Chapter 3
244 Words
Chapter 3Trying to avoid thinking of me and Khalid, or everything that had happened since he had left Vancouver, Aziz picked up a book from the airport bookstore, and was now reading it on the flight to Paris. James had told him to go to the Maison Marianne and to call his room as soon as he got there. Aziz couldn’t concentrate on his reading, however. He tried watching a movie, to no avail. His main concern was my reaction when I would find him lodging in the same hotel, being there when I probably didn’t want him there and trying to help when I thought I would not need his help. He didn’t want to bother me. I would have enough to deal with in the next few days, without having to worry about him, he surmised. He was quietly satisfied that I would not marry the likes of Khalid now. If he knew anything about me, deceit was the one thing I hated from anyone, and Khalid had deceived me in countless ways.
Turning the pages of his book distractedly, he resolved not to stay at the Maison Marianne. He had to be nearby, yes, but not underfoot. That was no way to be the “back-up” James wanted him to be. He had no idea how this whole affair would unfold, but he knew he didn’t want to be part of the problem, or create one where there was no need for him to do so.
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