Over and Over

Seif

LONDON,
UNITED KINGDOM.

NARRATORS POV

Layla had never felt more ambushed in her life.

A honeymoon?

Now?

She sat frozen as the conversation swirled around her, her brain still struggling to keep up.

Dada and Ammi were already discussing locations—Morocco, Turkey, Zanzibar—while Ummu added her own dramatic input.

"No, no, no," Ummu insisted, shaking her head. "If they're going to do this properly, it has to be Maldives."

Layla nearly choked. "Maldives?"

Hakeem smirked, his good hand tapping against the armrest of his wheelchair. "Interesting choice."

Ummu nodded approvingly. "Of course! Private villas, blue waters, soft sands... Just the two of you, away from everything." She gave a knowing look. "Very good for bonding."

Layla's face burned.

Hakeem's smirk deepened. "What do you think, habibti?"

She shot him a glare that promised retribution.

Ammi clasped her hands together. "Perfect! We'll handle everything. You just have to go and enjoy yourselves."

Layla opened her mouth to protest, but Ummu cut her off.

"No arguments! It's decided."

Layla glanced at Hakeem, hoping—praying—he would be reasonable for once.

Instead, he leaned forward slightly, his gaze locking onto hers, filled with something teasing... and dark.

"Looks like we're going to Maldives," he murmured.

Layla's breath caught.

This man.

He was enjoying this.

She clenched her jaw, forcing a tight smile. "Can't wait."

But inside?

She was panicking.

Because being alone with Hakeem, in Maldives, with nothing to distract them?

That was dangerous.

And from the way he was looking at her now—

Hakeem knew it too.

Layla regretted everything.

The moment the plane landed in Malé, she knew she was in trouble.

From the moment they were greeted with flower garlands at the airport to the private speedboat that whisked them away, everything screamed honeymoon.

And the worst part?

Hakeem was too comfortable.

Relaxed in his seat, one arm draped lazily over the back of the cushioned bench, sunglasses perched on his nose, he looked every bit the smug, arrogant husband she'd been forced to spend the past year avoiding.

But there was no avoiding him now.

Not when they were headed to a private villa—alone.

Not when there was nothing to distract her from him.

The boat slowed as their villa came into view, nestled over the clear turquoise waters.

A long wooden deck stretched out, leading to a luxurious thatched-roof retreat surrounded by the vast, endless ocean.