Royals'

Twelve.

"The funny thing about guilt is that it eats at you, even when there is nothing left to be eaten." -Cymplicity.

Waking up the next morning, I frowned deeply as I felt Mason's soothing body curled up behind me. I did not deserve his genuine embrace, not after what I did last night. Well rather, allowed to happen. Carefully removing his arm from around my waist, I arose from our bed. Giving him one last glance before I left our room, I sighed the shut the door.

"Mrs.Royals'." One of the help greeted. Nodding towards her, I excused myself and headed for the elevator. I was too upset to scold her for being on this side of the manor. Wringing my hands together roughly, I ran one down my face. I seriously need to get a grip. If I could go back in time, I would have stopped him. LIAR! Blasted in my head. Groaning when the car stopped, I stepped out then headed towards the kitchen.

Heart racing, I paused at the entrance. I watched with a burning desire to walk up to him and lay a good morning kiss upon his face. Realizing that he was being watched, Sherwin slowly looked up from the bowl of cereal that he was eating. Giving me a boyish grin, he released the spoon.

"Good morning beautiful. Why are you up so early?" He asked, nodding towards the clock on the stove, which read 2:47 a.m.

"Do I not have the right to be awake at whatever time I want in my house?" I asked, fake anger moving about me. Tilting his head, he picked his spoon back up then held it to his lips before slowly placing it into his mouth. I watched hungrily as his temples moved while he chewed.

"I just thought that after the work I put in last night, you'd be FAST asleep. I know your man ain't doing it right. That's all." He replied, lazily glancing towards to me. Was he really teasing me right now? Afraid that someone may be sleep walking, or stretching their legs at this hour, I shushed him with my eyes.

"Whatever." Was all I could muster up, as I opened the pantry in search of a snack. I heard him chuckle shortly.

"Why are you up anyway?" I asked as I decided against eating carbs so late.

"Early birds get the worm." He replied. Glancing over to him, I then realized that he was indeed fully clothed.

"Where are you off to?" I asked, sitting down across from him at the island.

"Don't worry 'bout that gal. Grown folks business." He said, accent seeping through. Laughing, I rubbed my eyes.

"Whatever you say dude." Getting up, I decided that I wanted to go back to bed. Before I could make it all of the way out of the kitchen, I heard bustling behind me. Turning around, I ran smack into Sherwin's chest. Wrapping his arms around me, he bent down and quickly placed a kiss upon my lips.

"Now that was the proper way to say good morning." He whispered, while I stood in his arms like a love stuck idiot.

"No." I whispered, barely trying to leave his grasp. The way Mason held me felt great, but this felt right. As if us holding each other right now was the only thing that was keeping us both alive.

"Quit fighting it." He cooed, laying another kiss upon my lips.

"Oh Sherwin, I've missed you so much." I cried, wrapping my arms around his neck then passionately kissed him. Years of hurt, pain, betrayal, confusion, happiness, joy, and forgiveness was put into that kiss. There was no going back now. He was the mender and fixing my distraught heart back together perfectly is what he did, when our tongues danced.

"I love you Yasmine."

"I love you too." I moaned as I pulled us into the nearest room. Let's just say I slept, very well after that.

***

Walking into Mason's building, I nodded to those who looked my way. Smoothing out my skirt with my free hand, I smiled at the petite woman behind the front desk.

"Mrs.Royals'. What a pleasure to see you this evening." She said, visibly uncomfortable or perhaps intimidated.

"Hello, is Mason in? I stopped by to bring him his lunch." I asked holding up his lunch kit.

"He-he is. But he's in a meeting right now. And doesn't want to be disturbed." She managed to get out.

"Oh?" I replied, walking away from her.

When I made it to Mason's office, I jiggled the door handle. Locked. Shaking my head, I pulled out my key chain and used the copy of his key that I made a few months back and unlocked his door. Ladies, you can never be too careful. Slowly opening the door, I walked into the cool room.

His back was turned towards me so he did not see me enter, until it was too late.

"What the fuck is going on here!" I yelled, as I threw the lunch kit at Mason. Startled he jerked upwards and ran a hand across his nose.

"Baby I can explain."

"How can you explain this shit Mason! Huh? I thought you were going to stop!" I yelled gesturing towards the white lines across his center table.

"Who let you in here?!" He yelled, standing up, nearly tripping over his own two feet. Oh no, he was not about to flip the script.

"Does that really matter Mason? Does it!" I yelled.

"Are you ready for me now, Daddy?" A strawberry hair colored woman asked emerging from his private bathroom with nothing but lingerie on.

"Oh really?" I asked Mason, squinting my eyes. Looking like a deer caught in head lights, she stood there with her mouth opening and closing in fear.

"Ba-" Mason started.

"I have had enough. Enjoy yourselves." I stated, quickly exiting the room before I did something I would regret. No one is worth me losing everything I worked so hard for. I refused to catch a case for this bullshit.

But what can I say? Karma works quickly.