The Adored One

On Your Mind

AN: The aftermath to T'Challa and Nereyda's breakup. Let me know what you think!
Song Recommendation: On Your Mind by Baby Rose. I went to see The Internet last year and she opened for them and I'm obsessed with her voice and music.

T'Challa sat in the council meeting, not hearing what was going on around him. His mind was on Nereyda; he couldn't understand where things went wrong. Ok. That wasn't true. He knew where things went wrong. But the fact that she wasn't in the palace, home with him, made him feel off. It was like missing a limb. Or his heart.

He perked up when Erik slipped in the double doors and hastened to end the meeting. "I will think about what you have presented here and will give my decision next meeting." The Elders saluted him and began to exit. Ramonda gave him a perplexed look as she left. He ignored her. She played a large role in Nereyda's departure. He wasn't sure what Ramonda had said to her but it didn't matter; Ramonda knew how he felt but it was clear to T'Challa that she was more concerned with what she thought the country should be under T'Challa's ruling, rather than the vision he had for his own rule.

When the doors shut behind the last of the council members and only Erik and him were left, T'Challa spoke. "What's the update?"

Erik took the seat next to him. "She looks okay, decorated the place, got plants and shit." T'Challa's face fell. She was moving on without him, of course she would. Soon, a brave soul would get over the aversion to her former status and she might love again. He wanted that for her but he couldn't imagine not being that person for her. His fists clenched at the thought of another man knowing Nereyda the way he did. Of another man holding her, making love to her, drawing out sighs and moans the way only T'Challa deserved to hear...

"I can tell she's miserable though." Erik's distracted voice broke through his anger.

"What? How?"

Erik held up a finger, typing on his phone. T'Challa grew impatient quickly—surely the reason why Erik was taking his sweet time. Finally he looked up from what must have been an intriguing message. "She has bags under her eyes, which means she hasn't been sleeping, her hair's looks like shit," Erik counted on his fingers. "Plus her fine ass friend been telling me what's going on with her. Says she hadn't left the house since you went there that one night."

T'Challa wasn't happy to hear Nereyda wasn't taking care of herself but he was pleased that she hadn't dropped and forgotten him like he'd feared. He frowned.

"I don't want you getting updates from Nina." He was pissed at her; if she would've minded her business, he could've explained what was happening to Nereyda first.

"Chill T. She felt really bad after I told her what was really happening." Erik wore a Cheshire grin. "Had to do a little comforting if you know what I mean." T'Challa rolled his eyes. He was done with Erik. He rose from the throne and made his way to the door. "Aye. How long am I gonna have to keep doing this?"

T'Challa turning to his cousin slowly. "This is partly your fault N'Jadaka. If it was for yours and Nakia's scheming, I wouldn't be in this mess with Nereyda."

Erik jumped to his feet. "Nah cuz, don't put that shit on me and Nakia. If you would've been honest with your girl from jump, you wouldn't be in this mess."

T'Challa felt the truth of his words. "You're right. It's my own fault I lost the love of my life." He exited the throne room.

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"So the plans for the outreach center are a go." Nakia and T'Challa were seated in his office going over the final plans for the outreach center. The first one would open in Oakland, California, an homage to T'Challa's uncle N'Jobu. This was the reason for his sacrifice.