Adventures of Sinbad and Layla

A Shocking Day

Valentine's Day was approaching. Sinbad loved the day because it was a day that he could be extra romantic with his wife without anyone questioning it. Layla didn't really mind Valentine's Day but she didn't really see anything special in it. She announced the day to be not only for lovers but for everyone. Family, friends and just a day for everyone to spread more joy and love in general. Still, Sinbad would always plan something special for her and he never wanted anything in return. Simply seeing the smile on her face was the best gift he could ever receive.

"Are you ready?" he asked as he entered the room.
Layla put her book down. "Yes, I am. Who did you leave Esra with?"
"Rurumu. She's doing her homework." He held his hand out to her. "Let's go, baby girl."
She smiled as she took his hand and stood from the bed. "Am I not a bit old for you to call me that?"
"Old? You're only 41. We're still young." He wrapped his arms around her waist and gazed deeply into her eyes. "I'll be calling you baby girl even when we're 100 years old."
"I'm sure I'll lose my hearing by then," she joked.
He laughed softly and pecked her lips. "I love you."
"I love you, too."

She closed her eyes as he leaned down and pressed his lips onto hers. He kissed her softly but it still took her breath away. Then, suddenly, there was a knock at the door making them part from the kiss.

Layla sighed. "I bet you 100 dinars that it's Jafar."
"Who is it?" Sinbad called.
"It's Jafar."
"Told you."

Sinbad let go of her and went to open the door. He found Jafar standing there with a large bouquet of red and pink roses. There must have been about 100 roses in there.

"Uh, we just had these delivered," Jafar said. "They're for Layla."
She gasped in surprise as she made her way to the door. "These are so beautiful!" She took them from Jafar and smiled as she looked at Sinbad. "Thank you so much, Sin. I love them."
He looked at her in confusion. "I didn't send for these."
She raised a brow. "You didn't?"
Sinbad turned to Jafar. "Did they say who sent it?"
"No," he answered. "Don't worry. I had it security checked before bringing them up."
"Thank you."

Jafar bowed before leaving. Sinbad closed the door and frowned as he looked at the roses.

"Are you sure you didn't send these?" Layla asked.
"I'm certain."
"It's so hard to find so many roses in Sindria," she said. "It must have been brought in from abroad."

As she placed them down on the table, a small note fell from the wrapping. She picked it up and they both read the note.

'My most beautiful and most fairest, Queen Layladria. Happy Valentine's Day. Love from your secret admirer.'

"Secret admirer?" she asked. "Who could it be?"
Sinbad took the note from her, frowning deeply. "Who does this person think they are? Sending roses to my wife?"
"Sin..." She took the note and dropped it onto the table. "Just forget about it. I mean can you blame them? I'm amazing," she joked.
"I know you are," he said seriously, "but..." He sighed and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her into him. "I'm the only one who's ever loved you and and will be the only one to love you now and in the future."
"Uh, Kouen?"
"That is something I'm sort of grateful for because he healed you."
"Darius?"
He scoffed. "He did not love you. You just had a crush on him."
"Okay. What about Shujae?"
He quickly pressed his finger to her lips. "We never, and I mean never, talk about Shujae the first kiss stealer."
She raised a brow. "The first kiss stealer?"
"Oh, right. I meant the first and second kiss stealer."
Layla rolled her eyes. "What I'm trying to say, Sin, is that it doesn't matter who sent these flowers or who thinks they love me. I'm yours and only yours."
He sighed. "You're right."

He leaned down to kiss her again but before he could, there was another knock at the door. It was Jafar again with another bouquet of flowers. It was more roses but of different colours and there was another note.