The Alliance

Chapter 16

Imaan Gani

I think I scared her.

I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought as I watched Ariah jump out of the car as soon as it came to a stop in front of the mansion before running to the front door. As best as she could in the large dress.

I was in no rush to chase after her. Regardless of whether she liked it or not we'd be seeing a lot more of each other. I opened the door of the car in which I'd just had one of the most awkward trips and stepped out. The driver pulling off and parking the car in one of the many empty car parks.

I made my way through the doors, the silence of the empty house greeting me as well as the smell of new furniture. I moved through the modernly designed kitchen, opening the doors of the cabinets and rummaging for a glass after finding an unopened bottle of whisky. I popped the cap off, pouring the dark liquid into the crystal.

A large gulp of the strong caramel colored drink slid down my throat, my lips forming a pout as I leaned against the cold island. The silence of the dimly lit space was almost eerie. This was not how I planned on spending my wedding night. The night sky visible through the window taunted me even further as a groan escaped my lips, my head resting against the cold surface, before lifting at the sound of my phone vibrating as it rang with a call.

I debated answering, before remembering that I was devastatingly bored. And alone. On my wedding night. I slide my finger across the screen at the last ring right before it went to voicemail, Lyall's voice instantly travelling through the phone speaker.

"I honestly didn't think you'd answer." He laughed. As if something was funny. "What, Ariah's knocked out already?" I pursed my lips in disappointment.

"I wouldn't know." My pride burning as my shoulders lifted before dropping in a careless shrug.

"What do you mean 'you wouldn't know'?" My second in command asked, before gasping in what I assume was realization. "Are you telling me you and Ariah didn't fuck?"

I rolled my eyes, "Do you have to be so crude?" All I got in response was a bark of laughter. I could imagine the blonde hunched as he howled at my suffering.

"How?" He questioned, continuing before I could say anything. "You're telling me she resisted the infamous charms of the Imaan Gani? Again how?"

I took another sip of the hard liquor.

"Hello?"

"What?" I set the glass down.

"I asked you a question..." He trailed off. I sighed.

"I thought you were being rhetorical. I mean how the fuck do you expect me to know how?" I scoffed in irritation my hand running through my hair. I was close to stomping upstairs and knocking on Ariah's door just to ask how? Because how? I was just as curious as Lyall.

"Well, someone's in a bad mood."

"I married a woman that wants absolutely nothing to do with me. Am I supposed to be jumping with joy?"

"Wasn't that why you were so ecstatic about an arranged marriage? Not having to be invested?"

"Emotionally. Not having to be emotionally invested." I emphasized 'emotionally', groaning as I made it known. "I thought it would be similar to a friends with benefits situation."

"She hates your guts."

"Thanks for the reminder." I retorted sarcastically. "How can anyone not want a piece of me?" It was a genuine question.

"Maybe you laid it onto her too hard and too soon. I mean you barely know one another." He tried to reason.

"Its sex. We don't need to know one another." I quipped back. What was so hard to understand? If there was anyone that I thought wouldn't have a hard time comprehending it, it was Ariah herself. Yet here I was.

"This is going to end in disaster." Lyall sighed on the end of the phone. I could imagine him with a smirk on his face.

"Not to be a pessimist or anything, but don't you think 'disaster' is a little optimistic?" I chuckled.

I walked the entire length of the downstairs before ascending the floating stairs, strolling down the hallway passing the multitude of open and empty rooms. I paused at the last one, the shut door giving away Ariah's presence. I stalled before finally knocking my knuckles on the wood.

There was no response.

I persisted until the door flew open to reveal an annoyed looking Ariah. My eyes traveled the length of her. From her wet curls that were now messily tied in a bun on top of her head, those magnetic, grey eyes that told me to stay away but come closer at once. And her lips. To her body that was now- unfortunately- rid of the wedding dress dressed in an uncoordinated set of sweatpants and a baggy shirt.

The short sleeves left her arms bare, with the exception of the ink littered randomly on the tan skin of her limbs.

I frowned, "You showered without me?"

The question earned a roll of those eyes.

"What do you want Imaan?" She asked, not bothering to at least invite me in as she blocked the door.

I didn't know how to respond to her question. The honest answer would be 'you' but that would more than likely result in the door being slammed in front of my face.

So, I settled with the next best thing, "I'm pretty sure this is my room too."

"There are about five other rooms, I'm pretty sure you can sleep in at least one of them."

"Well, my things are in this one." I smiled, "So can I come in?"

"I hate you." She said with a mocking smile on her face but nonetheless opening the door and granting me access.

"Why? I'm amazing." I chuckled, turning around in time to witness the glare that appeared on her face.

"Why do you never take anything seriously?" She asked, curiosity in her loud eyes as I moved across the large room.

"It unnerves people. I like that." I shrugged nonchalantly.

With a fresh towel swung over my arm, I made my way towards the ensuite bathroom ready for a long very cold shower.

"What are you doing?" I turned to look at her, an eyebrow raised in question.

"I'm taking a shower." I said but it sounded more like a question, the way she folded her arms across her chest planted a seed of doubt in me.

"There's a bathroom across the hall."

"But-"

"Leave."

"But I need my things." I complained.

"Get them and get out." The assertive tone of her voice told me there was no room for arguing. Sulking, I grabbed my things from the already organized closet.

My hand was on the door handle when she spoke from her seat on the bed, "Next time I tell you to leave I won't be doing it with words."

"Are you going to pull out your knife again? I told you how much that turns me on." I smirked to myself as I left the room at the sight of her rolling her eyes.

Which was slowly starting to become my favorite sight.

A U T H O R 'S N O T E

Lyall is Imaan's bestie. she'd just never call him that.

between Ariah and Imaan, who's topping who?

thanks for reading!

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