II. Are you two a thing?

Jamal doesn't respond. He wishes he took back his words. How will she ask him this question? He didn't even know why he said that. Could he be jealous of that guy?

“It's simple. I care for you and I won't let him take advantage of your ignorance.”

Myla raises her brows. She's not sure if that's what he wanted to say but because of how rapid he came up with a reply she'd believe him.

“You don't even know him. First of all you accused me of selling myself to him and now you're using the excuse of him being a pervert?”

Jamal nods then shakes his head at once. “Point of correction. I didn't accuse you of sleeping with him. I was just bringing to your awareness how dangerous he is. And maybe you're right. I don't know him but he doesn't sound good. Who looks at a woman the way he looks at you?”

Her brows furrow. “What way? You must be experienced in looking at a woman that way to know how he stares at me.”

Jamal pulls away, shoving his hands in his pockets. “What exactly are you trying to say?”

“What do you mean what am I trying to say? Did I just speak French?”

Jamal avoids her eyes and she notices his nervous stare. Realization dawns over her. However, she shoves it away trying not to believe at this understanding.

“Here are you two talking to each other already? Is this about the film?” their producer shows up.

Myla shrugs. Jamal mutters under his breath. “I wished.”

He strolls away living the old man with Myla staring at the back of her male friend bending a corner of the corridor.

She then looks at Mr. Andrew, curiosity sinking in. “What does a man mean by ‘Who looks at a woman the way he looks at you?’ or ‘I thought you could see how irritated I was when he held you to leave with him.’ I know this may sound stupid to ask but . . . I want to know what could be going on in his head for him to say that.”

Mr. Andrew laughs. “Is this about Jamal?”

Myla thinks of a lie but before she says no. He speaks. “Well, it's very clear he likes you and is jealous of the other man. I don't know who that may be.”

Myla scoffs immediately. 'Likes me?' She wouldn't believe that in a thousand years because she's always seen them to be very close friends.

Yes, she liked him at some point but she has always thought it's just a natural feeling that came up because she was always close to Jamal.

Due to her past relationships with boys. She always knew that there's no such thing as a friend boy because it's either she feel in love with him or vise versa.

Not that she has no males friends but none of them are this close to her. She makes sure to keep her distance and exit from certain discussion.

But that's not the case with Jamal. She tolerates everything from him even when he pushes her to the wall.

That isn't just against her principle of men but also against her principle of ladies. She can't tolerate shit from anyone and wouldn't easily forget.

But she doesn't get how easily Jamal is able to control and talk to her after everything he did. She's not a fool and she knows it. But right this moment she thinks she has gone mad for sure.

She's a fool and even more when it comes to him. If what Mr. Shedrick said is true then she'd need to keep her distance from him.

What if she gets to close that she starts feeling those emotions again? Those strong feelings of not wanting to be without him. What if she gets so attach and he leaves her like before?

He leaves Myla thinking deeply about his response.

...

“I can't believe he accepted their proposal just to be with her. I've always known that my brother likes her.” says Patricia.

“And now nothing will separate them. Not even a fly.” Tiffy rejoices and they giggle.

“I'm still very flustered. Did he really act just to cover up his plan on trapping Latif?” Brehilda questions.

Patricia nods. “He told me after the party. I didn't know what was going on till then. If I knew that bitch will cause such a trouble in my birthday, I would've executed her myself.”

“What's important now is that she gets locked up real quick before she causes more harm. “ Tiffy adds.

“Very correct. Jamal has everything under control. He's giving her a lot of time after the end of his project. She needs to see who he truly cares for before suffering in jail.” Patricia elaborates.

“Gush give us a break enemies. Myla has been tormenting herself because of Jamal. She barely ate and cried everytime. I'd think of revenging over Jamal if I was in her shoes but she didn't. She's just . . . never thought of it. Yet, that stupid lady couldn't stop humiliating her even on social media.” Tiffy utters and Brehilda just shakes her head.

“I've always known Jamal didn't say what he said to her on purpose. But what I didn't understand was why he didn't come back for her. Until that day in the mal. I got scared that he tried to kill her you know. Though later on . . . It was just so clear that he has strong feelings for her if he could show up in her private room.”

Patricia nods. “I saw everything that night. He couldn't stand the way Shae sang with her. I was just so distracted not to have known that he went to meet her.”

“Trust me those two are destined to be with each other. Maybe all her words have been established. She's just so oblivious to notice that all those dreams she had was about him.” Brehilda let out and Tiffy sits upright.

“That makes me recall too. Jamal can be her dream man. You're 100% correct Breh.”

Patricia stares at both of them in befuddlement. “What are y'all talking about?”

They chortle. “Well, Myla has always had her ways. In all the moments we lived with her she showed us a little of who she is and now I can truly confirm it. She's very strange but indeed a goddess. You can't really understand what I'm trying to say. She's not what she tells people or shows people. You can choose to know her if you are attentive to her words.” says Brehilda.

“Yeah. And most of the times she's oblivious towards them. I believe that God lives in her because her ways of behaving is different. She's very strict, sincere and adorable no matter how angry she may get.” Tiffy ends.

Patricia looks at them in amazement. “I've always loved being around her. But though I don't truly know what y'all are talking are about now I understand why she's this way. I can't wait to see ‘The wedded stranger.’ And most of all hope that they admit whatever feelings they have for one another.”

They nod and continue their conversations.

...

“Why are people so naive and hard to themselves?” Myla grumbles.

“What's the matter?” Leonel, a cast of their film questions.

She looks at him and sighs. “It's a long story.”

“Then cut it short.”

She sighs again. “At the period where I became an Author I had a number of friends I barely chatted with. I'm just very busy to converse with a lot of people and I can't satisfy everybody. I stopped responding to messages as my fame evolved. If only they know how difficult it is for me. But here they are condemning me.”

She points at her phone about a few post and YouTube videos.

A lady who sits next to her stares at her in amazement. “Do you worry about things like that?”

Myla darts her gaze to her and shrugs. “Well, not really. I don't need to worry about nothing. It's just-annoying.”

“So why even pay attention to it? You're a star. Besides they can't know everything about you. We all know that even if we didn't have a secret website made for us to avoid things like this we wouldn't see all the stuffs they write about us.” Leonel crosses a foot over his other.

Caterina comes into the scene. “What stuff?”

She jerks her phone to show her. “I have that all the time. But I'm covered by the good ones I receive from fans. I won't have to worry about those busybodies. They just wish they were in your place so don't think about it. And besides what they are accusing you of is not true right?” Caterina ends her statement with a question.

Everybody stare at her and Jamal comes from a corner. His eyes dart to the little crowded area surrounding Myla.

Myla brings her gaze to him and they all follow her gaze to Jamal who is staring back with a serious look of confusion.

He wonders why they're all staring at him like that and what they could be talking about.

“Jamal why don't you join us?” Caterina suggest and Myla shakes her head.

When he sees her she stops. He chuckles and comes closer. “Why did you call him?” Myla whispers.

“Are you two a thing? I wouldn't pretend as if I didn't see what happened back in the city.” Leonel tells.

Jamal lands next to them and seats on a stool. “I've been wondering what you guys are talking About.”

Myla looks at Leonel giving him a non-verbal communication.

“Myla is receiving negative feedback about her personal life. I don't know if you should tell her that she should stop going through her phone. It's a distraction.” Says Caterina.

Jamal nods. “She's always in a state of distractions. Shouldn't you be mastering your script and rehearsing in other not to make things difficult for me at the beginning?”

Myla squints her eyes at him.

Leonel clears his pharinx. “Your right man. Y'all should show us some actions before the start of shooting.”

Myla stares at him and Jamal just smirks. “Myla you should know that I'd be your mother-in-law in this movie so don't hide anything from me. I want to know your worry, joy and everything any mom should be aware of.” Caterina quotes and everyone giggles.

To be continued...