if we are preserving their culture and current way of life.”