A Prince's Love

Chapter 44.

*Unedited* (I need to go to confession for this)

Mr. Benson walks towards the Badu household, with his son's small hand in his own. Johnny was bouncing with excitement, happy to be seeing his older cousin again. He had no siblings and it was quite lonely at home, no offense to his parents. Even if all Gifty wanted to talk about was makeup and boys, he enjoyed the company. 

They both knock on the door, waiting for someone to open up. Peter looks down at his son, ruffling his short, tightly coiled hair.

"Johnny, make sure you don't cause any trouble here." he begs of the extroverted, hyper eight-year-old. 

Johnny looks up at the taller man, a boyish, childish grin on his face. "I never cause trouble." 

Peter narrows his eyes at the boy, giving him a stern look. Of all the things he's said, this has got to be the worst lie. "You're even scaring me more. Please, don't cause ruckus, okay? If you behave, I'll buy you doughnuts when we're going back home." 

Johnny fist pumps the air, vigorously nodding at his father, who looks down at him with a laugh. Sugar can make a kid do anything. 

The door opens, with Maadwoa coming into view. A stunned look befalls Peter's face as the same look falls on Maadwoa's face. Each questioned why the other was there. Johnny, however, smiles up at Maadwoa, also excited to see his cousin's best friend. 

"Hi Maadwoa!" he exclaims, throwing his arms around her legs. He wasn't that tall yet and he made Maadwoa look like a giant compared to him. She giggles, bending down to his level.

"Hey Johnny. I can tell I was missed." 

"Yep! Now I won't have to be alone with Gifty!" he mutters with an eyeroll. Maadwoa snorts, while Mr. Benson watches the two interact in amazement, a little grin on his face. They really did look alike and they got along so well, after meeting just once. He thought about how nice it would be if they could all live together as one family. Him and his two children. But he knows the time for that is long gone and nothing can bring back the past. Nothing can erase his mistakes.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Benson." Maadwoa politely greets the man, breaking him out of his blissful but delusional thoughts.

"Good afternoon, Maadwoa. How are you?"

"I'm fine, thank you." she replies with a nod.

He nods. That's all he could do. He wishes he could say more, do more. But he can't.

"Um, why are you here?" he asks, wondering why he always meets her at his niece's house. 

She scratches her head sheepishly, debating whether or not she should tell him why she was at Gifty's house. She didn't really know this man and she didn't want to be pouring out her soul to a random person.

"Oh, I was just visiting. I was... bored at home." 

"Ugh, me too. It sucks being the only child." Johnny adds in, causing Maadwoa to nod in agreement. She's always wanted a sibling, just so she wouldn't feel lonely or bored all the time. But, she has the next best thing: her best friends, so she considers herself lucky.

 If only they knew, Mr Benson thought to himself.

"Oh, that's understandable. Is Aunty or Uncle Badu in?" Peter queries.

Maadwoa shakes her head. "No, please. They just left, but Gifty is inside. She's watching a movie and was too busy to come open the door."

"Laziest girl ever." Johnny mutters, shaking his head. Peter lightly smacks him on the head, giving him a warning look.