𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞

Chapter Eighteen

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Matthew disappeared the following week before they could start their affair without a word. He didn't call or text. It didn't matter that he hadn't asked for her phone number; Imani was convinced he knew it, and if he did not, he had the power to get it.

She was angry, really vexed and anxious because she thought he had changed his mind; she wouldn't blame him. As rude as it was to make that decision and not tell her, he was a man of substance, she hadn't forgotten, and the news of him every day didn't help the matter.

Life was so unfair, Imani thought as she watched Matthew for the umpteenth time that day on CNN talking about his company, tech and his personal life.

"Are you still an eligible bachelor?" the reporter asked him with a chuckle; she blushed when she asked and who could blame her? Matthew Ocean was smart, funny and charming. He evaded most personal questions with witty remarks and gave very well-thought-out answers on tech, economy and his philanthropic work.

"Still unmarried," He smiled, fixing his dark eyes on the reporter until she blushed. It must be unjust for one man to ooze such sexual appeal, charm and intelligence, but no one ever went to war with the universe to level the playing field; maybe someday someone will but today, the world belonged to people like him.

"Anyone in mind?"

"No, not at the moment," he answered too quickly like he didn't have to think about it, as if he hadn't met a woman who could be his life partner. But that didn't elicit disappointment from Imani; she already knew it. She wasn't the kind of woman men like Matthew married, had affairs with, sure, but not life partners.

She wasn't Michelle Obama or Priscilla Chan or Melinda Gates—those were well-educated, well-spoken women. They could hold their ground and not hide behind their husbands like a scared mouse.

While she understood her place in his life, the more she saw him in the news, the madder she got. However, Imani accepted Lauryn's invite to go shopping with her instead of staying in the house and mopping like she had been doing since she discovered Matthew had no intention of having an affair with her.

She should be thrilled by the prospect of his change of heart, but she missed him. She had wanted the affair, the excitement of discoveries, the delight of having the right to kiss Matthew any time they were together in private, but most importantly, the chance to have sex with him—her first time —she had wanted him to be her first.

Imani made the mistake of romanticizing their affair, knowing Matthew probably saw this as an opportunity to sleep with her which was a fact, but the romance part of it lunged through her mind and stayed there.

Switching off the television, Imani rushed to the bedroom to lay out Jamie's clothes for the outing with Lauryn and her nephew. She would have a great time, laugh, shop with the little amount she had put aside for such an outing, and Jamie and she would eat out, something they rarely did.

Lauryn had become her friend; they called each other often, texted frequently, made sure they spoke when she went for classes. Imani liked how much their friendship had progressed,  but her relationship with Matthew remained a secret she would only tell God and no one else.

It made her fearful as much it made her excited. It felt as if she was standing on a cliff, waiting to jump; the exhilaration and fear plunged into her stomach just thinking about it.

Dressing Jamie was one of her joys. Even in cheap clothes, he looked as if he had stepped out of a baby model catalogue. His ocean blue eyes and blond hair, cut uneven, gave him a dashing look.