Dunia was cleaning the kitchen counters when Donatella interrupts, "Ma'am, your package is here."
"My package? But I didn't order anything." Dunia says.
"I'm not sure, Ma'am. The box has your name on it." Donatella points at the name on the box. She places it on the counter.
Dunia rips it open to find a nude coloured gown, with matching pairs of nude heels and a white purse. There's a letter on the top with her name on it.
To My Love, it has scribbled on it.
Dunia smiles, Barqat. She opens the letter:
Dear Pretty Wife,
I bought you a few things to wear for the party tomorrow. I know these will look beautiful on you. Please bring me to my knees with your sexiness.
Sincerely,
Your Eager Husband
Dunia couldn't wipe the smile off of her face. She could feel the heat creeping up her cheeks.
Donatella looks at Dunia a little confused, "Who is all of this from, if I may ask?"
Dunia places the letter in Donatella's hands and covers her face in embarrassment.
A smile covers Donatella's face, "Ou la la! Sir sure does know how to sweep you off your feet with his words! God Bless you two, I hope you stay this happy forever."
"Thank you." Dunia gives Donatella a hug. Dunia is in the prime of her happiness right now, everything is going just right. Barqat and herself made their feelings very clear for each other. Sure, neither of them confessed their love in the actual three letters but there is something between them that she can feel.
The night they shared their passion, she almost blurted out she loved him. She's glad she didn't say it because she knows he probably isn't ready to hear it. Or maybe she's just making excuses because she's scared the second she says the three words, it'll be out to the world and she'll be vulnerable.
• • •
"You know Mr. Devil is now Mr. Angel since he's married you?" Ashley says as she places her lunch box on the table. "What'd you do to him? What's your secret? Witchcraft? Wizardry? Black Magic?"
Dunia straightens her shoulder, "There's no secret. Why would there be a secret?"
Ashley squints her eyes at her, "You're a shady woman sometimes. Always hiding something."
"I am not!" Dunia pouts.
"Both of you have been glowing lately from what I can tell. Especially you. Hm..." Ashley is poking fun at Dunia.
"Is it that obvious?!" Dunia says, horrified.
Ashley bursts out into a fit of laughter "You're too cute!"
"Ashley!" Dunia whines. "Stop making fun of me!" But soon, she joins Ashley and begins laughing.
"Are you going to the party tomorrow?" Ashley asks.
"Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I?" Dunia asks.
"Because... um—because of who's hosting the party." Ashley chooses her words carefully just in case Dunia doesn't know about Furat.
Dunia notices Ashley's nervousness and places a hand on top of hers, "It's okay, I know about everything. He has to face his demons one day or another. He chose tomorrow to face them."
"I need a boyfriend or husband as amazing as you. Ugh, maybe you should marry me instead." Ashley jones.
Dunia laughs, "You should've asked me before I would've ditched Mr. Devil in a heartbeat!"
"Ahem? What is this I'm hearing?" It's Barqat.
Ashley grins, "You heard right, Mr. Sheikh. Your wife would've skipped the chance to marry you if I just confessed earlier."
Dunia tries her best to keep her laughter in.
"I have never been so humiliated in my life!" Barqat plays along. "Good thing I snatched her up before any interruptions."
"I told you she didn't want to marry you." Another voice joins them. It's Imran, one of Barqat's close friends and business partner, besides Aamir. "I knew she had a thing going on for Ashley, aren't I right, Ashley?."
Dunia notices a subtle change in Ashley's composure as she nods. Her eyes became softer, and her lips pursed. Does she have a thing for Imran...?
"No ones ever on my side. This is so unfair." Barqat rolls his eyes.
"But you got the wife at the end so I don't see unfair business towards anyone here but me." Ashley argues while trying to hold in her laughter.
A notification pops up on Ashley's phone, "I think we have to stop our little show here. Your meeting is in five minutes, Mr. Sheikh."
He leans down and places a soft yet lingering kiss on Dunia's cheek. "See you at home, my love."
Ashley makes a motion to make it look like she's about to throw up. And Imran couldn't help but smile at the fact that he can see old Barqat peaking through.
He stands there for a few seconds and Dunia's confused. "Aren't you leaving?"
"Why are you always so clueless?" Ashley huffs. "He's waiting for his kiss, little one."
"Oh." Dunia stands up to face him. The second her lips were about to make contact with his cheek, he turns his head, making her lips land on his.
Dunia's eyes widen in shock, "Barqat! Not here!"
"What? I didn't do anything. You're the one who kissed me." He's smirking.
"I'm going to gouge my eyes out. Please stop this. My poor innocent image of Dunia is slowly fading into darkness." Ashley says teasingly.
"You're going to have to get used to this if you're hanging around her." Imran says to Ashley. "Say... are you going to the party with anyone tomorrow?"
Ashley almost chokes on air, "Uh—I'm—You're—No, I'm not." She squeezes her eyes shut for a second and scolds herself for acting so nervous.
"Great. How about you join me as my plus one?" Imran flashes his most charming smile, the one that reaches his brown eyes.
"I–Um..." Stop stuttering, you idiot, she scolds herself again.
"It's really okay if you don't want—"
"No! No! I mean—I'll be honoured to join you, Sir." Ashley tries her best to keep her composure.
"That's great! And please, call me Imran." He winks at her. "I'll text you." He looks at Barqat, "I'll meet you at the meeting room?"
Barqat flashes him a smug smile and nods.
Ashley swears she felt her soul leave her body. "What did he do that for?"
Dunia purses her lips together to compress her smile, "Do what?" She turns to Barqat, "Did Imran do anything?"
Barqat shakes his head, "No, I didn't see anything."
Ashley lets out a grunt in frustration, "Okay, whatever! Maybe I'm just overreacting..." She quickly shakes off her feelings and looks serious again. "Sir, you're getting late for your meeting."
"Oh, right. I'll see you after work, my love." Barqat leans in to give Dunia one last kiss on her cheek and walks towards the conference room.
"You're totally crushing on Imran." Dunia states.
"I am not." Ashley insists.
"And he totally has something for you." Dunia smirks.
"He does no—wait, really?" Ashley looks at her in confusion with a dash of hope.
"Ha! I knew it! Anyways, yes, really. It wasn't hard to miss." Dunia says.
"Then, why did you two say you didn't see anything?" Ashley frowns.
"We were messing with you." Dunia laughs.
"I guess I deserve that for all the times I teased you." Ashley scratches her head.
"Yes, yes you do." Dunia smiles.
"Hey..." Ashley's tone changes from playful to warm. "You're comfortable with going to the party tomorrow, right? I'm just making sure you'll be okay."
Dunia nods. "I think so. It's not about me, to be honest. I hope he'll be okay."
"Don't worry. I think Mr. Barqat Sheikh can handle a little confrontation. You'll be there to support him." Ashley smiles.
"Yes, I will be." Dunia hopes everything goes as smooth as possible, she just hopes hell doesn't go loose. Everything will be okay, Insh'Allah, she reassures herself.
- - -
A/N: Thought I'd give y'all a light-hearted/funny chapter before things get a little shaky! 😬😬
I changed the story cover, what do y'all think? 👀
Please vote and comment and let me know how y'all feel!!