Eight.
Jason decided that we should spend more time together before we would tie the knot, with the help of my father, he set up various dates.
The media was eating up the candid moments from the dates. After the announcement of our engagement, the scrutiny into my personal life somehow increased.
Turns out, his family owned a couple of business ventures and the biggest one was a diamond mine.
There were speculations of a possible merger of the two companies which I found to be absurd since ours was family owned.
I received calls from our friends after the engagement went public. They gave me hell for not telling them first, which I apologized for.
I explained the arrangement to them. Even though they certainly did not understand, they supported me still.
Only one person hadn't called.
A knock on my office interrupted my thoughts
"Come in"
My assistant came inside seconds after.
"Ms Knowles, sorry to interrupt. Mr Samuel Black is here to see you, should I send him in?" I froze for a moment.
I hadn't heard from him since I broke up with him
"Uh, no. Tell him I'm busy" I told her, she nodded then left the room closing the door behind her.
I took a moment trying to gain my composure. I can't that mere mention of his name left me so disoriented.
A few minutes later, someone budged into my office. I found Sam standing across the room. She looked different, thinner and... sick?
"Ms Knowles I tried to stop—"
"Bey, just give me five minutes. That's all I need. Please" he begged. He looked really desperate and sleep deprived
I nodded. Keisha, my assistant, let herself out.
I stood to my feet and went around my desk but still stood a distance away from him.
"I know I shouldn't be standing here after everything I've done to you. I know I messed up Bey." He looked at me, I saw exhaustion and sadness in his eyes
"What are you doing here Samuel? We said all we needed to say" I said to him calmly
"I know Bey I know." He sighed
"Rob probably told you already. I know you hate me and I'm so sorry for putting your life in danger. Im taking my medication now and I'm getting better" he said. I was left confused
Medication?
What does Rob have to do with this?
"Sam, what are you talking about? And what does Rob have to do with this?" I asked him
He paused for a minute.
"She didn't tell you? I... um..."
"Spit it out!" I said impatiently
"I'm HIV positive. I found out about a month ago" he said
After he said those words it seemed like everything just stopped. I lost the ability to hear anything and I got dizzy
HIV?
Rob knew?
She didn't tell me?
"Get out" I said trying to keep calm. I could feel the anxiety
"Bey—"
"GET OUT!!" I yelled at him. He got the message and left
My assistant came running in seconds later
"I can't... I... I can't breathe" I struggled to say
Tears formed and fell down my face
Keisha helped me to calm down.
It wasn't the first time she'd seen me go through this and she's the only one that knows about my panic attacks.
"Are you Ok Ms Knowles?" She asked after I calmed
"Please call my doctor" I said
She nodded and left
I need an HIV test...
