Chapter 52: Hurt on both sides!

Hurt on both sides!

Nina turned turned to Jamal who stood still with a smirk on his face, with an intention to gulp a sip of tea, Nina interrupted

  "Jamal? How do you feel right now?"

  "I feel great, just fine. And you?" He asked 

  "Great. Just like you. Err...do tell me,  what exactly makes you feel great at the moment or entirely." Nina maintained her friendly smile accompanied by her book and a pen

  "Everything makes me feel great. Like my personality. I am a business tycoon with billions of dollars, I don't lack. I got a family,  most prettiest wife, Charming son and of course Nina, I'm handsome just like older days. I've achieved a lot in a couple of years, trust me!" He boasted comfortably

Nina smiled at his courage and proceeded

  "How about the most integral part of it?" She asked again

  "Like what? Look, go straight to the point."

  "Like honesty? There's a lot but what about honesty?" She asked with a more serious look, staring at him waiting for answers

  "Ho....Ho....Honesty. What about honesty?" He stuttered in between

  "Have you kept anything, even the tiniest and slightest thing from Danielle, your prettiest wife?" She asked again

At first, he turned away rubbing his face with both hands which seemed like there was something he wasn't saying and was scared of saying it out. He turned to Nina who wouldn't take off her gaze

  "I don't understand you. What honesty? I'm not hiding anything from my wife. What makes you think so, besides are you a marriage counsellor right now?" He asked with sarcasm

  "No Jamal, but I could help you get this over with. Do you not think lying and being dishonest to your wife could really harm your marriage? I'm not judging you and I could never judge you, Jamal. Let it out and be free like the bird in the sky. Could you try that?" Nina asked calmly

  "Only when I got something to be dishonest about then I'd say something. You can't force those tricks on me, I'm perfectly fine. Did she that I'm not?"

  "C'mon Jamal, Danni didn't. Your actions wouldn't say the opposite if we weren't seeing symptoms. This is between us and no one else, you could trust me ok" Nina advised and assured him at the same time.

  "That's exactly what every psychopath says, they lie and act like goddamn cunning snakes." He turned away walking to the stairs. Then Nina screamed abit

  "I'd be back after three days!" Nina said.

I overheard their conversations while I sitting on the stairs, he walked past me. I went over to Nina. She tucked her materials into her purse and turned to me as soon as she sighted me

  "Danni. I'm pretty sure you heard us."

  "Undeniably yes! So what exactly is the problem that we have to deal with?" I asked as I sunk into couch, my eyes fixated on hers

  "To what I have and what I've seen, he's insecure about something. Time to figure  out what it it." She sighed heavily

She was exhausted from 4 hour she had with us.

  "Of course. Thanks a lot! This is a step further" I added in appreciation

I saw her off to the door, we hugged as she scurried to the car. I watched her drive away.

I went up to our bedroom then I sighted staring at a big brown envelope, he was almost lost. I walked in abruptly then he hid the envelope mixing it up with some papers and files.

  "Hey!" He said

  "Are you ok?" I asked calmly

  "Ye.....Yes sure. Why?" He asked me back

  "You don't look okay. You look unsettled about what I don't know. Anyway, I was hoping we could go for ice cream or dessert much later." I suggested

  "Ahh...its fine. Just get ready, I'll catch up soon." He affirmed turning eyes away

  "Ok then." I jumped to my closet immediately "I was thinking if i could wear  this Givenchy pants and shirt..." I placed the shirt on my chest for him to have a closer and clearer view

  "It suits you, babe!" He said without looking at my direction but instead his eyes were fixed on the TV screen.

  "He's not Even looking!" I whispered underneath my breath.

I was so fed up with the situation Jamal and I were going through, I knew he was sick somehow but I couldn't help it being pissed off over every unruly behavior he displays. He no longer pays good attention to me again because all he was concerned about was himself and his achievement. He speaks highly of himself even more than necessary.

                ******†****†****†*****

Meanwhile,

At the McClure's,

Its been hard for them trying to keep up with Jada and her alliances. While Pete was In the bedroom with Carol. She helped him adjust his neck tie that went sideways.

  "You look handsome my dear!" Carol complimented

  "Do I?" He asked teasing her then he kissed her swiftly "You could actually make lay under the duvet all day long!"

Carol blushed with a pleasing and charming smile

  "Really, darling! You should go ahead not to miss this meeting, its a headstart for you, you know!" She reminded him again

  "Ah! Smartest first lady! I love her so much and not a single day alive without her." He complimented her again as she smiled content. A knock interrupted their moment

  "Come in!" Pete affirmed to whoever that knocked on the door. 

Robin tilted his head in between the entered fully closing the door behind him.

  "What can I do for you, Robin. I'd be there in a second..." Pete expressed himself

  "This!" Robin took out an iPad to show the Pete and his wife what was happening online. Thompson was on a live news platform where he mentioned some awful and fake facts about Pete who was pursuing for governor. Pete took the iPad and threw it to the floor.

  "Mr governor, please calm down!" Robin said

  "Don't tell me to calm down! No!" Pete groaned in anger. Carol offered him a glass of beer, making him sit gently on the bed

  "Take it down and for that scumbag, I know exactly what to do to him. Watch!" She sat beside him. She turned to Robin

  "Robin, you nay leave now." She ordered

  "Yes ma'am!" He turned to leave then he turned to them again "Tell me what to do and I'd get that effected right away!" Robin suggested.

  "Thanks Robin, I'd call you whenever I need you, alright," she instructed

  "Yes ma'am. I'd be next door waiting eagerly!" Robin emphasized

  "Just shoo!" Carol said angrily

Robin left hesitantly. Carol turned to Pete

  "I don't trust this boy! He's changed. Why's he do concerned about it?" Carol pointed out even if it made a little or no difference

  " this sane boy has been with us for over five years now, Carol. How could you say that?" Pete added in doubt

  "Oh Pete, spare me all that! Just cut the chase, man!" Carol countered rolling her eyes "Let me deal with it, Pete." She offered

  "Nah! The last time you tried to do that, a man died..." Pete declined her offer

  "...paying for his sins." Carol added

Pete looked at her for seconds, her face depicted how uninterested she was about it, he stood up to leave.

  "I'm off!" He said to her as he dropped a kiss on her forehead then she gave a faint smile.

  "See you soon and still don't forget to whip his ass!" She ignorantly added

  "Carol!" He groaned

  "What? I'm just saying what you got to do!" She added regardless

  "This is not helping!" Pete said finally as he walked out.

After five minutes of Pete's departure, she walked out if the room and headed to the study before requesting Kendall's presence. She waited for only two minutes then he arrived.

  "Yes ma'am!"

  "Sit! Any report?"

  "Ma'am! Its about the election, i think it has been rigged!" He blurted out

  "What do you mean by rigged? Isn't there enough security?" Carol looked pissed

  "I think she had her way in and unfortunately, Thompson has fallen into the trap." He finalized

  "No. This cannot be happening. Do you know what this is? That my husband doesn't get to be the governor..." She became restless

  "Unfortunately, ma'am."

  "What do we do and stop with the ma'am shit!" She instructed almost yelling

  "Ma...I think we should find the only way to her ruins, that's the only solution or else nits impossible to contend with her. She's bought everyone you could ever think of on high places." Kendall suggested outrightly

  "Ok. Ok! Just try to find out while I do what I can ok?" She concurred

  "Yes ma'am! Robin is really not part of us, he's a snake. Please be careful how you trust him." Kendall warned

  "I know that Kendall. My husband does without resilience. I'll talk to you soon. Thank you so much!"

  "Anything for you, ma'am!" Kendall acknowledged as he walked out instantly

  "I knew I could trust this guy!" She muttered with a smile

                       ******†****†******

Ada drove to a nearby restaurant to eat out after a what she considered a long day. She ordered banana cream muffin and chocolate chips cookie then a strawberry dessert. She began eating while watching new YouTube videos then someone lightly tapped the table she was occupying. She raised up her head to see who it was the guy from the bar she visited sometime ago. Yet she pretended not recognize him.

  "Sorry. Do I know you? I don't think so, could you kindly leave. Thank you." Ada turned away focusing on muffin and the video

  "Sorry. I know you, yes and I can't kindly leave. Thank you." He countered politely

  "Bro sit. You can sit here staring at me while I eat. Your choice."

He sat down. He called the waiter and ordered for what she was having.

  "Dylan Mark! The guy from the bar. we exchanged glances...." He explained further

  "....yeah so? Not because we exchanged glances gives you the ample right to interrupt my treat." She rudely scolded

  "Chill ma'am. You don't need to scold me, don't worry I'm well trained by my mama!" He teased. She had no option than to smile at his words

  "Now, you think you got the upper hand right? Watch me take you down." She jokers with a groan, he also smiled

  "For real, I'm so sorry for stomping in that way. I couldn't just walk away. We might exchanged glances but I really adored you and I still do." He confessed meekly

  "That's thoughtful! You tripped huh?"

  "Undeniably!" They smiled. The glances and eye contacts they exchanged now had a driving force to resonate a beautiful chemistry. They blended and liked each other's company.

  "That's sweet. Tell me about you, I think you're interesting already!" She requested curiously

  "Oh I...I'm architect and a human rights activist. I don't have a sibling and my Mom died two years ago while my Dad is a politician and a philanthropist." He explained

  "Interesting. Just as I imagined."

  "Thanks. And you?" 

  "Well....I'm a attorney. My parents are politicians too and my siblings died spontaneously, it still hurts. To date! Knowing that I got a wonderful career I still couldn't fight for them, I regret Every action I took ignorantly." She said heartily while her eyes almost welled up. He stretched out his right hand to wipe the tears that couldn't stay back

  "Hey! Shit happens and all you got to do is stay on the right and brighter side. Don't let it way you down, you're better than just crying out." He encouraged

  "Thank you. I'm so sorry you have to see me this way. My bad!" She apologized

  "Its nothing. I'm blessed to see you around, the Lord's doing." He added

She felt comfortable and loved all of a sudden.

  "To take off this moodiness, I think we should visit the aquarium." He suggested

   "Why the aquarium? We got parks, resorts and even a spa." She pointed out

  "Aqua animals don't have to worry about anything, they live their lives comfortably regardless of their predators. It wouldn't stop them from being who they are. We see them as entertainers while all they do is try to be their selves." He explained. This guy seemed like heaven on earth sweeping her off her feet. They left in no time

We headed to the ice cream shop including Jordan, good thing his school had closed. All we did was pick him up first and pretend to be a happy family, Jamal's courtesy.

We took lots of ice cream and had forceful fun. Jamal would always excuse himself within intervals doing what I don't know. He visit the restroom, just go outside for more air. It wasn't like the building was crowded or non spacious, the air conditioners were provided so I could figure out the gear he felt or inconveniences he came across. After I paid up our bills and got other snacks like burgers my favorites. Then I remembered older encounters with burgers and Dayo West. I held Jordan by the hand as we headed out side the building. I couldn't find Jamal but our car was right there, right where we pulled over. I asked the security who stood inches away. 

  "Excuse sir. Did you see a tall man, chocolate skinned, about this height..." I described with my hands

  "What's his name?" He asked like he had an idea

  "Jamal Khaleef Khaleefa, my husband. As you can see, he's got a son...can you even spot the difference?" I explained further

  "Right. I was asked to give you the car key." He handed the key to me without hesitation I guess I provided the right information.  

  "Thanks a lot, Mister. Did he tell you where he was headed?" I asked again in concern

  "Oh that. He said he wanted to go home for an important work."

  "Ok. Thanks. Please have this, its a token of my appreciation. For your sincerity." I handed him some dollar notes but he declined

  "He already paid me. You can go." He said turning away

  "A'ight. Thank you so much!" I screamed a bit.

We scurried to the car then we drove out of sight.

  "Mama, where's Dada?" Jordan asked with splattered ice cream around his mouth. I pulled over to wipe off the dots.

  "Dada's home, we just need to drive home" I assured

  "Ok. I want cookies." He requested

  "We got them at home." I said starting the engine as we drove away.

Kids really know how to get unsatisfied though. How could he think of cookies at this present state. Oh, what was I expecting anyways? He's only an innocent child. When we got home, first thing I did was ask Larry about Jamal's arrival but he said he hasn't seen or heard his voice. I walked inside then I asked Bella if she did see Jamal come home but she said not at all. I tried to call him severally but he wouldn't pick up no respond to them.