The Unloved Husband

Chapter Four: He Overstepped

Bismillah.

Chapter Four: He Overstepped

Fatima's POV

Did my boss just ask me how much is my dowry? Now, usually those that ask questions like that are men who intends to settle down or ... No way.

I looked at Isaac whose intense gaze at me had me shivering so I looked away.

"Uhm, no idea Sir," I simply answered.

Because honestly it really is none of his business. Is he like this to every woman he sits with inside a moving car? I'd hate the thought of that.

"No idea? You mean no one has ever proposed to you before?" Isaac asked.

I sighed and hated the memory of the question he just asked me. I shook my head, not trusting my voice to speak.

"Your Father really takes good care of you. If I were him, I'd make sure your dowry's worth millions," he said.

This made me look at him. Mr. Khalid smirked for a while then returned his gaze affront.

"Dad's not like that. I remember Mom telling me that for as long as the man is a good Muslim man who loves me, the dowry would be no issue. Whatever the man can afford is acceptable," I reasoned out.

I would hate for him to think that my poor family is that desperate that my dowry is something that they would look forward too. My family ain't like that.

"Really," he said, still looking straight ahead, as if my explanation was not acceptable.

"Yes, really," I said in a concluding tone.

He chuckled a bit and his right hand was on his mouth, clearing his throat. Then he looked back at me.

"So there's been someone huh?" he asked.

His eyes held seriousness and he looked pissed off.

"What do you mean Sir?" I asked, feeling the new released tension inside the car.

"Your Mom would not say such things unless you asked something. There's been a man who wanted to marry you in the past? What happened? Where is he now? Did he hurt you? What's his job? Who called it off? You? Him?" he asked straightforwardly, never blinking, just locking his gaze at me.

Okay, what the heck. Why does he ask so many intruding questions? I am beginning to feel very uncomfortable. Maybe this trip is really something I should have thought of very well. What is my boss turns out to be some sick obsessed psycho? Though with his killer looks and charms, any woman would not mind.

Oh my, Fatima, behave.

"Irrelevant," I simply stated then rested my back on the seat. I looked straight ahead, just to end the weird conversation.

"I'm your boss Fatima, answer me," he demanded.

His demanding voice made me scared but still I dare not look at him. I know if I watched his intense gaze at me, I might just get lost in them. He has expressive eyes that makes him one irresistible man.

My fingers started fidgeting with each other, and I looked down on the hands on my lap, answering him.

"I don't think it is any of your business to know about my personal life Sir, with all due respect," I softly said.

I heard him shifted on his seat and from my peripheral view, he dialed a number.

Good, alhamdulillah, he's letting the issue go. Harun is someone I really don't want to talk about with anyone. He may have been introduced to my parents once upon a lunch break. He may have had ask me to ask my parents how much is my dowry, like the good coward that he is. And he may have had once upon a time bought me an engagement ring that I still kept at the box below my bedroom back home, but he isn't part of my life anymore.

"Yes, this is Isaac. I need a favor. Pull out every file you have from any man associated with Ms. Fatima Maryam. Okay. I'll have the money wired as soon as I received your e-mail and call," he said calmly.

My eyes bulged. He's putting me under investigation. No, no, no, he's boastfully showing me that he can pull the strings and do whatever it is he wants and get information about me, anytime he wants.

"Stop the car Mr. Wadel, please stop the car," I said, then gritted my teeth.

"Ah Sir?" Wadel speak, seeking permission from Isaac.

Isaac looked at me and I looked back at him. My eyes probably showing anger and disgust because that's exactly how I am feeling right now.

"No, do not stop the car. Just go on," he said.

"You have no right," I blurted out.

"Then answer me. I'd really rather know it from you than from someone else I needed to pay," he said.

"Who are you?" I asked in disgust.

"Your boss," he said.

I could see from him eyes that he was serious, that he isn't going to call the man back anytime soon, unless I answer his stupid question.

"Why would you need to know if a man in the past proposed to me? You're just my boss. And I've only been working for you in what like just six hours, but you're acting out as if we're going to get married with each other or something," I complained.

Isaac smiled and then blushed. What the!

"I am not going to defend myself Ms. Maryam. I am the President, the CEO, the owner of my company. I don't answer to anyone but myself," he said.

"Are you this megalomaniac? Vianna would never thought of you as such. Guess you're just a handsome man in great disguise of your nasty nasty overbearing character," I snapped back.

"Thanks for complimenting me that I am handsome. Now, back to the question, the name of the man and he's profession?" he reiterated.

"Whatever," I huffed, cross my arms on my chest and looked straight ahead.

"I'm not going to Kalesa with you. I am not leaving the country with a boss with the weirdest attitude I have ever encountered. Gosh, and I thought I landed on something great that could change my life," I said in frustration, more to myself than him.

It's clear that this isn't the boss I wanna work with. He is a controlling nosy freak.

"What did you just say?" his threatening tone said.

I rolled my eyes and looked back at him.

"That I'm not coming with you and I quit," I said.

I know he's some big shot businessman but that does not give him the right to intervene with my private life. And I am no longer interested of his reasons or sense of logic because clearly, he may have lost it somewhere along the way.

His phone rang, interrupting the silence. He answered the call while all the while staring at me. This made me look again at his perfect face, damn it.

"I'm listening," was all he said to the phone.

After a minute, he ended the call and before I know it he was already seated an inch away from me. His hand touched the seat on our front while his other hand was raised few centimeter from my face. It was as if he wanted to touch my face but stops himself.

"Harun Panama, co - teacher, 2 years in a relationship with you, bought you a gold ring before you found him kissing another teacher in a vacant room, the said teacher is your childhood friend," he softly said.

My emotions overflowed with hurt and pity, shame and anger. Tears roll down from my cheeks and I just let it. Usually on stories I read, the man finds out about the woman's past heartache after a year or after a big date. So for my new arrogant boss to know it within seconds and for him to tell it straight to my face, is so embarrassing and insulting in so many levels. This information is none of his business. Maybe he loves to pain intelligent women like me. Maybe he did not like Vianna because Vianna was no challenge. I get it all now. Maybe that's the reason he is single. He likes hurting powerful women emotionally. Maybe he gets a kick out of it.

Well, since he is really a jerk, there's only one thing for me to do in this situation.

SLAP!

I didn't mean for my fingers to slap so hard but my right hand reddened and there in Isaac's left cheek is the red mark of my hand.

"You're a cruel man Isaac Khalid," I hissed.

And then I push him away from me. I stared at Wadel who looked at me from the front upper mirror.

"Please Sir Wadel, stop the car and let me go," I pleaded.

And he did. The car slowed down. I opened the car and hurriedly opened the back hood to get my trolley. But Isaac was faster, he closed the hood and combed his hair.

"I'm sorry okay? I don't know what has gotten into me. It's just that I hated not knowing. I always know ahead of time. And you were being difficult," he started to reason out.

But I raised my palm, signaling him to stop.

"I already told you it's none of your business Sir," I said.

I opened the hood but he closed it again.

"I'll give you an instant salary raise to compensate for my misbehavior," he bargained.

I rolled my eyes.

"I really thought that since you conceptualize Writeworthy Inc. and have this great contribution to the Islamic community that you wouldn't be one of those snobbish hypocritical materialistic power-hungry insensitive controlling freaks. I guess first impression don't last," I said, before opening the hood again and getting my trolley out.

I looked around and saw that we were in the middle of the highway. It's a fifteen - minute drive from here towards the airport. I walked away from Isaac and his car with Wadel still inside it, maybe not wanting to interfere.

A taxi was approaching and I hailed for it. Isaac was just from a few distance away from me, and he was just standing there with his hands on his waist. Then he walked towards me. Oh, oh, not again.

Hurry taxi. But before the taxi could even reach me, Isaac was already carrying me like a sack on his shoulder. He's that strong.

"Put me down. You have no right to touch me," I yelled.

"Wadel, put the trolley back," he commanded.

He placed me inside the car and locked the doors. Wadel got back to the front and started driving. I was at the far end of the seat while Isaac is beside me. He was not seated comfortably because his body seemed to be blocking at the door behind him.

My tears were still falling.

"Sshh, shhh, stop crying. I admit it's my fault. I overstep a bit," he said gently.

"Overstep a bit? You think!" I said, raising my voice.

His eyes were soft and his expression showed guilt.

"I crossed the line and I... I just needed to know as soon as possible Fatima," he reasoned out with a gentle soft - spoken voice.

"Please wipe your tears," he said, handing me his handkerchief.

I ignored him and just got my own handky instead from my shoulder bag. I went silent and wiped my tears away. Why does he need to know about Harun? Who is this man?

I looked at him and he was sad to see my current state.

"Please move away from me and sit over there," I instructed.

He nodded and moved away from me. Now we're back to sitting on the opposite ends of the backseat.

After few minutes of silence, we finally reached the airport.

"You are coming with me at Kalesa," was all he said before he moved out of the car, opening the door for me.

Well, Fatima, that's your new controlling boss. Better get used to it.

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Isaac's POV

After checking in for our flight, Fatima and I sat and waited for the boarding time. She was reading the hard copy of The Unloved Wife, completely making it a mission to ignore me.

But I was fine with her getting mad, for as long as she's coming with me. It will give me a chance to make it up to her later.

She was seated two seats away from me but whenever there's someone wanting to sit in between our seats, I stopped them. I needed to see her in a clear view, in case she decides to leave me again.

I was holding my ipad and reading e-mails for tomorrow's event. Although I can hardly concentrate on them.

Fatima stood up and my head turned towards her direction automatically.

"I'm going to the comfort room," she said.

I wanted to go to her but went against it. I am being too nosy, too clingy and just like what she said, a controlling freak.

As she was at the comfort room, I thought of the man named Harun. Clearly, the man was a douchebag for cheating on her. Why did tears fall from her face? She still loves him. Astaghfirullah.

See Isaac? You intentionally wanted to elicit reaction from her because you needed to know if she still has feelings for her ex. That's how cruel you are. She's right, you are a cruel man.

But this is my first time to be this cruel. Usually if I am interested on a woman, I don't ask around. I make an impression then the woman automatically likes me. Then, I realized I wasn't' that interested and let it all fade.

I don't know how is it for women but for us men, we just know I guess. Just like how upon meeting Fatima, I know she has a pull on me. And awhile ago, while I carried her back inside the car, it felt right. It's like she belongs to me and I can do whatever it takes for her not to leave by my side, whether she likes it or not.

Astaghfirulllah al - azim. I touched her lower leg and her arms and that was sinfu. Ya Allah, forgive me, she was getting away. No Isaac, do not justify your misdeed. You should have just respected her privacy.

I made a mental note to ask for forgiveness later when we arrived at the hotel on Isha Salah. I looked again from the direction where Fatima left and was relieved to see her come back. She was wearing a maroon turtle neck long sweater and white long square pants matched up with a pink veil. She was carrying a bottle of water and a biscuit. She sat back at her seat, took a drink and started eating as she continued reading

I realized I was thirsty.

"Hey Fatima, could you share to me your water?" I said.

My hand reached out to her.

she said indignantly.

"Water," I demanded.

She was about to speak but I got her water and drank it. It maybe indirect kiss but I don't care. Her water is mine. I can even give her whatever is mine too. I left out a quarter measure of the water and returned it back to her. She received it with a surprise expression on her face.

"Thanks," I said.

But she was blushing. And then she looked away, placing the bottle next to her.

She blushed, I have an effect on her. I guess this will be a very interesting trip for the both of us.

Shocks, again Isaac, it was wrong to take her water. Astaghfirullah. It seems that I have a lot of forgiveness to seek from Allah.

Oh boy, being close to a woman I am highly attracted with is proving to be dangerous. What other wrong things would I do next? Astaghfirullah. Oh ya Allah, help me.

"First call for Flight 387 bound for Kalesa, is now ready to board. We request the passengers to be at Gate 5," a woman's voice announced.

We both stood up and walked towards the gate in front of us. I walked towards her until she was walking next to me. Somehow, this feels natural. This feels perfect. This feels nice. I don't care who Harun is and what he did or they did when they were together, just as long as she doesn't see him ever again. And I will do everything in my power to keep it that way.

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"The Prophet (s.a.w) was asked about the deed on account of which most people will enter Paradise, he (s.a.w) said, "Fear o Allah and good manners."

- Hadith

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