chapter 9

Kareem's POV...

I stepped out of the car and rounded it before opening the back door for Laila. She turned to face me as our eyes met. I stared intensely at her warm brown orbs before she awkwardly shifted her gaze. I noticed that she always does that. She always seemed to do that whenever I stared into her eyes, like as if she was intimidated by me.

I shifted those thoughts away before turning my attention to the ground, she stepped out afterwards. I waited for her to step out of the car before the two of us made our way to the front yard of the mansion.

I turned my attention to her, she carefully observed every little detail about the mansion, probably something she did when she first saw my house. I tapped her slightly before turning my attention back to the mansion.

"I already told my dad about our visit and relationship. He doesn't know about the contract, so I expect you to pretend like as though we're a happily married couple, and most importantly, that you married me at will". I said, flashbacks of the conversation we had replaying in my head. He was surprised, almost astonished by the fact that I got married like as if I don't oblige to his every order.

I pushed those thoughts away before making my way to the entrance of the mansion, her footsteps trailing on behind me before the two of us stopped just a few feet away from the front door. I observed the place. It still looked the same way it did before I moved out. I observed the walls and shelves and noticed that they mostly consisted of potted plants and ornamental decorations.

"Kareem?" I heard a voice say, one I recognised very much. I didn't turn to look at her but instead asked her a question of my own.

"Where is dad?" I asked. I had no time to explain what was going on, she'll probably figure it out herself.

"He's in his study, why?" She replied, a hint of irritation clear in her voice. Irritated to see me, but glad that I chose to obey dad.

"You'll see". Was all I said before taking Laila by the hand and rushing upstairs. I rushed past a few doors before barging into the one room I knew he'd be in.

I stopped a few feet from the entrance, Laila's hand still in mine

He looked up from his newspaper and raised a brow, probably not expecting to see Laila. He folded the newspaper before carefully placing it on the table.

"And who could this be?" He said, motioning to Laila. I could see it in his eyes. I knew what he was thinking, he knew who Laila was, he just wanted to hear it from me.

"She's my wife". The words felt different when heard aloud. He was probably not convinced, he looked at me a, bit skeptical. I squeezed her hand a bit more than I should have.

A smile began to form on his face at the thought of my words. "Then why don't we get to know her better" . He said before walking up to me, still maintaining eye contact.

"Khadijah, you can take the girl to your room, get to know her better, while I discuss some business with Kareem". I let go of Laila's hand just as Khadijah walked up to her. I glanced behind me to see Khadijah and Laila making their way out of the room. I looked back to see my father staring back at me. The two of us just stood there staring at each other for a while. I noticed he had a few wrinkle lines visible on his forehead and a few grey strands visible on his hair.

"Come, let's sit". He said before leading me to his desk. I sat on the free chair in front of his desk. What is going on? Does he really want to talk about my marriage to Laila?

"Look son-"

"My marriage is real". The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it. I couldn't let my dad take my one and only dream away from me.

He looked a bit taken aback by my quick defense, probably not expecting me to take this marriage thing seriously.

"I know that son. I trust that you'll respect my wishes, as well as your mother's ", I shifted my gaze to the big window behind him that displayed the trees and city buildings. "All I want for you is to build a relationship with her. I want you to start a family of your own and not dwell in business matters after I retire. You have gotten what you've always wanted, what I always wanted for you, to run the company after me. Now all I want for you is a normal life, a happy one, with a wife and kids. Business isn't all that matters ".

I sighed before shifting my attention to my fingers. So now he wants me to live a happy life with a wife and kids? He did all this just to tell me that 'business isn't all that matters?' . "So that's it? You want me to make a family with her? Is that why you did all this? Treated me like dirt all this while just to tell me that business isn't all that matters and that I should make a family?" I said still avoiding eye contact with him. Does he really expect me to live happily married? I didn't get married to her because I love her, I got married to please you and now you expect more from me, typical.

"Son, I only want the best for you. I want you to be successful in life, but one thing I know you're lacking is true love. I know your marriage with her is real, but I don't expect you to develop any feelings let alone posses any feelings for her. I know the talk on marriage being a lifelong relationship is something you want to avoid but it is something you must face in life. All I want is for you to understand this and learn to live a normal life with her". I carefully analyzed his words. He wants me to live a happy and normal life with my 'wife'. Sad to say, nothing would ever come of this marriage.

"I understand". I said in a low voice. He smiled before standing up from his seat and stretching his hand out for a handshake.

"I'm very glad to hear that". He said before I took his hand. I could see how genuine his smile was and it made me feel a bit bad about lying to him.

....

Laila and I made our way to the car after a while. I sat in the front next the driver before he started driving , my attention mostly focused on the buildings and trees outside.

My mind started to wonder off to what my father told me ' but one thing I know you're lacking, is true love'. What did he mean by that? How am I lacking true love? I'm content just the way I am and I most definitely don't need anyone to come into my life and complicate things. And besides, true love is just something that comes into people's lives just to take away the little known source of happiness that person once had. It doesn't bring happiness, it takes it.

My thoughts came to a halt when the car pulled over at our driveway. I stepped out of the car before making my way into the house and without wasting time, I made my way up the stairs and into my bedroom. I threw my blazer on my bed before making my way to the big window in front of my bed. I stood there staring at the view for a while. ' all I want is for you to understand this and learn to live a normal life with her'. Usually when my father advices me, it's mostly about business strategies and ways to get big investments, but now he's advising me about love and marriage, two concepts that I still fail to understand the purpose of.

I pushed those thoughts away before making my way to my bed. I opened the drawer and pulled out an old framed picture of my mom, me and Khadijah a few years back.

"If I was ever to give my anyone, it would be you"....