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“Naseer, It’s time for your speech,” Ken shouts behind us. He let out a sigh. “We can’t be over as long as I have the paper. This. us. is real. It was when you walked into my room ten years ago and it’s still real now. “We will always be constant through the good, the bad, and the in-between.” He plants a kiss on my forehead and walks away.

I remain stumped, Ken is just looking at me. I can’t read his expression, but my mind knows I just failed woefully. I got a mirror out of my purse to fix my face and got in step with him not speaking as we entered the room to listen to Naseer’s speech.

Knox comes to wrap his arms around me. I leaned into him. He’s my shield from Naseer, though ineffective. I just kissed Naseer after telling Knox we are good, what’s wrong with me?

I watch as Princess Nadra steps up to the podium with Naseer. I can tell he’s moving away from her but she’s clinging to him.

Once Naseer steps off the podium more of the jewelry designs are brought into the room to display. I admire a few but I fell in love with an emerald set that was way out of my price range. It would take an annual salary and then some to purchase this beauty. Knox and I are both dazzled by the displays of rare gems. Knox's attention is called by a sapphire and my feet returned to the emerald set that had captured my attention.

The lady asked if I wanted to try it on, I said no, but she started to tell me more about the gem. I listened and she asked if I would like to try the bracelet and I thought why not? She clasped it onto my wrist, and it dazzled. I stood there admiring the beauty till I sensed him before I could see him. His smell and stare are on me. He moved towards me. I quickly unclasp the bracelet and give it back to the lady. I turn on my heels like a gazelle running from the lion and head towards Josh and his wife. I find Knox close by and pull him to us. I introduced Knox to them. They are pleasant with him.

Laura soon excuses herself to take a phone call, Josh starts to discuss the project. I can tell Knox is bored so he excuses himself to get a drink.

“Guess our shop talk is too much for our dates,” Josh says, I respond with a smile.

“Ken tells me we are getting closer to launching the new website and the app.”

“Not quite there yet but we are certainly getting closer to finishing before the deadline” I get in a few more details with him and how we plan to incorporate work with the marketing team soon ahead of the meeting. At the meeting, we should have a laid-out plan. I explained to him.

“That’s good news to my ears. If your team needs anything do not hesitate to let us know.”

“Will do” I look around and see Knox heading towards me. “I should join my date.”

“Good idea, I need to find Laura too.” We split up and I met Knox halfway. He looks a little upset, not sure what could have possibly upset him. I smile anyway.

“Hey,” I say to him.

“Are you ready to leave?” he asks, though I detect a bit of annoyance in his voice.

“Yes, we can head out. The team is ready to leave as well.” We head for the door arm in arm, I can sense he’s upset, his body is tense. What could have upset him or who?

twenty-eight

Naseer.

After my speech, which I would have avoided, if possible, I didn’t want Nadra with me on the podium, but the organizer thought the dazzling sapphire necklace on her neck would showcase our design in pictures. She’s right about that but I didn’t need her to be my arm candy.

I would love to send her packing, but it just might sour the relationship with her father. The man strikes first before thinking. He then tries to correct the damage after the unnecessary strike. That’s who he is, I can’t change him, but I can manage him. Nadra knows I’m tolerating her because of the power her father wields but the longer this lingers, the harder and more damp it creates on my life with Jade.

I’ll need Raheem in this one. He just might have a way to get King Jodra on board without destroying all we have worked on because I refuse to marry his daughter.

My eyes remain on Jade as she admires the displayed jewelry. The emerald is her favorite, she keeps going back to it, our eyes lock when she raises her hand to admire the bracelet. I get tired of watching her from afar and move towards her; she quickly unclasps the bracelet and scurries away. I chuckle, little does she know she couldn’t get away from me ever again. She can run now but I’ll get my time to watch her soon when she’s in my bed.

I notice Knox is alone nursing a drink. Jade is with Josh, probably discussing work. Time to speak to Knox alone, there’s no way he’s unaware of Jade and me. He isn’t stupid but if he chooses to play clueless. I have no intention of letting him carry on being stupid.

He’s alert when I get to him. Yep, he’s not stupid, no point dancing around the issue.

“You know, I’m not letting her go right,” I succinctly state. “It’s not happenstance that you are here. I want to believe that you sense something.”

“I know she’s wearing my ring and still planning a wedding with me,” he answers confidently. I want to tell him how fast; she takes that ring off when I tell her to but now is not time to drive moments with my wife home.

“She may be wearing your ring but she’s still my wife …” I see the moment, his bubble popped.

“Wife?” he questions, perplexed. I’m not surprised he doesn’t know; Jade always had a way of omitting the important information and giving you only the information she feels you need. I choose to ignore his confounded expression and continue.

“I have no intention of granting a divorce. I have enough resources to fight for as long as possible. The real question is do you have the stamina to wait because part of the prerequisite of being with Mariam is a lengthy wait and believe me, I aced the pre-req.” I smirk.

“Did you just say wife, as far as know? Mariam has never been married.”