Chapter 5 A change

The rest of the walk continued in silence. Zein moved quite awkwardly to create enough distance between us. Neither of us spoke but I could tell from his body language that he had a whole lot running through his mind. If it had been someone else I would've just asked him to spit it out but with Zein it felt as if I had to maintain a certain composure. I'd always seen him as the guy who would marry Jane and it was really hard to get rid of that shyness and awkwardness that I felt around him.

" I didn't know you were with someone when we got married," he said in a very low voice.

I nodded slightly and gulped, trying to get rid of the choky feeling deep down my throat. The time had come, the time to tell him everything. I wondered if that was going to change his behavior towards me. I bet if he found out he wasn't the only one to lose a person they'd love he would've healed quickly.

"Is he aware that you're married to...?"

"He didn't give me the chance to explain anything to him," I said in a small voice, hating having to admit what I'd done. The Zein I know would've reprimanded me, given me an equally bitter answer but somehow he remained quiet and I was grateful for that. My head wasn't in the right place and I didn't want to say something that I would regret later on. Things were starting to get better and I didn't want anything else destroying that.

"You loved him so hard didn't you?" he asked me for a short while and I decided there was no use hiding it anymore.

"I loved Him so much, more than you could imagine."I let out a bitter laugh but something bugged me. I realized he asked as if I no longer loved him. I still loved Nash. I will always love him and I know that my feelings for him are never going to change.

"He threaten me, he told me I was going to pay for what I did to him and immediately hanged up on me." I said in a very low tone.

"Don't worry okay, you're my responsibility now and it's my job to protect you Kayla."

Was it wrong to say that hearing him say those words made me feel, for the first time in what felt like a very long time, like I would be safe and that nothing or no one could harm me?

We got home and I quickly changed into a pair of short jeans and light neck sweater. Zein was done preparing dinner and waiting for me downstairs. He acted differently ever since we got home and it kinda irked me out not knowing why. I settled into my seat and spooned some of the hot zucchini into my bowl. I sat in front of Zein while eating.

"This is really sumptuous, you have such a talent for creating amazing foods" I said in a very lovely way while savoring every bite and on cue he replied with a terse thanks.

We both ate the food in silence and in a gentle tone, he brought something up. Looking rather hesitant about saying something he had planned to say some hours ago.

"Kayla, we'll need to go back soon and when we do I want us to go and meet your boyfriend and explain everything to him. Please, it's the least you and I can do for him." I felt stupefy, why was he bringing up Nash again? I really didn't like it when he talked about him but I chose to stay silent letting the weight of the situation hang in the air.

"I've been pondering, just because we've been compelled to sign some documents and say a few words doesn't mean that we inevitably have to be in a married relationship."

"What do you mean by that, Zein?" I asked, struggling to even articulate.

"I want you to continue your relationship with Nash regardless of the nature of our relationship," he blurted out and glanced away.

I started to feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. What he was insinuating was downright unethical and no one in their right minds would suggest that. I was left dumbfounded, struggling to find the appropriate words to say.

"Kayla? Say something," he said softly and I just gazed at him with a vacant expression.

"You're saying ...you want me to be with Nash again? I asked, hoping that he repeating himself would make it all click into place.

"In plain speak, yes, that's precisely what I'm looking for Kayla," he said in a straightforward manner.