Chapter 45: Chapter 45
That afternoon, Dashtan arrived home first after returning from the office, as he was taking off his tie and looking at his watch he remembered Rakia. He clucked and ruffled his feathers in annoyance at himself for forgetting to pick her up. He took off his tie completely and threw it on the sofa in the living room after which he unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt and unbuttoned his wrists and rolled up his sleeves to the elbows. When he turned around to go back outside he found Rakia had just entered and came over.
“Sorry for forgetting to pick up....” Dashtan stared at Rakia who just passed by him without greeting as if he was not there. Confused by the woman’s attitude, he felt that something had happened. Rakia entered her room and immediately closed the door and locked it. Dashtan kept all his curiosity about the woman’s behavior to himself as he walked to his room to change.
Meanwhile, Rakia placed her bag on the dressing table and let out a rough sigh. She wanted to talk to Dashtan but she should shower and change first. Her work and Dalilah’s problems were like burdens piling up in her mind. She took a shower and got dressed and left the room for the kitchen to make tea. While in the kitchen she found Dashtan making coffee. The man smelled of refreshing bath soap, Rakia was affected by the scent. She looked down and walked over to Dashtan to get a cup from the top of her cabinet.
“Dalilah met me this afternoon at DS,” said Rakia who immediately started without preamble. Dashtan immediately turned to her, Rakia turned her body to face forward and leaned her butt against the edge of the cabinet table at the bottom.
“She is trying to get my permission about her being your mistress or your wife,” Rakia continued as she turned to Dashtan. The man let out a long sigh. Not getting any response from the man, Rakia went to get some tea and turned on the water heater.
“Do you still intend to help her?” asked Rakia while staring blankly at the water heater that was currently doing its job.
“Yes, I’m still thinking of the right way to help her. Apparently, Steven is suing her for divorce because of that problem.” Dashtan told what he knew from his search.
“Yes, she told me too. Can’t you just help her? Without having to ask for bail?” asked Rakia as she turned to Dashtan.
“Her debts are overwhelming, I just don’t want her to be indebted to me. That’s all, she went bankrupt through no fault of her own anyway.” Dashtan poured his coffee into the cup, Rakia frowned.
“How did you find out?” Rakia wanted to know. She poured hot water into her cup that already had a tea bag in it.
“I hacked into her company’s website and investigated its financial details,” Dashtan replied lightly. He moved towards the granite table and sat on the high chair. Rakia turned around and looked at the man in surprise.
“Is that easy?” she asked in amazement.
“Yes, it’s that easy,” Dashtan replied, looking at Rakia not understanding why the woman seemed to be amazed at such a trivial thing.
“It’s a big company and you easily hacked it! That’s an offense, Ash! You can be imprisoned.” Rakia turned around after saying that, she threw the used teabag into the trash, then picked up the small square of sugar in the glass jar in front of her and put it into her tea.
“I’m in jail if I get caught,” Dashtan said and sipped his coffee. Rakia rolled her eyes and joined Dashtan at the granite table.
“So...?” asked Rakia again. She looked at Dashtan curiously and warily.
“As for your decision, I can’t accept the guarantee, which sounds stupid.”
Rakia drank her tea and felt relieved at Dashtan’s decision.
“But if you weren’t married, would you accept the bail?” Rakia wanted to know how deep the man’s relationship with Dalilah was even though he said it had ended long ago but Dashtan had also said that Dalilah was a significant person in his life. Dashtan thought for a moment as he tasted the coffee on his upper lip.
“I don’t think so, it’s not worth the loss I have to pay for her. Besides... I just sympathize with her, nothing more.” Dashtan looked at Rakia.
“But what if in that position, it was me?”
Dashtan laughed lightly and began to understand what the woman meant by asking such a question. He took a sip of his coffee then got out of his chair and approached Rakia with slow but steady steps. Rakia instantly felt nervous about Dashtan approaching her. The man’s charm was so hard to resist since their status changed to husband and wife.
“If it’s you, I’ll gladly accept the bail.” Dashtan looked at the awkward Rakia while drinking tea. He placed one of his arms on the table by folding it.
“Why?” Rakia ventured to look at the man who she knew was flirting with her.
“You’re attractive enough to be a mistress, let alone a wife,” Dashtan replied, making Rakia instantly blush red all over. Rakia smiled mockingly at the targeted teasing. She also intended to get back at the man. Turning her body to face Dashtan, Rakia brought her face closer until the distance between them was only an inch.
“You are indeed a seductive man, Mr. Dashtan. But don’t think I’ll always fall for that temptation of yours,” she said as she looked at Dashtan’s lips which seemed to be calling her to just give them a light peck there but Rakia quickly moved her face away and turned away then drank her tea, hiding her flushed face behind the glass. Dashtan smiled and then bit his lower lip just as the woman almost pounced on him. But he had to practice restraint.
“How about... I just accept Dalilah’s bail?” Dashtan just wanted to play a prank on Rakia. The woman immediately turned to her with a sharp gaze.
“Don’t wake the sleeping lion,” Rakia threatened which only made Dashtan stare at the woman with a seductive gaze.
“I want the lion to wake up.” Dashtan was still at home pranking and teasing Rakia. The woman snorted loudly.
“You’ll regret it,” Rakia said solemnly and finished her tea. Dashtan grabbed the edge of the chair Rakia was sitting on and turned it to face her.
“I will not break my promise, according to the agreement, in this marriage there are only you and me,” Dashtan said as he looked at Rakia sincerely. Rakia was amazed at that sincerity as she stared into Dashtan’s black eyes that seemed to be able to stop the flow of time and make her heart beat. They drifted for a moment in silence then Dashtan made the first move by planting a brief peck on Rakia’s lips with his lips.
“I’m in my workspace if you’re looking for me,” Dashtan said before he walked away leaving Rakia still surprised by the thrilling kiss. She blinked a few times to get rid of the unfamiliar sensation she felt. Somehow being close to Dashtan made her so easily excited and fluttery. She caught her breath several times to get rid of the palpitations and arousal that suddenly came over her so easily. She wondered if she would feel the same way if she were married to Benjamin, but somehow the other side of her said no. Everything felt different when being with a Dashtan. Everything feels different when she with Dashtan Al Ghani.