One

The room seemed to be closing in on them. The bright white chandelier lights suddenly became dim, darkening the edges of the room, thus enhancing his facial structures. His eyes flashed in an instant, Intensifying under her gaze. He must have looked like a demon, fierce and scary to anyone else but her. To Faride, he was an angel. Her angel. Her friend.

"Are you scared of me?" His deep hoarse voice sliced in the silence.

She gulped, feeling a bit scared for the first time. Him asking the question made it real. Brought it to life. What if this was the end for her? What if she never saw daylight again? Her legs quivered underneath her skirt. No. He would never hurt her. Or would he? That day at the pharmacy might have been the beginning of the end for her.

For a long time, she had questioned her decision that day, a year ago. Did she make the right decision? Was it a mistake? Would all this come crashing down on her? The biggest decision she had made in her life was on an impulse. How cliche. That would be the biggest blow to her. Everything she had been facing in her life, nothing would be compared to this, if it fell through. If he left. Her life would turn back to its bleak darkness, engulfing her, with no one to talk to, no friend to confide in. Thinking about it dampened her mood instantly and she felt terror grip her all over. No that wouldn't happen. InshaAllah. No, no.

Slowly she raised her eyes once more to look at him. His eyes were red and bulging from their depth. Scarily she felt safe. His look was home. His eyes were comfort. His gaze was serene. She sighed. No matter what happens, she would always love him. They had been through a hella lot together. He had been by her side without flinching. She wouldn't be the one to let go now. He was dangerous. People feared him. Grown men quivered at the sight of him. Strong men froze just at hearing his name. But here she was, alone with the demon himself. Yet all she felt was happiness. Contentment. Yes, there were moments in which she felt scared in his presence. But even in those times, somehow, she was sure he was never going to hurt her.

"No. Not anymore." She answered, straighting up, trying to look confident.

His finger grazed just the tip of her arm.

"You know, I'm not that scary."

"Not everyone believes that."

He smirked, "yeah. But I guess we have to leave them to their own opinions, no?"

She pushed down a smile. "You know what Victoria calls you?"

"Hmm. Let me guess." He scrunched up his nose in a childish way. He looked like a little boy at that moment and she loved it. Her heart tugged. It was very few times that she got to see him like this - carefree. "She calls me a demon?"

Faride burst out laughing. "No."

He raised an eyebrow.

"But something very similiar."

"Ahh. I knew it. My bad reputation precedes me of course."

"Well not so bad you know."

"Oh yeah?" He leaned in closer. She felt her heart beat faster, her hands clammy with sweat. His eyes looked brighter, more turquoise than they already were. Wait ...was it turquoise or grey? No they were green? What? Damnit Faride! Focus. Whatever color his eyes were, green like a snake or white like ice, she had totally forgotten. Her brain was frozen. And she didn't care. He was her water and she was drowning in him.

"So what does she call me?"

"Uh....devil." She whispered.

For a second, he tilted his head slightly. Then whispered softly. "She's right. Everyone knows it. I'm the devil."

Chills ran down her spine. Something in his voice - the steelness, the firmness, the glare in his eyes reassured her that he was serious. This was the tone he used for his enemies.

"I don't think you are." She heard herself say.

He leaned in closer. He towered over her with at least a feet. She looked up at him and they remained locked in each others' gaze. "I'm not as good as you think, Faride."

She smiled sadly. "You're not as bad as you think too."

He turned his face away from her but not before she saw the hurt etched on his forehead. He was hurting, she knew. But he didn't want to seem weak in front of her. Dambt men and their stupid ego! She thought sadly, how he would appear as a tough man, ruthless, commanding, merciless. She had known him enough to realise that he wasn't all that. He was loving and caring and fun. Beneath that tough facade lay a soft person. Someone in need of real friendship. Just like her.

"You don't know what you're saying." He finally replied, swallowing hard.

She moved closer to him. This was dangerous territory and she knew it. But at that moment she wanted to feel dangerous. For his fire to burn her. Their hands were touching now at the sides.

"Oh but I do."

"No one would ever believe you."

"So what? Who cares about what others think. To hell with them. I know you and that's not who you are."

He sighed. "Faride..."

"Let them think whatever they want to. I don't care." No one could stop people's thoughts or make them believe what they didn't want to. She had grown to realise that nothing changed people's minds. So why waste time pleasing others?

After a long pause, he looked straight at her and slowly, his lips turned upwards into a curve. "Yeah. Let them. We're together and that's all that matters." With one hand, he grabbed her waist softly and pushed her towards him until they could feel the heat from each other's bodies and their thundering heartbeats. "I don't want to ever lose you, Faride. You are mine." He was smiling fully now, his face lighting up, reminding her of a young boy, who had lived in their neighbourhood back in Nigeria years ago. He has been younger that her even then. Known for his love for his puppy, other kids around always teased him. The look Alessandro gave her reminded her of the look she had seen on the boy's face that day when he found his puppy after losing it for some hours. It was the look of pure happiness from deep within. Poor guy. He might be ruthless and fearless but deep down all he needed was someone to love.