The Libra Affair by Daco

remember?”
    â€œJordan,” he spoke loudly, “if that’s really your name — ”
    â€œBen,” she scolded, trying to defuse him.
    â€œI know you’re not traveling under the name Jordan Jakes.”
    â€œWho told you that?”
    â€œDoes it matter?”
    â€œYeah, it does matter. I want to know who’s filling your head with lies.”
    His chest visibly tightened. “Are you Jordan Jakes?”
    â€œOf course I am, where did you get the idea I wasn’t?” She spoke harshly.
    â€œThe attendant for Lufthansa told me you had a different name. She didn’t want to, but then — ” He stopped suddenly.
    Diving in, Jordan said flat out, “It’s not safe for you to enter Iran. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
    Not listening to her, he said, “I want to meet your family.”
    â€œYou can’t,” she said.
    â€œAre you married, Jordan? Should I call you Jordan?” The intensity in his voice was rising. “And just what name are you traveling under? Tell me that?”
    Lowering her voice to calm him, she saw the hurt inside of him; emotionally, he was bleeding to death. “Ben, it’s still me, I’m still Jordan. And, yes, I’m sorry to tell you this, but I
am
married,” she said because it was as good an excuse as any other, and if this was what he needed to leave once and for all, then all the better.
    â€œI don’t believe you,” he stammered. “You’re not married.”
    â€œI should have told you,” she said sympathetically.
    â€œYou’re just trying to get rid of me. You’re not married, your body told me that when we made love. Remember that?”
    â€œPlease, Ben. Just go back home.”
    â€œNo. You haven’t answered my questions. And I’ve come a long way to get answers. Like why you really left me.”
    â€œBen.”
    â€œWho are you?” he pushed.
    The only answer she gave was her silence.
    â€œI deserve an answer,” he said. “You owe me that.”
    â€œNobody owes anyone anything.” She paused. “It was fun while it lasted. We had fun.”
    â€œIt was more than fun. What we had was great. More than great. Or did you forget that already?”
    More silence.
    â€œAre you hearing me?”
    She stood her ground.
    â€œIt was great for me. And I’m person enough to admit the truth, even if you won’t,” he said.
    A family of six pushed between them. The father bumped into Ben. Unaffected, Ben stood firm, staring into Jordan’s face. “I’ll go on one condition,” he finally said.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou answer one question.”
    Somehow she knew he would stand there forever until she agreed to his demand. But she had a flight to catch. “Ask it,” she said, hoping this painful experience would just end.
    â€œTell me honestly,” he said. “Do you love me?”
    It wasn’t the question she’d expected. She figured he would go back to the “who are you” question. Although with him showing up in Germany like this — desperate and heartbroken — his question wasn’t terribly farfetched. In fact, it was the perfect question for her to answer, truth aside, if it would keep him off the plane.
    So, taking her time to bolster her response and let the impact hit him hard, she stared into his eyes until the branch broke.
    â€œNo.”

Chapter 5
    Ben had come a long way to hear that “no,” but at least now he could move on and close another unsuccessful chapter in his life. Without goodbye, a kiss, or another word, Jordan simply turned and left him standing there, drowning in a pool of pity.
    All he could do was stand there and watch as the gap between Jordan and himself grew more and more distant. When Jordan was no longer in his line of sight, he turned and looked into a faceless crowd. All the travelers seemed to know where