The world is one delusional place. There are some people who choose to manipulate us with lies and deception, and those who lack the fight against these delusions endure the dust and dirt of pain. Sadly, I was one of the naïve ones that had to learn it the hard way where she stood in this world.

Bound in an arrange-marriage by my parents, I had vowed to make my parents proud. My family belonged to a middle-class background. For us, money was a luxury and family was a wealth. We were always there for each other and hoped the very best for each other's futures, so when an extremely rich and accomplished business tycoon decided to choose me, my family was thrilled; it was so exciting to see a powerful billionaire be meant for their gem.

Luck was loved, especially when we all knew that I had faced some serious cases of hate in my life to convince anyone of any grace in my pain. In fact, my wedding was a sheer epitome of how grateful my parents and siblings were and just how much they doted on me; I was literally showered with hugs.

Albeit during the few get-togethers of Iyaz's family in the primary stages of this arrangement, I had been made clear that it was mainly Iyaz's grandparent's decision to choose me for their grandson because Iyaz's grandfather was a very good friend of my late grandfather, I didn't let that deter me because I had grown up with the concept of adoring all who entered my life, and Iyaz, my gaze gleamed at his sight, my smile would widen by the single glimpse of him being happy, so I vowed to myself that I was not going to cause him any trouble. Also, one of my naïve presumptions had made me believe that fairytales started with a single promise.

Hence, caught up in my delusions, I didn't not even protest when Iyaz ordered me to move overseas with him and let go of my home soil. Fully supportive, I had tolerated his ignorant ways, tried to familiarise myself with the alien-like atmosphere of Terama and worked hard to settle in the new chapter of my life.

Iyaz's suspicious ways had been accepted because I wanted to keep him happy. I believed that sacrificing my self-esteem for our happiness was the only way of expressing my feelings, but I had failed to realize that no one could respect an obsessed, lost soul. Sincerity doesn't demand to lose your own self.

Finally caught up with the harsh reality of life and aware of how some hearts worked, I finished drinking my cup of tea and curled up with my blanket, closing my eyes. My cooling fan seemed to be soothing in a weird way.

I was actually a stress eater, and this moment seemed like the best to start munching on a packet of salt-flavoured lays packet, but the exhaustion earned from the mental pain and epiphany had made me too lazy to eat away my tears.

Iyaz...I wanted to scream at him, protest, cry but instead, I just messaged him to take care before switching off my phone. This was a bitter-sweet goodbye, before finally moving on and letting go of the pain

From tomorrow, I was going to let go.

****

I was sitting on the kitchen counter when I saw him drive his Royce Rolls out of our driveway. He didn't notice the change in the environment. He had been so caring and kind when having breakfast with me. He had made morsels of food for me and tenderly asked about my plans for today. I could feel tears brimming, yet I hid them.

Pinky seemed to have no words for me, as she quietly made me pancakes and placed them on the empty plate in front of me.

"Ready?" she then broke the silence, once I had munched on my food.

"Yes," I solemnly nodded.

"I'll call my brother," And with that, Pinky walked into the living room, leaving me behind with my thoughts.

The plan, for today, was that Pinky was going to ask her brother to come and pick us up and have us leave this place, forever. No more compromises, no more heartbreaks. I was going to put this behind me. And fortunately, Pinky was going to tag along. I didn't want her to suffer with me, but she was firm about her decision of joining me; she had even called her family and arranged a room for me at her family house. I couldn't wait to meet her mother and sister.

Being grateful, I sat patiently as Pinky arranged for our 'getaway' arrangements; she was going to have her brother talk to the mansion-door guards, so they wouldn't stop us from leaving.

I had decided to take nothing but my clothes and my gold sets with me. I didn't want to take them but knew money was needed until I attained a proper job. Also, I guess Iyaz owed me this.

"My brother will be here in a few minutes. Also, I have our suitcases placed in the garage," Pinky now stepped into the kitchen, "You ready?" She inquired.

"In a minute," I gave her a half-hearted smile and got up. Quickly scribbling on two pages of the kitchen's sticky notebook and pasting on the fridge, I swayed my eyes across my written message.

This was it.

Pinky seemed to want to give me this moment of my own.

Feeling nostalgic and extremely heartbroken, I then gazed around my kitchen and sighed. Would I ever get over these memories?- laugh out loud when Iyaz did often acted playful and joked around? He and I were happy. When available, Iyaz would make an effort to take me out for lunch and dinners, make promises that he had fallen...that his world seemed bright around me. He was a good man, knowing pretty well how to treat me like a queen-respect me. Yet I wasn't the only lady in his life. Sigh!

No longer wanting to ponder on these depressing thoughts, I walked out of my kitchen and stepped into the garage. Pinky was already standing there. Turning her gaze towards me, she gave me a comforting smile.

"I will be with you," she assured.

"I know," I nodded.

Soon, our car arrived and we were on our way-away from pain, away from the past.

This was going to be my new beginning.

*******

Stepping out of his Royce Rolls, Iyaz took off his black ray bans and threw his car keys to the nervous-looking valet.

"Park it in my usual place," he ordered, without even glancing at the valet, and began heading inside his building. His employees seemed to grow nervous and panicked at his sight. And soon, many of them were standing near the door, politely greeting him.

"Good morning, Sir," His manager, Jehan, spoke, now following after him, as he headed towards his office.

"Morning," Iyaz responded dismissively, not even sparing the poor man a glance, but Jehan was used to that by now. His boss had always extremely callous and cold towards his employees. With banks filled with money and powerful fists, Iyaz had always been a sheer example of a rich, cold billionaire. And sadly, that was why people tried to be friendly with him.

However, being cold towards the world, he was caring and obsessed when it came to dealing with his sweetest second wife, Mahira, extremely protective if someone even decided to harm her. He was her shield, and she was his world. And despite having a first wife, he knew that his extremely innocent and soft-hearted Mahira had his black-heart captured. Mahira was the one who had the power of crushing him, and he didn't mind this defeat.

Mahira was so kind, loyal and caring. Just being in her presence softened his heart. He adored shielding and protecting her from the evils of this world, seeing her eye him as a hero. However, he was strict about Mahira not knowing about his tainted world. His dark ways were no way business of hers, and he was stern about making sure she didn't interfere in his matters. She didn't need to mingle with such things. She was too soft-hearted and unharmed, and he wanted her to stay that way.

Now ruffling his hair, he finally reached his office and began walking towards his chair.

"That will be all." He rudely waved off Jehan while sitting in his chair. His gaze already moved away from him.

"Course," Jehan nodded his head, scurrying out of the room. He knew better than to work lazily on Iyaz's commands. His boss was known to quickly lose his temper.

Grabbing his coffee cup from the desk, Iyaz leaned against his chair and began thinking of what gift he was going to buy for Mahira, today. At the time of their marriage, she had been so quiet and an introvert, but now, she trusted him. It was sweet to be the hero of such a kind soul.

Finishing his cup of coffee, Iyaz frowned as someone knocked on his door, followed by its opening.

"May I come in?" It was Nadia, his first wife, along with his son, Shahmeer.

Placing the cup down and folding his hands over his desk in boredom, Iyaz simply nodded. "You may."

"I was wondering if you would like to go and have lunch with us today?" Nadia smiled, as Shahmeer excitedly rushed towards him. Iyaz hugged the little boy with joy.

Nadia would often come to his building and ask him to join the family for lunch. It would be Shahmeer's request. She was only allowed here because Iyaz didn't really bother about her. He didn't bother about her whereabouts...but he made sure that Mahira stayed away from this place. He was often busy with some on-field work projects so didn't want her to be roaming around unattended in this workplace. He would personally crush anyone in the most torturous way ever... if they dared to make Mahira feel unwelcomed.

"Sure," he shrugged, picking his son up and closing his laptop. This woman irritated him, but he didn't mind spending some time with Shahmeer.