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I know without a doubt that I love Naseer, and he loves me too but subconsciously I always knew we didn’t stand a chance against the firm. Now the firm is here in my tiny dorm room, about to make my subconscious a reality. I’m almost certain he will have the clothes he’s wearing now burnt because he stepped into my dorm room. He’s probably trying not to scratch an imaginary rash.
“Hello Mariam” he says calmly but I know better.
“Good evening, Mr Darabi, is something wrong?” I ask in hopes to deflate the predatory look on his face.
“Nothing is wrong, you and I just need to have a little chat.” He states in a calm tone, but the calmness is like a velvet rope around my neck and he’s slowing tightening it. I brace for impact of my heart crashing. Though knowing no amount of straps and braces can withhold my heart from the crash.
“About?” I ask though I know the only thing we can chat about is Naseer but playing dumb is my best friend right now.
“Naseer of course, who else” he says like it’s the obvious, which it is.
“I know you finished your exams today and your graduation is in two weeks.” Just great, he has been stalking me. I feel the creeps all over my body, even as I nod to him. “I’m here to tell you to take the half a million dollars I’m about to offer you, leave town, and never speak to my son again.” He once again states it like it’s the obvious smart move.
My eyes widen, but I’m not surprised, subconsciously I expected him to try and get rid of me what, I didn’t expect the half a million, I half expected more threat and more squashing, shattering, and splattering but half a million for little ole me without any power, other than pure love for Naseer. It must be a joke.
“Why would you pay me half a million, it doesn’t make any sense when Naseer can just break up with me,” I ask quietly ordivorce meas I try to move away from his prying eyes.
“My son isn’t thinking right now, and I need to first clear his vision, then his mind and to do that, I’m willing to pay you the blocker of his vision to clear out of his path.” What his unspoken word is saying is Naseer will not dump me, instead he married me and I’m not about to reveal that. If I don’t take the money, he’ll make me disappear. I can see it in his eyes, he’s not afraid to harm me or remove me from Naseer’s life damn all consequences, however, in this case, there won’t be any consequence because he’ll get away with it and probably ruin my aunt and uncle’s life just to make sure he covered every angle. Each time I tried to break up with Naseer, wasn’t because I didn’t love him. It was because of Mr Darabi, his father. I subconsciously knew he would come after me no matter how much Naseer and I loved each other and he’s here just as my mind predicted.Be smart, Jade.
“When you put it that way, I understand but make it a million, and Naseer will never hear from me again, I’ll even sign an NDA.” My heart raced from zero to a hundred as I say the words but what choice do I have against a powerful man like Mr Darabi? Naseer is unreachable for the next three months. That’s a freaking long ass time. Asking for more money may convince him that it was all about the money and he won’t try to eliminate me.
“I knew you would be smart, unlike Naseer. The NDA and the cashier’s check will be here tomorrow, and I need not remind you not to attempt to cross me, Ms Bankole. I also need you to tell him you cheated on him. That is the reason you are breaking up with him”?
My mind is screaming with flashing red bleep.I can’t say that to Naseer, especially when it’s not true.
“Why would I need to say that, isn’t breaking up with him enough.” That would just rip through him. I can’t shatter him like that.
“Just breaking up with him isn’t enough. You must tell him, you have another man besides him and this is a transaction that stays between us, no one will ever find out if you stay away from my son.” He says tersely. I could see the warning glistening in his eyes like he already has a counter if I so much as try to back out. I know what the counter is, I will be eliminated. Disobeying Aunty Lara is one thing that I sincerely apologize my way but Mr Darabi, that’s no child's play.
“I understand perfectly, Mr Darabi,” I answer. Though my heart is shattering into a million pieces, as I say the words. I guess asking for more money is my key to survival.
“Good,” he says leaving as quietly as he came. I remain glued to the same spot, fear floating in my pores and my heart racing like I’d just fought with a lion and the lion left, the blood is seeping through my wounds, but the lion might return to finish me and say the million I asked for is outrageous and his bodyguards will just take me away.
I lost track of time until my phone rang, Nate is calling. I declined and texted him.
Me:I’m sorry, I’m not feeling well.
I immediately started packing my bags, I don’t need to stay for the next few weeks. I already took care of most of my stuff. I can leave now. The bangs on my door startled me. I’m panting that the lion is back, but I know Mr Darabi won’t pound, his guards will just break it down. I must face my fear.
I go to open the door. I’m relieved to see Nate.
“Hey, I thought I would come and check on you, maybe a walk will make you feel better,” he says.Why didn’t I fall for a guy like Nate?A guy who doesn’t come with so many complications.My first thought was to saynobut I realized staying here is freaking me out.
“Okay, let me grab my Jacket and shoes.” which is still on the floor. I put them on and out I go with Nate.
Nate talks and I try my best to chime in, but my heart is shattering, and my mind is a scrambled mess, he probably didn’t notice but I keep looking over my shoulder like someone was going to come and grab me any moment and I’ll never be found again.I can’t stay in my room tonight. Nate and I walked and talked till I asked. “Can I please stay at your place tonight.?” I pleadingly ask Nate.
“Is that a good idea, I don’t need your prince charming coming after me,” he says in a subtle tone, but I can see his eyes showing disdain at the thought of my prince charming.
“Please Nate, I need this and he’s not going to come. He’s away for the next three months or forever.”
“Okay,” He acquiesces though skeptical.
I slept on the sofa in Nate’s apartment. He was, of course, a complete gentleman. Arriving at my dorm room the next morning I found an envelope with a cashier check in the amount of a million dollars and an agreement. I skimmed through the NDA; not like I could find a lawyer to review the document, or I could contest or negotiate the agreement. I signed, made a copy, sealed, and dropped the signed copy in the mailbox as instructed. Relief washed over me; he didn’t attempt to get rid of me. He just wants me gone. My heart felt heavier than a ginormous rock, I’ve signed my love away for money or did I sign it away for survival?
Next two weeks, I moved around like a zombie. I visited the apartment and left Naseer a note that reads “I’m sorry, I don’t love you anymore, we weren’t real. wishing the best in life.” I couldn’t say more even if I wanted to. I left the note. Keeping my ring and taking some of his shirts and his perfume, I doubt he would notice the missing items.
I feigned smiles at my graduation but in truth, my heart is in shattered pieces.
