Chapter 65 Experiment {6}
"Is something wrong?"
He flicked his gaze towards me once his call was over. "It's Murray. I need to leave." He entered his bedroom to retrieve his jacket.
"Is he alright?" I watched him grab his bundle of keys.
He gave a curt nod, without uttering a word.
I read the mood, picked up my brassieres, and looked up at him to turn around while I wore it.
His lip curled up in a smirk, "I don't see why you should wear it, I think I like the view this way."
My cheeks flushed red instantly. Yet, he turned around to allow me to do my thing.
He led the way while I followed behind him. We walked in silence until we reached the main road.
"Alright, I'll call you soon," he promised, taking a few steps backward before turning in the other direction.
He didn't want to divulge information about his friend, maybe it was too much of him to reveal such details of his friend to me.
Somehow, I was hoping he would reach out later on but he never did.
And as the days dragged on, I was forced to pull my mind to reality.
Perhaps, Jamal hadn't enjoyed touching me, or had something happened to Murray.
I grabbed my phone from the lampstand to dial his number. On the second ring, he picked up.
"Hello, Davina,"
His voice cracked in exhaustion.
"Jamal, are you alright?"
I heard his laugh, deep and strong. "Where did that come from? Certainly, the witch doesn't care about me."
I rolled my eyes, "you didn't call, or send a text and I was worried."
He gasped, realization dawning on him. "God, I'm so sorry Davina. I truly am. I was so tied down with taking care of Murray. He had burns on his hands. So....,"
"Is he alright?" I put in.
"Yes, yes, yes. He is. But I forgot about you, I needed to fix my schedule and hop in....," he paused.
"I'm sorry, Davina."
"I'm glad Murray is alright. Would he be able to play the drums like he used to?" I was concerned.
Jamal sighed. "Yes, he would. I just have to be around him a lot these days you know."
He did have a kind heart, for someone as annoying as he was. I didn't know what else to say, maybe I should see Murray but I was no friend of Jamal neither was I Jamal's girlfriend.
It would seem inappropriate to step out of my lane.
Boundaries, remember?
"How about you come over, Davina - that is if you're free. I'm pretty sure we still have something to work on," his tone sounded reluctant.
I didn't want to sound like the sort of randy, horny, and uptight girl - it would seem like that was all I cared about.
"No, no, no. I just called to check up on you." I squeaked in.
"I insist, please," he pleaded.
It didn't take long before I arrived at his place. He was making coffee, dressed in a casual tee shirt and loose shorts.
My eyes studied his legs, they were long and hairy just like his arms.
With one look at his face, I noticed the dark circles underneath his eyes.
"You look pretty," he smiled when he let me in.
"Well, haven't I been pretty?" I rolled my eyes at him.
"I didn't say anything like that," he raised an eyebrow and offered me a cup of coffee.
I received it while we both walked to the couch. "You haven't been sleeping?"
The corners of his mouth twisted, "I have unsorted issues. But don't worry about that."
He was careful, not the detailed sort of guy. Much more concealing, I concluded.
"Does it pertain to Murray?" I pushed further.
He got up, turning his back to me while he sipped. "It's my dad. You don't have to worry about me. It's just a father and son business," he finished.
Without meaning to, I placed my cup of coffee on the polished table before me, walked around him, and reached out to him.
My touch startled him, I retrieved his mug of coffee, moved it away from him, and pulled him to myself.
My actions shocked me as well. He eyed me closely, waiting for an explanation.
"You know the saying - a problem once shared is a problem half solved," I started, ignoring the way my heart was hammering against my rib cage.
"What is this, some prepping?" He teased.
"Talk to me, you'll feel better - I promise you."
His mouth toyed with a smirk, while his hands tugged me closer to him.
"I used to be a masseur back at home, it was a secret and my family never knew. When Dad got wind of it, he was furious and threw me out of the house - never would he have his children doing such a thing. Mum encouraged me to fly here with her, they've been separated for a long time - always doing the back and forth thing but not divorced," he paused.
I watched as his Adam's apple bobbed as he explained.
"It's been eight years. Dad suddenly wants me to return home and handle the family business of creating candies but I don't want any of that. I haven't been living with my mum because I wanted to fend for myself. I didn't want to constrict her from falling in love with any other man if the need arises," a low laugh bubbled in his throat.
"Is your mom still around?"
He nodded, boring his eyes into me.
"You have a kind heart, Jamal. Look at what you did for Murray, your mum - what about you? What do you truly want? Do you want to return home or do you want to stand for what you want? Think about it. But whatever you do, I would encourage you to consider your family cause they would always come first. I'm sure your dad misses you and he's only using the family business as an excuse," that didn't sound like me.
But I swear it did do some magic. Without hesitation, Jamal leaned forward and pressed his lips firmly on my lips while his hand captured one of my breasts.
I was taken aback, but he caught me quickly before I could fall and forced my mouth open at the intrusion of his tongue.
I moaned, clinging my hands around his neck.
Suddenly, he retracted his curious hand away from my breast, pulled his sweet mouth from mine, and extricated himself away from my arms.
"I'm sorry, Davina. I shouldn't have kissed you. This was not part of our deal." He created a distance between us while he spread his arms.
What?
Was he talking about the experiment?
I didn't give a wink about that anymore.
I was in love with Jamal.