NIGHTS: #ANBONUS

Part II: Beatific

"Zayn you know there's such a thing as a break." Mohammad said looking at his son busy at work reading foreign policy documents and contracts that tied Malikbahr and foreign countries. After the failed assassination and Coup there was plentiful that needed to be done to assure foreign and corporate interests that Malikbahr was ready and stable for investment.

"Yes I understand father, I was just trying to be up to date with everything." Zayn said looking at his father who had a smile of both mirth and another emotion he couldn't quite desifer. Mohammad knew he couldn't have found a better successor, sometimes he was a little too good.

"My son, you are up to date with everything, wallah soon you'll be doing everybody else's job." Mohammad laughed, he had seen enough of his son cooped up in the office he wanted to see him enjoying more leisure activities preferably with his wife. Mohammad knew the struggle between serving your nation and serving your family, though the former was of grave importance so was the latter, it was all about managing your time.

"I suppose you are right, I'll retire for the day." Zayn said exiting his office and beginning his journey to his wife, he had been so work oriented he hadn't even had time with his wife in almost two weeks. He'd be up early and sometimes had the pleasure of having breakfast with Laleh and by the time he was back dinner would be served and his exhaustion overwhelming.

He enters the presidential palace and began his search for her, smiling when he did just that to find her curled up watching a movie the blinds closed to block the afternoon sun. Once he threw himself onto the plush sofa besides his wife he made himself comfortable under the blanket  strewn over her legs, leaning over for a kiss Zayn was surprised when the only thing he kissed was the air.

"And what do you think your doing." Laleh question looking at Zayn with a look of accusation, shocked that he thought he could get off easily. Now knowing his predicament in the steely fire of his wife's grey eyes which were resembling a tempest Zayn knew that he had spent one too many days neglecting his wife. When he moved in once again for a kiss Zayn was met by just air.

"Laleh." He sighed wishing she'd  accept his kiss.

"Zayn." She mimicked her voice far from humored. As much as she rather not admit she missed Zayn sorely, the once in a while breakfasts and quiet dinners weren't enough. They'd barely spoken apart from the "good morning/ good night" greetings and the "how was work?" And when he had made more of an effort he was exhausted much like when he fell asleep when she was midway in explaining her excitement over the vogue article about her.

"Laleh I'm sorry." Zayn sighed rubbing the 5 o'clock shadow that Laleh found incredibly sexy but was to upset to do dare tell him. Zayn could only fathom her feeling of neglect, after everything she had been through before the last thing he'd intended was to make her feel neglected. While they were both works in progress Zayn had a difficulty in time management and Laleh in speaking out about her feelings, she kept those much to herself. The storm brewing in her eyes had come to a halt and she accepted Zayn's embrace, enjoying it secretly.

"I'm sorry." He uttered again, his lips pressed against her jasmine scented hair. He then began to press small kisses on her temple moving down to her jaw and the erroneous spot behind her ear, which made Laleh moan much to her dismay.

"Did I hear something?" Zayn teasingly inquired grinning at his wife. He purposely kissed her there knowing it would elicit a response.

"You are in no position to tease me, and it was the TV that you heard so don't be smug." Laleh brazenly lied, humoring Zayn much more. Zayn watched his wife leave, muttering something along the lines of needing to charge her phone and call Mahmoud on business updates.

Slouching into the pillows with defeat, a eureka moment followed soon. Zayn would take Laleh out on a date, something he only had the pleasure of indulging his wife with since it wasn't something she really did prior to him. Zayn quickly began to plan a short notice date, asking the kitchen staff to whip up a picnic  basket with his wife's favorite snacks and fruits. Zayn also made a call to the stable manager to prep his horse for his arrival shortly along with a double saddle to be found. This was all done without any suspicion by Laleh who'd finished her imaginary phone call.

"Take a walk with me." Zayn asked holding his hand out to his wife who eyed him suspiciously but took his had gladly. Luckily her choice of a blouse, jeans and gladiators was suitable, if he asked her to change shoes she'd have more to suspect.

"Where?" Laleh asked putting very little resistance following him out of the house. Zayn soothed her curious nature with an explanation of going to see the newly remodeled garden, which they did. The new garden was incredibly detailed, paying homage to Arabic architecture with a pointed dome shaped gate and tiled mosaics. Inside there was a myriad of flower species and a plethora of colors. From white calla lilies and jasmine flowers to generic red roses, and unique lilac and pastel pink peonies. The soothing affect of the water fountain filled with koi fish mad this truly a sanctuary. Laleh was I love with her namesakes.

"It's beautiful." Laleh complimented sitting down by the edge of the fountain, dipping her fingers into the water cooling her down in the intense desert heat. The garden was an oasis in the sand dunes of Malikbahr, though she missed the D.C winters she made due with the air conditioning.

"Not as beautiful as you." Zayn replied sitting behind her and wrapping his arms around her. Laleh was shocked at how much the little things mattered so much to her with Zayn, she didn't need extravagant gestures she just needed him.

"Are you trying to soften me up with compliments?" Laleh asked enjoying their embrace with his toned chest and abdomen pressed against her back. Zayn pressed his face into the crook of her neck, the brush of his stubble on the sensitive skin of her neck was driving her insane, she'd missed having him in bed awake. Just as she was about to turn around and kiss him Zayn pulled her up and led her out of the garden, to confused to protest she followed him and found herself by an western looking barn that obviously housed many horses.

"This is Pims." Zayn said stroking the midnight black fur of an intimidating big Arabian horse, Laleh had never ridden a horse before.

"Pims?" Laleh queried finding humor in the horses name.

"The irony isn't lost on me." Zayn said prepping the saddle and securing it on the horse. "I got as a gift from a British friend of mine, so he named it after his favorite alcoholic beverage as a joke seeing as I don't drink, much to his dismay." Zayn said aiding a nervous Laleh onto the mare and following suit seated behind her. Surprisingly Laleh found the horse ride enjoyable even though she did get a fright when Pims increased the speed of its trot, thankfully Zayn assisted her pulling tighter on the reigns.

"Sorry she's used to racing with me." Zayn explained, the image of Zayn racing at a breakneck speed on the horse both excited and worried her. A lake was soon in Laleh's periphery it was late noon and the sky was now a shade of orange and pink.

"Malady." Zayn said lifting Laleh off the horse and opening the basket to lay the tartan cloth over the green grass patting the space next to him for her to sit besides him. They open up the basket to find dainty pastries and cakes and finger sandwiches prepared by Miss Jaques the kitchen sous chef. After sampling all of the varieties Laleh found herself feeding Zayn strawberries.

"Mmm I'm full." Zayn says declining the last strawberry she had dipped in chocolate spread which she finished off.

"You have chocolate on your lip." Zayn stated but before she could attempt to wipe it off zayn had collided his lips with hers in an ardent kiss, pushing her into the gingham blanket and placing himself on top of her. Zayn enjoyed the the feeling of his wife's nails running against his scalp and tugging on his slightly over grown hair.

"Zayn." Laleh moaned but before she could continue talking zayns lips were back on hers in a searing kiss. "Let's go home." She said pushing him off her, though she knew they where at their own home, she didn't want to play the odds of getting caught by anyone, it was a week day after all and she didn't know the gardening staffs schedule.

"Let's go home." Zayn repeated in agreement his voice husky and potent with desire and his eyes full of promise for an eventful night.