Pacing back and forth in the spacious room, I tried to come up with something. Anything that would make me get away from Walid.

I had spent the whole night trying to find a way out of this place. I didn't even notice when morning had arrived. Once I had prayed my morning prayer I had gone to sleep for a few hours.

Now, my mind was refreshed and I was fully dressed and ready for anything today. Anything as in me trying to take matter in my own hands and leaving Walid's house.

I didn't know what got into me, but I wanted to show him that he couldn't control me completely. He had said very proudly how I would never get away from him....

Which was why I made up my mind to not stay in his house for another day. I would make sure to leave.

Walid couldn't just play with my emotions anyway and whenever he wanted. He was being rude and selfish. I didn't deserve any of it.

Not to forget, I was scared of the effect he always had on me...

I needed to get away end of story.

Making my way out of the room, I went to the kitchen and Razza had already prepared the breakfast. I thanked him and made some tea before both of us sat down to eat.

"Uncle, where is Walid?" I asked.

"In his study. I've already served him his tea." He replied, his words making me nod.

"How long has he been there?" I asked again, trying not to sound suspicious.

"Since six in the morning. He will probably be there for another few hours, he had mentioned having a lot of work to do." He informed. I smiled at Razza and didn't ask more.

As I watched Razza finish his tea and stand up, the perfect plan formed in my mind.

I left the kitchen silently and went to the front door. I looked around, trying to see if Walid was around somewhere.

When I saw that no one was in sight, I took it as my cue and stepped outside.

I tried to stay calm as I looked around for Razza's car. I spotted it at far end and made my way towards it, making sure to glance behind me now and then.

I stopped in front of the car and hesitated. I had only guessed it to be unlocked, because the whole territory around was owned by Walid and there was no one who could enter this deserted place.

My hand reached to see if I could pull the door open and luckily, I could. I let out a sigh in relief and looked around one last time before I got in the backseat of the suv.

I sat down behind the driver's seat, trying to hide as much as possible.

Fortunately, his back windows were tinted, making it harder for him to notice me from outside.

I wrapped my arms around my knees and waited. I didn't know if I was running away, or just trying to show him I could do anything I wished too. Just like he could.

Although, I knew I couldn't go back to my family, that would just cause unnecessary drama and he would find me within minutes.

I would go anywhere, as long as it was away from this place...

~

I peeked out to see if anyone was around. When the streets were empty, I opened the car door slowly and shut it after me.

Razza had parked his car just outside a house I assumed was his. The fact that he didn't take it to the garage made it easier for me to sneak out of the car and run away.

It did cross my mind how close Razza lived to the beach house, away from Rosew. The car ride hadn't taken that long so I knew we weren't back in Rosew.

Making sure no one was watching, I rushed out of the gates and took a left without looking back.

I had no idea where I was. I just passed random houses and it felt like the street would never come to an end. I moved to the other side to take a right turn.

A road suddenly came into view and I knew I would find a form of transportation somewhere close. I continued walking and pushed away all the thoughts of fear and emotions bubbling inside me .

There was no going back now. Even thought I had regretted my decision as soon as Razza had started driving.

The fear of what Walid would do once he found me was eating me up alive. Too bad it was too late now and there was nothing I could do about it.

The car ride had been scarier than the one I had with Walid. I was so afraid of Razza noticing me any moment and calling Walid to inform him.

Thankfully, none of that happened.

Shaking away the thoughts, I looked around and saw a lady with a baby stroller walking on the other side.

I quickly made my way towards her and asked her about a bus stop.

I figured since I didn't even remember the last time I had taken a bus, it would be the perfect opportunity to explore...

She informed me that there was a bus stop nearby and I followed her directions until I found the bus stop. I sat down on the bench and waited.

My actions and what I had done hit me suddenly and I hissed in fear. I had taken a repulsive decision. A bad and repulsive decision.

When Walid did find me, it would be the end for me. I was sure of it...

~~~~~ Walid ~~~~~

I put the phone on the desk and turned back to the display in front of me. I started typing away, completely focused on my current task. The sudden beep from the other computer made my fingers stop moving.

I pushed down the top of the laptop I was working on and looked at the second screen, already knowing who it was that was disturbing me.

The footage on the display showed a scared individual looking around worriedly. I knew that expression of hers. She was definitely up to something.

My eyebrows raised curiously when she stepped out of the house, making me shift to the footage showing the front of the house.

She made her way to Razza's car and didn't hesitate getting into the backseat.

I leaned back in my seat and tried hard to not smile at her innocence yet stupidity. She really thought she would be able to pull this off...

Although, she didn't fail to surprise me. I knew the reason behind her actions. In fact, I was expecting a reaction from her. But I didn't expect her to take such a big step.

I shook my head in amusement and picked up my phone to call Razza. "When are you leaving?" I asked.

Knowing her, she wouldn't go to her family. Which was why her destination was unknown to me.

"Maybe in half an hour. Why, is something wrong?" Razza sounded worried. Something was going to go wrong, but not for me...

"Leave everything and go now. Drive to the house you're staying in at the moment and park your car outside and not in a garage and.....don't look at the backseat." I informed, playing with the rosary wrapped around my hand, my eyes focused on the movement.

There was silence for a moment before he spoke up. "Okay, I won't make her wait."

"I'll arrange for security to follow her." I said and cut the call, knowing he understood what needed to be done.

The girl wasn't wrong though. I couldn't blame her. I had entered her life like a storm, turning her peaceful life into hell.

I knew that I did what needed to be done. It was for the best. But that didn't change the fact that she was still the innocent one. The one who wasn't at fault at all. The one I had married for my own benefits...

I had tried to stay away from her and give her the space she needed in the house, but sometimes she just liked to push my buttons.

Like today.

Yes it was amusing that she was trying to run away but what wasn't was the fact that she was putting herself in danger.

All I ever tried to do was protect her...

Even though I knew that the biggest protection she needed was from my own self.

The only positive thing about this would be me getting to see her cheeks turn rosy when I appear in front of her. The tip of her nose scrunch up in anger. Her pink lips shaking in nervousness. Her big green blue eyes starting at me with innocence, not realizing how dangerous they can be.

She was probably already regretting her decision of trying to run away..

I watched the car drive away and an audible sigh left my lips as I closed my eyes.

She could wander around for a few hours. After that, she would have to come back to me eventually.

~~~~~Jasmin~~~~~

I took a sip of my drink and made my way into another store. It had been a few hours with me just strolling around and then finally finding a mall that I had decided to pass time in.

Time did pass actually as I walked around the mall but I did feel lonely. Usually I would go shopping with either my mother or my friends.

I thought a lot about my family and I would never be able to describe how much I actually missed them.

However, I had also thought a lot about Walid. I just hoped he wouldn't leash on me once we come face to face, I was already shattered and tired.

I decided to stop thinking about him. I was outside without him and he didn't have an idea of where I was.

Only the thought brought me satisfaction.

It was decided, I would not let go of my hours of freedom by dwelling over what would happen the moment Walid found me.

Brushing aside the thoughts, I walked towards the jewelry section. My hand traced the rings and I stopped on one particular one.

The ring caught my attention because of it's simplicity. It was simple and beautiful.

"Jasmin?" Startled, I turned around to see a male figure reaching me. He was looking at me with excitement, making me gulp in fear.

He stopped in front of me and I tried to not panic. "Hi, Sir." I greeted awkwardly.

"What are you doing so far away from home? And how many times have I told you not to call me Sir?" He said, making me shrug slightly.

Jalil was the owner of the salon that I worked at as part time during holidays. My colleagues used to joke about us two many times before.

About how he looked at me and liked me. But I believed it was absurd. He was just friendly and kind.

"I'm just shopping." I replied quickly.

"You came all the way here for shopping?" He asked doubtfully, looking at my hands that just contained a drink and no sign of shopping bags.

"Yeah..." I trailed off not knowing what to say to save the situation.

He couldn't find out about my marriage with Walid. If one person found out, the whole town would find out.

"Whatever, it's good I saw you here. I wanted to talk to you about something anyway." He informed.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked, trying hard to focus on his words. There was too much going on in my mind.

"Not here, let's sit down. We can eat something if you're hungry." He suggested, motioning for me to follow him.

"No thank you, I've just had food." I lied and followed him out of the store. He nodded and lead me to a restaurant.

I examined it and thought it would not hurt to sit with him at a place like that. There were a lot of people around and it was just at the center of the mall.

"We can go inside to get some privacy. I mean, so we don't get disturbed while talking." I looked up at him and didn't know how to refuse.

"No let's just sit here. I'm so tired I can barely walk more." I said and hastily took a seat at a random table. "So, what do you want to talk about?" I asked when he joined me.

It had to be something work related. We usually didn't converse about anything other than work.

Also, it was probably something important, which was why he couldn't wait to tell me.

"As you know, your schedule is starting from next week." It had slipped my mind completely but I didn't let it show on my face as I nodded. "But I've got an request from you. The fashion week is in a few weeks. I want you to go instead of me. It will last only one week. I'm asking you because you are the only one I trust. There will be a lot of models, and the ladies from our salon will have a lot of work to do since they are doing their hair and make up. I need someone there that can control the situation and make sure everything runs smoothly."

It took me a few moments to realize what he had actually said. The beauty salon was indeed a very famous one and there were a lot of famous make up artists and hair stylists working there.

However, I would never be able to do what he was asking me to do. I colored peoples hair at the salon. It was a hobby I had gotten from my mother who used to work as a hairdresser before.

"What you are asking from me is a big responsibility. I don't know if I can keep it." I said honestly.

"I know I understand your fear. But I'm really hoping you think about it at least. I will not be able to attend that week I have a lot of other work and I don't have anyone else that I trust." He spoke and I felt bad for him.

He came to me with so much hope and it would be a shame to disappoint him. If me attending one week for a fashion show would lift a burned from his shoulder then I could try at least.

I remembered I had Walid to think about too. Would he even let me be away for one whole week?

I sighed and pushed away the thought of Walid. It was my life and my decision, I wouldn't let him interfere. "Fine I will do it. But I can't guarantee that everything goes smoothly. I've never been to a fashion week before." I warned, making him smile.

"I'm sure you will do great." His dark eyes twinkled and I smiled at him. "Once you come to the salon next week I will try to drop by one day and explain some things to you. Other than that, there is really not much to worry about." There wouldn't be much to worry about then, but there was a lot to worry about now.

For example, the tall and well built man with dark eyes striding towards us in a pace that wanted me to jump up from the chair and run away.

Jalil looked at me confused and followed my gaze as I stood up.

Walid made his way towards us, his eyes set on both of us as if we were his prey. I gulped as thoughts of what he would tell Jalil about us erupted in my mind. Not to forget, the fear of what I actually had done slowly emerging back in my mind.

He stopped in front of us and I stoped myself from gulping in fear. "Walid..." I let out, giving him a forced smile. I was trying to save the situation, but failed.

"Are you done playing games?" He asked coldly.

I turned to Jalil to see him look at us confused. "I'll see you then." I said. Jalil took that as his cue and nodded.

"Do you want me to drop you home? You said you were tired." Jalil asked and I shook my head politely but before I could say anything, the man beside me spoke.

"She has been cursed. Whoever rides with her in a car gets in a accident and dies. You better hurry I'm sure you want your precious life to continue harmlessly." Walid's eyes turned to Jalil as he spoke nonchalantly.

Jalil looked at him confused but he took a step back, as if he had sensed something that I hadn't. "He's just pulling your leg. But I'll manage. Thank you for asking." I forced out a laugh, trying to not let Jalil notice something was wrong.

"Okay, take care of yourself." Jalil said and turned around.

I watched him disappear before fidgeting with my nails. Not daring to look up.

"I thought you had a better taste in guys." He spoke calmly, a storm hiding behind his words.

I looked up at him confused. "What do you mean? That's my boss."

"Oh, I didn't know you were that freaky." His eyes pierced into mine and I glared at him in anger.

"There is no such thing between us." I stomped my foot, feeling my cheeks flare up in anger. "I was just shopping and came across him. We were talking about something work related, until you arrived and ruined my day with your presence."

I didn't know why I was even explaining to him, but hearing him say that about me made me feel disgusted.

"I'm glad I have that effect on you." He spoke, unbothered.

Suddenly, he stepped forward and took a hold of my wrist.

"Leave my hand!" I said frantically when he started pulling me with him. "I said - leave my hand!" I repeated when he wouldn't stop and quickened his pace instead.

He pulled me to an empty corner and pushed me against the wall, making me almost lose my balance. I squeezed my eyes shut when he towered over me, being too close for my liking.

"Look at me." He demanded, his voice making my legs shake in fear.

"No!" I opened my eyes but turned around to face the wall, turning my back on him.

I felt him leaning down, coming closer.

"What did I tell you last night?" He asked suddenly. I didn't reply and stopped myself from gasping in fear when he gripped both my arms. "I told you, I'm the only man in your life. Did you not get that?"

In a swift movement, he turned me around to face him. I looked in his eyes, trying hard to keep it together.

Even though I knew that my face had already changed color and my eyes gave away the fear I was feeling. The way he was looking at me wasn't helping either, not to forget his hands still holding my arms.

"Did you not get that?" He asked again, his voice harder this time as his expression changed and he squeezed my arms.

"I-I did." I had no other choice than to utter those words.

I just needed him to get away from me and keep his distance. I couldn't function properly. I couldn't focus on anything, his presence was making me shake in fear yet it made me feel an unknown feeling I didn't understand...

"It seems like you didn't." He said, his brown eyes looking down at my lips briefly then back at my eyes. "How will I have to make you understand?" The question made panic rise inside of me and suddenly, his hand raised to my jaw as he held it firmly without hurting me. His thumb moved to my lips, tracing them softly.

The movement made my legs want to give up. It felt like I was suffocating, but I didn't dare to move.

I watched with big eyes as he focused on my lips, tracing his thumb back and forth. He was still holding my jaw as he did that, making it impossible for me to move.

"Answer me." He said curtly.

I gathered all the courage and spoke up, despite his touch on my lips. "You will never make me understand. Not by your words, not by your actions."

A smirk appeared on his face, making me shiver in fear. "I would love to change your mind." His thumb moved to my cheek, making me squeeze my eyes shut and turn my head away from him.

He took offense to that and swiftly turned my face back to facing him. I winced from his grip on my jaw that now started to hurt a bit.

I opened my eyes suddenly and felt panic and anger as he leaned closer. It felt like I finally came back to my sense.

I gathered all my strength and pushed him away, proceeding to get away from him.

Unfortunately, I had just walked a few steps when a grip on my hair made me wince. He pulled me back by my hair, making me bend backwards as he held me.

I looked up at him, seeing a satisfied look on his feature. I gave him a cold glare as I tried to set my hair free from his grip.

He watched me struggle, most probably in amusement. He loved making me struggle and suffer in pain, that was very obvious. "You will never get what you want." I spat, still struggling to get away from him.

"We'll see about that." With that, he pushed me forward, making me almost fall but I got back my balance and straightened up.

I turned around to face him. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion when his eyes were set on the floor in front of me. I followed his gaze and noticed a little bit of blood smeared on the floor.

My eyes moved to my feet and I realized it was the wound on my right heel which had started bleeding again.

I looked around and found a seat by the side. I pulled up my leg to examine my heel. I pulled out my sandal and just like I had guessed, the medium sized plaster that my mother had given me to change every morning, was a shade of red.

Sighing, I put my sandal back on and tried to stand up.

"Let me see." I heard Walid say, making me look up at him.

"Get away from me." I warned.

He didn't listen as he took a seat beside me and gripped my ankle. He lifted it up and examined my heel. "How can you be so careless?" His anger confused me.

"I thought this was what you wanted, to put me in pain." I spat as I tried to pull back my leg from him but his tight grip didn't let it budge. I tried to push him away with my hands.

"Don't push me." He warned, his deep voice scaring me. I pushed him again and he abruptly held my wrist. "I said do not push me!" This time he raised his voice and I jumped slightly in fear. Tears prickled in my eyes. No one had raised their voice to me like that before.

I bit my lower lip to stop myself from crying as I looked around. We had caught a few peoples attention but the moment I looked at them, they  scurried away.

"Sit here. Do not move." He ordered like always. His eyes gave me a warning look before he disappeared from my sight.

As soon as he disappeared, the tears streamed down my face.

Every day was just getting worse. What had I ever done to deserve this? Why did he enjoy causing me pain? I had always been treated good by everyone. From family to neighbors to strangers. But this man, he was tormenting me in ways I was very unfamiliar with.

Wiping my tears as if feeling Walid's presence, I looked up to see him striding towards me. He sat down in front of me with a pharmacy bag in his hand. He started looking through the bag.

"I can do it myself." I said sharply and tried to retreat my leg.

He put a firm hand on my ankle and looked up at me. He didn't have to tell me twice as I slumped back.

I watched him silently clean the wound and plaster it when the blood had stopped. It didn't hurt, just stung a bit. It was probably because I had been walking around much today, that too in uncomfortable sandals.

I remembered how I had gotten that wound. Many days ago, when I had talked to Walid for the first time. When he had told me we were getting married. I had stepped onto glass to feel pain. I remembered everything....

What was confusing me right now was his actions. One second he was tormenting me, causing me pain. The next second he was treating my wounds. How could someone be so complex?

I retreated my leg when he was done and hesitated. "Thank you." I muttered and turned around to put on my sandals. I avoided his eyes and stood up.

"If you are done touristing, can we go home?" He sarcastically asked when a uncontrollable yawn left my lips.

"I would love to go home but sadly, my home is very far away from here." I replied as I started moving towards the exit.

He didn't bother saying anything as he led me to his car. I was shocked at his silence. He always had something to comment. But this time, he was silent.

Once we reached the car, I hastily got in the backseat and made myself comfortable. I didn't want to be close to him. I was still furious at him and at everything.

He got in his seat silently. His silence annoyed me but I ignored the feelings as I rested my head against the window.
I felt sleepy and closed my eyes.

The day didn't end as I had thought it would. It ended more calmly than expected...