Mr. Imperfectionist 2

10- Life Is Funny

I had a couple of hours before I had to meet Rex for dinner. Arman and I decided to grab a quick drink at the hotel's attached restaurant. Arman went to change, and I dressed in a black tank top, dark blue skinny fit jeans, and a long multi-coloured georgette shrug. I then wore my black ankle-length boots and left the room with my sling purse. I knocked on Arman's door. He opened the door and let me in. He was dressed in a black shirt and blue stone washed denims. He wore his perfume while I waited, slicked back his hair, and rolled up his sleeves. No wonder women were crazy about Arman. He cleans up nicely.

"Let's go beautiful," said Arman with a smirk.

Rolling my eyes, I walked out the door. Arman clasped his hand in mine as we strode towards the elevator.

"Tell me honestly, Saanj," Arman said while looking at me. "How do you really feel about Rex?"

I sighed and looked down," I don't know, Arman. He is very attractive, but I don't have any strong feelings for him. I do like being around him, and I liked it when he touched me. But I don't think I see a future."

The elevator arrived, and we got in. Arman pressed the button and tucked his left hand in his jeans pocket, while his right hand was still clasped around mine.

"Feelings take time to develop, babe. You should go out with him more often and see how it works out." Arman said.

I nodded. "Maybe. But let's not talk about him. It's all very complicated."

"Well, let's talk about what happened back in his room between the two of you." He said with a smirk.

The elevator reached the ground floor, and the doors opened. I punched Arman on the arm and said, "Stop it."

We made our way out of the elevator. "Come now. Don't be shy." He laughed.

I laughed too and hit him again, "Shut up, jerk!" I said.

We are both chuckling as we walk toward the exit. There was a huge reception area between the elevators and the exit door. The moment my eyes fell on the reception, I stood frozen with my breath stuck in my lungs. My mind abruptly shut down, and my heart sank to the soles of my feet. I felt no one's presence around me. I wasn't sure if Arman was still holding my hand. The earth slipped from under my feet, and I attempted to remember how to breathe.

Sabil stood there talking to a receptionist. He was dressed in all black, like always. He had a beard and his hair had grown long enough to fall into his eyes.

I had only seen Sabil with a trimmed beard or clean-shaven. But even with a full beard, he looked beyond beautiful. His head turned in my direction, his eyes instantly locked with mine. I exhaled sharply and took a step back, still oblivious to my surroundings and unsure whether Arman was standing beside me.

Sabil's face was unreadable. There was no surprise in his eyes. He was either not too excited to find me here, or he was aware I was in Spain. He approached me slowly, his gaze locked on mine. I took another step back. My soul had left my body all along. I tried to feel alive again without taking my eyes off Sabil. I wanted to break the eye contact, but I couldn't. I took a deep breath and tried moving my fingers. I felt Arman's hand in mine. I sighed in relief. Sabil's eyes shifted on our joined hands, and then he looked at Arman with slightly furrowed brows, and then back to me. I still couldn't bring myself to look away from his face.

Sabil came closer and stood in front of me. I caught a whiff of his brilliant perfume. The same that he used four years ago. He hadn't changed his fragrance preference. The warmth radiating from his body only made me weaker-so weak that my hands shivered and my legs trembled. I had a feeling I was going to fall, so I tightened my grip on Arman's hand.

"Hello, Saanj," Sabil said calmly, without smiling.

I was still paralyzed. I stared at his gorgeous emerald eyes, trying hard not to cry.

"Do you know him?" I heard Arman's whispered voice.

I just nodded. Sabil's face was in front of me, and his eyes quickly darted to Arman in disgust before returning to our clasped hands. He returned his gaze to Arman, then to me.

He patiently waited for me to speak. Arman shook my hand to bring me out of my stupor.

"Sabil," I whispered, as the thick, warm tears filled the rim of my eyes.

My nightmares were coming true.

"I believe we asked you not to return to Spain." He spoke calmly.

His face was still devoid of surprise or excitement, and it was hurting me like a bitch. My fear's coming true. Sabil is not as excited to see me as I am. His feelings for me are gone. I don't see any happiness in his eyes.

"She can go wherever she wants to." Arman replied in distaste.

"And who are you?" Sabil asked, turning to face Arman. He inquired in the same matter-of-fact tone.

I sighed and tore my eyes from his face for the first time. I looked at Arman, who was staring at Sabil with furrowed brows.

"He's Arman...."

"Your boyfriend," Sabil cut me off before I finished, reaching out a hand to Arman.

"Best friend," Arman said as they shook hands.

Sabil slightly pouted his lower lip and shrugged his shoulders. He then reached out his hand to me.

"I never wanted you to return, but it's good to see you, Saanj," he said plainly.

I slowly moved my hand away from Arman's and placed it on Sabil's. His touch electrified me like it had four years ago. I needed more time to believe that Sabil was standing in front of me. I was touching Sabil again. A tear streamed down my cheek.

Sabil drew my hand to his face and kissed the back of it. He side-smiled softly, his smile never reaching his eyes, and turned on his heels to leave.

My heart ached. Why was he leaving? No, come back, please.

I wanted to sink into my knees and call him back. He can't just come back in my life after four long years, only to disappear again. I held Arman's arm to keep myself from falling. My knees still felt weak, and my heart was thumping hard against my ribs.

As Sabil walked out the exit, I noticed Emilio, who had opened the car door for him. Why didn't Emilio come to meet me? I thought we were friends. After closing the door once Sabil was inside the car, Emilio turned back to look at me. He didn't smile or wave. He just shook his head and walked towards the driver's seat. Sabil's car window was tinted. I wasn't sure if Sabil was looking at me. But I was still standing there, waiting for him to come back. But they drove away.

"You need to explain now, or you will lose me forever," I heard Arman say. He was upset with me. I didn't utter a single word. I looked at him and nodded lightly. It was time to tell him about Sabil.