Bonds And Betrayals

18.

SASHA.

I was still reeling from his words when the door opened. I hadn't even noticed when he stepped out or when he came to my side to open the door for me.

My palms were already clammy. I wiped them on my gown for the third time in the last two minutes, my heart thumping way too loud for something as simple as stepping out of a car. But nothing about this was simple. Nothing about being out in public with him felt normal. My chest was too tight. My breathing came in short, shallow bursts. And I didn’t know what to do with my hands, so I just folded them awkwardly across my stomach like I was trying to hold myself together.

Bello extended a hand with his palm open, waiting patiently while I hesitated.

“Bellis,” he said, quietly but firmly while I looked up. His eyes were gentle, and not the teasing, arrogant glint I’d grown used to. They were surprisingly soft, and he looked at me like an egg that was about to c***k.

“I’ve got you,” he said, and I trusted him enough to believe that, so I placed my hand in his as he helped me out of the car, steadying me as my legs wobbled from how stiffly I’d been sitting. I adjusted my gown and smoothed my hair, my eyes darting around the mall entrance like everyone could somehow tell that I didn’t belong there. I’d never been to a mall before, and I was afraid that I would embarrass myself. There were so many people, and I had to force myself to keep walking so I wouldn’t turn around and flee.

We walked toward the entrance side by side. Or rather, I walked slightly behind him, trying not to trip over my flats or make eye contact with anyone. Bello’s presence was magnetic, as everyone noticed. Heads turned as soon as we walked past, and I didn’t know how to act when all that attention drifted to me too.

The second we stepped through the glass doors, a man in a navy kaftan and leather slippers rushed forward with a broad smile.

“Sannu da zuwa, Yallabai,” the man said, bowing his head slightly. “We are honored to have you here today.”

Bello gave him a simple nod, expression unreadable as he said, “Where’s Idris?”

“He’s inside, Yallabai. He has been expecting you.”

Without another word, Bello led me into the clothing store at the far end of the mall. I could barely glance at anything before another person was greeting him.

“Sannu da zuwa, Yallabai.”

“Barka da zuwa, Yallabai.”

Over and over again.

Bello barely reacted. There was a nod here and a half-smile there. His hand stayed clasped with mine, guiding me gently through the store as if it belonged to him. Maybe it did, but at this point, I wouldn’t be surprised. The workers bowed as we passed, stepping aside quickly and murmuring to one another in low tones. I was holding my breath without even realizing it.

“We're going to the VIP section. I called ahead to book the place until you are done choosing,” Bello said, squeezing my hand slightly.

I simply nodded, my eyes following the racks of clothes, shoes, bags, and jewelry around. Here alone, there were enough beautiful clothes. But I suppose they weren't good enough for the beta.

‘Or the beta's mate,’ Ash whooped.

I fought back a smile, my breath nearly hitching when we stepped through another door. And this place was magnificent. Even the lighting here was different, so where the racks displayed in every corner. My eyes danced around, because it was impossible to focus on one place.

Thankfully, there were only three people standing in this room, and I felt marginally better. Not that I knew how to react around them.

“Barka da isowa, Yallabai. It's an honor to have you visit my boutique,” a man in blue kaftan and cap greeted.

“Barka da zuwa, Yallabai,” the two ladies standing behind him, dressed in black pants, black shirt and had rolled on a black jersey veil over their heads, greeted.

“Thank you,” he answered smoothly. Then he pulled me to his side, turned and placed a kiss on my forehead, our eyes locked on each other. “This is my woman, Sasha,” he announced, a small smirk on his lips as he stared down at me. His scent overflowed my senses.

“She's your mate?” The man asked, eyes wide.

Bello’s hand slipped to my waist, tightening there as he pulled me flush against him. “She's mine. That's enough.” His tone was firm, leaving no room for arguments. Why wasn't he introducing me as his mate?

“Barka da zuwa,” all three of them stated.

I nodded, finding the respect extremely uncomfortable. But I said nothing and plastered a small smile on my face.

“We have new arrivals, Yallabai,” the man called Idris explained, as we began walking. I stared and stared and stared, my eyes jumping from one rack to another.

My eyes landed on a yellow ankara gown displayed on a mannequin near the center of the store, and it looked so beautiful. It was bright and simple, but something about it tugged at my chest. Maybe it was the sleeves, or the pattern. Or maybe it was the fact that yellow was my favourite color.

“You like that one?” Bello asked, his voice brushing against my ear.

I blinked as I looked up at him awkwardly, and I said, “I was just looking…”

“Bring that dress,” Bello said, raising his voice louder a little bit.

Two staff members rushed forward immediately, saying, “Right away, Yallabai.”

I looked away and tried not to squirm, but of course, my gaze landed on a deep blue gown nearby. I only stared at it for half a second before forcing myself to look away. And yet, Bello saw that too.

“Bring the blue one too,” he said. The woman nodded immediately, while a wave of panic washed over me. I hated anything blue. Back home, most of the clothes Lamido gave me were blue, which developed my hatred for the color. But I didn’t know how to explain that to Bello. I wasn't even sure I wanted to, after all, he was the one paying for the clothes. He might feel insulted if I didn’t like something he picked. So I swallowed my protest and just stood beside him. What more could I say?

Another rack caught my attention as he led me to a seat, and it was a large collection of heels. Some of them were strappy, dangerous-looking heels that screamed “ankle injury”, but they were so pretty that they made me pause.

“You like those?” Bello asked, already walking over.

“I was just…”

“Which one?” he asked, knowing that I was about to deny it. I bit my lip and stared down, but he gestured for a salesgirl and asked her to bring as many heels as she could carry. He smiled down at me, and the butterflies in my stomach started rampaging when he leaned in close and nudged my shoulder with his.

When she brought over the heels, I was shocked when he crouched down in front of me and took one of the heels from the box.

Gently, he helped me out of my flats and slid one heel onto my foot, then the other. His hands were slow and careful, but firm. I tried not to stare at the top of his head, and instead I stared at the wall while my heart was beating wildly in my chest.

“Now stand up,” he said once he finished tying the straps.

“I’m going to fall,” I said.

“Don’t worry,” he whispered. “I’ll catch you.”

I stood up slowly, but then I immediately wobbled and fell, right into his arms. His hand was on my waist in the blink of an eye, while his other arm caught me at the back. Our faces were so close that I could see the tiny flecks of gold in his eyes, and my lips parted in shock as I imagined leaning in closer and letting go of my thoughts.

“See?” he murmured, barely hiding his grin. “I told you I would catch you.”

My mouth opened, but no sound came out. My heart was pounding too hard as he straightened me up but didn’t let go when he said. “Looks like we'll need to practice wearing them.”

I nodded dumbly, my eyes stuck on the collar of his shirt. He finally released me and stepped back.

“Try on the dresses,” he said. “We’ll take the ones you like.”

“I am trying them here?” I asked, wide eyed.

“Yes. Or we could take everything if you want. I don't mind. I just thought you'd want to be sure of the size?”

“Oh,” I nodded as I stood up. “You're right.”

“Want me to come help?” He asked quietly.

I jerked back. Of course I don't want him to. I mean, we did spend the night together, but I am not ready for him to see my…nakedness, even if he unwillingly did last night. My small, frail body. A body I wished looked better than it did. I meant, why would I want him to see my curveless frame hidden beneath my clothes?

“It's okay,” he smiled, drawing me out of my thoughts. “I won't help. Looks like you don't want me to.”

I swallowed and said nothing as the saleswoman led me to the changing room with her arms full of fabric, where I tried on the yellow one first. I loved it. It was perfect.

‘You look so beautiful,’ Ash murmured.

I smiled, happy at the compliment.

‘Will you go show him?’

I jerked back. ‘What? No. Why would I do that?’

‘Because he is buying?’ She asked.

I shook my head. ‘I am not comfortable doing that.’

Ash nodded. ‘And that is totally fine. After all, he'll get to see them some day.’

The saleswoman helped me into another ankara gown. A green ankle length gown. The fit was perfect.

“Excuse me, Gimbiya,” the saleswoman called. I thought I had successfully avoided having any conversations with her, but seemed like I failed.

“Yes?”

“I have a little emergency. Could you please excuse me for a few minutes? I'll be back in a jiffy.”

“Sure.” I replied, keeping my eyes locked on the dresses and debating which one to try next.

“Thank you so much!” And she was gone.

I exhaled, happy to be finally alone while still scanning the gowns. I decided to try a red ball gown. It was tight at the waist and flowing at the bottom, with a slit that made it beautiful and far too dangerous for me. But the zipper was stuck halfway up. I yanked at it, desperately hoping it would move, but nothing. Not even a budge.

“Here, let me help,” Bello’s voice suddenly filtered through, before his warmth enveloped me. A shudder raked through me, his fingers brushed my back as he slowly pulled the zipper up, and my breathing hitched.

Then he turned me around.

“You look incredible,” he said, causing my cheeks to burn once again. I stared down at my feet, unable to meet his gaze as so many emotions swirled through my chest. How could anyone be this handsome and perfect? It was almost illegal.

“You always do,” he added, now adjusting the waistline for me. “But this one… I think this one might be my favorite.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but then my stomach suddenly growled so loudly that I wouldn’t be surprised if the entire mall heard it. I stiffened, praying that Bello had somehow gone deaf in the last few seconds and he hadn’t heard it.

“You didn't have dinner?” he asked, his voice sounding deathly calm.

I froze, unable to meet his gaze as I said, “I… I was going to.”

“Bellis,” he said, gritting his teeth while I flinched. He sounded like he was angry. He sounded exactly the way Lamido does when he was angry. Which meant I was in trouble.

“I swear I was going to,” I said quickly. “But they made beans porridge and plantain, and I don’t eat that. It leaves me with an upset stomach.”

His expression darkened, and there was a murderous look in his eyes as he said, “They cooked without asking you?”

“They did ask,” I rushed to say. Again. “But I didn’t know what to tell them to cook. No one ever asked me what to cook in the past so I told them to make anything they could.”

He looked furious, like he was going to punch through the wall in his rage. His hand on my wrist tightened for a millisecond, causing me to flinch a bit.

“It’s not anyone’s fault,” I continued. The panic was really creeping up on me now. “Really, it’s my own fault. I should’ve said something. I should have asked them to make me something else, but I just didn’t want to complain. After all, I told them to cook anything.”

He stepped back with his jaw clenched, and I thought he was going to yell at me.

“I’ll be right back,” he simply said, and he left the changing room.

Ash groaned softly as soon as he left, and she said, ‘He’s mad.’

‘He’s not mad at me though, right? Right?’ I asked.

‘He’s mad at the situation,’ she replied. ‘Not at you.’

I exhaled and sat down on the edge of the seat just outside the changing room. My thoughts were racing, while my stomach still rumbled. My chest ached a little from holding my breath too often, while I wondered what Bello could be up to. I was still thinking about that when a strange man walked up to me. He looked like he was in his mid-thirties, with a slick smile and a leather jacket. He was clearly not a worker.

“Hey beautiful,” he said, smirking at me. “I didn’t mean to intrude, but you shouldn’t look that good if you’re going to sit out here alone.”

I didn’t respond, and I just stared at my feet and prayed he would walk away as my heart began to beat faster. But he took a step closer, and I immediately stood up.

“You don’t need to be shy,” he said, reaching out toward my face. “I just wanted to see you up close…”

He didn’t get to finish that sentence, because out of nowhere, Bello’s hand suddenly gripped his wrist hard, and the man froze as Bello’s rage-filled eyes settled on him.

“It would be in your best interest to take your hands off her.” Bello's calm, but deadly voice filled my ears.