tinashe ft little dragon, stuck with me.

Raheem entered the room a few beats after the call had ended, he didn't say a word so I assume he heard the conversation. He sat beside me and let out a little sigh, "Do you know why Khalil didn't attend the Ceremony?"

I glanced at him not really expecting him to ask me that, however, understanding why he did. If I were going ahead and assisting Khalil take down the Royals I should know his side. In fact, I probably should've asked before I had signed my name up.

"No,"

He shook his head, letting out another sigh. This one held hesitation and a slight tinge of fear. Fear of what though? Had he done the wrong, Micah had made it sound like the Jamil's, like Raheem had been the one to blame.

"I don't want you to tell me, not today at least, just for today let's forget about the Royals and all the drama that comes with them."

His head raised and his eyes met mine, they held a smile, an appreciative one. I didn't know what it was about Raheem that made me want to be so close to him and always want what's best for him. I really cared about him and although a part of me felt good about that, a bigger part was worried.

Why was he so interested? I didn't have the answer to that question and sooner much rather than later — I'd need that answer.

"Alright," I clapped my hands, "First place I have to take you to is Ushaka Marine World, it would be blasphemous for me not to. Sure the entrance price is kind of ridiculous now, it's fine because we just have to go."

He chuckled a little, "Okay then, lead the way Ms. Zamo." I showed off my pearly whites as I led us outside.

"How'd you know where I live, by the way?" I raise a brow as I hop into my matte burgundy Mercedes-Benz G63.

This car is my baby, it's my only car because it's so damn expensive but it's my baby. My biggest purchase seeing as the house was given because of my services to the Pack. I worked so hard to finally be able to purchase this car, I loved it with my life.

Every three months or so I get it painted a different colour, last month I changed it to this matte burgundy. I was obsessed, the seats get a revamp too and I honestly could not get enough of this colour.

"Well," He scratched the back of his neck, "Please do remember this was supposed to be a surprise..." He trails off and I know it had to be some A Grade stalker stuff he had done.

I make a humming noise, urging him forward, "So I got Khalil to look into your Pack and once I found your best friends name I got someone else to get her number and... yeah."

I look at him with wide amused eyes, "Amanda gave you my address?" I want to laugh he looks so uncomfortable.

"There wasn't much else I could do... I had to ask —"

I put my hand on his shoulder and he looks over at me as I do, "It's okay, I think it's adorable you went through all that trouble." I turn and start the car, reversing out of my driveway.

The drive is filled with our light chatter and chuckles, I feel relaxed the whole time. Reminded of our days in Dubai, only, I'm the one behind the wheel now. Raheem will not let me have two minutes without him bringing that up.

Pointing out and trying his best to mimic my voice as he asks about the sites and buildings — just as I had when he was taking me around his home.

Letting out light giggles and major eye rolls, I tried my best to mimic him and respond in my greatest tour guide voice.

We arrived at uShaka and I could barely hold in my excitement, honestly, I hadn't been here in years. I was probably a teenager the last time I came here.

I bought our tickets and pulled him along as I showed him the snake sanctuary, the tribal dancers, the water rides and the dolphin show. I was a little surprised when he actually wanted to go on the water rides but didn't complain.

Luckily, we didn't get that wet seeing as we didn't have a change of clothes with us. Walking out of the dolphin show all dry, I beamed you at him, "I left your favourite for last!"

He chuckled, "I don't think I've seen you this excited."

I shrugged as we walked with looped arms, "I haven't been here in forever. The last time my older brother and I were probably still teenagers."

Which was true, Anathi and I did come here often in our teenage years but I can't seem to think of a time when we came here after that.

Walking into the aquarium I saw his hazel eyes start to shimmer, I knew he was happy. I smiled softly, taking in his sparkling eyes and slightly upturned lips.

"You know, it wouldn't kill you to crack a smile." I commented, seeing him trying to fight one, "Being this excited over an aquarium is rather childish but it's... adorable too."

He chuckled, "Adorable is no better than childish, Lerato."

"Blah blah, let's go find a shark!" I exclaimed.

"Oh, who's childish now." He mused.

I almost regretted bringing him here, the aquarium doors were about to be shut when he rushed us out. I had to apologise a million times to the guards and workers.

Raheem analysed every inch of the aquarium, I almost started to think it wasn't the animals that he loved so much. It was the architecture, which wasn't something odd or childish, honestly. Under water bridges and all the enclosures are very interesting and just the general layout of aquariums was intriguing.

However, Raheem took it too far.

"My goddess, was that really necessary? A whole five hours, Raheem! Five! I'm starving!"

He only scratched the back of his head, "I had to see if they built it with care and thought for the animals. The architecture of an aquarium is very important."

My brows furrowed, "Were you involved in all the designs at your Pack?"

He nodded his head, his face very serious, "Of course! I drew everything myself. I started building my empire when it was still my fathers, it took me years to complete it all and as soon as I started my training for my position — they started the building."

It finally dawned on me, "That's why it finished with you so young."

He gave me that breathtaking smile, "Yes."

"Well, why'd you give it up so soon?"

I wished I could take the question back as soon as I saw his reaction. His smile disappeared, hidden behind his serious façade. His jaw tensed and his eyes hooded.

"It's still mine, I'm just taking a break. I'm lucky Khalil loves the position so much but he isn't fully trained for it so I am going to have to take it back."

I wanted to pry further, understand why he needed the break. Maybe it had something to do with the distaste the Royals have with the Jamil's and vice versa. However, I figured now wasn't the time. He would tell me once he was ready, whenever that turned out to be.

Heading to dinner we made small talk as I drove and he sat in the passenger seat, skipping over all the good radio stations. His new fascination was Maskhandi, he heard one song playing and his eyes opened so wide I thought they'd pop out.

Now he skipped all the House, amaPiano and Gqom music — solely looking for Maskhandi. I tried to explain that Gqom originated in Kwa-Zulu Natal too but nope, it wasn't enough for him he was taken by Maskhandi. I could not believe it.

"Oh goddess, please Raheem, I'm begging you — change the damn station."

I loved our music, I did but I could only handle so much. I am a R&B and Hip Hop kind of girl, I could not take much more of this any longer.

I stopped at the first food joint I could see, I didn't care to take him anywhere South African anymore. He had had enough South Africa for the whole week!

I got out the car and shut the door, not even waiting for him as he got out laughing, "Oh, you are easy to rile up."

I tried to hide a chuckle as I mimicked him, "Whatever, let's go."

He looked up at the store, "Steers? Can't say I've ever had it."

My eyes lit up, "Yes!"

We got seated and ordered, Raheem admired the interior and I just smiled fondly. I had enjoyed this day, I know we needed it. I needed it for sure but I know he did too, whatever it was that he needed to tell me about the Royals - Jamil vendetta had him worked up.

Once the food arrived we both silenced only a few words slipping past here and there but nothing with substance. Only when the plates were cleared did he really speak up, "Okay, that was damn good."

I laughed, "It really is," I glanced at him from the other side of the cars hood, "Hey, what you have to tell me... You don't have to if you don't want to, I am dying to know but in all honesty. I don't actually care, nothing will change my mind about you."

The smile didn't reach his eyes, "Don't say things you aren't sure of, Lerato."

—

😬 what do you think he did?

Also,

#TeamRaheem or #TeamMicah?