Jayden's POV

I finish up our discussion in a hurry with my heart racing practically in my ribcage. My mind was on Isabella and what she would do if Sabrina doesn't pay much attention to her.

I remembered that Gabriel would be out with me tonight because Sabrina was also going out with her female friends and she might not have time to entertain Isabella.

When we got to Gabriel's home to meet Isabella and Sabrina's absence, fear sprang up in my heart and I began to pace the courtyard, dialing my home phone to give Sandra a call while Gabriel also called his wife.

Sandra told me Isabella wasn't home but Gabriel's wife said she was with her. That was when I breathed a sigh of relief but I wasn't still assured until they arrived.

The moment the driver gears the car inside the courtyard, I take a long stride toward them while Gabriel follows me behind.

I haven't been giving him attention. My mind and thoughts have been all over the place. I have been thinking of what I would do if she leaves.

Isabella comes out immediately and she sees me. Sabrina climbs down too.

"Good evening", I say quickly. "I came to pick her up."

Sabrina nods her head in reply as she smiles. Without hesitation, I intertwined my fingers with Isabella before walking towards my own car.

I open the door to the car for her myself and watch her climb in. I slide in beside her and close the door without a word to her or a goodbye to Gabriel and his wife who stands watching us.

I haven't been myself since I dropped her off. There was this sudden fear in me. A fear that I couldn't place. A fear that I kept questioning.

It is unlike me to be afraid of situations like this. When a situation like this arises, I don't get worked up because I can easily find a solution to it.

But in this case, it feels like there is no solution. I don't know if it's because of my reputation or the fear of having Isabella tagged as a gold digger.

Now that I am myself because she is right beside me, I feel stupid for worrying over nothing.

Isabella has no choice but to stick to our agreement.

"Are you ok?" Her face appears in front of me with concern just as the car drives out of the gates.

I stare at her face, wondering why I have to be so afraid of her leaving. She is just a woman like the rest of the girls out there and I can easily get another woman to replace her.

Will it be that easy? Will it be easy to let her leave and then find another woman, sign another contract, and get divorced again?

I shake my head. "I'm fine!"

Her face disappears from my view immediately, making a sinking feeling of guilt settle inside of me.

The tone. My tone was harsh. She was just trying to be caring. As always.

Why does she care so much even when I am being harsh to her? Just this evening, I spoke to her rudely about not leaving and she isn't acting mad. Is this because I am her boss or is this just her nature?

Silence falls between us and my gaze is fixed upon the car window. I am beginning to wonder what is on Isabella's mind too as the silence continues for a long time.

Finally, I ask. "Where did you go?"

She doesn't reply for a while until I snap my head towards her. She smiles. "We went to a party."

My heart skips a beat.

What?

"A party?" I question sharply with my eyes growing large.

They went to a party?

"It's a lady's party and I really enjoyed it…"

"With this dress?" I demand, cutting her short and dropping my gaze to her dress. It is just a simple gown and I noticed it before she left home. I just didn't say a word because I knew she was coming here and I forgot about Helena's supposed outing.

She looks down and scratches her head nervously. "I didn't know we would go out."

I nod. "Alright."

Slowly, I turn away from her and lean my back more comfortably on the seat.

"Jayden?" I hear her call me and I face her again. She looks down, fidgeting with her fingers.

"What is it?" I ask softly, wishing I can place a hand on her shaky fingers.

Why is she nervous to ask me whatever it is that is on her mind? Does she need something?

"I was wondering if it is possible to get Alex's number from you. October starts next week and I really need to start making preparations…"

"Alex?" I feign ignorance, making an effort to hide my anger. "Who is Alex?"

She frowns her face slightly, her lips parting slightly, making me remember how she parted those lips for me to kiss the other day.

"I mean Alejandro, the one we had dinner…"

"Oh, Alejandro Lorenzo?" I ask, interrupting her from going further.

"Yes. I need his number."

"Don't worry", I wave it away. "I will call him for you tomorrow."

I don't like how she calls his name casually as though he is a friend of hers. Alejandro is my friend, not hers.

It's really funny how I am beginning to have doubts about her trip to Italy. Alejandro will be there to take her around and that means it will grow their friendship. I don't want that.

Isabella can easily fall for Alejandro and if I really want her gone, she needs to be gone permanently from my life. I don't want her to be in love with someone like Alejandro whom I can always see at any time.

It will be so hard for me not to recall that kiss even if Alejandro gets married to her and we meet again.

No! I shake my head intermittently to wave away the stupid thoughts in my head.

"Can't I do that myself? There are some things I would like to ask him", she persists, jerking me out of my reverie.

"What questions?" I ask, peering down at her.

She contemplates it for a while before dismissing it with a wave of the hand. "Nothing. Never mind. Just let me know what he says when you call him."

"I will do that tomorrow", I repeat and we fall silent again.

The thought comes to my mind again and I shake it off. Alejandro is an advocate of marriage but none of his marriages lasted for more than two years. He has been divorced twice and I would never let him have anything to do with Isabella.

Isabella can find someone else but it should be after we are separated. Even if we are separated and Alejandro shows interest in her, I won't allow it.

However, the thought of being around him for the whole two weeks she would be spending in Italy scares the shit out of me.

Alejandro is a fierce lover.

Shit! I groan inwardly and I can see her staring at me from my peripheral view.

"Jayden, are you ok?" She demands with a tone filled with worry.

"Yes, yes!" I chant loudly. "I'm fine. I just remembered I forgot to pick up a file I will be needing tonight from the office."

My lie could never have been detected to be filled with nothing close to honesty. It sounded so perfect.

I am not one to lie. I don't care what people think or feel. I say things the way they are but now I am lying and it doesn't even feel like I am.

"Oh, so sorry. Should we go then? I can wait in the office while you grab it from the office…"

"No, no! It's late already. I will work on it tomorrow when I get to work", I dismiss the topic and we fall silent again till we are some distance away from home.

Just as the car drives slowly towards the path leading to our home, Isabella turns to me again as if there is something on her mind that she wants to talk to me about.

I notice she has been staring for a long time so I snap my head slowly to face her.

She looks embarrassed for being caught watching but before I can ask her what the problem is, she blurts out. "Can we go to Verona together??"

"What?!" I express loudly, with confusion skating my expression.

****

It's Independence Day here in Nigeria 🇳🇬. How do you feel as a Nigerian today?

In my own little way of celebrating the Day, another update is coming in later today but I need to see your comments first before doing that and votes too.

🎉🎉🎉HAPPY INDEPENDENCE to all Nigerians. May this day serve as a positive turning point in our lives and in the country. May our next leader be God-sent. May He never fail to fulfill all his promises.

God will choose for us. Let's pray for the country.

💓💓💓

VOTE. COMMENT.