II. You make me sound like a fool.

*In Patricia's Birthday Party*

Patricia is very excited to meet with her guests. Most especially Myla. She has been waiting and waiting for her to come as other guests are already present.

She looks at her watch eagerly and someone is also on her side waiting patiently. Latif. She planned perfectly well for this day. She can't miss this opportunity.

Patricia's mom walks to her and whispers. “Baby why don't you talk with your guest? You've been standing here for so long. Are you expecting someone else?”

She shakes her head then nods almost immediately.

“Could it be you're having a boyfriend now and you didn't tell us?”

“Mom. I'm not. It's just an important guest.”

Her mom places a hand under her chin, overthinking. “Who could be more important than those in the party?”

A car rolls over the lot and Myla gets down from it. She is dressed in a white rope. It exposes her curves.

Her hair is in a bun and her makeup is clean and simple as usual.

She walks into the house majestically and Patricia rushes to embrace her.

Mrs. Mehdi follows her daughter's direction and goes blank when her eyes meet Myla's.

Myla hugs Jamal's sister. “Happy Birthday Girl.”

“Thank you! I was scared you won't come.”

They leave each other's embrace. “I wouldn't do that to you no matter what. I promised to be here so I kept my promise.”

Patricia grins widely and Myla darts her gaze to Mrs. Mehdi who looks away unhappy.

Myla swallows and steps forward where everyone is having a nice time. Latif's family is present.

Mrs. Kesh shifts at the sight of Myla. She didn't expect to see Myla again after the warning she gave her.

Mrs. Kesh is unaware of her daughter's plan so right now she's very uncomfortable by Myla's presence.

Patricia walks ahead of Myla to officially commence the party. Myla scans the room seeking for someone and Gabriella stands next to her.

“Jamal will be here soon. He's probably preparing a surprise gift”

Myla faintly smiles towards her. She saw Gabriella once and it has never crossed her mind to know who she is. However, right now she becomes anxious as they go on conversing.

...

Jamal finally comes out in a white shirt covered by an ox blood suit and a pair of black pants.

All the ladies present blush at the sight of him. He's more than fit in his dress. His torso is very protruding. His hair is well kept and comb. He's perfect!

“Where were you? I made a speech already.” Patricia whispers.

“I'm sorry princess I had to take care of something.” He tugs her in his arms and kisses her forehead.

“I have a surprise for you. Come this way.” Patricia hauls him towards Myla's direction.

She's picking up olive from a bowl absentmindedly. Jamal goes out of breath when he sees her.

Patricia smirks as soon as she sees her brother's expression. Her plan is working very quick.

Jamal can't keep his eyes off. Not after what they discussed in the mal. He feels responsible for her trauma.

Responsible for all the criticism she's getting because of him. In all these she has never spoken bad about his family. She kept it all to herself.

She got crucified for another person's bad doing. He truly feels hurt for what he did to her and he'd do everything in his might to gain back her trust.

He walks towards her and she reflexively cocks her head to see him approaching. Her hand tightens mid-air as she rapidly swallows what she was chewing.

That usual body heat she always felt when he's close to her comes back to live. He's causing a lot of traffic in her system.

“You look amazing.” he compliments.

She stares at him blankly as if he's crazy. He has never given her such a compliment.

“T-thanks.” she stunts and looks away from his intimidating eyes. Why is he being so nice?

She didn't expect him to believe what she told him. She just needed to get it out of her chest. But it seems to have sunken into his heart.

She takes in another olive making sure to look into the plate instead. He just watches her trying to ignore him and an amusement comes upon his face.

He recalls all the times they teased each other and how she'd talk back non-stop.

He deliberately goes for an olive brushing his hand against hers in the process.

She twitches in response and stiffens. He brings the olive to his mouth with a slight chuckle.

She's trying not to have any form of conversation with him so she'd do her possible best to keep it that way.

“I've been wondering if you followed the diet plan I made for you” he speaks.

She looks up at him guiltily. Then looks down silently.

“I knew it. You've always been this stubborn so I'm not surprised”

She presses her lips together trying to seal it. He's trying so hard to force words out of her mouth.

“You don't have to hold back. It's just you and me tonight.”

She sighs and gives him a side look. “Apology not accepted. Can you please just leave me alone”

He raises his fonts. “I sincerely wasn't expecting you to speak you know. But your words just gave me a lot of hope.”

She chortles awkwardly. “Whatever it is you're trying to do is not working. I'm telling you this because I care for you. Don't waste your time.”

He giggles, holding his chest and acting up. “You care for me? That's so sweet but I won't agree with you on that. I've never wasted my time on what I want. So better not push to hard.”

“Good luck.” she let out and he smirks. “Thanks.”

...

Patricia left already to see other invitees. And Gabriella is just with a glass of wine on her hand, standing somewhere quiet and watchful.

She has never seen Jamal this joyous around anyone since her return. Not even her can make him feel this way.

Latif is drowning in jealousy as she sees the ‘couples’ conversing.

“What are you standing here doing?” Mrs. Kesh scolds her daughter.

“I have a plan mom. Just wait and see” she assures her mom.

“Did you plan on keeping this from me?” Mrs. Kesh frowns.

“I didn't want you to go against my plan.”

“What If it's a stupid one. You need to tell me.”

“Mom please don't spoil this for me. My plan cannot be stupid.”

Mrs. Kesh rolls her eyes. “I trust you that's why I'd keep myself calm. I just hope I don't get disgraced.”

...

“Stop following me around” Myla grunts.

Jamal giggles, enjoying how uncomfortable he makes her feel.

“Just give in already. I said I was sorry. By the way I got hurt too. It took me everything to say those words to you.”

She hums a music and unconsciously chooses to sing the one both of them created. When realization hit her, she stops singing it and switches to her lastest music about him.

“You're making me sound like a fool right now.”

She didn't expect him to say that so she burst out into laughter. Everyone beside divert their focus to them and she clips her lips to swallow the rest of it.

“But I don't mind. That's the only way I can reach out to you. It's working quite alright.”

Understanding hit her at once. Did he just mean what she's thinking?

“Stop using tricks to insult me. I won't tolerate it.” she warns but her lips are drawn into a fake smile in other not to create tension from watchful eyes.

“A little advise. Hope you'd get to thank me later. You should act more of a psycho in your movies. You'd hit the hollywood best female Tom Cruise.”

She's still forcing to keep up her smiles but deep down she can't wait for the lights to go off even for a second so that she can smack him on the chest. She can't beat him but she knows a lot of defensive tactics in dealing with harassment from males. Just like Jamal is indirectly doing to her.

Tom Cruise is a Hollywood actor known for his dreaded ability of possessing different characters at a time. One of his movies hit the best psychotic award of the year which still baffles the world how he got to do it so perfectly.

Nevertheless, after the shooting it was understood that even in his daily life there are sides of him that are dangerous like wise. No one knows what's going on in his mind. Because at one moment he's able to camouflage towards anything.

“You're so pathetic. And that's why you have no idea I want to beat you up.”

“You see? I was right. You are right here smiling like we're having a commitment. But the words that come out of your mouth are . . . poisonous.”

She looks around for a moment then back into his eyes. She stresses her leg gently and pierces his foot with the pointer of her heel.

He closes his eyes and does a deep groan. “You're yet to see that side of me if you don't leave my side.” Her mouth is slightly open as she grits.

Patricia appears from over her shoulder and she let go his foot.

“Can I join this conversation?” Jamal's younger version seeks.

“I was looking for you everywhere.” Myla turns to face her. “Can you please show me the restroom?”

Patricia looks at Jamal whose eyes are now open as he tries to hide the pain he's feeling.

Then she looks at Myla who is waiting patiently, her brows craned.

“You could've asked me. I'm not a stranger. I can show you the restroom. And besides, she's the birthday girl. If she leaves the party that won't be good.”

Myla clenches her Jaws at Jamal's statement and Patricia smirks. “You're right. You can show her the way. Let me attend to the other guests.”

Myla makes a step back and intensionally smashes Jamal's foot again. He curses loudly “Fuck!” and she fawns to be shocked as she turns around to apologise.

“I'm so sorry.” She is ogling into his golden orbits which shine under the decor of lights.

He gives her a faint smile and she renders a dangerous one. Patricia just giggles and leaves them alone.

To be continued...