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He gives a sad chuckle. "You will never be married to anyone but me. I told you back then, once we started dating, there was no going back. You thought I didn't mean it but guess what, I meant every word," he growls.

“A girl can change her mind. We are not in the dark ages. I can change my mind.” I reaffirm, but it sounds more like I am reaffirming to myself.

He laughs like I’d cracked a joke. I knew he was serious, and he meant it when he said no turning back for us then, and young stupid me dived in headfirst without questioning the depth of my commitment.

“I’ll leave now that I know we are on the same page concerning our marriage, and do tell Knox to fucking stay away unless he wants to test my wrath.”

I steam at his words and make no utterance as he leaves.

Slamming into my chair, I realize my life is back on the roller coaster again. I better buckle up for the wild bumpy ride, because it’s about to get crazy.

five

Naseer

I leave her office; at least she didn’t deny she is the same woman. I wonder who this Diaz guy is and why she’s still using his name.

Maybe the children, I answer my question.

She's still my wife, regardless of years of separation. I'm not letting her out of sight. l head to Josh’s office. I need a full debrief on Mariam.

Unexpectedly seeing her is throwing me off my game. I should be dragging her home with me, but something made me pause. I had to pocket my hands from touching her because I know once I touch her, nothing would stop me from having my way with her.

She has changed her perfume, but I briefly noticed the necklace I gave her on her twentieth birthday around her neck. It surprised me, but then again, I’m still wearing the Celtic symbol bracelet she gave me.

We should be running into each other’s arms like long-lost loves but there’s a force standing between us, I feel it.

Where has she been and who's the guy that left her pregnant and didn't look back? I want pictures of the children and this Knox guy who's putting a ring on my wife.

Barging into Josh's office, Ken is also seated. I pull the chair next to Ken and he and Josh stare waiting for me to say something, but I remain quiet. We can do this all day; they know I can. After all, Ken and I were college roommates, while now Pastor Brian and Josh were roommates. Though I’m closer to Brian, we are still a close group.

"The news of the hour is your need for an office and wanting to be here daily," Ken says, guess he can't help it.

"Yes, is that a problem?" I inquire though I know they won't tell me it's a problem.

"It will be a problem if your presence intimidates the staff and most importantly, Ms Diaz. What’s the story, and don’t insult our intelligence and say there isn’t a story because your eyes said otherwise when you saw her. Whenever we insist you show up for a meeting, your usual next move is racing out of here faster than an F1 car, but today you are still here after you stopped at Ms Diaz’s office," Ken spills.

"The staff will barely notice my presence,” I reply to his record keeping on my past behavior. Something, I’m about to change.

“Like that's vaguely possible," Josh chimes in as he leans back in his chair.

"I assure you guys; I will not be a problem to the staff. Ms Diaz, however … I need everything you have on her," l state to Ken, who am sure did all the research on Jade. My men couldn’t find her, but Ken and Josh found her.

"Why?" he responds.

I want to growl at him and remind him not to test me, but I control my attack instinct. "Because I'm asking nicely, and I might not ask nicely a second time. Also … Ms Diaz is my wife—she’s Mrs Naseer Raimlat."

I see their flabbergasted looks, but I continue like I didn’t just shock my friends.

“The information I've shared does not leave this room. Besides the pastor Brian of course as you probably guessed. Mariam and you two are the only ones who know, and I'll appreciate it if it remains that way for now. Till I find out why my wife ran away from me and asked for a divorce.”

"Didn't Orion say she just got engaged?" Josh asked perplexed, leaning forward.

"He did, but that’s a wedding that’s not going to happen—not now and not ever," I say, though the thought of her marrying another man is a stab to my heart, with a slow and painful twist of the knife killing me slowly.

"Naseer, are you trying to keep her in a marriage against her will?" Josh questions, as always playing Mr. Nice Guy.

“She and I committed to each other, and we’ll both honor our commitment, that's all I will say about this. Just give me what I asked for and don't mention this to anyone," I state in finality.