THE silence that hung over the room was so heavy as everyone present digested the piece of information. They all couldn’t say a word as shock arrested whatever was left in them to say, their mouths were just left agape.
“You heard me now clearly right?” Jeremy continued, “so, I need you Mr. Redford, and your daughter, Amelia to stay the hell away from me, stay away from me and let me be, please,” he shouted and then the next thing he stormed out of the room.
He returned again a few seconds after leaving.
“Less I forget, debunk the news already speculating and make sure every single trace of the engagement saga is wiped out of the internet,” and with this, he left finally.
Amelia’s tears began to flow freely. “Jeremy, please…” That was all she could say the moment she found her words.
He walked out of the study, his steps heavy but resolute. The weight of his decision pressed on him, but he knew it was the only way to reclaim control over his life and make things clear.
As they drove out of the Redford Estate, a sense of finality settled over him. He knew he had shattered any hope of reconciliation, but he also felt a strange sense of relief. For too long, he had felt trapped by expectations and obligations that weren’t truly his. Now, he sensed he was free.
Back at the study, Amelia collapsed into a chair, her sobs filling the room, Zoey rushed forward and wrapped her arms around her, she didn’t even know what words to say in order to console her.
Mr. Redford stood silently, his face a mask of regret and anger. He realized too late that his actions, intended to protect, had only driven a deeper wedge between the two people he had hoped to unite.
“I said this all,” Mrs. Redford began, sobbing uncontrollably, “I said it that we were forcing things and should just let things be, but what did you both say?” She cried, referring to her husband and daughter.
Mr. Redford fumed.
Mrs. Redford walked up to her daughter.
“I told you that this wasn’t gonna be a nice journey daughter, but you never listened. Now, look,” she cried all the more.
With all the anger in him, Mr. Redford left the crying women and stormed out of the study.
***
Jasira was still seated in her office, staring blankly at the sketches spread out before her, she still hadn’t closed for the day even though the rest of her employees had retired for the day, although her assistant was still on seat.
The news of Amelia and Jeremy’s engagement making waves on the internet had left her feeling lost and heartbroken. The knock on her door startled her, and she looked up to see her assistant, Chloe, standing hesitantly in the doorway.
“Ms. Jasira, there is a call for you,” Chloe said, her voice gentle. “It is Tarmah.”
Jasira nodded, taking a deep breath before picking up the phone. “Tarmah, hi.”
“Jasira, you won’t believe what just happened,” Tarmah said, her voice filled with urgency, “Jeremy was just at our house, and he was furious.”
Jasira’s heart skipped a beat.
“What do you mean? What happened?”
Tarmah took a deep breath.
“I overheard everything. Jeremy had no idea about the engagement announcement, I told you. He found out the same way we did, through the media. He confronted his parents, and they told him that Mr. Redford set everything up without consulting anyone.”
Jasira felt a mix of shock and confusion.
“Jeremy didn’t know? But why would Mr. Redford do that?”
“He thought he was helping,” Tarmah said, her tone tinged with frustration. “But it backfired. Jeremy was so angry, Jasira. He stormed out, saying he wouldn’t marry Amelia.”
Jasira’s mind raced.
“What!” She sat up, “Tarmah, this is a mess.”
“I know,” Tarmah replied, “but this might be your chance to talk to him, now is the perfect time. Explain your feelings. Maybe he needs to hear it from you.”
Jasira hesitated.
“Do you really think that is a good idea? He is already so upset.”
“I think it is the only way to clear the air,” Tarmah said. “You need to tell him how you feel. He deserves to know, and you deserve to be heard.”
Jasira nodded, even though Tarmah couldn’t see her.
“You are right. I need to do this.”
Tarmah sighed in relief.
“Good. As I already promised, I will finally reach out to him tomorrow and beg him to give you a chance. Just be honest with him.”
“Thank you, Tarmah,” Jasira said, feeling a bit more resolute.
“I appreciate it.”
After ending the call, Jasira sat quietly for a moment, gathering her thoughts. She knew she had to see Jeremy, to finally tell him everything she had kept bottled up inside. It was a daunting prospect, but she couldn’t let fear hold her back any longer. She sighed and leaned more into her seat, hoping what tomorrow held for her.
***
Tarmah stood at the door of Jeremy’s room the very next day, her heart pounding in her chest. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the hallway through the French windows, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the oak trees outside.
She had arrived a few minutes ago and had rushed up to his room after entering the house.
Jeremy answered almost immediately, as if he had been waiting.
“Who is it? Come in,” he said and she quickly let herself in, closing the door behind her.
“Tarmah,” he said, a mixture of confusion and suspicion in his voice. “What are you doing here?” He asked, he was seated on his bed and doing some paperwork.
“I need to talk to you,” Tarmah replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. “It is about Jasira,” she walked further into the room.
At the mention of Jasira’s name, Jeremy’s expression hardened.
“I don’t want to talk about her,” he said curtly, “not after everything.”
“Please, Jeremy,” Tarmah implored. “Just hear me out. I’m begging you.”
Something in her tone made Jeremy pause. He looked at her for a long moment, then sighed and gestured for her to sit on the sofa, she quickly did.
“Thank you,” she said.
“Be fast with it, I’m quite busy,” he said shifting the paperwork aside.
Tarmah took a deep breath.
“I know you are angry and hurt. You have every right to be. But Jasira… she deserves a chance to explain herself.”
Jeremy’s eyes flashed with anger. “Explain herself? She is from the underworld, Tarmah! She deceived me from the start!”
Tarmah winced at his words but pressed on.
“Yes, she is from the underworld, but she is more than that. She is someone who fell in love with you, Jeremy. Someone who risked everything to be with you.”
Jeremy shook his head, the anger giving way to a weary frustration.
“If you knew she was of the underworld, then why did you matchmake us together? Knowing fully well that I detest them.”
Tarmah’s gaze softened, and she leaned forward, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Because it was for the reason of love. I saw the way you always wanted to be with her, the connection you had. It wasn’t just about where she came from. It was about who she is and what she feels for you.”
Jeremy stared at her, the hardness in his eyes slowly melting away. He looked down at his hands, struggling with his emotions.
“I don’t know if I can trust her, Tarmah. I don’t know if I can trust anything anymore.”
Tarmah reached out and placed a hand on his arm.
“Big bro, just listen to her. Give her a chance to explain. If, after that, you still feel the same, then at least you will know you gave her that chance.”
Jeremy was silent for a long moment, as he thought. Coupled with the fact that his dad also said the same thing, he nodded slowly.
“Alright. I will listen to her, but I’m not making any promises.”
Tarmah smiled, relief washing over her.
“Thank you, big brother. That is all I’m asking.”
They then set a day for the meeting, and Tarmah left, feeling a glimmer of hope for the first time in days. As she walked away from Jeremy’s house, she prayed that love would find a way to bridge the chasm between them, to heal the wounds that had been inflicted.