“He’s going to die for what he did to you.”
My eyes fill with tears, and I wipe at them. He crosses the room, pulling me into his embrace.
“Thank you,” I say against his chest. “When I saw Jasmine at lunch, she acted like nothing bad had happened. She even said I should talk to you, so you’d stop looking for him. I had no idea…”
His grip tightens, and he rests his chin on top of my head. “I fucking know what happened, Ellie, and I won’t forget.”
We stand there for god only knows how long. Each second in his arms makes me sad. I’m going home soon and I’m never coming back. Life will move on without me. My eyes water and I close them, so the tears don’t fall. Will Jafar think of me when I’m gone? He likely won’t, but maybe I can pretend that he will. I, on the other hand, will think of him every day.
Jafar pulls back and says, “Let’s watch some TV.”
I nod, even though I don’t feel like watching anything. We go to the living room, and he puts on an old sitcom from the 90s before pulling me against his side on the couch. I should move away, but I don’t. Instead, I rest my head against his shoulder. The episode we’re watching is where one of the main characters says the wrong name at his wedding.
Jafar chuckles. “I almost did that.”
“Did what?”
“Said the wrong name at my wedding.”
I peer up at him. “You’re joking, right?”
“Nope. Jasmine was looking at me, but all I could see was you over her shoulder. You were so happy and didn’t realize how close you were to falling off the step.” He smiles. “When the judge asked me to repeat the vows, your name was on my mind, and I almost said it.”
My heart thuds in my chest. I remember him tripping over his vows. I thought it was just because he was emotional. To find out that it was because of me is…
“It’s not the only time it almost happened, either.”
I shake my head. “You don’t have to say that just to make me feel better.”
“I’m not. I told you before that in another life we would be together.”
I’m at a loss for words, but he’s not finished.
“Sometimes when I’m alone in my penthouse that could hold an entire family, I wonder what my life would look like if I had seen Jasmine for who she truly is and followed my gut.”
“What do you think your life would look like?”
He looks at the TV, not really seeing it. “There are a lot of variations. My favorite is the one where I get off work and come home. You’re sitting over there at the island with a little boy who looks like me but has your eyes. You’re helping him with homework, I think. Or maybe just sitting with him, coloring.”
I can see it, too, and my eyes water.
“I bring home dinner because I know you can’t cook.” We share a smile. “The three of us sit down to eat dinner as a family. Something I’ve never done.”
“Your parents never ate with you?”
He shakes his head. “As soon as they could push me off to a nanny, they did. They both died when I was eight. He killed her. Rage of passion, they called it. And then he was killed for one of his many sins.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. My father was a devil and got what he deserved at the hand of my uncle.”
“My mom used to cook dinner every night. I think that’s why it’s so heartbreaking that I’m a terrible cook. I’d come home from school, and she would have a snack waiting. My dad got home around six and that’s when we’d eat.” I swallow. “After she died, that was something that we both missed. I remember a night where we had pizza. Dad was so upset that he threw it against the wall and left. I understand now that he was grieving.”
Jafar says, “I remember you talking about holidays at your house. It made me envious, and I think that’s why when I let myself fantasize, I see the things you mentioned. Leaving cookies for Santa. Gifts waiting on Christmas morning.”
“You didn’t celebrate Christmas?”
“My old man was a strict Muslim. Broke my ma’s heart to give up her traditions, but she did when she left the States to marry him.”