Waleed 's POV

Taking her hand, I guarded her through the unending questions and camera flashlights been thrown at her. Her right hand was so cold, it seemed she had dipped it in ice. I threw one arm across her shoulder instead. i can't have her transmitting that cold to me right now.

I could tell she was struggling to keep up with all of these.

Someone had put barricades by the entrance so the reporters won't be able to get to us. Brilliant! Yet, some still tried to fight the body guards off to reach the walk way so they can get clearer views of Leilah. It was as though they had as many pictures as they want from the unending clicking cameras concentrated mostly in Leilah. I tried to shield her and at the same time, motioned to Amal to lift her flowing train so she could climb on the stairs of the doorway.

I stopped at the entrance to the house and kissed her on her forehead. There is no vivid explanation as to why I did that . I guess I was only saving her from getting harassed further by talking to these people. I was probably trying to remind her to not say anything at all by pressing her cold hand.

Now facing the reporters. I motioned to the most popular one to come closer.

"yes I am married. I kept this as a secret so all these will be avoided. But I guess I ran out of more ways to do that considering how every TV and Radio station has sent a representative or two here this evening. My Wife here, do not appreciate all of these. She wants a normal quiet life and therefore the reason why no one outside our close relatives was invited today. I am sorry this is coming as a surprise to you all, Business associates and distant friends. I hope you do understand the need for the privacy."

For the first time, for some reasons I felt confident calling her "my wife".

" the reporter asked.

I think I did wrong picking this particular guy.

I stared at my father who suddenly appeared beside us. Only then did I notice his hands on my shoulder.

"it is insulting to think I married a very beautiful woman like her, out of convenience. I mean why would anyone think that". I was confidently faking a smile.

" " I heard someone from the crowd ask.

" " the reporter hammers.

What was I thinking granting this interview. I was going to open my mouth to admit Alice is or was my girlfriend then I reminded myself that I have never claimed Alice in any interview as someone I knew, talk more of someone I am or was dating.

Beside me, Leilah finally raised her head. Her eyes, unreadable. I could feel her heartbeat from where I stood. she was getting more and more nervous.This earned her more photos as her face was finally in full view. Doing little to distract the question I had been asked.

"Alice and I are just very good friends, long time friends." finished with the reporters. "No more questions please. "

""

Seriously? He is going to start calling their women around me in front of my wife and on my wedding day?

There were so many other questions. Some reooertors jumped through the barricades so they could ask more about Alice and Leilah.

"my.. My wife and I have people waiting for us for our wedding party. Thank you" That said. I lead her through the door.

Not a word between us as we walked through to the back of the house.

We were welcomed with lots of hugs. Kisses and well wishes . we took our seats on the table boldly written "the Fabulous Double" on it. I can see Amri at work there. Annoying older sister!

" I am sorry you had to answer the Alice question " she murmured.

" it's OK... It was going to come up anyway"

" did you break up with her yet" she murmured again.

" that's none of your business and it is way too early to ask me that" I was started to get pissed now.

Who gave her the right to ask such questions. More like, she was digging into my affairs.

Like, I need to get her to sign our open marriage agreement papers soon.

" sorry" she replies dryly.

we don't say anything to each other for a while.

An hour in silence later , We were called for our first dance, I held her hand and led her to the dance floor.

I am not prepared for this.

Her eyes tells me she can't wait for this to be over as she rolls them continuously.

Well... That makes the two of us.

Her brothers took turn to dance with her, her dad and Mine too. And there she was smiling at something my Dad had said to hee. And she says something funny to him too.

"she is already yours to look at for the rest of your life. You know " my granny brought me back to Life with her dry words, she was my dance partner at the time.

I had forgotten I was dancing with her.

Ed Sheeran 's perfect was been played in the background.

"she hates me" I replied. " she will never be mine. I saw her diary in her room"

"you can't be too sure. You shouldn't be reading her diary in the first place Wal! I taught you better." she hits my arm.

"granny... She kept it under her pillows and I was tempted to. I swear that was the only thing I saw. She said I was a beast and she would never love me. " I said dryly to her.

" are you a beast? Because I didn't raise no Beast" granny rolled her eyes.

We both stared at Leilah for a while. Her head laid on Dad's shoulder while she smiled at him. It looked like he was her groom and not me.

I refuse to be jealous of my Father.

"Waleed, She said that because she had just found out about you. She was angry. She feels her plan for her life has jeopardized with all of these. You felt that way two weeks ago, Remember"

I nodded at her. My eyes, never leaving Leilah and Dad.

"At least you had enough time, unlike her. I remember you saying you never want to set your eyes on her but here you are stealing looks."

She poked me playfully. I turned back at her with a smile on my face.

"Poor child. You don't see it yet. Do you? "

"see what? "

Is this woman on the same page with me at all?

She ignored the question and proceeded to continue her own little speech. "it was a good thing what you did there not letting the reporters spit on your marriage like that. I am proud of you" She wiped a tear from her eyes.

" no matter what Waleed. you will respect and tolerate her. You will never let anyone spit on her. And if you ever want to do that to her , You will do that within the confinement of your home. OK? ......promise mee? "

"granny! " rolling my eyes. I am tired of making promises. That's all I have been doing for days now.

"Waleed. Promise! " she insisted.

"ok. I promise"

The music got changed to Ed Sheeran's Photograph and the DJ actually thought I was going to dance to it.

It was time for me to dance with her mother, Kamila Haseeb.

The woman with the perfect eyes and Hair.

"you know. She is not always this quiet." she started. "She is a chatterbox when you get to know her. She is just going through life now" her mum welcomed me into her arms.

We both stared at Leilah who was now dancing with My Mother. The two, extremely chatty.

" yeah... I noticed. I will be honest with you. I don't know how I am going to handle her. no offence..."

"none taken" the woman laughed.

"She is so annoying " I Admit.

That is practically all I have been thinking about for days now.

"just be yourself. She hates pretence. She acts nonchalant most of the time. But trust me, She knows everything. Nothing escapes her. She is a nice woman I am proud to be a mother of. But no matter what you do Waleed... Don't let her feel like a captive please. " her mum spoke definitely from the bottom of her heart.

I nodded shyly.

Why am I suddenly too shy discussing Leilah with anyone?

"she is a bird. She isn't like me" she continued.

"She loves to explore. Tame her a little but not a prisoner. Else you will watch her break day by day. Waleed"

"never knew she is outgoing and chatty too. She remained quiet all through the flight" I told her.

"you are still learning about each other. This is my only daughter, Please make her happy so she can recover from this. She is only putting a strong font..i know she is dead- down there ".

"your daughter will be OK with me. I promise" with that, I hugpes the little woman.

And I think I felt a tear drop on my shirt. I had pulled my suit as I could no longer cope with the Padded thing, slaying at 10pm.

It was time for the couple to dance again. Leilah tries to maintain that space she 's been giving me all evening.

Why do I care?

"hold your man... Leilah!" Amal shouts as she waltz past us with Dave.

"aren't you going to hold me. you heard your friend" I smiled at her. Trying to kill the awkward feeling between us.

Why? I don't know.

Please be comfortable with me so we can work on our plans. My heart begges her silently.

" maybe when you meet Alice. You will get all the "holding" you need or is it Britanny? " she spat.

wait? Is she jealous?

"oh.. You don't want us to do that, Leilah... You don't" I let go off her , walking away while she stood lonely on the dance floor. Serves her right.

I really need to get away from this annoying Woman.

leaving her alone on the dance floor did nothing to my conscience at all. I pulled my suit blazer from where I hung it and made my way into the house. This earned me quite a number of death glares. Then I heard Leilah make a silly excuse for me saying I needed to use the bathroom.

Everyone laughed.

The tension died as though it wasnt born. Everyone continued dancing. Stopping at the door for no reason in particular, I saw my friend Uthman approach her for a dance and she suddenly, is all smiles again

"But she couldnt do that with you because you hate me so much.". Something in my head complained bitterly.

"I knew she lied back there... you know. " my dad's voice hits me back to reality.

I was sitting in my room looking at my childhood photos. Most of which I had taken with my grandpa who I thought had been my best friend not knowing he had ruined my life before his death.

"he was the Best you know. He took me to school everyday despite the driver and the guards" I looked up to my dad who stood over my head.

"he made you to leave us " dad laughed bitterly.

He had been jealous of my relationship with Grand PA.

"I remember the day this picture was taken. He had just found out he had cancer. He said to your mum and I"

" I am sure this will be my only grand son so I want to live everyday with him" Dad repeated for the 100th time. In my 27th year of living.

"...you know he loves you more than he did anyone. Right before you were born. He wouldn't leave your mother 's side after you were born "

Are those tears in his eyes?

"son, We love you but I hope you know Leilah is our child now. Whatever you do to hurt her is done to us too. Remember the friendship between the two families is more than a 100years Old. It started from your great - grand parents. Do not ruin this by your attitude towards Leilah. She is a good girl and you can make her yours only if you want to." dad says.

I rolled my eyes in response. Just another Pep talk. No one has asked how I was doing. Leilah owns the night afterall.

"you know she said something to me" Dad laughed.

"she said..." ? "

" She takes drugs Dad! She is insane "

Yes. That's it. That girl is a crackhead.

"oh son, nobody has ever been that bold to criticize you. Not even your mother. You are going to have it with her if you don't talk to yourself ...Waleed. She is not your typical girl. I am sure you know that by now... Considering how she made excuse for you like she wanted you gone too" dad laughed harder and louder Too.

I felt sorry for myself. This man clear had no iota of care for my feelings just like everyone else.

" We will make her fall in love with an arrogant man then ...."

I shrugged the joke off me and stood up from the bed.

"come Dad, I am going to finish up my dance with My annoying wife. Let's go"

"I am glad we finally fulfilled your grand pa 's wish, Waleed. The rest of the Estate will be transferred to you tomorrow. It has your name and Leilah's"

What! There is still more wealth and I have to share it with Leilah.

please save me from these People Dear God.

"I thought we read the will together dad... It didn't mention any other property or estate? "

"there is a second will. I will have Your Grandpa's lawyers mail a copy to you. I just got to find out last week. You and Leilah are to own the estate and under no circumstances, should it be sold. And you will have equal rights too. You see why you had to marry her? I told you there is so much to that deed. You will find out more as time goes on" he gave me a pat on my back and leaves me hanging in the room.

Oh Jeez! I am tied to her forever.

"uthman.. Can I have my wife back now. Thank You" I said to my friend who was laughing at something Leilah had said to him.

He let her into my arms and the smile on Leilah 's face disappeared with the dance, all of a sudden.

"you got one interesting woman there. Pal. My ribs hurt from laughing too much" uthman walked away. Still laughing.

I wonder what they had been discussing.

"I know you hate that I am a jerk Leilah. But this just got real. Grandpa.. My grandpa left an estate for both of us."

"aww that is so nice of him. I can't believe I am stuck with a jerk like you for life." she rolled her eyes.

Ignoring her little speech. I got what I had on my chest out. " so... Were you flirting with my friend on our wedding day? "

" excuse you!" her fist clenched almost immediately. I am sure marrying a violent woman then.

" I could help you win him over if you want. After all, He is single. " I placed a Kiss on my now - all -angry -wife's cheek.

"one more of that and you will regret what you just said" Her face grew hard.

My eyes drawn to the top of her breasts as I watch them rise and fall heavily while her breathe increased.

Save me, God!

" I said I could help you win him over if you want" I pulled a grin up on my face to annoy her more.

"OK. You asked for it" ..... I heard her say.

Before I could digest what she had said........

Leilah is publicly kissing me!

Her lips is the softest and sweetest lips I have ever tasted. Her breathe smelled of vanilla and Apple.

my hands involuntarily grabbed her waist.

I need to stop this before I embarrass myself here...

Cunningly, I pulled away from the sweet kiss so no one understands that I didn't plan for this to happen. I noticed the guests clapping and everyone had their phones out.

"Go wal! " they chorused

Shit!

The tabloids have gotten more to ruin my single life considering how everyone had their phones out.

I was still trying to think about how I was going to explain all of this to my sweet Alice and the others, when I remembered what just happened. Leilah just kissed me, a sweet passionate kiss. She made it look like I was the one who kissed her.

Everyone started shouting that I get a room for my wife and I.

I looked down at her to find her blushing to the crowd like I did this.

Oh.. Quit the Act!

"I won't retaliate here. Leilah" i placed a quick kiss on her mouth.

Staring at her seductively while watching her melt into my arms. "we have a home to go to for the rest of our lives. Ever heard of consummation? " I asked her, murmuring so she is the only one who gets to hear what I had just said.

Her face turned green like she was going to puke but she quickly pulls herself together .

She was bold enough to kiss me in front of everyone but she isn't all of a sudden bold enough to handle the sex talk between us? Weird!

Then the dance ended and everyone took their seats.

I am completely exhausted!

Trust Leilah, she voided me for the rest of the evening.

Then came the emotional moment for her to say goodbye to her family. Tired of waiting for her in the car, All I could think about right now was my bed. I needed to sleep off the long day. Amal led her into the car with both our mothers and Granny. They stayed crying in each other 's arm for a long time before she let her go.

"Where to? " Abdel asked.

Leilah sat quietly beside me. Her eyes were on her family outside. She waved at everyone with sadness.

"Home"