"Get ready, we are going out."

"Wait...what?" Yasmeen questioned with slightly wide eyes as she looked up from the book she's reading. Her gaze fell on Asad who stood by the door, peeking his head in after knocking on the door-and she gave him the permission to enter.

He seemed to be doing that quite a lot now, or at least, a number of times in just a day. It was the day before when she cried her eyes out on his shoulder, and he didn't say a thing to criticize her on it. Even though she didn't voice it out, she was grateful for the turn of events.

After that, he gave her some time to herself because it was clear she needed it. She was able to compose herself in a while, but that was when the realization of everything dawned on her. She was even more embarrassed that she cried in front of him, more so in his arms.

So, they are past the no touching stage? She honestly doesn't know how to feel about that.

Nonetheless, she hid herself in her room because she doesn't know how to face him again. Her pessimistic self couldn't help but wonder whether he believes she only did that to earn his sympathy. Her brain kept throwing a lot of negative remarks and truth be told, all she wants to do is hide as far away from him as possible.

It worked for a few hours, as she busied herself in reading novels. However, hunger eventually strike and she had no choice but to go out and get something to eat. But for that to happen, she has to cook first and the realization nearly had her screaming at the top of her lungs.

Begrudgingly, she dragged herself out of the room with the intention of making the simplest meals she can whip up. Her dearest husband came to her rescue when she met him in the living room, only for him to inform her he had already ordered food for them.

It's a habit of his since he's been living alone for years, and because he felt like she wouldn't be in the mood to cook anyway. So, he did the honor-by buying it obviously since isn't exactly the best cook in the world.

Yasmeen nearly swooned at that. Call her whatever, but whoever saves her from having to cook in that condition is so close to getting her book infested heart. The awkwardness was still there at first. But, as she got the food and settled in the living to eat it quietly, they eventually bonded over the movie Asad had played.

From then onward, the day was wasted watching a string of movies with their normal arguments and teasing here and there-only getting up when it's time to pray or mother nature calls.

In Yasmeen's autobiography--La Vida Yas, that's her definition of a day well spent. She honestly wouldn't mind spending the day doing absolutely nothing. Besides, after everything she'd gone through, she definitely needed an easy going day to just cool off.

They eventually retired for the night and much to her luck, he went to his room after bidding her farewell.

The next day came, and by nine, he was at her door, checking to see if she's awake. She was, which is a surprise because she loves sleeping in. They had breakfast together-which is apparently the only meal he can make-fried eggs.

Yasmeen obviously teased him about it but like before, the man claimed his looks cover for where he lacks. Definitely narcissism at its peak then.  After that, she left to fix her room and get ready for the day. It was only an hour later when he popped up again with the news of them going out.

"-where are we going?" She added, getting a hang of her confused state. Are they going to Nana's place again? As much as she wants to see Farrah, she will plead with him to let her out if that's the case.

She's not ready to meet the intimidating old woman again.

"Somewhere." Asad replied, not giving her a straight answer. Moving his gaze to take the dress she had on, he shook his head slightly; before meeting her gaze again. "Wear something...comfortable." He doesn't know how else to explain this women clothing thing.

There's just too much of it that he can't put a finger to it all. To him a dress is just a dress. Any type of shirt and trouser is just a top and pants-there's nothing else about the types, designer or whatever. Please, they should spare him the knowledge.

She sighed, closing the book she had picked up before placing it aside on the bed. "Well, at least give me a hint so I can know how to dress up.  Another dress or what?" She pushed herself off the bed to get on her feet, before playfully narrowing her eyes at him. "And since when did we start going out?"

"Since today." He answered, not really give much thought to the amusement in her tone. His face scrunched up a he thought of her first question. Subconsciously reaching his hand to rub the nape of his neck, he voiced out. "No...not a dress." How is he supposed to explain this women clothing again?

Yasmeen's lips stretched into a small grin seeing the confusion masking his features. "You don't know a thing about women clothing, do you?"

"Nope. No I don't."

She chuckled lightly. "Well, you're going to have to learn." She sighed, trudging to where the closet is. "You have a daughter so..."

"Let's worry about that when it happens, okay?" He knows kids' outfit. It's just that of adults seem different and more complicated. He may have spent years with Tauhida, but he doesn't know a thing about that.

Yasmeen hummed, deciding not to tease him about that more and just focus on following her instinct and dressing up how she feels more comfortable. "Isn't it too early to go out though?" She looked over her shoulder, her mind drifting to the time.

It's just ten in the morning. To her, that's too early.

It seems Asad believes otherwise. "The earlier, the better." He responded, his shoulders slumping as his hand dropped by the side-the other still around the doorknob. "We have a lot to do today."

"Okay..." She's already scared, and not out of fear of what could go wrong, but because she's certain her social battery can't handle it. Hopefully, they won't be around too many people.

She pressed her lips together, and then waited for him to leave so she can get ready. He got the message, and was quick to mutter an 'oh' in realization before looking away for a brief second-seemingly either nervous, or embarrassed.

But, Asad Ahmad Gidado showing those two emotions? Nah, it has to be her eyes and imagination. 

"I...I'll be waiting for you." His eyes refused to meet hers as he uttered this, as if to confirm her earlier thought. "Don't take forever please." This time around, he didn't wait for her response as he hastily turned around and left.

Yasmeen's head tilted to the side slightly as he thought of the possibility of her earlier thought. "No way." She tsked, shaking her head to rid it of those impossible thoughts. "It can't be. Maybe another him in another life." She can never see Asad as someone who's nervous...more less, embarrassed.

Definitely not him.

Sighing, she kept a lid on the bottle of those thoughts and focused on her current task. Opening the closet, she huffed out a breath. "Here comes the hard part, picking up something to wear." She mumbled, already dreading what is about to come.

God she hates picking up an outfit for the day.

She eventually picked out something that's simple and fit for whatever he has planned-unless it's going to a fancy restaurant. But, she doubts it that early in the morning. And besides, there's no way Asad will take her to one.

They may be getting along, but it's only been a day and they aren't that close.

Making her way out of the room about twenty minutes later after picking up everything she'll need-minus the book. God, it was a difficult decision to not take it along but she did it either way.

By the time she reached the living room where he's already waiting, and like he did the last time they went out, he gave her a onceover before nodding to himself-as if approving the outfit she donned.

Together, they left to where Yasmeen has no idea since he still won't say a thing. Much to her displeasure, all she had to do was sit in the passenger seat and watch as he quietly drove to their destination.

At least, to keep herself entertained in the meantime, she connected the speaker to his Spotify and played songs to pass the time. Much to her surprise, he knows most of them so the drive wasn't entirely boring-not with her screaming to Cake by the Ocean by DNCE.

Poor Asad nearly had his eardrums damaged.

Her voice is absolutely terrible when singing. But, like the good husband he is, he didn't voice it out and instead, suffered in silence.

"You're a real life fantasy, you're a real life fantasy,

But you're movin' so carefully, let's start livin' dangerously.

TALK TO ME BABY!"

~*~

Stratford-upon-Avon Gliding Club.

Stepping out of the car after Asad had turned the ignition off. She stood there watching the few people there go about while he walked around the car and came to her side. Her head then tilted to the side, already having an inkling on what would happen.

She turned around to look at him, "Don't tell me..."

Instead of giving her a straight answer, he offered her a small grin and said. "Let's go."

Yasmeen huffed out a small breath, her lower lip drawing between her teeth as she quietly followed the man in the direction of someone up ahead. Her gaze couldn't stay on him though, not when she's in a place like that.

Rows of gliders filled the place, while she could see some in the air way up ahead. At a point, she had to reach out and fix her glasses up on the bridge of her nose, because they were too far and she's short sighted.

Her small sightseeing moment came to a halt when Asad stopped, having reached the pair he was walking towards them. She shifted her gaze from the gliders in the sky to the couple they're standing in front of-they both seemed much older than her.

The man, seemingly around the age of Asad or maybe older by a few years grinned when his gaze fell on the captain. He instantly stretched his hand out for a handshake. "Captain Asad! It's been so long since I've last seen you. Ka buya." Yup, he's clearly Nigerian.

She had her doubts earlier-dismissing the beautiful tan skin as maybe African American. But, hearing him speak Hausa with the right accent, she's certain he's from Nigeria.

Asad held the man's hand, and then shook it-all the while offering him a grin of his. "It couldn't have been that long." The look the man gave him had him chuckling slightly. "Okay, fine. It's been a while indeed." He took back his earlier words. "But well, I've been busy." Unlike the other man that sounded overly enthusiastic seeing him, Asad sounded much calmer. Happy, yes. But still, calm.

"Clearly." This time around, it was the woman beside the Nigerian man that replied, her gaze on Yasmeen with a knowing smile-though there's nothing creepy about it.

Yasmeen offered them a wary smile, not really know how to address the strangers she just met. She doesn't do well with crowd of people, and the same goes for strangers.

As if noticing her predicament, Asad's hand moved to the small of her back, lightly pulling her to his side. He offered her a comforting smile, before moving he went on to introduce them. "Baby, meet Hakeem Sunusi-Sultan of Maroudi and CEO of Almaz Foods."

Yasmeen's heart dropped in the pit of her stomach for various reasons. First of all, it was the sudden action of him placing his hand on her back, and pulling her close to him. Just yesterday she was crying in his arms, and she didn't care then because she was too caught up in her worries.

Now though, she's conscious of it and the butterflies in her stomach were having a damn acrobatic show-if it's possible that is.

As if that isn't enough, he came with the 'baby' endearment. He's been using it quite a lot, but she still isn't used to it. Any time he utters it, her heartbeat increases at a rate that shouldn't be normal. Especially not when he's saying it so casually in front of these strangers.

To Asad though, it's more like a habit now. Sometimes, he doesn't even realize he's saying it-kind of like how she's used to calling him 'bros'. Calling her that just felt normal. It feels right.

"-And this is his wife, Zainab Shamaki; owner of Maroudi Today Publishing House and Black Ace Resort."

Wait what, did he just say Sultan of Maroudi and his wife?

Yasmeen's eyes widened in realization, her mouth hanging open. She'd hears stories about them, but she never thought she'd meet them in person. She'd always dreamt of it though ever since she heard about them. Who doesn't know the story of the Sultan and his wife?

Not to mention, she'd always hoped to visit Maroudi one day. It's on her list of 'places I want to visit', right underneath Hadewa.

But here she is, meeting the Royals of Maroudi in person, casually like this.

Truth be told, they look more like any ordinary couple with the way they are dressed in matching outfits. As much as she's a hopeless romantic, she always thought it would be cringy to wear matching clothes. However, seeing these two together makes her want to swoon.

They look so perfect together!

Asad should honestly hold her else she'd drop on the floor soon. If not that she's still conscious of his hand on her back, she would've believed this is all a dream.

"...my wife, Yasmeen Khalid." The sound of her husband's voice snapped her out of her small trance, making her snap her lips shut so she wouldn't look crazy like that.

The short woman, the shortest of them all there was the first to react. She grinned widely, her nude lipstick covered lips stretching as she extended her hand out. "Nice to meet you, Yasmeen. We're finally meeting the woman that kept Asad away from humanity." She joked.

Yasmeen chuckled lightly, quickly recovering from her shock as she extended her hand to take Zainab's. Blood rushed to her cheeks; "It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Sunusi."

"Oh please, just call me Zainab. Mrs. Sunusi makes me sound old, and I'm not." She was quick to wave it off. Despite not seeming like it, she's actually twenty-seven. But, she would deny being old any time soon because she's not.

Besides, the short height she hates and the petite body doesn't give her age away. Even with that though, one glance at her and you'll know she's a force to be reckoned with.

Yasmeen simply smiled, not knowing how else to react around these two. She's never met a Royal before, not even her village head. But, here she is meeting that of Maroudi and even shaking hands with the Queen.

She made a mental note to tell Amina about this. She would probably scream and freak out.

"It's nice to meet you, Yasmeen." This time around, it was Sultan Hakeem that spoke-his tone warm like his presence. The man surely doesn't seem like he is the ruler of a place as great as Maroudi. He just seems like a simple, ordinary man enjoying some time with his wife.

"Likewise, Sultan."

"Please, just 'Hakeem'. Asad's wife is family to us, just like he is." He shifted his gaze from her, to playfully narrow his eyes at Asad. "I needed to speak before you deny it and say we aren't friends."

"Kasan halinshi ashe." Zainab muttered, joining her husband to playfully glare at the pilot. Chuckling at the look Asad pulled, she looked at Yasmeen and went on to elaborate. "This husband of yours is always disowning us. He tells people we only know each other because of work. It's like he's against simple friendship."

Normally, Zainab doesn't care about keeping friendships either, but Asad and her husband get along-the same goes for her. And because of that, they consider him a friend, and family too.

But the man keeps rejecting them like that. They never fail to make a fuss about it.

"That's how he turned me down when I asked him to work for me instead." Hakeem commented, supporting what his wife said. The two are ganging up Asad, who couldn't say a thing to defend himself since it's all true. "Just come and be my Private pilot. It less time consuming than your current job. You can even stay with your family in Nigeria if you want."

"Will you pay him more than the current Airline he's working with?" Zainab questioned her husband, her gaze on him. "I'm pretty sure they're paying him a lot that's why he doesn't want to leave."

"Wai haka?" Hakeem inquired, before shaking his head. "I'll pay you more. Just work for me instead." Considering both he and his wife's business is expanding, they travel around a lot. 

He'd rather have a pilot he trusts rather than the one he's currently working with. There's a lot about them that he doesn't like.

Asad's hand that's on Yasmeen's hand subconsciously slid to her waist, giving it a small squeeze that obviously didn't go unnoticed by her. She sucked in a breath, trying to calm the butterflies.

Can Asad give her some time off please?

The man offered the couple a small smile. "I'll think about it." He gave them the same response he did all the other times they asked. It's obviously a much better job-and like Hakeem said, it's less time consuming but he likes his current job.

As much as a higher salary and less work is appealing, it wasn't enough to change his mind. Maybe now that he has Yasmeen in his life, he'd consider it to be able to spend time with his family? He'll think about it anyway.

Zainab blew out a breath, shaking her head in disappointment. "He's turning us down for the nth time."

"I know right." Hakeem mimicked her action, before the two locked eyes and chuckled at the same time. The sight of the two together was enough to make anyone swoon-and Yasmeen did.

'See love abeg'. She thought internally, before letting out a sigh.

Perhaps Zainab took that as the wrong sign, she offered her husband a look. "Let's give these two lovebirds sometime alone. It's obvious they need it. I can see Yasmeen wanting them to be alone."

The said woman's eyes widened almost immediately. "Wait, no--"

"You're right. Let's go." Hakeem was quick to nod in agreement. Hastily bidding the two farewell, they turned around and left them alone.

With them gone, Yasmeen blew out a breath-her lips set into a pout. "That wasn't my intention though."

Asad looked down, and offered her a warm smile. "Don't worry about them. They're just pulling your leg. If anyone's trying to get away, it's obviously them."

"I guess so." She found herself smiling as she glanced at the direction the two disappeared. Sighing again, she voiced out. "So, what now?"

"Now, we fly."