II. I promise.

“She's so beautiful. Just like her mom.” Myla plays with the little girl and Jamal just watches her from a distance.

Nina smiles as Myla hangs out with her daughter.

“I'm so happy for you man.” Michal nudges Jamal's shoulder sending him a bottle of bear.

Jamal shakes his head. “No I'm good.”

Michal nods and stares at his environment. They are in an open area. The evening is drawing near and the sun is sinking below the horizon.

The wind is getting cold and the birds of the sky are singing their close up while heading to their houses.

“I love this place. It's so peaceful. It takes away the bad memories of the past. And I'm so happy to be here with my family. At home.” Michal let out as he watches the women chatter.

“It reminds me of my when my dad and I used to play in the field of our house. My kid sister was just as little as your daughter. And we were all in harmony.”

Michal brings his gaze to Jamal and follow his eyes to Myla.

“Why don't you go talk to her?”

Jamal blinks his eyes away. “No. Not right now. She's having fun. I just love seeing her this way . . . So peaceful . . . We can talk later on our way.”

Michal grins and taps his shoulder. “From the first day I saw both of you, I knew you two will be together. And I'm happy you finally realized it.”

Jamal smiles and returns his gaze at the woman he loves.

“So tell me. How did you two end up together? Who said what first?” Nina questions and Myla chortles.

“He did. But we're not together. I still haven't confessed to him.”

Nina stares at Myla, bewildering “What are you waiting for?”

Myla fools with the baby's palms. “I don't know. I just . . . haven't gotten any inspiration to confess to him.”

Nina chuckles. “If you're waiting for an inspiration then you're being deceived. You need to tell him what you feel. I didn't wait for Michal to confess to me. I did.”

“But if you ask him, he's going to tell you otherwise.”

The women giggle and the child starts laughing all of a sudden causing them to increase their laughter.

...

Jamal stops on the pavement in Myla's house. Myla sighs and looks at him as he dies down the engine.

“What a long day uh?” Jamal speaks first.

“Mmm.” Myla leans her head against her chair still staring at him.

Jamal mimics and grimances too. As soon as his orbits traces hers, she becomes stiff.

She can't take her gaze off because those eyes of his are so intimidating, so possessive and holds a lot of power.

“Jamal . . . I have something to tell you.”

He nods gently.

“I-I always had feelings for you. But I wasn't certain about it. I thought I-I was just to close to you. However, when you said all those things to me, I discovered something . . . scary.”

“I wasn't eating anymore. My heart hurt so badly that I . . . went to the hospital with Ms. Grayson. I knew I'd die anytime soon. I was so weak. I couldn't live without you. Everyday I work up from bed, I . . . I was expecting to see you come and tell me you didn't mean those words. And that you don't want me away.”

“I was crazy about you. When we met again. It took me into shock. That's why I passed out. But after that I choosed to forget about you. It was very difficult trying to ignore you. I just felt I was hurting myself the more. But I didn't care. I wanted you to know I've been fine and that I don't give a fuck.”

“Still, I kept seeing myself close to you. I couldn't resist your presence. I thought I'd be strong but . . . I was getting weaker. That didn't look like me. I've never been so madly in love with anyone the way I am with you.”

“You told me something that I should've screamed and kissed you when you confessed to me but I didn't say anything. Because I never expected it. It was all a dream to me. Even right now I can't believe you're seated here with me. Because you hurt me. You hurt me so much Jamal. I couldn't believe your heart was this passionate to love someone. And more to that not me!”

“When I saw you, I saw a monster. Yet, I loved that monster. I love you. And I don't care if I get insulted, or criticised though I've gone through that already. All I want is to be with you.”

She finishes her statement that tears have fallen down her cheeks upto a litter.

Jamal's eyes are red as he hauls towards her and presses his lips against hers.

Myla doesn't doesn't delay him and opens her mouth. He supports her against him with his hand over her neck and thumb brushing against her Jaws.

She grips his shirt and pulls him nearer. Fortunately, he had taken off his seat belt. He takes off her seat built and clamps her waist, robbing it over.

She hums as they kiss their souls out. He hand slide to his neck and up to his hair, sinking her fingers over his scalp.

He groans and bits on her buttom lip, pulling it as he draws back to stop them from going too far.

They breath out heavily but he still keeps their proximity. He kisses her nose, cheeks, eyes and lastly her forehead.

“I'm here now. And I will never leave you. I promise.”

Tear of joy rolls down again as she chortles. He rest his head against hers and fiddles his sharp nose against hers.

...

Myla POV

I'm laying on my bed with a worried face. I've been trying to reach out for Jamal over a complete day but he's not responding.

My friends say they are out of town. And my Manager has been as busy as an ant. Everyone is just away.

Today is my birthday and it's already disappointing. The last time I had the worst experience of my life which was a nightmare I'd never experienced since birth.

I'm afraid today is ending with the same heart breaking experience.

I've been downstairs twice this morning. And the day is getting over already. It's been hours and now it close to 6Pm in the evening.

I haven't stepped out of my room. What's out there to look at anyway?

I'm going through some of my books to pass time. I've already given up on this day.

*Myla dress up. I'd be there to get you in thirty minutes. I left a dress for you in your dressing room.* Ms Grayson messages me.

I squint my eyes to look at the screen. At least one person texted today apart from my sister who wished me a happy birthday.

I type up a quick reply.

*Where are we going? Is everything ok?*

Maybe this is it. Something fishy is going on. I should have known this day wouldn't end so peacefully.

She sends back a response.

*Just do as I said. There's no time. When I arrive we'd talk.*

I sigh and refuse to answer back. I jump out of my bed and fix it before moving to where she instructed.

A pretty and elegant gown is laying there so perfectly.

I pull it out and my eyes drop in awe. This gown is my dream night party gown. I can't take my eyes off as I stare for more than a minute.

Suddenly, I remember that Ms. Grayson will be here soon. So I get changed immediately.

Where could we be going to?

I look at my reflection in the mirror. This dress is so gorgeous and . . . attractive to go out with.

A sound take me out of questioning land as I stare through my window to see my manager descending her car.

I do a quick and simple make-up. My favorite. I put on a pair high heel I saw in the same position with the dress I'm wearing.

I look at my hair and decide to keep it natural. Now I don't have to be ashamed. My hair is healed.

‘Your healed.’

A flash of Jamal's voice stroke my mind and a voice protract through the door.

“Myla! We need to leave.”

I rush to the door with just one question in mind.

As I open the door she pulls my hand and my body follows as we leave my secret chamber.

“Why are we so in a haste? You're making me nervous.”

She does respond and we land outside.

“Get in. It's something very important.”

I blink my eyes abruptly. Am I the one she's talking to like a kid?

Ok. Calm down Myla. Let's see where this is going to.

I frown and stoop into the vehicle. It's then I discover that this car is new. Gush what's happening today?

“Who gave you this car? It's quite . . . expensive.”

“Someone you know.”

I start ruminating throughout the ride to know if I know anyone who's this wealthy. But I give up eventually.

“So where are we going? You told me over the phone that you're going to tell me. And why am I overly dressed?”

“Calm down Myla. It's an occasion for celebrities like you. You won't be interviewed so don't worry. All you need to do it relax and have fun. After all today is your birthday.”

That's right. Today is my birthday. But it was better I stayed home.

I really don't care anymore. I don't need to be around strangers if the people I care about are not next to me.

My mind reports on Jamal and I let myself be taking deep by the reality. He promised to never leave me. I'm scared he's already breaking that promise.

I want him now. Here. Today. With me. And he's not reachable. Where could he be?

Did something happen to him? Oh God!

I need to stay positive and trust him. I know he'd never leave me stranded. Maybe he's so busy or . . . he caught a cold like the other day.

To be continued...