Two A.M. Confessions

[A WEEK LATER]

“Mummy, please don't leave me again. I'm all alone.”

“Mummy, please. Take me with you.”

“Mummy! Mummy!!”

“Please!” Jamila jerked awake from her sleep, her chest heaving with uneven breaths.

She glanced at the other side of the bed to find it empty. It was currently 2am, and Drew still hadn't come home.

She immediately dashed out of the room, padding down the stairs and into the library.

“Jamila?” Malakai's voice came from across the room, making her flinch.

Even though this was his house, she still wasn't expecting to see him here.

“Uh, are you okay?” His brows furrowed with concern.

“Yes—yes, I… um.” She swallowed, hiding her trembling hands behind her.

“Sorry, I should go.” She quickly turned away.

“No, you can stay,” Malakai spoke, and she halted.

“If you want.” He added, and she secretly rolled her eyes before turning around to face him.

“Victoria, let's pick up from where we stopped at the office. Goodnight.” Malakai ended the FaceTime and glanced up at Jamila.

“You shouldn't have ended your call for me.”

“Your hands are shaking.” His forehead creased as he gazed at her hands.

“Oh, it's nothing.” She replied, her fingers curled, nails digging into her palm.

“You sure?”

“I just had a very bad dream, that's all.”

“Therefore, you're scared to go back to sleep?” His lips quirked up.

“You could say that.” She laughed nervously and walked over to sit opposite Malakai.

He became increasingly aware of her thin and sleeveless nightwear, making him shift uncomfortably on his seat.

“What about Drew?” Malakai asked.

“He didn't return last night.”

“This is the second time. Does he always do this?” Malakai's jaw ticked.

Jamila remained quiet.

“How did you two meet?” Malakai inquired, changing the subject.

“In school.”

“I kind of already figured that one out.”

“We started dating in the second year… before he dropped out.” She muttered.

“Look, I'm sorry for all the inconveniences Andrew has caused you, really. It's just—”

“Thank you for helping me with my car the other day.” Jamila interrupted, “I already got it back from the mechanic days ago.” 

“I'm glad I was able to help.” He responded, drumming his fingertips on the hard wood.

“So… what do you do?”

“Andrew didn't tell you?” Malakai looked at her, surprised.

“Nope.” Jamila shook her head.

Malakai sighed out.

“I’m into real estate. Currently, I'm trying to close a huge business deal, but it's difficult.”

“Why is it difficult?”

“This client is… different.”

“Different how?”

Malakai leaned back in his chair.

“He doesn't care about the numbers. The project is a solid one, and he knows that.”

“Then why is he still delaying?” Jamila frowned.

“That’s what I still can't wrap my head around.”

“Hmm… maybe he doesn't trust you.” 

“Excuse me?” Malakai's brows drew together.

“I'm not saying you're untrustworthy or whatever,” Jamila quickly explained.

“I think maybe there's something else he's looking at. Something like… you, I guess.”

“Me?” Malakai scoffed.

“Maybe he's interested in who he's doing business with, not what you're offering, Malakai.”

Malakai remained silent, letting her words sink in.

“You seem so good at this.”

“I'm a business and finance major, Daddy." She winked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

Malakai's gaze flicked to her chest momentarily and then to her eyes, making Jamila self-conscious. 

And that was when she noticed her heart rate had returned to normal and her hands had stopped trembling.

~~~~~

Drew and Jamila strode into the kitchen and met Malakai taking coffee while discussing with Nathaniel.

"Morning,” Jamila greeted, adjusting her checkered shirt, and Malakai's eyes went to her on instinct.

His eyes drifted to the sliver of exposed, flawless skin, visible as a result of her white cropped top, which ended above her navel. 

Then his gaze traveled down to the high-waisted jeans, which clung to her curves.

“Ow, fuck.” Malakai cursed under his breath.

“We're having a pool party for my friend Troy's birthday tonight.” Drew told Malakai, snapping him out of his wayward thoughts, “You know Troy, right?” 

“No, Andrew. I don't know him.” Malakai replied flatly.

"Well, we're having the party here tonight. Just wanted to give you a heads up.”

“When will this party end?”

“Are you seriously asking me that?” Drew laughed, taking an apple from the fruit basket.

Drew faced Jamila. “You'll be at the party, right, babe?” 

“Yeah, sure.” Jamila responded, hooking the straps of her tote bag on her shoulders.

“Is breakfast ready, Nathan?” Drew asked.

“It's at the dining room, Andrew,” Nathaniel replied, his lips set in a thin line.

"Nice—and Dad, I collected one of your credit cards last night.” Drew announced and sauntered out of the kitchen before Malakai could respond.

Nathaniel turned towards Jamila.

“You won't have breakfast?” 

“Unfortunately not.” She pouted and glanced at the time on her phone. “I have a class by 8am, and I absolutely cannot be late. That lecturer is strict as hell.”

“Then, I can pack up something for you.” Nathaniel offered.

“Really?” Her face lit up.

“Just give me five minutes.”

“Oh, Ava is outside. We're leaving together.”

“The tigress? I’ll pack some for her too.” Nathaniel grinned. 

“Tigress?” Jamila laughed.

“She's feisty.” He responded, and his gaze fell on Malakai, who gave him a knowing smirk.

~

“Took you long enough.” Ava remarked, dropping her phone as Jamila entered her car.

“Take this. It's from Nathan.” Jamila handed the lunch to her.

“The chef?” Ava blinked. 

“Yeah. I told him you were waiting out here.”

“Oh. Okay. That's nice of him.” Ava glanced away, fiddling with the steering wheel.

"Awkward,” Jamila sang.

“Shut up.” Ava rolled her eyes, peeling out of the driveway.

~~~~~

“Drew, stop.” Jamila moved her face away as Drew attempted to kiss her.

“Jeez, let's have fun, babe.”

“All these people are watching.” Jamila whispered, casting a quick glance at Drew's friends who were watching them.

She was sitting on the edge of the pool, while Drew—who was shirtless in the water—stood between her legs.

“They don't care; they're my friends.” Drew laughed, pulling down the loose top she wore over her bikini.

Jamila moved her shoulder out of his hold, frowning.

“Well, I care.”

“Stop being such a buzzkill,” Drew chastised with a hiss.

“I have to go.” She hastily stood up, Drew's laughter mixed with the loud music following her as she left the place.