Inaya's POV

"Inaya! Put that down!" Dominic tries stepping closer but I only shove the gun harder onto the side of my head.

He immediately stops coming closer.

"You're right, I do deserve better. But have you thought about how you equally deserve better?" I laugh sadly. "Why would you want someone as broken as me? You could have someone who's much more beautiful, more your type, who's a lot more stable with less flaws. Someone who's rich, powerful and will be your equal."

"Don't be stupid... just... put that down..." He tries to tell me calmly but there's clear panic in his eyes.

"Wouldn't all of our problems disappear if I just die? You'll get rid of the girl who's a liability, your constant need for my body would disappear and you'll find someone who's prettier; overall, you'll get rid of the girl who's been a constant headache and a thorn on your side. On top of that, my uncle would be dancing on my grave knowing that I'm officially dead." I smile sadly. "Oh wait, he already thinks I'm dead, huh."

"You're not a headache or a liability, Inaya. Just put that down and stop talking nonsense." He says slowly.

"You said the only way I can leave is over your dead body but the only way I can walk away from you is over my dead body." I say.

He looks at me with furrowed brows.

"Because I can't let you go no matter what I do. I love you, Dominic. Whatever I said last night, every bit of it is true." My lips tremble. "Yes, I'm insecure. Yes, I think about how you could have someone who's a thousand times better than me. But for the first time in my life, I want to be selfish. I need you in my life or else I'd be empty."

"Inaya..."

"So, Dominic Belcastro, if it's a choice between you walking away or me," I clutch the gun tighter. "I think I'd be better if I just leave—"

Dominic launches himself at me, smacking the gun out of my grasp and at the same time, grabbing a hold of me. He ran towards me so fast that we ended up against the closest wall because of the speed of things.

Dominic slams his hands on wall with me in the middle. "Don't you ever fucking do that to me. Don't ever fucking scare me like that."

"Why not? Tell me why I can't do that to you. Give me one good reason." I push him.

"Because—because, I don't know! Maybe I fucking love you, damn it!" He yells.

I wrap my arms around his waist. "That's a good enough reason for me."

"Why... why would you scare me like that? I couldn't breathe for a goddamn minute!" He says quietly but with intensity.

"It was for extremely selfish reasons. I wanted to know... how you'd react if I put myself in danger."

He looks down at me, flabbergasted. "Wait, you weren't really going to—?"

I smile guiltily with tears still peaking through blurring my vision. "No... your gun's safety switch was on and I forgot how to disengage it. Plus, it's forbidden to take your own life or someone else's in Islam, so I had that going for me... and you."

"You sly fox." He chuckles almost nervously. "You almost gave me a heart attack."

"You love me? Did you mean it?" I ask.

"Mhm, I have never said that out loud to any soul in my life." He sighs.

"Should I feel special?" I tease him.

"Very." He caresses my back. After a bit of silence, he states, "Let's do it right now."

I stop moving. "Do—do what?"

"Get married. Let's elope." He says.

"Dominic..."

"You don't want to?" He frowns.

"I definitely want to but are you sure?" I ask.

"I've never been so sure of something in my entire life." He says with a smile.

"I'm the first person you've said you loved and the first person to make you sure about something? I'm honoured." I poke fun at him but in reality, my heart is about to fall out of my chest from nervousness.

Get married right now? Is this happening?

He grabs my hand and starts running until we reach his car. He helps me sit down and I grab his hand before he leaves, "Are you sure about this, Dominic? I assure you I'm not going to be upset if you're not. There's no rush."

"Are you second-guessing this?" He asks me.

"I'm not... I wouldn't but I don't want you to feel like I'm pressuring you into it."

He leans in and presses a lingering, gentle kiss on my forehead. "Like I said, I've never been more sure of something in my life, amore mìo."

So, that's exactly what we did that afternoon. We went to the city hall and got a marriage license but Dominic wasn't satisfied with that. He didn't want to wait until after a ceremony for our certificate so... he basically bribed them to get us a marriage certificate and legally change my last name before the ceremony.

We called in Angela, Lenny, Benny and Caterina to be our witnesses and that was that. I was officially Mrs. Inaya Belcastro.

I cried, I cried some more and held Caterina and Angela close. I'm married, I found the one and I wish my parents were here to see that I found someone; not because they'd be proud of me but because they said I'd never find someone, that no one would ever love me enough to marry me.

"One more thing... we need to complete your Islamic marriage for Inaya's side."

I look at Caterina, shaking my head slightly. Islamic marriage won't work in our situation... Dominic isn't Muslim.

"I called the mosque already, I explained your situation to the uncle and he said it may not be valid but it's better if it's done. He said once or if the groom decides to convert, this can become valid."

I thought I wouldn't be able to cry more but I did, I cried some more until everything was done.

• • •

"He did that? Boss, don't worry. We'll handle this." Benny says with clear anger on his face.

Lenny and Angela are just as visibly shaken.

Dominic nods. "I expect you do."

It's time for everyone to leave. I asked them to stay longer but apparently, Benny, Lenny and Angela have some kind of project to finish, while Caterina said she didn't want to interrupt newly weds.

"Be gentle with her tonight, Dom." Caterina winks before she leaves, making me blush extremely.

After everyone was out of sight, Dominic suddenly picks me up bridal-style.

"Woah! Dominic!" I squeal as he steps inside of the elevator in our home.

Oh my God, I just said our home.

He leans in and touches our noses together. "You're so fucking beautiful. I can't wait to see every inch of your flawless soul and body." His voice is low and raspy.

If I were standing, I'm sure my legs would've gone limp within seconds.

And tonight, tonight I'm ready to give him my soul and body. He's the only man I'd show every inch of myself to and not regret it because of the amount of love I have for him.

But I'm also afraid, I'm afraid that I'm not good enough... I'm just not enough for him. I'm afraid that he might lose interest in me because I'm boring.

But I won't let those thoughts disrupt me tonight. I'll have to build my own confidence. I have to create faith in myself for myself.

Once we reach his room, he places me on the bed, sitting upright. He gently grabs the edge of my scarf and unwraps it from around my neck.

My nerves are at their depths. I couldn't breathe, I could barely move.

The part of the scarf that's still sitting on my head, slowly slips off and he runs his hands through it.

I grab his hand to stop him.

"What's wrong? Do you want to wait?" He asks with concern.

I shake my head. "Let me freshen up."

"It doesn't matter to me. I don't need you to—"

"Please."

He could tell I was nervous and flashes me his most charming smile. "Okay, I'll be waiting for you, amore mìo."

- - -

Next Update: Monday, January 13, 2020.