Katsina.

Mariam smiled broadly at herself in the mirror, her face enliven and perked up. She's finally achieved the hardest goal she's ever set out for herself. Becoming a wife to Abbas Bāmanga Tukur is like a dream come true. Not like, scratch that word, it is a dream come true indeed. She almost thought it was not going to happen with how headstrong he was.

"Mrs. Mariam, I'm at your service. Do you want your makeup done or you're going all natural?" Madina called out from behind her, dusting powder against her cheeks.

Mariam shook her head, her beaming face not faltering. "No, natural. I don't want them to know just how raptured I am to be married to their brother or son. For now."

"You're learning from me." Madina nodded her head like a proud mother. "There is nothing more disconcerting than being eager to please your in-laws. I've learned that the hard way from my mother but thank goodness I won't be having in-laws in future. No serious men for me too." Madina finished her makeup with a coat of translucent lip gloss against her pink small lips.

She surveyed herself in the mirror in front of her seeing the changes. She's not the one married to the love of her life but she is sure as hell happy for Mariam. Deep into the darkest pit of her heart, Madina is glad Mariam is married because now the market of harlotry will be hers to stir wherever she wants it to go. The floor is now hers with Mariam gone. She shall use it accordingly too.

But in all frankness, that is not why she went all out to make sure Mariam is married to the man she wants. Mariam had done so much for her unknowingly and Madina couldn't wait to return that favor in colors which is why she's done everything she could.

Except bewitching the man in the picture himself, that is not her forte. She's stirred the ship for Mariam, it is now left to her to make it to her home. If she wants the ship to take her home that is.

Madina is currently wearing a macaroon abaya she's ordered online yesterday with regular large open sleeves and cute dark embroidery all over it from the front to the back. She made a twee muffler with her veil in Syrian style, all out to show the Bāmanga Tukur family that they are from a pecuniously chic family too.

Except that they have no family to really call their own. Mariam's only parent will be anywhere but there with them so her name won't be mentioned. Maybe.

Madina's natural tanned skin beamed back at her as she stood on her Miu-Miu high heels then moseyed to adjust Mariam a touch. Not that she's got better ways of making her. The girl is too nervous to keep things to right.

Sheer beige lipstick coated her full bee-stung lips which stood out against her daisy abaya embroidered with little beads of silver that shines under the Greek chandelier in their hotel room. Mariam always loved the color of peace when she is anything but havoc and chaos.

The color looks good on her, disregarding her personality and who she really is. It should've been black or maybe blood red.

She wore a Jimmy Choo kitty heels with Dolce & Gabbana mini bag. Mariam is ready to go meet her in-laws.

"Maman said no one would marry me but look, I've got the handsomest husband even if he isn't the richest." Mariam said to herself in the mirror, desperately trying to look as happy as she is.

She's gotten used to not being happy facially or even entirely that even though deep down this is what she wants —she's never needed anything more than this in her life, not even wealth— she couldn't bring color to her face or brightness to shine her eyes like they would do whenever she was happy all those years ago. Now, she could only feel it inside her and force smiles but nothing more can be done.

With a deep breath, she tossed the key at Madina and together they drove to Mariam's in-laws house. She's been giddy but not nervous about meeting them having heard about each one of them and what she would most likely expect. He's got three younger sisters and one younger brother meaning four siblings she'll have to ensnare into her game.

Getting them to like her might not be a problem as long as they know nothing about her. She's already deactivated her social media accounts, hired a private investigator to make sure there is no news about her that will hit the media or any of her men from before. Those paramours might come in handy later in future when she needs words in the right ears. Mariam won't ever need money from no one, she is a billionaire herself.

If the siblings agree to be her ally, there won't be havoc and she won't take away her brother from them. Oh, that is what she plans to do when her nice-girl panties flop.

Abbas is not wise for not seeing that she is sent to him to make life easy for him and his entire family. His parents have only been to the holy country once in their lives and none of his siblings nor he. Mariam had been to Saudi Arabia more times than she could count, tried paying for her mother through anonymous ways but the woman wouldn't budge.

Aissata is way too smart; like mother like daughter.

Mariam is planning to send them all away few months into their marriage. When asked how she's this rich, she is going to explain that her parents are both dead and they were rich while they were alive. She's already plotted her entire life before her, already got a few stories to motion. Like her last conversation with Dr. Hafsat yesterday.

"I can't believe AB agreed to marry you without a fuss. He was dying when I called the marriage off. I'm sure he felt just as I did about you." Dr. Hafsat took her hand in both of hers then closed it, warmth filtered through Mariam's body.

Mariam had smiled wistfully at the sense of longing that suddenly slithered through her. She's missed her mother so much but even she knew that the woman won't ever welcome her like she's once did. What about Dr. Hafsat, would she? She doesn't know anything about her so she most definitely won't find it hard to embrace her in her arms. To be the mother figure she needs.

A complete family with her husband.

"I think he felt just that." Mariam nodded her agreement knowing fully well that is the last thing Abbas wanted.

Neither her beauty nor her wealth worked in this situation. It's never happened.

Madina chirped like a damned parrot from beside. "Or maybe because I talked to him privately about who and what Mariam is! I mean, she is already beautiful which is half."

Mariam glared at her then yaw her attention back to Dr. Hafsat. "Don't mind her. She's too excited that I'm finally settling down. She's been waiting for this for ages."

"You two aren't sisters, you said? Because you act like you are all related." Dr. Hafsat's brows draw together, a wondrous and affectionate smile glistening her face.

"I've known her since childhood, that's why." Madina answered before Mariam could. She didn't know what to say anyway.

"That's good." Mariam saw the question coming before it was hauled at her and she's been ready for that. "But how about your family, Mariam? Shouldn't you talk to them about this?"

Face quickly falling and meandering to that of an actress, Mariam slowly extricated her hand from the older woman's. She blinked her eyes though there was not a single tear in there, she's lost no one for her to feel that way. Her father left, good for him and her mother is very much alive. She just doesn't want anything to do with her. What is there to cry about? She's never being a fake crier! It takes too much effort.

A low sniff came before she opened her mouth and closed it several times. "I lost both of my parents in a car accident a year ago. My family all wanted their wealth so after they got their own share, they left me to fend to myself. I am an only child so I moved with Madina whose parents are also no more."

Madina would've believed everything she's said if she hadn't known it was an act. But she's never seen Mariam act in her entire life. She's always being brusque, strained and just straightforward so having her lower her guards to this theatrics is a sight for sour eyes. Abbas Bāmanga Tukur is one lucky bastard but he doesn't know that yet. To be loved by this heartless woman? It would mean the world to anyone.

Because she would do anything for people she loves.

Mariam would kill to protect anyone she loves, that's all Madina could say about being loved by Mariam. It's maniacal like Silas had said.

"It's been us against the world since then. The only family we could turn to live in Haiti so it's too late for them to come here. But we can call them so you both could talk?" Madina joined the charade, giving Mariam a supporting smile that the latter would've grimaced at if not for their audience.

Though she looks like she wanted to talk about how sweet their relationship is, Dr. Hafsat frowned and questioned. "Haiti? Is it here in Nigeria or...?"

"Oh, no. United States."

"Ohh. Can you call them now? They should know about this at least and give their consent." Dr. Hafsat suggested, leaning on the table inside the restaurant they are currently in.

Madina brought her phone out to call up Silas while Mariam boiled and roiled with anger beside her. Why would she call Silas her family? He is not her family, why did she call him that at all? It doesn't matter whether or not he's helped them before and might still be doing so right now. Silas presence in this matter might just complicate things.

Madina pouted after she's placed the phone in her ear for a minute, Silas' phone or whatever prank she is playing at didn't work. "He is not picking the phone. I'll definitely get you to talk to him though. Maybe send your number."

"That would be nice. I will be much more at ease if a family member is involved. I can't believe you two are going to get married tomorrow." Dr. Hafsat's excitement was palpable and ear-splitting.

"I know, right. I thought I was going to do so much whenever she decides to get married but I'm thoroughly disappointed. Seems like I'm going to start flying out alone." Madina took the reins of the conversation yet again annoying Mariam.

"What will he live after we get married? Are we going to live in your home or he's got somewhere to live? His house maybe?" Mariam asked looking not in the least bothered but she is.

She cannot stay in the house with them, entire family. How is she going to make him fall in love with her if he decides to do just that? He is going to keep strangling her in the house or shouting at her or doing something crazy in front of his siblings —like glaring or cursing her— which she won't like at all. Neither can she take.

Dr. Hafsat moved uncomfortably because along with his consent, Abbas had added something. "I will marry the woman you've chosen for me but don't expect me to provide for her like I wanted to do for the woman I chose for myself. Neither will I provide her shelter."

"What about the house you built? She can stay there." Dr. Hafsat had argued with him, her expression incredulous to see just how changed her son is in a matter of few hours.

"The house I built was meant for the only woman I wanted to marry. If not Surayyah in that house, then no one else will be there. I'm going to sell it." And he left her there, her mouth hanging at the emotionless in his face and voice.

Had she lost her son?

"About that... he doesn't have a house so you'll have to stay with us for a few days before we could arrange something."

It was a lame excuse that Mariam saw right through. She wanted to call on the bullshit then remembered that she's a geriatric and her soon to be mother-in-law. Abbas has planned everything before he proposed to his so called ex-fiancé but he doesn't want her anywhere near his property. It's alright. She's planned everything too but will play their game for just this little while. They won't live in this quiet place, never. Katsina is not her type of place.

They arrived at the house that looks barren of any guest to indicate someone got married. The oldest son of the family. That didn't bother Mariam in the least, why would it anyway? She's already planned to make him dance to her music, his family too. His father is going to adore her more than his mother does. She's got no idea about the siblings though, till she meets them.

Mariam and Madina entered the house to find all the family members waiting for them in the living room.

From the oldest member of the house down to the youngest are impeccably dressed in their best outfits. Everyone is there except the one person she's been waiting to meet for several hours. Abbas was absent like she's initially thought he would be. Just didn't know he could walk out on his parents' command.

One after the other, they stood up. Dr. Hafsat dressed in expensive silver embellished ankara sewn into a bubu gown, her head tie tied to perfection. She looks really young and beautiful. She sashayed to where Mariam and Madina stood, her beaming face illuminating. She gave her daughter-in-law a welcoming hug, patting her back affectionately. They are almost the same height since Mariam is a little bit more than just five feet.

"Welcome to the family, Mariam. You look stunning." Dr. Hafsat pulled away and gave her shoulders a gentle hold.

"Thank you." Mariam gave her a small nervous smile. One she could hardly wait to drop in the confines of her own room in the family.

When she's first saw the Bāmanga Tukur house, she'd shrugged her shoulders because it was not that bad. Obviously every single one of the girls don't have rooms to themselves but at least it screams comfort. She also found out that Abbas has his own quarters at the back of the house meaning they don't have to be in the family home all the time. She would need that privacy for a time.

Now her eyes fell on the patriarch of the house who's already featuring a smile against his frail aging face. He trudged forward too, his eyes welcoming her.

"Welcome home, my dear." He didn't attempt to hold her or hug her which she deeply appreciated. She might be a prostitute but she's never keen on having people hover around her.

"Thank you, Sir."

"Don't call me that. Either Dad or nothing at all but never Sir. That's way too formal, don't you think?" She gave a small nod at that, feigning shyness.

While he introduced himself to Madina, Mariam's eyes surveyed the siblings waiting on edge for their turn. Her heart instantly warmed up to the youngest brother of not more than sixteen years old. Though his face looks stern and not at all smiley, it feels like he is the kindest soul there in the house.

Instead of waiting for them to come to her, she sauntered towards them in tentative steps and stopped in front of the boy first. He looks a bit startled to see her there in front of him but then he forced himself to smile. Not good with strangers it seems. She's also like that but this boy in front of her, the connection she felt was almost instantaneous. Like the way she's fallen for his brother at first sight.

"Hello there. My name is Mariam. What's yours?" She waved her not-artificial nails in front of him. She's removed her nails just yesterday after the knot has been tied.

Ah, things she is doing for love.

He avoided her eyes in every possible way, as if she's an Angel. Perhaps he hadn't been in the presence of unfamiliar women. "My name is Abubakar Sadiq. Good afternoon, Ma'am."

A genuine smile spread itself across her lips, she couldn't help it. "Can I call you Sadiq only? And please, call me Mariam."

He tampered a smile from smearing across his lips too. He likes it when people call him Sadiq and not Abu like his siblings do. She will be the first person to want to call him by the name he's always loved. "Yes, you can. I'll call you Ya Mariam."

Mariam's heart lurched and sat comfortably in her throat. "Alright then, Ya Sadiq." And this time around, he grinned at her. An ally.

She moved to the next person, his immediate older sister. "Hi. I'm Mariam."

"I'm Khairah. It is nice meeting you. And you're so pretty by the way." The girl named Khairah almost jumped on the balls of her feet.

"You are pretty too. Thank you."

She introduced herself to the other two sisters, Munayah and the married one, Afiyah with her son Hanif. When Hanif offered his arms up for her to pick him up, Mariam was galvanized to say the least. She's never picked up any kid before except Imara and that was only once. She's usually off by the sidewalk spoiling them with sugar and toys. She swallowed nervously and picked him up, clumsily.

"Okay... Hanif is obviously in love with you. This boy dislikes strangers." His mother said, looking at her son like he's grown two heads.

Mariam was just getting comfortable holding him so she chortled when he started playing with her dangling earring. Did she just imagine her own baby sometime in future? That couldn't be. She hates children! Loathed them.