[Chapter 13]

Ayan

It was supposed to be our lazy day with lots of make out sessions and cuddling.

After breakfast, we were just getting started.

Making out on the couch, tongues deep in each other's throats and my hands sneaked under Lumira's top, moulding her soft breast, and then my phone began ringing.

I pull away from her with a groan and she chuckles fixing her top and wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Hello?" I pick up the call without even looking at the caller id.

Lumira attempts to get up off the couch but I grab her wrist and pull her into my lap. She gasps softly and puts her hands on my chest.

"Ayu, where are you? How is Lumira?"

Shit. It's ma.

"Uhm ma, I'm in my office. Lumira's fine and resting today."

I half lied because our families don't know we took a day off to do nasty stuff.

I press a few kisses to my love's neck and she muffles her moans behind her hand, gripping my shoulder tight.

"That's good. Now listen, I have something very important to talk to you about. I'm coming to your office."

I stop my kisses and pull away in shock.

"What? Why ma? I mean we can talk at home tonight." I try.

"No, it's really important. I'm coming. Bye." She hangs up on me.

"Shit."

"What's wrong?" Lumira asks worriedly, stroking my jaw.

"Ma's coming to office. She wants to talk about something important." I pout.

She smiles and kisses my forehead.

"It's okay. We can meet up later. It must be urgent. Go and talk to her." She says.

I nod, "But I wanna stay here with you and them." I say kissing her clothed breasts.

She grins and kisses my lips longer and deeper.

"I'll be right here waiting for you and so will they." She winks and my cheeks turn pink. I love this side of her.

"Okay. I'll be back as soon as possible."

"Hmm." I peck her lips and she slips off my lap.

I grab my keys and phone.

Lumira follows me to the door and leans on it like the first night I came here. I put on my shoes and wave bye at her. But she pulls me back at the last moment by my wrist.

"What?" I ask.

Her face has tainted light pink as she kisses my lips and whispers against them, "I love you."

I am stunned for a second, unable to move or process my system but when I unfreeze, I don't waste a second and kiss her hard.

She moans in my mouth and pulls away with a shy smile.

"I love you too. Aghh! Why did you say it when I'm leaving!" I groan, earning a giggle from her.

"Come back soon." She ruffles my hair and with one last peck on the lips, I skid down the stairs and go to my car.

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"What?"

I can't believe the shit ma's talking about.

"I know it's absurd but we can't do anything about it." Ma says.

I lean against my desk while ma's sitting on my office couch, spitting nonsense. I cross my arms over my chest in defiance.

Apparently, our relatives are talking behind us that my bride must have some serious illness to faint like that during our engagement.

I so fucking wish I could tell them that my bride is not sick, in fact she feigned it to get me all over her.

"They think we're marrying you off without properly investigating."

"That's fucking nonsense." Ma glares at me, "Sorry, but this is really bullshit, ma. You can't possibly believe them. Lumira was sick because she was on feet all day and overwhelmed from all the crowd. It's normal for brides to get wedding jitters." I raise my voice a little.

"I understand, son. But we can't just ignore society. What about the others that are saying even more nasty stuff?"

"What?" I seethe, ready to punch someone.

Ma looks down and heaves a breath, "They think you got her pregnant before marriage."

I scoff, throwing my head back in disbelief and laugh bitterly.

"Ma, Lumira's family and people around here don't give a fuck about whatever the hell I do with my fiancé, okay? It doesn't matter what anyone says!" I exasperate.

Ma stands up and walks closer to me.

"But we do. Our family does care about this stuff!" She raises her voice too.

I clench my jaw tight, "We've lived here all our life, in the US. So why the fuck should we care about others? This is our business, not theirs!" I yell.

Ma closes her eyes and takes another deep breath before speaking in a softer tone now, "Look, you're gonna get married to her anyway, so why does it matter if we hold the ceremony a bit early?"

"Because I don't want to indulge our shitty relatives' whims. They can think whateve they want. I don't care!"

"I do!"

Ma has never raised her voice at me like this but I know this is affecting her.

"Look, Ayan. My dearest. I'm not telling you to get married today. Only next week instead of next month. You love her, right?"

I remember our conversation from this morning and my rage lessens a bit.

"Then it doesn't matter when you get married. Only your marriage will shut their mouths and bury the absurd rumors. Please, son. Try to understand." She caresses my cheek.

I close my eyes and relax my jaws, "Okay. I'll talk to Lumira about it." I finally say.

She smiles and kisses my forehead, grasping my hand.

"Thank you. I love you."

I smile small, "I love you too, ma.",

I hug her once before she leaves. I flop down on my chair, steepling my hands under my chin in deep thought.

I don't wamna force Lumira into amything. This is a big decision, a big step, and it's special for us.

I hate that we have to rush this off for some sickheaded people. But we do love each other, so it shouldn't matter if we marry next week or next day, right?

I grab my stuff and head out of my office.

I will head straight to Lumira's condo and talk to her about this first. If she's okay with it, then we have a lot of work to do since the time for arrangements will be shortened into a few days prior.

"Sir, do you need something?" Sara asks as soon as I step out of my office.

"No, Sara. I'm leaving." I say, not stopping my walk while texting Lumira.

"What about the new project? Would you like to take a look at it?" She tries again.

I exhale longly and face her. I already had a long day and she's starting to get on my nerves now.

"Sara, I'm getting married. Stop with this behavior or you'll be fired."

Her face drops. I roll my eyes before getting in the elevator.

How did my lazy day turned into the most exhausted one?

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