34 Small Talk

As the moments passed, I became more and more restless, just by anticipating Jordan's return. The time moved excruciatingly slowly, and I could feel my nerves tightening with every ticking of the clock.

I began to seek for things to do to kill the time, and for the first time since I arrived the island, I felt the need to make a call. I wanted to talk to somebody, anybody at all. But of course, Jordan had seized my phone from me on the day of our wedding, before we even arrived on the island. I hadn't suspected anything when he asked for my phone during our flight. But after we arrived at the island and he made the big revelation, I realized why he took my phone. That way, I wouldn't cause any trouble for him by contacting the people I know, or even contacting the police directly. It was a kidnap indeed, and I never even bordered to ask for it. I knew better than to waste my time trying.

There were no phones on the island. None at all. Jordan's men used walkie-talkies, and the maids used intercoms. So no, I could not call anyone. And there was very little I could do. I had sent Kaiti back to the staff quarters,

So I sat in my room, bucking under the pressure of anticipation that was eating me up.

It was mid-afternoon, and I was nearly dozing off to sleep when someone suddenly barged into the room. I quickly sat up, and when I turned around, I froze still.

It was Jordan, standing by the door, staring straight at me. He was was wearing a black shirt that was unbuttoned, showing his bare skin beneath, over denim pants. His rich black hair looked disheveled and wind-tossed. He looked as if he had gotten dressed in a hurry, and he clearly hadn't put any effort into his look. Yet, he looked so stunning! Even so, more stunning.

For a moment, I felt my heart pause inside my chest, and time stopped as I gazed upon him. But then, it was only briefly. I was stunned by Jordan's beauty only briefly. Because the next moment I let go of my breath, I realized that he had hurried back to Aggela. He was back because Aggela had called him. Mam Nana had been sure that he would not come. Even after Aggela's bragging that morning, ma Nana had assured me again that Jordan would not return

"The boss have important business that is overdue because of his marriage he went to." She had said. "He has no time for her drama now, I tell you for sure."

And yet, here he was, hurrying back because Aggela had called him.

My heart began to beat rapidly with a painful lurch, as Jordan took a step towards me.

"Stop!" I yelled out, putting up my hand to stop him when he took another step.

Jordan paused in his tracks, looking down at me with questions in his eyes. I quickly looked away, avoiding his gaze, hoping that he had not seen the truth in my eyes. Praying that he hadn't seen that even though I was telling him to stop, I actually wanted him to ignore my demand and come to me anyways.

But he didn't. He stood there. Still. Obedient.

"June..." He called softly.

"Why are you here?" I asked him, looking up at last. His expression was strangely soft, almost guilty, and his eyes were gentle.

Jordan looked confused and speechless for a small moment. Then he answered.

"I just got back."

"I know you just got back. A moment ago, you were not here, but now you are here." I said. "Why are you here? Right now. In this room." I specified.

Jordan seemed taken aback by the question, but he didn't look surprised anymore. In fact, he had a look of understanding. His eyes softened even more as he asked.

"Did you talk to Aggela?"

I looked away again.

Seeing that I wasn't going to answer, Jordan asked again.

"What did you talk about? What did she say?"

I remained quiet, and continued looking away. But when I heard Jordan move again, I quickly looked up.

"Stop! I said stop! Don't take another step!" I cried, putting up both of my hands.

"June. Why are you being like this?" Jordan asked in a small voice.

"I have always been like this. Did you just notice?" I asked, still not meeting his eyes even though I was looking up.

"Aggela was never supposed to be here. I never knew she was coming..." He began to say.

"From what I hear, this place pretty much belongs to her too. Some of your staff see her as the mistress of the house, I bet." I said, shrugging my shoulders, as my eyes traveled to the floor in front of Jordan's feet.

"Tell me what she said to you. Why are you being unnecessarily sarcastic?" Jordan said impatiently.

"There's nothing to tell! Why are you being unnecessarily nosy? Why don't you go ask her yourself? You came all the way back here for her after all, didn't you? You don't owe me any explanation. Why would you explain anything to me? It's not like I'm your real wife after all! This is all sham! Absolute sham. So, why are you acting like a guilty man who's mistress came over to the house in his absence? You do not owe me any explanation!" I nagged.

Jordan looked at me for a long moment, with an unreadable gaze.

"Yeah. You are right." He said at last, straightening his shoulders, which I hadn't even realized was slouching until that moment. His shoulders were so big, I could not tell.

I looked up at his face, every trace of softness was completely gone as if it was never there. The tone of his voice had changed too. He was beginning to sound more like himself. "I owe you no explanation." He said nodding his head. Then without saying another word, he turned around and walked away.

I gazed at the closed door for a long moment as tears clouded in my eyes, and began to roll down my face. I searched my mind over and over, trying to understand why I was crying. Trying to figure out what I was mourning. But there were no answers. My mind was up in a mess, and it could provide no answers to me. I had no idea what I was crying over.

So I sat there, with tears in my eyes, as my lips continued to mumble.

"You've gone crazy. June, you've gone completely mad!"