Shadow's Decree

“Don't sleep like a log because I announced Christmas vacation for the staff. The vacation is for my employees. It's not for famous personalities like you whom I love dearly and always want to keep by my side. So tomorrow we are going to Los Santos by early morning flight.” Sion informed Safia while passing through her room to reach him.

Safia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. He was acting as if he had been so considerate towards her. It has been fifteen days since she joined Sion’s company and there has been no weekend and no Best for her. Every day she gets up at 4:30 in the morning, rushes with her routine and is seen before the Wellcrow Vineyards head office by six in the morning. “I thought I was your employee because I did not get any extra benefits of being your favorite person.”

Just then his phone began to ring in his pants pockets and immediately his features changed to fury after looking at the caller id. “Beat him to pulp. We are not going to spare him until he gives us the truth. Got it?”

‘So cruel?’ The man was a monster from every side that she looked at him. “Why are we going to Los Santos?” She asked him meekly contemplating if he would answer her question.

“It's an official tour. Our wedding is only on paper. So don't build hopes that I will be taking you to a honeymoon.” He snarled at her and walked to his room.

If only she had the rights…she would pull his tongue out of his throat, cut it into pieces and throw it in the dustbin. Safia ran behind him trying to match his long treads. “How long are we going to stay?”

“Why? You need to bake cookies here?” He asked her arrogantly, removing the Rolex off his wrist.

“Don't I need to pack my bag? Why do you always have to take all my questions the negative way?” This time Safia couldn't control her sorrow and allowed it to surface on her features.

“I'm like this. If you can't live with me, I'm not pleading with you to do so. You are free to repay the money I paid for your company and walk out of this marriage.” Safia gulped heavily in terror.

“We will stay there until I finish my deal. So the time is not fixed when we return. Now if you allow me some privacy…” He removed his first shirt button and beckoned to the door.

Safia's eyes were on a feast, getting a glimpse of his hairy, muscled chest. ‘Thank heavens! He did not see her reddened features. How could she have feelings for a man who did nothing but insult her with every chance he got?’ Despite undergoing the worst treatment there was something in him that attracted her. Maybe he is not as harsh as he shows himself.

As she walked back to her room she saw her phone ringing. “Hey dad, how are you?” Safia asked Soren forcefully replacing her glumness to cheer. “Guess what? We are going to Los Santos tomorrow morning.”

“Good Evening, my princess. I understand it's your honeymoon. See I told you Sion is not a bad man. You just did not understand him. It takes time to settle down. Believe me, you will turn out to be a wonderful couple.”

Safia dried her tears in a handkerchief and allowed her dad to dwell in the happiness. Luckily he can’t see her. She did not disclose to him that it was not their honeymoon but a business trip.

“Los Santos has beautiful weather during this part of the year. The place is famous for grapes and wine. You must surely visit a winery there. And they have this beautiful wine festival too somewhere in this part of the year. Ask Sion to take you there. As a kid I used to frequent the place because my grandparents used to stay there.” Safia could already imagine Soren's eyes glistening with happiness sharing with her his beautiful childhood memory. Also she could understand why Sion wanted to visit Los Santos. The place is famous for wine and he is a wine industry mogul.

“I hope you have learnt many things regarding how to bring our family business back on track.” Soren stated cheerily.

“Of course daddy. I learnt many important things from Sion.” Safia could do anything to see her dad happy. Sion was only taking his revenge on her by employing her in his office. In the last fifteen days the only two tasks she did was schedule his meetings and prepare coffee for him. All the office work was handled by Layla. She was more of a maid than his assistant. Sometimes Safia felt desperate and useless because of Sion’s behavior towards her.

The next morning at six, they were ready. Safia walked down the stairs in a white off shoulder gown which reached just above her knees. She was holding a matching handbag and wearing white stilettos. For a moment did she see a sort of Spencer in his eyes?

Sion observed her head to toe and walked to the entrance ahead of her without speaking anything. ‘Is this man always without any feelings, like a robot?’ The driver put her luggage in the trunk along with Sion’s and held the door open for her as she got into the car.

The drive towards the airport was long and she did not know when her eyes went closed. But in the middle of her sleep she could smell ‘his’ scent and the soft beating of his heart beneath her head. Her face was cocooned in a big warm hand as if he was shielding her from the problems of the world.

Whatever this moment was, Safia did not want it to end. She felt protective in the dwelling and snuggled deeper into the feeling when she heard a rough growl from someone.

After sometime she felt someone softly tapping her on her cheek and calling her. When her eyes finally opened, she saw the fierce eyes of Sion. “Were you planning to sleep all day like a lazy panda?”