Bound To You ✔

Chapter 16 ~ A Call Of Distress

Zaid Adeeb Tahir usually woke up the way kings did except this time he was on the couch which wasn't comfortable as it normally described. Isabella had kicked him so much in her sleep that he had no choice but to leave her alone on the bed. In addition, she snores loud.

His eyes with quite difficulty greeted the sunlight filtering in through the window as the curtains were tied in the corners. It had to be none other than Isabella as no servants were allowed in his bedroom while he was still in it.

Throwing his wrinkled black T-shirt on his body, he adjusted his shorts and went towards the washroom. About five minutes later, he was rubbing the towel on his face and walking through the corridors. Concluding she wasn't on the first floor, he descended the stairs and entered the kitchen where the view was exotically beautiful that morning.

Dressed in his blue shirt that stopped mid-thigh, Isabella was in the process of brewing coffee. All he could think of where her shyness has taken off all of the sudden.

He coughed once. "Good morning."

Turning around, he noticed her fresh face and messy curls at the side of her cheeks. But her eyes were still a little puffy and red from the constant crying of yesterday.

"How's your foot?"

"Better," she answered, resuming back to her task.

"It smells good in here." Zaid approached her and stood by her side, observing her every action. "What did you make for breakfast?"

"Pancakes and it's for me, not for you. You want to eat, tell the cook. But if you are thirsty, you can share my favorite coffee because it matches your personality, dark and bitter."

Zaid gave her a tight smile which she reciprocated into a full one, showing her perfect teeth.

"I should give up on any hope that you can be at least a little similar like my ex."

Placing her cup full of black coffee onto the marble kitchen table, Isabella threw her arms around his neck pulling his face closer to hers. Zaid closed his eyes, inhaling her bodily scent including his shampoo and body wash evaporating from her skin.

"The sooner you accept that I'm not Ishana, the less disappointed you will be."

He wrapped an arm around her waist, causing no space left between their bodies. He expected her to be shy or argue but instead she smiled at him and started moving her long fingers through his hair.

"What did you dream last night that you woke up as a different person?"

Zaid had to ask, to know what's going on inside her mind as it's easier to handle a shy wife than a sassy one with words laced with venom that kept on dripping from her mouth.

"Nothing but I realized something. If I'm going to spend the rest of my life with an asshole like you, I better do it on my terms or I'll have no peace of mind."

"I'm not going to torture or keep you in a dungeon, Isabella. You're my wife not slave but I deserve some respect from you. I want you to acknowledge that I'm your husband too."

Laughing, she collided their foreheads while holding his head steady between her delicate hands. "You lost my respect the moment I had no other option but to marry you to save my loved ones. You used my greatest fear against me. One day someone will do the same to you."

"You sound so sexy when you're actually cursing me."

He pressed his lips against hers and this time, she responded with vigor, giving him full access to her mouth. The way her body melted into his, hands moving around hungrily, begging for more made him want to carry her up to their bedroom at this instant. Grabbing a fist full of her hair, he pulled her head down, giving him access to plant softly kisses up and down her neck while earning whimpers of anticipation. But it's nothing but a biological reaction from a woman when being sexually approached by a man. It wasn't love, just hormones responding.

Kissing her one last time intensely on her lips, he pulled back.

"Go eat; I'll make my own breakfast."

"Okay."

She shrugged her shoulders and left with the pancakes and coffee. Zaid knew that he should give up on expecting sympathy, respect and love from her. She is Isabella Tahir and she is one in a million.

Whipping up a quick milk and oats, Zaid joined her at the table. Either she is a quick eater or she was extremely famished as the plate was almost empty. He took the side seat as Isabella had taken his place, the one where the head or the eldest of the house normally sits.

"Not that I have a problem with you wearing my shirt but take my credit card, go buy some clothes."

"And I'm supposed to wear what exactly to go for shopping?"

"Find something in my sister's closet. The maid will show you."

"Anything of your sister will look sexy on me because she's much shorter. You don't have a problem if other men will devour the sight of your wife?"

It was clear that she was provoking him but Zaid kept his calm. He didn't want her to figure out that her attitude bothered him and he can be short-tempered.

"Who said you will be going alone? Saeed, the noble man will accompany you."

"What about college? Will he be there too acting like my shadow while you get to live a normal life despite being the deadly criminal?"

"What do you want Isabella?" Zaid said annoyingly, dropping the spoon into the bowl.

"A car would be nice for a start and no bodyguard. I can take care of myself."

Conflicted about her demands, Zaid stood up but she was quicker and grabbed his arm. The puppy eyes and seductive look managed to work its charms as he found himself nodding. Despite taking his time to get ready for office, he crossed paths with her at the top of the staircase. Handling his card, he admired her from tip to toes.

What would have looked as a long red gown on his sister appeared to be a normal dress on Isabella? The best part of her outfit, it had long lace sleeves.

"Conservative enough for you?" She asked.

"I'm not those types of men who tell his wife what she should or should not wear but I expect you to be classy, not the opposite."

"See you tonight, husband."

She placed her hand gently on his chest and placed a warm kiss on his cheek, making sure the red lipstick stained. Joining along her little game, Zaid carefully stroked her cheek.

"I will not be swayed from the fact that someone out there used you to get to me. I will find that cop and I will bring her head to you as a wedding gift."

Her lips formed a pout and she gave him an air kiss. "Good luck."

His blood simmered with rage of her sick attitude and especially of the fact, she dared underestimating his abilities. Watching her leave in one of his cars made his heart beat a little faster. He had tons of enemies out of there but in order to gain her love, he'll have to grant her freedom.

It was a very risky move.

Arriving at his hotel, Zaid nodded casually to his employees and entered his personal area. Saeed followed suit and placed a blue file on the table.

"It has a list of female cops including those who have travelled here in the past few months. It can be anyone of them Zaid."

"You're right but I have a strong doubt. Ishana was declared missing by her friends. What if the cop had seen Isabella somewhere, decided to re-open Ishana's case?"

"It's a possibility."

"All we have to find out is which female cops were given the task of finding Ishana. This should be our lead because I can't be risked expose to the world. My life will end and my sister, despite being an innocent girl will be dragged into my mess."

The two men got busy into finding out who would seem a culprit in their eyes while a woman of the law in others.

Noticing private number flashing on his mobile phone, Zaid dropped his pen on the table and received the call while thinking it could be one of his people.

"You find anything?"

After a good five second pause, an unknown voice said.

"Your beautiful wife Isabella is with me. Now, now Zaid you don't want history to repeat on itself?"