Page 47 of The Cursed Chalice
Soraya tries to unbuckle her seat belt. “I think it’s stuck.”
“Let me see.” I lean over.
I bend, trying to get the seat belt out. I inhale Soraya’s warm honey smell, and it feels like it rushes through my body.
I tug the seatbelt one more time, and it comes out. I look up, and Soraya’s eyes look soft, and her breathing is deep.
“Thank you.”
I swallow, pulling away. “No problem. Let me open the door for you.”
Closing the door, I jog around the car. Opening the door, I put my hand out, and my heart thumps as her palm touches mine. I enclose it and help her out of the car.
Nisa is at our side, jumping in excitement. “Can we catch a movie after?”
“Maybe, let’s see.” I am still holding onto Soraya’s hand, but reluctantly, I let it go.
SORAYA
I swallow as we enter the mall. With another man, if they held my hand too long, I would’ve pulled it away slowly. With Ares, I wanted him to hold it a little longer. I feel so safe and cozy. That’s the thing with Ares; I feel safe and protected. But…I don’t know; something feels off. I didn’t even wear my baseball cap today. I’m fighting the urge to reach out and grab his hand. I will settle for the way his hot hand hovers right over the lower part of my back.
It takes an hour or two, but we got all of Nisa’s school supplies and some extra outfits for the house and school.
“We have to get you a phone.” Ares guides me into the mobile store. His phone rings, and he stares down at it and frowns.
“See what you want, and I will be back.” He turns and steps out of the store.
“Husband?” The cute male store clerk asks.
I shake my head. “God, no.” I look back at Ares. “He’s my boss.”
The store clerk pushes back his dark hair. “What are you looking for?”
I point at a phone; meanwhile, Nisa is holding my hand and playing a small game on the iPad attached to the table.
As the clerk tells me about the phone, he smiles, and his dimples appear. “How old are you?” I ask.
“Twenty-nine. What about you?”
“Thirty-three,” I reply.
“I always had a thing for older ladies. Maybe after this, I can get your number?” He comments as he leans on the counter.
“The only thing you will be getting is a death certificate to send your mother.” Ares’s shadow is cast over me and the store clerk.
The clerk trembles a little. “Me, um, go…help. Arista, help this couple.” The store clerk places the phone on the table and walks away.
I turn and look up at him. “What the hell was that?”
Ares ignores me as a new clerk comes. “Have you seen the phone you wanted?”
Is he ignoring me? “Come on, Nisa, let’s go to the car.”
Nisa’s completely oblivious to what is happening and walks alongside me, talking. I don’t look back to see if Ares is following us.
Just as I’m about to exit the store, my eyes catch the cute store clerk as he raises his hand to wave. I feel…what is that? A warlike aura, a threat? My throat closes a bit, and I pull at my shirt collar. I look back, and Ares’s eyes are squinting at me.
I turn back and head to the elevator. We can sit in the car and wait for him.
