Samar's POV

I'm summoned to Delhi immediately after the gunshot incident. The police inform Dad, and as soon as I arrive at my apartment, he calls me to meet him.

I head to his apartment, just one floor below mine, where he lives with his wife and her children. I settle into the sofa in his study room, surrounded by shelves lined with books and the faint scent of cigar smoke.

Dad paces near the window, engrossed in a phone call, discussing the details of the gunshot incident with someone on the other end. His expression is tense, his brow furrowed.

He finishes the call and turns to me, his eyes serious.

"Son," he begins,"I know you've always disliked our security measures since childhood, and you hate being guarded," Dad says, his voice laced with concern. "But you must think about your life, your safety."

"I'm sorry," I reply, my eyes cast down.

Dad rises from his pacing and sits on a standalone sofa, facing me directly. His gaze pierces through me. "What was the purpose of sneaking off without security?"

I meet his gaze, my expression unwavering. "I went to finalize my wedding arrangements."

Dad's eyes widen in shock. "You're joking, right?"

My voice remains steady. "Do you think I'm someone who makes jokes?"

The room falls silent.

Dad's expression remains impassive, as if he's misheard.

"I love a girl." I continue. " I am getting married to her next week. I had to make the arrangements secretly. I apologize for not taking security."

Dad's face remains straight, expressionless, as if processing this unexpected revelation.

"I know you're a unique individual, beyond my understanding," Dad says, shaking his head. "But I never expected this from you. How can you be distracted by a girl when your introduction as CEO is next week?"

"I can manage," I reply.

Dad's voice rises, frustration evident. "You fixed everything on your own? I'm your father; don't you think I should have a say in your life? Who is this girl? What does her father do?"

"She's a good person. Her father is an Arabic calligrapher, and-"

Dad cuts me off, his tone desperate. "Stop right there! Are you serious? How can you marry someone like her? I'm sure she's trapped you. How can you be so foolish?"

His words sting, but I remain calm.

"Listen, Dad-"

"No, you listen!" Dad's voice rises. "You're about to take over the company. You can't risk everything for some...infatuation."

I stand firm, determination in my voice. "This isn't an infatuation. I love her."

Dad's face reddens, his expression a mix of anger and disappointment.

"Do you want me to agree to this insanity.Dont you?" Dad's tone fierce.

" Dont agree.Its my life and it should be my choice whom should I marry." I say my voice loud.I sit up and exit the room.

As I leave the apartment,someone helds my arm I turn to look,its Ahana." How are you,Samar?" She asks," Have you hurt somewhere.Why dont you take care of yourself." She adds.

I shack off her grip and leave.

........

I lie on the incline curl bench, dumbbells grasped tightly in my hands. The weight lifts with ease as my mind wanders to Maryam.I met her this morning and it feels like I havent seen her for days.

Maryam's angry eyes flash in my memory - those captivating brown orbs, sparkling with fury. A smile creeps onto my face as I curl the dumbbells.My eyes fixed on the low lighting of ceiling.

Her petite nose, flushed red in anger, fills my thoughts. So pretty.

My reps falter, and I drop the dumbbells, still lying on the bench,staring at ceiling.My mind is consumed by her.

I sit up, running a hand through my hair, my heart still racing with thoughts of Maryam. The silence of my apartment envelops me, but my mind resonates with her voice.

Suddenly, my phone shatters the calm. Anneanne's name flashes on the screen.

"Samar, she's beautiful!" Anneanne exclaims, her tone bursting with excitement. "I thought you were lying! You're actually getting married! Oh, I'm so thrilled!"

Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I can't help but smile.

"Can't believe my grandson is getting married," she adds, her voice filled with joy.

I wipe the sweat from my face with a towel, settling into the conversation. "You like her?"

"How could I not?" Anneanne responds. "Where did you meet her?"

"Kindness," I reply.

Anneanne's curiosity piques. "Tell me more, Samar. What's her name? What's she like?"

I lean back against the bench, a grin spreading across my face. "Her name is Maryam. She's...amazing. Intelligent, kind-hearted, and beautiful."

Rayan's POV

I shared the news with Mom, "I got the job at Google in the USA! I'll be leaving next month."

Mom response is cold,she doesnt want me to work at google she wants me to join Waqas's company.Little does she know I am moving america to avoid Waqas and his belongings.

"Waqas is in trouble these days," Mom says, her voice laced with concern.

I ask, "What's wrong?"

"Samar has arranged his wedding with that girl, Maryam, on June 20th," Mom reveals, her words dropping like a bombshell.

My world spins. I feel like stuffing my ears with cotton to block out the painful truth.

"Thank me, Rayan, I saved you from that gold digger," Mom continues, oblivious to my distress. "I stopped her from making a move on you, and then she trapped Samar. Interesting girl. I don't know how Waqas will get rid of her."

Betrayal, hurt, and numbness wash over me. How could Maryam hide this from me? We had connected, shared moments... I thought we had something real.

My mind reels, memories flashing: our laughter, our conversations, her smile...

"Mom, I need to go," I mutter, pushing away from the table.

"Rayan, what's wrong?" Mom asks, concern etched on her face. "Are you going to her? Don't ever think of it."

I shake my head, unable to speak.

I stumble out of the restaurant, into the cool evening breeze. My heart feels shattered, my trust broken.

...............

I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing. I couldnt sleep all night and was staring this ceiling with a numb mind.

Why didn't Maryam reach out to me? Didn't she trust me enough? We shared moments, connections... Didn't they mean anything?

I understand what she is going through,Samar is insane and I am aware he must be forcing her to marry but still where is her trust on me?Is she still angry on that fake chat?

My thoughts swirl, a mix of hurt and confusion.

Suddenly, my phone pierces the silence. I pick up without checking the caller ID.

"Can we meet?" a deep, familiar voice asks.

Waqas. I sit up, alert.

"Why?" I ask, wary. Waqas never calls me directly.

"I need your help," he responds, his tone uncommonly serious.

"Help with what?" I press, curiosity piqued.

"I'll tell you over lunch. I'll send you the address," Waqas replies, his tone brooking no argument.

I sigh, resigned. "Fine. I'll be there."

Waqas hangs up, leaving me wondering what he wants.

...............

I arrive at the upscale restaurant. Waqas's already seated, impeccably dressed as always, exuding an air of old money.

"Sit, Rayan," he says, his voice commanding.

I take the seat across from him, my eyes locked on his.

"What do you want?" he asks, scanning the menu.

"I'm not hungry," I reply, my stomach churning at the thought of eating with him.

This man destroyed my family, mistrusted my father, and had him imprisoned to save his own skin. Cruel, ruthless, and manipulative.

"What do you want from me?" I ask, my tone firm.

Waqas sets the menu aside, his eyes locking onto mine. "I want you to be the CEO of Capital Tech."

I'm taken aback. Waqas has offered me post before, but he never offered me the CEO seat .That was always reserved for Samar.

"Isn't that reserved for Samar?" I ask, skepticism etched on my face.

Waqas's expression turns cold. "It did, but not anymore."

His food arrives, and he slices into his meat, savoring the taste. "He's not obeying me, marrying that middle-class girl... what's her name... Maryam."

My heart skips a beat at the mention of her name.

"Yes, Maryam," Waqas continues, his voice dripping with disdain. "She's not suitable for my son,but he is obsessed over her."

Waqas's smile grows wider, his eyes glinting with cunning. "I want him to choose between the two: either he marries her or become CEO. And I'm 100% sure he'll choose the latter."

His ruthlessness, manipulative nature, and insatiable greed are traits I've witnessed before. Waqas's skill for plotting and scheming has served him well, allowing him to shift blame onto my father and orchestrate his imprisonment.

Now, he's employing the same tactics against Samar.

"Will you help me?Pretend that you are ready to be the CEO." Waqas leans in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "It will benefit you. I'll regain control over my son, and you'll get your girlfriend."

His words strike a nerve. He's investigated my connection to Maryam, exploiting it to secure my cooperation.

"How can you be so sure he'll choose the CEO post not Maryam?" I ask, my curiosity laced with skepticism.

Waqas's expression turns cold, his voice dripping with disdain. "I've seen him toil day and night for years, driven by ambition. Leading Capital Tech was his life's purpose. But now, he's distracted."

His gaze narrows, his smile a thin, cruel line. "Distraction is scary. It makes men weak. I want him to rule the world, not be held back by petty indulgences."

He pauses, his eyes flashing with contempt. "For that reason, he should stay away from such... worthless things."

My blood boils as he reduces Maryam to a "worthless thing." I clench my fists, suppressing the urge to punch him.

"Worthless things?" I repeat, my tone icy. "You're referring to Maryam, aren't you?"

Waqas's smile widens, his voice devoid of empathy. "She is just a minor obstacle, Rayan. Nothing more. Samar's focus should be on expanding our empire, not coddling sentimental attachments."

"Whom he marries and when will be my decision," Waqas declares, his tone authoritarian. "I won't allow him to become a weak leader of Capital Tech. His marriage will be strategic, securing alliances and expanding our influence."

My mind races with thoughts,This could be the key to saving Maryam from Samar's grasp, freeing her from this toxic family's influence.

By helping Waqas, I'll be helping Maryam.
But I am not doing it so I can marry Maryam. After our plan succeeds, the choice will still be hers: will she choose me, or forge her own path?

I look at Waqas, a calculated smile spreading across my face. "I'm in. Let's proceed."

...............

We gather around the breakfast table, Waqas's Sunday morning ritual. My mother, Alia, Sumaiyya Aunty, and Ahana exchange pleasantries, their laughter and conversation filling the room. Samar arrives late, taking his seat beside Waqas.

"Today, I have an important announcement," Waqas declares, his commanding voice silencing the room. All eyes lock onto him.

"I'm revising my decision regarding Capital Tech's succession," Waqas continues, his gaze piercing Samar. "Rayan will replace Samar as my chosen successor, taking the CEO seat."

The room freezes, tension palpable.

Samar's face contorts in shock and fear. "Dad?" he stammers, desperation lacing his voice.

Waqas's expression remains impassive, calculating. Sumaiyya Aunty's eyes dart between them, concern etched on her face.Ahana's eyes are on Samar as always.

My mother's excitement is evident, her long-held aspirations for me finally fulfilled. Alia's eyes lock onto mine, surprise and curiosity mingling.

I maintain a stoic facade, my mind reeling with implications.

"You can't be serious?"Samar protests.

Waqas's cold smile slices through the tension. "I am serious. I need a strong successor - ruthless and desperate. That's why I chose Rayan. You should focus on being a Romeo."

Samar's eyes lock onto Waqas, his voice calm but laced with determination. "You can't take away what rightfully belongs to me," he states, his tone even.

"I hold a significant share in the company," Samar continues, his expression serious. "51% of the company belongs to me, including my mother's 25% share and grandmother's 26%, as per her will. I'm her sole heir.Dont forget I am also your only heir."

Waqas's expression remains unmoved, but a hint of surprise flickers in his eyes.

Waqas's smile twists, his voice dripping with condescension. "I don't care about later, Samar. I'm talking about the present. And in the present, I hold the reins."

" If you want to be the CEO,then leave that girl." Waqas continues.

"Don't play games, Dad," Samar says, his expression unwavering. "How could you think I'd leave her?"

Ahana storms off, her face twisted in irritation and anger.

"How can you be so obsessed with her?" Waqas continues. "Can't you see the difference? I've researched her family background; she's nobody compared to us."

Sumaiyya Aunty spits, her anger boiling over. "It seems like that girl did some black magic on him."

"Beauty magic," Mom sneers. "Such girls use their looks to trap rich kids."

My blood rushes, infuriated by their relentless attacks on Maryam.

"I understand you're young, and such attractions are common," Waqas says, "but how can you think of marrying her? You can date her secretly."

Mom says, "She'd agree to anything without marriage. I know girls like her.They only need money.Just throw some money and they will do anything."

A shattering sound breaks the tension. Samar's glass shatters in his hand.

"Samar!" Waqas exclaims, shocked.

Samar's eyes blaze, blood dripping from his palm. "Enough!" he growls.

"Tell her to stop mentioning her name ever" Samar says to his father, his eyes blazing. "I repeat: ever."

He never talks to Mom, never.He doesnt even address her indirectly but today he did and it seems like his obsession for Maryam is way more intense then I previously thought.

Waqas's face pales, panic etched on his features. "Doctor!" he shouts, urgency in his voice.

"Have you all died?" Waqas yells at his workers, who scramble to respond.

Samar sits up, his hand still bleeding. "Your manipulation won't work on me, Dad."

Waqas's demeanor shifts from anger to concern. "Samar, let me see your hand, son."

"Let's settle this like men, not cowards," Samar says, his face impassive. "A competition to determine who deserves to be CEO: me or Rayan."

Waqas's eyes sparkle with intrigue. "Okay, but I want to add a twist."

Samar's gaze remains steady, anticipating the challenge.

"If you lose," Waqas continues, his voice dripping with calculation, "you'll divorce Maryam."

For the first time, Samar's mask slips, his face revealing a flicker of fear.

"Be a man and take the risk," Waqas goads, his laughter dripping with disdain. "You don't seem to be my son.You have zero guts."

Samar's gaze drops, lost in thought.

" we'll make this deal,we will have the competition," Waqas continues, "but only if you accept this twist. Otherwise, Rayan will lead our company, and he'll take over as CEO."

The room hangs heavy with tension. Samar remains silent.

"Okay, forget it," Waqas says, his tone mocking. "You're too afraid, Samar."

Samar's eyes flash, his jaw clenched.

"Prove me wrong, son," Waqas taunts. "Show some backbone."

Samar's silence stretches.