The Contract (ON HOLD)

CHAPTER 29

Fatima's pov:

"Good morning, father in-law." I exclaimed excitedly as I made my way inside Michael's office and closing the door behind me. I wore a Sequin Mermaid dress with some red bottom high heels. To say I looked beautiful is an understatement, I looked exquisite. In an Italian traditiona bride had to wear covering clothes to show respect to their in-laws and I was aware of that by now. I knew how to dress when visiting Zayn's father.

Michael smiled as he stood up from his chair approaching me, "Fatima, what are you doing here, dear?"

"I'm here to see you. Should I leave?"

"No." He stretched his arms towards me and I immediately fell into his embrace. His hold was firm, I felt safe as if I were in my father's arms and I missed him. My father and I weren't in speaking terms and it had been months since we spoke. Honestly the last time I spoke to him was on my wedding day. I know what he did to me was wrong and I hated him but now not so much.

"You look stunning, a true Italian bride." He commented when we both broke free. "My son is lucky." When he said that I failed to contain my blush, my cheeks hurt. "And look at you blushing, my dear."

"Please stop."

He raised his hands in surrender, "Fine. Would you like something to drink?"

"Oh yes please, I would very much love that chamomile tea you don't share with anyone."

"You have a good memory, don't you?"

"I'm my father's daughter so don't play with me. And these are for you."

"Oh! Thank you. Let me pour some tea for you."

I immediately stopped him before he could do anything. "No no, please sit, I'll do it for both of us."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm your daughter in-law, I invited myself to your house without asking you so let me look after you today."

"Is my son also coming?" He asked and I shrugged nonchalantly as I poured the tea for both of us. "I'm not sure and I didn't tell him. But I'm sure Thomas and Liam already notified him of my whereabouts, they never cease to amaze me. I like them though."

"They're good with you."

"They are." I gave him his cup. "Here you go."

"Thank you, dear."

Silence filled the space as we just had our tea with cookies on the side. The last time I was here the old man told me about his family business. I was scared to death to say the least but time went by I grew to love his son despite anything and everything. I became familiar with the mafia business and I attended mafia functions. But you would never guess that these people were involved in the mafia because despite being filthy rich, they lived a life of normality- celebrity normality, if you ignore the guns and guards and all the other stuff they do, they were good people and the functions they held were extravagant.

"Tell me, dear, what really brings you here?"

I let out a tired sigh and I placed my cup on the coffee table in front of us. We were seated on the couch right now, each one at each end and it felt natural to be with him alone, like I was with my own father and not my father in-law. I felt comfortable around him, I mean at the beginning the man scared the shit out of me but I always brushed it off and acted like wasn't intimidated. He had a dangerous aura around him and his presence, just a mere presence demanded respect.

"My dear."

"Yes, sorry I lost it for a minute. I just came to check up on you. See how you're holding up."