Nailah Zayed.

Maroudi, Nigeria.

"We need to talk."

I didn't bother to turn around to look at him, already knowing what my answer would be. So, I continued my strides, ignoring him. I could hear the sound of his hastened steps, and quicker than I expected, he came to walk beside me—having caught up.

I blew out a not so visible breath, my gaze fixed on my car a little up ahead. I could've hasten my steps to avoid exchanging any words with him, but I didn't. There's no point in doing that. My point had already been sent across.

We've discussed our reason for being here. So, what else do we need to talk about?

"Nailah." His voice came again, this time, a bit sterner than earlier. It's cute how he thinks that will work on me. He seems to confound my fear of his father as my fear of him. "I just said we need to talk." He was hoping I would at least stop and listen to what he would say.

But since when have I ever done that?

Not turning around to spare him a glance, or halt my movements, I voiced out my reply. "There's nothing to talk about." As far as I'm concerned, there's nothing for us to discuss. The only thing up for discussion was business, and we're through with that.

"You threw me out of the house." He stated, like it's the most bizarre thing I ever did.

Unable to help myself, I flicked my head up and threw him a look, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at him. "I sent you back to where you came from. There's a difference." Technically, I did throw him out but as far as I'm concerned, he left with his legs.

I didn't drag, nor have him dragged out. So, where's my fault in that?

"You can't do that."

"Too bad. I did."

He must've realized nothing he said would make me budge, because his hand suddenly shot up and the next thing I was his hand clasping around my arm, making up both stop. Taking a step forward, he blocked my path leaving me with no choice but to look up, and throw him a slight glare.

He held back my gaze, unwavering. For the next few seconds, we only exchanged a look with no words voiced out. At least, until he decided to speak. "Nailah, I swear, nothing happened between me and Basma." His words came out slow, as if that will send his point across.

Wringing my hand out of his hold, I was slightly surprised to see how easily I was able to do that. However, I knew he intentionally let go because I stand no chance against his strength. Still, I pushed those thoughts aside straightened my spine—my gaze still fixed on his obsidian orbs.

"I don't care." I truly don't. "All I ask of you is, if you are going to see other women, at least go to those on the same social level as I am. Someone like her is an insult to me."

So what if she comes from an influential family and is pretty well known too? I don't care. There's nothing anyone can say that will convince me she and I are on the same social level. We aren't.

And to think my husband would stoop as low as to mingle with someone like her? I can't tolerate anything but that.

Imran blew out a breath, before looking away for a brief second as if trying to gather his thoughts. The action lasted a couple of seconds, before his gaze met mine again. "I mean it, Nailah. Nothing happened between she and I."

"And yet, you reeked of her stench."

"That was...I...we just..."

Pathetic. He couldn't even explain himself.

See the thing is, I wasn't even asking for one. I was perfectly alright with him holding in whatever happened and going on with our lives. But no, he just had to keep bringing it back and look where we are now.

No longer wanting to stand there and listen to him stammer like a kid learning how to speak, I decided to end the conversation. "Look, I genuinely don't care what you do outside our home. I never spoke about it before, did I?" It wasn't the first time he came home like that, and I'm certain it won't be the last.

He didn't reply, already knowing the answer.

And perhaps, if I was dumb, I would've fallen for his look of guilt. Who is he trying to deceive though? It cannot be me. I nearly laughed at the thought. Oh please, I should be the last person he would try that nonsense on.

"—Exactly." The answer is clear. "All I ask of you is to at least acquaint me with the slightest bit of respect if you're capable of that. Nothing more." Not bothering to spare him another look, I side stepped him and went on to walk away.

The sun was out bright, and if there is something I particularly hate about Maroudi, it is the blinding sun. So, in an attempt to relieve myself of potentially turning blind at this rate, I brought out my shades and donned it.

A few steps later, I reached where I parked my RS3 Sedan and got into the driver's seat. Whilst keeping my bag in the passenger seat, I didn't miss the sight of him strolling over to his car which he parked beside mine. I ignored him, and focused on driving my car as far away from the restaurant and onto the road.

I've wasted enough time today. It's about time I head back to work.

At least then, my mind would be off the never-ending problems that get thrown my way. At the same time, in the back of my head, I couldn't help but think about this new assignment we were given.

Call it a hunch or something, something about it doesn't sit right with me. And I always trust my hunches. Downside here is, I can't exactly pinpoint what my issue is. And that worries me greatly.

~*~

"Ayaan Fadel; only child to Hosain and Rabia Fadel whom recently moved to Maroudi after residing in the United States for half their life. However, there's no history of how his business actually started. All that's known is that he had strong connections considering his father is pretty rich and prominent too, and in just over five years since he graduated, he had landed himself a spot as Nigeria's top CEO's and eligible bachelor--" She paused, moving onto the next slid.

My eyes shifted from one picture to the multiple ones displayed across the screen—showcasing different moments and achievements of his life.

"—Having taken over most of his father's business, his top achievement comes from taking the real estate business into a whole other level. Like I said, his connections are one of the reasons that made people took a lot more interest in him. Though, that's just the assumed reason. The real one, no one knows. Ayaan is yet to arrive in Maroudi, and is expected to do so the day before the Maroudi Summit. Frankly speaking though, a lot of people are anticipating it. Especially since only quite a few number of people know him on a personal level."

I nodded, drawing my lower lip in between my teeth as I leaned back on my swivel chair, legs crossed. My eyes were fixed on the screen opposite me, and my head tilted to the side slightly as I watch my assistant go about explaining everything she'd found on the man.

"Is there anything odd regarding him? Any dirt on him or something?"

"None at all. He's clean." She shrugged her shoulders, kissing her teeth. "Nothing I could find no matter how hard I check."

I arched a brow slightly, the wheels in my head turning.

I meant it when I said something about him wasn't sitting right with me. And as such, I had her dig him up for whatever she can find. I don't want basics. If that's the case, my father, and father-in-law have provided me with that.

What I want is something deep. I want his skeletons ripped out of the closet.

It's nothing personal, considering I don't even know the man. However, I do not like the uneasiness that comes with him. And as such, I was willing to go to any length to dig up whatever I can about the man.

Don't get me wrong, he isn't the first one I'm doing this sort of background check on. I do that with every client I'm given. This time around, the elders have already provided me with everything I need. However, I can't really say I'm satisfied with it.

He seemed perfect. Too perfect.

And trust me, from someone who's living the 'perfect' life, I know no one is that perfect. But, he is apparently and it isn't sitting well with me.

"Is that the only thing you've got?" I voiced out, my brows squished together as I stared at the information displayed across the screen. If this is all she can dig up, then I just wasted my time and money here because I have that, and even more.

She turned around to meet my gaze, before shaking her head no. "I have other information on him but it's all business related. There's not much about his family or his personal life."

"There has to be something." I just know there is. Sure, I have my flaws too and yet, no one—at least, no one that isn't close can know what they are.

Like I said before, this is the dark-side of my story. So, you have a free access to the side no one else knows about. However, to everyone and in other's eyes, I live under the spotlight—and my life couldn't be any more perfect.

They can try to get some dirt on me, but I cover my tracks well. They can't get it easily.

That to say doesn't mean it's impossible. All it takes is someone extremely persistent. Someone like me you can say, and then it will all be laid out bare.

And that includes the part I'm not willing to share. The part I've dug up the ground six feet deep, threw in, and bury with sweat and blood. You won't understand now, but you will later. Just trust the process.

It's the same with this Ayaan guy.

If our parents are so desperately trying to be in business with him, my question is, what makes him so different from others? This is the first time my father-in-law is this interested in someone—and he is without a doubt, the most ruthless, and successful business man I know. At least, my father slacks when it comes too certain things.

That man doesn't.

If he wants someone, he means he will get the person the easy way, or the hard way. No in between, and definitely no losing.

What is about Ayaan that he wants him? And why is this guy so perfect? What's the secret he has hidden?

I've always been the curious type. And yes, curiosity kills the cat.

But, have you ever heard of the saying satisfaction brought it back?

"—the fact that his parents suddenly moved to Maroudi, and though he's yet to make an appearance, he's already on everyone's good side makes it obvious there's a story behind him." I added, voicing out the thoughts in my head.

She folded her lips in, seemingly hesitant. "Maybe he just has a private life." She suggested, like that's supposed to be an explanation for everything. But, it isn't. "All I know is, he is clean. There's no dirt on him whatsoever. A merger with him, or at least, a business cooperation would be beneficial to both companies."

I know that. Or so it seems.

Pushing the chair closer to the table, I take another look at the folder of his I'd been handed the day before. I've looked at it so many times that by now, I know all the words up head. I no longer need to look to know and recall what's written there. And yet, I find myself staring at it more times than I'd like to admit, hoping I'd spot a loophole somewhere.

It's yet to appear. It's foolproof it appears.

"If you want, I can look into it more and see if I can find anything else before the—"

"Don't bother." I cut her off, already knowing what she would say. My eyes narrowed at nothing in particular, the wheels in my head turning more than usual. "The Summit is in two weeks. I'd find out whatever I can when I meet him."

"Are you sure?" She was wary. I could tell from her tone. Truth be told, I don't know what's gotten into her. She'd always been confident and efficient when it comes to her tasks. This time around, she seems to be tiptoeing, as if walking on eggshells.

I pressed my lips together, before raising my head to give her a curt nod. "Yes." I clicked my tongue. "Maybe I'm just being paranoid. I'll tell for myself when I see him though. For now, stop the investigation whatsoever. We have to focus on the Summit preparation." One would think two weeks won't be enough to prepare everything.

However, when the Zayed and Fadel family is involved—nothing is impossible.

Besides, aside from getting Ayaan on our side, I also have the task of overseeing the preparation. So, in simple words, I would be preoccupied for the time being. Ayaan can wait.

She nodded, a silent gesture to confirm her understanding my order. "Okay. I'll fix your schedule for the next two weeks." Adjustments obviously need to be made since I have a new task at hand.

I simply nodded, and that was her silent dismissal. She slipped out, light on her feet and I watch through the glass walls as she strode away, disappearing along the crowds working round the place.

The corner of my lips stretched out in a small, barely visible smile. "Touche, Ayaan Fadel." It seems he's already a step ahead of me.

So much for a head-start.