14.

Damning, shitfaced, stupid orge of a man! I cursed quietly while Robyn started a very loud explicit monologue in my mind. Before we could discuss how to feel or respond, someone called my name from up ahead.

"Hey, Sherneil!"

I looked up to see Natasha taking long strides towards me. She was dressed in her usual flappy ankara gown, while mine was knee length. As I prefer. She has a wide beautiful smile plastered on her face, the same type of smile I am struggling to learn.

This wonderful woman, who is the Queen of Deshtu, is not just a queen but also my closest friend.

"Sarauniyya," I bowed playfully, as she finally stopped before me.

"Hey!" She shrieked, pulling me up, "are you trying to draw attention to us?!"

"Am I?" My lips quivered a bit as I managed a small smile. "Well, I think it is a crime that they aren't recognizing that their amazing queen is here to pick up one of her citizens." I stated simply as I looked around to see if anyone recognized her.

Yup. They did and everyone was bowing.

Natasha simply waved at them all and pulled my hand. "I'm only here to pick up my friend so I don't need the attention. How was your flight?"

"Boring," I replied with emphasis. "I was damn eager to get off the plane and just be home."

"You missed me that much, I suppose?" She grinned as she led me to a white BMW.

"Or, maybe I miss your clumsy passes during training," I answered.

Natasha paused in her tracks, placed her right hand on her chest and gasped. "You don't say! My passes have drastically improved since you left."

"Really? Well, let's hope so. I can't wait to see just how much you've improved."

"You're about to be surprised," she said as I opened the back door and dropped my suitcase in just before I pulled the passenger side door open and took my seat.

The car smelt like her and was a perfect reflection of her personality. I've gotten used to her picking me up during my trips, but I still can't help feeling a bit special that the queen is doing this for me. Taking time away from her busy schedule and duties to be here for me.

"You managed to come alone today. It is a surprise to not see any guards lurking around." I commented once she sat down, and ignited the car.

"I gave a stern warning to both Aiden and Kane. I made it clear that if they sent anyone to follow me, there would be consequences. I wasn't kidding."

"A queen needs her guards, though. They are only trying to keep you..."

"Shush!" She cut me off, glaring at me playfully, "I'm not a queen here. I'm just a friend who went to pick up her friend. Simple as that."

"I forgot how stubborn you were," I murmured as the poem floated into the car. It was one of my favorite.

I leaned my head against the headrest and sang along quietly, hoping that would be enough to distract the rage gnawing at me over Mav's text. The audacity of him. He keeps doing this and that makes me hate him more and more, even if it's the last thing I wanted to do. But he wasn't giving me any choice and I'll be damned if I allow myself to get drawn deeper into the mess this is turning out to be.

I'm ending it. The very moment I get the chance to.

"Home, right?" I heard Natasha ask.

"Yes. Ammi is waiting. I'd love to go to the facility first, but I'm certain Ammi won't have it."

Natasha laughed. "I bet she won't. Plus, I want you to rest first before you drown yourself in work. You need to tell me all about your trip." She sounds so excited. "Soo...how was your trip? Did you have fun?" She prodded.

I didn't want to talk about my trip, though. Not with what I had done. Who I had seen. And certainly not discussing any of it with his closest companions. While they might be my friends, they are his family. I am certain it would be completely uncomfortable.

Natasha may be his sister-in-law, but a lot of us know how much he adores her. He treats her as if she is his baby sister. I am not about to spill anything to her about him.

Not that I even want to.

"It was fine," I answered, keeping my gaze fixed on the trees swishing past us as she drove.

"I see," she says quietly, a moment of silence stretches between us, leaving only the soft notes of the podcast from the car speakers keeping us company, before she spoke again, "I need a new playlist recommendation from you. If you don't mind, of course."

"Of course not. You know I enjoy doing that." I replied.

"Thank you! I have a little surprise for Aiden and your music recommendation is never wrong. However, this time, I do hope you won't mind teaching me a few of those dance moves of yours," she turned to face me at the same time I did and we smiled at each other.

Dancing.

Another thing I thoroughly enjoy other than work, football, and music. I love dancing and I made sure to learn different sorts of dance to blend with every song that I listen to.

Including the romantic songs that involve two people. Thing is, however, I've never actually danced in front of an audience. Natasha saw me dancing, accidentally, when she visited me a few months ago.

"I'm not sure I'm ready for..." the loud shrill of her phone ringing cut off the podcast, which stopped me from completing my sentence.

"Sorry. It's Aiden. I need to answer this."

"Go ahead. Don't let me stop you."

"Rabin Rai," Natasha said as soon as she answered the call through the car bluetooth.

"Hey Nala," the king's voice floated through, reminding me of the sound of someone else's voice. "How are you?"

"Geez, you overprotective man. I left just a few minutes ago and you are already calling to check on me?"

"Why? I'm just asking if you're good. Have you picked her up?"

"Yup. Already on my way back home."

"Alright. Drive safe, Nala. Do not speed like you always do these days. Help my raging heart and drive safely, please."

"Speeding is fun, you big buff. Anyway, stop distracting me. I'm driving. It isn't safe to be distracted by talking on the phone, you know?" She teased him, a small smile dancing on her lips.

I couldn't help the tug in my chest as I listened to them speak. Cracking jokes and laughing together. It was hard not to imagine myself with someone who truly values me doing this. Maybe someday.

Or maybe not. Maybe I will get a second chance?

At that moment, I decided to reply to his text. If for no other reason than to show him that I don't give the slightest shit what he does with himself.

S- 'Considering the fact that I sat close to a gentleman who knows the value of a woman, I had an amazing flight. I would appreciate it if you stopped texting me.'

No idea why I typed that response, but I don't regret it. Not even a little bit. Then I did something stupid, again. I switched off my phone completely and threw it directly into my handbag.

I'm done with his shit for today.