"Henry."
"Liyah?" he said, equally shocked at seeing me. It had been years since we broke up, "How are you?" he asked smiling widely as he gave me a tight hug.
"I am good, how are you? It's been a while," I said smiling at him, his style had totally changed and he looked really good. "I know, funny bumping into you here," he said. Before I could answer I felt someone snaking their arm around my waist, I froze but after realizing it was Asher I slightly relaxed. He cleared his throat and kept glaring at Henry, Henry looked at Asher with an amused face. "Uh Henry meet Asher-"
"Her husband and you are?" Asher said in a firm voice. "Henry her ex," he said with a teasing smile. Asher's face got colder and firmer, like what is wrong with him. "Henry?" Aria said as she came closer to where we were, "You are Aria right?" Henry said as he shook her hand, "You two do have some resemblance," Henry added.
"Oh really, I know that but Zaliyah loves denying it all the time," Aria said with an awkward smile as her eyes glanced at Asher's hand on my waist. "You got married?" Henry asked with a smile, "Uh yeah kinda," I said trying to remove Asher's arm on my waist.
"Happy for you, we should catch up sometime."
"She doesn't have time for catch ups," Asher said trying to pull me away but I stood firm, "Don't be silly, I have all the time in the world," I said getting my phone out to get Henry's number. He gave me his number, "It was lovely meeting you Liyah," Henry said with a wink which left me giggling because I knew what it meant.
Asher rolled his eyes and pulled me to walk away but I looked back and waved at Henry, it was lovely bumping into him after we broke up, he left and went abroad to study. "Must be nice bumping into your exes and exchanging numbers," Asher said. I removed his hand finally from my waist and ignored his comment. "Henry is cute, you never told me why you guys broke up," Aria said coming between Asher and I. "He went abroad to study," I said. "Since his back, do you think you can like link up again. I see the way he was looking at you," Aria said teasing. I scoffed at her comment, "Henry looking at me? Don't be ridiculous," I said.
"Trust me he still wants you, you guys must link up."
"Of course we will link up, I will be a free woman in a few weeks," I said looking at Asher and he looked irritated.
"When is this outing thing ending again?" Asher asked irritated, "We just arrived, we still have some things to do," Aria said wrapping her hands around Asher's arm. Asher flinched at her touch and tried to create space but Aria was oblivious to his discomfort. We went to this new store that was selling some vintage outfits, my eyes gleamed. "Uh, I would like to check some things," I said stopping by the entrance. "Oh but the shop we are supposed to check out is over there," Aria said pointing at the shop across the shop, "I will join you when I am done," I said. She nodded and pulled Asher to go with her to the shop she wanted to visit. I entered the shop and it was amazing , it had really good vintage outfits, "Good day ma'am is there anything I can help you with?" an assistant greeted. "Uh not really. I am good thanks," I said. "Okay, happy shopping," she said with a smile as she went the other direction.
I looked around the store , the things were good but expensive. As I was scrolling through the shop I stopped by this dress that was on a mannequin and it looked so beautiful, it was a red dress that hugged the upper body and flared gently as it fell to the ground. The top was fitted and smooth, sitting off her shoulders while the sleeves were wide and structured. It had a high slit on the other side of the dress and the dress was accompanied by a wide brimmed red hat that made the mannequin look mysterious, as I touched the fabric lightly I could imagine the fabric caressing my skin, it was so smooth.
"Do you like it?" Asher whispered in my ear, I was frightened by his sudden appearance, I turned to face him, "You frightened me," I said placing my hand on my chest. He smiled lightly, and looked at the dress, "It would look good on you," he said and the next thing he was calling the assistant, " Good day sir how may I help?"
"She would love to try this dress out," he said pointing at the dress. I looked at him shocked, " No, I don't," I said confused as to when I said so. "Yes you did." The assistant smiled and when to get the dress for me to fit, "I didn't say that," I said to Asher. "Yes you did, your eyes said it all."
The assistant brought the dress and told me she would help me get into the dress, we went into the fitting room and she helped me put on the dress, as the dress was on me, I felt so beautiful, "This dress looks amazing on you," she said, "Is that your husband?" she asked. "Yes," I replied. I had fallen in love with the dress, "You guys are so cute," she said before she pulled the curtain open, I turned around and walked out and Asher looked at me with a shocked face, he seemed speechless but after sometime he gave me warm bright smile, his eyes were almost sparkling like.
"You...You are the most beautiful woman right now," he said as he approached me. He placed his finger under my chin and made me look up at him, "The most beautiful," he said as he stared into my eyes. "We are buying this dress," he said without even looking at the assistant, his eyes were on mine. "Thank you," I said in a whisper, his touch made my skin feel alive, it was just his finger but it made me tingle all over. His touch had so much power and him staring into my eyes made me feel so weak in the knees.
"Sir?" The assistant said breaking our staring contest, we pulled apart and I turned around to face the mirror to look at myself once more while Asher dealt with the payment, I went to remove the dress and when I came back the assistant took the dress to pack it. As I went to the counter i saw some couple of bags with some other stuff, " You got yourself some things?" I asked Asher. " No you did." he said. I looked at him confused, " Me?"
"Yes, I saw you admiring some other outfits and I bought them for you," he said casually. "What? How long have you been staring at me?"
"Long enough to see you fall in love with clothes," he teased. "What did you say to Aria?" I asked looking around for her. " I said I am coming to see what you are doing."
"But this was your-"
"You are my wife, I need to spend more time with you," he said cutting me off. We carried the bags out of the shop and we headed to where Aria was and she was also done buying her stuff. "Oh Zee I had an amazing idea, I was thinking we could have a double date." Aria said excited.
"What?" I asked confused.
"Me and Asher , you and Henry. Double date night," she said again.
"Are you insane?" Asher said looking at her. "No, why would you say that?"
"Zaliyah and I are still married," Asher scolded.
"So? You guys are going to get divorced soon and this marriage isn't like some real marriage," Aria said.
"Who said this marriage isn't real. Zaliyah and I are not going on any date we are still married. She is my wife and I am her husband respect that and know your place," Asher angrily said. He held my hand and pulled me away leaving Aria standing alone there speechless. What just happened?