His Queen

The Anniversary Party

It was a week later, Tyrone was reminded about the party his parents were throwing for their anniversary. And whether still put out by his mother’s meddling or not, Tyrone was expected to attend. His real problem was seeing if Cleo would go with him.  

He’d asked Sean if he’d convince Hailey to come with them, thinking it’d soften her. But Sean had let him down. “Sorry man, my babysitter quit on me. I gotta get another one, and I can’t leave Kim with Ms. Goldman that long. She’d be blowing my phone up all night.”  

Tyrone had hated it, but he’d understood. Sean would never put ANYONE before his little sister, and damn sure not a job. And while Tyrone had wrongly assumed Hailey would run at the sight of a child, she’d seemed to soften actually. Seeing the little girl in an adoring light like a mother almost.  

So of course, it was no shock, those three had a date on the couch with Disney+.  So Tyrone had nothing to butter than pan when he threw himself in. Looking at his woman the night before, he asked casually, “So my mama and daddy’s anniversary party is tomorrow, I was wondering if you’d be my lovely date.”  

Cleo making him dinner, froze like a deer in headlights. “Oh, Ty I don’t think I should...” She worried as she put his steak, pasta, and salad in front of him. Kissing her in the thanks, he watched her pad barefoot and cute around his island. Joining him, Cleo sighed when Tyrone leaned into her, “Come on, baby, I promise I won’t leave your side. We’ll have fun, promise.” 

Cleo rolled her eyes as she whispered, “I don’t know, I just don’t want to ruin your parent's anniversary by coming.” Tyrone frowned as he sipped his beer, “How would you ruin it by just showing up? I told you my parents like you.”  

Scoffing still mortified, Cleo gripped her own beer tight, “Yeah maybe before I made a complete ass of myself in front of your mama.” Sighing, Tyrone sat his beer down, “You did not.” Cleo met his gaze with a wave of fierce anger, “I did! I was everything that f*****g fancy class b***h you were with called me. A middle-class tramp acting like a hood, when I should have just ignored her!” 

Fighting tears she was so angry at herself now, Cleo grumbled, “It’s just hard sometimes...to be rational knowing that they may have something I don’t. But it’s even worse when they assume they know how I feel about you. Or why I’m with you. Every time, my character takes another hit because I’m not some wealthy heiress with a yacht. I’m...Cleo Bryon.”  

Silence issued for a while. They didn’t eat or move as Tyrone stewed in silence for a while. Then he said the truth, “Your right. Every time someone sees you and me, they’re going to think stupid thoughts. That you’re a gold-digger, or I’m using you for s*x and you’re my arm candy. But after a few years, they’ll shut up.”  

Cleo looked at Tyrone as he kissed her palm gently, “I’m going to marry Cleo Bryson, not some rich heiress. Because it’s you, Cleo, that looks at me and my heart explodes. And it’s you who listens to me moan and b***h about classes and homework. Not anyone else. So yeah, they’ll talk until their faces turn blue, but I don’t care. I want you and no one else.”  

Blinking the tears from her eyes, Cleo whispered, “But your parents-.” Tyrone chuckled, “They know how I feel, they know what I want and know not to get in my way.” Biting her bottom lip Tyrone kissed her gently as he promised, “They may have their own tricks and ways of going about it. But trust me, if they really didn’t like you, they’d already showed you the door.”  

That was somewhat relieving enough to get Cleo to agree unenthusiastically to go. It took a few tongue tricks and a whole lot of kissing to get her to c***k a smile after.  

But eventually, she did.  

It was until they were yet again pulling up in front of his parent's home he watched her start cracking. It turned Tyrone’s stomach her no longer being comfortable around his family. They were some of the most important people in his life, and he wanted them all to get along.  

But he wouldn’t upset Cleo or rush her to do anything she didn’t want to.  

“Baby I can go in alone; you can drive yourself home if you want. You don’t have to stay.” Sitting in front of his Maserati looking like a damn model, Cleo was making his heart race. As the burgundy dress she wore conformed to every inch of her, the black heels she wore had his blood hot.  

“Though it’d hurt so much to lose the sight of you in this dress.” Cleo glanced over at him smiling, and watched Tyrone’s hot gaze tracked over her, “So f*****g sexy,” He rasped before giving her a kiss. Sighing, into him, Cleo pulled away slowly and he looked for her okay. Cleo gave it with a small nod.  

So he climbed out first, rounding the car, relatives and friends watched him help her out next. Leading them in strong and confident, to everyone else, they both looked confident, happy, and unbothered.  

On the inside, however, Cleo felt like a huge phony. Breathing out shakily as she and Tyrone both accepted a glass of champagne, Cleo felt like tossing it back.  

But the number of eyes on her, let Cleo know the rumors of her being a drunk would spread in a second. So, she took a delicate sip and let Tyrone pull her out to the crowd awaiting them. They passed numerous faces she knew vaguely from the last party.  

But it was when she saw Andre she relaxed as he leaned on the bar casually, “I’ll be right back,” She told Tyrone talking business. He nodded at her surprised and smiled when she went to his best friend, “Hey,” Cleo greeted happily. Andre grinned back happily, “Hey back, how you tonight gorgeous?”  

Cleo sighed as she shakily admitted, “I've had funnier nights, you?” Andre pouted making three women watching him soon, “Willow is with her parents tonight so I had to come stag like a loser. I miss future wifey.”  

Giggling as the girls fixing their hair to come over stopped with looks of utter devastation, she jumped when someone said, “Maybe if you were handsomer she would have come.” As Tyrone wrapped his arms around her, she laughed as Andre suddenly vogued for their benefit, “Oh please, this right here,” He said showing off his angels, “Is God’s finest work.”  

Tabatha appeared suddenly and teased sweetly, “Of course it is. As long as you convince yourself of that, everyone will sure to follow.” Frowning at her, Cleo giggled as he tossed out snobbishly, “Haters are going to hate.”  

She was rolling her eyes before turning to her older brother, “Mama and papa are looking for you. They thought you didn’t come for a second, you haven’t gone to say hi?” Tyrone wilted as a cold sweat broke out on Cleo’s brow. She looked away uncomfortable as Tyrone awkwardly said, “Yeah I’ve been busy making my rounds. I’ll get to them though.” 

Tabatha sent him a look of confusion before noticing the not-so-comfortable look of Cleo. Sighing, Tabatha understood why Cleo was feeling less than welcomed now. But the motives used to scope her character couldn’t be helped. 

And Tyrone couldn’t ignore their parents.  

“Well, I’ll bring them over, so you can say hi.” Tabatha chirped trying to get them to rip the band-aid off. But Tyrone and Andre saw how Cleo looked and seeing her not ready yet, Tyrone sighed, “Tabatha we got this, thanks.”  

Frowning now basically hearing the applied words he didn’t say, Tabatha’s eyes searched for her parents, “Oh chill bro, it’s their anniversary for crying out loud. It’s not like you can avoid them all night.”  

Seeing them, Tabatha started to flag them over but Tyrone pulled her hand down quickly, “Tabatha!” Snatching from him, Tabatha barked, “What!?” It was as their fight began that Andre peeped Cleo looking ready to pass out.  

“Aye chill!” He hissed at both of them. Seeing Andre dead ass made Tabatha look to Cleo. Seeing her not looking back, she felt insanely guilty. And then her older brother was pulling her away, with a growl on his lip.  

“Tyrone-.” Giving his sister a dark look, Tyrone hissed confused, “Why are you pushing us to mama and papa so hard when it’s obvious she’s scared? Considering you just sat there while mama unleashed Shelly on her, I thought you’d be a little more understanding.” 

Feeling her jaw wobble, Tabatha looked away and Tyrone groaned, “What is it?” Seeing now the look of his little sister caught made him worry. Because Tabatha wasn’t being malicious to spite him or Cleo. She was trying to make something okay by pushing something else to be okay.  

Inhaling, Tabatha sniffled, “Fine, I got caught up in the moment with my...friend and invited her here. She’s on the way, and she’s freaking out.” Not meeting her older brother’s eyes, Tabatha whispered, “So I wanted y’all to kiss and make up before she got here.”  

Tyrone understood where his sister was coming from, or at least he was trying to. But all he could see was Cleo drinking some water looking faint. “Right and pushing Cleo over to them when she’s clearly not comfortable is going to end so well. Thanks for that help Tab; look I get your nervous to invite your girlfriend but that wasn’t cool. Besides you know ma and papa don’t care about that.”  

Tabatha’s eyes blazed as they snapped up to her older brother, “Yeah well maybe I’m not so confident to bring my first REAL girlfriend to meet my parents. Especially not when our mama is so upset about upsetting my brother and his girlfriend. So much so she can’t even hear me when I say who’s coming.”  

Wincing seeing her about to get really upset, Tyrone tried to calm her down. But Tabatha stumbled away with a dark look, “But what else can I expect from the f*****g golden son!” Storming off, Tyrone groaned feeling like a man apart right now.  

He hated this, all of it. But he could see where none of it was fair.  

Cleo didn’t feel comfortable with his parents thinking they didn’t like her. So of course, he didn’t want to force her to be in their face. But he also understood his sister, and why she was so freaked out.  

Turning just in time to accept a hug, Cleo was in his arms and whispering, “Thanks, but I’m ready now.” Because after seeing Tabatha having stormed off and reading the body language of her man, Cleo couldn’t let this spiral to a bigger issue than what it needed to be.  

She was in no way losing Tyrone. And her paranoia and fear of being disliked wasn’t going to drive a wedge between him and his parents. So, putting on her big girl underwear, and sobering up after two glasses of expensive champagnes, Cleo nodded. “Let’s go.”  

Walking to his parents being surrounded by family, friends, and workers from their companies, they looked boss. Renee stood in an all-white dress, giving very Lupita Nyong’o’s Red cape dress from the golden globes, vibes. With gold accessories and heels, she looked every bit as rich and intimidating as she was.  

Not to mention with Elijah beside her, so dapper in his black suit, he stood tall and proud. Smiling as he kissed his wife’s head he whispered something in her ear and she smirked. Cleo, now just understanding lust and wanting someone, could see what was happening.  

He was seducing her in her ear, in public to go and do something for grown folks.  

And it made Cleo grin knowing it was still being done twenty-four years later. It was miraculous to her and she wanted nothing more than to be them. With Tyrone... 

“Trust me,” Her boyfriend suddenly whispered in her ear as if reading her mind, “It will be...” Kissing her cheek, Tyrone pulled her over to his parents and smiled at them, “Hey, hey,” Elijah beamed relaxing, “Son, there you are!” 

Tyrone hugged his dad who whispered, “Your mama’s been worried.” Tyrone sighed as he whispered behind a smile, “Like I wouldn’t come, I just-.” Elijah looked down at Cleo, “Oh no, I get it.”  

Smacking his son’s shoulder, Elijah beamed kindly at Cleo. “Cleo, good to see you again gorgeous.” Cleo beamed happily, “Congratulations Mr. Royal on twenty-four years.” Elijah beamed as he glanced at his wife, “I am a lucky man.” Renee stopped talking to a cousin to look at them, “Husband are you talking about me.”  

Elijah winked at her, “Always.” Giggling like a young girl with a small bounce of excitement, Renee turned to face her son. “My son.” Seeing her so happy, Tyrone couldn’t help but soften. “Hey mama. You look beautiful.” Watching her hug Tyrone, Cleo melted as they talked happily.  

They were so sweet, and she loved how Tyrone seemed to adore her. “They are close,” Elijah told Cleo quietly. “They spent A LOT of time together when he was a kid, when I was first moving around my companies. I inherited 32 of them and had to make myself known. So, she had to be strong and take care of him alone a lot.”  

Looking from his wife and son, the one black eye and one blue burned her soul, “She’s been beside her thinking she’s upset you and lost him. It’d kill her.” Cleo shook her head, “Never, he’d never pick me over her. I’d never allow him too.” Elijah looked at her surprised and his heart grew even more as she confessed, “My mom died when I was young, and I didn’t really get to know her. I wish I did, because I know she’d have taught me a LOT about myself. But I do get a chance to know Renee, who is beautiful and powerful.”   

Smiling happily, Cleo admitted, “I know she’s not someone to fear Elijah, she’s just a mother. Someone to learn from.” Elijah happily kissed Cleo’s head and told her softly, “And learn you will sweetie.” Suddenly his wife discreetly came over and whisked Cleo away.

 It couldn't be noticed because moments later Tyrone was stolen by a cousin. And Elijah was distracted by Tabatha appearing with a pretty interesting character.