Page 3
I feel the breeze on my face in the bright sunny sky. I take a moment to enjoy the weather, little things I used to take for granted until the accident, now I take moments to enjoy the simple things of life. I appreciate my second chance in life.
Josh and Ken have insisted I join today’s meeting. I’m not at all happy about their insistence. I’m, after all, a silent partner. They are both buzzed about the head of the consulting company that will be working on LaBelle’s new website and app. They've expressed how impressed they are with her experience and the professionalism of her and her team. I’ve applauded their great find, but I’m not intrigued, and it still doesn’t answer why I need to be here.
I'm not happy about their request for me to join the meeting today and meet her. I agreed to be a silent partner, so I don’t have to make decisions or meet anyone. They know this, yet they insisted on this first meeting.
Josh and Ken had come to me with the idea of beautiful design and exquisite jewelry. I was a bit apprehensive because jewelry lines exist everywhere, but when I saw their designs and with diamond as one of the key elements in Rhanaz. I decided to invest in the jewelry line. So far, the line is growing, now they want to expand the market base and they need a new website, app, and more technology to coincide with marketing ideas.
In comes Ms Diaz—I believe that’s her name.
Ken is buzzed about working with her. I suspect it’s because of his new attraction. Ken falls in love every week with every woman he finds attractive, he finds different shops to park his pride weekly.
Josh on the other hand is permanently parked the dude is signed, sealed, and barreled with his wife.
I'm theoretically parked. I gave my heart away to Jade and she disappeared. I’d raced back to her as planned years ago, only to be greeted by an empty house, and every gift returned except the ring and a letter wishing me the best in life. Livid couldn't describe how I felt then.
Now, I'm a controlled livid human where she’s concerned. I can’t be involved with another woman because I strongly believe Jade will be back. How and when, I don't know but my instinct is never wrong. It’s been five years, and I'm still expectant of her return. She brought me out of darkness; for her, I pushed myself and that push made me a hundred percent better. Trying to create our level of intimacy again is impossible, so now I pay escorts to service me; no intimacy just transactional sex.
“Good morning, Prince Naseer,” says Traci; Josh’s PA is professional as always.
Lost in thought, I've subconsciously made my way up here. Alone without Rilwan, my bodyguard, who likes to hang around the premises in this building. I suspect there’s someone he fancies, but with Ril, I wouldn’t know unless he wants me or anyone to know. Radek, the other guard, stays silent behind me.
"Good morning, Traci. Am I late again?"
"You are on time, sir. They've just stepped into the conference room. Ms Diaz and Mr Isaac are on their way as well."
"Perfect, I'll head there, can you bring me my usual?"
"Certainly, sir."
I head towards the conference room. The room has the best view facing the beach, the windows are never open though.
I step into the room as Josh is about to begin. He grins and waves to me to come in like I need to be ushered. Ignoring his wave, I sit next to Ken, still wondering why these two knuckleheads pushed for me to be here. I'm here but I can’t wait to leave.
Ken nods to acknowledge my presence. I ignore the other members and a few new faces. Josh continues his bland speech. "Thank you, Your Highness, for joining us,” he says almost sincerely, but I know he's mocking me. We’ve been friends long enough for me to know when he’s serious and when he’s mocking me.
"You're welcome," I reply with a smirk, causing Ken to muffle his laugh
"Perfect timing, Ms Diaz, we are about to begin," Josh says.
Finally, the woman of the hour, Ms Diaz, is here. The lady that has both my grown-ass friends buzzing like teenage boys.
"Sorry, I'm late. On my way here I realized that I grabbed the wrong laptop, I returned to my office to grab the right one." I hear her voice, the only voice that can shackle my evil twin. My ears must be messing with me again? Because she sounds so much like Jade. Ken is blocking my view from seeing Ms Diaz.
"You're right on time, everyone just got seated. Come in and meet the third partner, Prince Naseer."
"Certainly," she replies. I'm shocked. She’s now in my view. My Jade is here, she has returned. I watch in amazement as she moves towards me.
Unexpectedly, a wrecking ball hits me because she stands before me acting like I'm a stranger. Not the man that has worshipped every inch of her body or made her cry out in throes of passion.
"Prince Naseer, a pleasure to meet you. I'm Mariam Diaz and this is my partner Orion Isaac, we hope our work will be pleasing to you?" She smiles at Ken, avoiding my eyes, and takes her seat next to the Orion guy. They look chummy and it’s upsetting me.
Over five years I have waited and all I get is a feigned smile and a bloody professional greeting. I'm beyond upset. My first instinct is to attack and demand answers or to throw everyone out and have words with her, instead, I reel in my anger, and laser focus on her.
A part of me still thinks I’m imagining this moment, but it would only be an imagination if she wasn’t trying so hard to avoid my eyes.
I noticed the rings on Orion and Mariam. " Are you two married?" I ask tersely, ignoring the baffled groan of my friends.
"I'm married, and my wife and kids are staying back in the US while we work on this project. Mariam, however, recently got engaged," Orion responds. Just as the room echoes congratulations to Mariam, I growl at Jade aka Ms Diaz who avoids my eyes at all costs.
