Chapter 13 #2
“She’s not good. But I got her. I’m going to get her back to the hotel. She’ll be okay,” I interjected.
“Wait, are y’all holding hands?” Jameera questioned, her eyes locked on the gentle grip I had on Khaleesi’s hand.
“I am. I’m going to get her back to the hotel. We will see y’all later,” I announced.
“Xain, take care of her. Hit me if y’all need anything,” Q stated, looking over his shoulder as they slowly walked away.
“I got her,” I assured them.
Khaleesi turned around and exhaled deeply.
“Can we go?”
“Let’s slide,” I stated.
We walked hand in hand to the car. Khaleesi’s hand in mine felt so right.
On the short drive back to the hotel, I lowered all four windows, allowing the cool air to whip against our faces.
Khaleesi didn’t object. She placed her arms over the door and laid her face against them, peering out of the window.
I steered with my left hand, using my right hand to send a few requests for the butler to take care of before we arrived.
Every few minutes my eyes moved between the empty stretch of road ahead and Khaleesi.
About twenty minutes later we were entering Khaleesi’s riad. I wanted her to be comfortable. It was dark, and the temperature dropped, but she stopped in the middle of the courtyard and looked up at the stars.
“I want to sit out here,” Khaleesi announced.
She walked over to the small seating area, and I was right behind her.
“Whatever you want, Khaleesi. Can I just ask one thing?” I coaxed, stepping in front of her.
Khaleesi looked up at me. Running mascara stained her pretty face as it bobbed up and down. She’d never been this mute. I hated that shit fucked with her that bad. Being soft kidnapped twice didn’t even shake Khaleesi like that elevator did.
“Don’t ever do that shit you did for Q and Jameera, to me.
You forced a smile and pretended you were okay when we both know you weren’t.
That shit was effortless for you. I know you do it often.
Don’t do that with me. Keep it real. I want to know how you’re really feeling, all the time.
Whether you are pissed, happy, or melancholy, I want to know the truth.
I don’t give a fuck if it’ll derail everything I got going on. Your feelings come first with me.”
“I can do that,” Khaleesi nodded, flashing a half smile. She was exhausted. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me.” I stepped to the side, and Khaleesi plucked up the huge Spelman blanket that was strewn across one of the lounge chairs.
She wrapped herself up in the blanket and got comfortable.
As soon as I got comfortable in the chair opposite Khaleesi, I heard movement in the riad. “I’ll be right back.”
She nodded, and I headed for the butler’s pantry.
Following the layout of my riad, I found the chamomile tea and warm rags sitting on the shelf.
Gathering the items, I rejoined Khaleesi and used the warm rags to clean the makeup and tears from her face while she drank the tea beneath the starry sky.
“Lowkey, I hate international flights,” Khaleesi blurted as I changed the soiled rag for a fresh one. I’d gotten all of the mascara off, but I wanted to give her face one fresh wipe-off. “That’s why I took that Xanax. To help me chill in the confined space.”
“How long have you had claustrophobia?”
“I realized I was claustrophobic when I was ten. We were playing hide-and-go-seek. I went under the bed, and one of my big cousins tried to squeeze under the bed with me. We got stuck, and I freaked out on her. Punching, kicking, screaming. You got off easy today,” she chortled, and I was ecstatic to see the aloof demeanor shedding.
“I didn’t realize why I freaked out that day.
My family didn’t either. I can’t remember the second time I was triggered, but I know they took me to my grandma’s psychologist friend because they thought I was struggling with something deeper.
Whole time, they just couldn’t box a bitch in,” she joked again.
For the first time since that elevator shook on us, I saw a genuine smile flash across Khaleesi’s face. “That smile just did something to a nigga,” I admitted.
Khaleesi had finished her tea, leaving her hands free. I placed the warm rag down on the tray, and pulled Khaleesi into my arms. She laid her head on my chest and made herself comfortable.
“I’m sorry, the panic attacks make me rude. I didn’t even offer you any cover in the midst of the pampering.”
“I can take a little cold weather if that means I get to stay next to you,” I assured her, leaning down to kiss her forehead.
“The last time I had a panic attack like that was six years ago,” she recalled. “It was when you locked me in that abnormally small hotel closet.”
“Shit, I’m sorry,” I apologized, thinking back to that day.
“It’s okay. That titty on the side of your head tells the tale of who came out on top.”
I laughed at my own expense. “Understood.”
“It’s so pretty out here. I wish we didn’t have to leave,” Khaleesi sighed.
“I don’t mind taking the trip again. Say when and I’m going to make it happen,” I promised.
“I might hold you to that,” she bubbled.
We fell into a still silence, staring up at the stars. I felt her breathing slow, then a faint snore a few minutes later. Scared to disturb her sleep, I remained in that spot, my hand swirling circles around her arm.
After enough time passed and I was sure she was out, I carried Khaleesi into her warm bedroom and allowed her to rest. I could tell her body needed it.