Princes and Savages

By Denée Davis

When a boy says to a girl who is his best friend, “It was always going to be you”, what comes next? In the not-so-distant future, the world’s wealthiest are as well-known and popular as actors and pop stars. Faustino Richard Bautista is the youngest of the American 7 — America’s most prominent, well-loved and wealthiest family which includes seven sons. Naia Jade Tsefaye is the youngest of King Philip and Queen Odessa Tesfaye’s daughters. Faustino and Naia are best friends, and the Bautista’s and the Tsefaye’s have grown together raising their families in tandem. They are two black dynasties born from faith, hope and deep roots in the ancestors who came before them. While America has no official monarchy, the Bautista’s are considered American royalty...



After Faustino breaks up with his older, pop star girlfriend, he and Naia decide to take the attention away from his public mess by deciding to be seen together in public, posing as a couple. However, after an attempt on their lives, Faustino and Naia‘s daily existence will change in an instant! While enemies aren’t new, determined murderers are, and Faustino and Naia’s families are forced to unite and close ranks to protect their teens — the stakes won’t just rise, they will change forever! Now forced to go on the run, Faustino and Naia’s lifelong friendship, as well as their family loyalties, will be tested, and their journey will cause them to re-evaluate the very essence of what they both truly mean to one another.



As they traverse the American roads moving from place to place, the teens will fight not only for their sanity, but also for their destiny! In this action-packed, fast-moving, unique, science fiction tale about family, love and survival, travel with Faustino and Naia as they come of age in a world where fate may very well determine their future…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
• Release date: Sep 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662918209

Book preview

HAPPY 18TH

The morning of Faustino Richard Bautista’s eighteenth birthday, a team led by Greg Saylor, his main wardrobe stylist and his regular groomer, came to get him ready. America’s Prince Faustino is the youngest of King Armand Sr. and Queen Allura Bautista’s seven sons. The American 7 is what they are called worldwide. The Bautista family is considered American royalty by the media. In truth, America has no official monarchy, however, this family is special to and for the American people. The Bautista’s are among the wealthiest and most powerful family in the world. They are famous, and held to an impossible benchmark which they seem to always rise above — they are the best of American culture personified! The Bautista lineage includes a number of religious leaders, politicians, business executives and artists. The original fortune from Allura’s side of the family comes from her third-degree grandfather’s work as the bishop of one of the biggest churches on the east coast. He never took a salary from his congregation, however, he was a bestselling author and a top tier gospel artist. He also produced movies, and was gifted when it came to investing in business and companies. Armand is from a similar background; however, he is the son of an admiral in the US Navy. Both he and Allura believe in God and family, and Armand Sr. always holds his sons (and himself) to the highest of ideals and standards.

There are more than a few publications represented in the Bautista family’s ballroom and on the grounds, conducting photo shoots and inter­views, and Faustino needs a new look for each interaction. He likes having Greg on his team - he makes it easy. Greg always has a vision for photo shoots, and Faustino, aka Tino, never stands in the way of Greg pulling together a complete head to toe look! Over the years, he’s become a confidant to Faustino. How can he not be a friend, he buys Tino’s underwear? Tino finds the publicity stuff monotonous, but he knows he needs to be on his best behavior. The opinions of the American people are paramount to his family. The press team moves things along quickly. Greg is handing Tino his next look when his phone rings. Greg answers for Tino. It is Princess Naia Tsefaye, her hologram is in the middle of his dressing area smiling. Naia and Tino have grown up together and are best friends. People are always wondering about the nature of their relationship. Naia isn’t tall, but she’s extraordinarily beautiful; her dark, flawless skin and big almond-shaped eyes make her the subject of beauty columnists worldwide! Tino looks at her smiling, Where are you? You’re coming tonight right? Naia winces, I’m grounded. I’ll tell you about that later, but my sisters will be there and they’re bringing my gift. Happy Birthday! I feel bad about not making it. A voice in the background says, You made your choice and it cost you, didn’t it? Tell him what you did. Tino says, I look forward to seeing you this evening, your highness, (to Queen Odessa, Naia’s mother, in the background). Naia gives him a look and mouths, Traitor. Greg walks by and waves at Naia. Naia smiles and remarks You’re busy. We’ll talk later - Happy Birthday Tino! He winks and disconnects the call. Greg holds out a blazer to Tino, Put this on instead. No one is asking me, but Princess Naia is your wife in ten years. Keep her close at all cost. Tino looks at Greg and replies, Noted. Greg smiles, Happy Birthday Faustino. This is your last interview and I’ll see you in a few hours for the party. Tino grabs his arm and says, Thanks Greg.

People are rushing around the compound getting ready for the party. Anna, Tino’s longtime nanny, brings him her gift while he is sitting in his favorite chair, reading. She calls for him before she walks into his extravagant bedroom. He stands when she walks around to the reading nook and hugs her. She says, I wanted you to have this before you left for the party. He takes what feels like a book from her and tears the gift wrapping. He looks at her, then continues to remove the paper and elaborate bow. Anna has found a hardcover first edition of The Autobiography of Malcolm X – As Told by Alex Haley. Tino looks at the book and runs his hand over the front while smiling to himself. He looks at her and hugs her again saying, Thank you, Auntie. This is amazing! She pats him on the back and says, I think you’re going to love it. You can take it with you when you go to do your charity thing. He doesn’t have the heart to tell her he’s read it before. She leaves him sitting in his chair inspecting the pages. He is looking at the yellowed, aged pages carefully now. He will read it again and let it grow roots in his mind. His phone rings and when he answers, it’s Naia again. He puts his gift on the table and looks at her image. She starts, Ok. So, one more thing and then we can talk later. He looks at her and says, Hey, why aren’t you going to make it tonight? She shakes her head, I’ll tell you later; are you friends with that kid Christian Kellogg? Tino tilts and shakes his head, I don’t know who that is. Why? Are you missing my birthday party for him? She smiles and says, No! He asked me out. Tino looks at her for a beat than says, He’s not a friend. Should I be concerned? She rolls her eyes and says, I don’t know if I should be concerned. I’ll tell you how it goes. Oh, and Happy Birthday Again! I’ll see you at the Summit." He smiles and she hangs up. Tino sits thinking about the party and wishes he could get out of it, but Lorna, his sister-in-law, wouldn’t be happy. He isn’t sure how many people are attending, but he’s never had a party with less than a thousand people in attendance. He will miss Naia’s presence – she makes these events fun! Greg comes in a little later with his tux.

In a few months, Faustino will be required to serve his people for two years in the military or social services like his six brothers before him. Missionary and military are the way of the Bautista’s, a tradition that is generations old in their bloodline. The price of comfort is blood, sweat and tears… Everyone has to serve so they understand about the world outside of their bubble. The parents of the American 7 believe in purpose and principle and take this tradition very seriously. However, Faustino has been raised with a looser hand than his brothers. He is allowed his liberties, and there is no pressure on him; he will never be held to his oldest brothers’ standards. Faustino is content in this reality. He is easily his father’s most popular child — at least in the public eye. Faustino goes to school and occasionally travels with his tutors. He played soccer in the parks and goes to the movies like normal teens. Not prone to trouble making, he rarely embarrasses his parents, yet he isn’t perfect and occasionally, he can be stubborn! He is also a dreamer and a voracious reader — A real bookworm, Anna, his favorite nanny, says. He loves reading about fictional adventures and science fiction heroes. He reads and listens to music for hours. Occasionally, he will get involved in his sibling’s games and schemes. Usually, this ends in punishments and stern conversations with their father. The boys wish for spankings after five minutes in a room with an angry Armand Sr., and Faustino has inherited that intensity from his father! He is also a very handsome boy… His looks caused so much drama, that he ended up being put in an all-boys private school. Here, however, drama free it was not, and his mother found a boarding school that seemed to be able to handle his popularity. When Faustino came home, he was treated like his brothers. The adults were careful not to show him too much favor, but his nannies always loved him like their own children. He seemed to always be trying to prove he was not spoiled or using his looks to get over. The news reported his every moment in public. If he liked some new flavor of ice cream as a child, everyone needed to try it! If he was reported wearing a specific item, it sold out in hours world-wide. His mother kept a lot of this away from him. Her attempt to keep him humble worked. He makes his own bed and cleans up behind himself as a part of his chores. She stresses that his looks will fade, but his character will make him a great man. Seventeen-year-old Faustino is 6’2" (and still growing) with broad shoulders, a chiseled jawline and a permanent tan, which are all over-shadowed by his dark brown ringlets of curls always falling in his face. When you looked at him in direct light, his eyes seem to change from hazel to green. When he smiles, his perfect white teeth are framed by his deep dimples. His good looks seem overwhelming to unsuspecting women and girls, but then he is charming also — double trouble indeed! The press and vlogs would write about his style, his friends and those long eyelashes that curled upward.

The interviews on his eighteenth birthday are the same for the most part: where do you want to go to school? what are your plans for the summer? who is your latest girlfriend? It’s not like he wants to talk about her to the world. He doesnt really consider her his girlfriend. She isn’t a girl, and they don’t have much of a friendship. He’s been able to keep his time with her private, which isn’t an easy thing to do. Faustino is with pop singing sensation Raquel Mc Daniels. Raque, as shes’s called, is just under six feet with the longest legs a girl could have — She is a gorgeous disaster! She is also the living, breathing opposite of Faustino. She throws tantrums in public and crashes cars to make a point. She uses these manipulations to bend the world and everyone around her to her will. She is wild, but he doesn’t seem to care —he likes her! They met at a music festival at his family’s underwater resort in Savanah. Tino was hanging out backstage with his older brothers Stephen, Nico, Carlo and Leo. Leo is number two of the American 7; he is the soldier and never backs down from a challenge. He has a fading scar on his temple, which he got in a fight with his twin, Carlo. Carlo is number three and a bit of a peacock. He is always involved in some little bit of gossip. He’s known as Los, the notorious flirt! He is married to a young woman from the South named Natalie. Carlo and Natalie were at the music festival to thank the hundreds of thousands of people crowding the VR (virtual reality) arena for their volunteering and donations to the needy. Carlo spotted Raque first and slyly winked at her. She looked at him and winked back. She turned to wave at the crowd on camera. As the camera hovered above, she spotted Tino standing between his brothers and waved Stephen over. Leo saw her eyeing Tino first and immediately told Stephen, Keep that one (pointing at Raquel) away from the kid. I don’t think Mom would like it. Stephen has never liked taking orders from anyone, but especially not from his brothers. He casually ends up introducing her to Tino in passing to mock Leo. He thought, So What? How bad could it get? He would regret not following his older brother’s directions soon enough!

She stalked Tino relentlessly all night until she was able to trade her information with him. He thought she was interested in one of his brothers and wasn’t going to call her. However, she pursued him by calling and sending gifts. He was a little flattered but also, very embarrassed. The rules of Bautista masculinity required him to chase her instead. He would send back everything, and bigger, more elaborate items would show up. Finally, he called to stop her and agreed to one date. Their first rendezvous was a day after that fateful call. Tino drove his antique two-seated convertible Aston Martin to pick up Raque at her home outside of the city on a humid night. He had the chef pack a scrumptious meal and only allowed security and Nico to know where he was going. They drove for an hour talking until they got to a quiet little boathouse. He led her to his boat, and they sailed while eating and laughing on the deck. He seemed much older than his real age of seventeen. She was seduced and wowed by him.! She thought, This maybe the most romantic date I’ve ever been on. He’s going to draw out my crazy! When it was quiet between them, she said, Holy shit! Are you still in high school? Faustino smirked slyly at her and replied, I’ve been out of school for a year. I graduated early. I’ll be eighteen in three months. You should just be direct with me, I suck at picking up on ques. The honesty of the moment made Raque sad; She couldn’t remember being talked to this way. She kissed him and said, This is going to be messy, but I don’t think I can walk away from you. So, we’ll just have to see what happens…. Your mother is going to hate me. Tino shrugged and they spent the rest of the night on his boat getting to know each other. Just before the sun came up, he drove through her security gate and down the tree lined driveway in front of her house. She hopped out holding her shoes and looked at him sitting behind the wheel of that sports car from another time. He was handsome and she thought, I should take him to bed. That thought didn’t stay in her head and Tino spent the day in Raque ‘s bed…

Raque became a problem after a month for the Bautista family and she relished every minute of it! She was jealous of them and she’d decided Tino didn’t need them. Faustino’s station in life didn’t seem to matter to her. She did an interview proclaiming her love for him — being coy and hinting to who he was. Then, the following week when Tino was at dinner with his parents, she sat outside his gate, screaming and crying for hours in full view of the press. They speculated about which brother she was seeing. The funny thing is, he didn’t have a problem with the performative parts of her personality. He thought it was the price of dating an artist. However, occasionally, her emotional outbursts unsettled him and made him suspicious of her motives. He felt used at times, especially when her projects or a song releases coincided with her grand moments before the world. Armand Sr. was convinced that she was on drugs, or in need of them - he wasn’t sure which one? Tino was more embarrassed for his family than for himself after the gate incident; it had been his intention to keep this dalliance a secret, something he could have privately. The two of them had intimate dinners and enjoyed midnight walks. He’d picked her up and take her on drives in his different cars and on his motorcycle in the moonlight. Raque was on a singer’s schedule, which allowed her free time late at night and in between recording sections and shows. He thought she’d become bored because of their age difference — after all, she was in her mid-twenties. She would look at Faustino and shake her head saying, I’m so stupid. My career is going to be over because of a boy. Are you eighteen yet? Then she’d put her hand over his mouth and say, Don’t tell me. It’ll make me feel like a loser who dates babies. Tino didn’t feel younger than her but, then again, maybe that was the problem? He didn’t take her seriously when she would talk about their age difference.

Lorna planned a night to end all nights! She was married to the oldest of the American 7 — Armand Jr. (aka Mando) — and had become a second mother to Tino. She wanted his birthday to be special, after all, he’d be going off to serve his fellow man. There would be a dinner followed by dancing, drinking, performances, fireworks and a tour of Faustino’s favorite cities on a caravan of jets going worldwide all on the same day. He would turn eighteen on four continents and in six cities. The dinner was grand! Lorna held it at an art museum in the indoor courtyard; It was elaborate and from the door, it felt exceptional! Faustino was born in April and the venue looked and felt like Spring, with blooming trees all around, and turf that looked identical to real grass. Virtual animals like squirrels, bunnies, peacocks and swans peaked out from the trees. Faux owls and blue jays fluttered. In the center stood a 20-foot weeping willow complete with a long clever shallow waterway. People touched it all night shocked that it was in fact running water! There was a light fragrant wind that occasionally blew from different corners of the room. The dining tables were decorated with stacks of Tino’s favorite books, candles, and large and small floral arrangements. The music was soulful and from many eras. People danced and lounged and grooved in the most opulent and lavish surroundings. Lorna even had faux lightning bugs and fireflies fliting around. She thought of everything and it was magical! She even had the celestial body recreated along the ceiling from the night he was born.

Important people from all over the globe came to wish Faustino a happy birthday! Celebrities, politicians and royalty were all in attendance — how Tino hates being forced to entertain strangers — especially, self-important ones! He stands in his bespoke tuxedo in navy blue commissioned by Lorna. She also had a very expensive smoking jacket made from a raw silk for Tino for later in the evening. Lorna truly covered every detail! She wanted him to be the center of attention and for the most part, he is… The security team, along with Lorna’s staff, checks the guest in and while Raque is not on the list, Lorna does the gracious gesture of creating a place for her. Raque shows up to the dinner in a vintage sheer, beaded gown that exposes her breasts and mostly nude bottom with a giant bow barely covering her intimate areas. The Bautista’s are greeting their illustrious guest when the press goes wild on the red carpet. Lorna’s assistant shows Lorna something on a screen and she sneers in an ugly moment of anger. Carlo looks over her shoulder and says, Is that happening here? As Raque makes her way into the ballroom, she is stopped and taken to the side. Allura is mortified, but she smiles and makes jokes. The media goes crazy! Lorna’s team immediately has Raque seated away from their family, and afterwards, the night goes on without a hitch. Nico arranges for his brother’s favorite singer to be on Tino’s aircraft for the caravan. He figures that since the press isn’t allowed and their parents won’t join them, what harm could it be? On the first leg of the trip to Rio De Janeiro, the jet is flying so fast that everyone has to be seated. When they land, Lorna has helo-hover crafts fly them to a remote beach party. Everyone wishing Faustino Feliz Aniversário to a live band and dancers teaching and doing the Samba. They reboard and continue on to Senegal, Ibiza, Hong Kong and Tokyo — three jets of VIP’S hopping from country to country! Raque presses herself next to Tino for most of the trip. When his brothers would offer her their jackets, she’d only wear them until the press started to take pictures. Then, she’d drop the jacket and position herself in the most seductive poses. Somewhere during this escapade, Raque grabs a bottle of champagne and leads Tino away from his guests and family for a moment. He’s a little drunk by this point and very transfixed on her. When he looks around, they seem to be alone on a catwalk on the outer part of a building hundreds of feet in the air. It’s windy and there is a chill in the air. Tino moves to give her his jacket when she wraps her arms around his muscular frame on the inside of the blazer. He’s warm and smells of something citrusy. He’s not as sweaty as she imaged. Raquel Mc Daniels from Chicago couldn’t fathom how this is her life now? She presses her face against his neck and allows herself to be intoxicated by him. Standing there, she tries to envision her life with this young Prince, then she pushes her face upward for a kiss. He’s forgotten himself for a second and kisses her back the way he does when they are alone — lustfully and greedily. He never notices the man recording them from an upper walkway. And to make matters worse, he’s hooked one arm around Raque’s waist and the other hand seems to be hovering around her butt. She tries to push his hand even further, but Tino’s phone is going off now and security will be coming to find him. Tino’s holding her hand when they appear in the VIP room of a crowded club in Hong-Kong with the giant satin bow that had been covering her parts around his neck. Stephen pulls Raque to the dance floor in hopes of shutting down any suspicions about a romance between his youngest sibling and the older women on his right, however, the damage has already been done!

BRACE YOURSELF

By the time everyone’s flying back to the District of Douglas, the images of the lovers are breaking news. The last leg of the trip is quiet; everyone Is drunk and exhausted! The next day, Faustino is awakened by Lorna banging on his door. He can’t remember getting in his bed or undressing. He puts on a robe and drags himself to the door. Open this door boy!, he hears through the wood. When he opens the door, he’s greeted by a five foot two, enraged Lorna. You’d better be alone!, she screams. Tino opens the door and she pushes passed him with Mando and Nico behind her. Nico is son number six and he’s quiet but devilish. He and Tino are seven years apart and they are very close. She yells in Spanish for a solid fifteen minutes with minimal breaths. Tino makes out words like stupid, whore, asshole and knows he’s in trouble. He looks at Mando and says, What did I do? Lorna steps between them and grabs his chin, How drunk were you last night?! The pictures that every news outlet is showing and the video of it is being shown with blurry areas. Cut on the TV! Nico cuts on the large floor-to-ceiling TV when a video of a life-size Tino and Raque appear. Nico comments, We let you out of our sight for fifteen minutes and you screw Raquel Mc Daniels in public? As the reality of his relationship with Raquel crashes into his persona as Faustino, he grasps the seriousness of the situation. His parents have seen that video. Everyone has seen that video — including Naia. He’s unaccustomed to being on this side of his sister-in-law’s rage and immediately tries to thank her for the birthday and to apologize for the embarrassment. Her petite hand goes up stopping him before he can talk. Lorna says, I expect an apology for me and your mother in writing, followed by a significant amount of groveling. Mando puts his hand on Tino’s shoulder and says, You didn’t get her pregnant, right? You were careful? Tino stands there trying to get his brain in gear. Nico suggests, Take a shower and get dressed and go find Mom and Dad now. If they summon you, it’ll be worse. Tino looks at his family and says, She’s not pregnant. Not by me, I made sure of that. I’m sorry I disappointed you, I didn’t think it was a problem because I’m old enough to consent. Lorna pokes Tino, How are you so sure she’s not pregnant? Tino sheepishly says, We used three sometimes four types of birth control. She can’t risk getting pregnant. Lorna shakes her head and walks out of the room. Mando and Nico are still there with Tino. Mando says, The press team is going to want to talk to you. Get dressed kid, it’s going to be a rough day! Mando walks out and Nico stays. Tino looks at Nico and groans, I don’t even remember anything passed kissing her. This is crazy, Mom is going to kill me! Nico looks at him and mutters, No, she’s going to kick your ass and dad is going to kill you and cover it up. Tino looks at his brother then goes to the bathroom. He gets dressed and before he leaves his room, a message from his parents pop up. He goes to his father’s office hoping not to run into his mother or Anna. He is not that lucky. Anna and Allura are sitting talking to Armand Sr. when Tino walks in. He can see the disappointment on their faces. He is trying to figure out what he can say in his defense and gives up when he realizes his mother has been crying. He sits next to Anna and braces himself. Allura straightens her back and looks him in the eye. She looks at her husband then yells, Is it love Faustino? Do you love her? It didn’t look loving to me, but maybe you’re not the young man I raised?! She stops and looks at her husband. Tino looks at them and murmurs, I don’t know what to say? I’ve been seeing her for a few months now. She chased me. Anna puts her hand on his hand and bluntly says, She’s not a good person for you, but I think you know that? I think you were just having fun, but she was on Connelly King professing her deep feelings for you earlier. I always tell Sheba that just because someone likes you doesn’t mean you have to like them back. He looks at Anna in shock!. Armand Sr. says, I think I need to talk to my son alone. Allura stands with Anna and they leave. Armand Sr. moves to a closer chair and says, Is Anna, right? Are you just doing what feels good? Tino looks at his father and answers, I hadn’t put much thought into it. She just kept coming for me. I know I should have ignored her but… Armand Sr. interrupts, So, she’s not pregnant? Tino shakes his head. Do I have to say what comes next? He sits looking at his father and realizes he will have to break up with her. He stands and walks out of the room.

Later in the day, Faustino is summoned to a family meeting and told Raque’s need for attention is undermining the hard work of the Bautista’s. Allura is ready to send the police to lock Raque up over the age difference. Armand Sr. is passed her age and even empathizes with Tino, but feels like Raque is unstable and unsuitable for their family. They all have real problems with her presence and voice it. It is overwhelming and after two hours of hearing how much everyone hates her and all the things that are wrong with his relationship, he finds himself defending the relationship and storming out of the room. When he checks his phone, there are 128 messages from Raque. Needing to clear his head, Tino retreats to his room.

Stephen is number five. He is an artist and a musician. He is indulgent and scandalous. Stephen knocks on Tino’s door and lets himself in. Glad to be alone with his youngest brother, Stephen asks, What’s the plan, Tino? You can’t keep this going. Raque is a tragic mess. Hot but tragic man. Tino sits in his large armchair in the corner of the room. I know, Tino professes, but she wasn’t like this when we started going out. It used to be fun. She was so normal. Stephen sits across from him and says, Whatever man. She is too old for you. I feel responsible for this mess because I introduced you even though Leo said don’t. Is it the sex? You know this isn’t love right? This is exactly who she is, a needy, attention-hoarding, pop star. I wouldn’t be surprised if she set you up and told that photographer where to be. You’re smarter than this. The price is too high kid. We go to the Summit in a few weeks and real business has to be done for the sake of our people. This is the sort of thing that can make us seem like we’re not serious about our place in the world. The Senate and Congress may remove the titles and fine us. Not to mention, you have your whole life ahead of you, this better be a bookmark. I love you. You’re stressing your mothers (plural) out. Stephen leaves slightly irritated by the situation. Tino is in the same place hours later, still listening to music and reading. Anna knocks on his door and pokes her head in, Tino, can you talk? Anna has been with the Bautista clan for twenty-something years. She has become more than a nanny to the boys. She is the one person who can discipline them with no questions asked. She has spanked and wagged her finger at all seven of them. She is highly respected by the family. So, when she wants to talk, they listen. He stands and waves her in, Hi Aunty. Anna grabs his jaw as if he were a child still and kisses his cheek and sits across from him. She sighs, So do I have to give my reasons for this messy chick to be put on the curb? Faustino smiles, No, I’ll find her later and break up with her. Anna nods, Good boy. Make it a clean cut. You’re nice and under normal circumstances, this would be a normal break up. She’s not normal, however, and she’s not going to except this easily. Shut off that part of you that always wants everyone to be ok. Don’t touch her for any reason. Not a hug. Not a last kiss. No holding hands and keep your member in your pants. You hear me? Don’t screw her. She needs you more then you need her. She’ll be desperate to use all her tools to keep you. She’ll offer everything, including other girls. Don’t let this be an on-again, off-again relationship for six more months or years. Let her cry and scream and threaten, then leave. If you want, I’ll send Sheba with you as back up. She can hit her if it comes to that. Sheba is Anna’s youngest daughter. She and Tino grew up together playing like tiger cubs, rolling around and pushing each other. She’s tall and curvy with little freckles across her nose and a perfect pouting mouth. She is the unofficial eighth sibling of the American seven. He took Sheba to her junior prom the year before and had the best time. He considers it and decides he can handle Raque. Sheba won’t be kind and he doesn’t want a story about his friend beating up his ex-girlfriend in the media. Tino smiles at Anna, Thank you Aunty, you know I will follow your directions. I think Sheba will make it harder, but thanks for the offer. Anna stands and kisses his head, I love you,Tino. He smiles and answers, Always." She walks out just as his phone lights up.

He answers, and before him in a swinging outdoor chair is Naia’s hologram. She is sitting barefoot in a short romper smiling ear to ear, Ask me how my date went? Tino looks at her for a second. Happy for the distraction, he leans toward her, he smiles and says, How’d your date go? She looks at him and suddenly realizes it’s six hours later in The District. Embarrassed and blushing she says, Oh my god, I’m so silly. I forgot about the time difference. Did I wake you? Tino laughs Nope. I’m just sitting here waiting to hear about your date. Naia rolls her eyes at his sarcasm and answers, I broke his hand and three ribs. So, all in all, it was really bad. Like bad. Tino tries to hold back from laughing as he croaks, What happened? She purses her lips and fold her arms over her chest. This is not funny, she hisses, he tried to have his way with me, and I reacted. Ok, it was a little funny, but my parents have been talking to his lawyers for hours. Sounds like he got what he deserved, are you ok? he asks. Naia pushes off slightly causing her chair to rock and utters, I also broke his nose. It was crazy! We started out on a group date with some of his friends and when I looked up, they’d all drifted away. We went to a hover ball game. His father is one of the owners of a team and he was showing off and acting like an entitled brat. You know, being mean to the staff and rude to his friends. I was going to just make an excuse and leave, but then we were alone. He reached at me and when I pulled away, he yanked me against him. He kept telling me how lucky I was to be with him and the next thing I knew, he was screaming, and my security was rushing me out. Tino’s countenance is changing and Naia is looking at an expression she’s not seen and can’t read easily. Faustino is angry and she is unsettled by how different his face looks. She can see he is fighting back something. Faustino can feel his breathing change and doesn’t feel his hands clinch into a fist. He is thinking of everything that could have happened to her then, he is just … scared for her. That’s everything that happened, Naia? He didn’t harm you or try to … Tino’s jaw was tight now and his eyes narrowed. She waves away his words and smiles, He yelped like a hyena. It wasn’t as scary as I made it seem. They sat across from each other, hologram to hologram, in silence for a minute then Tino says, Well, I’m breaking up with Raque later. Naia is not surprised and her face in blank. He’s looking at her and says, You too. Everyone hates her. Naia shrugs, She’s not for you and she’s a little too old. Was she coming to the Summit? The gossip vlogs are going crazy after that birthday look she showed up in, not to mention the near-pornographic kissing caught on camera. He puts his hand up, Call it temporary insanity and no, she was not coming to the Summit. Naia challenges him, Because you could stop her? It would have been the only news that anyone would remember. Your pop star girlfriend losing it in front of the world’s most powerful leaders. The Americans and their tacky novella. Blah blah blah. Well, Tino says sadly, I’m going to talk to her face-go-face tonight, then the press office will take over. Amal, Naia’s older sister, comes into view of the phone and sits on Naia’s lap. Amal smiles when she sees Tino’s likeness, Faustino hey! I had the best time! Tell Lorna thanks. Did Tuffy here tell you about her date? Of course, she did, how pissed are you? Tino frowns, Very. Amal stands, The King is on it, plus we got the footage and your girl here beating his ass. You need a bodyguard? Because we can loan out Tuffy for a good price! Naia pushes her older sister, laughing. She’s biting her bottom lip then says, I’ve kept you up enough, get some sleep. Let me know how is goes. Be strong. She blows a kiss and is gone like a distant thought.

Tino sits there a little longer thinking about the relationships around him and knows what should come next. He can’t wait, so he locates Raque and makes a bee line to her. She is home for once and he is relieved. Raquel comes to the door barefoot, disheveled and high on something. When she sees him, she has a sinking feeling come over her. In the past, Faustino is genuinely all dimples, flowers and sweetness when he comes over. However, when she opens the door, he seems irritated. She makes an attempt to hug him, but he steps away and says the words no one wants to hear, We need to talk. Tino is brutally frank. We can’t continue seeing each other, he says, You’re becoming a serious liability to the family and maybe I’m too young after all? It’s too much. Did you pay that photographer to take that video? She looks at him like she’s lost the ability to speak English. What are you saying to me? she hisses, How can you leave me like this? You’re so green — of course I set that up! You need to cut the cord with your people and grow the fuck up! I mean, really… You’re not breaking up with me! He thought a breakup with her face-to-face was the honorable thing to do, but now he’s regretting this moment. He wishes he’d broken up with her over the phone five minutes after seeing her. She goes from crying to yelling to wanting to talk while blocking the door. She did exactly what Anna warned him she’d do. Raque offers the world and every girl in it. Tino finally says, I’m sorry. I don’t want to do this (pointing to himself and her) anymore. It was fun and now it’s a nightmare. Stop acting like you’re in love and this is killing you. You love what comes with me — attention, money and fame. Oh, and the ability to sell a song on my name. Raque yells, Obviously, you don’t know who I am little boy! I get it, mommy and daddy hate me and someone else has been chosen for you. I’m starting to hate you, Tino mumbles under his breath, I’m done. Get out of my way. I got to go. Raque looks at him for a long while, still blocking the door. She tries to keep him, but she can’t seem to sway him. Her anger is melting. She moves slowly away from the door. She whispers, What am I supposed to tell the world? Tino looks at her, My PR team can put together a statement with your approval. Really, I don’t care. Feel free to blame me. After he leaves, Raque writes song after song about him. She releases an album called My Prince, and the critics love it! It is a public nightmare for the Bautista’s, however… Truly dramatic to her core, Raque reenacts their whole relationship down to the break-up in a short musical film. She’s scorched the earth with the album and Tino is simple done forever!

THE SUMMIT

Genesis 6:1-4

When human beings began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them,² the sons of God saw that the daughters of humans were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose.³ Then the Lord said, My Spirit will not contend with humans forever, for they are mortal their days will be a hundred and twenty years.

⁴The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

There is a segment of the population thought to be a little-known tribe from Africa. They look, speak and move differently from everyone else. A tall elegant, dark people. Some fear them, while others want to study them. The Beloved is the translation of their name and what they are called by the world. As time goes on, The Beloved meet, marry and spread into society. Queen Odessa was plucked from a little-known people in Kenya as a child. She is Beloved. Her people are direct descents of the sons of God and the daughters of man. Biblical Scholars once argued a few verses that seemed to hint that angels and humans may have at some point created a hybrid that became