DECE-P-TION

DXLVII

Falah's point of view.

"Sorry." Alya expressed after cutting me for the hundredth time. I smile at her while she grins nervously. "We're almost done." She puts the cream on my face. "Alright." I sigh. "I'm just a bit rusty."

"Mhmm. Your services are terrible. How can the client be standing and the worker sitting?" I look at how she's sitting on the countertop while I stand in front of her. She blinks then clears her throat. "In my defense, you're not the best customer and you're having the privilege of standing between my legs." She takes off the towel around my neck and turns behind her to look at the mirror. "Now look at you." I look at the work she has done.

Alya really tried but it's rough. "I'm actually impressed. You're really good at it." I lean closer to the mirror to see it, stroking it. "You see, I'm that good. Now shall we do the hair?" I gasp internally. "I would love to have you as a barber but I need to go out soon so I'll just stop by my barber to do it ASAP." She nods, looking forward to me.

I shift my eyes from the mirror to her. "It's time for your pay, huh?" She giggles, nodding. She sticks her hand out as I pull out everything in my pocket and place it on her hands. "This is overpay. I don't need your pity money." She keeps it beside her. "It's for the privilege of standing between your legs."

"Sounds fair." She nods, taking in a deep breath. "There's a tip too." Her brows raised. "Oh really? Where is it then?" I lean in kissing her. I feel her smile as she pulls away. "Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for your trial?"

I take off my shirt, pulling her closer to me by her knee. "There's almost seven hours before the trial. You come first." I start unbuttoning her shirt as I feel her hands on my abdomen. "What happened here?" I glance at the scar, halting what I was doing. "Just a burn."

"How?"

"A fire at our house." She furrows her brows. "It's must've been painful if it's this big."

"You never noticed it?" She looks up at me, sliding her hands up to my neck. "I did but I forgot to ask and I wasn't sure.....". She trails off and I nod. "Yes, it was that fire." She furrows her brows, sadness all over her face. "Farhan?" I nod. "Were you together?" I shrug. "I can't remember."

"The trauma, I'm sorry." I smile. "Thank you." She pulls me in for a hug then pulls away to place her soft lips on mine. Her gentle touch, caresses making me ache for more. The moans she makes, her warmth...

****************

I walk into the court building after the horde of press outside, holding alya's hand. "That's something I don't miss." She sighs as I glance at her. "You don't have to be here if you don't want to." We come to a halt before the mini press notices our presence.

She tilts her head. "I am the one who volunteered. This is a huge day for us and I want to be here to support you." She adjusts my tie, patting it lightly. "You're going to do great. Just be yourself, okay? Everything will go great." I lean in, kissing her forehead. "I love you." I whisper as I feel her hand holding mine. "Lets get this over with and you can tell or show me how much you love me later." I chuckle at her words.

We walk towards the group of people by the door. "Sit here, I'll come get you before we go in." I point at the wooden, cushioned chairs placed by the door. "Go ahead, I'll go in by myself." She takes a seat as I walk to Lawal who is talking to my secretary.

"What took you so long? I didn't pay you to be late." I stare at him stoically. "Behave yourself, Lawal. I'm in no mood for your spoilt fussy behavior." My words makes him calm down. "We're going in now. You will follow every move I say and try to hide your facial expression. Look remorseful, desperate and apologetic. Be calm and quiet. I don't want to hear even a sigh from you if you what your freedom." He nods hesitantly.