12
REANA
An intense need to relieve myself is what wakes me. The first thing I notice is that the room is darker and colder than I’m used to. Wondering why I forgot to shut the windows last night, I find my way to the light switch. When the light comes on, I see that I’m in a different room.
M is sleeping on the bed.
I am still in my clothes from yesterday. I remember how M carried me here from the car last night. So sweet!
The pressure in my bladder increases, and I rush into the en-suite bathroom. After relieving myself, I take my time to survey the bathroom. In the large mirror, I take a good look at myself and raise my finger to observe the new addition.
The large, ruby stone glints in the centre of the gold band. Embedded all around the band are five, different, precious stones, including a diamond. On my finger, they wink like little stars of different colours under the bathroom light.
M surprised me when he produced this unique, custom-made, beauty.
I’m still reeling from the effects of his surprise. I never thought of having a ring because of our practical arrangement.
It happened that M had had this ring done in secret, even though I’d said we didn’t need rings. He insisted on giving this to me during the ceremony, and I caved.
How can I not be impressed with a thoughtful, creative man who knows me so well? Only Misbah can know that a regular diamond ring would cause me to yawn so wide, I’d tear my mouth.
Really, in getting married, I couldn’t do better than M. I know his heart, and it is the biggest in the world.
Perhaps if we don’t ruin everything, I could just stay married to him. We already care deeply about each other.
I wouldn’t even bother with anyone else, per the initial agreement. I’d treat him well—better than any witch he might fall in love with.
There’s no passionate, romantic love between us but not every marriage has to have passionate love, right?
There could be a hitch with the intimacy business. I know M will expect intimacy if we’re to work out any kind of lasting arrangement. As things stand, he has been getting a little provocative lately—more than a little flirtatious. The good thing is I already know from M’s famous experiment that it could work between us. So hopefully, I won’t be grossed out by it when the time comes. Maybe I’ll even enjoy it. When we shared a brief kiss during the wedding ceremony, I felt something, something delicious. That gives me some hope. In any case, I still have a year to figure out that stuff and get more used to the idea.
Curious, since I’ve only been in this bathroom once or twice, I open one of the cabinets and find an assortment of cans and bottles.
As the scent of M’s perfume hits me, it reminds me of him, making my tummy clench. Uncomfortable with my reaction, I hurry out of the bathroom. I look around the bed for my shoes, but I do not see them.
The cold is starting to make my teeth chatter, so I hurry to the glass windows, slide them shut, and drop the heavy drapes.
I step out quietly, taking off my clothes on the way to my room.
The light is on here, just as I always leave it, but the bed is a total mess.
I was in a hurry yesterday morning and it was difficult to find something suitable to wear. In the end, I was pleased with what I eventually found. From the looks M
kept sending my way, he was pleased as well. So, the scattered room was worth it.
Not that I wore it for him, of course … or maybe I did, since I was marrying him.
I fling the balled clothes in the general direction of the hamper and sigh when the items fall short of it.
Rummaging through the pile on the bed, I find an extra-large, black T-shirt.
Since I can’t sleep on this bed and I cannot fix it now, I return to M’s room.
As soon as I shut the door, Misbah rolls onto his back. He peers at me with one eye open and one eye shut.
‘Sorry,’ I whisper and switch off the light. ‘I forgot to switch it off.’
‘Where did you go?’ M asks in a sleepy voice. Both eyes are now open and following me, as I feel my way to the bed in the dark.
‘Just went to change. Go back to sleep.’ I raise the blanket again and adjust it around me, though the room is a tad warmer than before.
Misbah rolls to his former position and soon becomes still.
I close my eyes and try to sleep but the sleep doesn’t come. My mind circles over the events of the previous day and what might happen in the future. I roll onto my left side and open and shut my eyes, but my mind just keeps going. After a while, I turn onto my right side, facing Misbah, and try again. Still circling.
‘Go to sleep, love.’
‘I’m trying,’ I answer with some frustration.
‘Come on.’ M raises his arm.
After a moment’s hesitation, I shift under the blanket.
M wraps his arm around my back and pulls me closer, bringing my body into contact with his.
‘Now, sleep.’ He tucks my head under his chin. After a short while, I hear his breathing even out.
Unused to this kind of situation, I remain stiff at first and then gradually relax. My head is leaning right against Misbah’s chest and I can hear his heartbeat clearly.
The regular ticking, the warmth from his body, and the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest soothe me.
In no time, I find the ever-elusive sleep.
***
A loud sound wakes me.
Battling irritation, I open my eyes.
M stretches his hand over me. He locates the alarm and switches it off.
I don’t mind that M is half over me, because I’m enjoying the warmth from his body. However, when he shifts to return to his former position, I feel something foreign dragging lightly on my belly. Startled, I shoot upright and look around, but I find no foreign object on the bed.
‘What?’ Misbah sounds concerned.
My mind conjures up images of reptiles, wondering how they could have gotten into the room. ‘There’s something on this bed. It could be dangerous.’
I pull off the blanket covering our lower bodies and jump down to turn on the light.
‘There’s nothing here.’ M is on his feet when I turn around. He looks baffled.
There is nothing on the bed, truly.
But there’s something off. M’s briefs looks disfigured.
While I’m wondering what that’s about, it hits me.
There, in Misbah’s briefs, is the foreign object.
‘What is that?!’ In shock, I point to that area of his anatomy.
‘What?’ M jumps back in alarm, checking the spot near his feet. When he realises what I am pointing at, he begins to chuckle and makes a gesture to it. ‘Well, now, that’s my p-’
‘I know what it is!’
‘You asked me, love.’ The laughter in his voice makes me want to slap him.
I take a breath to settle my tumbling tummy. ‘I mean, why is it like that … up …
hard?’
‘Oh, you know, it’s morning.’
‘What does the morning have to do with this?’
‘This is not unusual in the mornings.’
Huh? As I stare at it, a liquid pull develops in my lower belly.
‘Hey, you want to see?’ Misbah asks suddenly. ‘You can touch it if you want.’
My gaze jerks up in horror.
Misbah does not look as if he’s joking. Probably taking my silence as agreement, his hands go to the waist band of his briefs.
The pull in my belly becomes stronger and more discomforting at the thought of what he’s about to do. ‘No!’ I turn around and head in the direction of the door.
‘Don’t you want to see it?’
Not responding to the shout, I bang the door shut behind me and lean against it.
What the ever loving heck was that?
That was completely unexpected. Shaking it off, I rush to my room, brush my teeth, and take a bath. I am getting dressed, struggling with my bra strap when I hear a knock on the door.
Before I respond, M enters with two giant mugs.
‘Why knock if you won’t wait for an answer? Thanks for the beverage but as you can see, I’m indecent. So, maybe leave it and go?’ I make sure my voice sounds flippant to hide my real thoughts. In reality, I am wondering what Misbah thinks of me in my lingerie. Although, I know what he sees; I saw it in the mirror a moment ago.
The see-through lace bra makes my breasts look full and teasing. The matching, high-waist underpants emphasize my small waist and make my legs look miles longer.
‘I brought you hot chocolate.’ M speaks as if he has not been paying attention to my words. His eyes openly trail my body from head to toe and back up.
I can admit to myself that since the day when M jokingly dared me to show him my underwear, I have secretly wanted to. I refused then but I guess I wanted to see what his reaction would be.
This reaction blows anything I might have expected out of the water but there is something extra that I did not predict.
Misbah’s scrutiny makes me feel beautiful but there is also something predatory about it.
Something just beneath the surface makes me want to run away.
Misbah lets out a whistle. ‘How did I not know you were this built?’ He sounds awed.
Hiding my pleasure, I roll my eyes elaborately.
When M comes closer to me, I collect the mug.
‘Thank you.’ I turn around.
M grabs my arm.
‘Hey!’ Thankfully, the mug is in my other hand.
‘Hold on. Is that a waist chain?’
I look down at the gold chain on my belly. ‘Yes?’
‘I thought you didn’t wear jewellery.’ His gaze meets mine briefly. ‘It looks like you’ve been keeping secrets from me, Ree.’ The intense look in his eyes increases despite the casual smile.
I struggle not to shiver. ‘Can I go and put on something now?’
‘Hold on.’ M sounds distracted. His gaze flicks down and up again. ‘You have … I mean, I always knew you had a lovely physique, but … Reana, your body is insanely sexy.’
M’s words and the look in his eyes do something to my chest. I don’t know what it is, but it feels unfamiliar and causes me some discomfort. ‘Okay. Can you stop looking at me like that?’ I pull my arm from his hand.
He lets go. ‘What’s wrong with my look?’
‘It makes me uncomfortable.’ With my back to him, I struggle to settle my nerves. I rummage through my open wardrobe and don my blue robe.
Smirking, Misbah comes close to the bed. ‘Sorry, goddess-bodied Reana.’ He looks around. ‘How did you create this much mess anyway? Are you the goddess of clothes? Or did a whirlwind settle on your bed?’
How can he make jokes while I’m scattered on the inside? ‘Mind your own business, Mr OCD.’ Slowly, deliberately, I arrange the room, hoping the task will calm me.
‘Mr Reana now,’ Misbah lets out a chuckle. The sound of the chuckle makes me want to jump out of my skin.
‘You’re just a barrel of laughs this morning.’
He says nothing but his stare is back on me, I feel it.
I can’t handle this. ‘What is it, Misbah?’
‘What?’
Thankful for the task keeping me busy, I pick up the leg of a shoe and unwind a pink thong from its heel. I place the thong on a separate pile and search for the second leg of the shoe. ‘You won’t leave, you keep staring at me. What do you want?’
Misbah goes silent for long in that way that he does when he’s hurt.
Unable to handle the guilt, I turn to face him.
Misbah wears a confused frown. His gaze meets mine. ‘Did I do something?’
You’re checking me out. You’re making me feel things.
Not knowing how to answer this, I say nothing.
Misbah puts his mug on the nightstand beside mine and takes a step closer to me.
‘Reana, if this is about earlier, I did not mean to-’
‘No.’ I do not want to recall the incident. ‘You did not offend me.’ It is becoming more difficult to breathe with Misbah standing this close. I take one step back hoping for some space.
Misbah tilts his head sharply. ‘Why are you moving away from me?’
Remember to breathe.
‘Nothing. I’m just wondering what you’re still doing here.’
Shock covers his face. Misbah takes another step towards me. ‘Are you kicking me out of your room?’
Oh God! I can’t do this.
‘I just … I don’t know what … you keep standing there looking at me with those eyes, and I don’t know…’ Losing my breath, my words trail off.
‘With which eyes? What’s wrong with my eyes?’ Sounding genuinely baffled, Misbah takes another step, bringing us into close contact.
‘You keep staring at me as if …’
‘As if what?’
‘I … just need to be alone right now, so if you’ll excuse-’
‘Reana,’ M grips my upper arms. ‘This isn’t my first time in your room. I came to hang with you but you’re kicking me out? If I haven’t offended you, why are you being so weird?’
I have become exhausted from trying to hold myself together. I am done pretending. Shoving my hands into the pockets of my robe, I take a breath, lift my chin. ‘M, do you want to kiss me?’
Misbah blinks. ‘Excuse me?’
‘You have been staring at me as if you want to kiss me. Is that what you want?’
‘Reana, where is this coming fro-?’
‘Answer the question, Misbah.’
He sputters. ‘I was … appreciating your beauty.’
‘Good.’ Too tired for bulldust, I point to the door. ‘Please, leave. I need to be alone.’
M remains. His eyes narrow for a second. As if deciding, he gives a nod. ‘Yes.’
‘Yes?’
‘Yes, I want to kiss you.’ Letting out a sigh, Misbah shuts his eyes briefly. ‘I want to kiss you badly, but that’s my problem. I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Ree.’
Hearing him say the words, something comes loose inside me. I do not feel jumpy any longer. Instead, I feel lightheaded, bold. ‘You may kiss me.’
It’s almost comical how wide Misbah’s eyes grow. ‘Seriously?’
‘I cannot guarantee that you’ll enjoy it but you know, I don’t mind.’
It proves impossible for me to stop a shiver when M places a gentle thumb on my lips and rubs. His other hand grips my neck. In one move, Misbah pulls me close: so close, that my body is up against his hard one.
The unfamiliar contact, the display of strength, the command, and the suddenness in the move all make my breath hitch.
‘These lips are so sexy. I can’t get over them.’
Before I am able to fully adjust to his touch, M, lowering his head, covers my mouth with his.
My body trembles, my eyes go shut. My arms rise of their own volition and go around M’s neck. I pull him closer, and I kiss him back. In that moment, I lose a part of my mind.
M’s hands cover my breasts with a gentle caress.
I let out a sigh. Actually, it’s a low moan that I’m unable to stop.
One hand moves down to my bare belly, playing with my chain.
When did my robe leave my body? Where did it go?
When the hand shifts to the lower part of my belly, rubbing my pelvis, I jerk away.
The sensation is overwhelming.
We stare at each other in silence for a second or two while I struggle to get my body under control.
We speak at the same time.
‘M, I-’
‘I’m sorry.’
Then we both go silent and watch each other.
Feeling awkward, I look around to find my robe.
‘Here,’ Misbah hands it to me.
Averting my gaze in embarrassment, I put it on and tie the belt a little harder than usual.
‘I enjoyed it.’
Startled, I glance at M.
He looks solemn. ‘I enjoyed kissing you, Reana.’
How do I respond to that?
In a jerky motion, Misbah shoves his hands into his trouser pockets.
I guess he’s feeling a little awkward too, because in all the time I’ve known M, his movements have always been smooth.
‘Did you enjoy kissing me back?’
‘Ah …’ What do I say?
The look on M’s face changes from solemn to hopeful to … scared? He looks so vulnerable and open, that I feel I have no choice but to be honest in return.
‘Yes.’
With obvious relief, M takes a step towards me.
I move back a step.
13
MISBAH
That was unexpected.
I did not plan what happened between Ree and me. If I had, I could not have planned it better.
God! She is beyond hot.
The emotions coursing through me when I look at Reana are difficult for me to process. I understand the lust. I don’t know why it’s there, but I’m used to the feeling now. There are others, which I can neither name nor understand. They are difficult and a little painful, but they refuse to leave no matter how much I will them away.
After this morning, there’s no turning back. I can’t imagine not kissing and touching Ree. I can’t imagine not having access to her body. Most importantly, I can’t wait to do more to her, with her.
Reana has become very quiet, though. She says she enjoyed the kiss, but she keeps moving away from me. I can’t tell if she’s scared or just unsure.
Testing, I lift my hand to her face and rub her lips.
Her eyes go shut and she lets out a low moan.
Reana’s explosive response and that sound just drive me crazy. ‘I want to kiss you again, Reana.’
Her eyes widen. In the surprised eyes, I read uncertainty and interest.
Encouraged, I go on. ‘I liked touching you. I want to touch you again, Reana.’
‘Stop.’ Reana’s voice is husky. Her breath hitches.
Eyes closed, she takes a few deep breaths. ‘I know what you want, but I … I don’t know.’ Reana drops her gaze.
Guessing what the issue is, I touch her chin so she lifts her gaze to mine. ‘There’s no pressure here, darling. This doesn’t have to be about anything but us.’
‘H-how do you mean?’
‘We’re married, and we enjoy touching each other. Can’t we share our bodies?’
Her eyes dart away. She says nothing.
Maybe I was wrong. ‘It’s fine if you don’t want to.’
Reana’s uncertain gaze jerks back to mine. ‘No. It’s not that I don’t want to but …’
‘But?’ I take a step closer to her.
This time, she does not move back. Though, Reana’s voice drops a notch and becomes slightly breathy again when she speaks.
I file away this tidbit for later.
‘You say we should share our bodies. That’s more than just a kiss every once in a while.’
I nod. ‘True.’
‘I don’t know how that would … what that would mean for us.’
I rack my brain but I can think of nothing that it could mean. ‘Do you want it to mean something?’
Reana gives a quick headshake. ‘I just wondered … I mean ... I’m still not comfortable with that level of intimacy.’
‘I understand, Reana. We agreed to move at your pace, remember? You don’t mind me kissing you. We won’t do more than that until you want to.’
***
It has been close to two weeks since we got married.
I more or less promised to let Reana come to me in her own time, but I don’t know how much longer I can take this. Every single day over the past two weeks, I’ve spent half of the day pretending not to stare at Reana. The other half, I’ve spent trying not to feel embarrassed by the vivid thoughts running through my head.
I get to kiss Reana whenever I want to, and that’s great.
Sometimes, there’s petting, and it’s just … everything. However, the more we do all that, the more it drives me crazy that we can’t do more.
I’ve always been a sound sleeper, but now, I spend each night tossing and turning.
There were several nights when I barely stopped myself from going to Reana’s room.
On the plus side, this whole thing has taught me how much I deceive myself. I married Reana for a baby, but I haven’t thought about it even once in two weeks. I just want Reana’s body. This morning, my desire for her is particularly strong after the dream I had at night. As I have done on more than one occasion, I head to the upstairs gym where I deliver punches to a bag while imagining my face on it.
An hour later, some of the excess energy is gone.
A lot more level-headed, I think of calling Reana up for some of the self-defense workout we’ve been doing.
She’s been learning rather fast where before, she had zero interest in any form of workout.
I suppose experiencing violence is a huge inspiration.
Just as I reach for my phone, an e-mail notification pops up. It’s a work emergency.
Omar should have handled this.
I am not surprised that he hasn’t, though.
Omar has been cutting down on his workload and delegating more since their accident last year. Before that, he preferred to do everything by himself. He’s cut down even more since Yesmin got pregnant.
I put in a call to him.
Omar answers in a smooth voice. ‘What’s up, Misbah? Or should I say ‘M’?’
The joke makes me smile. Only Reana calls me ‘M’ as if we’re in a James-Bond movie.
‘Hello, Omar. Did you get any e-mail from the foreman on the Bluebell property?’
‘No.’
‘I did. There seems to be a hitch, and the inspection is in a few days. I figured you’d want to look into it since that property’s your baby.’
‘Yeah … I can’t right now. Yesmin and I are at the doctor’s office.’
‘Is everything okay?’
‘Just another appointment. Her due date is getting closer and they want us coming in all the time now. I swear, I have a mind to install a doctor in our home.’
My smile widens at the slight frustration leaking through Omar’s voice.
‘Thank God the doctor’s a woman. If it were a man, I might think he gets off on looking at pregnant women. Then we’d have a serious problem.’ Omar’s tone is bland when he says this, which makes it funnier.
I hear Yesmin giggling in the background.
‘Even with a female doctor, you can’t be too sure.’ I put in.
‘Thank you very much for putting that picture in my head, Misbah.’
‘You’re welcome.’
‘Can you handle the building business?’
‘No problem.’ I mentally adjust my plans for the day.
‘Thanks. How’s Reana? Have you set a doctor’s appointment yet? Or you want us to talk to ours for you?’
I know Omar is ragging on me as payback, and I shouldn’t give him the satisfaction, but for some reason, I feel the need to explain. ‘We don’t need one yet.’
‘No?’ Omar asks in his serious tone. ‘So you don’t need a doctor to help you nut in a cup? You know, in case you’re afraid to do it with your wife the normal way?’
His words hit closer to home than he probably thinks.
Yesmin’s gentle voice chides, ‘Omar’.
Chuckling, Omar ends the call.
My mind goes to Reana. I couldn’t have gotten a better woman than her. She’s sweet, gentle, ridiculously sexy and just … everything.
We aren’t doing it yet, but so what? I’m sure we’ll get there, and it’s going to be magical when we do.
Maybe after we cross that bridge, I can find a way to persuade Ree to stay married to me forever. Forget what she thinks is our initial agreement. I don’t want anyone else.
Set to go out, I enter Reana’s room. ‘Ree?’
‘Ree is in an oversized t-shirt and jean shorts, with a freshly scrubbed, glowing face. ‘What’s going on? Why are you dressed?’ A small furrow appears between her eyebrows.
‘Hello, love.’ I force myself to look away from her legs. ‘I have to go out.’
‘Hi. Where? Can I come?’
‘I wish, but it’s for work.’ As it has somehow become a habit, my thumb rubs Reana’s lips.
A slight smile flits around her mouth. The dimple in her right cheek flashes.
With a wink, I put my hands in my pockets to prevent them from wandering to Reana’s other body parts. ‘There’s an issue with a site. It’s a bit of an emergency.’
Ree nods.
‘Do you think you’ll be okay for an hour or two? I hate leaving you home by yourself.’
Her smile widens. ‘I’ll be fine, M. I have some work to do anyway.’ Ree leans onto her tiptoes and kisses me on my cheek.
Before she pulls back, I grab her ponytail and direct her lips to mine.
Relaxing, Reana returns my kiss without hesitation.
With a final nip on her bottom lip, I stroke her back down to her butt before pulling back. ‘Do the routine work out in the gym for an hour. I’ll check the footage when I return, and we’ll work on some of those moves, okay?’
Looking slightly dazed, Ree nods.
I head out, feeling stirred but hopeful.
14
Reana
After my morning workout, I roamed around the house, waiting for M to return. I couldn’t pretend to arrange stuff because Nana is back and she keeps a spotless place. I didn’t know what to do with myself.
It is now after lunch. M has been gone for a few hours.
I miss him so much; I can’t settle down enough to do any work.
In the past, Misbah and I could go for days, even weeks sometimes, without seeing each other. It’s amazing how much it all feels different now.
I know I could just call to hear his voice but I won’t. I am not going to be a nagging wife, thank you.
Not that it’s a real marriage or anything.
Although, whenever Misbah kisses me, it feels one hundred percent real.
That kiss, this morning, was short but very potent. My entire body felt it.
When I think of how it feels every time M touches and kisses me, a special type of warmth envelops me.
Also, the way Misbah looks at me now is very different from before. It is so intense; it makes me want to melt at his feet. That is, when I catch his stare.
Many times, he watches me when I’m not looking.
I know this because the hairs on the back of my neck stand when he does. Either way, I’m not altogether comfortable with the feelings I have been having. I don’t understand them and I don’t know what to do with them. The only feeling I think I understand is this need I have for Misbah.
In just a short time, I have gotten a lot more familiar with it. So I have been thinking about doing more than just kissing.
I’ve gotten over the weirdness of wanting to do it with my best friend, but a part of me keeps holding back.
At first, when M brought it up on the morning after our wedding, I thought he was trying to shift the relationship we have into a more romantic, intimate kind. This turned out not the case.
He basically said he just wanted my body.
I did not let M know this but I was a little disappointed. I guess I was hoping he’d want a real relationship with me. And why not? Am I not good enough for him?
Until Misbah decides that he wants this however, I am never mentioning it to him.
God forbid he gives me what I ask out of pity.
Although, it would be a real shame if Misbah never wants a real relationship with me.
I’ll just make sure I keep up my end of the bargain.
Maybe after we have the baby, M will realise he needs no one else but me.
In the meantime, we can let things progress naturally.
I still have this intense need for him regardless of the future of our relationship.
The only problem is that Misbah won’t ask me because he’s left the decision up to me.
I do not know how to ask him or how to initiate it, so what do I do? I can hardly ask Nana. Hey, Nana, how do I seduce Misbah, my husband, your employer? I can just imagine how that conversation will go. Hey, maybe Priyé will … no. I can’t ask her. Misbah would hate it if he found out.
My phone rings, pulling me out of my musings. I put my lunch dishes in the rack, dry my hands with a dishcloth and dash for the phone on the kitchen table. Please, let it be M. Let it be M.
Priyé’s name comes up. Good enough.
‘Babe! What’s up?’
Priyé’s laughter comes over the phone. ‘Be careful with calling me “babe”. Let your new husband not think we’re cheating. ’
This makes me laugh. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Like, are you busy? I’m free this afternoon.’ From the chewing sounds coming over the phone, Priyé must be chewing gum again. ‘You know I am leaving town soon and we didn’t, like, get the chance to hang out, apart from seeing each other during your wedding ceremony.’ Chew, chew.
‘Cool! Let’s ha-’ I remember that M is out. ‘Oh, but I don’t know if I can.’
‘Why? Like, you want to come, don’t you?’
‘Yes but Misbah is not around now and I don’t-’
‘This is the best time, Reana. Let me tell you something.’ Chew, chew. ‘When you are married, the best time to hang with your friends is when your husband has gone out. When he is around, he won’t let you go out.’
‘Misbah is not like that.’
‘Maybe he wasn’t like that before, but all men change once they marry.’ Chew, chew.
Something thumps in my chest. I know M is not typical, and our marriage is not the regular one, but I wonder.
Will Misbah become different from the amazing person I’ve always known simply because we got married?
‘Priyé, you are not even married.’
‘Ah. I don’t need to be married before I know this, like ...’ she laughs shortly. ‘Ask any woman in this Nigeria, she will tell you. That is how all men are. Look, just come, we won’t take long.’
I don’t know how long M will stay out, and I can’t keep moping, waiting for him.
It’s pathetic. ‘We won’t take long?’
‘I swear. We will just have drinks and catch up, bills on me. At least let me thank you for allowing me to stay at your place.’
‘Tell me where to meet you.’
‘Yes!’ Priyé lets out a piercing scream.
***
One more time, I check my wristwatch.
Priyé makes for great company. She is funny, carefree and bubbly in contrast to my sedate nature. Priyé is the only friend I’ve managed to keep in touch with through the years. She, like most people I went to boarding school with, is from a rich family. But she isn’t a total git like most of them.
Unlike me, Priyé doesn’t have an aversion to rich people. In fact, she only wants to relate with people of means, as she is slightly entitled. This is partly why she’s wanted M for the longest time. Unfortunately for her, M knows she wants him because he’s rich and therefore wants nothing to do with her.
Good for me.
Priyé isn’t perfect but she has a good spirit. She fancies herself worldly but is actually guileless. That’s more than enough for me.
Spending time with Priyé today has been great but my attention has been slightly divided.
Misbah still hasn’t called me and I left home over two hours ago. Does he really never think of me when we’re apart? Am I the only one who misses him like this?
‘Reana, can you hear me?’ Priyé snaps her fingers in front of my eyes. She leans towards me and raises her voice slightly over the low din in the restaurant.
I blink.
‘You just zoomed off again.’
‘Sorry, my mind went elsewhere. What did you say?’
She laughs, clapping her hands in typical African fashion. This kind of clap shows a mocking wonder.
I shake my head. ‘Sorry. I need to leave soon, Priyé.’
‘I know. We’re leaving now.’ She scoffs. ‘You need to calm down, Reana. I know this is about your husband but don’t let him keep you at home like a prisoner. I mean, he goes out without you, right? Do you know what he is doing when you are not with him?’
‘Misbah is different, Priyé.’ I roll my eyes. ‘He’s my best friend, remember?’ Even as I defend M, I feel a pang in my chest from … fear?
‘Hm.’ She puts a limp chip in her mouth and chews. ‘Let me tell you something about men, Reana.’
Here we go again.
Suddenly, Priyé snaps her fingers. ‘I just remembered something.’ Priyé dips a hand into her large, leather handbag and pulls out a stack of envelopes. ‘I always find one of these under the door whenever I arrive home at night. I don’t know who they are from but I suspect it’s a guy.’
Crap!
‘Maybe a secret admirer?’ She winks. ‘Or maybe it’s an ex?’
I hesitate before stretching a hand to collect it. Without looking at it, I shove the bundle into my own smaller bag under the table.
Her grin widens. ‘From that reaction, it’s your ex. He does not know you have gotten married?’
I shake my head. ‘You remember I told you not to open the door for anyone you don’t know?’
‘Yes?’
‘Good. Make sure you never open the door for anyone you don’t know.’
‘Ooh. Aunty Reana has a stalker. I’m jealous. How can only you have two men?’
I wait for her laughter to stop. ‘I’m serious, Priyé. This guy is dangerous.’
‘I am dangerous-er. If you don’t want him, send him my way. Now, why don’t you call your beloved husband and tell him you are on your way? I need to use the restroom, and then we can leave.’
Priyé grabs her handbag, hitches the strap over her shoulder and heads in what I assume is the direction of the restroom.
Deciding to call Misbah, I rummage in my bag for my phone. At this point, I don’t care if I come across as a needy, nagging wife.
Shock hits me when I see ten missed calls from Misbah. The last one was just about two minutes ago. I’m about to return his call when another one comes in.
With a deep breath, I brace myself and answer. ‘M?’
‘Ree? Thank God. Are you okay? Where are you?’
‘Hanging out with Priyé. I’m on my way back home.’
Misbah goes silent. He’s upset.
‘M? I am so sorry; I didn’t know you were calling me.’
In a voice gone frozen, he asks, ‘ where are you?’
Regretful, I tell him the name of the restaurant.
‘Stay where you are. I’m coming.’ He disconnects the call.
I seldom hear Misbah speak in that frigid voice. Since the day we met, I have only heard Misbah speak like that to a wayward employee once. It really sucks being on the receiving end of that.
With a sigh, I pull out a little compact from my purse to check my face. I blot out my shiny nose, apply a little lip balm. After replacing the items, I raise my head and see a pair of tailored trousers standing before me. My first thought is, Misbah must have been close by if he’s already arrived. My second thought is that, this isn’t Misbah. As my gaze travels upward, I see that I’m right.
This is someone I don’t know. In a light-blue, silk shirt and khaki trousers, his light-tan skin is well shown-off. The stranger’s face is easy on the eyes and the smile he’s wearing says ‘trust me’.
‘I wonder if I may join you,’ he says in a deep, smooth voice.
I return his smile. ‘You may, but I’m here with someone, and she’ll be back at any second.’
With a gentle inclination of his head, he sits in Priyé’s spot.
I prepare myself for a cheesy, boring line.
He surprises me and actually charms me by simply introducing himself. He waits for me to introduce myself too, pays me a compliment and then asks me out on a date.
At the back of my mind, I can appreciate that this is a very attractive man.
He’s very smooth too. He’s certainly the type of guy I would usually go for.
If things were different, I might be interested. I want someone else now, though.
‘I’m terribly flattered by your interest, Mr Harun, but, I’m married.’
He leans forward with a smile. ‘Alli, please. Are you sure, Reana?’
First names, too intimate. I may try to be nice, but I refuse to go there with this man. ‘I am very sure, Mr Harun.’ Raising my hand, I show him my ring.
‘That’s too bad.’ With a slight nod, he rises. ‘It was a pleasure meeting you this evening, beautiful Reana.’
‘Thank you, sir.’ I caution myself against smiling at him too much.
He holds out an embossed card. ‘If you ever need anything, anything at all, I hope you’ll think of me and call me.’
Still trying to be polite, I take the card from him. ‘I won’t. But I appreciate the offer.’
His grin widens. ‘A man can hope.’
Right then, from the corner of my eye, I see Misbah approaching the table with a hard look on his face.
This is going to be fun.
I get up, hoping the guy will take a hint and leave before M gets here. I really don’t want to have the fight that I know will happen in the presence of this suave stranger.
Unfortunately, Mr Harun cannot take a hint.
‘Hello, love,’ I greet brightly when M reaches us, hoping he’ll be nice.
Misbah’s frosty eyes clash with mine for a long second.
I have to suppress a shiver.
Misbah turns to the guy, emanating frost. ‘My wife does not need your card. Take it back!’
15
REANA
‘My wife does not need your card. Take it back!’
‘Misbah!’ I gasp in horror at his blatant rudeness.
The other diners are starting to look at us. Conversation is becoming hushed. I see someone with a phone looking suspiciously like they’re recording us.
Misbah’s face and tone must speak clearly to Mr Harun, because the man gives a gentle nod. ‘Apologies.’
‘I am so sorry, Mr Harun.’ I pass him the card.
‘I understand completely, dear.’ With a slight smile, he nods and leaves without another word.
Misbah watches the guy return to his table. He then turns his hard eyes on me.
Before either of us can say anything, Priyé comes bouncing, yammering. ‘Can you believe this place? Like, there was a line in the restroom. A line!’ She scoffs. ‘I am never coming back here to eat again.’
Her gaze lands on M. ‘Hey, Misbah. Reana called you, huh?’
‘Hi, Priyé, Reana’s leaving.’ M throws a few bills on the table and grabs my hand.
‘Sorry, Priyé,’ I say with regret. ‘We’ll talk later.’
‘Ah ... okay.’ She sends me a look and then smirks at Misbah. ‘I was going to pay and this cash is too much, but thanks.’
Misbah pulls on my hand.
With stares openly following us, we exit the restaurant.
It is already dark.
I take a deep gulp of the chilly air, struggling to get my feelings under control. The thin gown I wore in the late afternoon is not going to be sufficient to hold off this cold.
Misbah opens the black Jeep and hands me in. He is gentle, which is a surprise, seeing as he is angry. Thankfully, he turns on the heater, but, then, he drives a little recklessly.
After about a minute of silence, I turn to him. ‘Misbah, I know you’re angry. I didn’t know you were calling me because my phone was on silent in my bag.’
Misbah remains silent.
‘I just think, regardless of how you feel about me, you really did not need to be so rude to that gentleman.’
I take another breath when Misbah remains silent. My guilt grows in proportion. ‘I didn’t even plan to go out, but when Priyé called me, I agreed that it would be nice to see her again before she left town.’
Silence.
‘Are you going to talk to me, Misbah? Or is this going to be a whole silent-treatment thing?’
He grates out in a low, icy tone. ‘I called you over ten times.’
‘M, I’ve already explained what happened.’
‘After the first few tries,’ he goes on, ‘I went to your little house, but you weren’t there. I thought maybe you had lost your phone. Then, I thought, no, it was a kidnapping for sure. Then, I thought you must be dying in a ditch somewhere, and if I kept calling, maybe someone would hear your phone ringing and help out. Then
… I’m sure you’re getting the point.’
‘I see how that might have been frustrating, Misbah.’
‘Do you remember Eric? Remember what he did?’
My heart skips at the sound of the name. I recall the envelopes Priyé gave me.
‘We had a deal, Reana. Go nowhere without me until Eric goes away. How hard is that?’
A sigh escapes. ‘I know, okay? I forgot. Priyé really wanted to hang out and I was free. I didn’t think it would hurt to go for an hour or so.’
‘You couldn’t wait for me to get home first so we’d go together?’
Wait for someone who didn’t think about me, didn’t call me all day until when he couldn’t find me at home?
I maintain a calm voice, not letting my irritation show. ‘How was I to know when you’d get home, when you never even called to check in? I could not wait for you indefinitely. I mean, I’m hardly a prisoner.’
‘Prisoner?’ Misbah sounds baffled. ‘Where is this coming from, Reana? We agreed on this for your protection.’
Typical male; he’ll never hear what one is saying.
‘I’ve already apologized, Misbah. I don’t know what else you want me to do.’
He parks the car and we go into the house.
I can’t believe we spent the entire drive home arguing.
I am on my way to my room when Misbah pulls me by my arm into his room.
Time for round two. God help me.
I take a deep breath. ‘Misbah, I understand you’re feeling frustrated, but you need to get yourself together. I am losing my patience here. What is the matter with you?’
His low tone is now heated in contrast to the earlier chill. ‘Perhaps if you were honest with me-’
‘Honest? How am I not being honest?’ I cry out.
Misbah disrobes in jerky motions while speaking, as though taking out his anger on his clothes. ‘Tell me exactly why it was so important for you to have left at the time you did.’
I was missing you terribly, you fool.
I say nothing.
‘Perhaps if you weren’t in a hurry to flaunt yourself in front of other men, you would have been more willing to wait for me.’
Hiding my hurt at M’s accusation, I keep my voice casual. ‘So, this is about the guy you saw speaking with me?’ I shake my head. ‘I never took you for the insecure type, Misbah.’
‘Insecure?’ He pulls his arm violently from his shirtsleeve and flings the shirt across the room into the hamper. ‘My new wife leaves the house without letting me know. She refuses to answer my calls and she knows very well she has a stalker on her heels. I suffer terror thinking something’s happened to her only to find her blatantly flirting with some slimy-looking ogre. And you have the nerve to call me insecure?’
‘Was that why you were so rude to that gentleman?’ With a light laugh, I begin to disrobe as well. I am not going to remain in these torturous shoes while Misbah gets comfortable. ‘Okay, two things. One, that guy was fine. He was tall and slim and had a really attractive smile. You have to admit it. Oh, and his voice was really sexy.’
‘Two, we don’t have a real marriage. Per our agreement, I have the right to talk to other men. So, you can stop saying “my wife” in that tone.’
He folds strong arms across a broad, naked chest and glowers at me. ‘So, this is what you plan to do? Go around meeting men behind my back?’
Hurt even more by his words, I respond as sassily as I can manage. ‘You’re forgetting I don’t have to do it behind your back. It’s too bad someone made me return the card.’
I throw my headscarf on the bed. I pick up my shoes and fling them one leg after the other to different corners of the room. Maybe the mess I am creating will jar him and divert his attention.
Misbah moves so fast, he has my arm in a tight grip before I can blink.
My desperate measure does not seem to be working.
His eyes are blazing with heat. ‘I don’t care what you think the agreement was, Reana. The next time I find you flirting with any man, it won’t go well for any of us.’
‘Get your hand off me!’ I jerk my arm to free myself but remain in Misbah’s grip.
This infuriates me further. ‘I was not flirting with him. I was only being polite.
Even if I had been flirting, it is not your place to talk to me like this.’
‘You were not flirting? I saw your smile and it was flirtatious. We are married, Reana, in case you have forgotten. That means I get to say something when you behave inappropriately.’
‘We don’t have the kind of marriage where you can be jealous or give ultimatums, Misbah! How many times do I have to repeat this for it to get through your thick skull?’
His grip tightens.
‘I swear, if you don’t let go of me right now …’
Misbah narrows his eyes. ‘Listen here. I am your husband, Reana, and you are my wife. I will not allow my wife to disgrace me like this.’
‘Then maybe you shouldn’t be married to me any longer.’
‘Is that so?’ Misbah’s eyes narrow even further. An unamused smile appears on his face. ‘I bet you’d like that. That should give you the freedom to pursue as many men as you want.’
‘Actually, I was thinking I don’t want to be married to an idiot who thinks me a whore. But, you know, now that you mention it, pursuing men doesn’t seem like such a bad idea.’
‘I never called you a whore.’
‘You might as well have,’ I snap back. ‘For the last time, Misbah, let go of me.’
‘No.’
‘No?’ My voice has gone soft; a sure sign of my anger.
‘No,’ Misbah repeats. He comes even closer to me and looks down at me from his height. There’s only about a few inches between us, but that move is meant to be intimidating. ‘What will you do?’
To avoid punching Misbah in the throat as I imagine myself doing, I close my eyes and do something I haven’t done in decades. I scream as hard as I can. It’s a childish act, but it is effective in helping me let off steam. I’d rather be childish than abusive anyway.
Misbah lets me go. There is an utterly shocked look on his face as he moves in a stagger to the bed.
I feel a short moment of triumph, which soon turns into worry when I look at him very well. ‘Misbah?’
Sitting on the edge of the bed, he lowers his head into his palms.
Wondering what’s going on, I move closer.
He seems to be having some sort of episode. His entire body is trembling.
It scares me. I have never seen Misbah like this. ‘Are you okay?’
‘Fine.’ His voice is muffled.
‘Do you need something? Pills?’ I make sure to keep my voice low and calm.
‘Leave me, we’ll talk tomorrow.’
I sit beside him and place my hands on his shoulders. ‘You don’t look well. Should I call your doctor … or Omar?’
Misbah shakes his head in jerky motions, still trembling. ‘I am fine. Leave me alone.’
Pushing down the rising terror, I pull down his hands with some effort and with a grip on his cheeks, I raise his head. His eyes are shut.
Misbah is always healthy, even when he’s ill. Sometimes, he can be annoying, like tonight but never have I seen him this weak.
I have to do something. Going with my gut, I wrap my arms tight around Misbah’s shoulder.
He gives a feeble resistance initially. Then, gradually, he becomes less stiff, and his arms wrap around my back.
Like a drowning man holding on for dear life, he buries his face in my neck, and his arms grip my body tight. It feels as if he’s trying to stop the shaking with sheer will and stubbornness, instead of by taking comfort. He is going to break a rib or two if he keeps squeezing me so hard, especially since the trembling is not stopping.
‘It’s okay, darling. You’re okay.’ Trying to calm him, I rub one hand slowly up and down his back. I massage the back of his head with my other hand, crooning,
‘you’re okay,’ while rocking gently to relieve my straining back.
It feels as if it is taking forever, but the trembling begins to decrease and so does his deathlike grip.
The trembling stops.
Misbah lifts his head. His hands go down and rest on my waist. He looks away at first, takes a breath, and then looks at me with haunted eyes. ‘I’m sorry about that.’
His voice sounds not nearly as hard as it was about a half hour ago.
‘You do not have to apologise for that, Misbah.’
Misbah tries to smile, but the smile looks more like a grimace than anything.
‘Are you better now?’ I peer closely at him as if to check the answer in his face by myself.
‘I am. Thank you.’
Wildly relieved, I grip his neck and rest my forehead on his. I shut my eyes for a moment. ‘Thank God. Don’t ever scare me like that again.’
‘Okay.’ He whispers back.
‘I’ll let you rest now. Call me if you need anything, okay?’
‘Okay. Thank you, Ree.’
I kiss his forehead in farewell. Instead of getting up, I kiss one cheek and then the other.
‘Ree.’
Ignoring Misbah’s call, I kiss his chin, his nose, eyebrows, and eyelids while I hear whispers in my head asking me what I’m doing.
Misbah whispers, ‘Ree, Ree.’
Suddenly overcome, desperate, unable to stop, I capture his lips with mine.
M pulls me onto his laps and kisses me back with a loud groan.
With my hands caressing his head and his hands moving over my waist, we devour each other’s lips hungrily.
Pushing M onto the bed, I lie over him.
His aroused gaze lifts to mine. M rubs my lips in the way he does. ‘I want you.’
The pleasure brought by his touch is followed by a liquid pull in my belly. As it usually happens whenever M says words like these, I feel a curious itch in my nether region. Deciding to sink into the sensations coursing through my body, I give myself over to the pleasure.
‘Ree,’ M sounds breathless. ‘Baby, if you need to stop ...’
‘No,’ I pull his mouth back to mine. ‘I want you too.’
***
Misbah rolls so that we lie sideways, facing each other. His face has a satisfied smile. His hand strokes my side from waist to hip and back to waist.
‘I guess that answers the question,’ I mutter with a yawn after a few minutes of silence.
‘Which one?’
‘The one about whether or not you know what you’re doing as a first timer.’
M dissolves into laughter.
Gosh, he has the sexiest laugh.
He sobers. ‘Thank you for giving me you, Ree.’
Did I give him me?
I don’t know how to respond to that.
‘I’m so sorry we fought before.’
‘I’m sorry too,’ I reply honestly.
Misbah waits a beat. ‘Ree, I don’t think I would be okay with you seeing other men.’
Huh?
‘But-’
‘I know,’ M interrupts. ‘We agreed, I know. But, when I saw you with that guy tonight, I … I can’t do it, Ree.’ Misbah shakes his head.
‘I’d told him I was married before you arrived. I took the card to be polite, but I told him I wasn’t going to use it.’
Misbah’s eyes widen. ‘I misjudged the situation.’
Feeling loose and relaxed, with my mind drifting already, I simply murmur in agreement.
‘Still, could you see yourself doing that, Ree? Being with me only?’
Is this not the same thing I’ve been thinking about?
‘I know I keep changing the rules on you, Reana. I know you weren’t planning on being tied down in marriage with me anyway.’ Misbah sighs. ‘But now that we’ve touched each other, it would destroy me to see you with another man. Yet I know a woman as beautiful as you will always have men approaching her and it would mean so much to me to know you won’t go with any of them. We could be happy together, Ree. I’ll try my best to be good to you.’
That’s it! M wants a real relationship. All this time spent wondering, and all I had to do was sleep with … wait a minute.
‘What if you meet someone and fall in love with her? What then?’
I can see that Misbah did not expect this question. He pauses for a second before giving a headshake. ‘I don’t believe that will happen.’
I sigh internally, slightly disappointed. ‘How can you say that for sure?’
‘I don’t know,’ M responds with a contemplative frown. ‘I feel certain in a way. I can’t really explain it.’
This is not the real relationship I want.
‘I’ll think about it.’
Misbah’s words are good but that pause was a second too long.
I could tell him I want the same thing, but I need more from him first. Although, I’m not sure I know what the more is. Maybe if I had some assurance of M’s commitment to me, to us. I don’t know.
‘You’ll think about it?’ M asks.
I give an absent nod. Then something else comes to my mind. ‘Is that why you were shaking? You were simply angry and … hurt?’ I’m not surprised when Misbah shakes his head.
The slight hesitation before the headshake does not surprise me either. Guilt flashes in his eyes. ‘I … Ree, I …’
‘You can’t tell me?’
‘I want to, believe me. I just can’t talk about it.’
Whatever.
‘Right, I’m going to my room.’
M pulls me close before I can move. ‘No. Please, stay with me.’
I want to refuse, but he looks so earnest.
Softening, I nod. ‘All right.’
Misbah grins boyishly, rubbing my lips.
I suppress a shiver.
‘Now,’ he moves closer. ‘Before we go again, a bath or a shower?’
16
ERIC
The lock was a joke.
I don’t know why I haven’t tried entering this house before today. Shaking my head, I go through the darkened room to a chair. I am prepared to wait as long as it takes.
This evening, Reana is going to receive a surprise.
A faint, scratching noise wakes me from my half-sleep. The thought of seeing Reana’s tall, fine self brings a faint smile to my lips.
The door opens.
The light flashes on.
My smile turns into a frown as my hope dies. ‘You are not Reana.’
She jumps with a startled yelp from the door. Her wide eyes glance at the door.
‘Don’t bother running. Or can you outrun a bullet?’
‘Please,’ her voice trembles. ‘Take whatever you want. Just don’t hurt me.’
Silently, I get up from the chair and move to her. She looks nothing like Reana.
They have similar complexions, but that’s where the resemblance ends. Where Reana is tall and fleshy, this one is short and slim. This won’t do at all.
Her head is down. Her body is trembling.
Silently, I will her to look up. When she does not, I raise my free hand and backhand her.
She yelps. Blubbering, her hand goes to her cheek to rub. ‘Pleeease. Whaaat d-do you waaant?’
The way she cries is very funny.
‘Raise your head. What is your name?’
She glances at me and looks away again before answering in a tear-filled voice, ‘P-Priyé.’
‘Priyé, where is Reana?’
‘She-she is not here. She l-let me use the house, b-but I can leave if you-’
‘Shut up. Can you reach her?
‘Reana?’
I land another slap on the same cheek. ‘No, your grandmother.’
Crying louder, she sniffs. ‘Yes, I c-can call her.’ When I remain silent, Priyé fishes out her mobile phone from her giant handbag. With trembling fingers, she taps the surface of the phone a few times and holds it to her right ear: the one I haven’t slapped yet. ‘He-hello, Reana?’
Thank you for reading Volume One of OUR MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE.
If you enjoyed it and would like to read Volume Two of OUR MARRIAGE OF
CONVENIENCE, please purchase it for only USD3.99 here or NGN1,999.99 here.
Also, you may send an email to the author here to get a free copy.
Also, please, leave a review and tell your friends and family about this novel.
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Watch out for Brown’s story in The Malik Billionaires Book 2.5, out soon.
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Glossary of pidgin terms
Madam Reana, you dey hear me?’
Madam Reana, are you listening to me?
‘ Eh-hen. I say I dey go my village. My sister, she no well.
Eh-hen – similar to ‘all right’.
I have to travel to my village to visit my sister who is unwell.
I don tell Oga Misabu, and I don put food for one month for freezer.
Oga (or-gah) – literally means ‘boss’. It is used mainly as a title of respect.
I have told Mr Misbah, and I have left food in the freezer to last a month.
Your wife no happy.
Your wife is not happy.
You suppose go sabi how to perform, make your wife no leave you.
You should go and learn how to perform (in bed), so that your wife won’t leave you.
Madam Reana, where you dey go?
Madam Reana, where are you going?
How now, aunty Reana? Longest time.’
How is it going, aunty Reana? It has been a while.
‘Aunty’ is usually used as a semi-formal/informal title to show respect to a person who is either a contemporary and somewhat familiar, or one who is older and very familiar.
This your house fine o, aunty.
‘O’ is a sound/word usually added to informal speech to emphasize the point being made.
This house of yours is fine, aunty.
We don reach, aunty.
We have gotten to our destination, aunty.
Oga Misabu no dey chop food since madam Reana comot.
‘Comot’(come-hot) – leave.
Oga Misbah has not been eating food since when Madam Reana left.
E don pass two weeks now.
It has been over two weeks.
Na soso medicine him dey chop, you see am?
He has only been consuming medicine. Do you see?
You no sleep for house yesterday night?
You did not sleep in the house last night? (In the book’s context, this is a rhetorical question).
Madam Reana … you and her, una still dey married o.
You and Madam Reana are still married, remember?
Make she quick come back o. I go bring food for you, now, Oga Misabu.’
She should come back quick. I will go and bring food for you, now, Mr Misbah.
ehn?
This is similar to ‘eh?’ or ‘huh?’
Oya (Oh-yah).
It means ‘come on, then.’
Mumu (moo-moo)
Moron/idiot.
OTHER TERMS
Whot – A type of card game.
Jilbab – An outfit usually used as an outer covering or prayer garment by women.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
L. L. Lako is my pen name. I use it for my romance novels because I can. I have always enjoyed just reading novels without ever wanting to write them. Then I dared myself to try writing one and now I can’t stop. I only write the kinds of novels I enjoy reading. I am a deep thinker and a romantic at heart, and I enjoy making people laugh. It is always a pleasure to hear from my readers so send me an email and let me know what you think.
See you in the next book.
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