As my eyes drowsily opened, I was welcomed with brightness. It didn't take long before my eyes got used to it as I started looking around.

I realized I was laying in my own bed, with my family and friends towering over me. "How are you feeling?" My father asked, his forehead creased in wrinkles with a worried expression.

"Good." I let out and moved slightly to sit up on the bed. I rested my back against the headboard and groaned when my head felt heavy with a headache.

"Finally!" Sammy jumped up and I smiled as I opened my arms for him. He came crashing down and wrapped his arms tightly around me. I left a kiss on top of his head and pulled him closer. "I told everyone you are going to be okay." He spoke happily, looking up at me with his big brown eyes.

"Sammy, you promised you will sleep once Jasmin wakes up. Now let's go let me put you to sleep." Dania spoke as she held out her hand for him. He left a kiss on my cheek before jumping on Dania, making her catch him hastily.

Dania gave me a look and I nodded at her reassuringly before she left the room. My eyes turned to my mother and I hadn't seen her this disturbed in a long time. Her eyes looked like she had been crying non stop and her face was red, probably with anger.

I looked at Raina and she looked at my mother then at me, making me realize something had happened while I was unconscious.

"I'm fine, please don't worry. You can go to sleep now."

"I found you out there, unconscious, with that man surrounding you. Do you even understand how scared I was? Do you have an idea?" My mother started, making me lean back in fear.

I knew my mother was overreacting, but still understood her feelings fully.

"I know you're upset-"

"No! You don't know anything. If you had known, you would stay away from that man. You would ask him to stay away from you." She let out, sitting down by my side.

I took a deep breath before speaking. "I'm sorry."

I didn't know what else to say. I couldn't lie to her, making false promises that I would stay away from Walid.

Suddenly, the words I had told Walid before blacking out echoed in my mind.

I want you to leave me and my family alone. Just go. Go away.

What had I done?

"You're sorry? That's all? That man is sitting outside, waiting for you to wake up! I seriously don't understand what's happening!" She continued.

My eyes turned to the door and then back to her. If I knew Walid the little that I did, he should've been here beside me, not outside.

It made me wonder how my mother had made him stay outside...

"Enough. Go to the room I need to talk to you." My father interrupted, sounding tired.

"Enough? Your daughter is getting played by a wicked criminal and you're telling me enough?" She let out, her words forming a new kind of anger in me when hearing her curse Walid.

He wasn't wicked. He pretended to be. But he wasn't.

"Stop it! Why do you keep abusing him!" My voice shaky, the hurt probably clearly written on my face.

Everyone went silent for a moment before my mother finally spoke up. "It's a shame, really." She finished and left the room.

"She's just worried about you. You know how she can get." My father tried to explain.

My eyes finally moved from the door where my mother had disappeared and I gave him a half-smile.

"I know." I said.

"Your ankle is fine. But you still need to rest. Go to sleep." My father said and I nodded before he exited my room.

Just then, Dania entered and she hastily closed the door after herself.

Raina was already sitting by my left side, which made Dania to take a seat on my right side. "You my dear have some explaining to do!" Dania finally let out.

"What the hell is going on?" Raina asked, making me look away. "And don't say nothing now. You told Walid to stay away from you, it looked like you were breaking up from a long term relationship!" Raina said with a slight gasp, not believer her own words.

"And what's the matter with your mother and him? She literally insulted him so much once they arrived and saw you laying there unconscious. I thought your mother didn't know he was the one who kidnapped you?" Dania added, making my heartbeat quicken.

"Insulted him? What happened?" I asked.

"Your mother scolded him and said it's all his fault that you get into trouble. She said much more but it didn't seem like he cared. He picked you up and put you in here. Your mother got furious and kicked him out." Dania explained.

"Yeah, he asked her to let him stay until you wake up but she was furious and closed the door on his face. He has been sitting on your stairs since then." Raina added and I felt my heart drop.

I sat up and removed the covers from me instantly. "Don't even think about it! Your mother will see. Her blood pressure had already risen while you were unconscious." Raina said, making me panic even more.

"Is she okay now? Did she eat? I need to go see!" I said and moved but they pulled me back.

"Everything is under control, she is fine now. But I think she is by the front door, making sure you don't go out to see him." Dania spoke, making me gulp.

"I'll just quickly tell him that I'm fine. He won't leave until he sees that I'm okay." I explained and both of them turned silent.

They shared knowing glances between each other before looking back at me.

"Is this some kind of forbidden love story? You're in love with Walid and your mom doesn't accept him? Cause I'm getting those kind of vibes." Dania spoke.

"I think so too, but sadly our dear friend doesn't want to talk about it." Raina agreed.

"Love story? You guys are mistaken." I quickly cleared.

"Do you like him? That's all I want to know!" Dania spoke, her expression turning serious. "Or you know what, don't even answer because I know. I could see everything in your eyes when I was being rude to Walid and pushed him."

"It's not what you think." I spoke, looking down at my hands as my fingers nervously played with each other.

"Really? Then what is it?" She asked.

"Raina, is your dad okay? I'm sorry we couldn't come and visit him today you could see what a busy day it was. I will definitely come tomorrow!" I attempted to change the topic.

"My dad is perfectly fine. Now don't change the topic and answer Dania's question." Her last words made me sigh. I laid down while pulling the covers over my head, hiding myself from their view.

"You can't hide from us!" Both of them let out at the same time.

I felt my hands shaking and I was scared yet mad at the same time. It felt so wrong hiding all of this from my friends, but Walid would be really mad if I told them...

"So you're gonna be like that, huh? Fine! Don't tell us." Dania huffed.

"Yeah. Let's go, she doesn't wanna talk." Raina added and I felt them move from the bed.

"We are married..." I spoke, only for my words to come out as low mumbles.

"What are you mumbling? If you have something to say, say it clearly." I heard Dania say, making my grip on the cover tighten as I looked around in the darkness.

"We are married." I let out, but it unwillingly came out as mumbles again.

I heard them sigh in annoyance. "What the hell is wrong with you? Speak clearly I can't hear you!" Dania spoke.

"Walid is my husband!" I let out, my voice raised and a gasp leaving my lips once I understood that I had really just screamed that out.

"What!" Both of them screamed out loudly.

I pulled the covers down with both my hands only for my eyes to show as I peeked at them. They stared back at me, both of them in shock, not moving.

"Yeah...I wasn't kidnapped and abused by Walid, I lied." I forced a smile, hoping they wouldn't panic. My smile dropped when they still weren't moving and I sighed.

Dania was right. I had a lot of explaining to do...

~

It was midnight already and everything finally seemed to calm down. Dania and Raina decided to stay the night since it became too late for them to leave after our long conversation. My father wouldn't let them leave anyway at that time of the night.

My mother had calmed down and gone to sleep some time ago, giving Dania the time to sneak out and tell Walid that I was okay and he should leave. She told me he had still been waiting by my door when she got out.

She even mentioned his face had dropped when he had noticed it was only Dania and not me....

Dania had then come back after talking to him and explaining that I was fine and he should go home. He hadn't seemed to like the idea of that, as Dania had explained, but after thinking about my mother's health he had left.

I had slept for almost an hour after that, and now my eyes had opened and I couldn't go back to sleep.

My eyes turned to the two girls squished beside me, before I slowly sat up. I tried not to make any sound as I removed the covers from my body and stood on my feet. I covered the girls with the covers before silently leaving my room.

I went to the washroom and washed myself, preparing for praying the optional prayer performed during the night after waking up from sleep. I had heard a lot of benefits and rewards from this prayer, and I hoped to find peace after praying.

Once I was all clean and ready, I found a scarf and prayer mat before going to the terrace and closing the door after me. I put the prayer mat down by the side and covered my hair. I started my prayer while the moon illuminated down on the terrace, making the scenery magical for my eyes.

After some time, I was satisfied and felt inner peace. I finished my prayer and put aside the praying mat. Standing up, I removed the scarf from my hair and wrapped it around my body instead. I walked up to the swing bed, hanging a few inches above the floor with the ropes holding it up, and sat down. The bed moved as I sat and leaned back with my arms crossed.

Would he come to the terrace? After everything I told him a few hours ago, would he come and see me?

I didn't understand why I wanted to see him, but it felt like I was in peace after praying but one thing was still missing. I didn't understand what. But it definitely had something to do with Walid.

I waited for a bit, staring at the terrace of the house across, before giving in to my brain and laying down. I fixed the pillow under my head as my long hair fell down from the bed, touching the floor.

Not having the energy to put my hair back up, I slowly drifted off to sleep with the thoughts of only one man in my mind...

~

I felt something prickle my skin as I woke up. My ankle felt cold and I looked around. It took me a few seconds to remember what I was doing on the swing bed in our terrace. There was a lantern now placed beside me, which wasn't there before.

My eyes moved to my ankle and I felt my heart doing a flip when I saw Walid standing close. I tried to sit up but he held out a hand, warning me against it.

"You came?" I asked abruptly, slumping back down on the bed.

"You were waiting?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No I-I don't know." I finally let out. It felt like all my energy had drained and I didn't care to put a facade in front of him anymore.

I was feeling very emotional for an unknown reason. I wanted him to understand something that I myself didn't understand...

"You look tired. Go to sleep." He ordered suddenly, as if realizing what was happening.

"What were you doing?" I asked, looking down to my ankle to see a paste smeared on the wounded spot.

"It will ease the swelling." He explained. I nodded and my eyes moved from his beautiful dark eyes down to his perfectly shaped lips.

I sighed heavenly, staring at his lips. I froze suddenly and realized what I was doing. I quickly closed my eyes and turned away from him, feeling embarrassed.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked suddenly, making me open my eyes and look at the sky instead.

I rested one arm under the scarf covering me as I felt the chilly breeze hit me, and the other beside my head.

"Nothing." I replied, still surprised at the fact he didn't torment me about my behavior. Or maybe I was too quick to be surprised.

"I thought you were having wild imaginations about kissing me."

His words made my face heat up while his arm suddenly moved beside me and he grabbed one of the cushions from the swing bed.

My eyes followed him as he put it on the floor and laid down, resting his head on the pillow.

"You wish." I said.

There was a long and peaceful silence after that, as both of us stared up at sky. There was no other light other than the lantern beside Walid, giving us enough light to see each other.

"My mom is very protective over me." I said. "Due to the circumstances once upon a time, she just became overly protective over me and Sammy." I tried to explain, my heart aching in pain, remembering those dreadful days.

"I understand." He said shortly, sounding genuine.

"You should also understand, it's not about you, it's about me. She's scared for me." I added, still not looking down at him.

"You don't have to explain." He paused. "I haven't had someone scold me like that in a very long time. It felt good, like reality."

"What do you mean?" I asked with furrowed eyebrows.

"How are you feeling now?" He asked, ignoring my question.

"I'm better now." I informed.

Silence fell upon and a while later, he broke the silence.

"Do you really want me to leave?" His sudden question caught me off guard.

I started counting the stars instead, trying to avoid answering. "It will take you eternity to count those. Not that I mind, I can actually wait that long for an answer." He interrupted.

"I will answer your question, when I have an answer." I said, turning to my side, my hair falling down beside him. I rested my hands under my face as I stared down at him.

His eyes met mine and I saw them darken for a moment before it disappeared just as quick. "Why is it so hard for you to answer? I thought you were eagerly waiting for the day I disappeared from your life."

I stared at him as a grin spread over my face. "I won't have anyone to fight with if you leave." I stated.

"You sure about that?" He asked challengingly as his hand reached out in a swift movement and gripped my hair in his fist.

"No no please!" I panicked but it was too late, he had already tugged on my hair, making me wince and fall down from the swing bed.

I landed on top of him, my head hitting his face and my lips touching his short beard, making my lips tickle. I felt a strong scent and realized it was coming from his beard, making me almost sniff in the fragrance.

I tried to move from him but he was quick to wrap his arms around me, holding me just the way he had held me last night.

"Fight me now, go on." He challenged, making me wiggle in his grip.

"Someone will see us." I warned and looked around, feeling my heart beat faster with every second.

"I don't care. You're the one who will get in trouble." He smirked making me hit his chest with my fist.

"You're rude." I let out and held back a scream when he turned me around suddenly, making me lay down on my back with the cushion under my head. "W-what are you doing?" I stuttered when he towered over me, with his hands on each side of my head.

A dangerous gaze was focused on me, making me feel intense sensations in the muscles hiding in my stomach. My heart was beating fast and it felt like I was laying under the sun on a hot sunny day.

His dark eyes suddenly moved down to my lips, making my heart do a flip. I wasn't familiar with these new emotions. It made me feel like I was going crazy.

He moved suddenly and rested his left elbow beside me as he propped the back of his head in the palm of his left hand. It made me feel cold, like all the warmth had disappeared from me.

I watched as his right hand moved to my neck. As soon as his fingers touched my skin, I felt a shiver run down my spine. He didn't look away from me as his fingers moved like feather in circles around my neck.

The look he was giving me was driving me crazy, just like his touch on my neck. My body felt numb, like I was forced to lay down there and not move.

I didn't understand what was happening. I didn't understand if I was the bipolar one or if our situation was just crazy. Just hours ago, I had begged him to leave me alone and now, I didn't want his touch to disappear from me.

"How do you feel?" He asked suddenly, staring deep into my eyes.

I didn't dare to speak, or more like, I couldn't speak. It felt like I had lost the ability to speak. It seemed like he could see right through me since his lips curved into a side smile.

His fingers stopped moving and disappeared from my neck, making me slump back in an unknown disappointment. But he himself moved closer to me. I stared at him curiously as he leaned down to my neck, his face disappearing from my sight.

My hands curled into a fist as a nervous gasp escaped my lips when his lips touched the sensitive area on my neck.

It felt like my heart would burst because of the rate it was beating in as he tormented the sensitive area. The knots in my stomach was appearing again and I closed my eyes, not being able to take the feelings anymore.

No one had ever touched me in that way before, making me very unfamiliar to the emotions. I didn't know how his simple touch could make me feel that way.

I had long forgotten about everything around me until he stopped and pulled back. I finally opened my eyes and stared up at him, feeling all kinds of emotions swirling in my mind.

We stared at each other for a moment, both breathless enough to not utter a word. He moved back suddenly, as if realizing what he had just done.

The emotions disappeared and his face turned into his typical expressionless one. "This will be enough to show that bastard not to come close to you again." He spoke, motioning to my neck.

It took me a moment to realize what he meant. I pushed him away from me and got on my feet. He scratched the back of his neck and I laid down on the swing bed again.

I picked the scarf up from the floor beside me and turned around as I covered myself with it, feeling a bit cold suddenly. My back was towards him but I knew he was still there, laying down on the floor. Probably cursing himself for giving in to his emotions.

However, if he wanted to play a game where he pretended to be a heartless bastard then I was all in for it myself. I could treat him the way he treated me too.

One second showing that he cared and next treating me like dirt.

"Oh sorry, I shouldn't compare myself to dirt. Dirt is more precious than me remember?"

"Which demon are you talking to now?" He asked suddenly.

My eyes widened slightly when I realized I had whispered that out loud.

"Not you at least so shut up." I replied.

"You're starting to scare me. I thought you could only see demons in the sea, I guess they are following you around everywhere."

I turned around abruptly and moved to the side so I could see him.

"Yeah, they are. And the biggest one is right in front of me." I faked a smile.

"In that case, I'm only following you because I'm going through a bad phase in life. That's why I have to put up with you. I told you already my girlfriends are-"

"Will you shut up or do you want me to cut your tongue in pieces and feed it to your girlfriends?" I interrupted, feeling more than just annoyed.

"Actually, they've already had enough of my-"

I picked up the cushion beside me and threw it on his face before he could finish that sentence.

Walid stopped the cushion before it could land on his face and turned to me with amusement written all over his face.

"Calm down." He smirked, making me glare at him.

All of a sudden, he pushed the bed with his leg, making it swing back. He had hoped I would fall on top of him again, but this time I was quick to take a hold of the ropes in order to not fall down from the bed.

I gave him a challenging look while the bed swung. He just kept smirking at me in return.

Sighing, I laid down, resting the side of my face on my arm as I stared down at him. I couldn't hold back my smile when the lengths of my hair was tickling his face every time the bed moved over him.

The swinging was coming to an end, making me feel tired. I tried to hold my eyes open, I didn't want to sleep. I wanted to continue looking at Walid. I wanted to talk to him, even though our conversations always ended in me being tormented or a argument.

I stared at him and took in every part of him. He looked over the top with just a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. It made me happy to see him dressed in casual all day today, he probably had a day off work. Which didn't happen often.

I looked at his left arm where he had the thin armband tattoo on his upper arm, with symbols I couldn't make out from a distance. He even had a date tattooed on his wrist, making me wonder what it was. I had seen it before but never looked at it properly.

My eyes moved back to his, only to find him already staring at me. The spot on my neck prickled when I remembered what he had done to it some moments ago.

"You should go and sleep in your room." I let out sleepily, not wanting him to lay on the hard floor with only a thin mat under him.

The swinging came to an end and I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. My eyes slowly closed but before darkness took completely over me, I heard him say.

"I'm good here."

~

I woke up to the birds chirping and the morning sun shining right on my face. I raised my head a bit and looked down to my side.

Walid was still laying there, with only a cushion under his head. His eyes were closed and he was sleeping peacefully.

I noticed he was holding the ends of my hair in a tight grip, making me hold back a smile.

I was surprised I hadn't fallen down on him, since I was sleeping on the very edge of the bed.

"Jasmin!" The loud voice of Dania made me jump up in fear and make the bed swing backwards. Before I knew it, I dropped like a sack of potatoes on top of Walid.

It didn't even take seconds before Walid turned us around, making me lay on my back as he wrapped his fingers around my neck. He stopped when he stared down at me and I could see the panic in his eyes.

"Relax! It's me." I said, trying to get him out of the defensive mode.

He quickly stood up, making me follow his movement.

"I could've hurt you." He sounded stressed, pacing back and forth in a way to calm down.

"I didn't know you slept with one eye open." I muttered.

"What were you trying to do? Sexually assault me while I was sleeping?" He changed the topic, his words making my face heat up.

"No why would I do that!" I let out. My eyes widened when I heard footsteps walking up the stairs. I remembered why I had fallen from the bed and panicked.

"Get lost!" I let out quickly, making his expression change to a hard one as he glanced at me in warning. "I mean, get out someone is coming! Hurry up!" I hastily said, making him realize what I actually meant.

I led him to the little gate where he could go downstairs to our front yard and tried pushing him down but he held my wrist and stopped me.

"They will see me if I go down from here. I need to go from the back terrace." He explained, walking back to the bed.

I looked down to the neighborhood and saw some people walking to their cars and some strolling around. My panic grew and just then the door to the terrace opened and my eyes widened in fear.

I slowly turned around, expecting to see the worst.

A sigh in relief escaped my lips when I noticed Walid was nowhere.

"Where have you been? We woke up to not find you anywhere?" Dania whined as she walked in, the door closing after her.

My eyes widened, staring at Walid who had been covering himself behind the door which was closed now.

"Let's go, your mom's making breakfast." My panic grew when she was about to turn around.

"Dania!" I let out, making her flinch. "Come here, look at the weather! It's so nice!" I quickly said and led her to the front of the terrace.

"Are you okay Jasmin? Did you hit your head last night when you fell?" She asked, making me freeze in panic.

"How did you know that?" I asked, nervousness clear in my voice. Did she see me here with Walid? When I fell from the bed? Not to mention, what had happened after that...

"I was here, of course I will kno-"

"What? You were?" I asked as I nervously scratched the back of my head. "Look Dania it's not what it looks like. I didn't know Walid was here."

"I know and it's not your fault. You didn't know Jalil was coming either." She shrugged.

"Jalil was also here?" I asked, my eyes almost popping out. "He's gonna tell everyone in town about this." I let out, wanting to cry.

"I was thinking the same. You should actually talk to him and tell him to not mention Walid being here to anyone." She spoke, making me nod in agreement.

"I should. But what was he doing here? And what were you doing here? I mean, why didn't you tell-"

"What are you talking about Jasmin? Did you really hit your head?" She asked, staring at me as if I've grown two heads.

"I didn't hit it like that. I just fell on him. Nothing serious..." I spoke, feeling confused.

"On him? Jasmin, you fainted that's why you fell! We should really go see a doctor for a checkup I don't know what you're talking about!" She said.

"Yeah but it's not what-" I cut myself off when I realized what she said. She was talking about that...."Oh. Of course! That's what I'm trying to say but you don't get it. I fainted. That's what happened."

"Let's go to the hospital, I think it's best if we do a check up. Just in case you hit your head." She said, still looking at me as if I was crazy.

"Dania! I'm fine. I just woke up so I was just a bit confused." I tried to explain.

"If you say so.... I thought for a second you had gone crazy." She said, shaking her head at me. "How many fingers am I holding up?" She asked suddenly, sounding serious as she held up three fingers.

"Shut up Dania!" I let out and pushed her, making her laugh as she ran away from me. Thankfully Walid was nowhere in sight.

That man was officially driving me crazy...

~

The morning passed by quickly and afternoon arrived. I spent my whole morning with my family and friends. My mother had calmed down by now and she was happy to see me healthy.

The paste Walid had smeared on my ankle last night had worked magic as I barely had any pain left.

However, he had left something else behind. The red marks on my neck which I was having a hard time hiding from everyone. Every time I touched those marks, it made me remember last nights events.

I tried not to think about what had happened. It felt forbidden, even though it maybe wasn't. I was feeling very mixed emotions. The reason behind that was obviously the fact that I had been kept in the dark.

If only I had known the reason behind his actions. The reason to why he married me the way he did. If he told me everything, maybe I would be more clear with my feelings.

But the only thing he was doing right now was confusing me even more. I only wanted one thing from him, and that was the truth.

I knew deep down, there was a lot going on. There were a lot of reasons behind his actions, and I needed to know everything.

Sighing, I looked down and wrapped my fingers around my bracelet as I continued walking. I had been at the cemetery, visiting my sister.

Many years had passed, but the emptiness in my heart hadn't disappeared. I had thought with time I would accept my sister's death, but I know that I would never do that. I would never believe that my sister...

Shaking my head, I looked up and took a right turn, nearing the neighborhood.

Earlier, I had called work and said I wasn't coming today. The manager also informed me that Jalil had not been around and I was relieved. I knew sooner or later I had to talk to him, but I was just not ready yet.

I did send him a message, apologizing for Walid's behavior last night...

A loud engine interrupted my thoughts and my heart skipped, knowing Walid was close. I smiled at myself while shaking my head as I continued walking.

The car drove past me before I could even blink. I panicked at how fast he was driving. The car came to a stop a long bit ahead of me, before reversing in the same fast speed.

I gritted my teeth in anger and crossed my arms as I stopped moving, waiting for him so I could tell him to drive carefully. He stopped beside me, the window rolled down.

"How much?" He asked suddenly.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What?" I asked.

"How much?" He asked again, his eyebrow raised as if trying to tell me something.

"What are you talking about?" I asked once again, confusion clear in my voice.

He raised his hand and motioned with his fingers. "Money?" I let out and then it hit me. "You disgusting prick!" I said angrily and raised my leg to kick his car.

However, one look from him was enough to tell me not to fight his car. He loved that thing more than anything...

I did a hair flip and ignored him as I continued walking.

"Wait." I heard him say and I came to a stop.

I turned around and noticed he had gotten down from the car. He stopped in front of me, way too close, making me step back. I was afraid of someone seeing us.

"Come with me, I have a meeting in the hotel close by. It will not take more than twenty minutes. They have a beach you can wait there." He said confidently, making me confused.

"Why?" I simply asked as I looked at him properly. He was in his all black formal attire, looking handsome like always. His dark hair was styled neatly to the side.

"I want to show you something after." He explained, making me nod. I looked at the street which was leading to my house and then back at him.

"Okay." I agreed. "But I need to be home soon, mom will start worrying." I warned and he nodded.

We walked to his car and got in. I quickly put on my seatbelt. "If I see you drive like that again, I will blow up your car. There are kids playing close by, you should be careful!" I warned.

"I know what I'm doing." He retorted, driving off as the car made it's loud roars.

"By the way. When you did that hair flip, I wanted to pull your hai-"

"I'm not listening!" I said loudly and covered my ears. I glared at him as he laughed at me.

It didn't take long before we arrived at a big hotel. Walid lead me to the back where there was an open beach. The view of the sea was so beautiful and I instantly felt happy.

"I will be back soon." Walid assured and I nodded. "My men are watching you-just this time." He added when I was about to protest.

"Fine." I gave in and he left me alone once I was seated by the beach. I looked around and noticed there were not many people around. It was still early in the day.

Sighing, I started playing with the sand in my hands as my thoughts wandered back to home.

I didn't know what was waiting for me in life. I didn't know what was waiting for me tomorrow. Everything felt calm yet a disaster.

However, I knew that I was slowly getting answers to the questions that had troubled me a lot. I was slowly getting to know Walid. I was slowly understanding him.

Yes, he was good at hiding his emotions, but I was getting there. Slowly but safely.

The only thing that was left for me to find out now was the real reason behind our marriage. Once I had done that, I would be able to convince my mother too...

"Excuse me?" I heard a female's voice interrupt my thoughts. Whoever the person was, stopped in front of me, blocking the sun from my view.

My eyes trailed up to a woman who seemed to be around my age. She had dark eyes with dark hair. Her skin was beautifully tanned and I smiled at her before standing up.

"Yes?" I dusted the sand from my dress and hands.

"Who are you?" She asked suddenly, a smile forming on her lips.

"I'm Jasmin. Who are you?"

"I saw you coming with Walid. So I was wondering, how do you know him?" She spoke, ignoring my question completely.

"I like your shoes." I said.

"I asked you a question?" She raised a thin eyebrow at me.

"I did as well." I smiled.

"Scores settled then. I'm Natasha. Natasha Aydin." She spoke, making me stiffen.

Natasha Aydin....?