Chapter 52

——————Los Angeles, California.

——————————-Khalid's Condo, 11: 00pm

" I'm worried about Father" Sophia said as we set the plates for brunch. She had already gone over to the mansion and brought some mother's things here. " He'll be fine" I answered. " He won't be fine, he's letting guilt eat him up and it is not right, he isn't to blame for anything at all, no one is to blame, he's all alone in the house what if he commits suicide like Grandpa did" I couldn't have her break down. Kimberly needed a strong woman for a mother. " Sophia, Brandon is a strong man"

" You didn't see him, even I didn't see him. He didn't let anyone into the study, he locked himself up and who knows what he doing to himself" She said as she sat down on a dining chair in the kitchen.

" we need to find a way to fix all of this, we need to, the only person I feel can fix everything is Faryah, you guys hurt her enough and now we're all paying for it" she added as she placed her intertwined hands on her forehead. " yes you're right, that's why I'm leaving to bring her back on Monday" I said and sat on a chair beside her.

" Who're you bringing back?" We heard Mother ask as she came down the stairs.

" Faryah" I said and watched her sigh. " we really need to settle things with her" Mother said as she walked to sit down on the chair in front of us. " Your father needs serious help as soon as possible, him feeling guilty won't bring his father back and it won't change where we are now, he needs to understand that. You know since when your grandfather died he hasn't been himself" Mother said as she looked around the table. " you made sweet sauce?" She asked and I nodded. " At least something to make me happy" She was finally smiling.

She left Kimberly with Ethan at home. It was safer for her.

" I'll be going to Malaysia on Monday mother" I said as we ate. " if you want, you can stay back here or you can stay at my place” Sophia added. " No, It's best I follow Khalid to Malaysia, I can be able to free myself from guilt when I see her soon and I can help Khalid bring her home to us" Mother said as she ate her meatloaf. " you want to bring her back?” Sophia asked as she paused her meal. " I'm going to try my best to" I answered. " You know she's engaged right?"

" To who?"

" Khalifa" Sophia answered. His name made me sick. " the boy she was with in the video?” Mother asked again. " let's not say anything about that video" I said and they nodded. " Her engagement isn't valid because she is still very much my wife and I need her by my side" I added. " What if she doesn't want to be with you anymore?" Sophia asked. " Faryah loves me, I'm her first and only love, she can't live a happy life with him because she loves me and we have a daughter together"

" What if she has fallen out of love for you now?, and what if she is head over heels for Khalifa now and she wants to be with him" Sophia answered. " I won't let that happen, I love her" I couldn't lose my wife to a damn black man.

" but she might not love you anymore Khalid. If it happens that way you should learn to move on okay?"

"She's right son, you can never force someone to love you" Mother added. They were all concerned about my happiness but my happiness was Faryah. I needed her so she could light up my world like she used to.

" I can't lose her" I said as I dropped my fork on my plate. " prepare yourself for it" Sophia said as she ate some rice.

I didn't want to. I wasn't going to lose my wife.

I wasn't.

—————Monday Morning, 6:00am

—————————Olyster Textiles.

I called up my secretary and told her to book another flight for my mother along with me. She had sent our tickets to the new temporary secretary and the house and car keys to her.

I and my mother were patiently waiting for her in my office by 6:00am. Our flight was by 7:00am so we could be in Kuala Lumpur by 12:00am midnight. I didn't even go through the file of the new secretary. She was taking too long. I liked punctuality and this was already discrediting her.

" Your secretary is supposed to be here before you" Mother said as she looked at her phone. The morning was cool. She was wearing a long silky white jacket and palazzo pink trousers with flats. " I got a new temporary secretary Mother, she should be on her way" I said and looked at my watch.

6:05am. I sighed and took out the new secretary's file and we heard a gentle knock on my door. " that should be her, come in” Mother called and the door opened slowly as a large head peeked inside.

I was never going to forget that face.

The girl I almost ran over.

" Assalamu Alaykum" we heard her slowly whisper as she walked into my office with a sheepish smile. She didn't look at me yet. " Wa'alaykumussalam" Mother answered and smiled at her. " Good Morning, I'm so sorry I'm late ma'am" She said to Mother and I looked at her file.

So, her name was Zarah Bint Walid.

From Saudi Arabia.

Interesting.

" oh I'm not the one you're supposed to be apologizing to, look at your boss over there" Mother said and she turned to look at me. " Hi stranger" I said with a smirk and watched how she froze. I was laughing in my head. Like I was seriously laughing in my head. " Did you lose a kidney like you thought you did?" I asked as I laughed my ass out in my head. " I'm sorry sir, I don't know what you're talking about" She answered after a few seconds of silence from her. She was acting as if she didn't know me.

Well two could play this game.

" oh I'm sorry, I probably mistook you for someone else, do you have our tickets and keys?" I asked and she nodded. " Yes sir, they're in my handbag here, here are the keys and tickets " She said as she dropped them on my table. Her hands were shivering. Hah!

" Okay good, My Mother's bags and mine are over there, bring them downstairs to the parking area" I said as I got up from my seat. Payback was so nice. " Isn't that too much for her son?" Mother asked as she got up from her seat too. " oh no, she can handle it, let's go" I said to her but she rolled her eyes and walked over to take her suitcase. She couldn't embarrass me like this. " take mine and let's go" I said to the girl that lost her kidney and walked out of my office and rushed to help Mother with her suitcase.

I was going to make that girl hate her life. No one takes advantage of Khalid Olyster.

" You know her?" Mother asked and I nodded as we stood in the elevator heading to the last floor. " oh where from?" She asked again. " It's a long story, I almost ran over her and we had a very crazy encounter" I answered and watched her smile. " then why's she denying knowing you?" She asked as the elevator door opened up. " Cause she's scared, don't worry Mother" I answered with a small laugh as we walked towards the Company van that was waiting to take us to the airport. " Good morning ma'am, sir" The driver greeted. " good morning" I and mother answered at once as he collected her bag for me and placed them in the car trunk. I helped Mother inside the car and we waited patiently for my new secretary.

6:13am

No where to be seen. I bet she was sending curses towards me already.

6:18

My things weren't that heavy. Where was she?

" Mother, give me a sec, I'll go see what's keeping.." I was cut off as we heard the elevator's a ting as a struggling Zarah appeared. I smirked as I saw how she was struggling. " oh ma'am, let me help you with that" the driver called as he rushed towards her. " Thank you so very much" she said and sighed out loud as she caught me staring at her. I could feel the hatred she had for me from where she stood. " Hurry up let's leave, you've made us late enough" I called and got into the front of the Van and sat beside Mother.

The driver helped her with the suitcases and she got into the front of the car with the driver.

This trip was going to be fun.

Revenge fun.

———————Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

————————————12:00pm, Faryah's apartment.

I smiled at Najmah as I watched her chew on her rubber toys immediately I walked out of the bathroom in my bathrobe. I wasn't going to the office today, I was probably going to check my email and go through some files that I hadn't gone through before leaving for Nigeria. I picked up my MacBook and IPad from my table and headed to the living room. I picked Najmah and her toys up and we headed to the living room. I turned the TV on and connected my flash drive to the TV. I had different kinds of Islamic baby cartoons and nasheeda's for my daughter. She enjoyed them a lot.

I placed her on the carpeted floor and played her a cartoon for her to watch. The intro into the cartoon Zaky and friends always caught her attention. It started playing and I watched as Najmah let go of her toys and looked at the TV smiling widely. She was making her baby noises as she placed her hand on the sofa and stood up. Yeah, she could stand. It was cute. She was shaking her body to the rhythm of the song and making loud baby noises. It was so cute. I went to the kitchen and brewed my coffee in my robe. I walked back to the Living Room with a mug of coffee in my hands and went to sit with my baby. I turned my laptop on and logged into my mail. There were a lot. Job applications, invitations to some events of our investors and other boring stuff. There was an invitation from one of the Orphanages we sponsored.

I would gladly go for this one.

I read through the message and smiled. I was a special guest of honour. I and Najmah and a plus one. It was the 23rd anniversary of the Orphanage home. Al-Hussein Orphanage Home. They had lots of beautiful children. They helped Single Mothers as well and sponsored kids all around the world. It was a great place, they held many fun activities. I was gladly going for this with my daughter. It was in two weeks time.

Enough time to prepare.

I took my phone and called Khalifa up. He was still in Nigeria. It was probably morning time there. Malaysia was 7 hours ahead from Nigeria. He was probably still asleep. "Love of my life" he said immediately he answered the call. " My love" I answered with a big smile on my face. " How're you, I miss you sooo sooo much" he answered. I could feel him blush. " I'm okay, you?, I miss you so much more" I answered. " I'm good, my flight is by 8 later on" he answered and I nodded. " Oh okay, safe trip honey".

" Thank you, how's Najmah?"

" she's fine, she's watching Zaky and Friends with a bright smile" I answered and looked at her. " Aww, give her a kiss for me"

" I sure will. Uhmm Khalifa, what do you think about coming to Malaysia in two weeks time on the 21st of this month, there's this Orphanage home we sponsor and me and Najmah are special guests of honour there, and I am supposed to bring a plus one" I said. " well, I'm going to be around my wife to be and daughter to be so why not, I won't miss it, I'll be around like two days before the event" he said and I did a happy dance in my head. "Yayy, Alhamdulillah" I answered. " I love you so much"

" I love you so much more"

" so hey, when will you finally talk to Khalid?" He just had to ask. " well soon I guess, I'm scared of calling or texting him first but I guess I will, I have to, I want to get it over and done with for once" I really wanted that badly. " Hey, remember no matter what, You love me, right?"

"Right" I assured myself. " Yayy" I heard him say. " Ruqayyah and Aneesah miss you a lot, like they've been staring at our beautiful pictures non stop, you should check their status updates on WhatsApp" He said and smiled. " I'll do that, I miss all of them too, send my regards to them okay?"

" I Have to"

" So get up from that bed you're lying on and go get breakfast, eat enough before leaving okay?"

" Yes ma'am, I'll do that"

" Take care of yourself please, I don't want anything happening to my future husband"

" aww, wifey, I'll be fine Insha’Allah, don't forget my kiss for Najmah" He chirped. I always loved the positive vibe that came from him. It was hard to see him angry at all. He was always positive and it was a very good thing. " I won't forget In sha’ a Allah, don't forget to call me when you're at the airport so I can wish you a safe light"

" I won't forget In-sha’ a-Allah" he said and I smiled at myself again. " Take care of yourself okay?, I'll call your Father and Mother later on okay"

" Okay, I love you so much"

" I love you so much more, byeee" I said and ended the call.

He always made me smile. Even when he was sad or something. He still made me smile.

I clearly remember the first day we met that he pushed me and I fell and sprained my ankle a bit and Khalid had to carry me to his car.

They were part of the good memories I had with Khalid.

I was so in love with him and I didn't even imagine that the person that pushed me that day was going to end up being my loving husband.

Allah really had his beautiful ways.

Allahu Akbar.

—————————Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia.

————————12:30am

" Goodness, my butt hurts a lot from all the sitting" I heard my secretary say as we walked out of the airport. I snickered to myself as I looked at my phone. It was late alright. The night breeze in this city was so chilly and nice and fresh. I needed sleep too honestly, I was so extremely tired. " So my car?" I asked her as I watched her wince and try to pat her behind. " what're you doing?" I asked as I looked closely at her. She was pouting and she looked so cute. " Nothing sir" she said and quickly adjusted herself. " my car?" I asked again as she looked closely behind my back. " Yes, there's our ride" she called as she hurriedly walked towards a man holding a cardboard with our surname on it. He was standing behind a fineee grey Porsche. The man helped us with our suitcases and I paused as he was about to put Zarah's.

" Excuse me that's not going in there" I said as I stopped him. " what?" I heard her exclaim.

" why?" Mother asked from beside me. " she's going to a hotel and we're going to our condo" I answered. " it doesn't change anything sir, you can still drop me off.."

" No I won't do that, take a taxi" I said as I walked to close the car trunk. " oh come on now like seriously" she whined and I laughed to myself. " I can't possibly take a taxi"

" Yes you can" I said as I walked to her. " No I can't and it's late and I won't get any" She said again and pouted. " The keys please" I ordered and let my palm out for her to put it in. " Okay look sir, I don't know who you think I am, but you have no damn right to treat me this way" She snapped and I watched her.

" Guess what?" I asked her. " what"

" Khalid don't care" I answered. Man she was boiling up with fury. " you son of a.." she stopped as she took a look at Mother who was watching us with her arms folded. " sorry ma'am" Zarah apologised and gave Mother a fake smile.

" you've been making a scene in front of the airport like two year olds, it's late and I am very tired and sleepy, Zarah right?" Mother asked and she nodded. " Let's find a taxi for ourselves since your boss here isn't as tired as we are" Goodness.

Mother didn't really have to intervene. I was seriously enjoying this. " Fine, let's all go" I said and rolled my eyes. " Oh no, we're not going with you, please sir can you open the trunk again?" She couldn't be serious.

Way to embarrass me.

" Mother come on" I said and pouted and she rolled her eyes. "Apologize" she ordered. I really couldn't believe this was happening. I bet the tiny girl was laughing out loud in her head. I couldn't defy my mother. " I don't need to Mother she's fine"

" Sir please the trunk" Ugh.

" Fine I'm sorry" I didn't even look at her when I said that.

" That's not how to say it"

" come on Mother, why're you treating me like a three year old"

" You were acting like one, so apologize like one" Goodness. I just had to bring Mother along with me.

I looked at her and watched how she was trying so hard to hold back her laugh. I was definitely going to get back at her.

" I'm sorry I will never do it again" I apologized. My self esteem was badly hurt.

" It's okay" she answered. " Good now let's all go, I'll sit at the back" Mother said as Zarah brought the keys out from her bag. " here sir" she handed them to me and I snatched them from her almost instantly and unlocked the car.

" where are we heading to?" I asked as she sat with me at the front. " Sky Residence, Shamelin at Jalan 6/91.." I cut her off and her gave her my phone to type it into my map. " Take her to her hotel first Khalid" Mother said and I sighed and looked at Zarah. She was grinning widely. "You heard her" I said and watched as she cleared what she was typing and typed something else in.

My map was ready. She handed my phone back to me. Her hotel was 18 minutes away from the airport. She was lucky it was.

I felt so comfortable in the new car, not like the one in LA but well leather seats are always cool. I started my engine and carefully found my way out of the airport.

I didn't sit near Mother or Zarah on the plane. It would've been fun with either one of them so I slept through most of the trip like a baby. Kuala Lumpur was pretty beautiful at night. This was Faryah's Original hometown. I really couldn't wait to see her again, I missed her so much.

I just really hoped that I was going to be able to reconcile with her. I really had high hopes for that. I really hoped she hadn't changed. My fragile innocent Faryah. Letting her go once was a big mistake. I couldn't lose her again this time.

I had to try all possible ways I could to get my wife back.

She was mine.

No one else's.