Chapter 29: Chapter 29

- Converse

James's pov

"James!" I heard mum yell— she wasn't anywhere close.

I was half asleep or trying to sleep, so I could only reply with a lazy groan.

I couldn't sleep the night before. I spent the whole night thinking of her. Of her soft lips on mine. Of her honey-colored eyes piercing through mine. And most of all, I spent the night thinking about how spending time with her again was going to be like, this time a large amount of tense air cleared. Yes, we still had things to talk about, but it was almost cleared between us and something told me next time was going to be different. In a good way.

The air I didn't need to be cleared was the one that tensed anytime we were in the same four walls, it was always so epic knowing I affected her the way she did me. I knew working with her was going to be interesting, but the self-control it would take for me to not touch her any opportunity I got needed to be beyond me.

After I had given her the cup of coffee yesterday, I knew I needed to leave. I'd covered all I wanted to with her for that day. And seeing her eyes lit the way it had made me imagine non-work related things. I knew I wouldn't be able to stop myself from kissing her, and the urge increased when she unconsciously bite her lips.

I had to leave the office before I comprised the two weeks assignment Mr. Barbson gave me. I still wondered, why me?

It could've been Dawn, but he picked me, saying I was the best. I damn right almost told him I couldn't keep my hands to myself when the assignment in question was with his daughter, but I held back.

"Jamey," mum called again, this time entering my room.

"Mum," I whined, ducking under my duvet.

She giggled and threw it off my body.

"Still my big baby," she cooed and I smiled.

"Why didn't you answer the first time?"

"Because," I started as I sat up, "You were yelling, plus I couldn't strain my voice."

"I agree. Seeing as I came for gossip I don't care if you answered or not." she grinned sheepishly.

I gave her a questioning look.

"What?" she shrugged. "I just want to talk to my son."

I inhaled. "Fine," I told her begrudgingly.

"What about? Work? Family? Dad?" I asked and all she did was grin.

Oh no, she only gets like this when she knows something, the thought of it scared me. I dreaded what she knew or didn't.

"If you're going to talk to me about my absence from work yesterday, I'd have you know dad assigned me to Barbson Empire —for reasons unknown to me— to put Deila through wi-"

"Shh," she placed her index finger on my lips, shutting me up. "you're blabbing, did you know that?"

I sighed. She had me there. "I know. So, what do you want to talk to me about then?"

"I know Mr. Barbson borrowed your assistance. And for Dei." she winked for the last part.

Shit. I cussed, wondering what she knew.

"When were you going to tell me?"

Okay, here goes nothing. Or everything. I bet she knew and a part of me was sure she always did.

"About?" I shrugged, still putting on my nonchalant facade.

She took my hands, holding them affectionately. "Times' up. Open up."

"Did you just say that for rhyme, or...?"

She tittered. "Both "

"Alright then," I sighed defeatedly. "What do you know and what do you not?"

"Let's pretend I don't know anything, so tell me everything."

I frowned in disapproval.

"Okay, okay." She held up her hands. "Tell me what you want to then. Just tell me something. Or should I refresh your memory on how you introduced yourself as her ex at the wedding reception?"

I had to chuckle with the look she had on like she was some investigative journalist that just got a lead in an investigation. Or had gotten a sketch and wanted to place a BOLO.

"I introduced myself to her friends. You weren't there," I stated the obvious.

She shrugged. "What does that matter? What matters is, I know. Always did." she assessed me. Thought as much, I thought making sure my features were expressionless.

"Did you think you'd date Deila and nobody would know? Not us? Not her parents? Oh c'mon." She rolled her eyes. "Why didn't you come forth with it though? Didn't you think we deserved to know?"

Shit. Shit. what am I supposed to answer to that? I asked, frustration sipping in.

This was why we didn't tell them. We knew they wouldn't approve even though we didn't need them to. There were judgmental in their approaches.

They would've reminded me Dei was like a sister to me, but what they didn't know was I never saw her as one. Not once did I ever see her as a sister. I had always seen her as a woman and had loved her from the first time I saw her.

I had always been scared to come forth to her with it, and that night we confessed our feelings for each other via WhatsApp, was my best night ever. It started as a joke, then she asked if I was for real and I had typed 'yes' with shaky hands.

It was surreal and ended as quickly as it started. Just four months. I didn't even get the chance to wrap my head around it. Didn't get the chance to show her I did love her. She didn't let me in, not fully. Maybe she did in the first two months before she closed up for the remaining two.

"This is exactly why I didn't tell y'all." I sat upright.

"Why?"

"Because you're doing just what I thought you'd. Judging me. What's next? Are you going to tell me she was like a sister to me? Because I never saw her as one. "

She smiled when I didn't expect her to. "That's where you're the wrong baby. I'm not judging you, and never had I insisted you think Dei as your sister."

"You don't?" I asked in disbelief.

"No, Jamey, I don't. I always knew you had a crush on her as a child. I saw how she'll secretly look at you when you weren't paying attention, and you did that too. We'd always see it— I and your father and her parents— and laugh so hard."

"Oh, wow. So y'all knew? And we kept it secret when it was opened."

"Yeah, stuff like that," she brushed off. "So you can come forth with it now, are you two still sailing?"

I bellowed at her choice of words. "Mum," I groaned. "I'm going to take a shower."

I was going to shut the bathroom door when she stuck her foot, hindering it from shutting.

"Shower mum. I'm going to take a shower."

When she didn't leave I sighed, crossing my hands on my chest.

"What?" she asked innocently. "You go take a shower. We'll talk while you're at it. I bathed your naked body for the first eight years of your life, remember?" she shook her brows.

I chuckled, looking at the woman who birthed me with so much adoration. I loved her so much. So much that it hurts looking at her because every time I saw her, I remembered...

"Don't you dare go there Jamey, please?"

I hated myself when I saw her eyes close like she was trying to hold back tears.

"I'm sorry, mama." I skimmed a kiss on her cheek. "Where were we?"

She cleared her throat. "Much better. Tell me, do you still love her?" Her knowing smile was back on.

"I can't stop." My voice was hoarse, there was something about going emotional with my mum that always closed my throat.

"For a handsome playboy like you," she paused with a smirk. "I must say, I'm taken aback."

I rolled my eyes inwardly. Even my mum thought I was a playboy, it was one thing to suspect she thought so and it was another thing to hear her say to my face. I knew I looked like one, I've been told, but then looks could be deceiving and in my case ironic.

But then there was amusement laced in her tone.

"You don't think I was serious about the playboy part, or do you?" she mused when she saw I had. "Are you kidding me?"

I shrugged. "Half the world thinks that."

"Half the world isn't your mama." She reached up, ruffled my hair, kissed my cheeks, and patted my face. "Get on with it."

As soon as she left, I stepped back into the room to start my workout.

After doing fifty push-ups in a row, I started my arm roll. I was supposed to jog before doing those, but I decided to do away with jogging for the day. I needed a real gym, and thankfully my penthouse had one, an equipped one at that. I couldn't wait to use it for real.

My shoulders dropped when I remembered I hadn't told my family. Dad and Zara, I could face, but my mum? I didn't know where I'd get the courage to tell her. But I'll, soon.

How soon though? Don't you plan on moving in this Friday? Dawn's words from yesterday echoed in my head.

Soon enough, I'd tell her. Soon.

She'd have to understand. I'd gone years craving my own space, and I couldn't bring myself to crave it enough to pursue it. But now I had. I hated leaving the house. I hated that soon, my mum wouldn't be the first face I saw every morning. But I made sure my place was close enough with her in mind.

I'd have to tell her soon. I dreaded that day.

After my exercises, I took a shower and dressed up in jean shorts and a wife-beater before making my way downstairs.

I was met with a full house, but not to my surprise— every day was Zara's day to pack the house full with her college mates. Another reason my own space was necessary.

"Hey handsome," I heard a voice call as I made my way to the kitchen.

I continued walking to where I was headed, not meaning to be a snub, but my stomach needed to be feed.

"Hey there, James. Aren't you happy to see us?" I heard another voice ask.

I sighed, half turning to them "Hey," I gave them the best smile I could. At that moment, it was one of I'm- bored- to hell.

"Hey yourself, beautiful," it was another voice.

I smirked when I turned to them fully and was met with blushing faces.

I looked to the side to see the blonde from the wedding reception. What was her name, Alexander?

I pointed at her maniacally. "You're Zara's friend?" I asked surprised

"Yeah, she's my new friend. Met her at Mari's bridal shower," Zara answered.

The blonde pointed at Zara, then at me. "Wow! he's your brother?" Though her voice had a surprise edge to it, her features didn't look so surprised.

She started making her way to me. Then she stopped when she reached me, extending her hand for a shake which I took.

"Nice to see you again, James."

"Yeah, erm?" I arched my brows, trying to remembering her name. "Ale-"

"No, Cassandra. It's Cassie for you." She winked and I realized she still held my hands firmly in hers.

"Uh-uh. Cassie, it is." I smiled tightly, removing my hands from hers.

My hungry stomach chose then go growl. fucking embarrassing

It was so loud that it filled the room. I heard Zara laugh, and her friends immediately followed suit. All except Cassie. Her features contorted, she was visibly trying to hold in her laughter.

She turned to them. "Hey, it's alright. Everyone gets hungry," she reasoned and I chucked.

"It's okay to laugh," I told her and she snickered. "Bye ladies "

Halfway into breakfast, I heard footsteps approaching.

"Hey new friend," I heard a familiar voice from behind. Cassie. "Or am I?"

"Hey, sorry," I said with a full mouth, gesturing to my food.

She giggled. "You don't have to be sorry, handsome." she winked and I nodded.

We talked about minor things since I didn't have to be anywhere at that time.