Brutal yet severely charming man Shahmeer Jafri. The owner of a chain of the best luxury hotels in the world.
The definition of perfection in a human. Sweet mouthed and loyal girl Mahnoor Ali had the life of normal 27 year old. Or so she thought...
The first rays of sunlight creep through the thin curtains, warming my face as I stir awake. My mind feels foggy, still suspended between the remnants of sleep and the weight of reality. For a fleeting moment, I savour the sounds around me—the faint chirping of birds outside the window, the distant hum of waves crashing against the shore. It feels peaceful. Almost normal.
But then I hear his voice, low and commanding, speaking in measured tones on a phone call. I open my eyes fully, glancing towards the balcony where Shahmeer leans against the railing. His sharp profile is outlined against the sunlight, and the sight immediately stirs a mixture of annoyance and curiosity in me. Who's he talking to now? What's so important that it can't wait—not even during this ridiculous excuse for a honeymoon?
"You're awake," he says, catching me in his peripheral vision as if he has some sixth sense about me.
"I wouldn't be if someone wasn't conducting a board meeting at the crack of dawn," I snap, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.
He smirks, unimpressed by my sarcasm. "Get ready. We have plans today."
I'm about to argue when the memory of last night floods back. The last minute plan I'd crafted out of spite—shopping, dinner, sunset watching, cable cars, stargazing—comes rushing into my mind. He hadn't taken me seriously. There's no way he actually plans to follow through with it, right?
But I say nothing, retreating to the bathroom to prepare for the day. The warm shower feels like a much-needed reset. By the time I emerge, dressed in a navy blue dress it's already been over 40 minutes.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I run downstairs and Shahmeer's waiting for me downstairs, already impeccably dressed in tailored slacks and a crisp navy blue shirt. Breakfast is set on the patio overlooking the ocean, and for a brief moment, I let myself enjoy the picturesque view as I sip freshly squeezed apple juice.
"Don't get used to it," I mutter under my breath, earning a raised eyebrow from him.
Our first stop is...I have no clue.
We drive to a huge shopping mall. A mix of excitement and defiance bubbles within me as we stroll through the high-end boutiques. Shahmeer walks slightly behind me, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, his piercing gaze scanning the surroundings. It's not the doting, attentive husband vibe I'd dreamed of for a honeymoon, but it doesn't matter. If he's going to play the aloof businessman, I'll play my own game.
____________
I look around, picking out some pieces I like and some I wanted to try on. An idea pops in my mind and a huge smirk crosses my face.
I grab dresses with bold, revealing cuts—low necklines, thigh-high slits, barely-there backs. The kind of dresses I know will provoke a reaction.
I can feel his eyes on me as I pluck a particularly short red dress from the rack. His jaw tightens ever so slightly, but he doesn't say a word. Yet.
