Nailah Zayed.

Maroudi, Nigeria.

The tension between my father-in-law and Ayaan Fadel was hard to miss. Others could simply label it as the result of crazy stunt Ayaan pulled to meet the old man without having to go through us but I knew better.

Aside from making us look incompetent, making me look incompetent, I knew there has to be something running through that mind of his. It was obvious from the look in his eyes and that sadistic smile of his that people mistake as a friendly one.

I also didn't miss the tension between him and Imran. My best guess is, there's something going on between the two as well. I had my guess when Imran stormed out the day Ayaan held a press conference.

There was something about Imran that I had never seen which appeared in that brief moment he stormed out. He hadn't realized my presence before he stormed out—and it took him a long while before he returned.

When he came back, everything between us turned back to square one.

I thought it would at least be different but how wrong I was. It was like nothing happened at all; and we were back to being strangers with that label of 'married couple' attached to us.

I would be lying if I said my heart didn't sink because of that. But, I tried to mask it and focused on getting a hang of myself again. There was no time for me to sit and be sobbing, I knew I needed to work harder than before to get what I want.

I refuse to sit and lose.

And so, I worked my ass off for the past few days thinking of ways to get back at Ayaan but nothing has popped up. I was left with nothing more than to dig into his past and see what I can find. It's proving to be hard, but I'll keep trying until I get it.

As for my father-in-law, he's yet to say anything but I was already filled with dread. He already knows I was the last person to meet Ayaan on business basis and not Imran, plus we didn't strike any deal but suddenly, Ayaan made a press conference to claim otherwise.

He could've refuted it, and go down legal basis with Ayaan but that will be stressful. Besides, this is what he wants, just not that he has to do the work himself.

He hadn't said it, but despite what he told us, he didn't believe Ayaan is worthy—and doesn't consider him someone he needed to stress himself over.

He was more of a man he can use to his advantage, and not one that could become an enemy if such fails to happen. That's who Ayaan is to him.

Yet somehow, that same man managed to drag him down to meeting him one-on-one.

Even as I stand outside the conference room, along with the others, watching the two left alone in there conversing I had a bad feeling about it.

Those two men put together is simply bad news. And, more than anyone; I fear for myself. I fear what my father-in-law is capable of if this goes wrong. For all I know, Ayaan could be there exposing me and stating countless reasons why a business wouldn't be possible between them.

I would be screwed if that is the case.

It of course wouldn't hurt him. He has the upper hand, he can simply do what he does best apparently—that is, hold a press conference and announce that he will no longer be in business with us for a reason he would make up which will undoubtedly screw us all up.

It's extremely messy truthfully.

I'm not sure how long their meeting lasted, but at one point, both men got on their feet and shook hands; and I could only hope that's a good sign. A few words were exchanged between them before Ayaan was escorted out.

He stepped out first, my father-in-law in tow. The older man stopped, and turned to look at me with his usual blank expression. I could swear my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach—and I swear I wouldn't be surprised if it showed across my facials.

My fear that is.

"Nailah." He called out in his gruff voice that had my heart sinking even more. "Show them out, will you?"

I released a breath I didn't know I was holding, and then nodded. "Of course." I shifted my gaze to Ayaan, yawing it blank. "Shall we?"

He nodded, before turning around to exchange farewells with the older man again. I wonder who he's trying to fool with that attitude of his. I held back to urge to roll my eyes, and simply looked away as they concluded their goodbyes before we made our way to the elevator along with the three men he came with.

The two of us stepped in the elevator first, and just as the three made an attempt to get in; he rose his hand to stop them. "Take the next one." Not waiting for their response, he extended his hand and tapped the button that would take us to the first floor.

I didn't miss the dumbstruck expression that took over one of the men's expression—I think he's his assistant or something. Still, the man didn't argue but did stare at his boss as if wondering whether the man had grown five heads or something.

When the doors closed, I looked up—my gaze meeting his. I then looked away, focusing my gaze on the doors instead. It didn't take long before the doors opened again and without wasting a second, I stepped out hastily. He of course had long legs, so catching up with me wasn't hard for him.

The building is already buzzing with people; most of which stopped to stare at us as we made our way out. I straightened my spine, and squared my shoulders as I walked with my head held high. No matter what, I always hold up my face here and I wouldn't fail to do simply because of this man walking beside me.

I could hear their whispers just like earlier. The only difference being, when we came in earlier, we weren't alone so I even forgot their presence. Now though, I was overly aware of it. And to make matters worse, he decided to speak then.

"Your expression is giving you away."

"Huh?" I looked up, resisting the urge to glare at him in public. It wouldn't do any well with our new collaboration.

He turned around, his eyes sleekly giving my face a onceover before his lips stretched into a slight smirk. "You're making it too obvious that you hate me." He stated casually; not seeming fazed by the attention in the slightest bit.

This time around, I couldn't help my eyes. I rolled my eyes. "What's the point of hiding it?"

Though I wasn't looking at him, I felt his gaze on me for a split second before he let out a slight chuckle. "I see you've regained your confidence." The amusement in his voice was hard to miss. "When your husband came to threaten me, I thought I wouldn't see your face again." He commented calmly.

My brows drew in, lips slanted into a slight frown. So, Imran did visit him. He doesn't seem hurt in the slightest bit so that's something. For a second, I thought of the worst.

I didn't have to reply, because we were soon walking past the sliding doors that served as the building's main entrance. However, his men still aren't here so yet again, we'd have to spend a few more minutes alone before they depart.

I avoided his gaze, and hoped he would take my silence as a sign for him to zip his lips shut and make this less hard than it needs to be. But, since when has he ever done that?

"Once the contract has been drawn out, we'd sign and the partnership is a done deal." Unlike earlier, this time, his tone didn't hold any amusement whatsoever. "Just a heads-up, you should stay alert. You never know what will hit you soon."

"Your arrogance is overbearing." The nerve of this man to act so casual, as if he didn't threaten me just a few days ago and here he is, starting up casual conversations as if he had done nothing wrong. One might even mistake him for someone who is innocent and truly friendly. Or perhaps, someone that even cares about me.

Oh please, I know better.

He didn't reply, because the three men he came with made an appearance then; the one from earlier giving us curious looks. This time around, I didn't even try to hold myself back from glaring at him. I didn't like the way he looked at me—the suspicion in his eyes was blatant.

Keep formalities aside, it seems there's no point trying to keep up with these men. So, without so much as another look spared in their direction, I fisted my hand by the side and strolled back into the building—fully intending to head to my office first before meeting the others.

I've always been good at keeping my emotions in check, but when that man is in the equation, my anger always skyrockets.

~*~

True to Ayaan's words, it only took five days before the final draft of the contract to be signed by both parties publicly. It was the first time Hadi Groups is signing contract in the eyes of the press to be broadcast publicly. Given, it's one of the most important, if not the most important contracts we're signing.

But that isn't the real reason for the public signing of events.

Ayaan is behind it—it was one of his conditions as ridiculous as it may sound. I wonder whether no one cared about his hidden agenda behind; because there obviously is one. Else, why would the contract signing be publicized?

Nonetheless, no one made a note regarding it. They all simply agreed to it with no questions whatsoever.

That didn't last for long though, because the press had quite a lot of questions regarding it; but none was answered.

Having had an extremely stressful week, I decided to stop by my favorite spa. What? I may be under a lot of stress and a potential risk of losing everything, but I still need to take care of myself first before I can fight back.

And trust me, I am doing something. I'm just waiting for the right time. It's coming, sooner than you'd all expect.

The spa time lasted for over an hour or two. I wasn't sure, time flies by pretty fast when I'm there, and I would be lying if I said by the end of it I wasn't relaxed and thinking with a much clear head compared to when I walked in.

While fixing my hijab in the private room I always occupy, I heard the door open and a pair of footsteps came. My gaze shifted from my reflection on the mirror, to person that walked in. My mood instantly dampened, lips set into a frown.

"Who gave you permission to be here?" I inquired, my voice low. The last thing I need is the people outside to overhear our conversation. I don't need a scandal now of all times.

Having just signed a contract with Fadel Affiliation, my dearest father-in-law felt it was necessary to warn me, of all people, to make sure and not get involved in any scandal for the mean time since it won't be of any good to us.

But truthfully, I hardly get into any. I'm always ahead of the situation.

Instead of giving me an answer, she looked around the room; scrutinizing it. The action lasted until I turned around to look at her fully, and then she flashed me one of her famous smirks.

"There's no need for you to try so hard to be a bitch. You already are one." Her eyes gave me a onceover, before she huffed and muttered something under her breath.

Rolling my eyes, I decided to leave since I'm already done here. I don't want to stoop down to her level. Now is not the time.

However, just as I attempted to walk past her, she extended her hand out and held my arm in a bruising grip. Not expecting the move, I took staggering steps back as she drew me back. I was quick to recover though; my anger spiking.

It was more of an act of reflex. Me digging my free hand into hers and yanking it away from me that is. Her eyes widened slightly, but she was quick to hold herself back on her feet before she fell face flat on the floor.

"Put your hand on me again, and I promise, you won't have one anymore." I gritted out, glaring out at her.

Her nose flared slightly, lips curling upwards in a snarl. Fisting her hand by the side, she was able to get her emotions in check. I had a bad feeling though the minute a sinister smile took over her expression again, as she slipped her hand into her bag. "Well, I happen to have a little surprise for you so why don't you see it first before leaving?"

I arched a slight brow, just in time she pulled out a handful of pictures and threw it on the ground in front of me. At first, I didn't realize what they were until I looked closely; and then my heart dropped.

Noting my expression, I heard a slight chuckle come from her. "Now is not the time for you to pull that face, my dearest Nailah." Basma taunted, in that voice of hers I'd always hated. Dropping her bag aside, she took a couple of steps towards me, though my eyes were still pinned on the pictures on the floor. "I hope you're ready to answer to the press about why you, who is married, met Ayaan Fadel at a hotel of all places."

See, I wouldn't have been worried if it was just that. I knew it's a business meeting, one that even Imran was invited to if not that he bailed.

However, these pictures showed something else. It was like the person who snapped it did so with the intention of insinuating something's going on between us because all angles showed so.

It even showed him opening my car door for me, and quite a lot that showed us looking at each other.

Another reason I'm worried is knowing the press of Maroudi. They would use this and chew me out in the worst ways possible.

They would make my life hell for this.

And to make matters worse, Basma busted into fits of laughter then; clearly enjoying my misery. "Your face makes everything worth it." She uttered in between her laughter. "And for your information, these are circulating across the web as we speak."

Wait...what?

I was quick to snap my gaze to her, lips slightly parted as my mind ran across a thousand possibilities of what could go wrong. To make matters worse, my phone started to blow up at that moment. Ping after ping came in strings; the screen lightening up with each message that came through.

That wasn't the worst of it.

The absolute worst, and my biggest fear was when the screen lit up again—displaying my mother-in-law's name across the screen.

Basma seemed to have seen it to too; because her lips stretched into the widest grins out there. "Well, welcome to hell, Nailah."