Chapter 23: The Rules!

She paced back and forth in her newly furnished room as though trying to fulfil a marathon. She glanced at the wall clock again – it was past 11 in the night and he hasn't showed up at the house yet. Bushra scoffed as frustration rushed in her. How dare he just not show up when he knows that she's alone in this huge mansion he kept her. There are workers in the house, from a chef, to cleaners, butlers and safeguards. She wasn't enticed by any of that – she'd even send them away if she was given the chance to. She needn't any worker to help her do her own house chores. Maybe a cleaner was enough but she needn't a chef or a grown man referred to as butlers walking around her house in the name of assistance.
She plumps down on the soft cushion in the compact living room. It was at the moment she finally took a glimpse of her room and realized how big it was. The room gathered features from different trendy artists and brands that created a welcoming atmosphere. The stunning floor-to-ceiling gray tiles. The decorative mirror frame adds a layer of drama. There was stained-glass windows and French doors leading out to a balcony that overlooks the garden. The modern shades placed over chandeliers, allowing a hint of twinkle. And the king-size bed, extravagantly plush lavender scented bedding. Bushra lets out a shaky breath – if this was her room and everything was hers, then how does his room looks like? Maybe it was a whole house in there. If she could get a whole room-size closet, a portable living room, all in her bedroom – she wondered how his bedroom looked like.
She got to her feet and slide open the door which led to the balcony. She looks out the backyard. There was so much to see, so much to explore and it made Bushra to get excited. She was a fan of nature and she could sense by the looks of the colossal, beautiful garden; it was going to be her favorite spot in the house. From the balcony, she could only imagine being there in the garden. One glimpse at the comfy-looking chairs under the shade of an apple tree fully ripped. A bank of bamboo creates that natural feel, inviting you in. A white picket fence, five feet tall, circles around the garden and the rest of the house.
Bushra smiled as she exhaled calmly – she couldn't wait to explore the house. Just by the looks of the garden, she knew there was so much to see and sightsee. She bet there would be a study in the house, where she'd read till she sleeps off or gets bored.
'Admire it while you can, it's only for a definite amount of time."
Bushra knew who the owner of the voice was before she turned. All the exciting feeling and imagination faded when he spoke. She furrowed her brows, heaved a sigh of frustration and turned to face him. She was taken aback by his appearance as her breath hitched. This was the second time he was taking her breath away and amazing her. She had not seen him in about 3-weeks before the wedding and for so many untold reasons, he looked different. She was used to seeing him in suits or jeans and shirt – not a native wear. She never knew he could look 10-times more good-looking in a Kaftaan. For some reason, he looked better than he did earlier when he came to her house after the wedding Nikkah. He looked captivating, she admitted.
'Come inside when you're done drooling over me," he told her in a conceited way and walked back inside. She shook her head as she murmured under her breath. How could she even let him notice her admiring him? She wasn't admiring him, the kaftaan only complemented him, that's all. She hissed slightly and walked back into the room, closing the door behind her.
'I told you not to show up at my house and you did. Why?" She dared to ask.
'I changed my mind. If you're hungry, the dining table is downstairs – ask one of the workers there to direct you or whatever." He headed towards the door. She hurriedly approached him and blocked his path.
'We need to talk," she stated sternly, staring up at him. He could tell she was angry just by the looks of her spiteful eyes and joint brows.
He shoots his brow up, waiting to hear what she had in mind. He was exhausted just by socializing with too much people, left alone the wedding activity and it seemed like Bushra was ready to stress him out that night.
'Just because you don't like me or we made an agreement concerning the marriage does not mean you treat me howsoever you want. I will not tolerate such – and the workers you mentioned, I never asked you to hire anyone for me…"
'Then fire them – I really don't care what you do. Just stay out of my way and we won't have any problems." He brushed passed her after he spoke. He was trying his best to stay in his very good behavior like his mother kept emphasizing but she was making it difficult for him. If it wasn't for his mother, she wouldn't have seen him that night. He would simply lodge in a hotel or just avoid her in the house subsequently as his room from hers had a good amount of distance.
Bushra stares at the door he just passed through for a moment. She wasn't shocked by his reaction – she knew it was coming. But since he needn't a peaceful house, he'll get exactly what he wanted. A battle.
**
The next morning, she slowly blinks awake in the warm light of the autumn morning slanting through her bedroom window. She sat up, reciting her daily waking up supplication. She looks around her massive room and heaved a sigh – for a minute, she had totally forgotten of her new settings. It all felt unreal to her. She felt like she was in a fantasy book, where she was a princess, captured by a beast and held against her will.
In her situation, it wasn't exactly like that – but it was how she felt.
She got off the bed and sauntered into her bathroom. She glances around as though it was the first time she had seen the bathroom. There was so much space that could fit many people she couldn't guess. There was a double vanity with granite countertops blends with the marble floors, while smoke-gray cabinetry adds playful color and excitement to the bathroom. The scented candles sit on the counter. The bathroom was vacation-inspired. They've invested in high ceiling, large panel windows and detailed mold – she felt like she was living in an exotic location.
She moved to the sink that had a well framed-mirror above it and looked at herself for a moment. Her face was a pale. She turned on the faucet and the water ran down. Linking her hands together, she fetched the water and splashed it on her face – she did it a couple of times before she brushed her teeth and had her shower.
Less than an hour, she was out and already dressed for the day despite doubting having any activities ahead.
Bushra found herself in one of the hallways which had so many doors that confused her more whenever she opened a new door that led to somewhere else but the living room or dining. She finally opened the large wooden double-door that led to the main living room – there, she met Mahir sitting comfortably, enjoying his Sunday until he set his eyes on her.
He looked at her intensely, holding stoic expression as she approached him. She frowned her face as she walked up to him. If she had known he was in there, she wouldn't have entered.
'What brought you to my living room? Yours is upstairs, I'll inform one of the maids to show you around." He had his eyes glued to the tv while he spoke to her. She despised it whenever he spoke without looking at her– as though he was giving her orders.
She looks at him thoroughly. He was wearing a plain white t-shirt and black shorts that reached only his knees. He had flip-flops on as if he was ready for the beach. He had his safeguards in the living room, keeping a slight distance from his sitting position. It was an enormous room, and she knew they wouldn't hear a thing they were saying unless they yelled it out.
'Do you still need all these men inside the house?" She asked him. If they were going to be in the house together, there was no way he was still going to have his men standing around the house while she's there.
'Oh, them? They have their limits, of course. The only place they have access to is my living room – which you are not supposed to be here," he told her in a cautionary way, as he glared at her from head to toe. She was wearing brown and milk color boubou lace that perfected with her body perfectly. A very subtle makeup to complete the look.
'And since you're here, let me set some rules, as the man of the house. I don't want to see you in my room, my living room or my study, or office – whatever it is that you need, you can call or text me. You will have a fixed allowance for whatever you want to do. And you will have a personal maid that'll clean your room and living, and do any type of work you want and a driver to take you wherever you want. I will be handed the position of the CEO of Dan-Musa Global Trust in two months – It means after the handing over, I will be traveling on business trips a lot and you won't get to see me that much, which is good. I expect you to be out of my hair and mind your business and do as the contract we signed said. I will also respect your space and you won't see me anywhere near your space. Understood?" He looks up at her from his sitting position. She looked certainly infuriated – it pleased him to madden her. It will unquestionably make her to avoid him more and that was what he wanted.
Bushra's nostrils flared as she stared at Mahir. Her heart raced in her chest as she stood there. The large room felt like it was closing in around her. In her mind, she was growing larger and larger, expanding with rage. If she didn't do something fast, to get herself under control, she'd explode and take out everyone and everything around her.
Who does he think he is to set such thoughtless rules on her as if she was a liability? As if she begged him to marry her? Why would she in any world want to be anywhere close to him? Or does he have it in mind that he was the only one that had a life going on?
'I have my rules too; I don't want to see you in my room also or anywhere near me. Don't talk to me in public don't even act like you know me when we're in public. I don't need your money, because I have mine. And I don't want to see any of these men you call guards or butlers or whatever, in my space."
He peered at her; his appearance didn't change nor did he get incredulous by her words. She can do whatsoever she desired for all his upkeeps.
'Ok," he retorted and looked away from her. He relaxed into the sofa and crossed his legs. The more Bushra fumed, the happier he felt.
She gave him one last revolting look before turning on her heels and leaving. She has been angry before, but never as she was at that moment. She was so angry that she felt light-headed. Her throat was hurting and she felt like bursting into hot tears. She wasn't going to – she'd never waste her tears over a conceited, heedless man like Mahir.