Will there be a happy ending

"Yéye, if you don't mind, I would like to speak with Hidayah alone…" Nazreen spoke out while looking at the elder with obeisance. Loh Liwei nodded at his request and Nazreen walked towards Hidayah and pulled her gently by her wrist.

Knowing that she has no way to rebuff the notion, she could only comply and followed the man out of the hall.

When they were out of the hall, the man turned to her and asked, "Is there any place we can speak alone in comfort? The garden perhaps?"

"Sure, follow me." Hidayah then walked towards the garden and led the man towards the patio erected in the middle of the English garden. The patio was dimly lit by the moonlight. On the patio, a set of vintage cast wrought iron furniture adorns the space. Hidayah took a seat on one of the chairs and Nazreen followed suit opposite her.

"What are you doing here, Mr Nazreen? I thought I have already addressed my intent to have the marriage annulled?" Hidayah said with an indifferent face, looking straight at him. Her face may be calm but her heart was beating so fast and loud, she was afraid he could hear them.

"Well, first of all, I'm fine, thank you, and I've missed you. Secondly, this is an Islamic marriage, not civil marriage. Hence, there is no such thing as an annulment of marriage. Plus, I have taken my vows in the name of Allah, so I intend to keep my vows. Furthermore, you're 'single' and I'm 'single', so why don't you give us a chance instead?" Nazreen replied in a 'matter-of-fact' manner.

"We do not know each other and we do not love each other. I do not believe a man such as you do not have any woman by your side before our marriage." Hidayah retorted back.

"Come on… In the past, people get married without knowing each other too… if they can live and stay married till the end of their life, why can't we?" Nazreen gave her a smile. Looking at his smile with his head tilted a little to his left while leaning on the back of the chair, hands clasping together in front of him, exuding a sexy, cunning emanation, Hidayah's heart skipped a beat.

God, why is he so sexy? Be still my heart… You're not some high school girl in heat!

"My marriage was meant for my parents to decide. Besides, I believe you have investigated my background. That's why you could be here now. Thus, you should already know that I am not a good woman. Plus, I am a dirty woman, Mr Nazreen. You have witnessed it yourself. So why do you insist to keep this marriage?"

"Yes, you are right. You may not be a good woman and you are no longer a 'pure' lady but I know that it was not consensual so why should I judge you for something you were forced into? Plus, you were born into the family. Not married into... Anyway, your family is not that bad. Believe me, I've seen worse." he replied nonchalantly.

"I cannot marry into your family."

"I can…"

Hidayah was aghast with his callous responses. "You willing to leave your career and your family?"

"Why not?"

"You're royalty… What would your family say?"

"I have 3 elder brothers who have married and have their own children to continue the bloodline. My family will be fine if even if I were to marry into your family." Hidayah really cannot win this battle of wits. She was dumbfounded by Nazreen's lack of concern. She began to doubt the real reason as to why the man is insisting on staying. Was there a hidden agenda?