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XXVII: Wondrous Hearts
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Lale huffed for the umpteenth time, throwing the bouquet into the bin. Rereading the card, she tore it into two then mete out the same treatment she gave the flowers. Adjusting the lapels of her hijab, Lale gripped the edge of the oak desk as a wave of nausea hit her. Her eyes became hazy as she tried to regain consciousness of her environment. Focusing on her breathing pattern, she counted from ten to one inwardly.
She stood up straighter when she felt okay again, making a mental note to grab a bugger on her way back home. She stepped out of the confines of her office and made a beeline to the studio where dozens of mannequins were wrapped in different colors and sizes overflowing gowns. She gave her team a nod of acknowledgement for a job well done before giving them a week off to make up for the long hours of work she had them run through.
She grabbed a cup of coffee from a vending machine in the hallway then went into the relaxation ro
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"Do you plan on staying in bed for the whole day?" Aslan questioned, twirling a strand of her hair with his finger."Mm-hmm," she nodded, inhaling his musky oudh scent. "I like it better here where I am.""As much as I'd like to stay here with you," he chuckled, untangling their legs. "At some point, we're going to have to get out of bed so why not do it now?""I'm not going anywhere," she pouted, wrapping her arms around his torso. "Neither are you.""Sevgilim," he kissed the corner of her lips, taking her hand into his. "I'd like very much to stay in bed with you, but we need to eat, I'll just order for room service and then I'll come back to you okay?""Fine but-"The shrill ringing of her phone interrupted her and she groaned, silencing it without checking who the caller was."Aren't you picking up?" Aslan's brows furrowed as he got down from the bed.
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Najmah tiptoed across the living room, hiding a package behind her back as she surveyed the area. Just as she placed her foot on the staircase, cheering victoriously for slipping in and out of the house undetected, she heard her mother call her."Waye ne ya zo ganinki?" (Who came to see you?) Hajiya Salma questioned crossly, folding her arms over her chest. Najmah swore in her head before turning around to face her mother.Hajiya Salma looked rather displeased as she stared at her youngest who looked more annoyed than guilty at being caught."Fahad ne," (It was Fahad.) she replied, sucking in a breath."Fahad?" Hajiya Salma gasped. "Najmah are you in your right senses? How dare he come to see you? You refuse to give your husband a listening ear yet you have the time to talk to your ex? Has he no shame? He dares to come to my house to speak to you knowing that you're still married?""
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