“Oh, please, go away.” Serfina pushed me playfully. “You can’t keep her all the time.”
I wished it were down to me wanting to keep her all the time, but it wasn’t. It was me trying to get every scrap of time with her that I could.
“Sebastian,gyan. Aria will be fine. Go,” Berevan said firmly.
My eyes met Aria’s, which shimmered at me. “You know where I am if you need me,” I told her, then kissed her forehead.
“I’ll be fine, Sebastian. Go have fun.” She kissed me softly, then turned to face Serfina and Berevan.
They all linked arms and started walking towards the park, but my eyes stayed fixed on her, watching as she disappeared into the crowd and from my view, like I’d lost her.
Hayden placed his hand on my shoulder. “There’ll be a day when you’ll appreciate the peace.”
“Peace from Serfina is always welcome.” I laughed, patting him on the chest. He elbowed me in the side.
They loved each other deeply, but they were funny to watch when Serfina was being feisty with him. That was what he loved about her.
“You know”—Soran joined us from behind—“most days, Berevan gives me a headache, but when she goes away to visit family without me, I miss that headache. There’s not a day that goes by that I couldn’t see her in my life.”
We all laughed and started walking towards the park. There would never be a day I’d be happy without Aria in it. She was a part of me. Bound to my soul forever.
Night had fallen, and the fire was burning bright. Aria was Kurdish dancing with Berevan and Serfina and some other women. She looked like she was enjoying herself, laughing with them. I’d hardly seen her today as she was off exploring the festival. God, I fucking missed her. Missed being together like we were before I’d gotten back fully into the Organisation. I rubbed my chest, my heart aching from the thought of not having her in a world that I was in. No. I wouldn’t allow that.
“She’s a lovely woman, Sebastian. It’s rare to find someone so special in life.”
“It feels like I’m losing her,” I confessed, and Soran squeezed my shoulder. “That being back in the Organisation is taking that precious time away that I should be spending with her.”
“You should tell her. Honesty in a relationship is what keeps people together.”
“I can’t. She’d fucking hate me for lying to her for all this time. She’s been through more than anyone should bear in life. I need to protect her from all of this.”
“Maybe you should end it with her.” I glanced over at him. “If you truly want to protect her. This is your life now, Sebastian. Things are different. Everyone will know about her, and do you want to risk her getting hurt? You need to think about doing what’s best for her, not you.”
Was I being selfish, keeping her close to me because I couldn’t bear the thought of losing her? Of not having her in my life?
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I looked at the screen. Matt’s number flashed up, and I answered.
“Sebastian, we need you and Soran at the warehouse in Bow. Someone’s completely trashed it. They’ve taken my supply.”
28
Aria
I’d had so much fun today, exploring the festival with Berevan and Serfina. The park was a sea of bright, beautiful colours of the women in their Kurdish dresses and the men in their outfits. So many people had turned up. Live Kurdish singers had been on the stage during the day and carried on into the night. It was something I never knew existed, but I was so glad to be a part of it.
“You need to try this, Aria,” Berevan said, handing me something that looked like a dumpling.
“What is it?”
“It’s amazing,” Serfina added, eating one.
“It’s kubba. The outside is rice, kneaded together, with spiced mince, walnuts and sultanas stuffed inside. Then it’s shallow-fried.”
I took a bite. The flavours worked well together, the sultanas giving it a slight sweet edge.
“This is good,” I said with a mouthful.
“When I make them, I have to make some without sultans for Sebastian.” She smiled.
