I was surprised to see him lying on the bed with dark circles around his eyes. Brent went too far; did he really have to give Samer a black eye? My poor Boss! I approached his bedside and sat next to him.
“My goodness, are you okay?” I asked like a fool, inquiring about his well-being even though I knew he wasn’t okay because of the bruises from Brent.
“That’s Brent, right?”
“Who?”
“Who else? That man who gives me these!” He said, pointing to his bruises one by one.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know he followed me, and it resulted in you getting hurt.” I said to him as I went to get the first aid kit.
“Jamie… wait.”
I heard Samer call my name, but I didn’t turn back. I went straight to the first aid kit and got some antiseptic for his small wounds and prepared a cold compress for his bruises. When I returned, I immediately cleaned his face and applied medicine to prevent swelling.
“Why didn’t you fight back?” I asked him because I knew he had some knowledge of self-defense.
“B-because I saw Kate and I could see the concern in her eyes. Could it be because she still likes me?”
Oh, come on! I rolled my eyes as he talked like a teenager who had fallen in love for the first time.
“Ah, so you decided to let yourself get beaten up to gain her sympathy? Never mind. Next time, fight back so you won’t be called a coward.”
“Me? A coward? Who said that? Your boyfriend?” Samer got angry. “That lunatic?”
“You’re too harsh with your insults. Brent is not a lunatic, okay?”
“I’m sorry if I got carried away earlier, and I accidentally touched your chest.” He suddenly changed the topic, making our conversation awkward.
“God, don’t even say it!” What happened earlier was so embarrassing. Oh no, don’t stare at me like that!
“Why, are you affected too?” He asked.
Well, it’s not that I’m affected, I just don’t want to talk about what happened earlier because I’m uncomfortable. Also, I don’t want to entertain the possibility that Samer might have feelings for me. I don’t want our relationship to get complicated. We’re better off as friends.
“Just focus on Kate, okay?” I suggested.
“Speaking of Kate, she’s in the kids’ room.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell me immediately? I have to leave now!” I didn’t want to bump into Kate because I didn’t know how I would talk to her.
I might even tell her that our kissing scene with Samer earlier was just scripted. As I was leaving the suite, the kids’ room suddenly opened, and Kate came out.
“Hi, you must be the twins’ mother!” I said as I approached her, extending my hand for a handshake.
But she just looked at it like I had some contagious disease. I shrugged off her blatant snub.
“I am. Can we talk for a minute?” Her question was delivered in a dismissive tone, but of course, I didn’t refuse.
“Why, aren’t we already talking?” I raised an eyebrow to let her know that I won’t be submissive and that I can face her with my head held high.
“I mean, in private. Just the two of us.” Kate said, sounding haughty like Michelle.
Before agreeing to her request, I went back to Samer and whispered what his lady love wanted.
“You must do it right, for Khaleel and Ameera,” he said in a whisper. I nodded and kissed him on the forehead.
“Follow me.” There was a coffee shop downstairs where we could talk without disturbances. When we entered the cafe, there were only a few customers having coffee. I pointed her to an empty table where we could see people swimming in the pool. “Coffee?”
“Americano, please,” Kate said as she sat at the table I indicated.
I ordered an Americano for Kate and a caramel macchiato for myself, feeling like a servant obediently following her orders.
“So, what are we going to talk about? Oh, by the way, I’m Jamie.” It’s better that we both know each other’s names.
“About Samer.” I studied her expression as she mentioned her ex-lover’s name. In fairness, the woman was good at hiding her emotions, and I couldn’t read her.
“What about him?” I asked.
“Do you really love him, or are you just after his money?”
Ghad, Samer! I might lose my composure and slap your beloved woman left and right! I struggled to regain my composure after hearing her hurtful accusation. I wanted to show her that I have my own money, but I held back. I controlled myself.
“I wasn’t aware that you had such a sharp tongue, Kate!”
“Come on, Jamie. Don’t be coy and name your price. How much?” Kate continued to look down on me.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re still unhappy now. You know why? Because you’re too selfish. As far as I know, you’re getting married to another man. Have some pity on Samer, let him go!” I said without any pretense. Every word that came out of my mouth was from the heart.
“You don’t love Samer; you’re just using him!” Kate said.
Ouch! How did she even know that Samer used me to make her jealous?
“And who does he love then? You? Are you kidding me? If Samer still loved you, then he would have called you first when they arrived in Claybourne. But that didn’t happen because I was the one who picked them up!”
When I noticed tears welling up in her eyes, I stopped my barrage of words because I felt compassion. I saw myself in her eyes, trying to hide my true feelings even though I was hurting. If Kate still loved Samer, why was she marrying another man?
“I still love him…” I almost didn’t hear what she said because of her soft voice.
“In that case, may the best woman wins! Fighting!” I smiled at her before leaving the coffee shop.