Chapter 15: The Staying Contract

When the office time was over, I sat back and thought about everything all over again because whatever happened the day before was horrible and I couldn’t feel at peace at my own place unless……

I picked up my phone and called Alexander. He received my call on a second tone and I sighed in relief.

“Yes?” He said after receiving the call.

“Are you free right now?” I didn’t want to beat around the bush.

“Uhh… I can if you want.” He said in an uncertain tone.

“Okay, I want you to come to the location I’m sending you after the call. I want to talk to you urgently.” I explained and he remained silent for a moment.

“Okay.” And I hung up because I didn’t want to give him the chance to question me further.

I send him the location and then call the cab service to reach the destination. I chose Blue-stone Lane Upper West Side Café which was a suitable place for a decent conversation. I wanted to have a serious talk with him, in a peaceful atmosphere. I was waiting for him when my phone rang and I groaned inwardly because Jan’s name was flashing on the screen. I reluctantly received the call. “Hello!”

“Hello, Isa! Where are you? I wanna talk to you. Please!” His pleading made me roll my eyes dramatically.

“Jan, I am busy right now so we can’t talk. I’ll call you soon by myself, when it’s time for us to have a serious talk.” I replied back nonchalantly and he sighed at the other end.

“Okay, just know that I’m waiting for your call. Take care of yourself, good bye!” He said weakly and something stirred in me. Someone nudged me on my shoulder and when I turned around, it was Alexander who was looking at me expectantly.

“Okay, I won’t make you wait longer. Take care too and bye!” Then I cut the call and put it on silent mode so that no further calls would be able to distract me. Alexander had settled down against me already and was looking at me closely. The slight breeze at night was caressing my cheeks.

“What’s up?” Alexander asked worriedly.

“I want to ask something important before getting back to my place.” I stated.

“It’s not gonna happen. You’re staying with me and that’s final. I apologize for my inconvenient behaviour earlier.” He protested and I shook my head dismissively.

“Alexander, you know that if I decide something, I’ll never back down unless something big happens.”

“But…..” he tried to convince me but I interjected.

“No buts! And I don’t want to waste your time anymore. I just wanted to ask why that person chose my door to threaten you although we have not seen each other for as long as I can remember!?” I inquired. He looked into my eyes for a while and then looked away.

“Because he knows that no matter what happens, you’ll always be my one and only weakness he can use to convince me about anything.” He replied tiredly. I touched his arm, lightly making him look at me again.

“You mean, if I stayed at my place, he’ll try to harm me to get to you?” I suspected and he nodded, confirming my theory.

“Oh God….. why you and your rivals thought that you could do to me whatever you guys want just because I’m a woman.” I rubbed my forehead in frustration and he took my hand away from my face and held my both hands in his.

“It’s not that you’re weak or something. It’s……” he hesitated.

“What? Tell me what is it?” I was curious.

“I…..uhh… just know that I’ll be gone if you decide to leave me.” He replied back.

“That’s what I want…. I want you gone so I can live my life peacefully.” I reasoned calmly and he looked at me with hurt.

“You…..you want me…. dead?” He said with disbelief and hurt. I got nervous at his statement.

“Wh-what? NO!!” I almost shrieked with horror.

“You said it by yourself.” He said dejectedly.

“I said? I...uh…. No, I didn’t say anything like that.” I declined, uneasy about the subject.

“You said that you want me gone.” He repeated with distress.

“Oh… I didn’t mean to impose that. You know I can’t say that in any way. I just don’t want your dictation in my life. That’s all I meant to say.” I whispered.

“But even if I want to, I can’t. They won’t leave you at peace whenever they want to pressure me about something.” He explained and I closed my eyes to calm myself down. I don’t want to believe what he told me but I was afraid that I didn’t have a choice.

“Okay. Then, I’ll stay at your place but on my terms.” I agreed after some moments.

“Agreed. But I’ll drop you off at your workplace unless you want a bulky bodyguard with you all the time.” He offered and my mouth turned sour.

“Is it the only way?” I wanted to confirm and when he nodded, I unwillingly nodded back in agreement.

“Okay, agreed. I’ll make a contract based on my conditions while staying with you and you will have to sign it.” My offer didn’t please him much but he didn’t have a choice either. So he responded back with a silent nod. After that, we sat down there silently.

“Let’s go. It’s getting late already.” Alexander stood up and offered his hand to me which I reluctantly accepted. And just like that… My hectic day ended on a serious note!

+

It’s been 15 days of staying at Alexander’s place after we signed the mutual contract between us, after that night. Since then, we didn’t talk much nor did we have any physical contact whatsoever. I went to bed early before he returned & when I woke up in the morning, he was already awake and like we agreed, he continued to drop me off at the office but after last time, he had quited to come inside with me to greet ‘Elena’. John and my company’s collaboration was successfully going and I was enjoying the thrill of it very much. John was a very likeable person to be around & he also kept his & my team motivated which is appreciable.

Saira was back in the town & when she got the update about everything, she almost banged her head on the wall. She also visited Jan and talked with him, while I busied myself in work because it’s easier to distract than to feel!