Chapter 16

Kareem's POV...

I heard the door get pushed open and turned to it's direction. I just knew it was Khadijah and I was meaning to ask her why Laila's luggage was doing in my room, but I already got my answer when I noticed who was standing outside.

I just knew Khadijah would do something stupid like this. I rolled my eyes inwardly when Khadijah pushed Laila into the room and locked the door behind her. Poor Laila stood innocently by the door frame not knowing what to do. I breathed a heavy sigh before getting up from the bed and making my way to the bathroom.

I stood in front of the mirror and splashed water on my face, remembering the ' discussion' I had with my father earlier today...

...

" Laila, dear, would you mind leaving us two while we discuss... business". I watched him carefully while he said those words, knowing fully well that I'd probably spend an hour or two discussing about my marriage with Laila.

I waited for Laila's footsteps to sieze before finally turning to look at my father properly. "What is it this time? I came for the birthday didn't I?" I asked, my voice loud and clear as my hands slipped deeper into my pockets.

He chuckled lightly before patting my shoulder. "Come, have a seat". He said, his smile still visible as he led me to his desk.

I took the seat in front of his desk, waiting patiently for him to say what he wanted to say.

"I know your marriage is fake". He said suddenly after sitting down. I was kind of taken aback by his forwardness but I already expected him to find out soon, but not this soon.

"Okay..." I said, maintaining my cool and calm composure.

"Look, I'm happy that you listened to me and actually got married, but what do you plan on doing when your contract ends?" I looked at him skepticaly, wondering how I'm going answer the question when a sudden question crossed my mind.

"How did you find out the marriage was fake?" I asked, my feet tapping rapidly on the floor as I waited patiently for his response. I watched as a slight smile began to form on his lips, which then led to a chuckle.

"I knew something was odd between the two of you since the day you introduced me to her. I didn't bother asking anyone about it and solely relied on seeing the two of you today. I noticed how uncomfortable the two of you were, and so I decided to speak to you about it, personally ", He said, moving closer to the table and resting his arms on the table. "Now answer my question". He said suddenly.

I honestly didn't have an answer for his question but I wasn't ready to admit it. All I wanted to do, was give him a reply that'd end this little discussion for my benefit, but how?

"We both go out separate ways?" I said in a way that sounded more like a question.

"So you actually planned on marrying some random girl for your own selfish reasons?"

"She had her reasons too or else she wouldn't have said yes" I replied, trying to defend my cause of action, knowing fully well that there wasn't much to defend.

I watched as he suddenly stood up, sighing in the process, while making his way towards the door, just to end up stopping at the centre of the room.

"Hmm", he said in a way that sounded disappointed as he shook his head. I sat slouched in my chair as I waited for him to express his disappointment in me. "I was once like you, I didn't want to get married, even after meeting your mother. I thought that I'd be better of earning more wealth now and enjoying them later on, that was until I fell in love, and that drove me to get married and have you and your sister", he turned slowly to look at me as I reasoned his words. " You might not want to get married now, but later on you'd regret not doing so at an early age. My best advice is to make the most of what you have now", he turned back again, now facing the door. "All I want is the best for you son". Those were his last words before he walked out of the office. I sat there pondering his last words, ' my best advice is to make the most of what you have now. All I want is the best for you son'.

...

My thoughts siezed once I realised that I'd been standing in the bathroom all along. I breathed a heavy sigh before splashing some water on my face and drying it with a towel. I walked out of the bathroom, the cool air from the air conditioners welcoming me, before looking around a bit. The aura of the room, bringing back nostalgic memories, a small smile spreading across my face at the thought.

I breathed a sigh before switching off the bathroom lights and making my way to my bed. Thankfully, I'd already changed into my nightwear before Laila arrived. I was about to turn of my bedside lights when I noticed something strange.

Laila lay peacefully on the couch, her luggage beside the couch, but she seemed a bit cold. She didn't have any blankets on her, which probably caused the air conditioner to be affecting her.

I climbed of the bed before making my way towards the couch. ' why didn't she just take a blanket from my closet if she was so cold?' I asked myself as watched her sleep peacefully but thought against it. She probably dosed off, or just didn't want to intrude into my personal space.

I breathed another sigh before making my way towards my closet and retrieving a blanket from it. I made my way towards the couch again and wrapping her properly with it. When I was done, I watched as she turned in her sleep, my father's words approaching me once more.

'my best advice is to make the most of what you have now. All I want is the best for you son'...

Should I really makevthe most of what I have now? I thought to myself as I turned my attention back to Laila...