Companionship, Love and Loyality

6 weeks prior to the wedding

It's been a month since Anna met Ibrahim, and her wedding day is so close. It'll be here in less than two months. Anxious? Yes, she is. She believes she is on the edge from where if she falls, she is not going to be saved by anybody. Every day that passes is like a ticking time bomb for her. She didn't have the courage to tell her friends about her marriage, and she hasn't told her boyfriend, Kai, either. This is insane, and it's getting worse when she notices a black lavish car parked in front of her university building. She has been spending a lot of time on campus lately because she needs to graduate as quickly as possible or else, she will have to wait until next year.

“Anna!”

Anna was startled by a squeal and turned around to look at the source of the voice. Jacob Murray, her best friend, met him at a club near their university. They have different faculty majors, but they both have one thing in common: they enjoy getting drunk, and alcohol instantly connects them.

"Jacob!" she exclaimed, giving him a warm hug. "Where have you been?" she inquired after they parted. She hadn't seen him in a long time.

Jacob exhaled a sigh. "I have no idea why my father has to force me to accompany him to New York. I know absolutely nothing about business. It's so boring, all we did was to entertain those tycoons to get the contract signed."

Anna smacked him on the head. This guy is completely insane. She was well aware that he was not interested in his father's business. "Your father must be under a lot of pressure to have a son like you. Your dispassionate attitude towards academics and business. You only like to go clubbing with your father's money. If you were my son, I would have disowned you."

He burst out laughing and embraced Anna again. "It's been a long time since we went to a club. Let's go with me tonight."

A loud engine echoed through both Anna's and Jacob's ears before she could even decide. The lavish black car she had seen earlier standing in front of them. She could only think of one name, Ibrahim. The window of the car was pulled down to reveal the person.

"Get in." Ibrahim ordered without looking at either of them. He's wearing sunglasses. As usual, he was dressed in a black suit that hugged his body perfectly, revealing his broad and large muscles in every way.

For a while, Jacob was perplexed. He recognized the person inside Bugatti as Ibrahim Saunders, the notorious business tycoon of IS. He looked at Anna, who appeared to be irritated. Something is clearly wrong here. "Anna?" he asked, looking at Anna for clarification.

Anna exhaled a soft sigh. She understands that she must obey Ibrahim or else he will cause a commotion, but she owes Jacob an explanation as well. "I don't think I'll be free tonight, and I'll call you later." Anna said, rushing into Ibrahim's car because she didn't want Ibrahim to be here at all.

Jacob was still stunned when the black Bugatti vanished from his sight. She went inside his car nonchalantly, implying that they knew each other, and she seemed to comply with him right away after he told her to. This is unusual. Anna, he knew, was not a submissive person. Furthermore, how did she meet him? Ibrahim is not someone you would meet by chance on the street. How could Anna possibly know him? They don't appear to know each other. He was both angry and annoyed. He's angry because Anna kept a secret from him. Ibrahim's arrogant behavior infuriates him.

The tension inside the car is also heavy, as Anna immediately yelled at him. "What are you attempting to accomplish?" "I thought we agreed not to meddle in each other's personal lives!" She is now enraged.

This girl is truly testing his patience. He's never been yelled at by any girl in his life. He didn't respond, instead, he drove his car at a high speed. It was so fast that it exceeded the legal speed limit. She may be upset, but he is enraged when he sees her leisurely hugging that tall man.

"Are you trying to kill both of us?" "Slow down!" she yelled angrily.

Ibrahim is unbothered by her comment. He enjoys speed because it allows him to compete with his adrenaline. He didn't bother stopping until he couldn't hear anything from the girl next to him. He casts a casual glance at her, and she appears audacious of the pace. He finally slowed down and parked his car in front of a massive multistory building.

"I'm not going to appreciate it if you carelessly hug another guy in public," Ibrahim said, and she noticed he seemed to be serious.

Anna became irritated once more. "Why are you worried?" You're not yet my husband, but you're far too dominating, and it drives me insane. "We agreed not to interfere in each other's personal matters," she claimed. 

Ibrahim suddenly gripped her wrist with one hand and her nape with the other, pressuring her to look at his damn fierce gaze. He closed the gap between them and brought their faces so close that they could feel their breath mingling. Anna is taken aback by his sudden actions and attempts to break free from his clutches, but he is far too brawny for her to do so. He tucked her hair behind her ear, which made her shudder. They're so close, and it's extremely dangerous.

"You're mine, and I don't want my wife hugging anyone casually like that. You know I'm a cautious person, and I don't want your negligent behavior to endanger my public image," he said in her ear. "If you're going to be my wife, you should know your limitations," he added before releasing her from his grip. What made him sound like an envious boyfriend? Oh, no. He isn't even her boyfriend, and their marriage is a sham, and all he is concerned with is his prestige.

"We're going to pick out our wedding bands," he said without waiting for Anna to respond to his previous comment.

Anna has a lot to say, but this guy is so cruel that he didn't even give her a chance to speak. Why is he so fearsome? Wait what did he say? Wedding bands?.

Anna trailed Ibrahim as he walked towards the entrance of that jewelry store. She glanced around and realized that the shop's interior is so extravagant that she's certain only people from the aristocratic families buy from here. The shopkeeper bowed to Ibrahim and led him to a VIP section as soon as he stepped inside. They must already be acquainted with him.

"I'd like to take the rings which I ordered last month." Ibrahim ordered.

The shopkeeper bowed once more and replied. "Indeed, Mr. Saunders. Please wait a moment and make yourself at ease."

When the shopkeeper left to get the rings, another person came in with refreshments for them. Anna, still bewildered by the unexpected care, began to question Ibrahim. "What are we doing here?" she inquired. Ignoring the presence of a young lady serving them.

Ibrahim is completely taken aback by this girl. They are in a jewelry store. Of course, they'll be purchasing a wedding ring. "Didn't I tell you before? I don't like repeating myself," he replied pompously.

Anna averted her gaze. Could he speak politely at least once out provoking her rage? The shopkeeper returned with three diamond rings just when she was too preoccupied with her thoughts. When Anna saw the inestimable diamonds, she couldn't help but be amazed. Given the size of the diamond, it must be very expensive.

"Choose any of the rings you like." Ibrahim told Anna.

She looked at him, stunned. She doesn't understand. She expected their marriage to be lucid, but this guy has exceeded her expectations. She looks attentively at the diamond ring. It's glitzy, gleaming, dazzling, and perfect in every way. She may be the happiest girl in the world if her boyfriend brings her here, but the person who will buy her the ring is someone who aspires to seek vengeance on her family.

"Miss, I'd like to tell you a little bit about these rings." The shopkeeper said as she noticed Anna's puzzled expression, as if she didn't know anything about the diamond rings displayed in front of her. She smiled slightly, attempting to conceal her indistinctness.

Anna had no idea what to describe because all she sees right now is an oval-shaped glittering stone. “This is an iconic ring because it was influenced by Princess Diana's artifact. The gemstone weighs 12 carats and is encircled by ten solitaire diamonds.”

Anna couldn't help but look surprised. Twelve carats? How could she possibly wear such a heavy stone on her fingers?

The shopkeeper then showed her the second one "This is a beautiful three-stone emerald cut diamond ring mounting with a blaze shank and two white and blue knife edge bands. The total weight is 11 carats. Customarily, the three stones represent the past, present, and future. It also represents your companionship, devotion, and loyalty to your partner," she explained.

The significance is so magnificent for Anna, but it's a shame that this is a purposeless union with no sentiments involved. These large diamonds are so valuable that she didn't even dare to put them on her finger when the shopkeeper asked if she wanted to try them on to see which one looked best on her hand.

"The final piece is this radiant pink diamond ring. Ring of fire is the name given by the designer. It weighs about 10 carats and is framed in the fire of the blaze cut." The shopkeeper smiled as she looked at Anna. "Which one would you prefer to miss?" she inquired.

Anna is still bewildered. She never considered buying herself a jewel, and now she must choose one. This is completely insane. All of the rings are absolutely stunning. Ibrahim became irritated as she continued to stare at the rings without saying anything.

"Could you please make it faster? I don't have all day to waste her. Choose one or wear them all on our wedding day." Ibrahim abruptly stated.

Anna is completely taken aback. Buy them all? How filthy rich is he that he can afford all of it? "Buy all three? Are you insane? It's so expensive!" she whispered to him, her gaze drawn to the shopkeeper in front of her, who was also staring at them.

Ibrahim smirked at her. He expected her to be excited when he took her to a jewelry shop, but he was wrong. When he brings girls here, they never hesitate to choose one of the expensive jewelry for themselves, but this girl didn’t even dare to pick one. "I'll buy everything." Ibrahim informed the storekeeper.

She stopped the shopkeeper before she could take the rings. "I'll go with the second." Anna stepped in. "Just the second one," she added again, a little hesitantly.

"Please wait a moment. I'll pack the rings for you, and please notify the cashier if you want to purchase diamond insurance." said the shopkeeper before leaving them alone.

Anna turned her gaze to the man beside her who was currently distracted by his phone as soon as the shopkeeper left her sight. "You're incredible. How could you spend your money so carelessly?" she scolded him.

"All of those diamonds are meaningless in comparison to how much money I own. If you want, I could even buy the entire store." Ibrahim responded smugly, without even looking her in the eyes. His gaze is still fixed on the screen of his phone. Anna gritted her teeth in annoyance at how arrogant this guy is.

They both went to the cashier to pay, and Ibrahim took another look at the ring she had chosen. He would not deny that it is a stunning diamond ring. A little excitement lingers in his heart because he wants to put this rings on her finger as soon as possible so his long-awaited game that he has been planning for years can finally begin.

When they were already in his car, Anna said. "Now that we've finished with the rings, please bring me home."

Ibrahim simply started the engine without responding to her. He just drove away, not bothering with her whining about wanting to go home because they weren't going home yet.

Anna is aware that this is not the route he intends to take them home. “Hey! Bring me home!" She began to raise her voice.

Ibrahim finally turned to face her with a cold expression. "You're going to need a wedding gown."

This time, Anna sighed deeply. They're not doing anything but arguing. She is so exhausted that she lacks the energy to fight him. She'll just let him do whatever he wants. This is a fake marriage with no love involved. She was well aware that no matter how hard she fought, she would not be able to defeat this man who wielded power over her and her family. It's pointless.