(this chapter contains multiple POVS from the lead characters)

Leilah 's POV.

Now I am at home where I can't avoid him anymore.

He had left as soon as we got home. said something about forgetting to talk to someone.

I sluggishly walked up my room, while waiting for that door of his to open like I have been doing for days.

I hear him come home at midnight but I always pretend not to and I know how he secretly walks into my room to watch me sleep.

once I put on my TV, I am left at the same spot I have been all week.

Not again!" I screamed.

Increasing the volume of the TV. "

My phone beeped.

Amal : please don't put on the TV "inserts sad smiley"

Me : I have seen it already.

Amal : I am sure he has an explanation this time... Lee.. Please listen to him

I have lost it now. I am tired of this!

That was all my heart could take. I fell to the ground crying. Mama Naomi 's Arms wrapped around around me while she sat with me on the floor. I cried my heart out until there was nothing left. I have never cried like that in my life like that.

"Waleed! How could you do this to her! You should have left her at home with us! My daughter won't be treated like this Waleed! " Leilah's father said on top of his voice.

He has no idea he is the least of my worries right now.

"please... Haseeb. Listen to what Waleed here has to say . Please, I beg of you" my mum pleads.

"why are you taking sides with him now, Maryam! "

My Dad was getting irritated with her.

Following My hasten, Dad starts his own confrontation. Oh jeez!

Leilah was brought in by Naomi.

But Amal. Her father had called for this, that morning. Venue, my home.

"you need to stop. Mariam! He is no longer a child! Stop defending him!"

there it is,..... Dad has lost it.

"He is my son! And I know the media is exploiting him right now. Cant you see it ! Akhmad! Your son is breaking! It's been one bitter week of Drama! He is not himself anymore. Take a good look at him" mum was crying now.

My head was spinning. The continued back and forth drama was draining me.

Thinking back, I had walked in on Leilah crying in Naomi's hands. I glanced at the TV and pictures of Alice and Me in uncompromising positions were splattered across. I tried explaining to her but she got up and slapped me right across my face. It was so hard that I felt my cheeks crack. I mean I never knew she could hit like that.

"I was here, waiting for you to hold me. To tell me you love me too but you were out there frolicking with another woman! "

she had broken down in tears.

I could not defend myself. I mean, what was there to defend?

Naomi asked me to give her time, I left the building and went to the pool for a long swim.

Hours later, She was still crying. The media kept making things up about me. Then Alice decided to grant an interview the next day tellong the whole world how much I love her and how my marriage was a sham! and How I will be right in her arms soon.

My business partners kept asking that I come up with ways to defend my self in two weeks else they will leave especially Al-iftan.

I stood there, lost at all that was happening in the world. Another bitter ex girlfriend, Brittany also granted an interview saying I had cheated on her with Alice.

There were more reporters than I have ever seen outside my house. Leilah can't go out and neither could I.

She barely ate and she grew thinner as the days goes by.

Until this meeting, She had locked herself in her room and will only see Amal and Naomi.

My parents kept going back and forth with their arguments. Everyone joined in. Noises everywhere.

I looked up at Leilah,who was playing with her fingers. She was so thin and it was all my fault.

I need to make this right!

"can everyone hear me out! Please " I had to scream at the top of my voice to get them to calm down.

I walked over to where Leilah sat with Amal and knelt before her. Holding her hands in mine and shocked that she isnt pulling tantrums.... I raised her chin.

" I caused all these".

She stared at me, eye to eye and said nothing.

"I never loved Alice. In fact I have never been in love. she was meant to be nothing but one of my flings. I stayed with her to rebel against my parents decision, which was to marry you"

" I vowed I was never going to meet the woman I was being forced to marry. I even wanted you to Stay here with my parents while I live my life the way I want it. But when I saw in London?. I knew I wanted to see you again. I was in denial. And I kept moving with Alice to prove to everyone but myself that I could never love you. I was finally having positive thoughts until our wedding day when I saw your diary. You said you would never love me"

Her face lits up immediately. she was now giving me full attention. The room was dead silent.

" I felt I was the only one trying to give this a chance and Two days later. I couldn't have sex with you to consummate our marriage. I tried to stay away, to fix my life before focusing on you. So I called Alice and I went To Paris to end things with Alice But I got caught up in her tears and I felt I was hurting her. I felt I was been selfish.

"because, Before all of these, She was my very good friend from high school. I couldn't do it. My thoughts kept going back to your diary and what you had said to Amal about never loving me"

I really need her to talk right now but she keeps starring.

"When I came back drunk. You didn't do anything but I had cursed you out and pushed you away. You stayed... You obeyed....that was when I realized how different you are... I have never met a woman like you....Lee"

" and At the AL-awazys. I followed her outside to break things with her but she begged, Kissing me and all. She wouldn't let go. You saw me with the lipstick stain. You hid it from everyone and gave me this handkerchief to wipe it off" I took out the pink colored thing, I hadn't noticed I carried with me everywhere until last night.

"I carried it everywhere Lee. In the Bahamas, Here ,Everywhere. I am sorry I didn't defend you when she said all of that. It was because I thought I could ignore her, I could shun her and she will realize I was gone with you but she didn't.

"and them, I talked to my mum when I came over for games night with the guys and she made me realize your pain. I knew I had to end everything with Alice so I could tell you how I truly feel, about you... About us."

"I went there with Austin to talk to her. But the paparazzi only captured me. She kissed me..... Lee... I didn't kiss her. I have never voluntarily kissed her since I met you. I pushed her away immediately and right now, I don't know how those pictures got out. I wasn't cheating on you like they said.. Yes I have a past. I was irresponsible, Randy but that was before I met you. You gave me this reason to be decent. I am so sorry I put you through all these."

Leilah wept in silence.

"I don't care about the billions right now.... It's you I care about. ..I love you, Lee and I can't go a day without letting you know that. please forgive me for taking this long. I am bad at this because it is different from my usual."

"one week relationships" she asked amidst tears. She was being sarcastic.

"yes. One week relationships. I can't promise that I am a changed man or that I won't mess things up again. But I love you and I am willing to change for you if you will teach me just hot to be as perfect as you are...i love you so much." tears rolled down my eyes.

oh Crap! I Hate this!

Quickly, I used the back of my hand to wipe the embarrassing thing off. Her hands stretched out. She took the fabric from me and helped Wipe the tears off.

She is smiling! She is smiling! After one long week!

" I know you didn't cheat on me. Wal. I was just angry you keep letting her use you to destroy us. She has been cheating on you with Mr Burton, Sarah's husband for months. Sung Lee has a picture But you were too blind to see it because you were rebelling"

She pulled me into an Embrace. " I love you too.. Waleed and I am still angry. It took you so long to admit it."

"I am sorry. I should have said it earlier. She is gone now. She can grant all the interviews she wants but there is no going back to her " hungrily grabbing her lips

"oh! you two.. Thats enough " granny pulles us apart.

spoiler!

"you can continue with that when you get to your house. Fahad is still single" she laughed.

"Not you too! " fahad rolled his eyes.

Everyone laughed.

I move over to where her parents sat.

"I am sorry I keep puting your daughter through my mess. I am deeply sorry "

"it's OK. Come here" Mrs Haseeb enveloped me in a hug.

Amalia jumped on me "that was some romantic shit. Waleed" Amal 's tears was staining my Shirt.

"Woman! Get yourself together! I am not Dave!"

She smacked my arm and pulled away from me, laughing.

I was now left with her father.

The man pulled me closer to him.? it's OK Waleed. Just make sure this doesn't repeat itself. Else.. Leilah leaves " he said to me, sounding drop dead serious

I could only nod.

"I granted an interview with July Martins for 5pm tomorrow. you know ...The tell all woman. Austin Co-produces the show, she got to me through him. i am sorry I didn't tell you" Leilah surprised everyone. She was fidgeting with her fingers.

"what? What will you be saying there" I turnes her around to face me, sending glares at my all- time-forever betraying friend, Austin.

He has been so distant lately. And if I wasn't stuck up in my own mess.. I would have talked to him about his.

"I want to tell her I am married to the best man in the world and its not a sham " she smiled "and we love each other".

" I will be with you when you do that then. I am never leaving you alone..again " with that I hugged her.

"Dave... Are you crying...? " I heard Amal ask her silly boyfriend

"No babe. I think I have sand in my eyes"

"the sand left outside to your eyes? Huh? Dave? " she teased him. Everyone laughed.

We had a good time with the family before retiring to our home..

.This time.. To make love...

It's been four long weeks!.

......

"it's an honor to have you here for your first ever studio interview, Leilah "July Martin's said, holding my hands in hers.

"it's my pleasure. July... Thanks for having me"

"oh Girl! That voice! You know you are too perfect to be true. Leilah. " she says to me before turning to her in-house audience.

"I wonder why the bad boys gets the best though ?" she rolled her eyes and the audience bursts into laughter, Clapping.

Waleed stayed back with Austin backstage. He had insisted on coming with me to the show. He had told me to say whatever I want.

"so let's get down to this. What is your husband doing with Alice Knight on a weekend every busy man like him should be with their wives? "

Straight to the point.

"Alice knight is his high school friend who became a girlfriend but they broke up and she won't take his words. She wanted more...i guess "

"but you had told the reporters the other day that they were just friends "

"yes I did. Because two people becoming exs doesn't mean they are enemies. I thought Alice understood where he was coming from. I thought she respects that he is now married and probably accept the friendship he was offering but.... I guess she might have forcefully kissed him infront of the paparazzi to ruin his marriage. Looking deeper into some unpublished pictures"

"OK. You got hold of some pictures that wasn't published.. How did you do that? "

"I am lawyer. July.. I think alot of people forget that lawyers work with evidences. And I would go any length to prove to everyone that my husband is a changed man because I know he is... That was why I got the tapes"

"changed man? I am sorry to say this but Waleed Akhmad was voted two years back as Player of the year, I mean he is one Fine ass man no doubt and if he doesn't approach the ladies, the ladies would.. Can anyone change from that? "

I somehow feel irritated with her question but I have to reply anyways.

"True, He was wayward, arrogant, selfish and more but I see him change everyday. I see him struggle everyday to become a decent Man. He has stopped drinking for instance , he barely clubs these days except I am with him. He treats his workers with more respect than I have ever seen an employer do. I had my fair share in the beginning. But he started changing his ways... No matter how long he stays working for instance, He never fails to come back home"

"woahh this Man you are describing is our Waleed Akhmad? playboy Waleed Akhamad? Everyone's Waleed Akhmad? " the audience starts talking.

"yes. That Waleed Akhmad" I nodded.

Why is this so hard for anyone to believe?

"Leilah.. You must have done something. I mean Where are you hiding the man every woman wants to be associated with...dating or not? We need our Man back! " she laughed.

"people change. July"

"he changed alright because he took the world by storm when he got married. No one saw that coming. Everyone is still recovering from that. We are still trying to get used to the fact that he is married"

"I know right? "

"so Leilah, what happened.. Did you date this Man contrary to what Alice Knight is saying? "

save me God!

"it's surprising that people do not understand the true meaning of a relationship. You don't have be seen with a man before the whole world knows you are dating him. I 'd say I have been dating Waleed Akhmad since I was born because it's been so long" people Clapped ignorantly.

I am sure they so do not understand my point.

"so you coped with his lifestyle? Why? " she seemed confused.

"I believe when you are not married to a Man, there is a level of control you can give to that Man. Moreso I was in London most of the time. I can't let a Man distract me"

Wow, Waleed. You have practically made me a pathetic liar.

"I admire your sincerity.. That must have been a whole lot of schooling and seeing your boyfriend all over the tabloids, magazines and TV for the wrong reasons. There is no pain greater than that"

I nodded "but it's all gone now.. He is the best man anyone can ever pray for now"

"so.. are you ready people? " July asked her audience.

Her audience were All ontop of their voices screaming "YES!"

My poor ears!!

" OK..so now. Now let's play this interesting video clip "

"Alice...what did you do.?. There are reporters everywhere! " Waleed said to her as he tries to get into his car but she pulls him back and kissed him.

"you will never leave me..Waleed... Not for her! Not for that Fatty"

"she is my wife now Alice.. You don't get it. Do you? She isn't going anywhere because I love my wife. Just stay away from us. And for the record, she is not a fatty. You need food! "

"to hell with you Waleed! I will see to your end"

"as long as I have my wife. good luck with that. By the way.. I know you paid those that reporters to expose the robe pictures. You are such a desperate woman.. Whatever happened to you!"

He got into the Car and Austin's face from the driver seat was shown. The clip stops and the audience screamed in Mixed feelings.

"wow... Wow.. This is hot! You are the best! How did you get this clip? "July is stunned.

I lookes over at Waleed who was at the other end of the curtain backstage with his mouth wide open. I smiled at him but he doesn't smile back.

he is angry! Dead furious!

" let's say I got a reporter who Alice forgot to bribe. Those robe pictures of me were private property. They are for my husband only! And I am suing for it"

"I can imagine how you felt when those pictures came out" July shook her head.

July stood up from her seat and pulled me into a hug .

"you are a good wife Leilah.... Thank you for what you just did for your husband."

She turned to her audience.

" and to Alice knight. This isn't cool! Stop with the games already and move on!"