#Chapter Thirty Two#

I turned up the volume on my phone and adjusted my earphones so that they were sitting in my ears properly. With one last swig of water and a stretch of my legs, I was off.

As I pushed my legs to run faster, I felt the three guards behind me pick up speed too. The weather was scorching hot today, but since I had chosen to come to the beach for my workout, there was a nice cool breeze drifting towards me from the ocean. It was a Monday morning which meant there weren't many people out and about, however, I smiled at the few people that happened to pass me by.

As I ran, I breathed in the refreshingly salty air and glanced at the water that seemed to crystallise with the shining rays from the sun. The yellow sand contrasted with the sharp blue of the water and every now and again, an orange light would glitter from the shore as a crab came out to play.

Looking forward again, I smiled at the palm trees that formed a canopy over my head, shielding me from the blistering heat. And with nothing but the best of the best playing in my ears - the Qur'an of course - I felt so at peace with myself, at least, more than I have been in the last month. My discovery about Isaac had left me feeling extremely uneasy and worried and with Salem gone not to return for another week and a half, I really didn't know who to confide in.

I didn't know what to do.

I was lost.

These were the feelings that had been looming over my head for the past week since I discovered the bug in baba's office. If I told baba he would dismiss me with the wave of a hand and mention how ridiculous I was being. Ziad was too busy with his work and family and Samir was on holiday, so burdening the both of them with this piece of information felt silly. Salem was the only person I felt confident in telling, but then again, he had been a day away from his wedding when I found it and it also felt wrong to stress him out before his big day.

And now I'd have to wait for him and Mira to return. Until then, I'd have to just take my own precautions. I didn't remove the bug because I wanted it to be there as proof when I explained everything to Salem but secondly, if I did move it then Isaac would know someone was on his tail.

It was just absolute agony watching him walk around our house, acting like best buddies with baba when in reality, he was stabbing him in the back for reasons I didn't know just yet.

When I had woken up this morning, I decided a change of scenery was exactly what I needed and within an hour, found myself here.

Nature could really work wonders on the human mind and body.

I ran for a full fifteen minutes without pause. It was only when something caught my attention from my peripheral vision did I skid to a halt and retrace my steps. The guards all stopped too and followed me to the little opening between a bush of trees. Despite their harsh breathing, I knew they were excited to do something with a little more physical appeal today.

I gasped once I shuffled my way into the bushes, meeting with a most unexpected sight. Thinking back, I realised I had been running mostly uphill, so know, I found myself on a sort of hill above the amazing view of our beach and city merging together in the horizon. It seemed that this was a lookout once upon a time but its platform was obstructed from view by the growing bush.

"This is stunning," Ahmad breathed, his eyes roaming across the expanse of land.

I nodded my head in agreement. "I think I've found my new favourite place."

"Don't worry, we won't tell anyone about it," Omar joked and we all laughed.

"You guys know me too well," I said with a small smile.

"I actually didn't know you could run that fast and that far," Bilal added with a sheepish smile and I grinned in return.

"According to baba, I loved running back when I was a kid. Apparently Salem and I would have a daily routine but I really don't remember that." I frowned and looked back at the view one last time. "OK, let's head back so we're home before lunch."

Two hours later, I was back home and showered. I prayed duhur and read a few pages from my Qur'an, despite the fact that my eyes were drooping already. I wanted a midday nap more than anything, but I knew that if I slept now, I'd get no sleep at night.

Knowing I needed to distract myself, I got dressed in an aqua blue staple dress and wrapped on a patterned hijab to match before making my way downstairs.

Things were a little better between baba and I. Everyday, I made it a point to go into his office and spend some time with him, trying to regain the trust and faith I felt I had lost. If I wanted him to believe me when I spilled about Isaac, then he needed to trust me first and understand that my concerns were real and not fabricated out of jealousy.

I knocked on his door and walked in after a few seconds of silence. Baba's desk was empty, however, Isaac was leaning back against his leather chair, staring at me with questioning eyes.

I scoffed. He was looking at me as if I had no right to be here.

Whilst I'm here, I may as well see if I can get anymore dirt on him.

"Asalamu alaikum," I mumbled, leaving the door open. I slowly stepped towards baba's desk and sat down in his seat.

He replied the salam and then continued to just stare at me from across the room. I cocked an eyebrow at him then pretended to glance around the room in thought. When I looked back at him, he was still staring at me with that intense, unwavering gaze.

"Can I help you?" he asked finally, moving forward so that his elbows were resting atop the table.

"Nope. Just wanted to see baba."

He continued to look at me. "He's not here and won't be for another hour or so."

I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly. "I guess I'll just wait for him then. I'm bored anyway."

"Yes, I forgot bludgers like you have nothing better to do than wait on other people," he replied with a wicked smirk. I clenched my fists and his eyes immediately landed on them, an amused laugh escaping his lips. "So weak. One sentence and you're already up in flames."

I relaxed my fists and let out a sigh, as if his words had no effect on me. "No, I think you're the weak one here. Going around flinging insults and uncalled for comments in my face, in my home and to the very family that keeps food on your table." I sighed again, sadly. "But I guess some people just like to work dirty."

There was an underlying meaning to my last sentence and whether Isaac actually caught on, I wasn't too sure. His eyes did narrow in suspicion and most likely, a bit of hatred, but other than that he showed no signs on picking up on the hint.

"Tell me Isaac," I continued, picking up a pen and twisting it between my thumb and forefinger, "why did you really start working for baba. Is it fame? Status? Money? Greed?"

"I don't like people who beat around the bush Sameena," he spoke in a crisp tone, his face as steely as ever.

"Nor do I. So please, answer the question."

"I'm not entitled to answer to you and even if I was, it's for none of those reasons. You're just as naive as I thought."

"Hmm, maybe not as naive as you think I am." I pretended to drop the pen under the desk and as I bent down to pick it up, I saw his eyes widen in panic. Once my face was hidden from his view, I smiled slyly and quickly checked to see that the bug was still there. It was. I sat back up and smirked at his distressed expression. "You see Isaac, because I'm a woman I've constantly been undermined in society. And everyone whose underestimated me, I've proven them wrong. So don't you dare think, not even for a second, that you can push me - or my family - around. Since the very first day you walked into this house my intuition surrounding you has been bad and the more I saw of you, the worse it got. I'll tell you from now. I don't trust you and I definitely have my eye on you."

I surprised even myself with how fierce my voice had come out. I crossed my arms over my chest and levelled my gaze with Isaac's furious one. Slowly, almost like a predator, he got up from his seat and began to trail his way towards me.

My heartbeat quickened and despite my efforts, my hands began to shake a little.

But this is what you wanted. You wanted to make him angry.

I lifted my chin and gathered every bit of courage left within me as he neared baba's desk. Placing his palms on the table, he leaned forward. "Listen here you little bitch. Ever since day one, you've been an annoying parasite, one who hasn't given me nor your father a break. I've always thought women in general were bothersome, intolerable even, but you pushed the boundaries. I suppose it's the luxurious, spoiled life delivered to you on a shining platter that shaped your personality, but don't you dare sit there and try to psychoanalyse me. I'm the one here who's working towards a better cause, a better future and if you get in my way, I won't hesitate to-,"

"Are you threatening me?!" I questioned in a loud voice, cutting him off. First he swore at me and now this?

He leaned in closer until his face was a good few centimetres from mine and despite the fact that I knew I should be moving away, the stubborn side of me refused to show any signs of weakness in front of him. "And what if I am?"

"You're disgusting," I spat. "You have absolutely no respect, no shame, no-,"

"What the hell is going on here?!" a voice bellowed from the doorway. We both snapped our heads in the same direction to find a furious Tariq standing there with an angry scowl on his face.

Uh-oh.

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A/N

I know, I know, it's short. I know, I know, where's all the Romance and Tariq and Sameena?! Don't worry, you're all VERY close to finding out about their history in the next few chapters. Everything will be revealed insha'Allah!

Uni has been #$^%@ -.- and I've had no time to write. In fact, I have a 2500 word essay due on Friday but have I started? Nope. Make dua guys, I have heaps of exams and assessments coming up; that's why this chapter was so short.

Nonetheless, please do comment and vote and let me know your thoughts :)

Au revoir amigos!