“Oh, I can’t believe that. You’ve got a history of having the most beautiful women in the world on your arm. So, what happened tonight?”
“I just decided I’d leave the attention to the charity instead of my personal life,” Kaiser said.
“I’m sure it wasn’t because you were out of options. You’ve got plenty to choose from right here, am I right?” he asked, as the camera panned across the crowed behind the barricades on either side of the red carpet. Hundreds of women screamed and waved at the camera as they called his name.
Kaiser pressed his full lips together and shook his head.
“What do you have to say about that?” the reporter asked, thinking he was having a chummy conversation with Kaiser that would result in his ratings going up, when in reality he was really pissing Kaiser off.
“I say it’s not anything the public is interested in right now. Let’s just focus on the reason we’re all here tonight.”
“Hang on, that sounds like an evasive answer to me. Does that mean there’s someone special in your life? Is that the reasonfor us not seeing you out and about with your bevy of girls lately?”
Kaiser looked at the reporter, his face devoid of emotion. “I can neither confirm or deny that. I can say that you won’t be seeing me with anyone until the one is at my side and she’s ready to go public with our relationship. But it’s been nice talking to you. You have a nice night, now.” Kaiser walked away, not looking back a single time as the reporter called his name and shouted more questions at him.
The reporter recovered quickly, looking into the camera. “And there you have it! Is Kaiser Lyakhov off the market, ladies?”
“Who? Who is he seeing?!” Tia exclaimed, throwing the channel selector to the opposite end of the sofa.
“What is wrong with you?” Anahla demanded. “And I told you to find a movie!”
“Mom, I’ve seen him looking at me! He thinks I’m special,” Tia insisted angrily.
“Tia, baby. You’re so confused. Stop trying to make something out of simple wishful thinking,” Anahla said.
“Why doesn’t anyone believe me?” Tia demanded.
Keegan sat staring at the television, not having said a word.
“Mom, it’s not true! It can’t be true!” Tia said defiantly.
“Shut up, Tia. Shut up, shut up, shut up!” Keegan shouted.
“Don’t tell me to shut up, you don’t know!”
“I know everything! He’s not looking at you, you idiotic delusional child! He thinks of you just like the rest of us. We’re kids, members of his Pride. He’s twenty-five years old. Do you really think he wants anything to do with a fourteen or a sixteen-year-old child?”
“You don’t know. I saw him…”
“He’s not looking at you! He’s looking at me!” Keegan bellowed, shocking everyone in the house. “Me! Not you, youconceited little pain in my ass! He’s looking at me,” Keegan repeated, her voice getting softer with each word.
“Keegan, are you alright?” Lucas asked.
Keegan started to shake her head, then stopped and straightened her back. Put her shoulders back and raised her chin. “I will be fine.” She declared as she started out of the living room.
“Why is he looking at you?” Tia demanded, still sitting on the sofa, watching Keegan walk away.
“Because he’s mine,” Keegan said, without looking back as she walked down the hallway.
“He can’t be yours. He just said he won’t be seen with anyone except for the one,” Tia said petulantly.
Keegan nodded just before she disappeared into her room.
“Tia…” Anahla started.
“He was looking at me,” Tia said. She pouted a little as she looked over at her mother. “I really thought he was.”
“Because you’ve had a crush on him for the last few years. Like I said, it’s wishful thinking, and you’re just a kid. It’s normal. He’s a celebrity and easily accessible to all of us because he’s part of our Pride,” Anahla said. “But I can promise you one thing for sure, he is not your mate.”
