Chapter 2

Prince Henry met Doctor Bamisaye, the royal physician on his way out from the King's chamber.

"Good evening my Prince, how are you? And how was your trip?" Doctor Bamisaye asked.

"Fine, thank you. My trip was smooth, just came in not long ago. It's good I even met you before you left the palace, how is he doing?"

"Well he needs a lot of rest, his heart is weak and it's due to old age, you need to make sure he does not get worried or agitated unnecessarily, and he also needs his children around as well," he explained gently.

"Alright I will try my best doctor, but you know your King is stubborn," Henry chuckles, as he bids the doctor farewell, and saunters into his father's bedroom.

The King was reclining on the bed with a newspaper when he came in, his eyes beamed with light when he saw Henry; he folded the newspaper placing it on the reading table beside the bed.

"Son, it's good to see you!" He smiled, as he embraced him.

"Father, you look tired" Henry observed, getting worried to see the strong king and father he loves, looking worn out.

"I will be fine, please sit. Let me look at you. You hardly come around, I am worried about you" the King whispers, holding Henry's hands, as he sat on the bed with his father.

"Father you don't have to be worried I promise, just get well"

"I will try. I trust you had a good trip down?"

"Yes, I did your highness."

"I know you must be tired from your trip and need to freshen up, but there's something I want to discuss with you. A favor to ask from you actually, one of the palace staff’s children needs a job. I need you to find something for that child in your company". He mutters.

"Father I don't need new staff, besides why don't you just fix him up here?" Henry knew his father loved helping people and that's fine by him, but not dragging him in to it.

"First of, it's a 'she' not 'he'. Secondly, Kezia has a degree in Library Science and I would prefer it if she works with you where she can learn more, Kezia is intelligent and smart, she also has a lot to learn, besides have already given my word and you can't expect me not to keep it" the King said, giving him a pointed look.

"Kezia? Dad you can't be promising someone a job without consulting me first,” Henry replies tersely, when he sees the old man winced a little in discomfort. "Alright fine! I just hope this is not one of your many games to get me to the altar. I don't have any vacant spots at the moment but I think she will fit in as my second secretary, since Martha needs a helping hand anyways," he mutters the last part to himself. His father has tried to matchmake him with some of his friends’ daughters over the years and he did not trust him--especially when it's a woman involved.

"Oh thank you Son, you just made your old man happy," Bestowing a grin on Henry.

"It's alright Father"

"Now tell me how is Abuja? Hope you are keeping in touch with your brothers?" He asked, happy to have finally gotten his wish. It's better to change the topic before Henry changes his mind. The King noticed how tired his Son looks, he is concerned for him, but it will only make him tense up, if he calls his attention to it.

The change started after he voluntarily retire from active service in the military, he lost his team to the cold hands of death during the fight against the Boko Haram insurgents, and he has not been the same again. He knows his son is not a quitter, but the incident took a part of him away, because after the incidence he seems to repulse the idea of marriage altogether. He wish Henry will stop blaming himself for what happened. The King listens as Henry fills him in on how the family business, and his own is going till he falls asleep.

Henry smiles at his father's sleeping form, he carefully arrange the pillows around the King, drawing the cover cloth gently on him. He left the room, and give the guards at the door strict instruction not to let anyone disturb the King if it's urgent they should just notify him.

He went to his quarters to freshen up, the stress of the journey catching up with him. He changed into a Jeans trouser and Polo Shirt after he has bathed. Crossing the room to relax on one of the sofas in his room. He massaged his forehead gently, hoping to relieve himself of the headache he's experiencing. He sighed in frustration, there is no way he can wiggle out of this pet project the King as committed him into. Anything to keep the old man from getting agitated like the doctor’s advice.

Henry reached for the intercom, and called the kitchen for his dinner to be served in his quarters, and he will prefer it, if Kezia brings it. It’s best to meet her now and get it out of the way, Henry mutters to himself. A timid knock sounded on the door few minutes later.

"Please come in" he called out. He was quite taken with the vision in front of him, could this timid lady, be the same bold daring girl ogling him years ago? This woman before him is all grown up, and looking mature. She is all woman now, the cornrow plaited hair style she did, accentuates her face, giving her an innocent, yet mature look. Has she grown taller? He wonders. The jeans and round neck T-Shirt she wore molds her body perfectly, showing off her curves.

"Sir...Sir is there anything else you need?" She asked, bringing him out of his reverie and back to reality as she goes about setting the table for his dinner.

"Yes, please sit" he gestured to the chair opposite him, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

She sat down primly, her hands linked together, waiting for him to proceed. Kezia could not bring herself to look at him, for the fear of being discovered. What if he sees how attracted she is to him? Will he send her away again?

"Well my Father tells me you have a degree in Library Science?" He states.

"Yes, Sir" she stutter, not quite meeting his eyes. "Oh God now am stuttering like a fool," Kezia fumes at herself in silence.

"Okay then. Here is my card" extending a black business card to her "I will expect you to be in Abuja latest by next week, because I know you will need to put things in place. At the back of the card is my secretary's number, call her when you are about to leave Ijomo, she will arrange your flight to Abuja from Lagos, and how you will get to my office. Any questions?" He asks, as he prepares to eat.

"No Sir, thank you,” even if she has one, she is feeling too irritated to ask.

"You may leave," he says dismissing her, without a glance in her direction.

Kezia left his presence hurriedly, what arrogance! She mutters to herself as she went back to the staff quarters. He did not miss his calling in life by being in the military, it really suits his personality. Though she has always wonder why he left to start up his own company. Rumor has it that, it's about something that happened to his team members. At first, she thought, she saw something that resemble male appreciation in his eyes; just maybe, when he saw her, but it's obvious she imagined it. A leopard cannot change his spot. She will need to develop thick skin if she will survive working for him.

She sighed as she plods back to the kitchen, Kezia had to admit that he's still handsome as ever, age got nothing on him, he is like fine wine that gets better with age. If he can only bring the arrogant attitude down a notch, but since he's a Prince, Retired lieutenant, A CEO of one of the best Tech firm in the country, who wouldn't, Kezia mumbles , as she saunters back into the kitchen.

"And what are you mumbling about young lady?" Her mother observed, rinsing her hands.

"It's nothing mum" She croaks, biting her bottom lip. "Well it's just that I don't understand why Prince Henry hates me mum, I mean I did something stupid years ago, I was a little girl, but he seems to still hold that against me somehow" Kezia lamented. "Now I am going to be working for him!"

Eunice held her hands, staring into her daughter's eyes lovingly, "Now, listen, I don't want you beating yourself up over what happened years ago, besides if he hates you like you said, he will not even offer you a job, even if the King insist, that's Henry for you. So chin up, and let's start preparing for your trip, I'm sure you will love Abuja, and you will get to also see- what's her name again?" She asked, trying to remember kezia's friend's name.

"Naomi?" Kezia replied.

"Yes! Naomi. Now leave the kitchen, you've been working all day, go home, your sister has even asked after you, I will join you soon" she said.

"Thanks mum" she says, hugging her mother, before sashaying out of the kitchen, feeling much better.

Eunice watches her leave, she sighs, at her retreating for. It's obvious her daughter is still carrying a torch for the prince, and she is worried she will get her heart broken.