MY FACE FELL as I repeated the words repeatedly in my head hoping this was just a dream I was struggling to wake up. At least he was attractive.

Shut up Sumayya that's not what matters.

I forced myself back to reality feeling my eyes tear up when everything was done and I was officially married to a man I've never met. I had no idea who he was nor did I know what sick things he did for fun. Honestly I'd rather not know.

My mother was staring at me with pity dancing in her eyes whilst my father's face remained stoic. Mallam Isa was long gone leaving the six of us in silence. The elderly man or my supposed father-in-law found it perfect to ruin my life more in this moment to talk.

"Due to the urgency of this arrangement, we didn't have the luxury to improvise on where the children will be staying." He paused sharing a look with my father.

"Thankfully Ibrahim has a place big enough to accommodate them while we acquire whatever they need." His father declared earning a nod of approval from my father.

I fisted the soft material of my dress in my small hands desperately trying to hold my tears at bay. I never thought I would get shipped off to a strangers house without my knowledge. I looked around realizing they were patiently waiting for me and I mentally facepalm standing to my feet.

The man I was wedded to was walking silently beside me with his eyes staring forward. My parents were conversing with the older couple as they shared a few chuckles on the way.

What I've been dreading came to view as we came to a stop in front of a blue Audi and our parents simultaneously stopped turning to us with smiles on their faces.

I calmly walked to the passengers door after embracing my mother in a bone crunching hug. I slid into the car after I was excused, my eyes pinned to the window watching as we drove farther from my house.

I bit my lip to prevent crying out as the tears blurred my vision. I subtly wiped them not bothering to stare at the man driving or question where we were headed to.

I couldn't say goodbye to my twin sister or anyone for that matter. It was so abrupt I couldn't even wrap my head around everything.

It wasn't long the car stopped and my eyes snapped open realizing we parked into a driveway of a two stores building that were unsurprisingly bright due to the numerous amount of lights decorating the house.

I stepped out of the car slamming my door shut making sure not to produce a loud sound. I stood glued to the ground as I observed the house realizing it was surrounded with masquerade trees with a pathway leading to the front door adoring gravels and led lights all the way.

I followed behind him quietly as he pushed the door open turning to me waiting for me to enter the house. I walked past him choosing to stay quiet knowing I wouldn't be able to produce words in my state.

I could faintly hear the door slamming close behind me as I walked slowly into the house observing the grey and white theme of the living room. It was obvious a bachelor resided here from the empty looking eloping room and a few paintings hanging on the walls.

The interior and furniture was nice but it needed a feminine touch onto add to it. It was surprisingly neat except a pile of envelopes stacked on the table and a rosary laying beside them.

I pressed my lips together turning to face the man I've been trying so hard to ignore. My eyes immediately latched onto his face though I could only see his side prove as he was on a call. A well kept beard adorned his face accentuating his handsome features. I averted my eyes to the comfy looking couch deciding to rest there waiting for him to direct me to my room.

I was staring at the blank tv hoping to get some comfort out of it but ended up short. My eyes hot to him blankly when he settled on the couch opposite mine, pinning his eyes on me.

"I don't want this marriage." I scoffed. "I don't know the reason behind my parents doing this."

Ibrahim stayed silent but only raised his eyes to meet mine, releasing a throaty chuckle.

"From the looks of it you also had no knowledge of the marriage." He voiced out coming out more of a statement than a question.

"So you mean to tell me you also had no idea." I repeated his dialogue, my question coming out more of a statement than a question earning a nod from him.

"Are you okay with this though?" I asked once again as he raised a brow in response.

"With what?" He responded.

"Getting married to a complete stranger. I mean, you don't know my name, what I do or who I'm with." I spluttered staring at the man who hummed, rubbing his hands tightened as he nodded in agreement.

"Are you with someone?" He tilted his head to the side, cocking a brow. Khalil popped into my mind instantly leaving a stinging feeling in my chest.

"No." I replied quietly.

"Then there's nothing to worry about." His eyes roamed around the room as if I said something preposterous.

"Where do we start? I mean—" I scoffed not knowing how to complete my sentence, my words failing me resulting in me leaving my mouth open like a gaping fish for a few seconds before clamping my lips shut.

"We're both adults. You're free to do whatever you're comfortable with. Whatever I'm going to do now I'll have to keep in mind that both our reputation is at stake." He raised both his brows.

"You don't understand. I have a life to live! I can't just be married off to someone I haven't met before. I know nothing about you." I snapped raising my hands only to let them drop to my side, disbelief marring my features.

"I could've gotten someone to get married to. Someone I could trust. For all I know you might be apart of something heinous and I wouldn't have a clue!" I defended, as if that could change anything about my situation.

"We're both in the same predicament. Putting blames in each other isn't going to be the solution. Pick whichever room you prefer." He disregarded my whole speech with those words, already making his way out of the room.

"Did you know?" I called out. He turned his face toward me cocking a brow, the action urging me to explain what I meant by the question.

"Did you know about the arrangement?" I relayed my question and he merely nodded in response, his expression remaining blank. I could help but scoff at the confession.

"We just discussed this." His brows pulled together, tilting his head to the side appearing annoyed.

"I'm trying to have a clear head on this." I close my eyes releasing a breath. "I can't open up to someone and forcing me won't change anything. The whole thing is ridiculous." I said my eyes reopening and he nodded strolling out of the living room, my thoughts swallowing me whole.

Chapter Two Finished

Any thoughts on

Ibrahim?

Sumayya?