Sitting up, I looked around and felt the same emptiness I had felt the previous morning. I tried to get used to it and forced myself up from the bed.
My eyes landed on the open window and I walked towards it. It was such beautiful weather. Walid had mentioned last night that we were going somewhere today.
He probably had some work to do and decided to have mercy on me and take me along instead of locking me up in the house.
Shaking away the thoughts, I went to the bathroom and took a shower. I got dressed into a flower print dress since it looked to be very hot outside.
Once my hair was dry, I combed it one last time and left it open. I exited the bathroom when I was ready and tidied the bed before unlocking the door and stepping out.
It was still early and I didn't know if Walid was up yet so I decided to visit the beach for a few minutes.
The cool summer air hit my face and I felt more relaxed once I stepped out of the house. I walked towards the beach and my steps halted.
Walid was standing there, fully dressed in his black formal attire and gazing out at the sea...
I made my way towards him and stopped a few feet away. I looked at the sea in silence, wishing for a brief moment to know what was going through his mind...
There was a strong wave fighting the wind, making me watch the process in silence. There was a comfortable silence between us for the first time and no one said anything as we both gazed out at the sea.
The silence lasted for a very long time until he finally broke it. "We're getting late. Let's have some breakfast and then we can leave." He said casually, making me look his way.
If I had seen him outside without knowing him the way I did now, my heart would probably do a jump at how handsome he actually was. I've never been the one to pay attention to men and their handsome looks. But seeing him would be an exception....
He was tall and his body well built. The muscles on his arms were always showing through his shirt, not like those big bulky ones. But the beautiful ones that were always there peeking through. His thick dark brown hair, almost black, seemed to be so soft and always styled perfectly. His short beard was trimmed in a perfect shape and his lips....
I stopped myself from thinking any further and almost shook my head at the unwanted thoughts.
I looked up at him to see him staring at me, a knowing look lingering in his eyes. "Yeah, we should eat. Let's go." I quickly said and turned around. He didn't comment anything but followed me as we went together to the house.
We arrived at the dining room and sat down. Razza had already prepared tea and freshly baked bread with all sorts of cheese for us.
I asked him to join us but he had already eaten his breakfast, as to why he left us alone in the dinning room. There was silence as we ate our breakfast.
My thought had wandered to my home and I wished to have breakfast with my family soon. I missed my mother's delicious home made cheese. My father's handmade tea. My little brother Sammy's constant whining, wanting me to make him dessert.
I had promised myself to stay strong, so I had to push away those thoughts and not let them affect me.
Dwelling wouldn't do me any good when there was seriously nothing to do about it at the moment...
Once we were done with breakfast, we had stepped out of the house together. "Where are we going?" I asked, stopping a bit away from the car parked in front of the house.
If I had thought a couple of months ago about my life consisting of being ordered around by the city leader of town called Walid Aydin, I would laugh.
However, life was a surprise. Sometimes a beautiful surprise and sometimes a terrible...
"We have something important to do and once we're done we'll go to the store, I need to buy some stuff." I heard him say before he got in the black car.
The engine came to life and I almost backed away, my ears not bearing the loudness of his car as he drove forward. He stopped in front of me and I silently got in the passenger seat.
I glanced at him as he accelerated, the car making it's loud sounds.
My calmness was surprising me. But I knew deep down that I was just tired. I didn't have more energy to spend in thinking and worrying about things I had no control over. I still wished to get away. I wished to go back home.
I just knew that I had to wait in order to do that.
~
"Please slow down." I let out, feeling my heart jump as I looked ahead of me. If I had known what kind of speed that man was going to drive in, I would never get in the car with him.
"I should take you on my special car rides more often." He muttered, making me send him a glare.
I was holding the seatbelt for dear life. "I feel sick." I lied, not bearing the speed anymore. I was scared for my life.
My trick seemed to work because he quickly decreased the speed.
He was finally going on a normal speed and a few minutes passed before he came to a stop. I unbuckled the seatbelt and dashed out of the car. "I'm never getting in that car again." I warned, backing away as he got down from the car.
"I'm glad you liked it." He said, pulling up his sunglasses to rest on top, reveling his dark brown eyes. But the next thing I saw in his hand made my breath hitch in fear.
"What are you doing with that?" I asked, trying hard to stay calm and collected.
Was he planning to murder me? Was that the reason he brought me with him?
He looked down at the weapon in his hand before looking back at me with a raised eyebrow. "I'm supposed to kill you now, cut you in pieces and throw you away in the ocean." He spoke seriously, his eyes dropping to the weapon as he filled the magazine with bullets.
My heartbeat quickened and I took a step back. I could already see my face turning pale as my whole body started shaking in fear. I looked around to see we were again, at a deserted place with only a building in sight.
"Don't kill me. I didn't do anything." I let out, the fear clear in my voice. He stopped suddenly and looked up at me. He stared at my probably pale face and shook his head in amusement. I realized that his words were once again, to torment me. "You don't let go of one opportunity to harass me." I let out angrily, trying to calm my racing heart.
He had really scared me this time...
"Why would I? Opportunities are meant to be taken." He explained, putting the weapon in the back of waistband and fixing his suit jacket, finally covering it from my view. "Let's go." His voice brought me out of the trance and I silently followed him towards the building, forgetting all my anger.
"What are we doing here?" I asked curiously.
"I am doing something here, you are sitting and waiting for me." He cleared, as if he was talking to a child.
"If you think you can just drag me along everywhere and I will listen to everything you say then you are wrong. You have already done enough by ruining my life. I seriously don't even understand what I am doing here with you right now. I will not let you walk over me again. You are-" I stopped talking when I realized he wasn't beside me anymore.
I looked around and didn't see him anywhere. There was no trace of Walid. I huffed angrily and stomped inside the building. A young man was sitting at the desk to the side, behind a computer. I walked up to him and cleared my throat.
"Hello, can I ask you where I am?" I spoke politely but the man looked at me as if I had escaped from a mental asylum.
"I can't answer, I'm sorry." He replied shortly and went back to the work on his computer.
I hesitated but tried again. "Can I use that phone please?" I asked hopefully. He looked up at me again and shook his head.
"You can't. I'm sorry." He replied.
"I'll give you money, I promise." I quickly said, not finding any other way to make him agree.
"Are you bribing me?" He asked in disbelief. I gulped and shook my head frantically.
"I am not bribing. I am just saying I will pay for the phone call." I corrected innocently.
"What are you even doing here?" He asked, looking around for someone else.
"I am just with a friend. But please let me make a phone call - I need to call my mom she is worried about me." I pleaded. He stared at me a for few moments while scratching his head.
"Fine." I stopped myself from jumping in happiness and quickly took the phone after thanking him.
I dialed the landline number and put the phone to my ear. My smile soon faded when no one picked up. If only I had known my parents cell phone number. They would most definitely pick up if I called there instead of the landline.
"Can I try again. Just one last time?" I asked and he sighed before motioning for me to go ahead.
Calling the same number again I waited patiently. My heart did a faint jump when my mother finally answered. "Mom!" I let out happily.
I couldn't describe my happiness as I talked away with my mother. I had missed her voice. I had missed her. It had taken me some time to calm her down and assure her that I was fine.
Other than that, I was finally at peace again, hearing my mother's voice. "Remember what I said, I won't give up. I am completely fine. I will be back before you know it." I reassured quickly when I noticed the lift to the side coming down.
"I love you." I heard her say, making my heart clench in pain.
"I love you more. I have to go. Take care of everyone. Bye." I cut the call quickly and put back the phone. "Please don't tell anyone I called." I told the man. He looked at me suspiciously but nodded.
"And I'm sorry, I don't have the money on me right know. If you can wait a little bit, I will bring them from the car." I had forgotten my purse in Walid's car and I had to find a way to get to his car and bring my purse, so I could give the man the money I had promised.
Even though it seemed like an impossible task with Walid being in the same building...
"There is no need for that." The man replied shortly.
"No, I will give you your money. If I don't manage right now, I will be back and give them to you another time. Thank you for doing this for me. It was a big relief." I thanked him.
"The pleasure is min-"
"What money?" I heard Walid cut in as he appeared from behind me.
"Nothing. You don't have to know everything concerning me." I said with crossed arms.
"Brother Lid. I didn't know she was with you." The man almost stuttered out.
Brother Lid?
The man's words made Walid even more confused, and a bit furious...?
"What money?" He repeated as if he had lost his temper. "What did you do?" He asked looking at the man.
"He did what I told him to do. You don't have to know. Now let's go." I said and was about to walk away but he warned me against doing that with only one look.
"I'm asking one last time, what did you do." He breathed out fiercely as he glared daggers at the man. I gulped and realized I had put the man in danger.
Why was he making a big deal? I had just called my mother...
"He just did me a favor." I informed quickly.
"You don't pay someone for a favor. What did he do?" He asked, this time turning to me. Anger was clear on his face.
"I bought something from him." I said.
"What did you buy? Show me." He said, stepping closer to me.
I took a step back and spoke up. "I don't have to show you." I replied just as fiercely. Who did he think he was?
"Tell me what you did, this is the last warning." Walid glared at the man. The man looked scared and I felt bad for him.
However, I didn't understand his emotions. Was he mad over something that I didn't understand?
"S-she just used the phone for a c-call. Nothing else happened." The man stuttered out in fear. Nothing else happened? What did that mean?
I turned to Walid to see him breath in relief. He ran a hand through his thick hair as if he was trying to calm down. His eyes met mine and I quickly looked away.
"Let's go." He ordered angrily. I didn't look at him and followed him into a empty room. I sensed that he was tense and mad.
Just as we entered the room, he pulled me by my waist and pinned me against the wall in a swift movement, making me gasp in fear.
"Next time I ask you a question, answer it properly...." He trailed off. I found it hard to breath as I gulped and tried to look straight in his eyes. "Or I will lose it and you will see the side of me that your fragile little self won't be able to handle."
His words scared me but I didn't let it show on my face. "I have endured the side of yours that forced me into marrying you. I don't think you can be worse than that." I said, glaring at him.
Suddenly, his hand raised and he cupped my jaw as he forcefully pulled me up, making me stand on my tip toes.
I was now almost looking at him straight with the same eye level. Almost.
"Trust me, I can." He spoke with so much determination that I felt like I would collapse if he had let go.
He finally let go of me when we heard footsteps appearing. "Stand still." He ordered suddenly.
I didn't dare to move as a man with a camera entered the room. I watched in confusion when he shared some words with Walid and then stopped in front of me.
"Ma'am, can you look straight please?" The camera man said, making me raise an eyebrow.
"Why should I? Nobody mentioned anything about me taking any photographs? Why is he taking photographs of me?" I turned to Walid.
"I need it for some documents, now stand still and look straight." Walid said, sounding like he was about to lose the little patience he had left.
"You could've at least tell me, I would get ready properly." I complained, looking ahead of me and following the camera man's instruction
"Don't worry about it. You look great." The camera man said suddenly, his words making Walid's head turn to him swiftly.
The man noticed and caught Walid's eyes. I didn't understand the look Walid was giving him but it definitely scared the man since he quickly muttered a apology to Walid.
After them having their little moment, the man took the pictures of me that I was sure looked like mugshots of a convict because of the furious frown plastered on my face.
Walid suddenly stood beside me. I looked up at him and then back at the camera.
Was this supposed to be our wedding pictures or something? How romantic.
Walid shared a few more words with the man before we finally left the building.
I looked at his back as he walked in front of me and couldn't help but think about the look he had given the man. I tried to figure out what it was. It couldn't have been jealousy...could it?
I shook away all the thoughts and got in the car silently.
~
''Are we there now?'' I asked, making him inhale as if trying to stay calm.
''If you ask me that question one more time I will drive down that cliff.'' I sank back in my seat and crossed my arms.
"If you had replied like a normal human being to my question I wouldn't have the need to repeat it." I defended, looking out the window as we finally arrived at a parking lot.
The car came to a stop and I stepped down. I tried to hide my face with my hair as much as I could when I noticed some people around the parking lot of the small mall. I didn't know where I was. But I was scared of being seen with him.
My steps moved towards the entrance but stopped when I realized Walid hadn't come out of the car yet.
He was still in the car, his shades were resting on his forehead and he looked a bit annoyed as he looked though the documents in his hands.
Some moments later he put away the pieces in his hands and got out of the car.
"Is the prince ready?" I asked sarcastically, clearly annoyed that I had to wait for him all the time, everywhere.
"I was born ready." He replied. "For anything." He added, stopping beside me as he looked down at me. My cheeks flared up and I looked away from him as we made our way towards the entrance.
"You are disgusting." I stated.
"I am not. Your mind is." He corrected, making me glare at him. We entered the mall and I realized he had been smart to choose a small mall with less people in it. I noticed the female attention Walid was getting, making me look up at him. He didn't even spare anyone a glance. It was like he knew there were eyes on him but he didn't care. Like he was immune to it.
"What do you need from here?" I asked as we walked into a technics store.
He ignored my question as he disappeared towards the car section. I glared at his back and started walking around the small store.
I held my distance from him while he was engrossed in looking at the things in front of him. He was so focused on his task that he wouldn't even notice if I just left.
I decided to do just that. I had told him he would regret taking me out with him and I should stay true to my words. "Don't even think about it." I froze at his words and looked at him suspiciously.
Did he have supernatural powers or something? I hadn't even moved from my spot and he was still focused on the stuff in front of him. How had he noticed what was going through my mind?
"I-I wasn't thinking anything." I replied and started walking around again, but not too far from his sight.
I looked at the lady cashier who was obviously staring at Walid. I cleared my throat to get her attention.
"Can I borrow your phone please? I need to make an important phone call." I asked politely.
I wanted to talk to my father. I had missed him a lot. I couldn't talk to him before because he wasn't home and Walid had arrived, making me cut the phone call.
The cashier had seen me walk in with Walid, which was probably the reason she agreed so fast to let me make a phone call. I took the phone from her hand and smiled. "Thank you so m-"
"No more phone calls." Walid interrupted me and snatched the phone from my hand. He handed her back the phone and I stared at him in disbelief.
"Why not? I want to talk to my dad." I let out, feeling frustrated.
"Have you taken it as a job to go around asking strangers if you can borrow their phone?" He sounded annoyed, which made me more frustrated than before. "You can just ask me if you want to call someone no need for all-"
"You are just as stranger as they are to me. So I prefer them over you. Also, you haven't given me the things I have asked from you. Some things as small as my own personal rights. What makes you think I will ever ask you of anything anymore?" I let out, trying to keep my voice low.
His eyes pierced into mine and I gave him one final look before storming out of the store.
I got away from him and wandered around in the mall, not knowing exactly where to go. I hadn't looked back to see if he was behind me, but I was sure he had found me by now. I sat down somewhere in the corner and put my hair behind my ear.
I didn't look up when I felt someone's presence beside me. "You think I will take you out again if you keep behaving like this?" He finally asked.
"You should've thought about my behavior before marrying me." I said, my voice dangerously calm.
"I didn't think...at all." It felt like his words had another meaning behind them but I pushed back the thoughts.
"Where is your family?" I finally asked the thought that had bothered me.
"They are scattered around on the streets, begging people for food and money." He replied making me furrow my eyebrows in confusion.
I looked at him and shook my head, realizing he was pulling my leg again. I tried to glare at him but failed as a smile formed on my lips.
"You're such an idiot." I couldn't help but laugh. I stopped suddenly, realizing what I was doing. "When will you ever answer me properly?" I asked seriously.
"I will if you ask a proper question." He commented.
"I just want to know where they are." I huffed. He had the right to control every little detail in my life, and I couldn't even ask about his family...
"Well, they are home. My little cousin is probably in the kitchen right now, because she eats all the time. My uncle is probably with his wife in the room-"
"Okay! That's enough, I understand." I cut him off before he could finish the nasty sentence.
"You wanted to know. Suit yourself." He shrugged.
I shook my head and looked away from him. How would I survive this?
~
I pulled out a shopping basket and followed Walid into the grocery store. He had gotten what he wanted from the mall and we had left soon after.
On the way home, I asked him if we could get some grocery. I wasn't going to sit at home all day and look at his face. I needed to occupy myself and baking was the perfect option.
I loved baking different desserts and experiment in the kitchen. It was like therapy for me.
Which was why I thought I could pass time at the beach house by baking, since I didn't have any thing else to do and I was getting restless and bored.
"You've never done this before have you?'' I asked suddenly, when I noticed how lost Walid looked as he glanced around.
''Whatever." He let out, ignoring me.
I stopped myself from laughing and silently got what I needed, I looked at the basket and sighed tiredly. "I think I'm done." I stated when the basket was almost full. He nodded and led us to the cashier.
I was surprised at how patient he had been walking after me here and there. I had expected him to constantly tell me to hurry up but he didn't complain once.
I noticed him pulling out his wallet and I quickly moved forward and put my money on the counter. The cashier collected the money and I turned to look at Walid.
His hard eyes focused on me, almost like I had just committed a sin. I gave him a challenging look before sending him a fake smile as I flipped my hair and left to pick up the bags.
He couldn't always get as he wanted. And I was the one who would be there to constantly remind him of that.
I picked up the light weighting bag and glanced at Walid. He was still in the same spot. His eyes pierced into mine before he looked away. His tongue moved slightly over his lips, as he looked around at the few people around him, trying to see if anyone had noticed me paying for our stuff. Almost as if he was embarrassed.
I held myself back from laughing once again and motioned for him to hurry up. He finally reached me and took heavy bag from the counter.
He reached out his other hand, which had his brown prayer beads wrapped around it to take the bag from me. "I can carry it, it's not heavy." I assured but with his hard eyes focused on me, he snatched the bag from me.
I watched as he walked away before silently following him with a satisfied smile on my lips.
Serves him right.
We reached his car and I got in and let out a tired sigh. Just when he started the engine, his phone started buzzing and he picked it up.
He started driving away and I didn't listen to his conversation as my mind was already occupied with thoughts until I finally came back to my sense and heard him say.
"The shipment is missing, take care of it. Weapons are coming in on Friday, deal is sealed with the germans. Also, the other bastard has abducted a girl named Narges find out why and who she is."
I didn't understand anything he was saying expect the last part. A girl had been kidnapped by a bastard....which bastard though.
I came to a conclusion that I would never find out and just let it slide.
After a long journey, we finally arrived at the house. I had stepped out of the car and followed Walid as he put the bags for me in the kitchen and left. I started to sort everything we had bought in the kitchen.
Once I was done, I went to the dining room and stopped in front of the window. I stared at the beautiful sea. Everything was so peaceful and silent until an unfamiliar voice broke the silence.
''Beautiful, isn't it?'' Startled I turned around to see a man standing by the doorway. His ice cold grey eyes pierced into mine. I tried to remember if I knew him from somewhere but he was very unfamiliar.
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion when he stared at me with his eyes slightly wide open. It felt like minutes had passed as he kept staring before he finally composed himself. He took a step closer and I backed away, smelling trouble.
Who was he?