Chapter 44- To you from you

James's POV

Getting the Barbsons' to hear me out wasn't easy. Over the last month, not a day went by without me going over to try to explain what a Dei saw. I begged to see her. Begged for them to let me talk to her even for a minute. A second. But they wouldn't have it.

I didn't even get past the gate. I didn't see as much as a shadow of Dei, but I later got to know it was because she was away. Not just away from Atlanta, but this time away from the country and continent.

A swollen eye and a bloody mouth were what finally got the Barbsons' to hear me out.

That day, I'd had enough and decided there was only one way to get through the gates, or at least to someone inside the gates, so I sent Dawn a voicemail since he wouldn't answer my calls. I told him about how my family got a condition to get Zara safely in exchange for me —which I knew he already knew. I just wanted him to get the basics, then I told him about how I got there to see Cassie.

I proceeded to tell him about her offer and what had happened after that. But I didn't mention was the end of our encounter.

I could always tell him when we meet, not over the phone, I thought.

Not that it was a secret, my family knew and the FBI walked in a few minutes after I pulled the trigger. But I got a pardon as I told them it was in self-defense and with the said connection I'd with them.

The only good thing that came out of my horrific scene with Cassie was that I got to know Nat was headed to the Barbson mansion through a text I'd seen on her phone. Thankfully I arrived there in time to smack his head and give him that kick I'd been longing to. It pained me I couldn't do more harm to him. I wanted to be the one to end him, after all he put Dei through.

I sent the voicemail to Dawn not sure if he would read it or not, but in the end, he did.

And that did it, he leaned into having a conversation, agreeing to meet me and giving me a chance to pick the place I wanted us to meet. I picked the Barbson mansion: as a result of my wanting to vindicate myself to his entire family and most especially, Dei.

When I got there that day, the gates were open wide for me. As soon as I got through the door, Mr. Barbson's fist welcomed me when it connected to my eyes, and then Mr. Timothy's fist followed, connecting to my mouth.

I'd staggered back at the unexpected blows, my working eye had seen Dawn leaning on the wall. I'd looked to him for help, silently asking him if he didn't tell them about the voicemail and he just shrugged. He later told me he'd only told them there was a justified explanation for what I did because he wanted me to get the punishment that was two fists slamming into my face. It was fair enough.

After I explained to them what happened, their expressions went from anger to pity and understanding. Then they dropped the bomb that Dei was away in Nigeria, her country of origin. It had taken another week for them to give me her exact location.

And here I was, in a taxi, on my way to get her.

When I reached the hotel they'd told me she was in—Orientals hotels— I started to have doubts. I was scared and my legs shook. What if I'd lost her forever? What if I don't get to see her? Those were my thoughts as I got to the lobby, stopping short when I saw a woman sitting at the far left corner where the bar was.

I knew it was her immediately I saw her back. If the fact that I knew her anywhere and anyhow wasn't enough, the stirring in my pants that always happened when she was near was proof.

Slowly, I counted my steps to her. She was oblivious to the fact that I was behind her; as her attention was fixed on the guy on the other side of the bar. She only turned when I'd almost reached her.

I dreaded it. Dreaded what she'd say. How she'd react and lost or all how she'd feel. I knew seeing me again was going to hurt her all over again but I had to risk it.

My breathing paused as I waited for her to take in the fact that I was standing right there, in front of her.

"You." Her voice was so distant. Void of any emotion.

I wasn't getting her back now, I feared, my throat closed as the thought I'd lost her forever crossed my mind.

"Dei."

I searched for words to say, but couldn't come up with any. She looked aloof, but just from me. She looked radiating, her hair was worn straight, the same it had been the first time I saw her when she got back from LA. Her skin glittered. She'd even put on some weight, I thought as my eyes trailed down her chest. I quickly brought my eyes back up, resting it on hers.

Her eyes were almost expressionless, the only expression I could see in them was shock and anger.

She appeared relaxed, except her shoulders were tensed and I caught her nose flare once, if I wasn't looking I wouldn't have noticed.

"What do you want here?" I didn't like that she sounded civil, it hurt coming from her.

My heart broke a little more when my subconscious asked "what else did you expect?"

Shit, I dropped my head then wet my nervous lips. I didn't even know where to start or what to say.

"I," I startled shifting from foot to foot.

The guy from behind the bar came out and stood in front of her. "Dei, who's this? If he's in any way a danger say the word and I'll beat the hell out of him." His eyes roamed, he was in no doubt sizing me up. "I can take him."

I rolled my eyes inwardly. No, he couldn't. He was around 6'2 and had enough muscles to weigh more than 80. I had no doubt he'd fight me good, but he couldn't take me or on a normal day, he wouldn't be able to. But from how weak Dei was making me, he could with just a punch, not that I was going to fight with him. He was the least of my concern.

"No, Mark. Don't you worry he's of no harm... physically," she told him and he still didn't bulge but did when she rested her head on his shoulder and whispered something to him.

He back off not before giving me a death glare and her a small smile.

She faced me blatantly. "I asked you what you want? How did you even know I was here."

"I could just be here by coincidence." It came out of my mouth before I could stop it.

What in the world was wrong with me?

"Alright, fine. Enjoy your stay. You chose the best country and just the perfect hotel to tour," she said standing to her feet.

I saw her legs move and knew she was going to leave. Oh shit, I ruined everything some more. Way to go.

"Please, don't go. I'm sorry."

My hand had gone out to hers, trying to stop her from leaving, I removed it in defeat when she glared at me.

"For?"

I sighed frustratedly. "Everything."

She snickered. Once, then twice. Then she threw her head back and laughed in hysteria. "Wish it was that easy. Go away. Just go back, it was of no use coming here."

Her words sliced through me. And God, her laugher. I cringed from how painful it sounded. It was beyond hysteric.

God, what had I done? I asked myself as I watched her work away to the lift.

I couldn't move. I wanted to hold her, to go down on my knees. Anything, just anything to stop her from going. But I couldn't. Instead, I stayed rooted to where I was, watching her go into the lift then cussing myself as I saw her thumb swipe below her eyes just before the doors closed.

Over. It was over. And this time forever.

What? You're going to give up so easily? Did you expect her to welcome you with open arms? It was Dawn's voice I heard in my head.

There was this sudden determined urge to get what I wanted it. I was going to get what I wanted, fuck the fear. I was going to get Dei to listen to me and let her decide what she wanted to believe.

Yes, I wanted her to believe me. Yes, she was what I wanted the most. Yes, I wanted her to understand my doings which I owned up to. But the only thing I could do was try to get her to listen to me and leave the decision of believing up to her. There was no way to force her to believe, not that I'd ever do anything that involves forcing a person.

But I was going to try to make her see. I was going to do my best to make her see words spoke louder than pictures—in this case, that was my thought as I turned to the guy at the other side of the bar.

"Hey, buddy."

His brows rose. "Who's your buddy? You upset her, who're you and what do you want with here?" He asked begrudgingly.

"I assume you're acquainted with her, so it's plausible that you protect her. I'm James." I waited for any flick of recognition to pass his features, but none did.

She didn't mention me then, another wave of fear.

"You're Mark right?" I asked and he shrugged.

Sighing, I rubbed my few days stubble: a result of how stressed I'd been from mentally planning this day.

"I guess I'd have to tell you everything from the start then," I told him about me and Dei, how we came back together, and the incidents that took place before she came down to Nigeria.

His eyes widened, mouth agape as if the ground called them to it. I found new hope in his belief.

"You sure you didn't just place those in your head from a movie?"

I tittered, tilting my head to the side. "No, I didn't."

"Wow, just wow. She seems to be going to you from you," he deadpanned and I nodded. "She still doesn't know about the Cassie bitch I assume?"

"No, that's why I need you."

"What for? Anything I can do to help."

"Help me get her to talk to me, can you do that?"

He snickered. His eyes flicking back and forth.

I smacked my head mentally, of course, he'd think I was joking with the movie I just came out from. Why else could he be laughing?

The irritation that was starting to settle in was overweighed by desperation. He was my only hope to get to Dei.

"Hey, listen, please. I just need you to get her to talk to me, arrange a date or something," I told him desperately. "I can't stand losing her again, please buddy."

"I understand and believe you, but I can't, I wouldn't have to rather."

I frowned. Why in the hell was he gaslighting a situation as serious as this if he beloved me?

"Why?"

"Because she's right there."

"Where?" I looked from side to side.

"Behind you."

I swallowed, turning around in a silent prayer for it to be true.

And it was.

I waited for her to disappear as if she was my imagination. I waited for her to be swept up if it was the consuming image of her in my head. Nothing. None of those happened. She stood, her shoulders shaking.

"Dei." I rushed to her, dashing the stream of tears that kept falling from her eyes. "Shh, baby. Don't cry," I cooed, but was secretly relieved she did.

It meant one thing— she heard everything I told Mark.

"Is- is everything you just told Mark the truth?"

I nodded yes.

"Oh, God." She covered her mouth with both hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

I sniffed when tears started falling down my eyes too. Shit, I hated crying but seeing her sob uncontrollably when she almost never cried broke me. Relief made my tears continue to fall.

"I ju- I just can't believe I thought the worst of you when in the actual sense you were Zara's hero."

"I-" I started and stopped, clearing my closed throat. "It wasn't the best way to go about it, but I'd do it again if it meant saving the kid," I told her sincerely.

"I'd do the same for my siblings."

"Does this mean...?"

"Two things though," she started, clearing her throat when a smoke broke out. "First, who gave you my location, Dawn, Mari, or Sia?"

The happiness that filled me seeing her smile was more than any single word in the dictionary could describe. Overwhelming? I might've settled for that.

"All of them. I told the entire Barbson household."

Her mouth formed an 'O'. "Where's Cassie? Don't tell me she's walking the streets freely."

"She's not. I," I paused clearing my throat. "I'll tell you, just know she's unable to walk the streets."

"Better... Much better."

"So does this mean...?" I trailed again.

"What airline did you us-"

I pulled her to me, not trying to cover a smile of my own. "You're messing with me now, aren't you?"

Her lips twitched. "It's going to take me a lot to get over. The image..." She shut her eyes overly tight that I didn't doubt it was still painful.

The smile was gone from both our faces.

I kissed her eyes. Needing her to release the tight hold. She did, resting her head on my shoulders.

"Just don't expect me to forget about it immediately, I probably never will. Damn, I never will. The image is the ugliest I've seen. And I might still get irritated once and again, but I'll always remember the reason you did what you did."

"I know, Dei. My stomach still churns when I think about it. And your face, God... your face when you walked in will continue to break my heart anytime it crosses my mind."

We sighed in unison and she giggled.

"So does this mean...?" I trailed the third time.

"Yes. Let's take it step by step."

I kissed the top of her nose. "You seem to keep going from me to me."

"Indeed. At this point, I believe I'm cursed with going to you and from you."

"I love you, babe."

"Ah, so fast?"

"Never sooner."

"And I love you, Jamy." Her lips found mine, it was still tense, but I knew we'll get there.

We'll get over this.

We broke apart when Mark started to applaud. "Oh well, this is the point where the movie ends and it's written 'fin'."

We both let out heart filled chuckles.

"Let's go up to my room, I could use some soaking."

"Wait," Mark called making us both stop abruptly. "Where's the wedding going to be, here or Atlanta?"

"We'll see," we answered in unison before locking lips.