CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

“Please stay” he said as he tried to convince me to stay back in the car and continue on the journey. “I have my reasons for everything, you’ve been through a lot and I don’t think you’re ready for what’s to come and what has been happening. Being with me has its risks and that’s why I’m taking you to a very safe place. I’ll be going on a trip for a few days and I want you to remain safe in the house I’m taking you to. The place has maximum security and I would assign someone to take care of you. I need you to remain strong for me.” he said.

I remained unmoved by his whole story. All I wanted to know was the truth which he hasn’t told me, everything he kept on saying was only driving me back to the reason why I didn’t need to know the truth and I didn’t want any reason all I wanted was the truth and if he couldn’t provide it, I was ready to leave I had made up my mind. “What happened to Ayesha?” I asked concerned, even though I didn’t like any idea of Ayesha in his life I was still concerned about her, guess it’s my weak and curiously piqued mind that got the better of me.

“I don’t know where she is.” He replied with his voice laced with frustration. “But she was in the video we saw together, she was held captive and they gave you the address to the place, so why do you say you don’t know where she is?” I asked him.

“I really don’t know. Yesterday felt like a dream to me and I still can’t fully explain what had happened there till now. I’m really frustrated and everything just seemed like an illusion. I got there and I was attacked but Ayesha was nowhere to be found, I searched for her everywhere but she was nowhere to be found. I asked one of the guys that attacked me but his answer was a really bleak one. The only choice I had was to come back home and bring you to safety before I could do anything. Your safety means everything to me and all I can do right now is protect you. I’ve failed once and I would never fail again, I would keep you by my side no matter what. I love you, Fiona.” He said as tears slowly streamed down his cheeks.

I was shocked at the sudden proclamation and I just sat there looking at him without saying anything, but I was sadder because I couldn’t see through his frustrations and sadness and all I cared about was myself. He must feel that I was insensitive and I was ashamed of myself. I just acted based on my own wit and nothing else. I should have considered the pain he was going through and everything he had gone through during that night. I really blurted out and told him how I felt too and saw his reaction but something held me back, maybe it wasn’t time for him to know yet.

“Fiona please let’s continue on this journey, I promise you when I come back everything will be clearer and I promise you, you won’t regret ever putting your trust in me. I would protect you and stand by your side while I help you achieve your dream. I would bring to you every resource you need to chase your science dreams and to suit your curious mind. I would be your man forever, and everything would be clear to you. Please stay with me, I need you by my side.” He said his voice laced with sincerity and his gaze piercing into mine as if searching for some clue to a missing puzzle.

I wanted to say many things but nothing came out. My lips felt heavy and I couldn’t say anything. I really regretted not saying anything at that moment but now I know how he really felt about me and I was comfortable with it. I really enjoyed everything he said and I really wanted him to continue. I was willing to listen to him as he said everything. But he stopped there and I think that was appropriate. “Let's continue,” I said without smiling.

“Thank you so much for listening to me, I really appreciate it, and I’ll make sure I fulfil my promises to you.” He said as he brought the car back to life and stepped on the gas and continued the journey.

My mind drifted back to Ayesha and several questions and doubts came to my mind about her. “Do I really want Sebastian to find her? Do I really feel everything would be fine if she came back? What would happen if she later united with Sebastian as she was his chosen mate? What would I do? Would it be comfortable for me to live in that situation? Should I tell him not to go? Or should I take something out to keep him from going?” all these questions crept into my mind as I was disturbed about if I really wanted her back in his life. If he saved her he would become her hero and her love for him would grow, wouldn’t she do anything in her power to get him back? I was really confused about what I wanted. I didn’t want her to die but I certainly didn’t want Sebastian to rescue her so she wouldn’t take him from me. What should I do? My mind was in turmoil and my resolve had been broken and for the first time in my whole life I really didn’t feel sad for someone in danger. What was happening to me? Was this love or is jealousy clouding and engulfing me? I asked myself these questions severally as we continued our journey to God knows where.

The car suddenly came to a halt and the sight before me amazed me and my mouth was left wide open.