One more duty for your benefits.

“I screwed up big time. She hasn't smiled with me for two days.”

Michal swist his mouth. “Only? Why do I get to know, anyway?”

Jamal squints his eyes towards him, and he burst out laughing. “Sorry man, I was kidding. It's just—that I've never seen you like this,”

Jamal sighs, taking up his bottle of wine.

“I'm serious. Now, she's accusing me. After everything, she's keeping secrets from me, too.”

“Yes, I got it. Both of you are keeping secrets from each other. I already gave you a solution to it.”

“It's complicated, Michal. She thinks, I still have feelings for Gabriella.”

“Exactly why I said, you should spend more time together. Try to open up to her. Do new things. Because, if this goes on for long, it's going to be dangerous.”

Jamal looks at his friend, while reconsidering his words.

...

“It's enough for the season. Are you finally coming or not?”

Myla has been staring at the sky for a minutes now, full in thought.

“Myla,”

She still doesn't hear Ms. Grayson calling.

“Myla!”

She twitches, bringing her gaze to her manager.

“Where have you been? Where you listening to what I was saying?”

“Sorry Ms. Gray. You have to annulate our travel to France. I'm not feeling so well.”

“What's wrong? Have you consulted your doctor?”

“No, it's nothing big. Well...it is. My period is fast approaching. And, this one seems already very tormenting.”

“Alright. You can take some pills to lesson the pain. It'll do.”

“I hate those things. I've never used them, anyway. I'd just endure it for until this is over.”

Ms. Grayson, nods. “I'd cancel the schedule, then. Make sure to take care of yourself. Are you sure there's nothing else bothering you?”

“No, there isn't. I'm a little stressed, that's all.”

“Ok, if you say so.”

“Myla,” Nina walks from the kitchen door towards the both of them.

“Nina,”

“Hi, Ms. Gray,” she greets.

“Hello, Nina,” they kiss each other's cheeks.

She comes to Myla and does the same, before sitting next to her friend.

“I should get going now. I have a meeting to attend.”

Myla nods. “Thanks, again Ms. Gray,”

“No problem.”

“So, how's my beautiful Queen doing?”

Myla sends Nina a faint smiles. “Better,”

Nina frowns. “Still feeling dizzy?”

“Kind of. But, no need to worry. It's natural.”

“Is this a good news.”

“No! I meant my period.”

“Calm down. It's not as if you're pregnant.”

Myla sighs, and Nina follows her.

“Come to thing of it. You've been talking of this for a long time now. Haven't you seen it, yet?”

“Nina, please don't start up with that topic. You know there's more to that.”

“I'm being realistic. Like, isn't it weird?”

“No, it's not. There are other things triggering a delay. Stress, anxiety, etc.”

“You mean stress from?”

“Jamal off course. My work adding upon.”

“Are you guys finally going to settle things? I left him at home with Michal. I guess, he went to gossip the same thing to my husband. I overheared their discussion. So I thought I should come over to comfort you, too.”

“He needs to apologise for accepting that—woman as his business partner.”

“Are you serious? I never saw as someone who will highly ask for that. More to that, to your husband?”

“Me, neither. It's a new emotion of being betrayed. But, I don't know if I can feel ok with all these. How could he look down at me like that!”

“One thing I know is that Jamal loves you very deeply. He's just used to being boosy, and...it kind of affects him. I know you understand that. Don't be stubborn. Let it go.”

Myla rolls her eyes. “Did you ever find yourself in the same position as I and Jamal?”

“What? Are you kidding? We have so many times. It's not new, and I wouldn't be surprise it happens on and on. Though it's hard, I try to keep aside my rights, and let love lead my marital home. You should do the same.”

Myla looks at her and she smiles as an encouragement.

...

Nina had gone back home, while Myla set forth their dinner on the table, and seat there waiting for her husband to return.

Jamal returns home, and when he turns to the stairs, he sees his wife at the dinning.

She sees him, too and they stare at each other for a long time.

He changes direction towards her. She stands and walks to meet him.

They halt when they are a few inches away. “I was waiting for you to have dinner with me. Also... I'm sor—”

Places his finger against her lip. “You don't have to apologise. I am sorry for what I did. I should've spoken to you about it.”

Myla's eyes water up immediately.

“Myla, nothing can separate us, no matter what we go through. I choosed to spend the rest of my life with you, because I found me in you. You made who I am. I love you so much, Myla. I could never risk my life for anyone, but—for you I will do anything.”

A drop of tear stain her cheek, and he wipes it off.

“All I want is for you to give me the chance to show you that. I'm not perfect. But, I'd do my best to make you happy. To love you, and keep loving you.”

She smiles, finally. He smirks and kisses the crown of her head, then hugs her very tight.

She rest her head against his torso, encircling her hands over him, while he robs her hair.

“I missed you.” she says.

He chuckles. “I did, too, my lady.”

She unties herself. “Common, let's eat. I don't want the food to get to cold.”

He smiles, and seats next to her, still not keep his eyes off his wife.

...

“Hmmm,” Myla hums again.

Jamal opens his eyes, and sees her roaming around the bed.

He touches her, and his eyes bulge at her temperature.

“Myla,” he calls, gently.

He shakes her a little, while taking off his shirt to wipe away her sweat.

“Babe?”

Myla gradually opens her eyes, and say, “Jamal,”

“Yeah. I'm right here.”

“I think, I'm sick.”

He puts on the light, and sees the bed stain with blood.

Myla's eyes bulges when she sees it. “No, no. Not today!”

He robs her head. “It's ok. Go to the bathroom. I'd change the sheet.”

She nods, and stands. Her belly feels so heavy that she limps to walk.

Jamal just searches for a new sheet in the dressing room.

Myla stands at the mirror after cleaning herself. Her body looks different, than her normal self some days back.

She doesn't know if this is a new resolution of her period or whatever.

She ignores, and walks back to the bedroom, where Jamal is done fixing their bed.

He waits for her to climb the bed, and lays in his arm, in-between his legs.

“There you go.” he whispers, and she hums in response, shutting her eyes, then dossing off to sleep.

...

Patricia enter a building, where she gets so many salutations from workers. She smiles and enters the crane.

Someone rushes in almost immediately as it closes and when she looks at the human, her eyes widens.

“Why haven't you been answering my calls?”

“Are you knots? If my brother sees you here, you'd be dead!”

“Don't try to change the subject. I need an answer to my question.”

“I told you I'm done! We no longer have a deal, because I'm not interested.”

He chuckles. “Do you think it's so easy to back out.”

“I don't care.”

“You don't want your brother knowing we meet up, do you?”

“He knows already.”

He looks at her, bewildered. “Are you joking? He's going to keep using your mind, not to find out who he was.”

“I'm not interested in his past, anymore. He was what he was, because of the mess my dad put him into. But, I still love my family nevertheless. So, stop waisting your time.”

“You don't understand. There's more to the list, than what you think you know.”

She faces him. “I said, I don't want to know!”

“Cut the crap, Patricia. I know you ain't satisfied and want to know more. You were close to finding out everything. I'm just going to give you one more duty, for your benefits. The device I gave you, has all the answers you need, if you use it rightly.”

He touches a strand of hair against her forehead, and she shoves his hand away.

“Left for you to decide. Just on it and deep into his dress anytime you want to get his communications. Thank me later.”

The crane opens up and Patricia twitches when she sees Amid, standing at the entrance.

Kon meets his gaze and they look at each other disgustedly.

To be continued...