AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The fall semester started a month after my flight from Dubai. Much to Julie’s delight and the chagrin of her newly evicted roommate, I moved back into the apartment we’d shared before my leave. I was able to get into all the classes I needed to get my last few credits so that I could actually graduate from Harvard law. I wouldn’t graduate with honors, like I’d been on track to do, but at least I would get my degree and could take the BAR exam.
I was melancholy and morose and I sunk into a silent pit where all I could do was study and focus on school work. The only time I poked my head up and out of the pit of goo was when Omar either called or messaged. Today my phone rang and it was his handsome face lighting up not only the screen of my phone, but also the recesses of my dark heart.
“Hey you!” I greeted.
“Hello my beautiful wife.”
“I’m not really your wife yet. But you know what? When the captain of the plane called me, Anna Khalid, I gotta say it felt right.”
“That is because you are mine Anna. Never forget that. You were born to be mine and to carry my name. How are you my love? How close to graduation are you?”
I shook my head, “Another four months. I’m studying hard though. It seems all I can do. Well, other than think about you. How is the war going?”
“We’ve routed out another nest of infidels and I am confident that within the next month we will have decimated this hive. They will be no more, and you will be safe to return to our country.”
I was glad he couldn’t see my expression. I kept my tone light, “That is good news. I hope you’re being safe? How is Armand?”
“My men are protecting me as they should. I am taking precautions, but I am also exacting my own personal revenge on the rebels. I am satisfying my need for retribution with my own hands. But yes my love, I am as safe as can be expected given I’ve declared war and I am a general of my men.”
“Mmm-muh, that is good. I would die if anything happened to you. What about Armand?”
“He is healing. His arm is still not functioning as he was once accustomed, but he is battling his way through the rehabilitation. Only his expression tells me how much pain he is in. He is a stoic warrior however and I feel he will regain full mobility in time. I’ve implemented the best care money can buy for him.”
“You are a wonderful leader Omar. One of the most just and benevolent men I’ve ever met.”
“It is because of you my love. Because of your enormous heart and how you showed me what true love meant. “
I giggled sarcastically, “You are such a romantic Omar. Who talks like that? What man of your stature talks like that? I love you so much.”
As he did every time we spoke, he asked, “Will you not return home now my love?”
I was silent for so long he sniffed and then asked if I was still there. “I can’t yet darling. Too focused. Let me finish school. You do what you need. Only a few months longer. I want you to be certain you’ve found all of the rebels and we will no
longer have to deal with that threat. Then I will come back to you.”
Then it was his turn to be silent until I made sure we were still connected. “Anna, I must ask you one question. I need an honest answer.”
“Of course Omar, anything.”
“Are you remaining true to me? Faithful in our union?”
I was indignant with my much too fast reply, “Yes Omar, I am not seeking another man. I am not entertaining another man. I only ache for you. Can I ask you the same?”
His reply confused me, “I am a man Anna. I have different needs than you.”
“What the fuck does that mean?”
“Language woman! Watch your tone when addressing me.”
My tone was now taunting, “Seriously Omar, what are you going to do about it all the way over there?”
His voice went deeper and he growled into the phone, “Anna, I intend to remind you who your master is, not only in the bedroom.”
I exhaled dramatically, “Omar, let it go already. It’s me, be real. Please? And stop dodging the question. Are you being true to me? I really won’t stand to be one of many. If I cannot be your only, I won’t be at all.”
His voice softened even though his words were ominous, “I do not appreciate your tone Anna, but you are right, there is little I can do in this moment..”
