I laid in bed realizing that there was actually no way to get out of the marriage but was I just going to accept it? No, I'd still fight and bicker my way through this whole process. It's been two weeks since CJ politely asked me to leave her house, since then the stuff I had at her place showed up to my door steps neatly packed into boxes. One thing was missing though, the dress I wore the night of the dinner. I avoided everyone like the plague. Richard threatened to screw the door from the hinges if I didn't come out soon.

There was a knock on my room door and I didn't plan on answering it just like I hadn't answered the previous knocks. I sat up staring at the door waiting for the person to leave but they didn't, the knocking persisted so I turned my tv on and turned it up, there must be something loud enough to distract me. The knocking subsided after awhile and I found myself drifting off to sleep but then there was a loud bang and I jumped up screaming. My door was threatening to cave in from the force of whatever was hitting it or whomever was throwing themselves into it and then I heard a drill but I wasn't stupid. The door has to be open to get screwed off the hinges and I didn't plan on opening the door for that to happen but then I heard keys jingling on the other side and that's when I got up and ran to the door.

"WHAT!!!!!" I shouted flinging the door open.

"Lower your voice in my house young lady." It was Richard.

"What?" I asked again but with my inside voice this time.

"I'm taking you out to get ice cream, put on some clothes and let's go. You're driving." He said and walked off with his drill in hand and the keys in the next. I rolled my eyes and walked back into my room shutting the door.

I went to take a quick shower and got dressed in joggers and a T-shirt stepping into my Nike slides and leaving my room. I left my phone, no one was texting or calling anyways. I took my keys off the hook and found Richard in the garage sitting in his vintage sports car talking on the phone, he absolutely adored that car. Once he saw me, he got out and walked over to the Jeep climbing in still engaged in his phone conversation and I got into the driver's side starting the engine up. I pulled out of the garage and buzzed the gate so it would be open by time I got to the end of the driveway, after driving out I buzzed it again watching the gate close. I drove off down the street and exited the neighborhood, I knew where we were going. It's where he always took me to get ice cream ever since he married my mother and saw just how stern and demanding she can be when it comes on to me. After 30 minutes, I pulled into the parking lot of the ice cream parlor and shut the Jeep off getting out. Richard was still on the phone but once we got our orders he disconnected the call and started eating his Sundae.

"I'm sorry for breaking the news to you like this," he said licking off his spoon.

"Well you could've done better," I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I know, it's been three years and we're just telling you." He shook his head.

"That hurted," I said and he laughed. It was a regular for us to watch vines on Sunday evenings when he didn't have to busy himself with work.

"I know, have you told Carter?" He asked. Richard knew everything that my mother failed to see.

"She didn't take it so well, she ran me out of her house." I sighed.

"Ouch," He said rubbing my hand trying to comfort me.

"I'll get over it." Would I really?

"Not for now you won't, she's the only person you've ever brought around us so I'm assuming she's the only one you've ever really dealt with like that," he said. He also studied psychology, said it helped him to understand criminal minds better.

"She wants me to runaway with her," I said lowly holding down my head.

"Well if you're here now with a broken heart that means you chose us, I'm not upset that for a minute you actually considered it because what we're asking you to do is to give your life up and I'm sorry that I'm taking advantage of you like that," he twirled his spoon.

"Apology accepted, you've done a lot for me Richard. I don't wanna seem ungrateful."

"Well that's good to know and since we're having this talk I'm going to try and convince your mother to stop dictating what you wear and you get to plan the wedding if you want to. It's going to be half African tradition and half your black culture." He said looking excited. Did I mention that Richard was white? My mom is black and so was my biological father, I'm assuming.

"You'd really do that for me?" I got excited.

"I will, on one condition." He had a smirk on his face.

"Haven't I been through enough already?" I let out a loud groan.

"Yes you have but you can manage this one."

"Hit me," I braced myself.

"Go on a date with Kwashie."

"He doesn't even like me. Next week."

"Tonight."

"Raise my allowance," I pointed my spoon at him.

"No."

"No date."

"Fine, by 5%."

"Nah, 10%."

"5% and I'll allow you to get that puppy that you always wanted." He said with a smirk. Shit, he had the upper hand.

"I don't want that puppy anymore," I tried to maintain my poker face.

"You do." He smirked.

"I do... deal." I said stretching my hand out.

Before he could catch my hand I drew it back and licked it then connected it with his. He shouted out ew, I did it every time I lost our bribe sessions. I threw my head back with laughter when I heard Richard squeezing out hand sanitizer from the bottle he always walked around with. I heard him clear his throat and I looked up, there was Carter with another stud holding hands and standing in the line.

I moved to get up but Richard held onto my hand and said don't. He got up too and suggested that we leave. I was walking out when our eyes met, for a moment I saw the longing in her eyes and then her eyes became cold and her face hardened. I smiled at her and left behind Richard. We were almost at my Jeep when I heard the door swing open and slammed shut.

"No offense Richard but you're an asshole for what you're doing to her and Zidania you're a fucking idiot for going along with it," I looked around to see a fuming Carter, her breathing was heavy and she looked on the verge of bursting into tears.

I walked over to her holding onto her hand, I pulled her close to me and whispered into her ear then kissed her jaw and left her there with tears running down her face.

I looked back and said, "I hope you never forget me Carter Jones." After that I went into my Jeep and I drove off. I turned up the radio blasting The Way Life goes by Lil Uzi Vert.

"She'll recover," Richard said.

"What time is the date?" I asked.

"It's at 7, Kwashie is coming to pick you up."

"He's a nice kid," he continued.

"I hope he doesn't expect much from me," I blankly stated.

"And I hope you guys can compromise," he sighed.

There was something that he wasn't telling me but seeing how life is going right now, I'd find out sooner or later no doubt about that. I got home and parked in the driveway instead of the garage. Mother was overseas working on a project so I could wear whatever I wanted tonight. I ran up the stairs to my room and went to my closet. I looked for my black fitted trousers that stopped right above my ankle, my black long sleeve button up and my dark green blazer. I threw them onto my bed and went to the back of my closet for my black Edgar Tassel Loafers from Tom Ford. I sat them at the foot of the bed and stared at my outfit. I hated high colored clothing but mother insisted that I wear colors like pink and light blue saying they brought out my femininity so whenever I had the chance to dress myself it was always in dark shades and earthy tones. I looked over at my wall clock and saw that it was after 5.

I turned on my television and started watching Cartoon Network until it was close to 6 then I went to have a shower, again. I had the flat ironed turned on so it would be heated up by the time I got out of the shower. I sat in front of my vanity in a sports bra and Nike seamless tights, I straightened my hair and did my middle part. I did my makeup and applied my nude lipstick, I laid my edges and combed my hair down one last time before getting up to get dressed. Of course I snapped some pictures and posted them to keep my fans updated on the newest looks, my Instagram profile consisted of both masculine and feminine pictures of me. I wouldn't call my self a no label, it's androgyny, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I had a money clip that I slid into my pocket along with my phone and gum. I walked into the living room and Richard jumped up when he saw me and started taking pics.

"Why have you never taken control? Your style is fire," he said. Where was he learning these slangs?

"First of all, you know mother would never allow me to dress myself when she's around and thank you," I said giving him a small bow.

"I think you should become a stylist."

"Richard, it's not that deep." I laughed.

He was about to say something else but the door bell rung and he went to answer it. There was Kwashie standing in all his 5"11 glory with a broad smile on his face. His hair was freshly faded which complimented his face. His jawline was firm and curved in all the right places, I never knew I could admire a guy this much. I knew I was gay because I've never been attracted to a guy before well not until this African king was standing in front of me and I was wallowing in all his glory. His eyes caught sight of mine and something flashed within them that I couldn't quite understand. At least he didn't have the scowl he had the last time we saw each other.

"Well I have my rules guys, be safe and don't do anything I wouldn't do," he said winking and I rolled my eyes while Kwashie nervously chuckled.

"I'll be back soon dad," I gave him a hug.

"Be yourself," he whispered to me before I let him go. I gave him a small smile and left with Kwashie.

The car ride was silent, I took out my phone and started playing games. It was a two player game and it wasn't fun without CJ. I continued playing anyways and then decided to scroll through my social media which consisted of Twitter and Pinterest, I would go through Instagram too but those are times when I was really bored and now was one of those times. He was playing afrobeats and they had a nice vibe but I didn't really fuck with it like that. Moments later we pulled up to a restaurant that I knew to be one of the top spots in the city. He parked the car and I got out once he did.

"Don't do that again," he said hissing his teeth.

"Don't do what?" I asked confused.

"Allow me to open the door for you," he fussed.

"Whoops, my bad homes." I laughed out.

"I'm not your friend, do not call me that." He glared at me.

"Okay Mr Ekuban." I said rolling my eyes. It's not that deep fam.

He started walking off so I walked off behind him following him into the restaurant. His dark suit fitted him perfectly like it was tailor made just for him.

"Ekuban," He addressed the receptionist.

"Follow me," She walked off leading us to our table.

"A waiter will be with you in a minute," she smiled and walked off.

Kwashie was staring me down. Full on stare. No blinking, no eye movements. He just stared. I snapped my fingers in front of his face and he blinked twice looking at me.

"Look I'm not too comfortable with the staring okay?"

"Why didn't you dress like this the first time we met?" He asked.

"Embarrassingly, my mother picks out my outfits for me and now she isn't here so I get to wear what I want." I shyly admitted.

"I prefer you this way," he said.

"Are you gay?" I asked.

"What does my sexual orientation have to do with my preference for the type of women I like?" He said with anger flashing across his face.

"Chill, was a stupid question." I hoped he was gay so maybe we could come to a compromise like Richard said. Maybe that's what he was hiding from me.

"Sooooooo, how old are you?" I asked after the waiter came over to take our orders.

"18," he answered.

"Cool cool, wanna play a game?" I asked.

"Let's hear it..." he cleared his throat.

"21 questions. I ask a question, you answer then ask me a question and I'll answer and ask you back a question and it goes on." I explained

"Okay, I'll start. How old are you?" He asked.

"18 but my back and knees say 81," I said and he laughed. Wow, that was genuine.

"What's your middle name?" I asked.

"I don't have one, what's your favorite color?"

"Forest green, what's your favorite movie?"

"Forest Gump, what's your favorite music genre?"

"Indie slash Alternative, when's your birthday?"

"June 13, what's your middle name?

"Immanuelle, do you have a nickname?" I asked.

"Nah but you can call me daddy." He started laughing once he saw my shocked expression. We stopped to thank the waiter for the food and we dug in but the questions kept coming and they got even deeper.

"Are you a virgin?" He asked.

"Is that necessary information?"

"Yes, in my culture we prefer our brides to be virgins."

"I've had sex before," I said. I wasn't about to disclose my sexual preference right now.

"Are you a virgin?" I asked.

"No," he shrugged his shoulders.

"So why should I save myself for you when you never saved yourself for me?" I said.

"That's not how it works, the woman is to be the virtuous one."

"Well sir it's the 21st century and I believe in equality."

"Equality won't stop you from cooking for me and treating me like a husband." He boasted.

"Boy, you better get yourself a maid and leave me alone." I hissed my teeth.

"Anyways, lets continue. How is it that you can speak my languages?" He asked.

"My mom had me practicing and learning them both since I was 15 and for your pleasure she also taught me to cook African dishes. Should've known it was a setup all along. How long have you known about the arranged marriage?"

"Since the day it was signed, I've underwent some... changes since then too." He said looking lost in thought.

"Why didn't you object?"

"It's my duty to be loyal to my family and you should also be loyal to yours."

"Do you have someone you love?" He asked me.

"Yes. The love of my life Carter Jones, she broke up with me when I chose to be loyal to my family over her." I said with a sigh.

"Do not worry, since being in this country I've read a lot of literature books and quotes and one that stood out the most to me is, what is for you will be for you effortlessly." He gave me a reassuring smile.

"Why did you look like that at the dinner? Your eyes were slightly red and you weren't able to control your emotions." He said.

"I smoked a joint before the dinner," I blushed.

"You smoke? Well that's not very attractive." He pulled his hand back.

"Well let me pull my weed out right now because I'm not looking to be attractive." I said harshly.

"Cute." He said and I saw his eyes twinkle. He has completely lost his mind.

"I might have judged you wrongly Zidania McGlashan, you might just be the bride that I'm looking for." He had a devilish smirk on his face.

"I don't want to be your bride," I said sternly.

"Too bad. The date has already been set and I plan to win your heart by then. I just need to know one thing.. are you open minded?" He asked with the same smirk on his face.

You see the thing is, the term open minded can be seen as an umbrella term for a lot of things. I couldn't put a context to his clue and it low key terrified me. I couldn't agree to something that I wasn't sure what exactly I should be open minded to. He could be a serial killer after all or practice witchcraft... I wasn't planning on going back to 2016 when everyone was calling for Charlie Charlie but instead of him its some weird voodoo shit where he cursed me using a lock of my hair. It's a no, the answer to that question is a no because the spectrum is too broad and he gave no context clues.

"Yes," I said. What. The. Fuck. How is my brain working against itself right now? After hearing the yes, I was nothing less than scared to see the Cheshire pus grin on Kwashie's face.

"Well my love, prepare to be wooed." He flashed a killer smile.

What have I gotten myself into?