An unknown number messaged me early in the morning. I hadn't received one of these since around Christmas time. It had been two months since then.

I'd ignore it for now. Jimena was my main priority.

I opened my mouth wide along with her, as she ate the food obediently. It wasn't an obedient task to get her to eat initially, pulling a tantrum whenever one of the maids fed her. She wouldn't even allow her father to feed her!

So I stepped in, seeing as no one else's charm was working. Rafael left me to it, as he answered his phone leaving just me, Jimena and the maid present. Thankfully Jimena yielded, staring at me with innocent eyes as she waited for the next spoonful of fruit. She seems to be a huge lover of them, eager for the next mouthful.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her mood, the way she grinned from ear to ear and nod her head side to side whilst eating.

"Careful baby" my smile fell knowing her chewing so fast could lead to choking. She did not stop in the slightest, only wanting to chew more. I frowned.

"Jimena" I said lowly, wanting her to know I wasn't happy with the way she was eating. With wide eyes, she stopped chewing and looked up at me. "Si mama?"

"What did I say, baby. You need to chew slowly, okay? Otherwise bad things can happen" I reprimanded as she nodded to my words, looking sheepish as she now chewed at a slower pace.

Happy, I squished her cheeks, as she emitted an adorable giggle.

"Zoooooom" I made aeroplane noises, bringing the food closer to her mouth, but she was too impatient and grabbed my wrist in her chubby hands, practically feeding herself. A chuckle reverberated through my chest. I felt as if I was on the moon. Overjoyed.

But instantly, my mood dampened just as fast, guilt overtaking my heart.

I was doing the right thing wasn't I?

That question alone rendered me depressed. I'd have to continue on with this life I chose for myself. If only that night did not happen. Where I stumbled upon the Mafias path. Where I was introduced to the world of.. nevermind. I would not think about that yet.

The clearing of a throat rattled me from my thoughts. Jimena moved about the high chair in delight upon seeing her father. He smiled from ear to ear, looking down at her outstretched arms. Clad in his suit, he stalked forward looking dashingly handsome.

I averted my gaze to the bowl before me, swirling about the content with the plastic spoon. Gosh, why did I have to go red at this moment. The entirety of my blood travelled to my face.

"Hola mi amor, como estas?" Asked Rafael, pecking Jimena's cheeks as she giggled. His face was in between her chubby fingers, as she pried him away from herself.

"Papa!" She gasped in between laughs, as Rafael attacked her neck, tickling her. "Basta" I couldn't tear my eyes away from them. They looked like a true family. All that Rafael told me was not what I expected, but I'm glad Jimena had someone like Rafael as her father. I could tell they adored each other very much.

But what about this troubling feeling In the pit of my stomach. Why was I feeling so grave about such a wonderful moment. Ya Allah, please don't take my happiness away from me. After I'd only just begun to cherish it. I'd made a mistake, my lord, surely you can do something and change that.

"Mama!" Yelled Jimena, looking at me with a frown. Her hands were clasped before her, looking at me with an incredulous gaze.

"Yes Jimena?" I replied back, grimacing as I did do. It felt like my mother found my hand in the cookie jar. She truly looked like Rafael when serious.

"Why you didn't answer me?" Her hard voice soon transpired into that of a cry for help, her lips formed into a pout, eyes showing the telltale sign of tear-works. My heart constricted at the sight, as I instantly got to my feet and strode towards her.

Not accepting my gesture to pick her up, she latched onto her father, her back now towards me. I looked at Rafael, to see he was already looking at me. A frown was on his own face, but for the purpose of reading someone's mind. Like he was too encapsulated with what was shown through my windows for eyes. Trying to decipher me.

A bit late for that now, Rafael. I'm nothing you think I am.

"Help" I mouthed nonetheless.

"Jimena, why are you sad baby?" He asked in a soothing tone, looking down at her, but she refused, pushing further against his neck.

"M-mamá me está ignorando" she cried, her small shoulders shaking as if she'd been affected by the world's greatest despondency.

"No mi amor. Ahora sé una buena chica para mí y deja que mamá te recoja bebé, hmm"

"No!" She exclaimed, her cries intensifying by the minute. I moved right before her eyes, to witness eyes glossed over with tears and her lips pulled into her mouth.

"Jimena, mama would never ignore you, you know that right my dear?" I tried to reason, tense.

She didn't reply.

"Come to me, Jimena. I'm sorry for not listening" I pouted, trying to pick her up, meanwhile she didn't budge.

" P-promise mama, you won't leave me again?" She held out her pinky finger, waiting for me to intertwine my own. I did so happily.

"Mama promises baby now come over here" and she did, as she slid right into my arms and hugged me tightly. My heart soared through the heavens. Is this what being a mother feels like?

Rafael turned around, looking at us. Or more specifically me. I could feel the heaviness of his gaze as I wiped away at Jimena's tears and wiped her snotty nose with my hijab. She giggled at the face I pulled in doing so. I couldn't help but also laugh myself, relief settling into my heart fairly quickly.

And just like that our day was spent laughing and giggling away. Rafael went away for some "business" leaving me and Jimena all to ourselves. For the majority of the day, we spent our time watching movies and enjoying eachother's presence.

I'd figured Jimena was much more sensitive than I'd realised. I needed to be careful with my words, and often, I found myself holding back my tongue from saying anything she may not like. Or would misunderstand. Saying that, she was also very intelligent. I was astounded by the things she would notice and say for someone her age.

We were halfway through a Barbie movie she'd chosen when my phone rang. It was the same number as this morning.

I couldn't delay this anylonger.

"Ill be right back, okay Jimena? Watch the movie. I'll be right back" I exclaimed in a whisper, picking up the phone. She nodded half earnestly, her eyes glued to the screen, before she gave me a long look, almost to say be back quick, mummy.

I heaved a breath, attempting to steady my racing heart. Why? I was not sure...

"H-hello" I timidly replied.

"Hello, Misses Bakhash, this is Louisa May, how are you?"

"I'm good..."

"You must know why I called then" she got straight to the point.

"Y-yes"

"Good, well please go ahead and send the statements and pictures to my number. This is to ensure your well-being and confidentiality" I could hear the fake smile behind the phone, but made no comment to acknowledge this.

"Okay" I replied back in a shaky voice.

"Bien. It's come to my attention that you are to return to the United Kingdom in a month. I would like to thank you on everything that you've done for me and my people. You've ensured the safety of the general public, and for that you will be repaid back generously" she finished. I didn't know what to say.

The same feeling from earlier returned. The one where it was just me and my thoughts. Alone in a confined room, four walls slowly closing in on me the more my mind overworked itself.

The beeping of the phone signalling the end of the call thankfully broke me out of my reverie.

I glanced at my face in the mirror but instead ended up staring too long at the sillouhette behind me. Rafael was stood next to the door. Staring right into my soul. He walked in like a predator, his hands in his pocket and his face hard.

"Who was that" he asked, plain and simple. But the answer was so much more complicated than that.

"N-no one" I began, startled by this old side of him, despite witnessing it for the majority of my time here in Spain. I swallowed my next reply, and attempted to say it again. This time clearly.

"Just the hospital. They wanted s-some papers before I left for h-home"

He nodded once, his teeth pressed down into his bottom lips.

"Is that so?"

I nodded once, twice, several times.

"Hmm"

As he stalked behind me, I could feel my heart rate picking up. Did he not believe me? Slowly, I was encapsulated in his strong, capable hands working their way around my waist and pushing me against his body.

My cheeks were stained red, I could sense the sweat and the heat travelling to my face.

"You're going to leave me hmm?" Came his dulcet tone, as he followed the pathway down my hijab clad neck. Right under my ear.

"W-well" I squirmed, trying to move away from him. He was too strong. Or maybe I was roo weak. Or maybe, I wasn't trying had enough. I don't know why I hadn't learned my lesson yet.

"I haven't seen my family in a long time.." I looked down at my hands, as they clasped around with each other awkwardly.

"Am I not your family, my love?"

"Y-you are-" I didn't get the chance to finish as the next thing I know, my entire body swirled around, now face to face with his. My eyes wide, like a puppies, as I looked into his own. They showed amusement. And his smirk. The way it was tantalising my senses. My self restraint.

"Mm hmm" came his hum against my cheeks, causing my grip on his shoulders to tighten. What was this. What were these feelings. Was it because he was now my husband? But, but..

His unshaven cheeks rubbed against my own. My lips. Teasing them. They spread apart at the sensation, and in that moment, I couldn't help but lick them. I don't know why I did that, but I did.

He groaned against my ear, rising something in me. A monster.

"You're so close, my love, yet so far. I have you in my hands, but why does it feel like you're crumbling away?" he pulled back and looked me straight in the eyes as he said so. His hands framed my face, thumb occasionally rubbing lazy circles into my chubby cheeks.

I didn't reply. With what?

"I-i" stopped myself. From saying anything further. Who knew he could be so poetic. And make me feel hundreds of emotions at once. I racked my mind for words. Any words to exit my mouth and like always. Nothing. Back to step one.

"You don't need to say anything, my love. You're mine now, Laila. You belong to me no matter if the distance between us is the sea. There will come a day where I will have you back in my arms forever. Till death do us apart and heaven reunite us" Flabbergasted. Shocked. Emotional.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

He pulled me towards him gently, accelerating my heartbeat. His warm lips planted a sweet kiss upon my forehead, and in that moment, I'd forgotten all the worries of the world. Everything.

Nothing had mattered more to me than this moment...

That was until the coin was flipped. The tables were turned.

___