Oasis (4 page)

Layla returned later with two other girls named Rabiah and Shamise. Rabiah was short but nicely built. Her hair was neatly braided in an intricate cornrow design and pulled back on her neck to form a ponytail. Shamise was just a tad bit shorter than the other young woman, with big brown eyes and a pretty face. Her hair was short and curly. “Prince Amon sent them here to keep you company while you dress for dinner,” Layla informed her.

“That’s mighty nice of him.” She paused. “How do I dress for dinner?” Her knowledge in palace rules was sorely lacking.

“Since tonight is a party night, the attire is traditional African garb.”

“Sorry. I don’t own any.”

Rabiah walked over to a huge bureau and opened it. “You do now, Ms. Romaine.”

Charisma gasped and walked over to the bureau. It overflowed with costumes and party dresses.

“Which one should she wear?” Rabiah asked Shamise.

“The chartreuse will bring out her caramel coloring.”

Their fluency in English surprised her. “Your English is better than mine.”

“King Hakeem insists that we are all well-educated in many languages,” Shamise explained. “There are several schools on the compound.”

“What about the blue?” Rabiah suggested. “It will show off her shape.”

Shamise nodded. “Prince Shakir will like that one.”

Charisma stopped ogling the clothes. “Why did you say that?”

The girls giggled and said something in their native language.

Layla corrected them. “It is rude to use language that our guest does not understand.”

“Yes, Ms. Layla,” both said in unison. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Charisma assured them. “The language is beautiful and I’d love to learn it some day. But if we are going to get along, I have to understand what you’re saying.”

Rabiah agreed. “Prince Shakir has this thing for shapely women.”

“A thing?”

“Yes. He’s very good with the females around here. He is the one who ordered all these clothes for you. He chose the colors and had the seamstresses working around the clock to get them ready.”

Charisma blocked out the last part. “How good is he with the ladies?”

“Well, let’s just say he lost his virginity by the time he was thirteen. But he hasn’t given any of us the time of day in years.”

“That’s because he’s saving himself for the right woman,” Layla replied in Shakir’s defense.

Both girls giggled. “It’s a shame. He’s so fine.”

“Hush, both of you.”

Shakir is experienced with women and sex. So what? And he has screwed both of these young women. Oh well, his past is his own business
. “I’ll wear the blue one.”

Rabiah styled her hair while Shamise helped her with her makeup. Layla assisted her into getting into the dress, which fit perfectly. Charisma was surprised by what she saw in the mirror. “Prince Shakir has excellent tastes.”

“You look like a princess,” Rabiah replied. “All of the men will be watching only you tonight.”

“Will there be a lot of single men there?”

Shamise nodded. “Lots. The Hakeems have a big family. Lots of cousins like Amon.”

“Too bad Haji is already married,” Rabiah replied. “He is so handsome and tall. He was my first lover.”

Charisma blushed at their open honesty.

“Aren’t they a handful?” Layla asked.

“Don’t listen to her. Like Prince Shakir, Layla is saving herself for someone special.”

“So what’s wrong with that?” Layla asked.

“Oh, nothing, but you’re going to be an old maid before you know it. Stop refusing the man.”

Layla blushed deeply. “That’s enough. It’s almost time for dinner.” The two girls retreated.

“We’ll see you tomorrow, Ms. Romaine. Have a good time at the party.”

“Thanks,” Charisma replied. “I’ll tell you all about it the next time we’re together.”

The girls left the room.

“They are incorrigible,” Layla said with a sigh. “It’s time to go to dinner.”

* * * *

Shakir was not present, Charisma noted once everyone was seated in a hall filled with dining tables. Her aunt and uncle, the Edwards, and Robert sat at the King’s table, while she was led over to sup with the prince and princesses. Shakir’s two sisters Zahara and Thema were both pregnant and due to deliver within days of each other. They were both married to two very nice men who dutifully served and seen to their every need.

“Father tells us that you are a photographer,” Zahara replied. She resembled Shakir. They shared the same dark eyes and high cheekbones.

“Yes, princess. I’m a wild-life photographer.”

“Why?”

The question shocked her. “Because it’s fun.”

“Aren’t there any eligible men in the
United States
to marry that are more fun than animals?”

The others laughed.

“I’m sure there are, but I’ve been too busy trying to get my career off the ground to find out.”

“You found time for Mr. Edwards,” Haji piped in. He had been watching her through lowered lashes since she sat down.

“He worked as my uncle’s aid back in
Louisiana
.”

“That worked out perfectly well if you want to settle for safe and boring.”

Why are they picking on me
? “I’m not a settler. Besides, I’m still too young to get serious about a man.”

“I was married at sixteen,” Thema said. “Ebo and I have been happily married for fourteen years.” Thema resembled her mother. She was heavy across the chest with big hips.

“Why are you hens badgering Ms. Romaine?” Amon asked. “Shakir is going to strangle all of you.”

“Where is that baby brother of ours?” Thema asked.

“He went to town. He will be back later.”

“He’s probably racing camels in the desert with those friends of his,” Zahara stated after her husband Chibale fed her some fruit.

“He races camels?” Charisma asked her.

“Yes, ever since he was a boy. He’s very good and he usually wins.” She paused. “He spends a lot of time in the desert but he’s afraid of snakes.”

Charisma chuckled. “He’s what? He’s too big to be afraid of anything. I bet he can stare down a tiger.”

Thema laughed. “That he could. He is stubborn like our father, but he’s still afraid of snakes.” All the other children agreed. “Our mother is the only one who can talk sense into Shakir sometimes. He has always been a bit wild.”

Charisma relaxed. The heat was off of her as they shared their childhood memories with her.

* * * *

The sale of the two horses took longer than he expected. Shakir looked down at his watch. It was nearly nine and he had missed dinner.

Mustafa patted the horse’s flank. “She’s solid.” He opened the horse’s mouth. “Nice strong teeth.”

Shakir looked down at his watch again. Charisma was probably wondering where he was. She probably thought he was just being fashionably later or just being rude.

“I’ll take them.” Mustafa signed the contract and then handed over a big bag of gold to Shakir. It was enough to fix more houses in the village outside the palace. Shakir put the document into his pocket and turned the horses over to their new owner. “You’re doing a good thing Prince Shakir,” Mustafa said. “The village looks better than it did before the war.”

“Thanks.” He didn’t want any rewards. What he did, he did for his people. He closed up his office once Mustafa left and then he went back out to the stable and mounted his horse and rode like the devil was behind him back to the palace.

There was a lot of laughter and music filtering through the palace when he entered. He’d take a quick shower, change and join them shortly. He peeped inside the ballroom. Young women were entertaining the crowd with their native dances. He looked around until he spotted Charisma. She was in the center circle dancing with Layla, and she was wearing the blue dress. The sight of her hips undulating stirred the beast in him. Robert Edwards also watched transfixed. “Not good.” He dashed to his suite of rooms on the other side of the palace. A half hour later, he entered and was announced.

“Prince Shakir has arrived.”

* * * *

Charisma stopped laughing. Shakir had finally arrived and entered the ballroom, dressed in a pair of brown slacks and a white shirt that was open at the collar. She didn’t realize how hard she stared until Layla nudged her.
Damn, he has a great walk
. People bowed at his feet and girls curtsied and giggled as he made his way over to his parents.

“Nice of you to join us,” King Hakeem replied sarcastically.

“Sorry I’m late father. Mustafa wanted to haggle but fortunately he finally left.”

“You’ve missed dinner,” Queen Femi announced. “I put a plate aside for you to eat later.”

He kissed his mother on the cheek. “Thanks mother. You spoil me rotten.”

Haji agreed. “She sure does.”

“He’s my baby. I nursed him and I can spoil him if I want to.”

Haji arrogantly waved the words away with his hand. “Mama’s boy.”

“So are you,” Femi teased.

“I’m the eldest. I should be spoiled.”

“I have your mama’s boy,” Shakir said in his own defense. “She still cuts your meat.” He stopped arguing with Haji and turned his attention to her. “Good evening, Ms. Romaine.” He bowed.

“Good evening, Prince Shakir. Your family has been entertaining me with tales of your childhood.”

He scowled. “Don’t believe them. I wasn’t that bad.”

“Ha,” his mother replied from her seat. “He was a wild one.”

Robert inched closer to her and kissed her on the cheek. “Your uncle said that you were pretty wild yourself as a child.”

Charisma moved her cheek away. “My uncle gets nervous every time I leave the house.”

“With good reason,” Julio said. “You drive like a mad woman.”

The queen and the others close by laughed.

“Enough talk,” Amon said. “There’s not enough dancing.” He grabbed Thema’s hand and pulled his pregnant cousin onto the dance floor. Zahara grabbed Shakir’s hand and dragged him away. Obviously she was smart enough to see that Robert was just trying to make her brother jealous. Robert led her to the dance floor. “You look beautiful tonight.”

“Thank you.”

“When did you have time to shop?”

“I didn’t. I borrowed the outfit from one of the girls,” she lied. There was no way she could tell him that Shakir had the outfit made for her. Robert spun her around. Shakir watched. Their eyes locked. Charisma gulped. He didn’t look a bit amused at Robert’s little show of affection.

* * * *

Femi allowed her youngest son to escort her out of the side door and into the courtyard. She sat down on a bench and patted for him to join her. “You love her, don’t you?”