CHAPTER 7 FRIENDS OR FOES?

     Befriending Mabel seemed a very good idea at first but as Devlin found out, it was harder than it looked. Although he continued giving her flowers and chocolates, she still seemed wary of him. On the day of their promised date, he gave her the book she wanted longingly. She was hesitant at first but when Devlin reminded her that it might not be available again as it was a bestseller, she accepted it graciously by giving him a peck on the cheek which made Devlin’s day. As it was still summer and too hot outside, he took her to the new Al Reem Mall. As they sat in a glass paned balcony overlooking the sea, he asked her what was bothering him for a long time.

     “Mabel, do you mind if I ask you a question?”

     “Not at all, what is it?”

     “Why are you wary of me and why do you always try to avoid and ignore me? Have I done something bad towards you?”

     “Not really, and since you asked nicely, this is only what I can tell you. I am wary of tall, handsome Americans or any Western expats. I have my reasons that I hope you won’t try to pry from me as I am very uncomfortable. I will do my best to be friendlier with you if that is what you wish but please do not seek more. Though I appreciate all the flowers and chocolates you have been giving me, I hope you would just stop. I am uncomfortable with them too.”

     “I wish to be your friend, is that not okay? Honestly.more than your friend but I would settle for a friend at the moment. “

     “I don’t know Devlin, there are just things I am not comfortable to speak of at the moment. We’ll just see, shall we? Just don’t pressure me please. Besides, I honored this promise of a date with you. Wouldn’t it be enough for now?” Not able to help himself, Devlin caught her hands in his and said what he wanted to say ever since she fell on his lap a year ago.

     “You were a constant in my mind Mabel and probably in other parts of my anatomy but no matter how much I tried my best to compromise you, you always escaped my grasp. I learned that to gain your trust, I have to gain your friendship first and I will settle for that so long as you will not avoid me. I have been trying to puzzle you out and you have been driving me crazy. Am I unlikable, am I ugly, am I disfigured, am I bad?” He said all these with a scowl on his face that Mabel had to smile.

     “You silly gander, you know those things are not true. Or are you fishing for compliments?” Mabel raised her brows quizzically before pulling her hands from his grasp which he reluctantly had to let go. Devlin couldn’t figure her out, one moment, she is friendly and even flirty and then the next she’s wary. Maybe that is her allure, that is what draws men to her, him included. However, he knew from observation that she hasn’t been in a serious relationship ever since she arrived in the UAE two years ago. Mansour also told him she doesn’t have a boyfriend nor a husband back in the Philippines but why is she so prickly? Devlin can’t understand himself as well. In the past he did not care if a woman ignored him, he just seduced her with money, took what he wanted and left her. For Mabel though, something is quite different, the more she avoids him,the more he wants her not only sexually but something deeper which confounds him. 

     Mabel felt Devlin’s unwavering gaze on her and it made her feel hot and cold at the same time. Noone has made her feel like this for a long time and she feels discomfited. What happened to her two years ago was still fresh in her mind and it made her wary of men who desire more than friendship from her. Sometimes she wished she still has the innocence that her cousin has. Ami has the innocent beauty that she so carelessly lost all because she thought she was in love. She scoffed at the thought causing her eyes to dim, Devlin noticed the change in her eyes, one moment they were sunny and then they became stormy.

     “Have I upset you again, Mabel? I apologize for staring, I know it is rude, I just can’t help it. Seating across a beautiful woman makes a man like me forget himself. I hope you forgive me.”

     “No, no, it’s not you Devlin. I am perfectly okay. I just remembered something. Say, is it rude if I were to request for us to go for a stroll? I detest seating for longer than necessary.”

     “Whatever you wish for Mabel, don’t you know by now, how precious you are to me, how precious these moments with you are. `Having said this, he stood up and meant to assist her but before he could do that she was already out of her chair. Mabel started walking out of the restaurant with Devlin behind her. In a single stride, he was beside her startling her which forced her to look up at him. The obvious admiration in his eyes caused flutters in her tummy and she felt her blush coming so she slowly lowered her face only to discover that he was holding her hand. She was not sure how it happened but unlike her experience with other men, his hold did not revolt or annoy her. It felt somewhat right and that is what made it hard for her. Everyday, she felt drawn to him and that scared her. She vowed never to fall for easy charms again, she will not be another man’s plaything ever again. She tugged her hand free and moved to create a small distance from him but Devlin wouldn’t allow it. Though he let go of her hand, he stayed close even almost brushing his shoulder with hers. But if it were to Devlin, he’d willingly encircle her waist with his arm and thereby declaring to all that this beautiful woman is his. He still does not know why Mabel is wary of men specifically of his kind but he will get to the bottom of it someday soon.. For now, he will be patient and be content with her friendship. 

     As they were strolling along, Devlin noticed that Mabel did not go inside the shops unless it was a bookstore or a shoe store. He paid particular attention to things she picked up and put down. When her back was turned, he surreptitiously picked them up and tried to figure out why and then he saw the prices which made him frown. Surely she can afford those but before he got caught inspecting what she had inspected beforehand, he put the things back. He couldn’t help asking

     “Pardon me Mabel, but I noticed you had been picking up stuff for children. Do you have kids in the Philippines? I meant no offense and it won’t bother me if you do.”

     “None taken, kids of my own?” Her face seemed to have contorted from pain but then she masked her features again. 

     “No, I have a niece and a nephew and I wanted to give them gifts but I can’t decide. These all look so wonderful and I am sure they will like them but I really don’t know.”

     “Why don’t you just buy what you think they’ll like or better yet, give them money so they can buy the stuff they want.”

     “If I give them money, that defeats the purpose wouldn’t it? I do not want to spoil them with money. I want them to appreciate the gifts they receive just like what my parents taught my brothers and me. I know my other brother will marry too and that means I have more nephews or nieces to shower gifts with. “

     “You only speak about your brothers’ families, what about you? Don’t you dream of ever having your own? “

     Mabel masked her reaction but Devlin caught the slight shadow of pain in her eyes. Instead of answering him though, she countered,

     “What about you? Do you have any plans of marrying someday? A wife, and kids?”

     Devlin was caught off guard with her question, not expecting her to turn the tables on him. Suddenly, a vision of Mabel rocking on a chair with a baby in her lap passed before his eyes before he shook it off. He opted to be honest with her though.

     “I am not closing myself to the idea because naturally I would like to grant my mother her wish, but maybe not in the very near future. I am happy as I am right now, unencumbered with a wife and kids waiting for me somewhere.”

     Mabel did not miss the “somewhere bit” and for some unknown reason she felt a tightening in her gut like the idea of Devlin marrying another woman and having kids as well was unacceptable. She gave herself a slight slap on the cheek not missed by Devlin. He looked at her closely before asking.

     “Are you okay Mabel? Do you need to sit for a while?” Noticing a set of lounge chairs off to the side of a corner shop, he led her to it and made her sit down. Mabel was touched by his concern that she gave him her genuine smile. Devlin was so dazzled by it that he felt a shock to his system. Had he known that a little show of concern would earn him her sweet smile, he would have done a thousand deeds of concern, no a million. Suddenly weakened by the sensation, he too sat down. Just then he realized they were actually in a restaurant’s lounge chairs. They have been strolling for a few hours and he was impressed with her energy. Since they were in a corner a bit far from most of the mall’s crowd, he ordered for the restaurant’s famous buns and got black coffee for himself and a latte for her.

     “How did you know, I like latte and my favorite bun as well!” 

     “I am a very observant person Mabel and over these couple of years I have known you, I noticed a lot about you although you probably thought I never noticed.” 

     Mabel blushed because it was true. She thought he did not notice her at all the last two years she was here. He only made it quite obvious this year. Trying to cover her blushed, she cleared her throat and blurted out the first thing that came to mind

     “You probably noticed a lot about the ladies you have been with so I don’t think that is debatable or maybe you have a spy but thank you anyway. It was so thoughtful of you.” 

     Mabel took a lungful of the latte’s aroma before taking a sip and giving a sigh of pure pleasure that Devlin had to swallow to ease the dryness in his throat. Can she not see that he is having a hard time controlling his impulses with her. It is bad enough that they are in a public place let alone separated by a meter-wide circumference of a table. To distract himself he took a gulp of coffee that nearly scalded his mouth. Foolish is what his brain was telling him. How can one person affect him so? He had seen women stripping bare in front of him but none affected him more than this full-clothed goddess sipping a cup of latte with pleasure, eyes closed. Wanting to distract himself, he stood up none too gently so that his knee rattled the table. Mabel opened her eyes and was surprised to see him standing. 

     “Wha- what happened?” 

     “Nothing, I just needed to stretch my legs.” Devlin hedged. Just for appearances, he walked around a bit and then stood as far away from her as possible. The way she was looking at him was making his control slip away every second. Probably the effect of the latte she was drinking but she looked so fetching and tempting with her tongue darting to lick the moisture left on her lips. He inwardly groaned. He never experienced this before. How he can’t control his body’s response to her was as alien as can be. Trying to feel as unaffected as possible he cleared his throat.

     “Ahhm, by the way Mabel, do you mind if we continue our stroll? We only have a few days before the cruise and I would like to ask you something if possible. That is if you are finished.” He motioned to her cup and the finished bun.

     “Of course Devlin, don’t you wish to sit for a bit? You know, just so the coffee and the bun would get to know each other in our tummies.” Mabel playfully replied while doing a spiralling motion of her finger towards her stomach. For some reason, the motion gave Devlin a different kind of idea and he groaned which Mabel heard. “You seem out of sorts? Fine, let us go.” she said seriously, the cheerfulness of her expression gone.

     “Mabel, it is not what you think”

     “What I think? And what would I be thinking Devlin, that I am boring and annoying you and you just want to go.” She knew she was being childish but suddenly, the relaxed atmosphere between them was filled with tension that she reacted defensively. She inhaled and exhaled for a long time until she felt a bit calmer. When she started to walk away from him, Devlin grabbed her elbow and held on. How can he explain to her without embarrassing them both. As it is, certain parts of him are reacting in a different way and he is having a hard time literally concealing it. His jeans are too snug already for his peace of mind and now that he touched her again, he was ready to burst but he held on wanting her to understand.

     “Wait please, Mabel. You know you do not annoy me nor bore me. It is just that, being in close proximity to you does things to me that would embarrass you and might make you run away from me, which I do not wish, at all. “Mabel looked at him with questions in her eyes but what she saw in his face probably answered them, thus, she slowly relaxed. Devlin let go but not before caressing her arm a little. Mabel shivered in delicious awareness and she shrugged her shoulders. Both of them did not talk for some time until Mabel checked her watch. She did not notice the passage of time because she felt comfortable and safe in Devlin's presence. She admitted to herself that she enjoyed the date with Devlin. She felt cherished unlike her previous experience. Devlin spoke first as he stopped and faced her. They were near an elevator that will lead them down to the parking floor. Only a few people milled about. 

     “Mabel, thank you so much for coming on a date with me. You may assure your cousin that she is entailed to all the steaks her heart desires whenever you both are with me.” 

     Mabel’s playfulness came back by quipping

     “Ohhh, so all these for Ami? I should have known you were attracted to her and that you were getting to her through me.” She grinned and that sealed her fate, Devlin pulled her into the empty elevator, pressed the P button and crushed his lips to hers. Attracted to Ami? Foolish woman. Though Mabel was stunned, she kissed him back with all the longing in her heart that she never knew existed until that moment. Devlin gripped her body against his and drank from her lips like a thirsty man. He tasted her mouth and was rewarded with Mabel’s moans. They were summoned to the present with the ding of the elevator and Devlin opened his eyes and looked down to Mabel’s upturned face. Her lips were moist and swollen so he kissed her again. He had to take control though, he was a civilized man and he wouldn’t scandalize Mabel in a mall. He respected and treasured her too much to subject her to his baser desires in an elevator in public though no one was about when the door opened. Mabel realized what she had done and she retreated farther away from Devlin like a cowering animal. Her harrowing experience came back full force and she was shaking.

     “No, no, Mabel, come here.” He pulled her back into his embrace and it was then that he noticed she was trembling, not with cold but with something else. Not caring if anyone was about, he scooped her up and brought her to the car. When the passenger door opened, he did not let go but sat down on the seat cradling her like a little child. He whispered soothing words to her all the while rubbing her back up and down. Whatever happened to her probably has something to do with intimacies like their kissing but he did not know what to do. She was still shaking but after a few more strokes, kisses to her forehead and strokes up and down her back,he felt her trembling gradually die down. He slowly settled her on the seat while he moved to the driver's seat but he did not start the car. He waited for her to compose herself. When Mabel’s shivers stopped, she felt the loss of Devlin’s arms around her. She was just grateful that he did not say anything and now he was waiting patiently. Mabel closed her eyes and felt stupid for letting herself go, she just felt so safe and secure that she just wanted to let go. She let her head fall back on the rest and heaved a sigh. She opened her eyes and turned to look at Devlin who was watching her expectantly. 

     “Varrick, thank you so much for all these but if you don’t mind, I just want to go home and rest. I still have work tomorrow and I want to start fresh in the morning. 

     Understanding that she is not ready to talk, Devlin nodded his head but his heart sang when she said his name. Now, we are going somewhere, he thought. 

     “Mabel, I am always here whenever you need to talk. No matter how busy I am, I promise to do everything in my power to accommodate you should you need my help.”

     “Thank you but you do not have to do that. You are not beholden to me, your life is your life alone. I can manage, it was only a moment of weakness, that is all but it won’t happen again. “

     Devlin was offended, was he just a weakness to her? He dared not say anything because he did not want her to withdraw from him. More than ever, he wanted her all to himself whatever her background is. His background is probably blacker than hers. He forgot to tell her of his plans about the PA post so he opened the conversation with that in mind.

     “By the way, at the mall I meant to ask you a favor until I got distracted. After the cruise, do you mind working for me part time until such time I found a PA of my own (which he found quite difficult to do). I have spoken with your employer but he said even if he would allow it, you have to be amenable to it. I know your employer is a fair man that is why I partnered with him. You will still work for him but as a concession I have to agree to you working for me from 5 pm till 9 pm, your salary will be fully paid of course by me.”

     “That…is… was unexpected. Do you want my answer now? Please give me until after the cruise to decide. “ Mabel was not expecting him to offer her another job and it rattled her which confused her. Instead of being grateful to have another source of income that way she could save more and go home to start her own life, she was unsettled with his offer. Her salary with the Al Fahezis was fair in her opinion as she is not a Western expat and to have a part time job would be wonderful indeed. It just makes her uncomfortable probably to be in close proximity with Devlin because that is what her role entails. Working with Abdullah Al Fahezi makes her always stay by his side most of the time, taking notes, sending emails, arranging flights or travel plans, etc. The only time she isn't needed is when business trips do not allow a companion to which she keeps in contact with her employer via video conferences, zoom or whatever available video conferencing tool is needed. Since Devlin’s new business venture is new, he would need her to be with him most of the time and that is what she thinks makes her uncomfortable. Well, plenty of time to think about it, she thought until she caught Devlin’s grimace.

     “Actually, I needed your answer ASAP as my partners are quite demanding but I will give you until before your flight if that is okay with you?”

     Mabel thought about it and nodded. Devlin was delighted but for a while there when she hesitated, he felt a bit of apprehension. He did not let his delight show though as he merely nodded his head while saying, “Good, that is settled then. Just in time too as we have arrived in the Al Fahezi palace.” he grinned. His grin was infectious as Mabel grinned too. 

     “I thought only Ami and I brand it as a palace, I never knew, you view it as such too.”

     “Ahh Miss Abelanco, there is a lot you don’t know about me (and I will teach you bit by bit)”

      Mabel alighted from the car and was about to cross the short distance to the entrance when she went smack into Devlin’s chest. He grasped her arms gently and although he wanted to kiss her again, he just rubbed his thumb over her lip. Mabel gasped at the sensation it caused. She peered up at his face and saw a hunger in his ocean-blue eyes. She felt thrilled but frightened as well. She suddenly went rigid causing Devlin to let go of her. Before he could apologize, Mabel lifted her head high and slowly walked towards the villa. Devlin felt proud of her bearing, she is really like a queen, his queen. He smiled with satisfaction.

     Inside the villa, Mabel went straight to her room but instead of resting, she sat down on her bed mulling over the particulars of her date with Devlin. He was asking for friendship which she was willing to give but then he kissed her and it disintegrated all his good intentions. His offer of a part time job also muddled her brain. She will just have to discuss it with her employer as she found him to be wiser beyond his years. Besides, there was a week before the cruise and she was excited. It will be Ami’s and her first time to be on a cruise and it will be on their cousin’s ship too. She was also glad that Ami seemed to have recovered from her disappointment over Rain’s choice of a bride. She noticed that part of it was Ali, one of her employers’ sons. He was quite taken to her but still did not make any move. Maybe he was just biding his time but Mabel was not worried. She was busy thinking about her cousin when a wrapped package on her table caught her attention. How did it end there? Curiosity got the best of her so she unwrapped it and exclaimed in delighted surprise. It was another book she left at the book shop. Excitedly, she opened it and saw a handwritten note on the blank page before the title page. The penmanship was so neat and looked like a male’s writing. It read:

Dear Mabel,

Seeing your eyes light up as you picked up this book made me want to see them always aglow so I hope this simple gift would always give you pleasure. I hope you will tell me the story someday. I hope you also enjoyed our outing today in the same way I did. Have fun with your book.

                                                                                                                  Yours always,

                                                                                                                       Varrick

Mabel was so impressed and affected by Devlin’s thoughtfulness that she brought the book to her lips. That man, she thought and then as if realizing something, she shook her head and dropped the book like it burned her.

     “Mabel, you’re being foolish again. Of course, he probably gifted countless women with books, jewelry and other expensive stuff to seduce them How typical of you.”

     “You talking to yourself again, cuz?” Ami’s head suddenly appeared from her door. 

Startled, Mabel scolded her cousin.

     “Ami, you must stop this habit of yours eavesdropping. It is very unladylike!”

     “Oh ho! Since when did you mind me eavesdropping? We both love to eavesdrop, ah, ah do not shake that pretty head of yours.”

      Mabel couldn’t help grinning at her cousin. She always brought smiles to her face. Ever since that eventful day, Ami had been her constant companion and friend. True, they may not have started off nicely but when Mabel needed her and Rain during her troublesome past, Ami never left her side to which she was very thankful because she didn’t know what could have happened. She patted her bed and Ami sat down with an expectant gleam in her eye.

     “Okay, okay, the date was wonderful. Devlin was gentlemanly (except the kiss). However, he asked a favor of me.”

     “What favor?”

     “He requested me to work as his part time PA until such time he is able to hire one. I was caught off guard so I asked if I could think about it. He gave me until the day before the cruise. “

     “Why wait? Is he not going to pay you well?”

     “It is not that cousin, I fear that being close to him might lead me to another disaster. You know how it was for me back then. He had been very nice and good to me and I feel myself softening to him which is not good. I am done being a man’s toy and I vowed to myself that I will live according to my own expectations. “

     “Are you perhaps reading much into this, cousin? He merely requested you to act as his PA for a short time and if he promised he will pay you well, why the hesitancy? Has he given you a contract yet?”

     “I don’t know cousin, I am thrilled and frightened at the same time..”

     “Why are you afraid? Has he hurt you somehow? Did he harass you? Shall I ask Mansour and Ali to beat him to a pulp? Wait, you can do that on your own.”

     Mabel chuckled.

     “Ohh Ami, you and your overactive imagination. We do not have to revert to violence. He did not do anything, he has been nice and charming but that is what I fear. Carter was like that in the beginning, he was patient, kind, solicitous, charming and generous. I learned who he was too late. I lost myself and I lost my… ba..” Mabel couldn’t hold her tears as she became emotional. Ami was alarmed, it has been a long time since she saw her cousin like this.

     “Cuz, no, am so sorry.” She gathered Mabel to her chest like a mother would to her child and rubbed her back. “Hush, Mabel, hush. It was a long time ago, let go of the past and live in the present. Remember, that is what you tell me? Mabel’s cries subsided and she hugged Ami tight before releasing her with a hiccup.

     “As I was saying cousin, I don’t know if it is worth it to accept Devlin’s offer of friendship. I know he wants more but he seemed contented to just be friends for now. I do not know if I will accept the position he offers, I will be able to save more if I accept.”

     “Mabel, you know your heart and mind better than I do. Follow your guts instinct but if you feel like you need more guidance, seek out the Sheikh or the Sheikha’s. I find them very helpful when it comes to tough decisions. Sometimes I wonder if they are older than their appearance. They seem to have answers to every dilemma. You better rest now and I will bring you some ice for your eyes, hey that rhymes.” Ami chuckled and somehow it brought a smile to Mabel’s face.

      “Thank you Ami, you go rest too, your Ali will be asking me questions tomorrow again.”

     “He is not my Ali!””

     “Why so defensive then?”

     “Mabel! You’re not playing nice. “

     “Well that means I am shooing you out of my room, so go. I need the ice, remember?” With that Mabel ushered Ami out of her room.

     Speaking with her cousin somehow cleared her mind. Live for the present, yes, that is what she will do and regarding the position that Devlin is offering, she made a decision and she will let Devlin know tomorrow. No matter what, she will not be swayed by charms ever again no matter how kind and patient a man is. They all hide their true colors somewhere deep in their skins and she will uncover Devlin’s. Yes, she has made up her mind. No more cowering or running this time. She will face her fears head on.