Part B: Chapter 37

***Jemila’s POV***

My mind was everywhere but with Shelly who apparently had decided to drop by and invite me for brunch as if that was normal especially after what happened the last time she was near me. Carter had basically humiliated Gerald in front of me and Ivan and it was by the Goddess that no one else was around.

“So I told my hair stylist that I really hate the colour green and she could do better,” Shelly said with an eye roll. “Anyway she finally settled on leaving it the way it is because Aidan likes it this way.”

The entire time she had been talking about Aidan this and Aidan that and honestly it was annoying. He was going to be my husband and she was only his sister, I don’t know what was so hard to follow with that. Couldn’t she find her own mate other than shamelessly talking about her brother so much it was starting to border on creepy.

“Aidan always told me to do what I loved and never to follow blindly what dad said but dad knows best and as much as I love Aidan, I will always listen to dad even if he doesn’t like it. Which reminds me,” she leaned closer to the table, then looked around to check whether there was anyone listening to us. Not even I wanted to listen to her and I was regretting my decision but Ivan had suggested it would be a great bonding experience which it was not. “How far have you two gone? Like in the bedroom?”

Goddess, kill me now. I felt heat creep up my face but thankfully she couldn’t see it because of my dark skin and I loved my skin that much more in that moment.

“Hmm, that’s really none of your business,” I replied as I picked up my coffee mug and brought it to my lips, not because I wanted to drink it. It tasted really awful and that was the last time I ever let her order food for me because everything she had ordered tasted awful and disgusting and it made me miss Esther’s cooking or Sean’s cooking.

Shelly rolled her eyes as she sat back comfortably in her chair. “Come on, we are both women and there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

“First off, he’s your brother and any sane person wouldn’t want to know about their brother’s sex life.” She was starting to really ick me with every word that left her mouth.

“Can you change the subject to something that isn’t personal and none of your business?” I didn’t mean to sound rude but she was pushing all my buttons.

“Jeez, I was just making small talk, no need to be rude,” she said. You have got to be kidding me. “I mean, Aidan used to tell me everything before you showed up but you don’t see me acting rude towards you.” The last part came out more of a jab towards me than anything.

Sighing to keep my temper under control, I placed the coffee mug on the table and excused myself. “I have to use the bathroom.” It was a lie, I just needed to get away from her as fast as possible before I ended up snapping the same way that Carter had not too long ago.

Shelly rolled her eyes as I walked past her. Just as I was about to turn the corner to exit the balcony, I ran smack into someone, more like something and I felt myself fall. I closed my eyes waiting for the impact to come but it never did. Instead, I felt a strong pair of arms wrapped around my waist keeping me from falling. Slowly, I opened my eyes and froze.

“Fancy meeting you here,” came the deep timbre voice that I had become accustomed to listening to every day until it wasn’t there. “As usual, we meet under strange circumstances.” He was smiling, making him look ten times more handsome than he was. Sean was the definition of sex on legs if such a thing even existed.

“Sean,” I breathed, hoping my voice didn’t come out as breathy or cracked as I actually felt inside.

His hands were still on my waist as he held me dangerously close to him. “How are you, my beautiful gem?” he asked, showing that dimple that made me feel things I knew I shouldn’t. “It’s been long.”

I swallowed hard then stepped away from his hold. I needed some space to get my thoughts in order otherwise I risked doing something stupid and I was known for doing that. My heart was racing incredibly inside my ribcage and I wondered if he could hear it. “Yeah it’s been long,” I finally managed to say through parched lips. “I’ve been okay and how about yourself?”

Sean folded his arms across his chest then he leaned against the wall. His platinum hair was messy and his violet eyes sparkled underneath the lights. He was wearing simple grey jeans with a white tank top that hugged him perfectly, defining his toned body paired with black boots. He took my breath away and I knew I had to look away before he caught me staring.

“I’ve seen better days,” he replied casually, that smile deepening. “I missed seeing your beautiful face every day.” He sighed as he pushed himself from the wall. “But I know I shouldn’t say such things because of Aidan.”

“Yeah.” I didn’t know what I was agreeing with but I couldn’t think straight.

“I just want you to know that I cleared up everything with him a while back and maybe someday we all can have dinner together or something.”

“What?”

Just as he was about to say something, a woman wearing a tight fitting dress with blonde hair walked over to us and wrapped an arm around his waist possessively. “Babe, what’s taking you so long?” she asked, batting her eyelashes at him in a seductive manner then her eyes found me and she scowled. “Who is she?”

“I’m Jemila, it’s nice to meet you.” I extended my hand to her but she just looked at it with disgust and I pulled it back. “It was nice seeing you.” I practically ran out of there, afraid to embarrass myself anymore than I had already not staying to hear what he said or the look on his face. What was I thinking, that he would still be hung up on me?

Stupid Jemila, I chastised myself when I finally made my way to the bathroom. My heart was still racing so fast. Maybe I had started to fall for him along the way even though I knew that it would never be a reality. I had to get out of here and back to Aidan’s quarters before I made a fool of myself again.

I stood by the sink and splashed water across my face then looked in the mirror in front of me. Get over yourself, you need to find out more about your past and your parents. You don’t have time to think about other men when you have Aidan and he loves you. I laughed out loud, he had never told me he loved me. Was I still fooling myself? Maybe.

Once I felt calm enough, I exited the bathroom and joined Shelly back on the balcony where I found her talking to Sean and the same woman from before. Was this my karma?

“Hmm, I’ll be leaving,” I said then picked up my phone.

“Wait, why don’t you join us?” Sean asked, looking hopeful while his date looked annoyed.

“No, I have a headache so it’s best I go and lie down.” I turned to Shelly wanting to tell her to drive me back but she didn’t look like she cared. Sighing, I walked away from there, hoping I could find my way back.