CHAPTER 12

MORGAN

It had been two weeks since I last saw or even spoke to Jabari. After the whole incident that took place that night at Aphrodite, I decided to take a break to get my shit together. I wasn't entirely going to listen to Jabari on quitting my job, even though it was an indecent one. Like I said earlier, I can't just quit without a backup plan.

I paced up and down in my room. At this point, I did not know what was getting me more worked up. My thoughts kept running to Jabari. Oh, how did it get to this? Since when did I ever think about a man aside from my dad and Jerome?

I walked to the fridge, opening its door to check on what foodstuff we needed at home. I had already done a general cleaning since I had been home for a while. One thing I couldn't stand was a messy environment, I always like my things to be in order.

I went back to my room and changed out of my nightwear into a black bralette and black cropped leggings with a pair of brown slides and a pouch shoulder bag. I took a glance at myself in the mirror, loving how simple I looked. My mind took me back to when I was always happy to go grocery shopping with my mum. It was always the different special meals she prepared after the grocery shopping that excited me. I shook my head, trying so hard to stop thinking about her.

I grabbed my phone from my bedside table, and just when I was about to step out, I had a call from an unknown number.

I was quiet on the phone until the person’s voice trailed off. “Hello!”

“Hello!” I replied.

“Come outside.” The audacity in that voice. I rolled my eyes the moment I knew who was speaking.

“Manners, don't you have any?”

I heard a soft chuckle come from him before he replied, “I'm sorry, miss. Let me start over.” He cleared his throat and after a few seconds began to talk.

“Hi!”

“Hi!” I replied.

“Come outside.” I rolled my eyes again when the call ended just like that.

After locking the door, I took the lift to the ground floor. There he was, on my far left. He stood by his car, one hand in his pocket and the other holding his phone. He wore a designer short-sleeve shirt, flexing his muscles, over a pair of long pants and slides as well.

I had never seen him this casual before, and wait what was that? Was he trying to hide from people? He had on a cap and a face mask. I couldn't help but smile at his incognito.

The moment I neared him, he raised his head and I could see him smile through the mask.

I wanted to ask how he got my contact but I knew it would be useless to ask since Kyle probably was the one who gave it.

“You're looking good,” Jabari complimented.

“What do you want? Why are you here?” I retorted.

“Manners. You spoke about manners just a few minutes ago.” He used my words against me, earning a groan from me.

“I just want to talk to you. I had to dress this way because I didn't want to attract any paparazzi here.” He opened his car door for me and I kept staring at him.

“Just go inside. We are only going to talk.”

“I don't want to talk to you, Jabari.”

Whatever he wanted to say, he hesitated but said it anyway.

“I could always carry you, you know. You choose which one you want.” He winked after talking. Who does he think he is? I mentally asked myself, looking him up and down. There were quite a few people outside because it was Saturday and I wouldn't want to be embarrassed by being put on someone’s shoulder so I sat down on my own.

“Already dressed up, where are you going?” He asked but I kept quiet.

Out of nowhere, I asked, “Why do you boss Kyle around? Is it because you have money? And why do you keep asking for information about me from him?”

For some reason, I thought he was not going to answer, but rather, he broke into laughter.

'What's funny?' I asked, trying so hard to hold back my anger.

“Kyle? I don't boss Kyle around. He's my…” and then he stopped himself from saying what he was about to say.

“He's your what?” I asked.

“I'll tell you some other time.”

“If you don't tell me now, I'll just get down from your car, so go ahead. Spill the beans, Jabari.” I protested.

“Is that a threat?” He asked.

“I’m just telling you.”

“I'll take you wherever you're going.” He said, obviously trying to avoid my question.”

“No, thank you. I'll get a cab here.”

“Ugh, Morgan. Why are you so stubborn?... Kyle is my best friend from childhood, and he manages Aphrodite which is mi …”

At this point, I felt realization dawning on me. Aphrodite was his— I mean, it was Jabari's if I'm right. So he is the anonymous person who owns the Red Room.

“Aphrodite is yours?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“And you're not kidding about Kyle being your best friend either?”

“Nope.”

“Okay. So what other surprises do I need to hear or see?”

“No other surprises for now, except for the fact that my assistant is also a best friend to Kyle and me. But you will get to see more surprises once you fully become Mine.”

“Okay, okay. What's your deal with me? What do you want from me, Jabari Tejada?”

He looked at me with a sly smile. “I'll tell you when I'm ready.”

“No, no, you don't get to do that with me. You give me answers when I need them.” I stated firmly, not batting an eye.

“Wow. You make me want you every single day, Morgan. You …” It was as if he had suddenly remembered something, he changed the subject and asked where I was going for the second time.

“The grocery shop. I'll just get a ride from here.

“Do you hate me?” He asked all of a sudden.

“Why the heck will you ask me that?”

“I don't know… maybe you do or you don't. I don't know where to put myself. But,” he looked directly at me, making me feel too small in my seat. “For a fact, I know your body so well, and I know your body doesn't hate me. Your body loves me, because” at this point, he was so close to me that it made me cringe.

“Because your body is MINE.”

I swallowed hard. My breathing became hard and unsteady at how he boldly and possessively just claimed me.

I felt heat all over even though he had put on the a/c in the car, and I sure did not notice when he pulled away from me to start the car. No one spoke a word as we listened to the random songs that were being played on his stereo.

“You can just wait for me in the car,” I said to him the moment we got to the store. “I'll be back before you know it.”

“If you say so.” He replied nonchalantly.

I was still dumbfounded about the fact that Jabari was still talking to me, of all the women he had seen. Or probably I'm just hallucinating. It could be anything, and it’ll pass before I know it.

“You're welcome.” The man at the door said with a smile as he opened the door for me.

“Thank you.”

Grabbing a cart, I pushed my way forward and slowly to each shelf and refrigerator, picking beverages and foodstuffs that Jerome and I needed at home.

I swayed from left to right, enjoying this part of my day. Normal... normal was how my life was supposed to be and feel. I felt eyes on me from the far end of the shop as I made my way to the cashier to pay for my items, but I couldn't find anyone whenever I turned around.

“$14.81,” the cashier said as she bagged my items.

“Alright—”

“I'll pay for it.”

I turned around just in time to see George, again, in the grocery shop, giving his pay card to the cashier who was reaching out for it.

“You don't have to do that.”

“Sorry ma'am.” She replied with an apologetic smile.

“Are you stalking me?” I asked him in a low voice but he just chuckled, placing his card which he had taken back from the cashier in his pocket.

“I asked a question.”

“Why will I stalk you, Morgan? This place is a public place, and it is huge.”

“Yes, the very reason why you shouldn't be seeing me or bumping into me all the time,” I spoke through gritted teeth and started walking away, with him behind.

“Morgan, wait. Just listen to me.”

“What?' At this point, I was way pissed. “What exactly do you want from me, George?”

The man at the door, looking at both George and I, confused, opened the door for us to go out, which I gladly did.

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Morgan. I know I hurt you. I know— I know I messed up big time by throwing away the beautiful relationship we had. Trust me, I've regretted it, and I still regret it. You're the most amazing friend and girlfriend I've ever had, and I'm not saying you should just forget about what I did to you, but please, please lemme be close again. Give me a chance, let me prove myself to you. Let me show you that I've changed. All I want is—”

“George, I have to go.” I moved my hands from his

“Please,” he sighed but the look he had in his eyes when he looked up at me again was that of confusion. I saw his eyes looking past my shoulders, making me turn to look behind me, then, I saw Jabari standing right behind me.

“Are you okay, babe?” he asked.

“Y—yes, I am.”

“Shall we leave?” he asked again, taking the bags with my groceries from my hands. I smiled at him and nodded. I followed in his tracks when he started walking. I did not cast a second look in George’s way.

About 15 minutes later, the car came to a halt in front of my apartment.

“Thank you,” I said to Jabari but he only nodded.

“I don't like any other man to touch you, Morgan. I can't promise you what I would do to them the next time I see something like that.” His voice was cold as he spoke.

I thought of giving him a sassy reply but something in his eyes made me stop.

“I have a second offer.” There, the smirk was back. The switch in attitude was so quick that, it didn't feel real to think about how he just spoke to me.

“And what is that?”

“You'll find out. I'll have my driver come pick you up at 7 pm, my favorite color is black.” He looked up at me and I fought the urge to sink in my seat. He reached for my face and made efforts to kiss my neck, but the kisses never came, When instead, he whispered into my ears. “I'll see you tonight. I’ll spare you for today. You will be punished the next time I see another man touching you.”

What do you think is gonna happen tonight? And oh! What do you think the offer is, this second time?