Arabian Nights | #ANBONUS

Arabian Nights | b o n u s

A R A B I A N N I G H T S | ZAYN AND LALEH'S FIRST YEAR

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[This is written in Laleh's POV]

ZAYN IS BREWING COFFEE.

I know this because it is what he does every morning. He wakes up, shaves while waiting, then ambles down the stairs. He didn't like coffee at first, said it was bitter and tasted like cardboard. I had given him black coffee then, but once I handed him ones that contained creamer and sugar, and lots of it, he had changed his mind.

I hear his footsteps descending the stairs now, his dark suit the first thing I see. He is holding his position as Crown Prince quite well, doing whatever he can for his country. I know he is dedicated to his country, so so devoted, and that he would gladly give his life for Malikbahr. But I worry, since we are now together, that I, myself, am not ready for that commitment. I have not said this to Zayn yet, but if I did, I am sure he would tell me that, "time, Laleh, time is all it takes." But I have had time, so much time before I met him, and there is that part of me that is still Blair Bakhtiar, who is not ready.

"Good Morning, Laleh." Zayn comes up to me, giving me a small peck on the cheek before backing up to go pour his coffee.

I stare at him and his motions, taking in details that I had all the time in the world to memorize now that we were married. I take in the gold watch on his left wrist, which plays with the light from the chandelier hanging above my head. I skim over his sleek tux, which was a solid black with a white shirt beneath and a pale blue tie that hangs from his neck loosely.

I smiled a bit at that, remembering the day when I noticed the way his ties were always a little too loose. I had gone up to him, telling him to hold still as I redid his tie, the skill of looping and tying a familiar gesture before I secured it at his collar, adjusting it to make sure it didn't choke him.

"How did you learn?" Zayn had asked after I had finished.

I smiled, "Blair was good for some things." Was my reply.

He had simply nodded, his eyes light. It has become a routine between us now, him always making sure to leave it loose so I could redo it. It was one of the more intimate moments between us, since with his work as Crown Prince and my work with the foundation taking up a large chunk of our time together.

I walk up to him now, redoing his messy tie, and took a sip out of his coffee after.

I splutter between half a sip, "Why is this so sweet?"

Zayn laughs, "It tastes better sweet."

"Yeah, but this is like a candy factory." I put down the mug on the marble counter, taking a towel and wiping my mouth on it. "Remind me to never drink your coffee again."

He smiles and brushes my hair back, "I'll see you later, Laleh." He picks his phone up from the counter and waves goodbye as he goes out the door. I hear his engine start and drive off soon after.

After we had moved into the mansion officially, we had decided not to let a chauffeur drive us around. Turns out, Zayn and I both preferred driving ourselves rather than lounging in the backseat. I liked it, because if the feeling of freedom it gave me. It was funny how keys on a chain could bring so much freedom, something that I had only just gotten. I wanted to keep it for as long as possible.

I turn to go up the stairs, the thick red carpet a good feeling beneath my bare feet. I open the door to my bedroom, the large vanity the first thing I see. I walked over, sitting down on the velvet-cushioned chair, spotting an envelope taped to the mirror, a fancy calligraphy font spelling my name: Laleh.