You are his sister and he won't impose a lot on you.

“I'm sorry, Patricia. Listen, I've been so busy, and—”

“Need to clear up your mess?”

He pauses as he tries descend what her statement means.

“You don't have to be sorry, Jamal. Hope you understand that 'sorry' doesn't resolve every problem. It only makes it worse, if you don't try to do something about it to back up your words.”

He nods. “Yeah, you're right. If this isn't why you called me here, so what's up? Did you get into trouble?”

“I came to ask you a simple question.”

He blinks a number of times, and she goes on.

“Did you... threaten Benjamin, after that night?”

Jamal keeps a quiet atmosphere, before saying, “No, I didn't. Why?”

“Maybe, the media? And... Benjamin actually said so, before he died. The day we met at the restaurant.”

“He said, what?”

Patricia calculates her words carefully so that he doesn't suspect her for knowing so much about him.

“He—told me you threatened him, because you wanted him away from me. And, I said you can't do such, so he insulted me. After which I poured him water.”

She adds. “He must've told someone else who is telling the media about us. Calling us names, due to that.”

“You don't have to worry about anything. He wasn't a good guy and that's why he was murdered. I told Myla about this, but I couldn't tell you, then. I didn't want to ruin anything. And I'm happy you left him, before that.”

She looks down, then hooks her head to give him a faint smile.

“Patricia, I want you to be careful.”

She gives in all her ears.

“I had to conduct a few research through Michal's help, and... you need to keep watch on haters, or anyone who disguises to use you to get to this family.”

“Why? Is something wrong?”

“Do I seriously need to give the full details? Patricia, you don't have to open up to me if you don't want to. I'm your brother, and the only person who's going to have your back if the world is against you.”

She knits her eyebrows. Those words make her feel extremely guilty.

“I know you suspect me for having a hand in Benjamin's death.”

She breaths in heavily. “Jamal—”

“It's ok. I get it. I just don't want you to open the door for any foes. On my hand, I'm exiting the same trouble. Just an advice.”

He smiles and nods.

“I should head out, and cross-check the hall for my guests. Besides, did you talk with Amid?”

She scoffs. “Yes, he's always on my shirt, ready to button me up as I didn't tell him I was leaving to England. I can't believe I have so much protective services on my side,”

“You need to start believing, because we don't joke around.” he winks at her and walks away.

She sighs, wiping her cheeks and hair from nervousness.

She needed to be as neutral as she can to evict any sign of suspiciousness.

Rather, right now she's scared that she must've sold herself off by trying to play along her sorrows.

What did he mean by the advice? It sounded to her like he knows something deeper than what she can imagine.

She has to be careful with Kon, or else she won't be able to gather up enough evidences to interrogate him.

...

“Make sure she looks beautiful enough.” Mrs. Mehdi says as the make-up artist touches her face.

“Mom, there's no need for all these. It's just a come together for business men and women. I'm not getting re-married.”

Patricia sighs.

“I want you to look special. I want Jamal to freeze when he sees you at the entryway. It's just a light touch. Nothing uncomfortable. Besides, this will resolve the little drama you two have had.”

Patricia brings her gaze to Myla. “Really? What happened?”

“Long story short. He wants her to quit the movie house.” Mrs. Mehdi, says in Arabic.

Patricia nudges her Mother-in-law for the woman in their mist, and says nothing, but her eyes are slightly more open than usual.

After everything the woman leaves and she selects a dress to wear along, while Patricia to whisper.

“Why did he tell you to leave the movie house? I hope you didn't have a hash talk about what I told you?”

“Nooo. He approached me first for keeping the contract details from him. He's so jealous about everything. Arrgh...”

Patricia thinks for a while, then nods.

“What were you two talk about anyway?”

“I was trying get an information from him, but he was more open than I thought. He didn't sound like Benjamin's killer.”

Myla struggles to forget about what she told her that day, and says nothing else.

“What do you think, Myla. That he has something to do with Benjamin's dead or those men?”

Myla faces her after choosing her fit.

“I believe whatsoever Jamal was, is not who he is. I told you and will say again, don't listen to that man. I personally don't want to know about his past. And if he's not telling me, then there's a good reason. I understand your concern for him. But—you have to be careful.”

Patricia nods. “He said something similar about me being careful. Like he knew I was doing something.”

“He did?”

She nods. Myla sighs heavily as she understands who her husband is. He doesn't say something for nothing, and where it is right now, she knows he know about Patricia's secret investigation.

“You have to tell him Patricia. Ask him what happened, if you're so curious. Because, I have a strange feeling that he know already.”

Patricia chuckles. “No, he can't. I mean...he doesn't. Maybe he is suspicious, but hasn't gotten everything. I believe if he knows, he's going to tell me straight, just as he told you about the contract.”

“It also depends. He must be hoping you get message an correct yourself, before he fully faces you with it. He had been asking me about the movie industry for long time, and I refused opening up. Until then, when he boldly told me. Maybe he fed up on waiting for me to tell him.”

“Or maybe he just wasn't sure back then, if you were hiding something. When he got the proof he met you.”

Myla sighs, staring away. “Yeah, you're right. I'm his wife, and he is very protective of me when it comes to...things like that. I mean...the contract was terrifying, but they agreed to re-adjust it. If only he gave me space to talk back.”

She looks at her, and proceeds.

“But you? You are his sister and he won't impose a lot on you, because he has no right to. He can only advice, or direct you, but not very far to stop you. Don't you think?”

“What are you two talking about since then? Jamal just sent the driver to pick us up.” Mrs Mehdi, says.

Myla nods and puts her dress on, while Patricia ruminates about what she said.

...

At the party.

The family steps into the hall, and everyone darts their gazes at them.

Myla's friends are present, including her brother, Charan since he's a great business man, too.

He sends her a smile from a distance and she smiles back, furthering into the hall.

“You look stunning.” Tiffy says, while Brenhilda lifts a thumb up, with a man grining next to her.

Myla bows a little, respectfully. She turns to the man on her friends' side, then looks at her friend who smiles broadly.

“Is he—”

“Yeah, he is. Meet Brown, my boyfriend.” Brenhilda introduces her to him.

She forwards her hand to greet and he receives it gracefully.

“This is Myla or Mrs. Jamal as we all know.” Brenhilda says, again.

“Nice to meet you.” Myla says.

“Nice to meet you, too.”

The separate hands and Mrs. Mehdi says.

“I'm sorry, but she'd need to come with me.”

They all nod, and Myla winks towards Brenhilda before leaving.

“You need to stay close to Jamal. Every other thing comes later. Welcome the invitees as the supportive wife you are.”

Myla nods, and the older woman hands her to her son.

“Here, you can have her now.” Mrs. Mehdi says, and takes off.

Myla stands there, while she gradually brings her head up to look at her husband.

He's already staring back admirably. “How could you wear this in the f–cking party? These men won't keep their eyes off you. Do you want me to gum you up my crate like a sticker?”

To be continued...