"Don't worry fiore, I am yours . And you are mine. Forever"

Noor felt her breath stuck hearing his whispered words. She could feel her heart race fast than usual as doubt formed at the back of her mind at his words.

"S-stop-" she breathed shakily unable to control her feelings as the strong urge to believe his words bubbled but her mind was holding her heart back.

What is he trying to do? Why is he saying such words that always shows as if he cares. Is he going to play with her feelings?

Wasn't this forced marriage and the threat he did, not enough to hurt her that he started to aim at her feelings?

Is he that desperate to sleep with her that he is manipulating her with affection and care?

" Why are you l-like this-?" She asked tiredly fed up of walking around egg shells around him as she feels her eyes moisten.

"Like what?" He whispered.

" One second you care for me as if I am the most important person and the next second you treat me as if I don't deserve respect."

Leonardo was taken aback by her words. What made her think such thoughts? Is it because of what Lizzy said?

" Why did you marry me? I am sure its not only because you want to sleep with me. You could have anyone you wanted to sleep with, why do you have to torture me?"

Noor looked into his eyes, searching for answers to her questions. She has to do something about this marriage.

She shouldn't have agreed on this fatal marriage . She should've protested till it last.

She didn't consider it will take a huge troll in her mentality. Especially since his words are breaking into her every sense of space.

And especially into her heart.

" Please.... just leave me alone. Let me out from this marriage." She requested, her voice like a whisper filled with pain and exhaustion.

" I can't. I don't want to." He replied.

Noor scrunched her face in confusion. He is doing it again. He is not giving her straight answers! And rage soon filled her stormy orbs " Why!".

He didn't expect her to question their marriage again. He knows she has the right, but he can't do what she is asking him to do.

He thought their relationship will be smooth form here on.... or at least till they are back from the trip.

His silence was making Noor impatient and she latched at him grabbing his collar " I asked WHY!!"

" You don't even love me! Why can't you let me go!" Tears of anger fall from her stormy orbs and her words hit him like a sharp arrow.

" Oh-" she breathed out, as her face relaxes into a boring ones and she scoffed, making Leonardo look at her with a questioning gaze.

" You did not sleep with me yet. That's why you aren't letting me go right?" A painful smile took over her face and he clenched at her words.

Leonardo was silent while Noor felt her heart hollow and her body numb.
Deep down she knows why her emotions goes hyper everytime at his words.

God-!Noor what have you done to yourself.!

His face showed affliction and hurt swirled in his coal orbs making her feel guilty of her words. But she didn't say anything wrong, so why is he making her feel at fault?

He took a step closer, lifting his hand as he cupped her cheek and both were staring at each other's gaze.

" I can't leave you no matter what. Because I love you. Don't you get it?"

"Because I love you."

" I love you."

" I love you."

Those three words echoed in her mind as she processed them. She felt the whole existence of herself a joke!

Her hand went up to her mouth, covering her lips that were echoing with her laugh, while Leonardo looked at her as if she lost her mind.

She was laughing. Mockingly.

"Love?" She questioned, her tone dripping with doubt at his confession.

Noor glared at him, removing his touch from her cheek as her hand clenched into a fist.

"YOU FORCED ME INTO THIS MARRIAGE!" she hit his chest as the force made him stumble back, her eyes brimmed with tears.

" YOU THREATNENED ME WITH MY FAMILY TO MARRY YOU!" she continued and hit him again taking steps forward as he stumbled again.

Her tears falling freely due to anger she never felt before.

" YOU DISRESPECTED AND RIDICULED ME! AND YOU ARE TELLING ME YOU LOVE ME?!" Leonardo caught her hand before she could hit him anymore and pulled her closer.

"I have my reasons for what I did." he grintted his teeth in reply.

Both stared at each other intensely as the atmosphere became grim due to their heated argument.

"That's exactly what I want to know! Why don't you ever answer me straight!" She demanded even though she knows she is testing him and by his expression, he looked like he will blast any second.

" I tell you what you need to know, and that's enough." he gritted, his tone hard and Noor could see the blazing anger in his eyes.

She scoffed as the corner of her lips curled into a sarcastic smile and she looked at him boringly with her red eyes.

" You don't love me Mr.Leonardo Chris Henz . You mistaken your desire for Love."

Hurt would be an understatement right now at the words left from Noor. Is she doubting his feelings? or does she think he is lying to her?.

The anger in his night orbs calmed, as if he forced himself to calm down as his expression turned neutral.

He released her wrist and the change of emotion in his orbs was not missed by Noor and she felt herself nervous at the serious look.

" I don't care what you think it is."

" I didn't say 'I love you' to hear it back. I said it to make sure you knew."

His words were assertive and sincerity was visible in his orbs that Noor could not deny his words of confession.

" Whatever the circumstances we married, it doesn't change the fact that we are both husband and wife."

" And I ain't leaving you anytime soon. Over my fucking dead body!" He declared and walked out of the room slamming the door as Noor flinched at the sudden sound.

She shut her eyes as the throbbing pain scarred her heart. Her tears falling freely and her shaky leg gave up as she fall on her knees, letting out deep breaths to ease her aching feelings.

Things took an unexpected turn and Noor never imagined she would be hearing those three words from him.

"How did things came down to this. " she asked herself with fear stressing her out of the revelation of Leonardo's feelings.

She should've known. His behavior ever since they set on the plane till now... how could she not guessed it?

"He shouldn't have feelings for me. You shouldn't love me..... " she whispered with every sob a thud of pain was felt and she felt like she was trapped in a spider's web.

Love really is unique.

It can be the most beautiful feeling in the world but it can also be traumatizing to the point you fear to love someone again.

And Noor understood the moment she saw him with Lizzy, why her heart felt as if being pierced by multiple sharp blades and why her throat contrasted in anguish at their intimacy.

She refuse to believe, but deep down she knows she has fallen for him.

She is scared.

She is scared to love. What if he leaves her after she confesses? What if something were to happen to him?

She knows she is overthinking but she can't help it when she witnessed all those happened once and there is no guarantee it won't happen again.

Was Love a taboo for her?

Noor didn't want anything to happen to him, so she has no choice but to push him away for his safety. She doesn't want to lose another of the person she love.

"Ya Allah - I love him." she tells herself in disbelief as she chuckles at the irony.

"Excuse me sir, the bar is going to close." the bartender in-charge of the bar announced as he waited for a reply and got a nod instead.

A sigh slipped from his lips, as Leonardo rubs his hand on his face trying to erase the tipsy feeling from the drinking he had.

After the argument, he came straight to the bar that was near the beach and kept drinking non-stop until he felt the effect of the alcohol kicking in his system.

But the aching sensation in his heart was yet to dissolve away. He didn't mean to start another fight.

Who knew she would make fun of his feelings. Was that her rejecting him? Did his love ended before it could even start?

If she thought rejecting him will make him stop loving her then she thought wrong. He won't leave her even if it means he should imprison her.

Gulping the remaining alcohol in his glass , he stood wobbly and the bartender looked at him with concern knowing too well what will happen if no one is with him to take him back to his hotel room.

The bartender was about to ask, when a woman popped, catching a hold of the drunk guy as she smiled at him
" Oh my look at how drunk you are"

" Sorry for the trouble. I will be taking my boyfriend now. Thank you" The woman said as she was about to take him away with her but Leonardo jerked his hand.

A frown settled on his face trying to get a clearer view of the female who was claiming him as her boyfriend while holding his ground " Fuck off, I have a fucking wife!"

Lizzy felt a rush of embarrassment as she was humiliated while the bartender observed them both.

" He is completely drunk." Lizzy awkwardly chuckled seeing the doubtful face of the bartender.

Lizzy was going to hold him again but Leonardo pushed her and walked away from the place ignoring Lizzy who was trying to stop him.

One thing was only in his mind. His wife. He want to hug her in his arms and tell her how much he loves her.

He wants to tell her over and over again that his feeling is not a lie. He wants them to be husband and wife and have a family with her.

What must he do for her? Should he leave the mafia? Should they shift somehwere quiet like the country-side?

Leonardo suddenly felt a huge force pushing him against the wall as he groaned at the unexpected action.

He looked at the person and it was Lizzy hovering over his face closer than needed feeling her hot breath making him cringe.

" Move" he ordered.

" Where are you going? Didn't you heard me calling for you?" She asked while leaning on his chest and her fingers sensationally poking his chest in a teasing manner.

" You even drank alone when I told you to call me. Shall we go somewhere more private~?" She suggested looking at him with a seducing face.

Leonardo under the influence of alcohol was getting irritated at her advances. He wants to just go to his room and sleep with his wife in his arms.

"Should we play around for tonight till dawn?" she smirked as she rubbed her body against his and captured his lips, kissing him aggressively.

The kiss was so sudden that Leonardo didn't have the time to react. As his mind processed what was happening, Lizzy slide down and started to kiss around his neck while he tried to push her away but she was stubborn to cling on him.

"Get the FUCK OFF OF ME!" He screamed pushing her and she stumbled at her back steps.

The night's wind entering the opened window visited Noor who can't seem to be asleep. She looked at the rectangular clock beside her on the mini table and it read 2 AM.

She felt herself restless as she accepted these feelings and Leonardo hasn't returned to their room yet which was worrying her a lot.

She felt the bed suddenly too big for her and also.... empty. She blames Leonardo for making them sleep together.

Even though at first she would rather sleep on the sofa but he would always carry her to the bed once she has fallen asleep.

Though she argued but he didn't listen and Noor was tired talking to a wall so she gave up.

It's not like he is a non-mahram either Islamically, but their relationship status always makes it complicated.

Is it even okay? At least he is not a non-mahram.

The knock on the door made her flinch and she hesitantly walked to the door while thinking who might be knocking this late? the knocking was becoming harder each second she delayed.

Upon opening the door, she was surprised to see a wobbly Leonardo leaning against the door frame.

She frowned seeing his disheveled appearance as her face scrunched in disgust smelling the alcohol scent coming from him.

"Did you have alcohol?" She asked in disappointment as Leonardo smiled upon seeing her face.

He stretched his hand to touch her but Noor stopped him as she noticed the lipstick mark on his neck and collar .

She felt her heart was being ripped apart as negative scenarios were forming in her mind seeing those kiss marks on him.

Leonardo pushed himself into a hug with her as he engulfed himself in her addictive scent. 

His hold on her tightened feeling her soft body flushed against his as he whispered "I love you so much. why won't you believe me."

His tone sounded as if he was in the verge of crying and Noor felt disgusted by his touch.

This whole time he hasn't returned to their room was because he was drinking out there and probably making out with a random girl which explains those red marks while she was waiting in the room restlessly worried about him.

And instead of explaining himself, he is shamelessly expressing his love for him after cheating on her!.

" Leave me" she said but there was no movement nor reply was heard from him.

Noor peeked at him and found him passed out as all his heavy weight suddenly weighed on her and she hold him as stable as possible.

She sighed and has no choice but to drag him to the room. Noor felt to laugh while crying out blood to ease her aching heart.

He cheated on her. After confessing to her not long ago, he went and cheated on her. How does he expect her to believe him?

Noor carefully placed Leonardo on the bed, his long legs still on the floor while half of his body on the bed.

Ya Allah he is heavy!

A sigh slipped from her as she kneeled on the floor staring at his sleeping face. He looks harmless and soft while sleeping the complete opposite of when he is awake.

Noor brushed away the strands of hair from his face as she felt her heart at ease seeing him.

She is upset at herself for suddenly being too soft on him. Only if she could switch off her feelings. Her heart would be safe from any damage.

" Can't you unlove me? Why do we have to be in such a complicated mess."

The ringing of the phone broke Leonardo's sleep as he groaned touching the bed all over for his phone .

The bright sunlight was the last thing he needs after a night of drinking as he felt the headache hitting him like a tornado.

Where is the damn phone?!

He noticed the other side of the bed empty and that's when it hits him Noor isn't on the bed with him.

He quickly springe from the bed and scanned the room and find it empty.

" Where did she go in morning??".

He groaned feeling the headache as he rubs his face from sleepiness and looked around for his ringing phone.

It was in the other end of the bed. He stretched himself taking the phone seeing Andrew's name on the screen.

He swiped the green button answering the call as Andrew's voice was heard " Boss on the fucking TV!!."

Leonardo frowned at her stressed voice as he looked around for the TV remote that was just under the TV.

" What's wrong?" He asked as he switched the TV and his question was answered.

" The case that has become international due to the 5 illegal business that has caused havoc to citizens worldwide have been solved last night as the lead culprit who was in charge was caught." The reporter on the TV informed, her face serious of the trending news .

"The person with the name John Michael was arrested and was decreed sentenced to death." she added as the Tv showed a blurred face of a man who was being moved around by the police officials .

"What the fuck" Leonardo frowned at the news knowing something is damn wrong.

"Exactly! I think that bastard paid him to take the blame! That fucking bitch!" Andrew cussed with extreme rage and only he knows how much he is holding it .

Both Andrew and Leonardo was baffled at the news. Things could get even dangerous right now after seeing the news. 

This shows that the Cobras are not weak. but it doesn't mean Leonardo's Mafia is either.

"We are returning tonight. Do a thorough investigation on John Michael and check his relation with the Cobras." he ordered before they hung up the call and as if on queue, Noor entered the room with a small ray on her hand.

" You are up." She said as they both stared.

" Where did you go?" he asked out of curiosity seeing the tray she was holding with a glass.

Noor walked to him and placed the tray on the table as she faced him,
" You should stop drinking alcohol. It's not good for your health and.... " she trailed her sentence unsure if it's okay for her to say she doesn't want him to drink any alcohol at all.

"And?" he asked with a questioning look, his eyebrow raised waiting for her to continue.

"And its troublesome when you are drunk!" she added while avoiding his gaze wishing not to catch her lie.

"are you worried about me?" he smirked but hissed at the pounding strong headache and Noor can't help but roll her eyes.

She picked the tea that she specifically made since she knew he would be having headache remembering how Michelle also have headache after returning from late night parties.

"Have this for your headache."

Leonardo sighed and simply obliged as he sat on the bed and sipped on the aromatic ginger chai. 

As soon as the flavorful drink hit his taste bud, he could feel the effect soothing down his headache better than any medicine. This was what he needed.

How much did he actually drink to be having such strong headache? He usually doesn't get headaches unless the drinks he ordered were strong.

"I would appreciate it if you could refrain from having an external relationship while we are married." Noor said while trying her best to hide her nervousness but the hurt was still visible in her voice.

"What?" Leonardo looked at her confused at her strange request. Noor figured his reaction would be something close to that.

She walked to the washroom and took out his white shirt from the laundry basket as she walked back to him showing him the red lipstick mark that was still visible on the collar.

Leonardo frowned seeing the white shirt which he wore yesterday. It hits him that he is wearing a different clothes. A plain gray shirt.

Did she change my clothes?

" Until we get divorce, I would like you to not sleep around or at least change your clothing after you have any external affair with someone."

Leonardo stared at the lipstick mark and he remembered it was given by Lizzy, but they didn't do much except for kissing, and it was all her too.

He pushed her away after realizing what was happening and warned her to never show herself again and walked away to the room because he was desperate to see Noor.

" That's the least you could've do to show respect to me and the so called feelings you have for me." Noor hissed as her tone was filled with sarcasm.

" Fiore, I promise it's not what you are thinking. Lizzy just jumped on me and  I was drunk-" he tried to explain as he stood but Noor beats him to it.

" That's enough Mr. Leonardo. First you tell me you love me and then you went and cheated on me? I can see how much you love me now." She scoffed even though she knows she is in the wrong for not listening to his explanation but she has to do it.

She has to push him away so when they break up it would hurt less.

"I did not cheat on you." Leonardo sneered, hurt by her false accusation as he placed down the tea cup and stood facing her

"And now you are trying to lie to me?" she said in disbelief as he sighed getting irritated that she is not listening to him.

" I am not lieing! I was dr-" the phone in his hand started to ring interrupting him and seeing the caller name, he has to take it.

"Fuck-!" he muttered as he groaned and walked away but halted as he announced " We are leaving tonight. Pack up."

Noor frowned at his words but before she could ask anything, he left the room as she sighed .

There were three days left until they have to return, so why the sudden departure?

"We are on the jet right now. Meet me in the house later." Leonardo informed talking on the phone with Andrew as he was seated on the jet before ending the call.

His focus at the nervous figure infront of him noticing her trembling hands she clasped and unclasped every minute.

" Come here." he said catching her attention but she hesitantly nodded her head in rejection "I-I am fine."

Leonardo sighed and stood from his seat and went and sat beside her. He took her hand in his and interlocked their fingers.

"W-what are you- leave my hand!" she whispered, unexpected of his action, though she is scared as hell to leave his hand.

Noor thought, since they had a fight before leaving the hotel, Leonardo would ignore her which she didn't mind but she knows it will hurt her.

" I told you, I didn't cheat on you and I can prove you that " he said, looking at her with seriousness while ignoring her words.

"I don't want t-" Her words got stuck in her throat as Leonardo played her a video from his phone. 

It looked like a CCTV video from the gray color its playing and the numbers along with it both at the top and bottom.

Noor became silent after watching the video but the next thing she said made him chuckle in amusement " It still doesn't change the fact that you guys kissed."

"I'll keep in mind that my wife is possessive" he noted to himself while at the same time teasing her as his deep playful chuckle resonated making her blush at his remark.

" I-I am not-!" She defended herself which they both knows is useless as her reaction gave away different story.

Leonardo lifted their tangled hand and kissed the back of her hand in reassurement as his thumb caressed her soft skin.

She decided not to say anything for the rest of the flight as she stared out the window.

Is she doing the right thing?

◇  ◇  ◇  ◇  ◇

More coming up ××p