Chapter 10
I tossed and turned on my bed for the umpteenth time, my mind filled with his words.
‘I need your help, and I need you.’
He didn’t elaborate on exactly what he needed my help with but the deep meaning behind those who didn’t go unnoticed. He sounded like he was in trouble and desperately need someone to save him and that is what confuses me the most.
What kind of power do I have? How can I help him? Why did he choose me of all the sophisticated ladies that would die to worship him?
‘Argh, fuck it,’ I cursed, getting down from the bed.
Sweat covered my whole body, soaking through my flimsy nightgown. I felt feverish suddenly as I made my way to the bathroom to have the sixth shower tonight. His words refused to leave my thoughts. Weighing down on me, the more I try to shove it aside.
‘What the heck is that supposed to mean?’
The cool water hit me hard, grinding my teeth as I forced myself to stay under it just to get my temperature under control. I slid down to the ground, rolling myself up into a ball as his words keep repeating themselves in my head.
‘I need your help, and I need you.’
‘Damn it,’ I cursed again, getting up to shut off the shower before grabbing a towel to wrap around my compact frame.
The sound of my phone ringing split the air. I looked up at the clock on the wall that reads 3 A.M. and scowled. Who the fuck doesn’t sleep in their home?
I picked it up, promising myself I would curse her to hell if it was Kira calling, but it turns out to be an unknown number. Deciding to ignore it, I place it back on the bedstand, but as soon as I hit the bed, my phone started ringing again.
It was the same number. Whoever it is, isn’t ready to back down. Reluctantly, I pressed the green button and regretted it immediately.
‘Lexi,’ his rich voice sounded strained as if he hadn’t been getting enough sleep.
‘Mr Mustafa?’ I asked, to be sure. ‘How did you get my number?’
‘How do your clients get your number?’ he asked in return, and I felt foolish for asking him.
Of course, he would have found my number when he digs up information on me. The silence between us was stretching and even though he was a long distance away from me right now, I was acutely aware of him.
I could hear his laboured breathing and the almost silent sign he released now and then. The sound of his heartbeat became clear after some time, and I knew one of us had to speak or hang up.
‘Why did you call me at this time of the night? What is it you want?’ I was breathless with the way my heart keeps slamming against my ribcage, but I manage to get the questions out.
‘You,’ it was a silent whisper, but I heard it.
‘Why? What do you see in me? I am not as sophisticated or rich as other women that are around you.’
Silence filled the air again, and I was thinking he had fallen asleep when I heard his voice again.
‘If you let me, I would show you just how sophisticated you are.’ My breath caught, and I forgot how to breathe for a moment.
‘Mr Mustafa,’ I didn’t know what else to say.
What can I say in this kind of situation? He wanted me even though he just met me. No man ever said that to me.
It’s not like I don’t have men who want to date me but none of them ever walk over to me the first time they lay their eyes on me and tell me they want me that much. He wasn’t even proposing a date when we would get to know each other and decide if we would be good together.
No, he didn’t seem like the basic kind of guy but that doesn’t mean I don’t want hearts and flowers. I know his type all too well, they would have you do their bidding based on a contract and once they have their fill of you, they would toss you aside and move on with their life, leaving you to pick up the broken pieces.
‘Lexi, are you still there?’ His voice halted my thoughts and I realize I had zoned out on him.
‘I am sorry--’
‘—Don’t be,’ he cut in again. ‘I know it's a lot to dump on you, but…’ he trailed off.
‘But?’
‘I have been awake thinking about you Lexi, I know this must be too sudden for you, but I can't get you out of my mind ever since I saw you,’ he rasped.
‘I don't think I can help you the way you want, Mr Mustafa–’
‘–Aziz,’ he interrupted. ‘I would appreciate it if you addressed me by my first name.’
‘That would give people the opportunity to run their mouths and we don't want that, do we?’
I could hear him mumbling a curse word under his breath. ‘I don't care what anyone says, Lexi. I insist you call me Aziz.’
‘Well, I care,’ I insisted. ‘I would love to keep my private life out of the limelight.’
‘Lexi,’ the way he called my name almost have me agreeing to do whatever he wants me to do.
‘I understand you are always in the eyes of the public all the time because you are a celebrity of some sort, but I wouldn't like to be dragged into all the mess that comes with being the social media darling, not when it comes to Dravilsberg most eligible bachelor.’
‘Are you turning me down?’ He asked, his voice having that harshness and authority he'd used to address his team members during this morning.
‘I am so sorry, Mr Mustafa,’ I swallowed hard, finding it difficult to form another word, yet knowing I must put an end to this for my sanity. ‘I am not the woman you need.’
I hang up, turn my phone off and drop it on the drawer before tucking my leg close to my chest.
Today has been one hell of a rollercoaster, but I can only deal with it if I get enough sleep.
I don't know if I was too tired after having to toss and turn around without really sleeping or if it was the fact that I just shut down the reason for my sleeplessness, but I was soon dozing off to a dreamless mid-morning.