Cracking Coconuts

Problem #16: Asserting Your Authority

Amira loved her sister, but she also really, really wanted her to leave. Between her arguments with Cat, chasing of Saint and pleads for spending money, Zadie was overstaying her welcome. Yet, she couldn't find the words to send her away, which was how she found herself even entertaining her sister's crazy notions. 

"Hey sis, could Saint hook me up with one of his friends? You know, I could be famous, right?"

Amira scrolled through a book on her Kindle Fire, hoping to read, but failing miserably. 

"I don't know."

"Come on. He must have some famous friends or something. You know, someone who will be more like the stars we see on TV. Really, why doesn't Saint have wild parties or something? I've been here all weekend and nothing. It's been just us four in this house doing nothing. You guys don't even go out. What's the point of being with a rockstar that doesn't even party?" 

Zadie stomped her feet as she paced the sun room. It had been such a pretty day. Amira had thought to soak up the crisp fall air and lovely warmth of the sun in the comfort of Damien's sun room. Encased in floor to ceiling glass windows, the room was one of Amira's favorite places in the house.

 She had even lounged on a love seat that made her think of that famous scene from Titanic of Rose asking to be painted. Everytime she laid on it, she felt decadent and beautiful. When she heard someone coming her way, she had hoped it was Damien, ready to be seduced. To be honest, she regretted not doing more before her sister came. Now, it was impossible.  

For some odd reason, her sister insisted on Amira sharing a bed with her. Every time she tried to get up, her sister would move in her sleep as if she could sense the disturbance. After a while, Amira would just fall asleep in exhaustion.  It was like they were little girls sharing a room again. Except now they also had to share a bed. And now here she was. Again. There was to be no peace for Amira. Apparently, no loving either. She could barely remember the last time she saw her boyfriend. In his house, no less. He might as well have been kidnapped for all she knew. 

Part of her hoped that he was because if he left on his own and didn't tell her. He would wish he had been in some deep trouble to leave her  with her sister. 

"I mean, what am I supposed to tell my friends? They have been asking why I haven't posted pics of me and Saint.  They don't believe me. Where is this guy? Is he really that into his music?" She threw up her hands in frustration as she continued to cut a path through the floor. 

Amira tried to hold back a scoff, but it was very  . . . .very difficult. If anyone was frustrated by his lack of appearance, it was his girlfriend. Her, not Zadie. 

"I mean, look at this house. I've seen the stats on this man. He could have brought a bigger house with the loads of cash he gets from his platinum-selling records and sold-out concerts. He only has one car. What kind of billionaire has just one car? Where is all that money going if he is not using it to buy nice things and not throwing parties. There's another house, right?  A beach house or a penthouse somewhere with an underground garage of all of his cars. He doesn't even have a motorcycle. Isn't he supposed to be a bad boy of some kind?"

Giving up the pretense of reading, Amira powered off her Kindle. She was becoming increasingly irritated and Zadie didn't even notice. She just kept talking. Kept digging her grave even deeper. 

"I mean, he's hot, don't get me wrong, but where's the danger? The fun? He just locks himself up in that stupid office, writing his little diddies."

"And that's your problem because . . . " trailed Amira.

Zadie was so wound up that she didn't even notice the coldness of Amira's tone or how Amira had slowly stood up. At least not until Amira was standing right in front of her. 

"Well, not for me, but  for you . . . ." said Zadie as she held her hands out to her sister, but Amira was not having it. Zadie, being Zadie, had been running her mouth for a very long time. It was time for her words to come back and bite her in the ass. 

"I mean, he's ignoring you."

"Only because you kept flirting with him." That caused Zadie to stumble. 

"Well, I . . ."

"Zadie, I don't want to fight with you right now. So I just need you to do something for me."

"Anything, sis," said a more calm and controlled Zadie. Now, she was the sweet Zadie that she knew and loved. 

"Stop trying to make him into someone you want. I like him just the way he is. Boringness and all." 

"Well, I was just concerned for you that he was hiding you away or something. Even the tabloids are still saying that Cat is his main girl and you are just some side chick. I'm just trying to make sure he's treating you right?" said Zadie as she placed her arms on the top of Amira's shoulder. 

From her height of 5'7, she looked down at her big sister with concern. She pulled Amira close and squeezed her tight in an embrace. 

"I'm just looking out for you."

The sudden change in attitude and demeanor threw Amira off. Even if she wanted to ignore her sister's words, something did resonate a bit. How long was she going to be stuck in this house with no life of her own? She had even stopped looking for other jobs or checking in with her boss. Despite the beautiful setting, it was like purgatory for her. Just waiting. The paparazzi was still keeping her locked inside this beautiful prison. 

Worried about the turn of her mind, she left the room. 

"I have to go . . .get something to eat. Want something?"

"Well, if you are going to make something, then how about a BLT? If you don't mind."

Amira nodded distractedly as she left for the kitchen. In a trance, she began to take out the bacon and skillet. 

"Whatchu making?" 

Amira jumped and turned around to see Silas. 

"You scared me!" 

Silas looked to be holding back a laugh. "I didn't think it was possible for you to feel any emotions, let alone fear." 

Amira had to hold back a smirk as she turned back to cooking the bacon. 

"So what are you making?"

"BLTs. Want some?"

"With greasy bacon full of fat." He sat down at the island. "Yes, please."

With the task, she began to fry up several strips, alternating between cutting up the lettuce and tomato. 

"That's a lot of food for us two. Who else is going to eat?"

"Well, Cat's on a job. And Damien. He's in his studio. So, just you, me and my sister Zadie. "

"Oh, I think I might have seen her outside by the pool."

No doubt, she was probably posing for more selfies. #Saintsplace. As she mused on her little sister's antics, she remembered her conversation with Damien's publicist. 

"Hey, can I ask you a question?"

Silas looked up from his phone in surprise. Amira wasn't though. She and Silas had a very good relationship where they had very minimal conversation since Amira messed up at that party. 

"Sure?"

"When his  publicist came by, she mentioned this whole thing being not as bad as the thing with Madelynn. Who's Madelynn? Is it like Saint's ex-girlfriend? I don't remember any scandals with a Madelynn."

"Ooh, so you are a Saints fan! I knew it. You act all high and mighty, but you follow him like any other red-blooded fangirl."

Amira rolled her eyes as she patted down the grease from the bacon. "So are you going to answer my question?"

Silas sighed as he put his phone down. Amira was braced for a deep conversation. 

"You should ask Saint." 

"You aren't going to tell me anything?"

"He needs to tell you." He returned back to his phone. 

Well, so much for her explanation.