I sat in our bungalow's living room, still trying to process the recent turn of events. To say that I am shocked would be an understatement.

We had been trying to come up with so many theories while the answer was right in front of us all along.

The news about the missing Pathaan grandson we had seen in that shop a few days ago flashed through my mind. How come I didn't think to connect the dots?

Beside me, Sehar was sitting on the sofa, scrolling through her phone trying to gather information about the Pathaans. Their family is all over the news. Everywhere you look, every company you see, is owned by the Pathaans.

I have always known the Pathaans were super famous and wealthy. But I never paid this much attention and brushed it aside as just another high tech company. How the heck was I supposed to know that one day my fate would get intertwined with one of its members? That too in such an unexpected manner.

Aleesha is pacing back and forth freaking out about the whole incident. She's still reeling in disbelief about the identity of our mysterious neighbor.

" Freaking unbelievable! He's the grandson of the Pathaan family!" She shouts in a mix of disbelief and excitement.

" Shush- I'm trying to listen." Hreedhan speaks from the corner with his ears pressed against the window. He is trying to spy on the conversation going on in our neighbor's property.

While I doubt he can hear anything from here, we can clearly see the whole property is surrounded by men in black.

Bodyguards are standing all around the perimeter and for a moment I see Taj stepping outside and barking some instructions at his subordinates.

The men salute Taj and immediately scatter off in different directions, their steps filled with purpose.

As Taj turns to go back inside, his gaze flits towards our bungalow and he narrows his eyes at Hreedhan who instantly ducks down and pulls the blinds together.

" That guy is scary."  He announces as he turns back towards us.

★

By the time afternoon rolls around, all of us gather in the living room with a box of pizza as our lunch.

Sehar had spent the morning researching about the Pathaan family and now she was explaining everything to us.

" They basically own the majority of the companies and buildings all over the country. Tech companies, restaurants, fashion industries just name it. And not only here, they have branches spread out in numerous countries so they're internationally renowned too. Mr. Illias Pathaan is around 91 years old and has three children- Ibaad , Sareena and Zahid.
The eldest son Ibaad, who is Iyaad's father, passed away five years ago. Iyaad also has an older sister, Amani. His uncle Zahid is unmarried while his aunt Sareena has two children."

" My head's spinning. Too much wealth talk. They're filthy rich." Aleesha mutters and takes another pizza from the box.

" What if that Iyaad guy sues you too for breaking into his house?" Hreedhan asks nervously.

" He won't." I answer confidently,
" He seemed to be hiding from his family so I don't think he'll bother doing anything to us when he has his own problems right now."

Sehar nods in agreement, " I wonder what exactly happened for him to have run away from home."

" Yeah why would he leave his luxurious lifestyle and cave up in some random bungalow. Very fishy."

My friends keep talking and I couldn't help but agree with their questions.

Why exactly had he ran away from home ?

★

We decided to pack up our belongings since we will be leaving for home tomorrow morning.

It seemed as if the entire vacation was over and there was nothing else to do.

As I shut my suitcase with a heavy heart my gaze flitted towards the opposite balcony as if my body was used to the movement like a daily routine.

The curtain blew back and forth due to the strong afternoon breeze but no one stood there.

A sigh escaped my mouth and I continued packing. As I was doing a last minute check of the room to be sure I hadn't left anything behind in the drawers, a soft thud came from the balcony.

I immediately rushed towards the source of the noise and sure enough he was standing there.

Iyaad waved at me and pointed towards the floor of my balcony.

I looked down to see another paper wrapped rock lying near my feet.

Bending down, I picked it up and gently undid the wrapping and read the words scrawled on the paper in his familiar handwriting.

Hi! I wanted to apologize for any disturbance caused by me. Since your vacation kinda went awry due to my presence, I wanted to make up for it by treating you and your friends to dinner and planning some fun activities. Let me know if you guys are up for it. - Iyaad (:

I looked up to see him staring at my direction in anticipation, waiting for my response.

I nodded my head in affirmation and gave him a thumbs up.

His lips stretched into a wide grin and he made a salute gesture with his fingers before turning back and going inside.

★

When my mother saw me all dressed up in the video call a few hours later , she was very surprised. Happy but surprised nonetheless.

After all it's not everyday I took the initiative to put an effort behind my appearance for no special reason.

" Is there some event going on there?" Ammu asked me skeptically.

" Kind of -... Since we're leaving tomorrow we decided to have one last special dinner with a few acquaintances we made here."

Although I could tell her the dinner was hosted by our neighbor, it would raise a lot of questions about how a neighbor appeared and what their identity was. And ammu was definitely not going to have a calm reaction after knowing our neighbor was none other than the grandson of  the billionaire - Mr.Illias Pathaan.

That talk could wait until we reached home.

On the other hand Aleesha and Sehar were also quite nervous about meeting Iyaad. Especially after knowing his true identity.

Hreedhan was nervous too but due to different reasons. Mainly because of a certain bodyguard with a piercing stare.

As my friends got some last minute preparations done, I decided to take a stroll in the small pathway in front of our bungalow.

To my surprise, Iyaad came out and joined me soon after.

He was wearing a white trouser with a navy blue shirt which perfectly complemented his dark locks of hair.

Now that I looked at him, a sense of intimidation accompanied his presence. It definitely didn't help how so many armed men in suits were stationed nearby and watching us closely.

I nervously tugged on the sky blue long dress I had put on and twirled the stray lock of hair falling to the side of my face.

Iyaad came to stand in front of me and I couldn't help but notice how his lean figure towered over me by a few inches.

He passed me a breathtaking smile and carefully observed my expression as if searching for the key to the thoughts swimming in my mind.

" Hey, you look pretty." He broke the silence.

" Thanks. You look really good too." I whispered softly and looked towards the trees to our right, not being able to handle the intensity of his gaze.

" So Yara, I once again apologize for causing disturbance in your trip-"

" It's seriously all right! In fact, I'd say you made our trip more interesting and memorable rather than causing any problems."

He quirked an eyebrow, " Is that so ? Or are you just saying that to make me feel better?"

" Really, this was- well a very adventurous experience. Except for you scaring me that is." I added jokingly.

He let out a small laugh, " Right, you kinda scared me with your scream too you know."

My cheeks reddened in embarrassment, " That was a natural response to the situation."

" I know , just kidding."

" You're not angry are you ? About me and Sehar breaking into your bungalow..." I finally let out what had been plaguing my mind.

He stayed silent for a few seconds and I looked up to see his expression.

Finally, he shook his head, " No. It was actually quite hilarious."

A flashback of me hitting his leg with a frying pan passed through my mind and I winced inwardly.

Before he could remember the same, I changed the topic.

" Besides, how do you have such a good aim? Throwing that rock in a perfect position on my balcony. If I tried this I would've surely broken a window."

" Haha, I learnt shooting and archery when I was younger. It was part of many of the courses my grandfather insisted we all learnt."

His eyes swam with a faraway emotion and he looked towards the sky.

" Interesting. So you're a very talented person."

" Not really, I sucked at most of those lessons unless I had a particular interest towards the said activity. My sister Amani, on the other hand, is the perfect golden child."

" I see, I think you're pretty talented though. Definitely way more than me."

" Well I think the same about you. Who knows what skills you're hiding up your sleeve?" He replied cheekily.

" I'm afraid you'll only be disappointed. Unless we're talking about a sleeping competition or binge watching shows. Oh and my only notable skill is probably being able to finish thick books within a day as long as I have no one to disturb me. "

He let out a stream of laughter which made my stomach flutter with a mysterious emotion.

" No, for real! I'm impressed by your talent."

I don't know how I was talking to him so freely. Usually it took me quite a long time to open up to strangers but for some reason, talking to Iyaad was like conversing with a long lost friend whom I had known my whole life.

" Yara, I wanted to ask you for a favour." Iyaad spoke up in a hesitant tone.

I nodded for him to continue.

" Just for today , can you please  forget that I'm the grandson of Illias Pathaan and treat me as you would treat - " He paused, not knowing how to proceed.

" Pathaan ? Who ? I only know Flynn." I responded and his lips broke into the brightest grin while his eyes twinkled with gratitude.

☠️

Do remember to vote and let me know your thoughts<3

IMPORTANT

Anyone who is reading this please help me out by answering this question -

Dear readers I need your help. Those who have read so far know Iyaad's true identity. My original inspiration for the title was from the word love struck .
That when Yara first sees the neighbor she feels Ghost- Struck which tbh isn't even a proper word lmao

" Admit it the first time you saw me you were lovestruck"

" More like Ghost- Struck"  She replies.

That's how it was supposed to go but I feel like the word ghost as a title gives off supernatural vibes and makes it seem like a horror book even though IT'S DEFINITELY FAR FROM THAT.

Many people may think the main lead is actually a ghost 😭

And I'm afraid this may make people lose interest

But I also don't want to reveal his billionaire identity as it's quite an important part of the plot

So how to hint at the fact that he's a missing heir while still not giving away too much?

Do you think other titles like " The mysterious/secret neighbor" or
"The Enigma/Mysterious Guy Next Door"

Or anything else would be better ?

These are too common though so-

Feel free to recommend your own title ideas too!

The words heir /writer /billionaire could easily be used to make a more intriguing title but don't you think that gives too much of the plot away ?

Like " The missing heir" would simply let his identity be known and thus eliminate a lot of the thrilling mystery factors.

Or should I use this title and delete the news of the missing heir from chapter 8 - in that way the Pathaans won't be mentioned before the guards break into the bungalow and find Iyaad...

I'm really confused and desperately need your opinions please

If I let the fact that Iyaad is a writer /missing heir be known in the title or the blurb is that fine ? As it would probably pique more interest

I honestly got attached to the title
" Ghost-Struck" but I feel like it doesn't exactly display the true nature of the story