As a Nigerian, Yasmeen knows she's entitled to see at least one shege per day. And boy was she ready for it. The next day, she woke up deciding she no longer wants peace again, she wants violence, always. She doesn't want that peace if it means feeling stuff she shouldn't be feeling.

If peace means her village people trying to screw her over as easy as that, then she doesn't want it.

She doesn't plan on going around and wreaking havoc. But, she plans to not let anything, or anyone-especially in the name of Asad Gidado-make her feel things she isn't supposed to be feeling.

All those blushing and butterflies...what short of witchery is that? No doubt Iyalawo's, but she no longer wants any part of it. She will wash her hand with Omo, Dettol, and whatever out of this matter.

As she said the night before, she spent hours reading one of the novels she brought along with her. Twilight has always been one of her favorites, or perhaps, a forever favorite. And, she was team Edward through and through. In normal books, she prefers Werewolves but in that book, she is definitely team vampire.

She's met a lot of people that didn't like the book but she's not a part of them. She's lot count of how many times she's read the series. It always comes to her rescue and it did so the night before.

Edward Cullen took her mind off Asad Gidado.

She was awake by the time subh came. So, she prayed and continued reading since sleep had evaded her. Somehow though, she ended up falling asleep with the book in her hand.

The next time Yasmeen woke up, the sun was up and shining as bright as ever. When she checked the time, she realized it was nearing noon. It didn't surprise her that she had slept for that long. After all, she didn't exactly go back to sleep early.

Nonetheless, she pushed herself off the bed and headed to the en suite to take a shower. When she was done, she dressed up and cleared the room of the little mess she made before heading out-with little plan on how the day will go about. She'll have to find Asad and figure out what he has planned for the day.

On reaching the kitchen, she was a bit taken aback to see Asad there, fetching a cup of coffee. By the looks of it, it hasn't been long since he woke up either. Though, he had clearly taken a shower and is now donning a black top tucked in matching raven pants. A pretty basic look, but a good one still.

He didn't realize her presence by the looks of it. So, once she was within earshot, she cleared her throat. That did the trick, because he looked up then with the cup of black coffee now in his hand. She could never understand why people like it-men especially.

Withal, she yawed her gaze back to his. "Morning, bros." She would probably not let go of that name any time soon. She's too used to it, and besides, she doesn't see herself changing it in the near future.

His facial expression didn't give anything away. It was blank as a canvas. And for a second, she thought he wouldn't answer. But then it came, and the name that tagged along had her instantly narrowing her eyes at him. "Morning, Spongebob."

So it seems Asad has chosen violence too.

Alright.

Though he's aware of what he has done, nothing about his visage or tone gave away a hint of humor. In fact, after uttering the greeting, he moseyed his way out of the kitchen and headed to the living room, leaving her alone there.

Yasmeen muttered a few incoherent words under her breath, before trudging further into the kitchen. She could've just taken tea too. But, she wants to eat something else because unlike someone, she actually likes her food.

So, she took out eggs, spinach, onion and bell peppers with the intention of making vegetarian omelette to take along with the tea. It isn't exactly the grand 'first meal to make in your husband's house' but who cares?

At first, she wanted to make some just for herself but deciding she isn't that wicked, and because he's apparently her husband, she decided to make some for him too even if he did get on her nerve first thing in the morning.

Isn't this the part where he comes to help her in the kitchen like a good husband? Perhaps, he didn't get the memo because he didn't show up throughout.

A little while later, she was done preparing it all. She didn't make a fuss of doing it alone-mostly because she didn't expect anything from him and the last thing she needs is him doing something that will set the kitchen up in flames.

Setting up two plates, one for him and one for her, she made her way to the living room where she found him seated in the exact same place he was last night. Is that his favorite spot or something? The TV was turned on, though it doesn't seem like his attention is there.

From then, she has no doubt he'll be that African father that turns NTA on, but pays little attention to it. When you try to change the channel, he'll snap. Yes, she's an African father in the making without an iota of doubt.

Not saying a thing about it though, she placed his plate on the coffee table beside him before placing hers on the side she plans to sit.

"Thank you." His voice came, just in time she turned around and was headed to the kitchen to get her tea. Truth be told, she didn't expect the words of gratitude. And though he didn't exactly look up and flash her a million-naira smile, he still sounded sincere.

"You're welcome." She mumbled, and went on to fetch what she wanted to in the first place. Getting the cup of tea, she returned to the living room and settled down to have her brunch, because it's obviously way past breakfast time already.

Quietly, with the voices coming from the TV, the two cleared their plates up. Asad was the first to do so. And when he was done, he kept his phone aside, picked up the plate and cup before heading to the kitchen to wash it and then placing it back where it belongs.

Yasmeen didn't miss the action, and she was a bit impressed. She thought he would be the kind who would leave it for her to take and clear up all on her own. She could never be sure with just one time though. She'll just have to wait and see.

By the time Asad returned, she was done with hers too but is still seated in her position. He then took his earlier position, before his voice came.

"If you're done, get ready. We're visiting Nana."

She looked up, her brows drew in as she tried to remember who this 'Nana' is exactly. "Your grandmother?" If she remembers clearly from what he told her, and what Ama did, this Nana is his paternal grandmother who resides here. How and why? She has no idea.

He nodded, to confirm her question. "Yes."

"Oh." Her lips parted slightly, not knowing what to say. She doesn't know how to feel about meeting the old woman exactly. For all she knows the woman can be like Ama-all warm and welcoming. But, at the same time she can be mean and hate her guts.

Oh God. What is she supposed to do if the woman doesn't like her?

She doesn't want to dwell on those negative thoughts. Whatever it is, she'll have to face it when it happens.

So, she chose to change the topic. "-your daughter stays with her, right?" She also remembers him telling her that the girl stays with the older woman.

"Yes, she does." He confirmed her question, dropping his phone beside him before giving her his full attention. "I don't stay home a lot, so she stays with her. But, she does stay with me a couple of days a week."

Yasmeen hummed in understanding. She gets why the girl can't stay with him all the time. He can't exactly leave her alone while he's off to work-she's way too young for that. At the same time, she can't live with her great grandmother all the time-she needs time to bond with her father too.

Deciding to wash the used plate so they can get going, she got on her feet and did just that. When she was done, she headed back to her room to pick up her phone and retouch her light makeup. She didn't exactly apply much-not that she knows how to, but just a bit to look less like a banshee like the night before.

Fixing her veil, she slipped into her shoe before stepping out of the room, now fully ready to hit the road or whatever. She met him in the same place she left him earlier. "I'm ready."

At the sound of her voice, Asad looked up and spared her look a glance. He then nodded, seemingly satisfied with her appearance. Is he already getting in the husband mode without realizing it? Probably. He may not fully accept it yet, but the rational part of him knows it well.

And as such, he wouldn't exactly like to see her dressed in a way he'll deem inappropriate. Not that it has ever happened before but well, circumstances have changed and he's taking his new role seriously.

Getting on his feet, he picked up his jacket and with that, they both strolled outside quietly. They took the same route as the night before, and soon enough, they were in the underground parking lot heading towards his oyster white Range Rover from the night before.

Yasmeen isn't exactly a sucker for cars, but so far, she's loving this man's cars. She hasn't forgotten about the Mercedes back in Nigeria, the sleek back vehicle that is admittedly one of her favorites. And then, there's this one.

Being rich must be nice.

She'll have to see whether she can borrow it sometime. She's a pretty good driver so she can handle her wheels well.

She took the passenger seat quietly, while he of course, was the driver. Soon enough, they were on the road heading to wherever Nana stayed. Yasmeen expected the drive to be that long, but it wasn't as she anticipated. Because, much quicker than she thought, they were already parking in front of a house.

From where she could see, it wasn't the biggest or the most elegant house out there. It was more in the middle, seemingly cute, and stunning at the same time. There are houses all around that look similar, though sporting a few differences here and there.

She waited for him to step out first before she does, but when no sound came from him, she turned around to look at the man. "Is there something wrong?" She asked, seeing as though there's something on his mind.

He sighed, before turning around to face her. He seemed to be hesitating for a moment. But then, he decided to say what's been bugging him. "They don't exactly know the circumstance under which we got married." He stated.

Her brows drew in, lips slanted into a frown. "Okay..." What's he aiming for? She didn't exactly expect them to know. How would they explain everything without having people stare at them like they've grown two heads?

It'll sound like, 'Oh when we first met, I insulted his entire generation-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insult you people and I mistook him for another jerk. Then the second time we met, I entered his car and he told my ex-fiancé's sister that I'm the love of his life. Long story short, I suffered, but we somehow ended up married.'

Yeah, right. No one wants to hear that else they will be sent to a mental asylum.

He could see that she doesn't understand-not knowing what's going on in her mind, so, he went on to add. "I'm not sure, but I think Nana thinks we're in love." The old woman could believe otherwise, but he'd rather be on the safe side than get an earful of lecture from the woman on the importance of marriage and how he shouldn't take it lightly.

Not that he'll ever escape that lecture though.

"So..."

"We have to act like it."

"You say what now?" At this point, Yasmeen is certain this man is just full of surprises. Where did this one come from again? When he didn't respond with anything that would show he's kidding, she scoffed in disbelief. "You said you aren't even sure whether she thinks such. Why do you we need to pretend?"

"To be on the safe side." He stated, like it's the most obvious thing ever. He isn't exactly happy about the whole thing either, but, he knows his Nana better than anyone when she's inquisitive. And, he'd much rather avoid anything that will earn him long strings of conversations he's not ready to have.

If it means sucking it up and pretending he's in love with Yasmeen-an act he might regret-then so be it.

Yes, he's dreading it that much.

Yasmeen stared at him as if he had grown three heads. Eyes slightly narrowed, she couldn't help but inquire. "What if she doesn't think that way? There won't be any need to feign something we both don't want."

"I don't want to take any chances" He truly doesn't. "Trust me, for both our peace of mind, it's better to just get this over and done with." In case she thinks he wants to do this, he doesn't.

She stared at him for a few seconds, weighing her options. When she came to a conclusion, she sighed-her shoulders slumping slightly. "What if I can't?" She knows she could pretend well, but can she lie to his grandmother to her face? Doing it to Ama is one thing, because then she didn't expect her situation to take a turn.

Now, the circumstances are different.

She doesn't want to do anything that will compromise her marriage. Arguing with Asad is one thing. At least then it's all jokes and nothing serious.

Creating a scene with someone in his family though...she doesn't want that one bit for her own sake. Especially not someone as important as this Nana.

She's just left a family that's full of issues, she doesn't want to land herself in another. After all, the lies brought landed them where they are. It may not seem like a big of a deal, but try to be in her shoes, then you'll understand.

Blinking, all trace of lark and wittiness left her as she looked up to meet his eyes again. "-we're in this situation because of lies, yet you want us to lie again?" She knew he isn't looking at it that way. But, between them, she has more to lose than he does. "What if I can't bring myself to do that?"

Asad didn't say a thing for a few seconds. He simply stared at her, taking in her expression with hawkish eyes that weren't uncomfortable one bit. It was like he's trying to unravel Yasmeen-wanting to see all that pain, fear, and everything she's keeping hidden.

And for a second, that thought scared her.

She was scared, he could pretty much see that. Something in him stirred...it was the same emotion he felt that day he heard her cry on the phone.

He didn't tell her, but it's one of the reasons he married her. He wanted to take her away from her problems, and not indulge her in more.

His expression didn't give anything away though. It was blank, and almost impossible to penetrate. She couldn't tell what is going on in his head.

But, when he spoke again, she could only guess what she thought couldn't be possible.

"If it gets hard, then try to love me for real." His eyes never wavered from hers for a second when he said that. For the first time since they met again, she was seeing this serious side of his-the same when he came to ask for her hand in marriage.

He was doing that thing again where he seems so sincere, the intensity scares her. She has never been good with serious situations. She avoids them at all cost. But, Asad is plunging her right into it with no warnings and no signs.

It only showed her that he wasn't kidding one bit. He means every word he just uttered. And she doesn't know how to feel about it exactly.

Her stomach was in knots, and her heart was racing erratically. She could hear the loud sound, and for a second, she feared he could hear it too.

Withal, she found herself swallowing thickly. "Huh?" The word came out as a breathless murmur, but he got a whiff of it.

Asad knew what the magnitude of his words are, but he truly isn't thinking clearly. He was acting on impulse...a side of his long buried was threatening to show up just to shield Yasmeen from her fears-something he failed before. "Love me then." He repeated, without an ounce of hesitation. "I guess pretending can get boring at a point, right?"

Still somehow locked in a trance, her brain was working a lot more than usual, trying hard to comprehend this man's words. Is he serious? She couldn't help but wonder. And why is her treacherous body reacting to his words? This isn't the plan.

"-Can you do that?"

That snapped her out of the small reverie. Taking in a deep breath, she tried to get a hold of her senses before doing something she'll regret. She can't allow herself to fall for his words which he probably doesn't even realize what it does to her. "No." Falling for him isn't part of the plan, and she has no plan of improvising.

Instead of looking upset like she anticipated, he actually looked amused-which only confirmed her thoughts that he doesn't take it as seriously as she does. "Okay then..." He nodded, as if confirming whatever he has in mind. "...I guess we'll have to go with pretending to be in love." 

~*~

So, with this, my drafts are over and I'll have to start writing again. Subhan Allahi.

Sha sha, how are you enjoying these sweet moments like this. Kai Asad, what are you aiming for? You want to give Yasmeen heart attack ne?

Kekuma Yasmeen how far now? How's your heart like this like this?

How will his your pretending go? Oh, and we'll meet Asad's baby in the next chapter! I'm sha excited to see my Farrah and meet Nana. Perhaps, even meet a new character? Hehe.

Yasmeen, I'm enjoying this peaceful moments of yours but I want yall to suffer--maybe, that's the wicked bone in me or maybe, it's just Iyalawo's influence but warreeevaaa.

Ngl, I don't know when the next update will be since I no get draft again, and I haven't written anything about this book in days but we'll see.

Have a good night and don't forget za comments! Yawwa. Jazakumullah khairan.

Love, Jannah Mia.