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My dad smacked the table with his palm, “Anna, language! You are a lady!” Mom jumped and dropped a plate. It shattered with a loud cracking that in turn made me jump. My mom began crying and my dad rolled his eyes before telling her to sit down. He got the broom and began sweeping up the mess and for way too long, we were all silent.
After dad did a final sweep, he flatly stated, “Anna, I’ve given this a lot of thought. I don’t think I will ever be okay with you marrying Khalid. Never. Period. I think you need to make plans to stay here and find someone else.”
My hackles rose and I narrowed my eyes, “Not your choice dad. What are you saying? Are you disowning me if I do this?”
He squared his shoulders and pursed his lips, “If that will make you stay, then yes.”
My mom’s hand went to her mouth in shock and she gasped, “Richard!”
He gave my mother a look that could best be described as malevolent, “Melinda, you back me up or you’re on the list too. I’d do better to divorce you and take my losses.”
I was quite taken aback at my father’s statement and I turned to my mom, “Mom, I’ll take care of you. Don’t listen to him. You can live with me in Dubai. You liked the palace in the clouds, didn’t you?”
My mom was near hysterical as she darted looks between me and my dad. Then she jumped up and fled the room. My dad watched her go and I stood to follow.
“Anna, sit. I have more to say.”
I hesitated only a second and then sat down. I had more to say too. He sat and glared at me, “I’ve been biting my tongue ever since we returned. You have no idea what it did to me to see you in that condition Anna. No idea! And then I hear you were shot at, and once again almost killed. What will it take for you to realize Khalid is no good for you? He is only using you Anna, that’s all it is. Why don’t you see it?”
“Do you really think so little of me dad? Do you really mistrust my judgment to that extent?”
“Well, I can only go on what I’ve seen, and so far you are not acting like a responsible adult. You’re acting like a freaking dog in heat! And all over some Arab? Anna, wake up and smell the coffee. If you go back to him, you will die a horrible death. They are beheading people with pocket knives over there.”
I took a deep breath and steadied myself. I was so angry I wasn’t even sure I could talk. I shook my head as I attempted to find center. “You know what dad? I guess this dog in heat will have to follow her man then, because I love Omar and I plan on living in Dubai as soon as he comes to get me. And now, I plan on taking mom with me. You realize that your bigotry will leave you alone and miserable? You will lose everything and everyone in your life.”
I went to stand and then sat back down, “Besides, I’ve been studying Arab law and regulations, and also learning the language, and I think I might be able to actually make a difference over there. I think I might be a powerful adjunct to Omar’s leadership. Yeah, there is reverse prejudice against Americans, but who better than to dispel that crap than an American, and a woman at that? You treat me as if I were a child and you give me no respect as to the adult I’ve become. It sickens me the way you treat mom too. You really should be ashamed of yourself. Your heart is cold and dead and I can’t imagine anyone feeling half for you what I feel for Omar.”
I went to leave and he grabbed my hand on the way by. When I looked down at him, there were tears in his eyes.
“Anna, I do love you. It’s why I am so strong on this point. Your mother would die without you and you know full well she doesn’t want to live in Dubai, locked in a penthouse for fear of being abducted and tortured. You are both fair game over there. It’s not like you blend in!”
I sighed and knelt so I could look right in his eyes, “Dad, I know you mean well. I even understand why you feel the way you do. But all that said, it still doesn’t change the fact I adore Omar and he does me. I can only hope that someday you fall this inextricably in love with another. I don’t think you will ever understand why I am choosing him until you feel this,” I pressed my hand over my heart, “This is all that matters dad. Only this. I wish you could feel it.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
I went back to school and stayed with Julie over the Christmas break. She didn’t have much family and this year she was working straight through. My mom went back to visit her only sister and I didn’t feel like that much travel. Julie and I planned a big Christmas Eve dinner for us and a few friends from school. I hadn’t talked to Omar for a few days and I was missing him. I tried him over and over, but he never responded to either calls or texts.
We had our little holiday party and I tried to interact and converse as if I were okay. I was anything but. I feared he’d been killed on one of their excursions and even though I knew he took many precautions to stay safe, I also knew he was on a vendetta and when he was angry and focused, nothing would stop him. He was like a charging bull and it would take a hailstorm of bullets to slow him down.
Much to my displeasure, Julie invited John to the party. He immediately sought me out and I apologized for avoiding him. I made an excuse of school work and being busy, which he seemed to understand. He and I again fell into an easy conversation though, and by the end of the night, I found it was just him and me on the couch, wine glasses in hand. I was again much drunker than I should have been, and he was now stroking my hair and siding ever closer.
“So, did I tell you I was engaged?”
“No, you didn’t.” He said this with a grim expression. “Where is this so called fiancé of yours then? And for that matter, why did you go on a date with me at all? I don’t think, soon to be married people dated.”
“Well, he lives in a different country.”
“Oh, so it’s that kind of thing? You know, I’m into just having fun. If that’s all you’re looking for?” He slid close enough that I felt the heat radiating off his chest.
“No, not really looking at all. You’ve been the one to come on to me.” I stated flatly.
He reached down and cupped my breast as his eyes wandered to my cleavage. He licked his lips and muttered, “Anna, you are so luscious. I dream about you all the time.”
I was pretty foggy from the wine so I didn’t immediately respond to him and even though I had no intention of doing anything with him, my eyes sagged close as he cupped and lifted my breast. It had been months since anyone had touched me and my body was aching for attention. He took my silence and the fact I didn’t protest his touch, as me saying yes, and he pushed in to kiss me.
He was a big guy, and I guess he thought my struggles were reciprocal passion. I pushed harder and he insisted. He bit his lip and I finally pulled back. “No John. I really can’t. I just can’t. He will kill you for touching me.”
John didn’t miss a beat, “He won’t know if you don’t tell him. Just you and me. Come on, enjoy yourself, have some fun. I won’t tell if you don’t. Your body wants this, can’t deny it.”
