Adventures of Sinbad and Layla

Still In Love (Part I)

Sinbad was in a bad mood. A very bad mood.

All of the eight generals had returned to Sindria and joined Sinbad and his family for dinner. But there was a seriously awkward tension in the air as they sat around the table. Sinbad had his cheek resting on top of his closed fist, his elbow leaning on the table as he poked at his food with a scowl on his face. Esra and Omar glanced at each other in confusion, the generals kind of knew what was going on and stayed silent, whilst Layla just rolled her eyes.

"Get over it, Sin," she said after ten minutes of pure silence.

In response, he just huffed. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. 'Oh, Lord. Give me strength to deal with this man child I call my husband.'

"Uh, mom?" Esra called quietly.
She opened her eyes to look at her. "Yes?"
She held her hand beside her mouth to whisper, "What's wrong with dad?"
Layla sighed softly. "Tomorrow is the annual meeting of the Seven Seas Alliance. As you know, the meeting will be taking place here this year."
"So, what's wrong with that?"
"Well... King Kouen is coming, too."
Esra still looked confused. "And that's bad because...?"
Sinbad now took over. "Actually, he invited himself," he stated matter-of-factly.
"Again," Esra said, "what's so wrong if he comes?"
"Because he doesn't care about the meeting. He's not married."
Now Esra was the one to roll her eyes. "I'm even more confused."
Layla placed her hand over her face and sighed. "Here we go..."
Sinbad slammed the side of his first on the table, causing everyone, except for Layla, to jump. "He's still in love with Layla."
Omar's eyes widened a little. "Wow."
"I know."
Layla lowered her hand. "That is so not true."
Sinbad looked at her with a frown. "Then why at the last meeting did he say that he couldn't wait to see you? Huh?"
"Obviously because it's been years since we last saw each other and that's only because you won't allow me to go anywhere he will be."
"No, he's in love with you, Layla," he said with frustration. "He's in love with you!"
She blinked slowly. "Did you just shout at me?"
His eyes widened as he held his hands up. "I would never dream of it."
"Good."
He sighed deeply. "I can't believe my wife's ex-husband is coming here tomorrow..."
"Don't worry, Lord Sin," Sharrkan said. "We'll keep an eye on him."
"Yeah," Pisti agreed.
Sinbad nodded. "Good. That is your task tomorrow. If I'm not with Layla, at least two of you must remain with her."
"Sin, this is ridiculous," Layla sighed.
"I don't care."

She knew there was no point in discussing it further. At least he wasn't in such a bad mood anymore. Finally, the topic of discussion moved away from Kouen and they could all eat in peace.

Unfortunately for Layla, her husband's bad mood moved to their bedroom. She was sitting up in bed reading a book but Sinbad kept tossing and turning beside her. She sighed deeply and looked at him.

"Do you want me to turn off the lamp?" she asked.
"No."
She put her book away and turned to face him, leaning up on her elbow. "Are you still upset about Kouen?"
He frowned deeper. "Oh, so you're on a first name basis?"
She sighed again with a roll of her eyes before whispering to herself. "Don't hit him... Don't hit him..." She breathed out and smiled as she gently cupped his cheek. "Come on, Sin, it's only for two days and then he'll be gone."
"I know but I get jealous..."
"I know you do. You're the most jealous person on this planet."
"I just don't like the fact that he still has feelings for you."
"Does it really matter?" She pulled his arm out and lay her head on top of it as she peered up into his eyes. "I don't have feelings for him. You have nothing to worry about. I see him as a really great friend." She stroked her thumb across his cheek. "If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't have Esra."
He gazed deeply into her eyes. "I know that, baby, but..." He sighed quietly. "I guess it's the same thing with Shujae. He was your first kiss. And Kouen was your first husband. I wanted to be your first and only everything."
"Oh, Sin..." She snuggled into him, burying her face in the crook of his neck. "I'm sorry. But think about it, you're my first and only person to make love to. And that's the most beautiful thing."
He wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. "You're right. And I get to spend the rest of my life with you."
She smiled, pressing a soft kiss to his neck. "Exactly."
He smiled too and looked down at her. "Thank you, baby girl. I love you."
"I love you, too."