Chapter 3
Baila stared at him dumbfoundedly, her mouth wide open in shock as she stared at him, for more than a minute they both stood like statues staring intently at each other. They shared eye contact that no one of them was ready to break, after what seemed like forever Tamar cleared his throat that seemed to revive her back.
"its good to see you again"he whispered to just their hearing. "same here"she replied coldly, it's been years and she doesn't know how to react after seeing the father of her kids after five years of separation.
"you look good"he compliments and rubs his thumb on his nose bridge before bringing it down. "you don't look bad yourself"she returned his compliment followed by an awkward silence, seeing him in person again after this long she finally realized that she somehow missed him she wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him but she couldn't bring herself to what if he pushed her away in disgust. She had expected to see him but not today when their kids are in the same restaurant with their father, she might seem greedy and yes she is her kids are her life she can't lose custody of her kids. She doesn't want to share them with anyone, not even their father.
mainly, while what was going on in Tamar's mind wasn't different from hers,he wanted to pull her close into his arms and hug her so badly. He won't deny the fact that he missed her after their divorce and she suddenly disappeared. He tried asking Amira after her but she didn't mention a word aboyt Bailas whereabout. He became restless and worried at the same time he felt regret and guilt after doctor smith told him she was pregnant two months after their divorce, he almost went mad when he heard the news she shared for her but couldn't find her anywhere he waited . Maybe fate may link them together again someday. and fate was really on his side because just a year after, he saw her advert for a cosmetic company on the internet and tried tracking her private life but couldn't. He finally made his shot after learning about her skincare company SKINS, He closely drew closer and wrapped his arm around her waist without thinking, she immediately pulled away.
"i want to use the…amm"she forgot the words to use, she had come to watch the stain of her cloth but unexpectedly bumped into her ex husband, what could he be doing in the women's restroom. "prevent"she thought.
"this is the men's restroom"he explained and her eyes widened in shock, she is actually the preventative here. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "Oh, I'm sorry,"she said and immediately turned and opened the door and left without waiting for his reply.she walked straight to the tabel her kids and Amira was seated without watching the stain away from her cloth.
'`girl what took you so long?''Amira asked, biting on the chicken lap in her palms not noticing the unease look on her friend's face. "We are leaving,"Baila said in a rush, the fear of Tamar seeing their kids; she just doesn't want to think of it.
"What! why?"the trio chorused with a light frown on their faces.
"I will explain letter, get your things and let's leave this place"she used and took her bag grabbing her kids wrist and they grumbling left their food. Baila and her kids walked out of the restaurant and waited for Amira who went to pay the bills while waiting in the car.
After she was done paying the bills she angrily got into the car and sat on the driver's seat while glaring hard at Baila who was trying to catch her breath.
"What was that for!''she asked with a frown settled on her face. "I me..met him"she stuttered her voice barely above a whisper and she locked gaze with the confused Amira.
"You meet him, him who"she asked, the kids seated on the back seat just sat quietly watching from person to another. They still don't understand the reason she just dragged them out of the restaurant without giving them a solid reason.
"Tamar"she breathed. "So is he the reason you didn't let us finish our breakfast, I don't even know what is wrong with you he is still going to find out about them"she advised. "Keep your voice down, they are listening "she whispered with her teeth jammed together referring to Paul and Paula Amira glancing at them.
"Mummy, who is Tamar?"Paula asked and immediately Baila's head fell flat on her seat as she closed her eyes feeling frustrated. "Am he is an old friend"Amira lied with a smile on her face but the twin's didn't return it instead they glanced at their mother.
"Then why is mummy running away from him, is he a bad man?"Paul asked when he couldn't see the face of his mum he knew she was resting her head with her eyes closed. "Mummy, is he a bad man?"Paul asked again.
"Hm..amm"she stuttered, glancing at Amira for help, Amira only eyed her with an annoyed look. "Cuties mummy didn't inform him about your arrival, it was supposed to be a surprise that's why she ran away so he won't see her cause that will only ruin the surprise"she lied and glared at baila for support.
"Oh yes"she smiled. "Really I love surprises,"Paula exclaimed. "ok let's go" she cheered and started the car before driving away.
Tamar grabbed the telephone in the private lunch he had seen his missing piece and he was never gonna let her go, after dialing the number the phone rang and the person picked up immediately.
"Hello"the person from the other end said. "Stop the investigation, I already found her, I need you to get me the camera footage from a testy restaurant this morning from 11:Am till 1:Pm"he said.
"Ok boss"the other person said and he hung up the call he walked back to the couch and sat down to open the bottle of wine that stood on the table and poured it into a glass cup before taking a sip from it.
"I promise I won't let you go this time"he muttered to himself then took another sip from the wine.
It's been three days now and bailas busy schedule has resumed. Amira has gone to work and she will be having a photoshoot with Georgia tomorrow here in Australia and today she is having a business meeting with Tamar, she doesn't even know how to face him today god knows she is hella nervous.
After dropping her kid in a daycare she walked back to her car where she met Alice and Felix. They actually came with her, they entered the car and drove off.
"Can't I just cancel today's schedule?''she asked anxiously. "But why have you been waiting for this since the day SKINS was opened"Alice said, glancing at her through the view mirror, she was sitting in the back seat while Alice sat in the passenger's seat and Felix was driving the car. "Guess she muttered.
After two hours they were done with her make up and dressing, she is a supermodel of cause she has to look super. They arrive at proillie cosmetics company just five minutes before the meeting, as baila walks in and some of the employees who worked here five years ago recognized her and greeted her back, Alice and Felix in a puzzle.
"Do you by any means know all of these people?''Alice asked, glancing at all the people who waved at Baila and she waved back. "Hmm"Baila responded with a smile on her face. "How?"Alice questioned. "Long story"she breathed and they walked into the elevator it opened and they went in the elevator door closed after them.
Baila bit on her nails anxiously she rolled her eyes from one angle to another wobbling her legs, truth be told she is hella nervous right now she can't just imagine sitting across Tamar while negotiating business with him without thinking of their past. She has been waiting for this collaboration since the day one she opened her brand, even while knowing that the company belongs to Tamar she never felt nervous or anxious before but why all of a sudden. Could it be that she missed him?.
"Are you ok?"came Felix's young and charming voice. He was staring at her throwing the transparent silverplate in the elevator along with an Alien who was glaring at her two. "Oh yeah! And fine''she smiled awkwardly. "Girl, are you sure you're ok? I mean we've been working together for the past four years and I know when you aren't ok"Alice said with concern.
"Am ok"she assured hiding her nervousness, just than the door to the elevator opened, baila inhaled and exhaled before going out while Alice and felix followed behind. Surprising to them she knew her way around; they just followed behind her in shock while glancing from time to time at each other. Baila waved to the receptionist on the floor like she knew her before and yes she did. After a minute of walking they stopped In Front of a big high-tech door that as the faces of models for the brand progie on it.
"We are here"she announced, earning a glare from both Felix and Alice. "How the fuck did you know your way around"Alice asked in disbelief. "A you can see"she replied they knocked on the door and a deep voice said come in from the inside sending shivers down Bailas spine, nobody needs to tell her who owns that voice. Only by hearing his voice increased the rate of her nervousness.
"Come in"the voice said and the door was opened automatically they walked in, as they walked in Bailas eyes met with that of Tamar's and she could swear for a moment she was lost in them. They both shared eye contact which none of them were ready to break and that didn't go unnoticed from Alice and Felix with Marlan Tmarss assistant who smiled a lot as he glanced at the both of them.
They only break eye contact when Tamar stands up to greet them. "Welcome"he greeted and they returned and they shook hands and started the meeting.
Few hours into the meeting Tamar was already interested with the business proposal. Truth be told he wasn't even listening to anything they were saying his mind was just forced on Baila who sat across him trying her best to avoid making eye contact with him, looking at her now after five years he can finally breathe in peace. Regretting his actions deeply it wasn't her fault that she was raped by that bastard person. If he were in her shoes he would have answered the call in panic and rushed over to his best friend's house in panic.
After three months of their divorce he finally relieved that he couldn't do without her the woman he has been engaged to all these while cares about nothing expect for sex money and vacation, she doesnt work a single penny but she is always in luxury. he doesn't have a problem with the woman he is in love with not working and that's if it was Baila but it wasn't her it was some other bitch who just pisses him off all everytime.
"Mr.Tamar! Mr. Tamar"Baila called as they glared at him. He was looking at her with a tiny smile on his face but his mind wasn't in their discussion. Marlan had to tap him on his fingers that were placed on the desk to revive him. "Boss you are lost"Marlan whispered to his ears that was when Tamar realized what he had been doing.
"Ok then the deal is sealed"he said he actually heard what she was saying he was lost in thoughts of regrets. "Like that?"Alice asked to be sure she didn't hear double.
"Yes"he replied with a smile on his face, a smile that was only meet for his Baila. "Ok"Baila smiled, handing him a piece of document to sign, and her team had a big smile on their faces as they watched him sign the document. Finally her company is gonna get the recognition it deserves. She too took the document and signed it.
"Looking forward to a better future with this collaboration"she smiled, handing over the document to Felix who took it. They stood up to leave after a handshake. "Ms. Baila, can you spare a little of your time?"he asked when they were about to leave. Baila gluhed in nervousness as she couldn't process why he would like to talk to her. She glanced at Alice and Felix giving them permission to leave and they left along with marlen.
Immediately they were left only in the office. Baila turned only to lock eyes with Tamar who was already staring at her with a blank expression. She was kind of confused. A moment ago she noticed he was lost staring at her with a smile on his face and now his expression has gone blank.
"Mr. Arerebo"she addresses him with his surname, he stood up then started to take a few steps towards her he met her at the other side of the desk and stopped a few inches away from her. "Mr. Arerebo, you are too close,"she explained.
"This is off business stop acting like we are strangers' 'he muttered only to her hearing and she glanced up at him. "We are ''she corrected. "Since when?"he asked." Since the day we both signed the divorce papers and I think you should know your limits please"she pleaded and it was followed by a short silence as they both stared into each other's eyes.
"I missed you, come back to me"he said and she only gave an eye roll. She knew this was gonna happen. "I don't do married men"she said and turned to leave, already walking a few steps away from him, but his next words stopped her leaving her eyes wide open.
"If you are not gonna come back to me a lot tell me about my kids. I know you didn't abort it"he blurted out and she glued in fear frozen in one position.