Prince of the Ghetto

Prince of the Ghetto 13

Chapter 13, Finale

"We caught him trying to sneak out of the back of the house..."

We had gotten back to Jalen's house. It was Zula who was talking. Brolic had agreed to bring us back to the house if we agreed not to hurt Jalen. I said I just wanted to talk to him. I just needed closure. I just needed to understand why he did what he did.

"Bring him in..."

"Don't hurt him," Brolic replied.

It had occurred to me to hurt him but right now I was defeated. I had lost Marcus. I had fucking lost Marcus and somehow I had mixed up these fake feelings I had for Jalen with the real ones that I had for Marcus. I hated that I felt this way. I hated the fact that Marcus was gone out of my life now. He had run away...for the first time. We couldn't track him down.

"I won't."

In the next few minutes Jalen was dragged into the house. I could tell Zula wanted to hit him or something but I just looked at Jalen. Jalen wasn't giving me eye contact. Jalen was looking away. He was acting almost like he didn't see me.

"Jalen just apologize---just---" Brolic started saying.

Brolic's face was bruised. A part of me felt really bad about it but it did occur to me that Brolic was still an asshole even if he wasn't the one who sold me out.

"I'd like to speak to him in private," I stated.

"Sir, are you certain."

I nodded.

I wasn't going to ask again. Everyone cleared the room and went outside including Brolic. It was just Jalen and I. Jalen still didn't look me in my eyes. He still wasn't looking at me back. He was ashamed. It was clear that he was ashamed.

I just shook my head.

"I hoped...I hoped that you would tell me that Brolic was lying," I explained, "I hoped that you would have told me that it was all some fucked up joke and that Brolic was actually the one who did it. I was beyond happy to believe that really. My guys would have roughed him up a little bit. It would have been the end of that."

"He's not lying."

That was all Jalen said at that moment.

It was short. It was to the point.

"I could have died," I said, "You know they were going to kill me right."

"I didn't know that."

"You HAD to have known that Jalen. They killed my mother."

Jalen shook his head at that moment.

"They didn't want you dead...at least I didn't know they wanted you dead. You have to believe me..."

"How the fuck do you know what they wanted?"

"Remember I told you that I found you...that wasn't exactly the case..."

I looked over at Jalen. Jalen was finally making eye contact with me. He dropped that bomb and I was left stunned. My mouth was basically open.

"It was a plan..." I stated filling in the blanks, "Mr. Smith's plan."

He shook his head.

"No your sister. When Mr. Smith killed your mother your sister found out from her people that you survived. She wanted to protect you. She told me that people were after you and that I should hide you."

My sister.

Her adviser tried to kill me and she tried to save me? I was confused.

"So why did you sell me out to Mr. Smith?" I asked confused.

"I didn't. I told your sister. Somehow Mr. Smith found out about it. I believe he must have been bugging her calls."

"What about the money?"

"The money was arranged before I even met you. She gave me 5k to take you in and 5k in a certain time frame later. I didn't sell you out because of the 5k. I was just giving an update to your sister to let her know that you were ok like I usually did. Somehow Mr. Smith found out about it. I didn't sell you out...you got to believe me."

I nodded.

I got up at that moment. He had been keeping this from me this whole time. This whole time I believed that it was his good soul that had taken me in. No.

He was being paid to take me in.

He was nothing more than a servant...just like all the others.

"It doesn't matter if I believe you or not," I explained, "I guess I just needed closure."

I wasn't sure if I believed his story 100%. There were so many cracks that didn't make sense. The odd thing was though I didn't care. Jalen wasn't on my mind. Marcus was. This entire time Marcus had been the person who I ran to for everything. He was the person I depended on. Marcus had asked me to be with him and I turned my back on him.

How could I have been so stupid?

"Closure?"

"Yes."

"Wait."

He grabbed me by my wrist. He held me there for a minute. He was looking at me as though wanting something. He was looking at me as though wanting something that I couldn't give to him.

"I've decided I'm leaving on Friday," I told Jalen.

"You're going back to your country?"

I nodded.

"It's my duty. To reign..."

"You don't sound too excited about that," Jalen replied.

I had noticed it too. There was a heaviness in my tone. It wasn't games and fun anymore. It wasn't just luxury trips and designer clothes. Things had gotten more serious and I didn't like serious. This crown on my head.

This was a crushed crown.

"It has to be done."

"Take me with you..."

I shook my head.

"I can't."

He took a deep breath. He knew why and I knew why.

"Because of Marcus?"

I nodded, "I love him..."

Jalen nodded. He took a deep breath, "That's fucking crazy. I mean. I get it. It's just. Damn. Well, maybe it's my fault for not being honest with you from the get go..."

"I'm not placing blame on you. Trust me. I'm not the easiest person to be with..." I replied, "I ran him off. He left...for good this time."

"So if he's gone then why can't you be with me? I don't mind coming with you. I can help you. I can give you advice like he did. Isn't there any part of you that still wants me?"

He was asking very bluntly.

I remembered the conversation with Marcus that we had just had. The idea of me getting whatever I wanted. I was a prince. It should have been that easy. I snap my fingers and I got what I wanted. I was a spoiled prince.

I just remembered the words that Marcus said to me though.

I just remembered what he said.

"Because I can't always get what I want."

Jalen looked confused.

"Will I see you again?" Jalen asked.

I shook my head, "Probably. Hopefully. I mean regardless of what happened I have to admit that I learned a lot from you. Some lessons were harder for me to pick up than others. But I did learn and I appreciate it."

"Can I have a hug then?"

I reached up to him and he held me there for a second. I wondered while he hugged me if anything was ever real between us. I wondered how much of it was real or if it was all an act. Truth is I would never know with Jalen.

I never trusted him again. Maybe it was the lie. Maybe it was because he had caused so much of a rift between Jalen and I. When I walked away from him I had no hate in my heart. I had no longing or anything. When I walked away from Jalen the only person that I could think about was Marcus.

I never saw Jalen again.

Friday had arrived sooner than later.

"Wait until you see the jet," Uncle Hasim stated, "15 million dollars. Beautiful jet. White...it has three televisions, a bathroom, a...Djimon, Djimon are you listening?"

We were in a limousine headed to the runway.

The limousine was crowded. Uncle Hasim and all his wives were there. Their handmaidens were there. Uncle Hasim's security team was riding in front of us. My security team was riding in front of his. There were trucks full of servants behind us. They had cleared out this part of the runway for security purposes. All the planes were put on hold on the sector of the airport. It was just too much. Hell. I couldn't even sneeze without servants tripping over themselves to hand me a tissue. I felt so...stuffed.

This life was always so damn crowded. At first I felt powerful but now I felt cramped. I had spent so much time with just me and Marcus. I didn't need anyone else. All this noise. All this expense. I didn't get it. What was it for? Who was I trying to impress?

The only person that meant anything was Marcus...

And he was gone.

"Who is paying for this?" I asked.

"Paying, don't worry about that."

"Is it tax payers money?" I asked.

I could tell by the look of Hasim's face at this moment that it was. Corrupt. He was just as corrupt as my father. Marcus had warned me about him. I should have listened.

"It's the country's money and you are the country's ruler. It's your money, Prince...no...King Djimon."

King Djimon.

The smile creaked up at the side of Uncle Hasim's face.

"Isn't my sister still Queen. I haven't received my coronation."

"Just a matter of time. Your sister's reign has been illegitimate. She'll be taken to jail and executed for treason."

"I want her released and pardoned."

My uncle looked like he was about to have a panic attack at that moment.

"Wait now...let's not be to hasty."

"That's what I want."

Hasim nodded. He wasn't going to argue back and forth with me about it.

"I have a list of duties that you should perform once you get home," Hasim nodded swiftly changing the subject, "There is going to be a huge celebration at your coronation. The entire country is waiting."

"Are they happy that I am ascending the throne?"

I noticed how the servants looked away. I had read even more articles. People saw me as the spoiled prince. I would follow in the footsteps of my father. I would milk the country for all it's worth. I would plunder. I would rob. I would bleed gold. That was my purpose. That is what I was good for. I could prove them wrong. I could try.

But was that even what I wanted?

Did I even care to try?

My uncle was not amused by my questions. I could hear the scorn in his voice as he repleid to me in his deep African accent, "Djimon why to you bother yourself with trifles like that?"

"It was just a question."

"The answer is it doesn't matter what their opinions of you are. A lion does not concern himself with the opinions of sheep."

In other the sheep hated the lion. I looked at the faces of the sheep.

"There it is...look how marvelous," Hasim stated.

He was right. It was a beautiful jet. The entourage pulled up in front of it. All my bags had already been packed on the limousine. I looked at the beautiful jet. It was everything that I ever wanted. Right in front of me was the my future.

America was my past.

I would be King Djimon.

I would be wealthy.

I would be happy.

I would be alone.

"King Djimon," Zula stated, "Are you ok?"

"Prince Djimon," I corrected him quickly, "I was just wondering. Have you guys located Marcus by any chance."

Zula shook his head at that moment, "Marcus doesn't want to be located sir."

He was right.

I had fucked it up with Marcus. I had ruined it. Marcus didn't want anything to do with me any longer.

"Can you call him Zula...can you call his number one last time."

"Prince."

"Please...just one last time."

Zula picked up his phone. I waited there. My uncle was just ahead of me. He was talking to his wives. He was probably talking to me too. There was no doubt he was talking about how beautiful the jet was. He was talking about all the amenities.

I remembered a time when talk about how beautiful something was meant the world to me. Possessions meant everything. Right now wasn't that time though.

There was something that I wanted to possess. It was something that money couldn't buy.

Zula shook his head after dropping my phone, "His phone is disconnected sir."

"Try again."

"Prince..."

"Please."

"Prince. He's gone. It's over..." Zula replied.

I had never been so desperate to see someone. Maybe it was at that moment that it ended. Maybe it was that moment that I realized what I really wanted in life.

"King Djimon," Uncle Hasim stated, "We are waiting for you. You can climb up the staircase first..."

They all looked at me. Servants, wives, security, politicians and entourage turned to me at that moment. All their eyes seemed to be expecting something from me. I would have to get used to this moving forward. From now one people would be expecting something from me and I would have to deliver. I would always have to deliver.

I walked forward.

I could feel so much weight on my shoulders. I turned around. All the trucks had driven away except for one black truck. One driver left. I could still make a run for it. I could still get away if I wanted to. I could run back.

"Djimon...go ahead," Hasim stated.

I took steps forward. I was climbing the stairs to the jet now. Once I got on this plane there would be no turning back. I could stay here, but what would I be staying here to? Nothing. No title. No real money. No real home. No Marcus.

I took a few steps up. It was the right thing to do.

Right.

So why was I hesitating? Why was this hard?

"NO!"

I ran back down. I ran back down the stairs of the plane as fast as I could. The wind was beating at my back. I was running so fast that I almost knocked right into Zula. Everyone turned to me confused.

"Djimon, get on the plane. We have to depart soon," Hasim stated at that moment

"I won't be commanded."

"Djimon this isn't a joking..."

"Do you see me laughing?" I asked, "I'm not going."

A gasp spread across the entourage. Hasim's face turned a bright red. I could have sworn however that Zula had a slight smile in the corner of his face. Was he...supporting me in anyway.

"Djimon..."

"You are all looking at me like you want something," I stated, "I get it. I have always been someone who wanted and wanted. I never gave a damn about what other people needed. I'm no one's king. The country deserves someone better than me. I have so much growing up to do. My little sister is more qualified to do the job than I am. Give it to her. I see your faces. I see all this want. I can't give you all what you want because every part of me already belongs to someone else."

Silence.

I wasn't expecting applause or boos. I wasn't expecting anything and I got nothing. People were just staring. Half of them were confused. The other half of them just seemed beyond interested in what was going to happen next. My speech seemed to leave some sort of void there in the runway.

"Zula...please escort the crowned prince on the plane, by force if necessary," Uncle Hasim stated at that moment."

Zula looked over at Hasim, "Sir, with all due respect. The prince outranks you..."

Hasim looked shocked. I wanted to really take a picture of the face that he had then.

Hasim turned to another security member, "You. Apprehend the prince and drag him onto the plane...GO! What the hell is wrong with all of you! You! Are you listening to me! Someone! We need him on that plane!"

No one moved.

I shook my head.

I was going to miss this power.

"Zula, take Hasim on the plane. Give him some benadryl. Have my sister released and let her know that the throne is hers."

She would be better at it. She didn't have that malicious Mr. Smith by her anymore.

"Prince you can't just give away your birth right!"

"Watch me."

I turned at that moment. Hasim was about to follow me but Zula blocked his path and started to escort him on the jet. I could hear Hasim screaming from behind me.

A part of me wondered if I was making the right choice but no part of me doubted that this is what I really wanted to do deep inside. Deep inside this is what was going to make me happy. I could have gotten on that plane and I could have lived a life that I wasn't ready for. I could have taken all this responsibility and became one tyrant in a land full of tyrants. Or I could step down and understand that I wasn't ready to play a role in that.

So I found myself going into the truck. The last truck that was parked outside of the runway. Luckily for me it was empty except for the driver.

"Driver, take me back to Brooklyn. I left my heart there..."

I didn't know how I would find Marcus. I didn't know how I would even start. They believed he wasn't in the country any longer because they couldn't track him down. Maybe that was true. It was no matter. I still did have money. I wasn't completely broke. I would look all over the world until I found him. I would turn every stone. I would move every mountain.

I would find Marcus. No matter what it took.

First things first. Get the driver to move.

"Hello?" I repeated to the driver, "Take me back to Brooklyn."

The driver didn't move.

Shit. Hopefully I hadn't just hopped in a car that wasn't part of my entourage in the first place. I watched as the driver got out not looking back at me.

The driver moved to the back seat of the car and opened it up.

He looked at me, "Your heart huh?"

My mouth dropped open.

"Marcus."

Tears. My heart raced as I saw his beautiful faced dressed up as a driver. He was standing there. He was standing right in front of me. I ran over to him and ran into his arms. He held me there for a minute hugging me. I fell into his dark milky skin. I looked at his beautiful smile. I looked at how his strong jawline was outlined almost in gold. Damn

"Stop crying Prince..."

"You left me!"

He shook his head and laughed with those perfect Marcus teeth, "No...never that. I waited for you..."

"You knew I wasn't going to get on that plane?"

Marcus looked up at me with the widest smile.

"I know you more than you know yourself."

He was right.

I took a step back at that moment.

"Look Marcus. I want to apologize. The last time we met I was---"

"---You were confused," he replied, "I don't hold it against you. Slipping up doesn't matter. I heard what you said to your Uncle back there. When you slip it doesn't matter. It's how you get back up. You got back up like a king."

I smiled at that moment.

"Come here."

I kissed Marcus. I kissed Marcus on that runway. I was sure my uncle and maybe the others who had just boarded the plane could see us. I didn't give a damn. I didn't care.

I was safe here with Marcus and I knew that there was no place in the world I would have rather been.

There was no title in the world I would rather have had than "his".

He crowned me with his lips.

I was the king of his heart.

"So what now?" he asked me, "Where do you want to go?"

I shrugged.

"Let's go back to the city. You ever had some New York pizza..." I asked, "It's the fucking best..."

I didn't know where we would go in the long run. I didn't have a plan but that was completely fine. I didn't know what this path would lead us. I was still a prince...that wouldn't change. I would still be the prince of the ghetto. I would never be king. My sister was going to remain queen. I hoped that she found it in herself to do a better job than I would have. Hell...anyone would have been better than me.

Right now I was happy. Right now as I jumped into the passenger seat of the truck with Marcus I knew I was home.

Where were we going? It didn't matter.

Who were we now? It didn't matter.

We were together.

That is all that mattered.

The END