Drake's Pov.
"As I said, King is getting married today. This is what you are going to do. Prepare the papers and make them ready before 6:00 pm." I said with my hands clasped together as I stared at him.
"One more thing? Would there be a problem if he isn't present but he has his signature on the papers?" I asked.
"Seriously? How can it be called marriage without his presence? That is not called marriage?" He asked, giving me a skeptical glare.
"Steve? I didn't ask for your opinion on that, answer the question I asked you." I proclaimed, exaggerating a smile.
"No, there won't be, as long as the bride's side agrees." He replied with a serious face.
"Good!" I smiled at his declaration". Good.... good, I will call you later and tell you what to do," I said and smiled.
"I don't get one thing clear, why is it all of a sudden, most importantly, considering the man we know he is." He commented again, with professional seriousness.
"That is not part of why I called you, I think we are done," I said, rubbing palms together.
"I shall take my leave now, Drake. Hasta pronto." He said as we shook hands and then walked him to the door.
Soon after he left, King called". I answered right away, sitting on the sofa.
"Drake? Are you taking care of things?" He asked in his baritone voice.
"Oh, c'mon man? Don't you care a little bit about your friend? Won't you at least ask about my well-being?" I questioned sardonically.
"Who cares about your well-being? I am digging your grave, waiting for your death to be announced." He said on the other side of the phone.
"Enough, I know you care, King," I said, as I chuckled.
"Don't be too certain, Drake. You know me very well, those are not my metier. Now! Answer my question." He exclaimed.
"Well, everything is under control. In fact, your lawyer just left." I said, getting up into my bedroom.
"Do you have the wedding rings? King? Can you hear me?" I asked.
"What do you mean by wedding rings? How can I have a wedding ring on if I am supposedly not King?" He inquired.
"Not you, I mean her's. Do you?" I asked as I sat on the rim of the bed.
"Have you lost your memory aside from you being stupid? I have shown it to you. Don't make me punch you via the phone." He said harshly.
"Take it easy Raphael," I said, smiling.
"I won't do anything to upset you, sir," I added.
He hung up as I comfortably lay my eyes closed on my bed, contemplating what to do next.
"Where are my keys, I need to see Maya, I have not even met her yet." I raised instantly, as I looked around for the keys.
I found it on the bedside table and collected it, walking out to ignite my SUV. I pulled up in front of King's mansion and entered.
"Hey, Louis? Where is King?" I asked, tapping him on the left shoulder.
"In his room, sir." He said, not taking his eyes off the television.
"Alright, thank you," I said as I jogged up the stairs to him.
I entered his room and found him in bed with his hands clasped over his head and eyes closed tightly.
"Raphael? I need you to wake up…" I said, shaking him up.
"Don't you ever call me by that name? Do you get that?" He replied cautiously as got out of bed, heading to the bathroom.
"After he returned in just a Calvin Klein boxer, I said defensively as I crossed my arms to my chest, leaning against the wall.
"Calm down, no need to get hysterical, it's your name. That is what your potential wife will call you." I said, not daring to smile when he glared at me with brows shot up.
"No one is going to call me with that, not even her." He said, busily checking his phone.
"King? We wouldn't get anywhere if you continue to act like this." I asked, still in the same position.
"So? How is that my concern?" He retorted.
"You need to loosen up a little bit," I said as I moved on the chair insulated at one corner of his large room.
"Whatever, why are you here?" He asked, sitting on his bed.
"I am here to visit our wife," I replied honestly, crossing my leg over the other.
"Drake? Stay within your limits, is that clear?" He said, looking at me with his perilous eyes.
I snubbed, saying, "King? There's a little problem." I said, leaning forward.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Your lawyer said if the bride doesn't agree with the signing of the papers without your presence, it's lawful.
What if she doesn't agree?" I added a question.
"Don't worry about that, if persuasion fails, Force is applied." He stated exactly what he always did.
"What the hell are you thinking? You can't be her friend if you do things with force." I corrected.
"Fuck Drake? Seriously?" He asked, turning his gaze to meet mine as I cataloged his furrowed brows.
With that, the door opened and someone entered.
She was wrapped in a white bathroom roped, wearing a fluffy flip-flop. Her morning face was something else to sit and discuss, it was as beautiful as the view from the sky to the ground. And adoring emerald eyes, against her natural long lashes, above her placid brows.
"Were you never taught to knock before you enter someone's room?" He asked Maya who stood there unable to look directly at him because he was half naked.
"Is it my fault the door was opened?" She said defensively in her composed voice as she managed to skim King's masculine body.
I quickly cut in to stop their drama and veer her attention.
"I have not seen you around here before, I guess you are Maya?" I said, followed by a pleasant smile.
"My bad, I didn't even notice your presence, I am Maya Martinez." She replied, returning the smile.
At the same time, King walked away as he couldn't stand a minute more of our little chit-chat.
"You have a beautiful name, people mostly call me Drake. I am his best friend. I ended as I moved closer and kissed her on the cheek.
King returned wearing a shirt and shorts to find us, in the act of kissing each other. He chuckled and circumvented his gaze in annoyance.
"At least I have met one human being in this large illegal house. Nice to meet you, Drake." She said sardonically, beaming.
"Why are you here?" King interrupted.
"Can you ever speak humbly?" She replied with audacity, lifting her head in confidence.
"Maya? I would be glad if you add respect to your dictionary whilst you are here, you will need it." He warned, killing her with dangerous casts.
"Oh really? There will be another time for that because I am here for something else." She replied confidently, leaving me in awe.
"Do you miss my beautiful face?" King asked and Maya softened and thought for a while before answering him.
"Do not think highly of yourself, I didn't come here for you. I want to see your King." She replied, making firm and precise movements.
"I mean, your King, not mine.
Don't ever think I am going to call him that. I don't even know why I am asking you questions while Drake is here. Come to think of it? I don't even know your name." She said as she looked in my direction.
"His name is Raphael, call him Raphael," I said, faking a smile as King goggled at my direction.
"Raphael? At least it sounds nice, Raphael." She said, practicing the name like a little girl.
I watched King fuming with drastic anger, I smiled within as Maya continued speaking.
"Raphael? Take me to your King." She requested one more time.
"Don't you call me Raphael?" He warned with rage.
"What do you mean? Isn't that your name?" She asked, looking innocently at him with her fine brows creased.
"Don't pay attention to him, Maya. You can't see King now, he is not around at the moment. Go to your room, Raphael will talk to you over breakfast." I said he pulled Maya close, looking down at her intently.
Her emerald eyes widened, parting her lips, she struggled for breath as she glimpsed nervously at King's fierce face. She toiled in her power to free herself but King was way too substantial.
She winched with pain as King held onto her tight. Unable to stop King, she mellowed, maintaining eye contact with him.
"Please…" She said calmly. But the King I knew didn't have any relationship with the word please, he held on tighter as he curled his lip in annoyance. I could only stare because if I had tried to intervene, it could turn bloody.
The flung open and he loosened his grip, staring at the person in the doorway.