Authors: Vivienne Harris-Scott
“
Julian, I am not spooked by anything,
”
she had retorted with a tight voice.
“
Really? Well, can you tell me why we never
mention his name? Why every time I try to even acknowledge you are married to
another man, you clam up like a bloody oyster?! I mean, I am in love with you
…
how am I supposed to deal with this entire
part of your life you refuse to share with me?!
”
“
Stop. Julian, stop.
”
she had warned.
“
No, I
’
m not going to stop. It
’
s fairly obvious you don
’
t want to discuss it, and there is
something that is scaring you
…
and
don
’
t
bother denying it because I know it in my bones
…
You are so damn guarded, I can
’
t help but wonder if he
…
-
”
“
Julian
…”
she had cut me with a glacial tone.
Evidently talking about her husband, whoever he was, caused her to shut down as
I did when people started to mention the Belinda episode to me.
I
really should know better, put yourself in her shows for a second
…
“
Do you trust me?
”
I had asked softly, trying to show
her I was not the enemy, in spite of my exasperation.
“
This isn
’
t about trust.
”
she had coolly replied.
“
Then it
’
s about fear.
”
It was a statement, not a question.
“
Are you still going to deny that you
’
re afraid of something?
”
I exploded when she remained silent.
“
Julian, what makes you think my being
guarded has anything to do with fear? Maybe, it
’
s just in my nature not to spill my guts
to the first man that comes along
…
Or is your ego is so inflated you think all women must be afraid not to want to
share their inner secrets with you?
”
she had caustically said, hitting me
below the belt, so I knew she was all but amused.
“
So, that
’
s it, you are not going to tell me?
”
I had seethed.
“
There is nothing to tell.
”
Her voice had taken an icy tone, making
it almost unrecognizable.
“
Baby, I want to protect you and I will, I
promise
…
if
only you tell me what exactly is happening with-
”
“
Leave it alone Julian. You don
’
t see me asking you about Frances Palmers!
”
she had yelled.
“
We are not talking about Frances. We are
talking about your husband, you and I and what needs to
…
-
“
I
could hear her breathing hard on the line.
“
Screw you Julian.
”
she had finally spat with indifference.
The anger in her voice had gone, and I knew this was much worse than any
screaming match between us.
I
thought this was the clincher but right before hanging up, she inflicted
the
coup de grace
stating tonelessly that taking a chance on
me had been a colossal error altogether, and I would be well advised go back to
Frances Palmers and leave her alone.
To
say that my thoughts were erratic would be an understatement. Fear gripped my
stomach, and I physically felt it churn. I had blown it, just because I couldn
’
t be patient, just because I was jealous
that she belonged to another man, just because I was stupid!
I
was tempted to call her back and implore forgiveness for my shortness, but I
couldn
’
t.
I knew any calls after I yelled at her would not be welcome and probably make
it worse. Some time to cool off was advisable. I called Marcus instead. He told
me to sleep on it, give it a few days and if things still were the same then,
to go on with my plan to get on the first flight and go talk to her face to
face. He could even arrange for the corporate jet to take me if I gave him some
notice.
I
showered and went to bed. It was close to 1:00 a.m. but I was so wired, I
simply couldn
’
t
get comfortable enough to fall asleep. It had been 3 hours since the phone call
and all I could think of was
“
what
if I don
’
t
ever get a chance to speak to her again?
”
I took my laptop out of the nightstand
and booked a seat on the first morning flight to Dubai. In 8 hours, I would be
seated in a direct flight to the Emirates, and 16 hours later, I would see her.
My
cell phone rang, waking me up at 4:30 a.m. I was in a daze and contemplated not
responding when I saw the
‘
private
number
’
blink on the screen, but since it kept on ringing, I finally answered.
“
Hello?
”
I said with a gruff voice.
“
It
’
s me,
“
she replied in a voice that told me she
had been crying.
“
Baby, I want to
…”
I needed to tell how sorry I was.
“
No,
”
she interrupted me and said with a
trembling voice,
“
Julian.
I
’
m
sorry about earlier. I lost my temper and my manners. For that, I apologize
…
but, I have been thinking, and it is
best, we part ways now. We clearly have the ability to hurt each other
…
and before any real damage is done
…”
her voice trailed off.
“
Vi, you don
’
t get to do this
…”
I ground out, fully awake and alert, as I
felt my anger rise, and tried to reason with her.
“
I
’
m not doing anything, but protecting
myself. My decision is made. I just thought I owed it to you to tell you. I
’
ve done that now, so this is goodbye
Julian. There is nothing of consequence between us, so it
’
s truly better if...
”
she continued, determined.
“
Why did you cry?
“
I demanded, my temper flaring.
“
How dare you say there is nothing between
us?
”
I yelled,
“
If there was nothing, why the hell would
you cry?! Why would you get so upset?! Why even bother to call me back? You are
lying to me and to yourself
…”
I hammered, furious.
“
Julian, me crying doesn
’
t make it any different. Goodbye.
”
she replied in a whisper and hung up.
Needless
to say, I didn
’
t
go back to sleep after this. I packed a bag, and prepared for the long haul.
((~~!~~))
Being in love, that makes all the
difference.
This is what I knew, and I hoped she
would too, soon.
I
served myself a glass of whiskey to settle my nerves before heading to her
room.
I
was nervous with anticipation, but also determined. She would be mine before
the night was over.
((~~!~~))
Vi
I opened the door and here he was. His
deep blue eyes, boring into mine, unwavering. A sexy smile plastered on his
handsome face, the rest of him, spotting a black Dior suit with a baby blue
shirt that made him look like a fashion model: delectable.
I
had been expecting him at one point or another, but still; the sight of him in
the flesh made me want to run. I was so afraid I couldn
’
t control myself around him.
Shaking
my head, I firmly said
“
No.
”
and slammed the door to his face.
I
heard him laugh on the other side while he said,
“
I can spend the night here. Are you sure
you want our business discussed through a door?
”
and he continued,
“
I
’
m not going anywhere, and you know we need
to discuss whatever it is that is happening between us
…”
His voice trailed,
“
I really don
’
t mind staying in the corridor
…
actually, I have a few things to say, and
maybe if I yell, I
’
ll
get through to you finally
…”
he punctuated, with a giggle.
I
violently opened the door, and gave him a murderous stare.
“
Are you inviting me in?
”
he asked with a wicked grin.
I
stepped aside, allowing him to enter the room. I closed the door and leaned
back against it, and staring at him, asked in the coldest voice I could muster,
“
Why
are you here Julian?
”
“
To see you, baby. Don
’
t you think you owe me an explanation
…”
he started, his gazing eyes perusing
my body.