Kasper's Prince Charming

Chapter 7 - Kasper Has a Family

"Yes! It is criminal what can happen to such a gentle boy. They took advantage of him," Taj agreed with Mr. Hamad and rubbed a hand over my head, between bites of his steak, like I was his little brother.

He was joining us for dinner and basking in the approval of his show's benefactor, the wealthy businessman of Satra.

Taj was being his protective self, but also playing it up to agree with the man he someday hoped to work for. His reality show was a business one where the top prize was an internship at Mr. Hamad's company.

"And his father! I have never been so disappointed. Don't worry though, Kasper. You are with us now. We will look after you like our own children. You are safe here," Mr. Hamad assured as he put a hand to my cheek and looked at me with pity.

He'd spoken with my parents and explained my dilemma of how the show I was on used me to promote their porn site without my knowledge or consent. Dad quickly blew up and told Mr. Hamad that I was the family embarrassment. Mom immediately worried about what her friends and church group would think.

Just as I predicted, Mr. Hamad's assurances that I had been duped by the show fell on closed ears with my parents. They assumed it was entirely my fault. They didn't even want to speak with me. I had worn them out with my antics.

They thanked Mr. Hamad for siccing his legal team on the website to have me removed, but offered no sympathy or even asked how I was. They knew I was alive and being taken care of by an obviously well off Arab man. He had made it clear that I was in no danger and would be looked after.

"Of course he ended up naked on that site! He willingly went on a reality show that celebrates loose morals! Kasper always gets himself into stupid situations. He always makes the worst possible choices. He's exhausted us. I'm done with him, maybe you can sort him out!" I'd heard my dad yell through the video chat.

Mr. Hamad had tried to reason with him, explain the situation, but it was to no avail. They expected me to fail, to bring shame on our family. It's what I did.

Amir held a protective arm around me as we listened. He was shocked that neither of my parents came to my defense and my mom just worried about herself.

He kept rubbing my chest and kissing my cheek. I wasn't surprised at all. I knew they'd blow up like that. They'd cool off eventually and act as though we were a happy family.

When Mr. Hamad hung up with them he just came out and shook his head in confused anger. He had assumed he could win my dad over. He moved towards me and pulled me away from Amir and into his embrace. I felt the pity through his protective hold.

"What kind of father!?" He asked himself with outrage. "To cast off his own son! No wonder you ended up in this!" He exclaimed as he kissed the top of my head and rubbed my shoulder.

"Don't you worry, Kasper. We will take care of you. You need a strong parent to guide you through this. You have a home with us," he assured.

Taj had come after that. He'd brought my bag with all of my things. He hugged me as Mr. Hamad filled him in on the situation in Arabic.

Taj was eager to prove his place there. He echoed Mr. Hamad's diatribe about how I was a wayward boy who never stood a chance without the proper fatherly direction. They described me like an orphan puppy. Taj agreed that I needed a strong hand; a family and tribe to belong to.

"You have tried to take care of him, look out for him," Mr. Hamad said. "It is obvious you come from a good family to always look out for the weaker boys. I knew on the show that you were of good character."

"Oh yes! I know right away the first evening... Kasper was good and darling boy. He looks so scared and tired when he shows up to my room. I give the bed above my own and quieted the room for his sleep," Taj said as though he had slain a dragon for me.