[In the background two voices were heard talking on the phone.]
QUEEN SERWAA: [On the phone] My daughter how are you.
MARIA: [Also on the phone] I'm doing good and what of you my queen?
QUEEN SERWAA: [sighs] Still being stubborn with that behaviour of yours, calling your father and I with our royal titles.
MARIA: But my queen, sorry mother you know that according to our culture I'm supposed to acknowledge people with their designated roles they hold in the society.
QUEEN SERWAA: I know that but your father and I told you to always address us with respect to our titles when in public. Or am I spewing lies?
MARIA: I guess you're right but technically speaking ain't we in public?
QUEEN SERWAA: [puzzled] Whatever you say my daughter, I didn't call you to talk about how to address us or anything related but to ask you something.
MARIA: [clueless] I don't get you.
QUEEN SERWAA: Well your father and I were talking and have decided that since you have a boyfriend, we would like for us to have a dinner with our future son in law.
MARIA: [Confused] What?
QUEEN SERWAA: If you wouldn't mind this night should be it or there's a problem.
MARIA: No it's just sort of impromptu.
QUEEN SERWAA: Oooh we could postpone it to another time if you guys are busy.
MARIA: You don't have to worry, we will make it tonight.
QUEEN SERWAA: If it's a yes then we will be expecting you guys this evening. [Call ends]
[MARIA calls ANDRE on the phone]
ANDRE: [On the phone] My morning dahlia how you doing?
MARIA: I guess I'm doing well since my cells don't seem weak. How about you my angelic demon?
ANDRE: Doing great solely for you.
MARIA: Awwwwn that's romantic of you, well I just spoke with my mother and she wants us to have dinner with my family tonight.
ANDRE: [Surprised] Tonight, that's just like approximately five hours and fifty-five minutes left for it to be six o'clock.
MARIA: It seems to be it, or you won't be able to be there?
ANDRE: That isn't the case but it's just that I wanted to meet your family that badly and now it seems I'm having cold feet 'bout it. Never mind what I just said, would gladly have dinner with your family this evening.
MARIA: Then it is settled we would go for the dinner along with ELIZABETH.
ANDRE: [yells] What!!
MARIA: Or you don't want her to come, which is which?
ANDRE: No it just seems odd but since she's your childhood friend, I can't stop her from coming.
MARIA: ELIZABETH isn't just my childhood friend but more of a sister that I never had.
ANDRE: My bad but it's just that something seems off about her which doesn't make any sense to me.
MARIA: Well I really don't know what is happening in your head right now but all what I can say is that don't get caught in any web of trouble.
ANDRE: What are you insinuating right now.
MARIA: Don't know just saying.
ANDRE: Alright then will see you at six, have an assignment to attend to so bye my morning dahlia. [Makes kissing sounds]
***
[MARIA and ANDRE had arrived at the ASANTE'S residence not exempting ELIZABETH]
QUEEN SERWAA: [hugs MARIA] Welcome home, AKUA.
MARIA: [returns the hug] Mother I really miss your tight hugs.
QUEEN SERWAA: [shakes ANDRE'S hand] I assume you're the legendary princess's prince charming, ANDRE who my daughter frequently speaks of you in every conversation we have.
ANDRE: [aware of MARIA'S parents' status, he gives a French bow] I believe that is me, my queen.
QUEEN SERWAA: [hugs ELIZABETH] How are you my second daughter.
ELIZABETH: I'm doing well, QUEEN SERWAA.
QUEEN SERWAA: Thank God and I hope both your parents are faring well.
ELIZABETH: They surely are, my queen.
QUEEN SERWAA: Without much ado let's head over to the dining room, the others are waiting. [Saying this, they went to the dining room]
KING KWAKU: [kisses MARIA on the cheeks] How's my adorable little lamb doing.
MARIA: [blushing] The oxygen which I breathe isn't contaminated yet and my cells seem to be functioning under normal conditions which in a nutshell means I'm doing great, father.
KING KWAKU: Wow that's grand of you to say. ELIZABETH how are you doing together with your parents? [motioning to ELIZABETH]
ELIZABETH: I'm faring well together with my parents, my king.
KING KWAKU: [staring at ANDRE] Young man who might you be?
ANDRE: [French bows] I humbly apologize for not displaying my manners my king, I am ANDRE.
KING KWAKU: I should rather be the one to apologize; it skipped my mind that you're the angelic demon who has stolen the heart of my little lamb from me.
PRINCE KOFI: [pointing a finger at ANDRE] Hey clown whatever trick you are playing on my family with that baby face of yours know that it ain't working on me. Let me make something clear to you that if you let even a tear drop from the tear gland of my precious sister; I PRINCE JOSEPH KWAKU ASANTE will make sure to it that you spend the remnant of your blasted life in total agony. Even if I should have my surgical license taken from me, I will dismember your limbs, create a concussion on your brain and block all points to your heart.
QUEEN SERWAA: KOFI that's enough, you can't start scaring our guest and also MARIA'S boyfriend.
PRINCE KOFI: But mother I am just making it clear to this white pig not to mess with AKUA. [pointing at ANDRE]
MARIA: [yells] KOFI I don't care whether you're my older sibling or not but you ain't got the audacity to bullshit my boyfriend. Now apologize to ANDRE or you are gonna regret it.
ANDRE: MARIA it's okay I don't really mind at all 'cos what he's saying is definitely the right thing to do since I would have done something similar to what he did if I was in his shoes.[smirks]
KING KWAKU: Enough with all this bickering don't you know your voices are affecting the sleep of our ancestors. And you KOFI, you ought to quit arguing like a girl and learn to act as the heir to our kingdom's throne would behave.
PRINCE KOFI: [bows] Please forgive me my king for acting rashly and stupidly.
KING KWAKU: ASANTEWAA!!
ASANTEWAA: Yes my lord. [bows]
KING KWAKU: Bring the food.
ASANTEWAA: As you wish my lord. [bows again]
[The food was served and everyone ate in absolute silence in such a manner that if a pin drops it'll resonate in the room.]
KING KWAKU: [breaks the silence] ANDRE would you care to tell me a little of yourself.
ANDRE: As you wish my king. I am ANDRE MARTINEZ born in France, son of Mr. JUAREZ MARTINEZ and a law student at Oxford University.
KING KWAKU: [surprised] You mean you're the son of Mr. MARTINEZ the French business god.
ANDRE: Yes my king.
KING KWAKU: Interesting. AKUA after the dinner can I have a moment with you on the balcony.
MARIA: Okay father.
QUEEN SERWAA: [smiling] ELIZABETH have you also found yourself a lost sailor.
ELIZABETH: No sailor has lost his way yet, my queen.
KING KWAKU: Let's head to the balcony, AKUA. [saying this he exits from the room]
MARIA: Sure father. [follows him]
[KING KWAKU and MARIA are seen on the balcony discussing something.]
KING KWAKU: [speaks indistinctly] AKUA do you know that the father of your boyfriend is involved in a lot of illegal businesses across the globe.
MARIA: [speaks indistinctly] Don't understand what you are insinuating now.
KING KWAKU: What I'm trying to say is that your so called boyfriend is bad news so you need to steer clear from him.
MARIA: Father you can't just judge someone based on the parents actions. You don't really know ANDRE, how much he means to me and how it would hurt if I was to be without him.
KING KWAKU: I know you disagree with my perception but can you look at a scenario like this and give me a truthful answer. So let's assume that I am dead along with your brother automatically it means your husband becomes the new king, am I right.
MARIA: Yes you're right father.
KING KWAKU: So if your husband turns out to be ANDRE which means he becomes the new king. How do you think the locals of our kingdom would react to it?What would they once a foreigner rules them? It will feel like they are still living under colonial rule. The best thing for you is to put the kingdom first before your boyfriend i.e. breaking up with him would be best.
MARIA: [sobs] Father you always said you will be happy to see me smiling everyday but now I know it's a lie. You don't want me to have happiness 'cos ANDRE is my only happiness and you telling me to break up with him is suicidal. All what you care for is the kingdom this, the kingdom that always 'bout the kingdom and nothing else. Have you ever care to ask me what I truly want, father.
KING KWAKU: But I care for you and I'm doing what's best for you, my little lamb.
MARIA: Time will tell plus ANDRE and I ought to go back to campus now.
KING KWAKU: Alright but don't forget what we just spoke about.
[MARIA, ANDRE and ELIZABETH both said their goodbyes and left to campus not without PRINCE KOFI threatening ANDRE for the second time.]