Beyond closed doors

12

"Beauty without brains is like a hero without a villain, alluring but lacks any thrill." Hashim says whilst pouring champagne into a flute. I watch with cautious eyes. I've spent weeks in this house and now I understand it's just a front. This isn't a house it's a jungle. He's the predator and I'm the prey. There's only one rule in jungle. Survive! After a long discussion with Maimuna afew days ago I realized just one thing I had to survive. His words were baiting me to do something wrong so he could 'take care of me'.

"Do you know why I'm telling you this Mrs Hakim?" He asked then took a sip of his drink.

"Because my dear you lack both. You lack both Beauty and brains. If had them you wouldn't Ask me such stupid questions" I wince at his insults but keep a brave front still.

"Why did you marry me?" I repeat the question.

"A lot of reasons madame. But why don't you ask your parents" he asks lifting a brow.

"Because their reasons are absurd and unrealistic. And I know you're the only who doesn't give a fuck about my feelings so you'll tell me" I say bluntly.

"My, my dare wifey feisty aren't we. Well if you must know I suggest you take a sit and pour a glass of champagne for yourself too. Or wine perhaps I feel it eases the mind.

I look at his wide array of imported wines, bottles of vodka different brands of beers.

"I'll pass" i say skeptically And he nods but brings out a bottle still.

"Sex on the beach" he states "I find it weak but it'll ease your young soul up." He pours the drink and slides it over to me like a bartender which I lowkey think he is.

"Where do I even start from.. let's see er, well you know I have never been married before you. I never really had a reason to my life was a pretty easy one. I had flings or at most girlfriends. I enjoyed all the perks of being married without the stress much like what you're giving me now" he said with a tight lipped smile.

"But well people started to talk and by people I mean my business associates they started getting skeptical about exchanging deals with a 52 year old bachelor.so I went to my good old best friend Dr Abdulsammad. He suggested I married a divorcee an older woman maybe in her 30s." He crinkled his nose at that.

"I shuned that idea because of several dreadful reasons. Firstly the woman would milk me dry and try to steal my assets, she might and most probably won't allow me to be with my lovely girls, unlike you who doesn't really care plus it's like her old wrinkly body could ever suffice my insatiable needs. Plus they would most probably have kids and want to bring them here to splurge my assets and all that I have worked for."

"The only child I think I could willingly spend on without seeking anything in return is Kausar. My daughter." He says with a fond smile.

"Daughter? Excuse me what you have a child! Fuck this shit" I say the news caught me by surprised. I take a sip of the drink I was served earlier because I need to chill. The sweet fruity flavor of the liquid hits my tastebuds and I feel this bliss.

"Relax you idiot! Kausar isn't my birth daughter she is Maimuna's only child " he says groaning then rolls his eyes and mutters "insolent over dramatic teenagers I should've gone for the divorcee"

"As I was saying I went to your father with my issue. Then gave me another suggestion. He wanted to start this new business and was looking for another investor because he couldn't fund the project. He brought it to me I honestly didn't see any reason to invest in it because it didn't speak to me and I didn't have much to gain from it. But then like a true business man he made sure to strike the deal with a proposition"