Page 52 of Jade: Chance Are

Jade

Knox and I left the gala after saying goodnight to my team. He was quiet and distant on our way to the hotel. Earlier, while shopping for the dress, we’d agreed that he could check out of the hotel and stay at my place since I had a spare bedroom.

We checked him out and got his stuff in the spare bedroom as soon as that was done.

“Your husband told me; he won’t divorce you,” he says to me. I stared at him shocked without knowing how to respond. My mind screaming words at Naseer.

Naseer told him we are married. An information I couldn’t deny. “I’m sorry, Knox. I planned to find a lawyer when I returned home and file for a divorce.”

“How come you never mentioned that you are married?” I wiped the tears trickling down my face.

“I don’t know why; I didn’t tell anyone; my dad doesn’t know either. I thought it would go away.”

“Go away, married to a man like that you thought it would go away,” he asks in a gruff tone, with an undertone that spelled, how stupid could I be?

“Please let me explain.” He nods. I move to sit, and he takes a sit as well.

I confessed everything to him … why I had to leave Naseer, and why I must continue to stay away from Naseer. He listened and didn’t ask any questions, till I stopped speaking.

“Mariam, I can’t continue to think that there’s a chance for us. He’s in love with you and truth be told, when you didn’t see him, you were still pinning for him but in proximity the wave between you two is electrifying. It’s crystal clear. He won’t let you go and deep down, you don’t want him to because you love him too.”

“Please, Knox”

“Mariam, I know you didn’t set out to deceive me, but I feel we need to be real with each other. You and Prince Naseer belong together, and I can’t take another man’s wife. I’ll hang around and enjoy this beautiful country. We can continue to pretend while I’m around but once I leave. We are done, Mariam.” I burst into tears.

“Stop crying Mariam, I’m not upset. It’s a good thing, I saw him. My reality check that I don’t stand a chance and your heart doesn’t want me to stand a chance.” I sob louder. He pulls me into a hug. “We are good Mariam and I’ll still hang out with the twins if you want me around.”

“Thank you, Knox and I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be and honestly, you should cherish what you two have. I’m jealous of the chemistry you guys have. I hope someday I have such chemistry with someone special.”

“The chemistry you speak of just might be my death warrant,” I say through sobs.

“You need to tell him, Mariam, I sense, he would move all he has to protect you.”

“How do I tell him; his father wishes me and our children dead”

“Just tell him and let the chips fall where they may but I doubt he won’t believe you.”

“Thanks, Knox, for everything.” We hug when he pulls away from me. I know we are done.

“I’ll check back to the hotel tomorrow.”

“No, please stay. Please just stay in the spare room. We can be civil, right.” He nods and kisses my cheek.

“Good night, Mariam”

I sit alone for a while before heading to my room. I close the door just as I hear the phone ringing. It’s Naseer. My first thought is not to answer but I don’t want him to come over. The hurt I just inflicted on Knox is still fresh.

“Hello”

“Why is he at your place Mariam, why do you keep testing my limits” his voice sounds slurry, he’s drunk. I tell him the truth Knox is sleeping in a different bed.

Once we hung up from the call, I cried into my pillow. Everyone keeps telling me to tell Naseer the truth, but I’m so scared of Mr Darabi, his looks that day in my dorm still have me terrified.

For my safety, I’ll keep quiet and leave. I later fell asleep.

It’s a bright and beautiful day but my mind is cloudy. Knox was still sleeping when I left for work and it’s best that I let him be. After our breakup last night, I realized that I don’t have any shield from Naseer, though I know that Knox as a shield was never effective. Naseer wasn’t moved by him. Now I must complete my work and leave this country before all hell breaks loose.