Ruby
"Wow," I couldn't help but say, gazing at the immense beauty of the mosque. Just then I felt some weird sensation as something came in contact with my hand. I glanced at my right hand, to find another hand holding it firmly. I shot a glare at Vexon.
What am I? His little kid?
I kept glaring at him, trying to release my hand from his grip, but he wouldn't let go and instead earned myself a stern look from him.
"This is the tallest feature of the mosque which happens to be the 70-meter minaret, the tallest in Dubai, which resembles a lighthouse," Vexon explained to me, but I was busy feeling uncomfortable.
This was weird��holding a random person's hand.
For God's sake, Ruby, he is your husband, but he's in the Mafia and it feels weird.
I tried to remove my hand from his once again, but instead, he held it tighter. Sighing, I looked at the unadorned sandy-grey walls of the mosque.
While inside the mosque earlier, I had noticed that there was a large Quranic inscription inlaid above the five columns of the entrance facade, which sat at the top of a short flight of six steps.
While exploring the mosque, I saw the wooden windows were fitted with hand-made stained glass and blend well with the old town of Bur Dubai. I even heard that its minaret was designed in the Anatolian architectural style.
Talking about the visitors, everyone here was advised to dress conservatively. So, while entering, I draped an abaya around me, covering my hair with a scarf.
We were about to go to another room of the mosque but stopped when we saw the tourist visit time was over as it was time for prayer.
Vexon approached and extended his hand. "Shall we go?" he asked and I hummed in response, taking his hand.
I didn't know what was with us always holding hands, but I liked it and I felt secure with him in this unknown country. I didn't feel weird anymore as I got used to it, plus he was the only person I could trust here.
"Let's go and have lunch," he announced.
I arched an eyebrow. "But��"
"Well, I know that lunchtime has already passed, but we can still eat," he explained and I smiled as we both got back in the car.
I removed my scarf and that was when something popped into my mind. "Is this your car?"
"What else do you think?" he responded with a question.
"How did you plan everything on such short notice? You know, the so-called honeymoon and all," I inquired, bored with being silent all the time.
"My mom did," he answered proudly, making me smile.
"She's such a sweetheart," I muttered under my breath but he somehow heard it. He had sharp ears.
"Indeed," he agreed.
It was true though, Vanera was one of the most wonderful women I have ever met. She was strong and independent but never had I ever thought that she would be in the Mafia.
Wait, Mafia.
If Vexon was in the Mafia then the whole Bevine family was a part of it, which meant that Kendrik��Does Pearl know?
That was when I started connecting the dots, the attack on her wedding didn't shock either mom or Pearl, because they already knew about them being in the Mafia, and such situations were to be expected. Yet, none of them had told me because I was afraid of the Mafia, and here was my luck. I was married to a Mafia Leader.
Always the lucky one, Ruby.
Pearl and Mom were right to some degree, but why wouldn't they tell me? I mean, why hide such a big thing from me in the first place?
You already know the reason, Ruby.
I knew the reason but thinking from their point of view, they must have thought they did what was right at the moment. Also, what could I have done if I knew? I couldn't have stopped either of the weddings, it was out of my control.
"You seem lost," Vexon spoke up, breaking through my inner monologue, flinching at his sudden voice.
I looked at him to find his gaze already on me, as he waited for an answer. "Just thinking," I answered and he looked back at the road.
Soon, we reached a restaurant and got out. We entered the reception with our hands intertwined.
"Good afternoon, Sir and Ma'am," the teenage waitress greeted us politely. I smiled at her, but Vexon didn't. As expected. A rude Mafia!
"I have the perfect table for you both if you don't have a reservation already. It's ��"
Vexon interrupted the waitress, "We have a reservation."
The waitress looked upset, on hearing this. She said that she had the perfect table for us and I really wanted to know and make her happy.
"It's okay. Cancel it and give us the table which you think is perfect for us," I said and felt the grip of Vexon's hand on mine tightened.
He leaned closer to my ear. "We have a reservation. What if she gives us an unsuitable table?" he whispered and I let out a small laugh at his words.
"She is upset. She really wants that table for us. Let's trust her and see," I replied.
"But��" before Vexon could continue, I gave him a glare which was enough to keep him quiet.
"So...?" the waitress asked, eagerly waiting for a reply.
"Show us the table of your choice," I said and she almost jumped in excitement before leading us to our table.
"You are gonna be the death of me," Vexon whispered into my ear once again, confusing me.
So I decided to avoid what he said and looked at the table. "This is awesome!" I exclaimed in excitement.
It seemed so romantic as the table for two was perfectly set near the beach, where we could watch the sunset. Other tables were also there, but there was a lot of distance between each.
"Isn't it?" I turned around to look at Vexon, only to find him staring at me with a different expression.
He nodded.
Ugh. Why wasn't he talking? I never wanted a husband who barely talked, but then again, I was always so lucky.
"Thanks for the table. I totally love this place," I turned and thanked the waitress, who was grinning at me.
"No problem. You guys are, couple goals already. Matching outfits, always holding hands and looking at each other with love��it perfectly fits you both in this place. Anyways, please take your seat and press the button for placing your order," she said and left, leaving me dumbstruck.
What did she just say? We never wore matching outfits and��I glanced at his clothes, only to find him looking at mine.
Oh my Lord! Both of us wore dark green.
I rolled my eyes when I saw him smirking at me.
We took our seat at the table and looked out at the view before looking over the menu and then ordering. Once we had completed placing our order, we looked out across the view once again, neither one of us saying a word.
A waiter brought our food, placing my oven-baked chicken cheese pasta with my coke and fries in front of me. My mouth watered just looking at it as my stomach grumbled in hunger. I took my fork and instantly started digging into my food.
Vexon chuckled and dismissed the waiter. I glanced over at his food, he had ordered a steak with grilled mushrooms, including garlic bread with a glass of coke.
He took his fork and started eating. I was eating like an unethical woman, who had never seen food before.
I didn't usually talk while eating as it was bad manners. So I continued eating and so did he. I liked the way we could communicate with each other without even talking.
After finishing our lunch, I looked at the sea. It was evening already as time flew by so fast.
"Vexon, look," I said holding his hand which was on the table and pointing my index finger towards the sunset. The way the sun was setting on the horizon, made the whole sky appear orange. It was so beautiful.
We both watched the sunset together, my eyes glinting in amusement.
"Ruby," he spoke all of a sudden, making me avert my gaze from the sunset to him��only to find him staring at me intensely.
My heart started beating faster than usual, as I waited for him to continue.
"Ruby, please give me a chance to prove to you that you won't regret having me as your husband."
I kept quiet as he continued, "I agree, I married you in the wrong way, but I want things to go in the right direction now. I have no explanation as to why I behaved the way I did that day, but all I know is, that I made the right choice in marrying you. You may not believe me but I love you, I really do."
He waited for an answer from me but when he didn't get one, he further spoke, "I know, you have so many questions, which I can't answer all at once. You just have to stay with me and I swear you will get the answers you seek. Just give me a chance. I'm sorry about that day, but please don't leave me."
His confession made me stare back at him in shock.
A mixture of guilt, fear, and love was visible in his eyes as I scanned them for any negative emotions but couldn't find any.
I didn't know what to do��what to say. I removed my hand from his and placed my hands on my lap. "First," I started, staring back at him as I spoke in a serious tone, "We need to talk about your Mafia life."
