Married to a Billionaire (Completed)

CHAPTER: 2

"The wedding was very nice," Sheikh-Amir said in a voice lower than before, to Serena.

"Yeah. It was beautiful if I do say so myself," she replied.  

"Adil looked very happy with his choice of a bride," he said.

Amir continued to watch her, his face unreadable.

"Why wouldn't he be happy? They are in love," she replied.

Amir said, "Marriage is not only for love."

Serena had been wondering where his pompousness had gone. So there it was, she thought. She shook her head, "No. Marriage is love."

He leaned closer towards her, close enough for her to smell his cologne, that was spice and sandalwood, and something else which was indefinably him.

He asked her, "Do you have a business card?"

She was taken aback, and also was momentarily flustered by the nearness of him, her normally ordered thoughts were scattered. "Um, a business card? Are you getting married soon?" she asked him.

"Yes," he replied.

Of course, he must be, she thought. She pulled out a card from the small evening bag she carried and handed it to him. "I didn't know you were engaged. Have you been together long? she asked him. 

"No. We only met recently, but I am positive she is the one. The woman I wish to marry," Amir replied.

All right then, Serena said.

Their fingers brushed as he took the card from her and an electric jolt traversed up her arm, and into her bloodstream due to the contact. Her heart raced, as his dark gaze fell over her lips.

Amir inched closer, as if...

His phone rang again, and he cursed. "Excuse me, but I must take this call." He then rose and tucked her business card into his pocket. "Serena, it was indeed a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for speaking with me."

He walked away, his phone glued to his ear, and Serena sat there and watched him leave. For some weird reason, she missed his presence. As if her world felt somewhat emptier, dull, and colorless without him."

Silly, considering he was practically married and the last thing she needed was more complications.

Two weeks later...  

Amir lunged forward, his red-gloved hands raised, hoping to catch his brother off balance once again, in their boxing duel.

But he had no such luck. His younger brother Sheikh-Zubair-AL-Aman, kicked him hard, hitting Amir in the hip and sending him sprawling across the mats.

"Come on, Amir. Get up, and come in the ring," Zubair said.

Amir bounded to his feet and stalked around his brother, searching for an opening. This time he tried a spin kick, but Zubair was ready for him again, and knocked his supporting leg out from under him, due to which he tumbled on the mats once more.

Frustrated and out of breath, Amir rolled to his back and stared at the overhead lights. Kickboxing wasn't something he did for pleasure, unlike Zubair. Amir had other purposes in mind. The strenuous workouts helped him to focus.

After a few minutes, Amir stood up, and pulled off his top, tossing it towards the ropes that were cordoning off the boxing rings. Back with a fighting spirit, he pointed his finger towards his brother, indicating that he was ready for a fight. "Let's go, Zubair."

Zubair gave him a ferocious grin, as they circled each other. He then took a light tap to his chin, and then returned it with a double punch to Amir's gut. They discussed business while exchanging punches. Zubair taking a single punch, but returning double to Amir.

Zubair then asked him, "What's going on with the board?"

"What do you think?" Amir replied. "They refused to reconsider their decision, nor are they going to allow me more time."

Amir had met the members of the board again that morning, but they were adamant- marry in the next two weeks or lose his position in the company. Emir-Hamza-Al-Aman, Amir's father, did not even have the decency to look apologetic.

"And what are you planning to do?" his brother Zubair asked him.

"I have things under control. The wedding planner who handled Adil's wedding is due to arrive today, from the U.S." 

Zubair swung with his right fist, but Amir ducked and caught his brother with a hard blow to his chest.

"What good is a wedding planner, without a bride?" Zubair asked.

Amir sidestepped to the right, missing a wild swing from his brother, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Zubair stopped, lowering his fists momentarily, his expression stunned. 

"The wedding planner is the bride." Amir stunned his brother with that news, and attacked him on his torso, as his brother was taken off-guard, listening to the news.

"Does she know this?" Zubair asked.

"Not yet," Amir replied.

"I think you should proceed very carefully. Rashid is waiting for you to fail. He has never liked the fact that our family was put in charge of the oil business. With Emir-Hamza, our father, as the senior board member, he fully expected to be named the C.E.O" Zubair said to Amir.

"I can handle Rashid," Amir said to him.

Zubair straightened then staggered back, holding up his hands in surrender, "But can she? If Rashid gets wind of your plan, he will do everything he can to ruin it. Maybe you should call this plan of yours off."

"No." Amir grabbed a towel and wiped the sweat from his face. "I cannot call this off."

"Why not?" His brother took a sip of water then leaned sideways, to peer at Amir, as the gym doors swung open.

"Because..." Amir sighed and turned towards him. There she was 'Serena Williams'. His bride. "She is already here." 

Serena walked into the boxing gym, her nose wrinkled from the smell of sweat and testosterone-charged atmosphere. This was the only free time that Sheikh-Amir had free in his schedule today, and with the wedding this close she had to take her time with him when she could. But still, she thought, he had contracted her to plan his wedding for him, and not to win the next heavyweight title.

Bright sunshine streamed in the hallway from behind her, and she blinked many times to allow her eyes to adjust to the dim lights in the room. Serena took a deep breath and then stared at the two sweaty, half-naked men in front of her. At least the money she would be receiving was good, she thought, though she had to clear her schedule for a week, to accept his request. It would be worth it, she thought, if the funds ensured her mother received adequate care.