ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA.

The next two days fortunately fell on weekend because Ahmad is still thinking how to arrange for her school. If he allows Fatima that freedom, she won't come back after the first day and that is not what he's promised. After much thought, he decided to get her two police officers that will guard her even in the class. He got one female named Brianna and the other male named Emmanuel. They are to come sharply around eight o'clock and wait for her to finish all her shenanigans then come out. Whether or not she will go to school early is her problem, he's finished that part.

He woke up to pray Fajr then decided to go out on a jog and not the gym today, the weather feels great. As he jogged out, he felt that something is not right back in the house but pushed himself to keep running down the long pathway. When is something ever right in that house anyway? They've always been drama from one side of the world or the other and to think his wife is also a universe herself. Ahmad shook his head and sat down on a bench by the end of the estate that looks more like a bus stop but buses were never there.

He spent the next few minutes arranging what to do for the day then stood up and stretched his muscles watching a car sped down the driveway and out of the estate. He didn't pay much attention thinking it might be his neighbors. Yawning behind his palms, he jogged back to the house and prepare his breakfast alone. He saw how Fatima struggled to make common noodles and that satisfied him because why not? She needs to be punished one way or the other and this is the start for her.

Reaching the house, he saw the guards shrinking and trying to hide something but one of the stern ones he's purposely took stepped forward and bowed his head in apology. Ahmad knew that what he thought is wrong is really wrong and it has everything to do with Fatima. She's done something close to unforgivable and he is almost about to admit that he cannot get through Fatima and he will quit for the first time in his life.

"Sir, Madam just rushed out of the house where a car readily accelerated just outside the gates as soon as she settled in." His head is still bowed as he talked sternly, his voice giving that he didn't like the fact that he's let his guard down enough for the person they are guarding to escape without their notice.

They just came back from the mosque altogether and watch as their boss went for jogging exchanging brief greetings with them and before they knew it, she's rushed out of the house with a small bag and flew outside before they could react with enough time to press on the remote in their pockets. They couldn't stop her, he even rushed to block the gates but Fatima is very sneaky and evading that she miraculously escaped through the loops of his arms on the gates. He even smiled -something he hasn't done in years- at that performance she's pulled off. She really is a policeman's wife.

Ahmad raked a hand through his sweaty growing hair that reminds him to visit a barber soon but that aside, he knew something like this would happen but never this early. The past two days there hardly was any interaction between them suddenly she has disappeared. He knew where she would go so with purposeful strikes, he immediately went to the his room and change his outfit without taking a bath, his passport and other necessities.

"Get another car in the garage and follow me. Don't waste time." With that, he hopped in his new Mercedes Benz and zoomed off the estate hearing the roar of car and lights behind him -he intentionally didn't ask them to take the police car that has sirens, he doesn't want to attract attention. The sun still hasn't rise which makes it more easier to track her down.

But even with the speed he is using, he hasn't caught up with her. It reminds him of the Sienna he saw brushing past him while he was stretching back there at the bus stop. That should be Fatima and whoever it is that came to pick her up in her little plot. And the car wasn't just moving, it was racing down the coal tarred road like the devil himself is chasing after him. Glad that the roads are empty, he pressed the pedal harder and also swiftly drove the the airport that wasn't much far from his estate. He knew Fatima wouldn't go to Babagana's mansion or to any of her friends or even stay in Nigeria when she knew about his strong connection.

When he arrived at the fully lit and active airport, he saw someone similar to Fatima at the front bench buying ticket so he waited for his men to arrive before they enter the airport. Fatima has bought her ticket and already left to board the plane which means he needs to hurry up if he doesn't want to be late and she will slip off his fingers like she's wanted. He is not about to permit her to win this time around, she should know he is also a master when it comes to games like this. Ahmad felt this thrill rushing through his bones, as if this should be entertaining rather than draining. He wants to play this with her and see whether she will surrender or not.

"Which ticket did that lady get, Ma'am." He asked the woman at the front table who raise her head to look at him with a quite gasp of astonishment. Ahmad didn't let his gaze falter from her eyes, it's never been a problem to him maintaining eye contact.

She's a slender woman in white and red uniform, her hair or in this case, wig is made and trimmed to perfection while her long pipe nails held onto a few tickets remaining in her hand probably the same one Fatima just purchased in hurry. Her dark skin got a shade lighter with the makeup she's used making her face shiny under the fluorescent light in the airport.

"It's confidential, Sir." As she whispered those words, he's seen the recognition crossing her features at the last minute.

She knew he was the American slash Texan police man that joined Nigeria force just recently but she doesn't want that to intimidate her at all and ruin her line of job not after finding out he works efficiently without prejudice.

Ahmad leaned his weight on his right foot before displaying a smile he knew would surely get her knees to buckle. It is boyish, charming and eerily exquisite. It always manage to sprout out compliments from his female coworkers in Texas and this woman will be no different from them. "She is Fatima Musa Babagana and I'm her husband, Ahmad Hakim Al-hafiz. We are playing a sort of game and I really need to catch up with her before the flight takes off."

It is written all over the woman's face, she wants to yell out her aww to the public but knowing that will look unprofessional with clients scattered around, she made a puppy face then removed the ticket and gave him. "I didn't know she was married, no one does actually. Well, congratulations. It seems like you both are enjoying the honeymoons phase huh?" She busied herself with his card.

"Oh, yes. But I'm not traveling alone." She raise her head to stare at him in confusion then he gestured to the two officers he's brought with him. "You see, the force is concerned about my safety so they want these two to always be with me. Like bodyguards."

Her mouth made an 'o' shape before she collected all their passport and did all the necessities before handing them back. "Have a nice trip. The flight is about to take off in five minutes so hurry up."

"Can you not tell anyone we are married? I don't want the public to be on our toes." She gave him two thumbs up that she's got him covered with that and seal her lips.

Ahmad sent a grateful smile to her before rushing with the two officers that are bouncing on their toes at the thought of leaving the country. They've never left the country but have their passports readied all the time just in case but now because of Fatima Musa Babagana, they are about to step out of Nigeria and breath in another air away from the corrupted place. They glance down at the ticket to find out they are going to Asia, Nepal to be precise. The excitement is written all over their faces.

Ahmad didn't check where Fatima is going to till he stood at the doors of the plane where he saw Asia and that too without transit. She's going to Nepal. He knew that wasn't where she planned to go but since it's the only available ticket that will take her far away from home, she took it. Ahmad browsed through the seats and found out the one close to Fatima is empty as it's the business class where fewer people are. She didn't notice him in the flight nor acknowledged his presence when he sat down close to her. Surprised, he left his lips closed and gestured for the men to sit anywhere without disturbing them. He wants her to stay oblivion to his presence for as long as possible.

"Flight attendants, prepare for landing please. Cabin crew, please take your seats for landing." That seem to bring Ahmad back to presence and his thoughts came to a crashing halt. He's spent the whole time messaging the police station about his absence for a day or two then talked to his mother. He didn't sleep but he felt Fatima drifting off beside him even without yawing to look at her.

And the last announcement was made when the plane landed. "Ladies and gentlemen, Etihad Airways welcomes you to Nepal. The local time is 10:40pm. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened and keep the aisles clear until we are parked at the gate."

For the next eleven hours forty minutes, Fatima didn't once turn to look at the person sitting beside her so when she was about to leave the plane when it landed, she murmured an excuse and left without another glance since she came without any suitcase. She only brought a small hand bag with her passport, cash and other necessities. She's been conscious the whole flight whether she will stain or not and miraculously, she didn't. Now her first thought is to go to a fine ass hotel and rest her mind before she thinks of what to do. She's probably going to stay in Nepal for awhile before she leaves for Ethiopia.

Adjusting her raven cloak, she pushed her cold fingers into her jeans pocket and continue to walk with her boots making sounds on the concrete floor. She gave a sardonic smile when she remembered how she managed to escape the claws of that evil man. It wasn't easy to it against him but it was easier going through it. She called one of her father's drivers to come get her and he was more than willing for the money she's given him. She's already explained everything she needs to and decided for once not to tell Betsy about her plans or the girl would ruin it for her.

For some odd reasons, Betsy have hope in their marriage which didn't sit well with Fatima.

As she walked further to an unknown location outside the airport, she heard sounds of footsteps following closely behind her and she sighed in irritation. Even in foreign countries these people won't allow you to rest, men of course. She knew she could fight them off so she didn't bother turning even as her skin prickle with the thoughts of someone else being behind her other than some foreigner. She only feels that when one person is behind her or looking at her and that is Ahmad but he cannot be here. He doesn't know where she is and won't for a very long time as she won't leave any trail for him.

She didn't turn around even as the feeling started to overwhelm her, goosebumps rising across her arms. When she couldn't take it, she yawed around to find three men all in their black leather jackets. Since it's dark, she couldn't tell how they look whether dangerous or helping but an outline of the man in front filled her stomach with rising fear and panic. No, no, no! She is just seeing things because the man has made it his personal mission to make her life a living hell even after being bought by her father. This cannot be possible so she pivoted and continue walking, their footsteps still following her.

Harshly, she yawed around to snap at them when the lamp post beside them illuminated the faces of the men behind her. Fatima didn't know when she let out a loud cry or terror at the sight of her new incubus. How? She blinked and blinked some more to clear the image but there was nothing to clear. The men in front of her are none other than the guards from Nigeria along with her husband. She didn't leave any link and if they are here with her, it means they were in the same flight and she didn't take notice. She turned and started running, nowhere in mind but she continue running.

There is no way in hell she will let this man get her and take her back to Nigeria. She will run until he is nowhere in sight then she will go back to the airport and leave the country yet again. This wasn't how she planned her trip but if it is to avoid this man, then so be it. She didn't make it anywhere when a hand snatched her back to their bulky arms and she her face fell to his chest -leather jacket- with a puff sound discharged from her mouth. She struggled against the protective arms around her but he wouldn't budge, like she wasn't using all her strength to break free.

He only stood still watching as she struggled with all her might and when her energy started draining away with harsh breaths, she relaxes a bit then continue after few seconds. She can't let him win.

But there is no winning when the power she possess is not slightly close to his. Such a manly goat.

Then a scent out of nowhere started wafting into her nostrils. She cannot place any name on it since it smells like different sort of scent. Frankincense, myrrh, citrus, musk, earthy, shaving cream and leather all mixed together in one place. Fatima stopped struggling and greedily gulped the unique fragrance that calmed her down entirely. Even her nerves that were prickling the whole way from Nigeria to Nepal got cooled along with the goosebumps and her unevenly beating heart.

His big-framed body was clearly built for power rather than elegance. Yet there was something innately graceful about the long lines of muscle and sinew, and the heavy breadth of his shoulders. He was a man who made a woman feel safe, and at the same time, deliciously overpowered, just like she feels. She is overpowered and the will to surrender and beseech that he divorce is more tempting than her own pride. It's clear that he will always be a step ahead of her and that is something she won't be able to take lightly forever.

The way Ahmad held her is nowhere near romantic but he doesn't have the energy to keep chasing her around Nepal like a mad man. The minute he saw what she was planning to do, he took a step forward and yank her to his arms just as she's taken the next step to run away. He is not about to chase her to another country because of a promise he made, no way in hell.

But holding her there in his arms as she breath harshly and fisted his jacket in anger, there is something ethereal about it. He doesn't want to place a finger on what he feels now holding Fatima in his arms. It's probably just the reaction that any male would feel when he holds a woman after a long time. Knowing things are going to get more confusing if he keeps his arms around her any longer, he gently pried her off his body and held her at an arm's length. She is glaring at him, her eyes lightening yet again with plethora of fury and onslaught of emotions.

"You didn't even notice that I was sitting next to you in the plane. Don't bother asking me how I found you. Let's go get a hotel, I'm freezing."