Chapter 10: Keep me posted!

  "My son is missing? How can my own son get lost? I am Khalid Khaleefa, no one crosses my path and stay alive" he then sat

He could use his power and magnificence to find his son though

  "Sir, I don't know...." I defended

  "And I don't want to assume you have a hand in this...." He blurted

  "Ridiculous! I don't mean to disrespect you but how can you think that? I admit, Jamal was at my house before he left. I don't know what really happened.....I'm blank as well!" I turned away

I felt like it was pointless coming, I thought this was a rescue mission but it's all about insinuation, someone has to be responsible for this.

  "Tell me, what led to all of this?" He leaned closer

  "I don't....."

  "Don't do that, Danielle! (He paused and continued) can't you see that this is not helping?"

He threw his wine glass at the door yelling, I freaked out

  "I think its Vinnie!" I blurted

  "Who's Vinnie? Zafar's brother?" He asked

  "I think so. I'm not saying he is, I only think so." I replied

He pushed a button on his table and Mustapha came in immediately

  "Where's Zafar?" Khaleefa asked

  "We'll find out sir......"

  "He's dead." I blurted

They looked at me directly

  "Who murdered him?" Khaleefa asked again

  "Answer him!" Mustapha almost yelled

  "Jamal murdered him"

  "That explains it. Vinnie will hear from me soon" Khaleefa said sitting 

  "I'm so sorry, Dad! I should've said something, I was scared....."

  "Of who? Vinnie? Who's threatening you?" He asked

  "I'm only scared! Believe me, Jamal never wanted this. He came clean, maybe he was forced to do this....." I try to explain

  "Jamal will do the explanations. Why did he have to go back to Vinnie? Someone's trying to sabotage me, but before then I'll handle it."

  "Thank you!" I appreciated

  "Mustapha, take her home." He instructed

  "Thank you Dad!" I hugged him

  "Is home safe? Stay with us!" He offered

  "Home is safe..." I smiled  

  "Do not disclose this to anyone, let me know first no matter who they are, i am more!" He assured

Dr Khaleefa assured me, and I think he was the only one could trust right now.

On the way

  "What does Vinnie look like?" I asked curiously

  "No one does. Only Dr Khaleefa does." He replied

  "Then how is he a brother to Zafar?"

  "I really don't understand it too, Dr said Zafar is called his brother because of the resemblance." He added

  "Then he must be older than Zafar....there's a problem" I sighed

  "Yes Danielle, have you seen him?"

  "No. We were only assuming things!" 

To tell the truth, we all don't know who Vinnie really is, we've never met or seen him. When Jamal concluded he was going to kill him if he comes at him, it was only illusions. We allowed fear take charge, now suspecting West could have a hand? It was really a waste of time. We had nothing to be scared of, especially West. Then who's West actually, how can three people say one thing at once, what kind of coincidence is this? I got home safely, without a single scratch on me.

On the other hand, Dr Khaleefa got through to Vinnie finally

  "Where's my son, Vinnie?"

  "Your son? Or a murderer?" He tried to get him infuriated

  "What's your price?" He didn't hesitate

  "This is not some negotiation, its payback Khaleefa"

  "For what exactly?"

  "The business....." Vinnie added

  "I paid my dues, Vinnie did you?" He laughed sarcastically

  "I want the papers....." He demanded

  "The paper it is, hang on!" Khaleefa hung up

Dr Khaleefa called Mustapha, he came in like a flash.

  "Yes sir!" He looked curious

  "We should go out for a walk, tell your men!" He dismissed him

Mustapha understood everything Dr Khaleefa meant by a walk. Khaleefa always knew the one thing Vinnie wanted, so he thought of a trick. They didn't waste a second to waste them all, Jamal was back to his father again. West never had a hand in this scandal, he wouldn't dare to cross path with Dr Khaleefa.

Dr Khaleefa slapped him on both sides of his cheeks

  "Dad? I was kidnapped." He rubbed his face gently

  "You really are a murderer, Jamal. Why Zafar.....?" He scolded

Jamal wore a long face immediately

  "I'm sorry Dad, it was self defense...." He defended himself

  "Defense my ass! How many more prices do we have to pay in the name of keeping you off trouble? You are a grown ass man, not a child." He scolded again

  "Im so sorry Dad...... "

  "Why did you not tell me?"

  "I was scared of all of this? This is what I was trying to avoid......"

  "Did it save you? You better thank Danielle for opening up, else you would have been a bait to your downfall.....and I'm not yet done" Dr Khaleefa left angrily

  "Welcome home sir!" Mustapha hugged him

  "Thanks a lot, Musty! Er! Did Danielle really come through?" He asked to be sure

  "You should really thank her." He turned to leave

  "Dang!" He groaned

  "She really loves you!" He left finally

Jamal didn't wait any second, he didn't need anyone to tell him to hit the road to Danielle's.

I was in my bathtub taking a shower when i fell asleep. I opened my eyes sensing a hot kiss like that of Jamal, it was him. He pressed another over and over again, it described the feeling, how he missed me and appreciates me as he knelt.

  "I knew you'd return" I said whispering

  "You really came through for me? I was gone for days, you came by. You told my Dad and he acted. I'm so sorry about West, we were wrong about him. Can you apologize on my behalf?" he sweetly said

  "I will!" I faintly smiled

The thirst of seeing him suddenly disappeared like I never missed him one bit

  "Could pass me my towel?" I asked

  "Sure!" He gave it to me and excused me to get off the tub, sweet isn't it?

In a very short while he ate and crashed in the guest room, he slept off. I was restless, pacing back and front thinking about nothing serious. I remembered good old times, we would cuddle up and sleep. I concluded that's exactly what I needed, that cuddle taking taking my insecurities.

I walked down to his room in my black robes and flurry bunny flip flops. His eyes were closed, as he laid on his back. I slid under the duvet, then he whispered

  "Can't sleep?" His eyes were closed

  "I don't know why? I missed you around...." I said softly

  "I missed you more! I really thought I wouldn't see you again, Vinnie was hell.....I kinda deserved it tho!" He wrapped arms around me, we cuddled

  "Jamal?"

  "Danni?" He whispered

  "Don't ever do this again. I don't want to cry over a man, understood?" I instructed

  "I promise! You didn't cry over a man, we both cried over a friend. that's what friends do, they stand by you." He sounded Angelic

  "I love you, Danielle!" He added

  "I love you Jamal, I realized that few days ago" I teased

He kissed my forehead and neck and we fell asleep.

The next morning, I made breakfast, toasted bread and coffee and some apple pies. Jamal slept for long, I guess it was all because of the previous event. 

  "Jamal!!!!!" I yelled teasingly

  "What????" He groaned

He came out looking all sleepy and exhausted

  "You ain't sleeping forever, so get your ass over here!" I ordered

  "No way!! I just need some rest and Danni's not helping out!" He sat the table

  "Yeah whatever!" 

We started eating, he stopped staring at me, I didn't know why until he spoke

  "You're still keeping that bracelet, huh?" He sounded jealous

  "C'mon Man, right now? Don't try to ruin this....." I ignored

  "Nah Danni, We ain't done. You're going to take it off, a'ight! I mean it, you would." He was getting agitated

  "No. Why are you getting all worked up for?" I asked

  "I could get you fifty of those, so just take the damn bracelet off...." He scolded

  "Get them, I would take it off...."

  "Try me! I'm going to do it, just don't bring up a flimsy excuse, coz I won't take that either." He added

  "Khaleef! I won't. Beat me up!"

  "Now you sound like Dad. Don't call me no Khaleef!" He giggled

  "Ok Jamal Khalid Khaleefa!.....". I teased hearing to the room

  "Danielle Chris....." He teased

He followed me to the room and he laid on the bed

  "Let's go shopping spree, yeah?" He said using his phone

  "I don't feel like it, Jamal!" I took my towel to shower, he didn't bother. His eyes were fixed on whatever he was staring at

  "You sure going to take off that bracelet, I bet you! What is it he got that i ain't got?" He said out loud

I came out and sprayed water on him then he freaked out

  "Danni, why did you do that? I'm soaked?" He frowned

  "You mean wet!" I laughed hard

  "Good thing my baby is water resistant.... "

  "Go prepare for work asshole!" I asked

  "Nope, I'm coming into that shower with you, like it or not!" He teased

  "You wouldn't dare!" I groaned and rushed into the bathroom

  "And see your mummy-girl....."

  "That's not funny, duh!" I said loud

  "And daddy-boy? You started it bissh!" We laughed

  "I'm off to shower!" He said out loud too and left

  "Good for you, Jamal!" I replied

We got dressed in sweat pants and shirts like we had it all planned. Jamal was completely iced out and was perfect, I didn't have to be told twice. He drove us to a mall, then began shopping. He loves fashion so it wasn't hard for him to make out the best out of the good, he helped me choose some nice outfits including a lingerie

  "Yo! And this shit right here?" I pointed at the red and black lingerie

  "Oh that! Women love lingeries...its perfect you know like.....walking up to your man in those......Dang it's surreal and lit and sexy....." He explained

  "I am my own WOMAN not WOMEN got that? I don't do lingerie, I don't--i hate them"

Ok! He stood looking hopeless and shocked. I really don't like it when a man chooses my outfits, I think its really uncalled for. I should do the surprise not him working that out besides I'm not a fan of those, y'all know that.

  "I'm sorry to upset you but I only felt it would look good on you. Can we go for others? Like right now?" He opted, choosing his words as well

  "Why not!" I beamed and walked away, while he followed behind

We moved from one stall to the other trying to choose what we felt was great, Jamal went behind trying out some Burberry sneakers while I waited sorting out sneakers as well, then I heard my name from behind

  "Danielle!" 

I really assumed it was Jamal so I replied without turning back

  "I knew you'd go for it....." I snapped

  "Its Hunter, Addy's bro." He smiled then

  "Oh my..... My bad!"

 We hugged swiftly when Jamal walked in on us

  "Nice to see you again!" I then realized Jamal was there looking some kinda way

  "Really nice!...." Hunter replied

  "Jamal! This is Hunter, Hunter meet Jamal....."

  "Her man!" Jamal whispered underneath his breath but I heard it

  "Hi Jamal, good to have you back!" Hunter said to Jamal and shook

  "Thanks a lot. And you are....." Jamal asked

  "Hunter!" He smiled

  "Nice to meet you" Jamal said and vanished again

  "That's him." Hunter turned to me

  "Yes he is. That's my man!" I beamed

I didn't know if I sounded awkward, but I realized its really cool to be straight forward

  "I can see. That means I should look elsewhere or better still.... Fight!" He teased

  "Your call. I didn't know you stay around?"

  "Oh yeah. Just for a very short while though." He added

  "Pretty good!" We smiled

  "Can I buy you coffee sometime?" He offered

  "Err! Great, coffee it is." I replied

  "I'm honored. I'd give you a call" 

  "Sure thing!"

We hugged again then he left

Jamal suddenly appeared like he was eavesdropping all along

  "Oh Jamal. Do you like them.....the Burberry...." 

  "Why not!" He faintly smiled and went ahead

I knew Mr jealousy was at work so I followed behind. We headed to the cashier then i took out my card

  "What are you thinking? I got 'em." He said swiftly

  "I insist" I pressured

  "Ma'am, could you debit my card instead, thank you!" He said to the cashier

  "Well I would.... That's sweet you know!" The cashier complimented

Well, it wasn't like i got no money, I had a lot maybe not like Jamal but I could actually live over the cliff.

We took the bags to the car's trunk and drove off. Jamal was silent all along

  "Are you ok?" I asked for formality

  "Why not? Are YOU ok?" He asked

  "Even better!"

  "So you know Hunter?" He focused on the road

  "Yeah. Ada's brother, I was at their house earlier" I explained

  "Oh ok" he shrugged

  "You know him?" I scoffed

  "Nope! Y'all know each other too well.....constantly hugging you know...." He displayed his jealousy

  "There you go" I turn away

  "For real. I ain't mad tho." He added

  "Stop the car....."

  "What on earth are you talking about?" He got tensed

  "Did you hear me or not?"

He pulled over at a safe spot

  "Unlock the door!" I ordered

  "Not until you hear me out... I'm so sorry, whatever it is. I was jealous, too jealous over that courtesy too warm to be normal......"

I slapped him, at least he kept quiet

  "Are you this childish? Cuz I'm not. This is a whole new century Jamal. At least he was there when you weren't....." I stirred 

Did I just stir up the air? I really did.

  "How's that? He was there how? Danielle just three days...."

  "Yes just three days. Are you insane? You mean I don't get to be me anymore, coz I got you?"

  "This is absolutely absurd. Can't a man get jealous over someone he loves?" He almost yelled

  "Tell me what I don't know...." I snapped

  "No you tell me more."

  "Jamal? Drive me home or I take a cab, want that?" I ordered

  "Why'd you opt a cab while I'm in here?" He started the engine and drove to an eatery instead. This is ridiculous, we argue and still catch same fun...I'm really not used to this.