BLOOD BY THE HAND OF GUILT

Chapter Twenty One

A month later, New York

Khalid Aziz was a man of humour and a natural crowd mover. He was pretty talented at getting people's attention but he had one weakness, it was not the bottle, neither was it the sensuality of women, his weakness was a woman who knew how to get him to listen.

Khalid grew up in America but with a father like the one he had, respect for women was one thing he really did not take as so much of a big deal mostly because all the women that approached him only did so because of his status.

Khalid did his job well, he believed in consistency and perfection, he was a workaholic who hardly made time for leisure although he loved sports.

Politics however was something he naturally was not into but his father's influence had taken a toll on his conscience. Khalid had one fear and that was and had always been his father.

At five, his father had thrown him into a six feet pool in attempt to get his son to learn one lesson only….survival.

"The world is a pool of people, people with force, people with power, they will attempt to pull you down and you will go down if you do not keep your head above the water. You need to keep your head above all these people, you need to own them" The Sheik had said while he watched his son struggle to stay above the water. Khalid was drowning and all his father could do was stand and watch and talk about politics and power. The servants watched on scared to death of what to do. If the Sheik's son died they could ose their lives for not doing anything, and if they jumped in to save him they would lose their lives for defying him.

Amidst the screams, Khalid's friend, an older servant boy jumped in to rescue his friend and for that he lost an arm.

Despite it all, Khalid loved his father and wanted for him to recognize him as a man, he would do anything to please his father and he had when he announced he was running for elections to become the next Prime minister. In order to achieve that, his parry had to obtain the largest seat in parliament.

Determined to make his father proud, he had a strict goal, to become Prime Minister. Intelligent as he was, there were obviously things he did not do right although he was a natural orator, he faulted greatly with dealing with the aspect of the peoples interest and for that not so many people thought he was the best person for that position. As if that was not enough, they hated his father. He was a dictator at heart and Khalid would do anything to please his father.

The Sheik was a very good friend of the King of Morrocco and that worried the people a great deal. They wondered what was going to happen, but none of them was bold enough to step up to the Sheik, his son, or the King.

Sunday was a beautiful day with Dave's family. Sara and her husband were Christians.

When they walked down all dressed up so early, Leia wondered where they were going to.

She asked.

"Church, I though you Jews celebrate the Sabbath too"

"Well yeah we do"

"You should come with us" Sara said finally descending the stairs.

"Christianity isn't….."

"We insist" Sara said and Leia smiled.

"Okay, just give me a minute to get ready"

"Sure" Sara said with glee. Leia put down her mug and headed for the stairs, she met Dave at the top of it dressed in a sweat suit.

"Where are you in a hurry to?" He asked.

"Church" Was all she said and trotted off into her room to get changed. She was done in fifteen minutes and joined the others. Dave was downstairs with Jamal, Sara was still asleep.

"Wow, don't tell me you are going to Church"

Jamal teased.

"I am actually, how do I look?"

"Pretty" Jamal said.

"What do you think Dave, its actually the first time wearing this"

Dave was mesmerized. The mustard dress she wore with a pair of flats was a perfect blend with her brownish light skin and dark features.

Dave knew she was not a red haired as she had confessed to him she was not.

Leia was pretty, probably the prettiest woman he had ever gotten close to. Her features were distinct all though she hardly showed them off or flaunt it. Most of the time he saw her, she was in her work clothes but every other time he did, she was in jeans and a T shirt. He had never seen her in a dress.

"Dave!" Sara, his sister drew his attention and Leia giggled.

"For heaven's sake man it's my sister over there not a brand new Ferrari, stop admiring her like something you want to ride"

At that statement all eyes went over to his direction, all six eyes were widely open, staring at him in blatant surprise.

"Jesus! I didn't mean it like that you guys are nasty, y'all are dressed for church for crying out loud"

Jamal blurted out to clear the air and everyone laughed.

"You look amazing" Dave said and hugged her and the next thing he did threw her mind off balance. Her thoughts were hardly stabilized. He kissed her on the forehead breaking the hugs, both hands resting gently on her waste.

He smiled, he didn't have that face that said 'please don't super choke slam me or kill me or something for doing that' the look anytime he did something silly like put his arm on her lower back unknowingly, something he did unconsciously all the time. Leia had to force herself to get used to it after series of times telling him it made her feel uncomfortable. He would apologise but the next time they met, he will rest his arm on her back if she was lucky or on her lower back but not lower than that. He was very careful. Leia was capable of anything, that he was certain of, however, she never scared him away. He was intrigued by her nature. She was unique, there was something about her he had not seen in anyone else.

"Thanks Dave" She said softly looking up to him with a warm smile that lit up the room.

"Awwww, I could watch this all day but we really have to go"

Sara announced.

"Yes lets" Leia said and they walked out with the guys staring at them.

When they were out, Jamal turned to Dave and said.

"Just make sure I am your best man"

Dave sucked his teeth and chuckled then hit his friend in the shoulder.

"Silly, you keep an eye on Ruthie, make sure she is okay, will be back" Dave said and Jamal nodded then he walked out too to go running.