HIS AFRICAN QUEEN (DSD SERIES SPINOFF)

PRISCELLA ST. LIEU

"My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard," Tanya sings as she shakes her moneymaker in the shower. "Damn right, it's better than yours..."

The shower pelts her with water and she shakes and scrubs her body enjoying the tranquility. Grabbing the scentless hotel shampoo, she lathers her inky, black hair and screams excitedly as Hey Mama by Nicki Minaj and David Guetta plays next.

Her waist moves on its own accord, dipping and wining expertly. She massages her scalp with thorough fingers before rinsing her hair and flashes it as she gets into the song.

Half an hour later, she emerges from the shower pruned, cleaned and in a cheerful mood. Glancing at the clock, Tanya notices she has five minutes until Al's cousin will be here to pick her up and take her to lunch.

Johnattan is the name Alexander gave...

Alexander had left her last night in a place she knew nothing about but at least he had the courtesy to inform her of what's to take place today... even if it's just by text.

She towel-dried her hair frowning, it was going to look frizzy when it was fully dry. She so wishes her blow dryer and flat iron are in her possession right now but Al had forgotten to leave that bag at the hotel with her.

The hotel room is a nice one. Beige interior with peach curtains, a cream spread on the bed and mahogany furniture. There are large sliding doors leading to a beautiful balcony that gives an outlook of the hotel's beautiful garden.

Tanya's thankful for this beautiful room but she wonders why Alexander didn't bring her to his place? I mean it would've been easier and cheaper.

Sighing she puts her hair in a neat bun and climbs into her underwear. As she clasps her bra on, the door rings and she pulled on a robe heading towards the door.

"I'm coming," she states as she pads across the small hall area.

Upon opening the white, wooden door, electric blue eyes hold her breath captive as they stare down at her. A sharp jaw, tousled dark hair, a breathtaking smirk and a handsome face... looks ran in this family alright.

The man standing before her struck a resemblance to Alexander... It was a small similarity but it was there nonetheless. He wore a dark blue dress shirt with khaki pants and a nice pair of black shoes.

He wears it all well and Tanya's eyes glance appreciatively.

"You must be Tanya," he speaks in his smooth, compelling voice and Tanya's female parts clenched.

"Yeah... That's me and I'm guessing you are Johnattan, Al's cousin?" she asks regaining her focus. Damn... The Blake men were fine as f**k.

"Yes I am," he states with a smile before glancing at his gold watch subsequently giving Tanya a look at his scarred cheek. "I was told to pick you up at 12 but it seems like you're not ready as yet."

He glances at her and she follows his eyes to her exposed bra, quickly she covers up with a nervous laugh. "I lost track of time... Can you give me ten minutes? I'll be quick."

"No problem, beautiful," he nods with a boyish smile leaning from the threshold and making his way down the hall. "Ten minutes, Mrs. Blake... I'll be outside in the red Lykon Hypersport. Please hurry."

She watches him disappear into the elevator before rushing into the room and in ten minutes flat she's riding the elevator down to the lobby.

She catches the eyes of many as she hustles through the lobby but she pays them no mind keeping her eyes open for a red Lykon Hypersport.

She steps out onto the paved sidewalk and not a second later said car pulls up at her feet. The passenger window rolls down and Johnattan's handsome face comes into view.

"Get in," he states invitingly and Tanya wastes no time hopping into the luxurious car. The car drives down the driveway and through the large iron gates towards the main road.

"Nice ride, Johnattan," Tanya pipes up a few minutes into the ride. "If my memory serves me right there are only like ten of these in the world..."

"Yes, and I was one of the lucky few to own one I guess," he says with that breathtaking smile before resting his hand on the wheel lazily. "So Tanya, how'd you end up with my pea-brain of a cousin?"

"I was drunk," she bluntly says staring out at the city and the masses of cars beside them.

"How informative..." Johnattan says with a hint of sarcasm and a small smile pulls at her lips.

"We got drunk and got a whiff of that Vegas Magic and boom the next day we find out we're married," she states with a sigh, leaning further in her seat. "Would make a good movie, wouldn't it?"

He chuckles at this before stealing a glance at her analyzing her. "I guess it would... So what did you do up in Las Vegas?"

She raises a brow at him. "Is this the part where I tell you about my low paying job and you deduct that I'm either not good enough for your cousin or a no-good gold digger?"

"I wasn't thinking that way but since you brought it up..." he teases with a smile before shaking his head. "No, I'm not going to judge you. Can't say the same about the rest of my beloved family."

She doesn't miss the distasteful way he says beloved family and it irks her. She didn't expect Al's family to accept her with open arms but they can't be that bad... can they? I mean why should she care? She'll divorce Alexander soon.

"I'm a showgirl," she states as the stop at a traffic light.

Johnattan lets out a boisterous laugh and Tanya raises a brow at him, daring him to comment.

"Oh, you're serious?" he asks shocked.

"Very," she states unamused.

"Alexander never fails to disappoint," Johnattan chuckles and She stares at his jovial features. "Uncle Nick is going to have a stroke when he finds out about this..."

She's about to question him about this 'Uncle Nick' when his phone goes off. He reads the name before groaning slightly.

"Give me a minute," he states before answering the phone. "Sidney... Babe, what's wrong?"

The call drags on for the next ten minutes and Tanya is left to watch the people and buildings pass by from her window. Moments later, she turns around frightened when she hears Johnattan let out a loud curse before cutting off the call.

"There's been a change of plans. I'm needed at my folks pronto and I don't think my fiancé will be okay with me bring another woman along. Plus my family does not know about you," he states making what she deducts as an illegal U-turn. "So, we will have to skip lunch and I'll just drop you off at Al's a little earlier than planned. I'm sure you can grab something there. Is that okay with you?"

He looks over at her and she nods earning a thankful smile from Johnattan. "Sit tight we'll be there in that few minutes."

She leans back in the seat with a sigh ignoring her growling stomach.

There better be something good to eat when I get there, she thinks as they drive down the crowded road.

***

Searching through Al's cabinets, Tanya groans in frustration.

There is nothing edible in there. The bread is molded, cheese spoilt and the milk chunky.  It's obvious he didn't spend much time here.

She goes back to the refrigerator once more sighing before grabbing the eggnog ice cream in the freezer. It isn't a flavour she likes but hunger's not picky.

She climbs onto the inky black couch and grabs the remote turning on his 52 inch Samsung TV, settling on an episode of Game of Thrones season one.

Al's apartment fits the description of a typical bachelor pad perfectly. Its theme is black, white and beige and it's loaded with high-tech electronics. You couldn't even open the curtains without pressing a button.

Tanya is surprised he didn't have a robot cook with all 'The Jetsons' vibes she's getting from this place.

An hour passes and Tanya watches her show attentively. As Dany climbs on top of Khal Drogo with a pillow in hand, the apartment door flies open and a woman barges in heatedly. She, however, stops in her tracks staring at Tanya and her face contorts in confusion and disgust.

"Who are you?" she asks with a thick French accent, a perfectly drawn eyebrow raised.

Tanya finishes her spoon of ice cream before replying to the mystery woman. "Shouldn't I be asking that? You're the one that barged in here unannounced."

Is it normal for women to barge in Al's apartment like this? I mean I figured he was a Playboy but day one and I've already made contact with one, wow. Tanya mentally thinks rolling her eyes.

"I have a key," she retorts, hanging said key from a manicured finger. Good now, let yourself out. "Now, what are you doing here?"

Tanya rises from the couch, shrugging her shoulders before walking towards the kitchen. The tapping of the mystery woman's heels alerts Tanya of her pursuit. Tanya places the bowl and spoon in the sink washing them before turning to the blonde before her.

"I believe I asked a question..." she states with narrowed brown eyes. “What are you doing here? How did you even get on this floor?"

Getting tired of Al's latest play toy's questions, Tanya decides to answer. "I'm waiting for the owner of this apartment."

"Why?" The mystery lady persists with a suspicious look.

Shaking her head, Tanya refuses to answer. "This isn't how this works. I answer your question you answer mine... It's only fair. So, who are you?"

"I don't owe you any answers–"

"Then neither do I," Tanya interrupts.

Sighing, Frenchie flips her hair before painting a smile on her face.

"My name is Priscella St. Lieu," she answers after a few minutes, with pride and self-admiration. "The owner of this apartment’s fiancée."

Tanya's eyes open wide taking in the woman before her in a new light. Fiancée?

Pricy yet beautiful pair of Prada heels clad her feet, a tailored off-the-shoulder, turquoise top with long sleeves wraps around her torso and a white ankle-length pants that cling to her small figure. Expensive diamond-studded jewelry around her neck and hanging from her ears n wrists and an elegant braided bun top all that loot... and let's not forget her Coco Channel handbag. She's your typical everyday rich girl.

Compared to Tanya's Venus' Lounge T-shirt, biker shorts and black Vans, she was the embodiment of class and money.

So that's why he didn't allow me to stay at his flat ... He had a fiancé. How f*****g wonderful...

"Now, who are you?" she asks an impatient look on her model-like face.

Wouldn't you like to know...

"Mrs. Tanya Blake," Tanya beams smugly at Priscella, holding out the hand with her ring. "The owner of this apartment’s wife."