Kasper's Prince Charming

Chapter 27 - The Fish Pond

I found the little garden area where Emerson liked to do his yoga outside. It was a little cove with stone floors and a wall of dense shade trees around it. There was a small pond that held a few exotic fish. I sat beside it on a rock that had been carved into a small seat.

"Kasper. I didn't mean to yell, but we have to talk about this. How are you ok with this? This is not ok. It's awful," Amir said and came up behind me.

"I can't do this right now... Please stop talking about it, " I whispered and watched a fat, golden fish dart back and forth between two emerald ones.

I tried to meditate like I did with Emerson; to concentrate on the fish. He was so happy.

"He knows you're with us now. He knows we are wealthy so he's trying to get money. We love you and they see that we'll give anything to keep you. They just want you for what you can offer them! It's wrong... don't you see? They're using you," Amir growled, ignoring my silent protest.

"Stop... please. Seriously. I can't right now," I said and felt my pulse racing.

I tried to focus on the fish, drown him out. The sun was down for the night and the lights that glowed in the pond changed color very slowly, almost imperceptibly. I couldn't handle anything else at the moment.

"These people are awful, baby. You don't need them anymore. They have all kinds of moral rules until suddenly you have money and then you mean something to them again. They can't treat you like this. It's fucked up." Amir plowed on as if he thought I'd suddenly just agree with him and forget my people.

He was growing angrier every time I didn't respond. I couldn't respond. I wanted out of this right now.

"Amir... stop, please. I can't do this right now," I whispered again, my voice shaking.

"And how much will be good enough? Will they want to take everything we give you? Your clothes? The tablet? They could sell them for money! How about we buy you a car so your mom doesn't have to drive her old one anymore? Fucking gold-digging trash!" Amir was pissed off and he was grating on my nerves. I couldn't even look at him.

"I said stop! I never asked for any of it! You can have it all back. I don't want you wasting your gold on trash like me," I snapped at him and glared up where he was pacing back and forth.

He froze and looked down at me.

I stood up to walk away.

"Kasper, you don't understand how people just see money and power and will say whatever to get it. It sucks to get used. You can't understand. You're too naive and simple. You didn't grow up like that." Amir followed me.

He meant I was too poor and stupid to know when I was being used. I didn't have anything people wanted like he did. I felt my blood boiling under my skin.

My hands balled into fists. I'd never hit anyone except play fighting with my brothers. But I turned on him with my hands up, ready to swing.

He quickly put his hands over my fists and drew me into him in a swift, practiced motion. Of course he was an expert in martial arts. I should have known that. We stood there nose to nose breathing deeply.

"You're going to hit me? Oh my heart! Even that is fucking adorable," He gave a short laugh as though he didn't think I could do much damage. "I know I deserve it... I know I'm being an ass, but... I can't see you hurt. It's overwhelming for me. I love you so much. It kills me to see you get hurt and used." Amir sighed.

"I don't want to use you for money." I whispered as our lips touched.

It's weird to kiss in the middle of a fight. Our primal instincts called the shots.