Sold To The Sheikh

Part Six

Avni sat at the breakfast table awaiting for Neil to return from work, he had left early in the morning before she had chance to speak to him and now he still hadnt returned and it was 8pm.
Neil walked quickly through the door "We missed the party yesterday but theres one today, can you be ready in fifteen"
Avni stood up watching a breathless Neil, somehow he still looked so put together even after a long day

"Actually Neil I really need to talk to you"
Neil shook his head "No time, we really have to go"
Avni nodded and went to go and get changed, she picked out the fanciest dress she had, black with a gold neck chain attached to it and a gold chain around the waist
She slipped some shoes on and added some make up quickly before walking out of their room
Neil looked up from his phone and stood up, wrapping an arm around her waist he tugged her closer

"You look beautiful, ya helo"
"What does that mean" she gulped
Neil smirked and leant closer to her ear "my beautiful"
"Oh" she blushed
"You look very" she paused "how do you say handsome"
Neil traced his fingers over her arm making shudders run up her spine
"Inta waseem jeddan, means you are very handsome"
"Inta waseem jeddan" Avni repeated
Neil smiled then looked down at his watch "come on, lets go"

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Avni looked down at the multiple messages from Joseph about Daai, Joseph still believed Neil was involved athough Avni did not.
Avni wanted to tell Neil everything before Joseph got in the way but at this rate she had no chance
Neil finally walked back over, taking her hand in his own
"Dance with me" he asked, stroking her cheek with the back of his hand

Enthralled with his presence and trapped in his gaze she followed him to the dancefloor
"What does this song mean" Avni asked, closing her eyes as she leaned in closer to him
Neil laughed, his laugh reverberating through her body
"Its like its made for us, it speaks of a woman having no idea about a mans love for her, the man longs for her, wants her, even calls for her but still she doesnt realise how he feels"

Avni sucked in her breath "What are you trying to say" she turned back to face him, opening her eyes
Neil cupped her face and leaned his head against hers, closing his eyes
"Eiono feeh kalam fe leil ghallab, mala albi gharam fe ahla azab" he sang along softly
"What does that mean"
"Your eyes speak to me, tell me things I cant ignore and fills my heart with love for you, a sweet kind of torture"
Avni's eyes filled with tears "Fills your heart with love"

Neil looked down at Avni and pressed his lips just under hers, she gasped and held onto his arm
"Hm habibi, I have love in my heart for you"
"How, we havent known eachother for long"
Neil smiled "Dont worry ya rouhi, I am not in love with you yet, dont be so scared" (my soul/soulmate)
Avni grimaced, how long could she continue this pretence up?
"Neil I really need to talk to you please can we just stand outside"

Neil frowned, his face lined with concern and followed her outside
"Youre probably going to hate me when I tell you this" Avni said, turned away
"But I, I" she paused as she heard something drop behind her
Joseph stood with a now unconscious Neil in his arms
"This is what happens when you ignore my calls Avni, now get in the car" he ordered
Avni sat in the back of the car next to an unconscious Neil, she stroked her thumb across his stubble and sighed

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Neil sat in the cold pale room, his hands cuffed to the table
"Where is my Avni" he questioned, his voice low, his eyes dark with anger
Avni stood at the other side of the one sided glass, her breath hitched in her throat
"Please sir, let me go to him" Avni begged
"No, he is a criminal until we find proof he is not, you have a job, do it properly, dont try and tell him who you are, we will rough you up a little when we take you back to him"
Avni rested her hand on the glass "Just please, please dont hurt him" her voice broke

" What do you know about the weapon"
"What weapon you imbecile, I want to see my wife" shouted Neil, rattling his chain
"The weapon to be used against the other Sheikh, the illegal weapon you are making" the interrogator repeated
"What weapon, I have no idea what you are on about, there was talks about it, I refused, talk to my cousin not me, now for the last time, tell me where my wife is and we can settle this"

Avni froze as Neil looked up, as if he was looking at her directly
She knew he couldnt see her but she felt as if he could
Avni flinched as they delivered yet another punch to Neil
"Please Sir, hes innocent stop this"
"Avni, there is no place for emotion here, keep that for when you are home" Joseph replied storming out
"But, he is home" she whispered, closing her eyes as tears slowly rolled down her cheeks

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Avni held tightly onto Neil who was unconscious, soon they would be home and she could properly check his injuries
"Alright Avni, we're here, he will wake up soon, remember tell him nothing"
"Arent you satisfied yet that he is innocent"
Joseph shook his head "Not even slightly"
Avni huffed and went to get out
"One last thing Avni, lose your heart or lose your job, pick wisely"
Avni frowned and watched as a man took Neil back into their home

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Neil sat up and groaned in pain, "Avni, are you okay, they didnt hurt you did they"
"No, im fine, ive cleaned the injuries on your face, do you have anymore"
Neil shook his head and cupped her cheek
"Im sorry you had to go through that because of me"
Avni looked up "Because of you"
"Well yes, they think I have done something which I have not and you got dragged into it"
Avni looked away, it should be her apologising

Neil wiped away a tear from her face
"Dont cry Avni, I know youre scared but I wont let anyone hurt you"
Avni shook her head "I dont like seeing you hurt I just"
Avni leaned closer and kissed his forehead
"Avni, its okay, dont cry for me please, I am okay, ive had worse"
Neil assumed this would make her laugh but as her shoulders shook he knew he was wrong
He pulled her into his lap and she held onto his collar, digging her face into his neck she tried to calm her breathing

Neil rubbed her back as she cried in his arms
"Shush Avni, its okay, calm down, im here okay"
Avni pulled away "What if it happens again"
"Then we will face it, dont worry okay"
But how could she not?
Sitting next to him she patted her lap and he led down, closing his eyes
Neil soon fell asleep, but Avni knew sleep was far away
She had to prove his innocence and quickly

So Avni couldnt tell Neil who she really is, any guesses what will happen next?
The song spoken about is Wala Ala Balo- Amr Diab