Farah's phone buzzed, and a smile lit up her face when she saw Elara's name flashing on the screen. Answering the call, she greeted him, "Hello Mister."
Elara's voice on the other end held a serious note. "Farah, I hope you saw the news."
"Crimson Lounge?" Farah inquired, her curiosity piqued.
Elara confirmed it, prompting Farah to close her laptop, preparing for a more serious conversation.
"Yes, can you tell me if Adam or Amir had any kind of relationship with Ava?" Elara inquired.
Farah furrowed her brow. "Why the sudden interest in Adam and Amir's connection with Ava?"
Choosing his words carefully, Elara replied, "Just asking." He couldn't tell anything about the ongoing investigation.
Farah didn't pry further and shared what she knew.
"I didn't see Ava with Amir, but Adam did apologize recently infront of other students in University Cafeteria. He misbehaved with Ava."
Elara furrowed his brow and leaned back on his chair, "Misbehaved?"
"Amir and Adam were infamous. They made girls uncomfortable, leaked private photos, blackmailed them – you name it. Everyone hated them for that. But don't worry, Adam didn't disturb Ava in that way." Farah reassured.
"Thanks, Farah, for the information. I'll..." Elara began to express his gratitude.
Cutting him off, Farah insisted, "I won't accept thanks like this."
Elara sighed. He knew what Farah wanted. "Okay, be ready at 7 in the evening today.
.....
It became evening. Ibrahim was with Ava the whole day. And they fought with each other more than 10 times.
Ava sat at her desk, textbooks spread out in front of her as she focused on her studies. The room was filled with the hushed ambiance of her concentrated efforts. Ibrahim entered, his presence immediately drawing her attention away from the textbooks.
"Time to go, baby girl," Ibrahim declared, leaning against the door frame.
Ava glanced at the clock, her expression unyielding. "Ibrahim, I've told you, my exams are in a month. I can't just drop everything."
Crossing his arms, Ibrahim's gaze bore into her. "Exams won't change anything. You're coming with me to Rahman Mansion."
Ava sighed, meeting his determined stare. "Ibrahim, I need to study. I can't compromise on my exams."
Stepping closer, Ibrahim's tone grew firm. "Your exams can wait. But I can't. Rahman Mansion is your priority now."
Ava shook her head. "Ibrahim, I can't study there. I need my books, my notes. I can't just leave everything behind."
But Ibrahim was Ibrahim. His patience waning, Ibrahim stated, "You can study there. I'll make sure you have everything you need."
Ava resisted again. "No, Ibrahim. I need this month to prepare. I promise I'll come willingly after my exams."
Ibrahim's resolve strengthened. "No more waiting. You're coming with me now. I won't repeat Ava. You have stayed here enough."
Ava was refusing to back down, "My home is where I choose it to be. And right now, it's here, preparing for my exams."
Ibrahim took a deep breath. "Ava, I won't repeat myself. Pack your things. We're leaving. Your place is with me."
Ava throw the pen in the corner in frustration, "Fine, if you won't help me, I won't go."
Ibrahim raised an eyebrow, "You think I can't make you go? Ava, you're underestimating me."
Ava shot back. Her anger was overcoming her sadness. "Mr. Rahman, don't play games with me. If you don't help, I won't go."
Ibrahim chuckled. He was still leaning against the doorframe, "Suit yourself. I'm not going to help you. Men like me don't engage in packing things; we've got more important matters to attend to. I've already done enough by making coffee for you this morning."
Ava shot him an disbelieving look. "Coffee? Ibrahim, that's not even comparable."
Ibrahim raised an eyebrow, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Well, you didn't seem to mind when you were sipping on it."
Ava huffed, standing up from her desk. "This is different, Ibrahim. I can't pack my entire life in a suitcase alone. And you can't just order me around."
Ibrahim pushed himself off the doorframe, approaching her, "Is that a challenge, baby girl?"
Ava's eyes narrowed. "Call it what you want, but I'm not leaving without my things, and I'm not packing them alone."
The room hung in a tense silence as their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills. Their eyes continued to lock. Ava, despite her anger, held her ground, refusing to yield to Ibrahim's dominance. It was a moment of defiance that surprised even Ibrahim.
After a brief yet intense eye fight. Ibrahim broke the silence. "You're quite stubborn, Ava."
Ava smirked, "I learned from the best."
Ibrahim leaned in closer and whispered, "You're playing a dangerous game, Ava."
Ava stepped back but managed to control her body language, "Maybe I'm liking to play dangerous games."
Ibrahim shook his head with a reluctant sigh, finally conceded. "Fine, I'll help you pack."
....
(In the Rahman Mansion.)
Ibrahim opened the door of their new room and allowed Ava to enter first. Ava stepped in and she immediately noticed this room differed from their previous abode.
The walls were adorned with light lavender and white hue. A small reading nook adorned with comfortable chairs. Two beds stood opposite each other – a double bed and a single bed. The bedding matched the overall theme. It was a stark contrast to the dark theme of their previous room, and Ava appreciated the change.
Ibrahim stood near the door, watching her reaction with a faint smile. The attention to detail in the room's decor did not escape Ava's notice. The colors, the arrangement, everything seemed to resonate with her taste.
Ibrahim couldn't resist sharing a bit of the effort behind the transformation. "I personally decorated the room." .
Turning to Ibrahim, Ava raised an eyebrow, "Alone?"
Ibrahim sighed, "Well, Faisal helped a bit."
Ava smiled and walked around the room, "I knew it. The room looks good."
Ibrahim closed the door behind him, the latch sliding into place with a definitive click. He turned to face Ava, "I helped you pack your things, and now it's time for your payment."
Ava stopped and turned at Ibrahim, "Payment?"
Ibrahim wore a mischievous smile and began to inch closer to Ava. And Ava instinctively started to back away. He was well aware of Ava's unease when he got too close. Now he wants enjoy the fear in Ava's eyes.
"Oh yes, payment, You know the terms, baby girl." he teased, advancing further.
"Stay where you are." Ava warned.
She had a feeling where this was going and wasn't entirely comfortable with it. She knew Ibrahim's tendency to assert his dominance, and it always made her uneasy.
But Ibrahim continued his slow advance. "You're always so skittish, Ava. Why so scared?"
"I'm not scared. I just don't want you near." Ava said, maintaining a safe distance. She stopped in the corner of the.
Ibrahim smirked and quickened his pace. Ava tried to go to right side for escape, but he caught her by the waist. "You're becoming quite stubborn nowadays, Ava. I think it's time someone taught you a lesson."
Ava struggled against his grip, protesting, "Let go, Ibrahim! This isn't right. I don't need any lessons from you."
"Oh, but you do, Ava. Soft talking won't make you agree to what I have in mind. Sometimes, a firmer approach is needed in your case." Ibrahim replied with a smile. His presence loomed over her. Ava was trapped in Ibrahim's cage.
Ava tried to wriggle out of his hold, but Ibrahim held her firmly. He continued, "Tomorrow, I'm throwing a celebration party. I've never given a reception party, and I want everyone in Kuala Lumpur to know that you are my wife."
Ava resisted, "I won't go, Ibrahim. I don't want to be paraded around like some trophy."
Ibrahim moved his face closer to her ears. "You know, resisting won't change anything. I always get what I want. And you will say yes."
"I won't be controlled by you, Ibrahim." Ava could feel Ibrahim's fingers on her waist through her clothe. His fingers traced the delicate outline of her waist through the fabric of her clothes. Ava could not deny the shivers that ran down her spine at his touch.
Ibrahim was really amused by Ava's resistance, chuckled, "Controlled? No, Ava. It's about you understanding your place." His hands, still exploring her waist.
Ava's frustration grew. She pushed against his chest, attempting to create a barrier. "I won't be a pawn in your games!"
Ibrahim cornered her against the wall, his hands firmly placed on either side. His gaze bore into hers, a silent challenge. "This is not a game, Ava. Agree to attend, or...."
Ava was still trying to create some space between them, "I won't agree to this party just because you've cornered me here."
With a bold move, Ibrahim moved even closer, his lips dangerously close to hers. "Maybe this will change your mind," he murmured, attempting to kiss her.
Ava caught off guard. She didn't want to happen that. She turned her head to avoid the kiss. "I won't—"
Ibrahim cut her off, "Agree to the party? Perhaps this will help you decide."
Ava hesitated. "Ibrahim, don't." She was facing to the right side. If she made her head straight, this would be their second kiss.
Ibrahim traced a finger on her jawline, deliberately aiming to make her uncomfortable. "Just say yes, Ava."
Ava reluctantly whispered, "Fine, I'll go to your stupid party."
Ibrahim won this time too. He satisfied. Stepping a back with her triumph smile, he told. "See, that wasn't so hard, was it?"