Jamal POV
Something told me she wasn't coming, no matter how long I waited.
I checked my watch for the tenth time, feeling impatient and annoyed. It was already half an hour past the time we had agreed to meet. Where was she? Why wasn't she answering my calls or texts?
We had planned this for weeks, ever since I saw her again at her apartment. I had convinced her to give me another chance, to come with me, at the very least I was planning to convince to do it for the sake of our kids, she would learn to love me later, but I just wanted us to be a family.
But she was nowhere to be seen.
I looked around the lobby, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. But all I saw were strangers, busy with their own lives. No one noticed me, sitting on the couch, holding a bouquet of roses. No one cared.
I felt a surge of anger and frustration.
I grabbed my phone and dialed her number again, hoping for a miracle. But all I got was her voicemail.
"Hey, it's Methis. I can't come to the phone right now, but leave a message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Bye."
I cursed and hung up, throwing the phone on the couch. I felt like smashing it, but I restrained myself. Maybe she had a good reason. Maybe she was stuck in traffic, or had an emergency, or forgot something. Maybe she was on her way.
But deep down, I knew the truth. She wasn't coming. She had changed her mind.
I decided to leave the hotel. I had no reason to stay there anymore. I had no reason to stay anywhere. I had nothing left.
I got up and grabbed my bags, leaving the roses on the couch. I walked out of the lobby, ignoring the curious glances of the staff and guests. I hailed a cab and told the driver to take me to Methis's place.
I had to see her. I had to talk to her. I had to make her understand.
I had to make her mine.
I arrived at her apartment, feeling a mix of emotions. I paid the driver and got out of the cab, carrying my bags. I walked up the stairs, hoping to find her there. Hoping to find her alone.
But I was wrong.
As soon as I reached her door, I heard voices. Two voices. One was hers, the other was his, it sounded like she was on the phone, arguing. She sounded scared.
I felt a surge of rage and jealousy. How dare she let another man into her life? How dare he be here, in her home, in her life? How dare he touch her, talk to her?
I dropped my bags and kicked the door open, startling her. She nearly dropped the phone, her eyes shooting up to look at me, almost terrified.
"You have kept me waiting long enough Methis." I growled, trying to keep myself in check.
"Jamal, what are you doing here?" Methis asked, her voice trembling.
"Who were you on the phone with?"
The fear on her face disappeared completely, replaced with the look of defiance I was so familiar with. The woman really did not like being told what to do.
"That's none of your business Jamal, what the hell are you doing here?"
"I came to see you, Methis. I came to take you with me," I said, walking towards her.
"Take me with you? Where?" she asked, backing away.
"To the fucking hotel Methis," I said, reaching for her hand, "We have an appointment, remember?"
She pulled her hand away, shaking her head. "Jamal, I can't go with you. I can't leave with you. I can't be with you."
"Why not, Methis? Why not?
"Because she doesn't want to."
The door had suddenly swung open, and a guy stood there, glaring at me. I didn't need to be told, this was the guy she was on the phone with, his eyes full of hate and defiance. I almost laughed at his face at the ridiculousness of it all.
The man was squaring at me. He was trying to be a hero.
He was trying to be me.
"Leave her alone. She doesn't want you anymore. She doesn't need you anymore. She's with me now. She's happy with me now," He continued said, his voice firm.
Methis eyes shot up at him, firing him a warning look, but he ignored her, his eyes glaring at me instead. I turned to her trying to hide a smirk, "Really?" I asked, pointing at him, "This guy?"
I laughed, a cold and mocking sound. "You think you can take her away from me? You think you can make her happy? You think you can handle her?"
I moved closer to him, staring him down. "You don't know anything about her, Xander. You don't know anything about us. What we can do. And trust me, you don't want to find out."
"Is that a threat?"
"A warning."