Chapter 27
Chapter 27
T he entrance to the estate of Prince LaVeré Ashro came into view. He noticed that the wrought iron gates leading up to the half mile drive to the main home were closed and a guard was now stationed there. He pulled up to the small guard booth then pushed the button to roll down his window.
“James Brooks to see Princess ZsaZsa.”
“Drive through. You are expected.” The guard advised.
“Thank you,” James responded then drove forward towards the house. The paved driveway had tall trees that he knew hid a pond. It was one of his and ZsaZsa’s favorite places to sit and talk. The other side of the drive had open land where you could see greenery for miles. As he reached the house, the driveway turned into a circle with a beautiful water fountain in the center. He pulled into the driveway then parked his car to the side. He did not bother to pull into the parking area because he knew he would be leaving soon. As he stepped out of the car, he noticed one of the men from ZsaZsa’s security detail standing outside at the front entrance.
“Good morning,” James spoke to a man he had not seen before.
“The guard indicated you are here to see Princess ZsaZsa. What is the reason for your visit?”
The question surprised James. He raised an eyebrow. “Who are you?”
“My name is Keto. I am a member of the security team here.”
“Hello Keto,” James extended his hand. “I am the man in ZsaZsa’s life. You will be seeing me quite often.” James scanned around. “Is there a reason for the added security?”
“There has been an uptake in unrest in our country. The added security is only precautionary.” Keto replied.
There was a change in the tone of the man’s response. But James set it aside. The man was only doing his job. “Do I need to have extra security when I’m out with ZsaZsa?”
“That would be a question for Prince LaVeré.” Keto replied as he opened the door.
“I understand.” James nodded. “I will speak with him about that.”
As he entered the house, he looked up to see ZsaZsa walking down the stairs to greet him. ZsaZsa with her beautiful smooth dark skin with red undertones, smiled as she walked towards him. Her hair that was once shoulder length, had grown and she now wore it in what he called her signature single, long braid, hanging across one shoulder. As always, watching her graceful strides caused a rise in him, but it was her slightly slanted, always searing, beautiful big brown eyes that captured his heart.
“Hello, oh exquisite one,” James smiled as she reached him.
“James the magnificent,” she took his hands in hers.
He leaned in and kissed her. “How was the last day of classes?” He put his arms around her waist as they walked towards the family room.
“I feel accomplished. Ready to take on my country for the rights of women and a bit apprehensive about the future.”
James stopped walking. He took her hands in his, then looked directly into her eyes. “I have no doubt that everything you have shared with me, that you want to accomplish for your country, will happen. You are one of the most driven people I have ever met. When you set your mind to something you’re going to see it through.”
She gently leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for believing in me. You always encourage me to follow my heart. To date, that advice has not failed me. However, that is not the cause of my nervousness.”
“What is it?”
“My concern is for my future with you.”
James frowned. “I’m not going anywhere. Are you?”
“Yes, James, I will be going to my homeland soon,” ZsaZsa stated. “I do not wish to leave here with uncertainty between us.”
“Is this the reason you have been pushing for us to have sex?”
She hesitated, then looked away. “I do not know what is awaiting me when I arrive home. I have many fears, James. However, it is something I must do.”
He put a finger under her chin then turned her face back to him. “Nothing is going to come between us ZsaZsa. You know how I feel about you. The only reason we have not made love is because of your position. When we first started seeing each other you were very clear. The only man you will have sex with would be your husband. I agreed to that because I will do whatever is needed to become that man. Even after you declared to me and my entire family, that I may not be.”
She giggled at the memory. “That was not my declaration. I was only stating my position on you assuming you were the man I was going to marry at that time. We had only been together for a month. Now, here we are two years later. Our relationship has advanced. I love you James and I want to be with you.”
James smiled. “I love you too.” He pulled her body closer to his then captured her lips. The kiss was meant to be sweet, but as he lingered the intensity grew. He could feel everything…himself growing against the fabric of his jeans, her heartbeat increased against his chest, the yearning of her lips against his. He did what he knew had to be done and brought the kiss to an end.
“You and I must converse on the topic of sex.” ZsaZsa sighed. “Your delivery is coming up short.”
James laughed at the frustration in her words and on her face. He simply loved the way she expressed her thoughts. “Yes, I agree. However, first I must speak with your brother. Is he here?”
“Are you seeking his permission?”
“Permission to have sex with you? No,” James chuckled. “When the time comes for us to be sexually intimate, I have no plans to seek anyone’s permission other than yours.”
“You have it, James.” Her expression excited. “You have my permission. Shall we go to my room now?”
“No,” he chuckled.
“Why not,” she sighed.
“Yeah, why not?”
James turned then looked up the staircase to see Gavin sitting there watching them. “Why aren’t you in school?”
“It’s teachers’ planning day,” Gavin replied as he stood and began walking down the stairs. “Man, I can’t believe you are turning down sex.”
“Gavin, why are you listening to our conversation?” ZsaZsa gasped.
“It didn’t look like there was a lot of talking going on with your lips crushed against his.” He made a motion of kissing with his hands. “ I want you now James. ” He chuckled.
“I’m not turning down sex,” James stated then winked at ZsaZsa. “I am executing my plan of forever.”
“Well, it sure sounds like you just said no,” Gavin stated as he bumped fists with James. “I mean, if a girl asks me, I’m there for her.”
“What if it is the wrong girl?” James questioned.
“There is no such thing as a wrong girl when it comes to sex. A girl is a girl. You know what I mean?” he chuckled as he walked past the couple into the open kitchen.
“I know you are young and haven’t learned the difference between girls and your girl. That day will come.” James took ZsaZsa’s hand and followed Gavin into the kitchen. “Where is LaVeré?”
“In his office,” ZsaZsa replied as she took a seat at the huge island.
“He’s not going to say it’s okay,” Gavin said over his shoulder as he looked inside the refrigerator.
“What’s okay?” James asked.
“For you to have sex with ZsaZsa,” Gavin replied with a slice of ham in his mouth, and lettuce, tomato, and bread in his hand. “You want a sandwich instead?”
“No, thank you.” James replied then looked at ZsaZsa. “I’m going to speak with your brother. Afterward, would you like to ride to Richmond with me? I have a few meetings there.”
“Of course. I would love to see how the plans are turning out.”
He gently kissed her, then walked around the corner, and down the hallway to the door leading to LaVeré’s office. He tapped lightly, then walked in. LaVeré was on the phone, but motioned for him to come in. As he talked, James looked around the massive office with bookshelves from floor to ceiling filling one wall, windows spanning the entire length of another, and various pictures of him and other members of his family.
“James, take a seat,” LaVeré said as he disconnected the call. He walked around the edge of the desk, then extended his hand.
James shook the outstretched hand, then sat. “Thank you for agreeing to speak with me today. I won’t take up too much of your time.”
“I was pleased to receive your text message this morning. I do believe we need to talk.”
“It is important to me that you know I have no intention of dishonoring ZsaZsa. I understand the frustration she is experiencing and believe me when I say she is not alone.”
LaVeré smiled. “While I am pleased to hear that, I am concerned about ZsaZsa’s insistence on compromising her position with the family.”
“I will not allow her to endanger herself,” James stated. “However, I want you to be very clear on my position. I love ZsaZsa and I intend to marry her. I would prefer to have your blessing, and that of her parents. I am aware of the practice of arranged marriages in your country.”
LaVeré’ held up his hand. “There have been no arrangements that I am aware of. If ZsaZsa is placed in that position, I will do all I can to comply with her wishes.”
“You are the last son of the King. Your brother Aswan will have the final word, not you. That is not being said to diminish your power, only spoken as fact, so I ask that you do not take offense to the statement. I bring it to the forefront only to say this, ZsaZsa is going home out of duty to her country, and I respect that. However, if her country fails her, as they did in the past, I will use my last dying breath to find her. That is why I am here to ask you for your support when I ask for her hand in marriage.”
“You are so much like your father.” LaVeré shook his head as he walked back behind his desk. “It did not matter how many times I told him not to rush into marriage with your mother, he was determined. Of course, he was a little younger than you, but when he met Katherine, he insisted she was the one for him and he married her anyway.” He smiled as he sat back. “I am not going to waste my time telling you to wait. If you don’t try to take me out, ZsaZsa will.”
“She may have you beheaded.” James chuckled.
“She just may,” LaVeré exhaled. “You have my support. Whenever you are ready to have that conversation with King Aswan.”
“Aswan? Don’t you mean King Ahmed and Queen Nasshema?”
“No, you will have to get permission to marry ZsaZsa from King Aswan. My parents will refer the situation to him.”
“It matters not, who I will have to speak with. I’m here to ask you to arrange an audience with your King once ZsaZsa returns home. I would like to have the issue settled while she is working on changing the world.”
“It will be a difficult decision, whether there is an arrangement or not. ZsaZsa will have to decide between marrying you and giving up her dowry.”
“Giving up her dowry?” James questioned.
“Yes, however, it is not something I am at liberty to discuss with you. Our King will have to reveal the content.”
James stood not wanting to let him know ZsaZsa had already told him a little about her dowry. “I don’t have to tell you I am not interested in her dowry, whatever that may entail. I love ZsaZsa and am able to support her as my wife.” He leaned across the table and shook LaVeré’s hand. “Thank you for your support and I look forward to becoming a part of your family.”
“It will be an honor to have you, James. You are a good man. Thank you for loving my sister.”
“She made it easy. Now, wish me luck on keeping her from compromising me.” James said as he walked out of the room to LaVeré’s laughter.