SHAKAR

Elizabeth was still celebrating her internal victory about her new discovery when Shakar took closer steps towards them both, his eyes seem to be everywhere around Maria’s body.

His gaze made her feel uncomfortable and Lizzy could see it on Maria’s face, as she was confused and belittled.

He let out a chuckle before turning towards his father.

“Is this your new wife?” He asked

“Shakar!” Mr. Louis voiced trying to get his son in order but from all indications Shakar didn’t give a fuck about anything his father was going to do to him.

“What I’m trying to get acquainted with your new or should I say soon to be wife” he turned his attention to Maria once more.

“So talk to me, are you his new replacement?”

“Shakar, stop…..”

“It’s alright babe” Maria spoke knowing Louis, he wouldn’t hesitate to put Shakar in line and she didn’t want any of that, she didn’t want to be the reason that Shakar and his father had a fight.

“Yes Shakar, I am Maria, your new mother” she voiced with a smile, everyone in the room could tell that it was about to turn sour.

Shakar nodded, “That’s amazing, I have heard so much about you from my father” he spoke as his looks turned into a more disgusting one.

“Good things I hope” she replied with her eyes quickly landing on Louis.

“Yeah really good things” he scoffed, taking further steps towards her.

“Then that’s lov….”

“But I expected better” he spoke cutting her off her words.

“I don’t understand” Maria voiced with a clear indication of pain in her voice.

“Exactly because you’re below the standard I was expecting, Dad come on how did your taste drop so bad to the bear minimum?” He asked with his eyes still on Maria.

Lizzy could give Shakar a medal, it was exactly what she deserved, Maria on the other hand could feel tears gather in her eyes but she held herself together making sure they didn’t drop. With Coco she had met her before and she was such a sweet child, she was expecting the same from her brother but found out that they were completely opposite.

Louis was about to move when Coco held his arm, if there was one thing she hated it was her brother and father’s fights.

“I thought you were sophisticated, you know classy but no, instead you’re just some gold digger he found on the street who think she could take his money or the place of my mother. Replacement? You’re not even qualified to clean the floors of this house” he added.

Okay that must have hurt beyond anything Lizzy thought to herself.

“Shakar, I know I can’t replace your mother bu….”

“You can never replace her, never!!!

“That enough!” Louis’s voice thundered across the room, causing shivers through everyone’s spine as they stood.

“And the lion roars” Shakar voiced turning to his father.

“Apologize now!” His father ordered with a firm voice, Maria took a step towards Louis but Coco stopped her by running into her arms.

“And if I don’t?” He asked with not intention of backing down.

“Enough you two, stop it you’re scaring Coco” Maria voiced before walking off with Coco in her hands. Elizabeth had nothing more to do than follow her mother, leaving both Shakar and Louis alone.

“Can’t you behave?”

“No, as long as you feel it okay to replace my mother, I will never behave” he blurted out before leaving his father’s presence.

Elizabeth swiftly followed her mother behind, she was pleased with the drama that just unfolded within her eyes but Coco made her feel bad, she was too young for such a conflict to be happening before her.

Maria dropped Coco as soon as they got to her room.

“Are you alright hun?” She asked as she could see tears in Coco’s eyes.

She nodded her head but Lizzy could tell she wasn’t.

“Why do daddy and Shakar always fight?” She asked in a calm and sad voice.

“Well that’s because they are adults and as adults we have a lot of issues that you can’t understand but I want you to know that they love you and they wouldn’t hurt you” she spoke, Elizabeth couldn’t tell if she was irritated by her mother’s pretense or she was hurt that her mother was a lot nicer to other people.

“You also love me as well?” Coco asked

“Of course, I love you with all my heart” she said hugging her, the door closing notified her that Lizzy was no more in the room.

As Elizabeth stood outside, a young lady walked up to her with a smile.

“Miss Elizabeth?” She asked

“Yes” she replied, gathering herself together.

“I’m here to excort you to your room”.

Elizabeth would rather be any where right now than in the mist of whatever was going on inside Coco’s room.

Elizabeth’s room was more beautiful that hers back home, there was a huge flat screen TV and her personal refrigerator for snacks. On the table was a Samsung tablet and a brand new apple laptop, she had wanted these for a long time and she couldn’t believe it.

“If there’s anything you need just let me know” the young lady spoke.

**** **** **** ***** *****

A few hours later, both Maria and Elizabeth had settled in, Louis walked into his room. Maria was on their bed as she just had her bath, he too steps closer to her giving her a kiss on the lips.

“I’m sorry about Shakar, he doesn’t behave that way but ever since his mothers death, he just changed” he apologized, not knowing what else to do.

Maria smiled wrapping her arms around his waist.

“It’s all good I can handle this, he’s still young and probably still missing his mom” she assured.

“You’re right but I can’t begin to imagine what Elizabeth must think, I should also apologize to her” he suggested. Maria knowing Elizabeth refused.

“No, there’s no need for that, she’s my daughter and I’ll deal with her myself.” She spoke.

“Alright”