Sequoia Valley: Risk (Free Preview)

13

Jâsim had been on tenterhooks for over a week, hoping against hope that Aileen might reconsider her stance enough to speak with him; that she’d think about it enough to make her want to give him a chance. Despite his own feelings on the subject, he made no contact nor did he attempt to. He followed his usual routine of leaving groceries on the doorstep without meeting her, nor did he approach if he happened to glimpse sight of her on a public street. 

He would not force his company or attention on her when he knew she didn’t want it. The fact that she was avoiding the park was vocal enough. Instead, he prayed Istikhârah and waited. 

Then it finally happened. She came to him in the early morning on his day off as he was seated on the swing, staring into the snow. So immersed in his thoughts, he was unaware of her approach until her voice called his attention. 

“Your offer... Does it still stand?”

Jâsim carefully raised his eyes to look at her, to ensure it was whom he’d thought. As he took in her clasped hands, rigid posture, pale countenance, and wide eyes, only one thought passed through his mind. She’s terrified. 

He slowly nodded, not remarking on the feelings she showed. Deep down, he had already known she wouldn’t be thrilled to accept the offer. “Of course.”

Aileen took in a deep breath and then exhaled. She shifted her feet and looked away from him. Then she looked back at him, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. 

Jâsim gestured to the other swing. “Why don’t you sit?”

She nodded stiffly and moved away from where she stood before him to sit slightly away in the next swing. He waited for her to speak, but she was silent. Eventually, he heard the creak of the swing as she rocked back and forth but still not a word was spoken. 

“I’ll accept your offer,” she finally said, her voice low and filled with the same uncertainty he’d seen in her eyes. “But I have conditions.”

Jâsim didn’t mind. It would have been odd that she didn’t after the relationship she’d had before. “Okay. What are they?”

“You said you’d send me back to school,” she began, her voice timid and uncertain. “I want your word.”

“Sure,” he said agreeably. “That will be arranged as soon as you want.”

“Second thing, I want separate bedrooms.”

Her tone then was terrified, as if she’d crossed a forbidden boundary that promised retribution. But Jâsim wasn’t troubled by the request. He was a practical stranger to her after all. It was only fair to give her the time she needed to get to know him and learn to trust him.

“Fine,” he said simply. “Anything else?”

“When I want to be left alone, I’d appreciate it if you’d do as I ask.”

That was as good as telling him that Jeremy had not. She’d probably had no privacy, no space, and no rights. But Jâsim was determined to be the very opposite. 

“Of course,” he replied, restraining the anger toward her ex-boyfriend. “Do I get to add my own conditions?”

For a long moment, she was absolutely silent. Just as he was thinking she might deny him or even not answer at all, she spoke up, “Okay.” 

Her voice trembled, but Jâsim was confident she’d soon feel set at ease once she heard his conditions. “I want company on my early morning trips to the park.”

He was greeted with absolute silence. “You want me to come with you to the park?” she finally asked, sounding unsure she’d heard right. “That’s your condition?”