Next morning, Raza woke up early as usual. He looked around and sighed, realizing he was a married man now. Groggily, he checked his phone and his sleep vanished, reading Manal's message.

Cancel Asim's ticket and book yours with mine for Bora-Bora. My darling husband, we are going for our honeymoon.

Raza smiled, re-reading the message several times; in her voice in his head, before heading to the bathroom.  

Manal closed her door, and with one hand flipped her open hair on her back. With a final, delicate touch, she adjusted the golden double chain and pendant, a subtle touch of elegance, before stepping into the lobby. Suddenly, she saw him—Raza—walking towards her. Manal's gaze lingered on her husband, appreciating the way the black sweater emphasized his strong physique and the way the white pants accentuated his long legs. The monochrome palette accentuated his warm skin tone, and his clean-shaven jawline, sharp and defined, held a rugged handsomeness that sparked a flicker of desire within her.

She smirked and swiftly unbuttoned the top buttons of her pink cardigan, making sure her cleavage was visible. Manal hurried and pretended to absent-mindedly place her hand over his on the staircase railing.

"Oops."

Raza recoiled his hand. He looked at her, his eyes caught her open buttons and quickly glanced away.

"Good morning, Boss." He averted his eyes. Manal grinned.

"Morning, darling husband." She pecked his cheek.

Raza gasped, his head tilting back in surprise. His eyes, wide with astonishment.

"What?" She shrugged casually, then climbed down the stairs. Before reaching the breakfast table, Manal buttoned her cardigan again.

Raza couldn't focus on work. When someone talked to him, it would be a jump scare for him. His phone beeped with a message from Manal asking him to check on the meeting room. Gulping lightly, he rose from his seat and left the cubicle. The room was empty; he sighed and got in. He switched on the laptop at his boss's side. Raza arranged the notes on points. He straightened; just then, the door flung open and Manal dashed in.

"Boss." Raza lowered his eyes noticing, the button of her cardigan was open again and her collar pushed back exposing her shoulder.

"Great." She stood close beside him. He stepped back, his elbow hit the chair. Manal stifled her smile. She feigned annoyance and eyed him; "What? You don't even look like you got married last night."

Raza shook his head in confusion. Manal took his hand, and he stiffened. Carefully, she checked his ring finger. He stood blankly with her, shoving an oxidized copper ring onto his finger, and hummed.

"Okay, I got your size. Dad is throwing a ring ceremony for our relatives only."

Raza forced his gaze away from her shoulders and nodded, - "But, boss, I am not going to wear Sehra again."

Manal giggled, - "What? Don't worry, they know." She placed a hand softly over his. Raza turned his head and found her smiling face.

"Now, I can—" She gracefully perched herself on the table. With a playful smile, she slid her slender arms around his neck. Raza's heart pounded in his chest, his eyes flickering to the door before meeting hers. Manal kept looking at his pretty face.

"Boss—someone will come." He stammered. His frightened eyes made him so adorable. Manal resisted pinching his cheek. She leaned, bringing her lips near his ear, and whispered in a low sensual voice.

"Don't worry, I have locked it and—the cameras are off."

Raza tilted his head; their nose touched, and he leaned back. Manal smirked.

"Boss." Bewildered, he blinked at her, - "Your fiancé of so many years betrayed you and—I thought you would be—"

"Devastated, shattered, crushed, ruined—blah, blah. Why for some stupid man?" She pulled him closer by his shoulder. He let out a soft gasp.

"Why should I?" Manal ran the tip of her berry-red manicured nail over the frame of his face and pressed her index finger over his bow-shaped lips, - "And, when I have dashing and caring husband. I don't want to be ungrateful." She eyed his mouth. Raza gulped and gently moved her hands.

"Not—not now, Boss."

Manal inhaled sharply, - "I want to paint you—naked."

Raza's knees wobbled, and he gripped the table for support. Manal laughed at his stupefied expressions. She slid down and sat in her seat.

"Go unlock the door." Manal gestured, then buttoned and adjusted her cardigan. Raza wiped sweat beads off his forehead, and with a faltered walk, he hurried towards the door. 

They made Raza sit on the rosewood sofa, and equally surprised guests congratulated him, making everything awkward for him. Sohail kept a sad face and went around whining how deceitful Asim was, and manipulated his naïve daughter. He also sang praises of Raza, giving his assurance. Phoupijaan wasn't happy either way.

Raza adjusted the collar of his soft pink embroidered Kurtha. His jaw hurt from constantly smiling, and his nape stiffened from tipping for elderly guests. Raza fiddled with the envelopes in his hand and looked up when Sohail announced his daughter's entry.

Manal walked in with her cousins on either side of her. Raza took in a deep breath, awestruck by the beauty of his wife in a red, elegant saree. Manal smiled at him through her veil. Raza reciprocated with a shaky smile. She sat beside him, and he shifted a little. Manal kept her head lowered and seeing her submissive clean-bowled Raza. His hands shook terribly as he slipped the ring onto her finger. Manal flexed her slim fingers. The large oval green sapphire, gold ring surprised her. Mid-sized diamonds cushioned the gemstone.

How did he afford such an exorbitant ring? 

Raza's hand kept trembling as he forwarded his hand to her. Amidst claps and cheers, Manal grinned; comfortably sliding a platinum, single solitaire wedding band onto his finger. He smiled, bringing the ring close to his face. He looked up; Manal continued to smile from behind the veil. His gaze lingered on her succulent red lips. A wave of longing washed over him, his breath hitching in his throat. Manal slid her hand over his and gripped his palm. Her touch a silken thread that drew him inexorably towards her.

Later, after the function, with guests still in the mansion occupying much of their rooms. Raza was forced to be in the same room as Manal.

She wanted to be with her husband, but her irritating relatives kept her with them. Pulling her veil over her face, as she climbed up, her phone beeped.

Boss, our tickets are done. Keep your passport ready.

Manal smiled. Taking revenge from Asim will be so much fun, she smirked.

Raza turned when the door unlocked and smiled at his gorgeous wife walking in. He welcomed her, gently shutting the door behind her. Manal kept smiling, pricking at her cuticles.

"Boss, you are looking gorgeous." He confessed. Her heart skipped a beat, and her cheeks turned warm at his compliment or because of the anticipation of what was next. Raza pulled up the veil, and Manal lowered her eyes, parting her lips. He admired leisurely.

The red, silver threaded saree draped neatly around her hour-shaped figure, and long sleeves made her long arms appear slimmer. His eyes landed on the deep neckline of her blouse.

Manal shivered lightly under his intense gaze. He took a step closer and held her shoulders. Shyly, she looked up into his kind eyes.

"I promise you, Boss." He leaned and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead. The touch of his lips sent a shiver down her spine, - "with me, you will not have a single dull moment." His lips curved into a smile against her forehead. Manal's smile grew as well. He leaned back.

"Actually, I want to tell you something," He said in a shy voice.

"Bolo?" She raised her head, locking her gaze with his.

He hesitated, - "I like you in open hair—"

"Open it, then?"

Raza's finger twitched, reaching out behind her and cautiously undid her sleek hair-bun. Her dark black hair unravelled, falling just above the hooks of her blouse. He swallowed softly, rubbing his clammy hands on his sherwani.

"Boss—I can't believe this—it seems like a dream."

Manal held his face, and caressed his cheek, - "Shall I pinch you then?" She chuckled. Raza foolishly smiled with uncertainty. She took his hands and placed them on her waist. He trembled, tightening his hold. Manal wrapped an arm around his neck, and the other hand toyed with the button of his shervani. A low exhale escaped Raza's trembling lips, his eyes tracing the curve of her cleavage as she drew closer. His eyes unable to resist the allure of her body. The air crackled with a primal energy. He lifted his gaze to hers, finding a reflection of his own desire in her dilated pupils. The intensity of her stare, both excited and unnerved him.

Manal parted her lips. Raza stepped back, - "Boss, ki—ki—as you know, all this is new—to me."

She frowned, - "You mean I do this regularly?"

"No, no, no." Worriedly, he waved his arms. Manal pressed her lips into a wide smile. Raza, confusedly stared at her.

"I know, I know, not even a shadow of a woman has crossed you. But—you know, na, what to do?" She teased him.

Raza's fair cheeks turned crimson red. He touched the back of his head.

"Okay, you do whatever you want." Manal's words made him blush harder.

After a short pause, he said, pointing at her choker necklace, "Um, your neckpiece must be uncomfortable."

Manal understood what he meant. She turned around, - "Cool."

Raza's throat parched as he gulped again. His hands, gentle on her shoulders, sparked a reaction she couldn't suppress—a flinch, a gasp of air. Her eyes closed, her lips parting as his fingers, light as a feather, brushed her skin, parting her hair with a slow, deliberate caress.

He unclipped her necklace, then gently removed her earrings. Clasping her jewellery, he tossed them on the bed. Manal kept her eyes closed. Adrenaline rushed through her nerves when Raza pulled on her Dori. A wave of goosebumps rippled across her skin beneath the cool sequins of her long sleeves. An air of unspoken tension between them as he stood mere inches away.

He observed her closely. Noticing her increasing breath and her reaction, he knew she was comfortable by his touch. Raza loosened her blouse over her shoulder. Manal's head felt giddy with his warm breath. He eyed her expressions, then placed his lips on her shoulder. She moaned softly. The hair on the back of her neck stood up, feeling his smooth lips gliding to her collarbone. He kissed the crook of her neck, gripping her arms tightly. Manal fisted her saree. Raza's lips setting ablaze her skin.

He brought his lips to her ears and whispered in a deep husky voice, - "Manal."

How was the Chapter, my lovelies? Bold and Naughty Manal and Shy Raza. Interesting. 

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