At Her Best.

Eight.

Oh Africa, the motherland. I've never seen someplace so enchanting and beautiful. The sights were absolutely breathtaking, I completely adored my surroundings. Everything and everyone I've came in contact with were so warm and peaceful, I almost forgot my vindictive brother was roaming around me. It was a long travel with Renzo to get to Eswatini, but the views made it all worth it. I was in complete awe and admiration, for I've never seen someplace so perfect. This is what life was really about, and I was so happy I came here.

"Alright, that's it." Renzo spoke up. "You haven't said two words to me since we got on the plane. We're in private now, no one's going to hear us in this suite. Out with it."

I turned away from the balcony where I was sipping on something exotic, and looked at my brother full in the face. Immediately, a huge mean mug escaped from me. Here we were at one of the most beautiful places of all time, and he was making negative emotions come from within me. Renzo chitchatting with Astra made me view him in a light I didn't like. It was extremely careless and unnecessary on his part. My gut was telling me I couldn't trust my own brother anymore, and I always followed my instincts.

"Astra told me about the conversation you two had." I said lackadaisically. "Seems like you two had quite the talk."

Renzo opened his mouth to respond but closed it instead. He smirked, and looked at me like I was a misbehaving child. I don't know what the hell for. It's not like I went running my mouth to someone I met not even a week ago.

"So that's what this is about." Renzo expressed, chuckling. "Someone's jealous."

"Jealous?!" I barked back. "Never. Honey, I don't give a damn who you friends up with. But when you start spreading our business around like it's some fresh tea, that's where my problem starts. Why would you go pillow talking to someone you just met? You're way brighter than that Lorenzo."

My brother raised an eyebrow, looking offended. I truly felt tried by him, and the fact that he wanted to label it as jealously was simply mind-blowing. Raja Ajade didn't know what that word meant, and it surely wasn't something she partook in. My confidence was out of this world. Fuck I look like feeling any type of way about a bimbo Barbie?

"Okay, now you're coming at my character." Renzo responded. "At the end of the day, you're my little sister. My blood. The one person I'll forever look out for regardless of how you treat me. I'll never put you in any sort of jeopardy La'Raja. Don't ever accuse me of something like that! I got your back forever and you know it. I didn't tell Astra anything out of the way. All I was trying to do was give her some peace of mind and an outlet to express her feelings because she clearly looked uncomfortable after her ordeal with the prince. That's it. I wanted her to feel like she had a safe space and could talk to me, because she obviously can't share everything with your selfish ass. And yes, I said selfish! The fact that you didn't even want to wait around for Astra and made me drive back for her is just an example of how selfish you can be La'Raja! You don't think of anyone but yourself and everyone sees it. As long as you get what you need out of the situation you're good, but that isn't how a team works. Bringing Astra on was smart, but it'll quickly fail if you don't start moving like a real boss. We need to make her feel secure and protected. We have to make her feel like we're all on the same team even though she's getting used in the process. Astra already thinks you don't fully trust her, and that her coming on board might spark competition in the long run. She said it out her own mouth. You need to be careful, and not let all those weaknesses show. I'd hate to think there's still an insecure little girl lingering around underneath all that bad bitchery."

Squinting my eyes, I took a moment to really digest my brother's statements instead of meeting them with more attacks. I was going to let this go, for now. I couldn't do anything about him becoming Astra's little therapist friend, but I sure as hell was gonna keep an eye on it, controlling it however best I could.