Congratulations.

She takes the box from his hand and opens it to see... a necklace. Encrypted on it is, ‘Forever, Mrs. Jamal’.

Myla nips on her lower lip, staring at her husband, and completely ignorant the guests around.

“Let me help you.”

She blushes, while he takes it from her hands and comes behind to wear the beautiful piece against her neck. After that, he kisses the area, which causes her to shudder.

“I love you,” he whispers into her ears.

She spins and buries her face over his crate, snaking her hands around him.

Everyone applauds at the wonderful couple and Jamal just kisses her head, hugging her even tighter into his arms.

“Can this party begin, already? My stomach is growling.” Patricia grumbles, and she gets smacked on the arm by her mom.

Jamal looks at his kid sister, chuckling, and Myla brings her head out of the hug, like a tortoise.

“Everyone, the party had started. You can now run to the other room.”

Myla lift her eyes up. “What room? I hope there's no more surprise in there, because I'm going to pass out this time around.”

He giggles and pecks her lip. “If you pass out, I'll take you to our room. Aren't you excited to see it?”

She pinches his arm and he groans. Ms. Grayson comes forth, saying, “Can I have her for a minute?”

“Off course. Just make sure to keep business out of this discussion.”

Ms. Grayson presses her lips into a thin line, because actually, that's what they're going to talk about.

“She's just going to give me a highlight, right?” Ms. Grayson slowly nods.

He doesn't say anything else as he walks away to join the others.

“Will this go well?” says her manager, as soon as he's out of sight.

Myla exhales. “It has to. He can be a little demanding. You should know that by now. Common, what is going on?”

“There are a few changes in the new production house. Completely different from the latter.”

“Which are?”

“We're not going to talk about that here. Your husband's words still ring in my head.”

Myla chuckles.

“Again, I've taken down all your projects. You got a lot of work.”

“Shit! I should've known, I can't rest forever. It feels like we've been for honeymoon over a week.”

The older woman chortles. “Someone is being sticky. You should loosen up a little.”

“I'm trying to. I mean, he's so... damn good at everything.”

They laugh and walk out of the room, only to find Gabriella, standing at the door.

Myla's smile vanishes at an instance, whereas Gabriella's face lit up. After everything Jamal told her about this lady, added upon the personal observations, she's not pleased seeing her here.

Besides, she's his first love. If she did everything to make Latif look miserable, then her presence is a threat to this marriage.

“Congratulations,” the lady, praises.

Myla nods, faintly, and walks past her into the hall.

...

Everyone is taking food from the table, while Myla joins her mothers.

“Someone is finally having time for us.” Diana says, as soon as she sees her daughter.

Mrs. Mehdi cocks her head and watches the young one come closer.

“You didn't want to leave your husband's side, did you?”

“Maybe you're right. But I'm here now, and he's somewhere else...” Myla, peeps towards his direction, and he winks as if he saw her gaze coming. “Off course staring at me.”

Her mothers laugh as they settle on a white couch.

“So, tell us. Are we expecting? Because, I've been wondering what these bruises on your skin mean.” Mrs. Mehdi, teases.

Myla is incomprehensible of her first statement, but she acknowledges the hickeys Jamal posted all over her.

“Don't tell me he didn't...” Diana adds, and Myla gets it all. She looks down in embarrassment.

“Mom!”

“What? We need grandchildren.” Diana chuckles. “Just saying though.”

“You won't be receiving, anytime soon. I don't want to keep your hopes high.”

“Have you talked about this with him?” his mom, incline.

She shrugs, and looks over at him, then back at them. “Nope. I don't know how he's gonna take it. But I will tell him.”

Diana, shakes her head. “You better.”

Myla frowns at her mother's responds.

“Do you think he's gonna freak out? So far he's not mentioned about it.”

“Worry not. Jamal can be hard, but then, he's your husband. Both of you will sort things out. If he doesn't say it out, then he'll show you signs. Just remember that things will not always go well.”

“Enough of that. You haven't told us how the honeymoon went, the places you visited, and what about the gifts? Did you bring any for the old?” Diana questions.

“Momma, I brought a lot. Well, he bought a lot for me, but I kept some for both of you. I'd show you once the party is over.”

They go on chatting and she goes round to talk with other guests who got invited.

“Finally, we have you for ourselves!” Tiffy rejoices, when Myla stops at their feet.

“Everyone is finally having me for them. Am I that sticky.”

“You have no idea. He still hasn't gotten his eyes off you. Like, the forces which need you, now, are not up to his.” Patricia analysis.

They cackle, and Brenhilda asks, “Why does she get to be invited?” her glass of fruit juice points at Gabriella.

“I have no idea. Certainly, she followed my mother-in-law, because they're close family friends."

Patricia rolls her eyes, saying, “You should watch out for her. All she wants is prove to you how close she intends be to this family.”

“Not my family. Not my Jamal. Let's forget about her. It's not important.”

Tiffy raises her glass, and says, “That's what I'm talking about.”

They clinch glasses together, continuing into another conversation.

Moments after, everyone greets the couple, before making their way out.

“Bye, girl. We'd talk...” Brenhilda, gestures to her phone, and Myla nods as she watches her friends enter their vehicles.

Their moms come from behind, with Patricia, and hugs them.

“We're leaving now. But not forever.” Patricia says.

Mrs. Mehdi nods. “Yes, and I wish y'all a great night, tonight.”

Jamal chuckles looking at his mom, who winks at him. But Myla is too oblivious to understand.

They get into a vehicle which takes them away.

But then, someone appears from behind just when they thought everyone is gone.

Gabriella.

Note: Listen to, 'close to you' by Rihanna.

She walks so gently, and firstly, settles her gape on Jamal. He looks away only after a few seconds.

Myla catches the scene just now, and it makes her mad.

“I'm happy for you. Though it wasn't easy on my side to get over what happened. Especially after knowing my closest friend could do that to me...I feel sorry for her though.”

The couple glare at each other for a second, before returning their gazes to her.

“Anyway, I'm not going to waste any more of your time. Take care of her, Jamal. Because...she's delicate.”

Myla blinks her eyes a number of times. And Jamal nods. “You know I will... Gabriella”

They give each other another look, before she walks off.

She gets into her red Lamborghini, and drives away.

“What the fuck was that?”

“What part of it?”

“I saw that look. How dare she just stalk you in my presence. Claiming the victim.”

“Can we not spoil this evening. She's gone now.”

He faces her, his hands wrapped around her waist. As he brings his head in and she tilts hers, acknowledging what he wants to do.

He nips her neck, descending to her collar bone, and shoulder.

“Jamal,” she moans. “We're-out”

“So what?”

Her hold on his shirt tightens, when his tongue linger against her flesh.

“Babe-we-need-to arrange our luggages.”

“I sent someone to take care of that already. We have a few maids.”

She pushes him off her. He frowns.

“Why did you hire maids without consulting me? I hope nobody's getting into my kitchen.”

He sighs, and forks his hair. “I'm sorry. But no one's handling your kitchen, ok?”

“Ok,”

He lifts her up, over his chest in a bridal style, and stares down at her while ascending the steps at the entrance the house.

“Don't throw us down. Keep you eyes on the way.”

He chortles. “I can't throw my queen down. She's supposed to be rest assured whenever I'm around.”

Soon after they're inside the house and in their bed room. He lays her in bed and hovers over her, trying to access her lips.

She let him in, and as they start making out, she remembers what she discussed with her Mother-in-law.

“J-Jamal”

“Mm.” he responds, shortly.

“We need to talk.”

To be continued...