“Ellie!”
Arms grabbed my shoulders and shook.
“Ellie! Wake up.”
I opened my eyes to look into unfamiliar eyes. For a moment, I struggled against his touch, panic filling my brain.
“Ellie! It’s Malik.” The person informed me. “It’s Malik—you’re okay.”
I blinked and stared at him. His brown eyes were sorry, but I eased from his arms and scrambled away from him. Light floated through the curtains and I blinked again. “What time is it?”
Malik stood from the bed and checked his Rolex. “Just after nine in the morning.”
“Where’s Tarek?”
“He went out.” Malik headed for the door. “Wash up and get dressed. He’ll be back soon, and breakfast is ready.”
I let him go. It was strange to see Malik Jonas. But time seemed as it had been kind to him.
When I made an appearance, Malik said nothing. He merely set a place with scrambled eggs, sausages and toast in front of me.
“If you want coffee…” His voice raspy.
“I’ll get it. Thank you.”
When he didn’t speak again, I wandered off for coffee then sat back at the island. Though I picked up my fork, I wasn’t as hungry as I should have been first thing in the morning. Malik kept on cooking and I stared at his back. He was a little more muscular than Tarek, slightly taller and he seemed a little more poised.
The silence was maddening for it was only interrupted by the sound of frying.
“Not hungry?” Malik asked.
I hadn’t noticed he’d moved. I lifted my head and offered a one shoulder shrug. “You shouldn’t be kind to me.”
Malik arched his brow. “Why is that?”
“Come on. You know why.”
Malik turned off the stove, covered the food he’d made and sat across from me. “It’s hard not being righteously pissed off at you. People see me and then Tarek’s skin colour and think I have no right to be angry at what you’ve done. But he’s my brother. And I don’t give a damn about his skin colour. I would move heaven and hell to make sure he’s safe.”
I nodded.
“He’s been alone for a long time.” Malik explained. “He says he’s okay. I want to believe him. But after you, I know he’s afraid he’ll find another you and this time, it could kill him. He’s been staying alone because he’s afraid history will repeat itself.”
“I’m sorry.” I croaked.
Malik sucked his teeth. “Tarek says to behave.”
“Just tell me!”
“You ruined my family.” Malik told her. “You broke my brother and you took everything. You don’t ever do that again because you take away from the real victims.”
“I know.” I pushed the plate away.
“Then why?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It does to me!” He told me. “Tell me why.”
