Zara's POV

We have dinner about fifteen minutes later. Everyone likes the food, especially my chocolate cake. I actually have a lot of fun spending time with Hafsa and her family. They are all amazing. Zaid is also a great guy. I can't help but think about how much he has changed, though, in these last two years.

Two years ago, before he left for the US, Zaid always used to joke around with me and Hafsa. He always used to make me laugh and tease me. He has started to tease me again like he used to, I think. I see hints of the old Zaid coming back. I'm glad, because he really was an amazing guy. He used to be quite protective of me, most likely because of how close I was to their family. We used to be good friends, and he was very caring and kind. He still is.

However, Zaid now also has all of the qualities that any CEO would have. He is slightly arrogant, but he can be because he is the boss of such a huge firm. Zaid is confident, cool, collected and I can't help but think he seems mysterious. Like there is more to the picture. I don't know anything about what he has been up to these past two years. Of course I do know that he went to the US for business, as the company was opening a new hotel there, but I don't know what else he was up to.

Why am I interested, though? It's his life, he can do what he wants with it. It's more than likely that he was with a countless number of girls while he was away. Obviously he would be. Hafsa herself told me about the antics of her brother. He would bring girls home, too. I sigh, walking out of the kitchen after helping Maryam put away the dishes.

Yes, Zaid is a very mysterious guy. I know that he is a good guy, one who I can trust, but there is so much I don't know about him. Everything has changed in the two years he was away, including him. He has changed completely.

I go back into the living room. Dad and Uncle have gone upstairs to watch the football game. I'm surprised that Zaid hasn't gone to watch the game with them. He is now talking with everyone.

'Does anyone want tea? Or coffee?' I ask everyone politely.

However, no one wants any right then.

"No thank you, dear. Come and sit with us," Aunty says, smiling at me.

I smile and nod, making my way over to the sofas. I take a seat in between Maryam and Aunty, and opposite the one and only Zaid. Mum and Hafsa are sitting on the other sofa, on the right side of Aunty.

'So, when will you come over to our home, Zara?' Aunty asks me, smiling.

I chuckle. "Aunty, I went last weekend, to help Hafsa with her notes."

Mum and Aunty laugh. 'Yes, dear, but you don't come over much anymore! It's amazing having you around!' Aww, she's too sweet.

"I will soon, Aunty. I promise." She grins at me.

She then asks me how my side job as a makeup artist and beautician is going.

'It's going good, Aunty. I have a lot of bridal makeup bookings for next month and December, as that is the wedding season. At least I don't have to make excuses for buying lots of makeup now!' I joke.

Everyone laughs. I think everyone in this room, including Zaid, knows about my love for makeup.

"That's great to hear, dear. You do your own makeup so beautifully, too. However, you look stunning also without makeup." Aunty is too sweet for her own good.

'Aunty, thank you! You're so sweet!' I give her a small side hug. She hugs me back, kissing the top of my head.

Mum and Aunty then start talking about the upcoming wedding, and what they are planning on wearing to it. I haven't thought about what I will wear yet, it will probably be a last-minute decision as always.

About half an hour later, though, the topic of my marriage again starts. Mum starts it, as always.

'When Zara gets married, I am thinking of going to Pakistan to do some of her wedding shopping from there,' Mum says, smiling. Facepalm.

I really think Mum has run out of ideas for topics of conversation, for once. That's not possible, though. Mum and Aunty call each other everyday, and their conversations last for hours. I don't understand how they can talk so much all the time. I understand that they are very close friends, but still. Even I don't talk to Hafsa that much!

"Yes! That's a great idea, I will also go with you to Pakistan! I am thinking of doing the same when Hafsa or Zaid get married!" Both Mum and Aunty have gone crazy. They have no idea when any of us will get married, and they have started planning already. This is probably what they talk about on the phone for hours.

I laugh. 'Mum, you're crazy! Aunty, I have to say the same about you! Anyway, who do you think will get married first from me and Hafsa?' I ask, joking.

"You." They both say at the same time.

I chuckle. 'Yes, definitely crazy! Let me ask someone else. Maryam, Hafsa, Zaid. Who do you three think will get married first from me and Hafsa?'

Zaid smirks.

'You, babe. Of course you! I'm not even thinking of it yet, okay Mum?!' Hafsa answers. Aunty shakes her head, smiling.

"I'm actually not sure, you know. Maybe you, Zara. Maybe Hafsa. I don't know. I hope one of you gets married soon, though. I want to go to a close family wedding! And of course Hafsa, you're family," Maryam says.

I look over at Zaid. 'What do you think, Zaid?' I ask him.

He smirks again. "You. You will get married before Hafsa." He says this with certainty.

I frown. 'Oh, will I now? Everyone in this room is crazy! You can all plan my wedding all you like.'

Mum and Aunty laugh. "Zara, you will make the most beautiful bride, dear!" Aunty says, grinning.

Huh? An hour ago, Mum commented on how Zaid will make the most handsome groom, and now Aunty is saying that I will make the most beautiful bride. Yes, they've definitely gone crazy. They're in dreamland.

********

Half an hour later, I hear cheering from upstairs. I'm guessing Liverpool have scored a goal. Yay! I hope they win against Manchester United. Dad and Uncle are crazy about football, they are massive fans of Liverpool. I'm proud of them both.

I go upstairs to check the score of the game. It is 1-0 to Liverpool, and it has just turned halftime. I'm very glad that they're winning.

When I head back downstairs, I remember that I left an important file at the office this morning. I have work to do from the file on the weekend, and I also need to make copies of it. So, I decide to tell Zaid to have the file dropped off for me tomorrow, if possible.

'Zaid?' I call out to him. He is doing something on his phone.

He looks up. "Yes, Zara?"

'I just remembered, I left a file at the office this morning. You know the one which has the newest blueprints and also the notes from your last meeting? I need to work on that file this weekend. Please can you have someone drop it off to me tomorrow?' I ask nervously.

"Oh, yes. That file. Yes, that work is important. Please email it to my work email once you've finished. If you want, we could go and collect the file now?" He asks me.

'Huh? Now? It's 8pm now, though. Please can you have someone drop it off for me tomorrow?' I ask him.

"Seriously, it won't take long. We could go to the office and collect it now."

'But no one's at the office at this time.'

He shrugs. "So? If you've forgotten, Zara, the company is mine, and I am able to go to the office at any time."

I nod. 'That's not the point. It's so late, could you really go at this time? I mean, I'm not disturbing? I'm so sorry, I was in a bit of a hurry when I left the office, so I forgot to bring the file back with me.'

"That's no problem. Aunty? Do you mind if me and Zara head to the office to grab a file? She left a file there this morning, the work on that file is very important and it needs to be completed as soon as possible. We will be back quickly, there shouldn't be traffic at this time," he says politely to Mum.

Mum nods. 'Oh, of course Zaid! Zara is very forgetful! Yes, of course you both can go and collect the file from the office!' Seriously, Mum?! I give her the daggers. She has no idea how nervous I feel with Zaid, especially when I'm alone with him.

Mum and Aunty share a secretive smile, which I ignore.

I turn to Hafsa. She is sitting with Maryam, and they are both watching something on her laptop.

'Don't worry, babe. Me and Maryam are watching funny videos. Go with Zaid bhai and collect the file,' Hafsa says to me, smiling, before turning back to the laptop.

'Okay,' I say to Zaid, standing up. 'I'll go and get my jacket from upstairs.'

I go upstairs to my room and sigh. Looks like I'm going to the office with Zaid, alone, at 8pm. I need to stop feeling so nervous around him. He probably thinks I'm crazy. Which I am, but...

I take out my white leather jacket from my closet and slip it on. I quickly glance in the mirror. Hmm. I look fine, but I need to reapply my lipstick. I apply a coat of my light pink matte lipstick and hurry downstairs.

Zaid is putting on his coat when I go into the living room.

'Mum, we'll be back quickly,' I say, smiling.

Mum and Aunty look over at me and smile. Mum nods. "Take your time, we're having fun!" They both look very happy and excited for some reason. Both have a mischievous glint in their eyes. I wonder what they're planning now!

I laugh. They're really crazy. Crazy, but so amazing. Then I turn to Zaid. 'Ready, Mr Malik? You take longer than a girl to get ready!'

He smirks and nods. "I'm ready when you are, Miss Ahmed."

We both head out of the house. I suck in a sharp breath when I see his car. He has brought his brand new red Aston Martin today. This guy and his cars...

'Nice car,' I mutter.

He grins. "I know."

I get into the car and fasten my seatbelt. Zaid does the same.

'Impressive,' I say, looking around at the interior of the car. It's beautiful, sleek, and it has all the modern features. I especially like the music system.

Zaid nods. "Thank you, Miss Ahmed."

He starts the car and we drive off. I'm astonished as to how comfortable I feel right now, driving with him.

Just as we turn onto the main road, however, there is a huge line of traffic ahead of us. That's surprising. There usually isn't much traffic at this time.

'There's traffic. I'm sorry if I'm wasting your time. I mean, you didn't have to reach home soon, did you?' I ask Zaid.

He shakes his head, glancing over at me. "Don't worry, you're not wasting my time. No, I didn't have much work to do today."

I nod. 'That's fine then. So, our mothers have gone crazy, I think,' I joke.

He chuckles and nods. "Definitely."

I glance at him and raise an eyebrow. 'Do you really think I will get married before Hafsa?'

He looks at me and nods seriously. "Yes. I really think so."

'Why?'

He shrugs. "I don't know, but I think you will get married before Hafsa."

I nod. 'I won't, though.'

He glances at me again, looking interested. "Really? Why not?"

I sigh. 'Why do you think? I am not interested...in marriage. Or anything. Not anymore. I don't ever want to get married.' Why am I telling him this? I feel like I can trust him, though.

"Just because of one guy who clearly didn't deserve you?" Zaid asks, his eyes looking into mine.

I look down, his gaze feeling too intense. 'I don't know. I'm happy with my life as it is right now. I'm happy with my parents, because I can trust them. There's no guarantee that some other guy won't be the same, like...Hamza. What if the same thing happens again? I can't go through the same...hell again.'

Zaid frowns. "Zara, I know Hamza hurt you, but not all guys are like him. Not all guys are the same."

I laugh humourlessly. 'Some guys are like him though, Zaid. How will I be sure that any other guy isn't like him? What if he's even worse?'

"Marry someone who you're sure about, Zara. He didn't deserve you at all." Zaid looks angry.

'I know, he didn't deserve me. I'm sorry...for saying this to you.'

Zaid looks at me and shakes his head. He parks his car on the side of the road.

"Zara, you can trust me. I will help you. I know how you feel right now. You feel like you're all alone, you feel like no one can help you with anything. Because you won't tell anyone. How can anyone help you if you don't tell anyone, Zara? I want to help you, because I do care about you. We used to be friends two years ago, and I am still the same guy."

His words give me a jittery feeling. 'Zaid, just please, trust me. Trust me when I tell you that I really can tell no one. He is more dangerous than you think. I have to fight this battle alone, and I will fight it. He can't hurt me again, I won't let him.'

Zaid's POV

This guy hurt Zara badly. I hate him, even though I don't know him. She isn't allowing me to help her, to help protect her, but I will.

"No matter how dangerous he is, I don't care. I will help you in this, whether you like it or not," I say, glancing Zara. She is really so beautiful. Her eyes widen, and she starts to talk again, but I break her off.

"Don't say anything, Zara. You don't need to be afraid for me. Trust me. If we were friends two years ago, then you will let me help you."

She shakes her head furiously. 'Why are you so stubborn, Zaid?! Why do you not understand what you're getting yourself into?!'

I smile. "Because you're not telling me the whole story, Zara. Even if you don't tell me, I will still help you."

'You will get hurt!' Zara says to me, worried.

"I won't."

She grabs my arm, surprising me. 'I will never be able to forgive myself if you get hurt, Zaid.'

I smile. "That will not happen, sweetheart. Don't worry about me."

She starts blushing when I call her 'sweetheart'. I smirk. She's too innocent and cute for her own good. I will help her. I won't let anyone hurt her or take advantage of her innocence again.

'You're impossible! I can see that you won't budge from your decision,' she says, glaring at me.

"You're very right, love." She blushes again. I smirk. I love making her blush.

I start the car again and drive. I'm glad that she knows that I'm with her now. I will help her through this.

********

We reach the office fifteen minutes later. It is empty. There is not a soul in sight. I glance over at Zara who is walking at my side. She is fidgeting, and looks nervous. I smirk.

We walk across the vacant lobby, towards the lifts. We take a lift up to the 7th floor.

'Zara, go and pick up the file from your cabin. I also have a few papers which I need to collect from my office. I'll meet you in your cabin in five minutes?' I ask Zara. I need to collect a few papers regarding a new investment project.

Zara nods hesitantly. "I'm in the room right next to yours, it will only take a few minutes," I say to her, reassuringly.

She nods, and we both head to our cabins. Once in my office, I search for the papers, which I had placed into a file this morning. After a few minutes of searching, I find the papers. Zara must have found her file too by now.

So, I head out of my cabin and lock the door using my card. Then I walk to Zara's cabin. I open the door and let myself in. Zara has the file in her hand, and she looks over at me and smiles.

'I've found it,' she says, walking towards me.

I nod. All of a sudden, the lights go off. What on earth?!

'Zaid!' Zara calls out to me. She's afraid of the dark.

"Zara, I'm right here. I don't know what's just happened, but the lights should be back on soon. Don't be afraid," I reply, trying to reassure her.

'Where are you? Come here, damn it,' she mutters.

I make my way to her, following her voice.

"I'm here, don't be scared. The lights should be fine now, I don't know why they're messing up," I tell her.

'I'm scared of the dark. You never know what you may find in the dark, Zaid,' she whispers. I have a feeling she has had a bad experience, which is why she is now afraid of the dark.

"It's only me and you here, Zara. Don't be afraid," I murmur.

Just then, I feel her grab my arm, surprising me. 'Stay here, stay with me,' she whispers.

"Of course, baby," I say to her. I don't want her to feel afraid.

She holds onto my arm tighter. Damn, this girl is actually strong.

Zara's POV

I'm terrified of the dark. I don't trust it. You never know what you might find in the dark. It may be full of surprises. Bad surprises.

I'm holding onto Zaid's arm as if my life depends on it. You all may be thinking that I'm crazy, or that I'm stupid, but I really am terrified of the dark. The night that...Hamza tried to hurt me, it was pitch black. I hate the darkness now. Most nights now, I don't even sleep when it is pitch black. There must be at least a tiny amount of light coming from somewhere in order for me to fall asleep.

'Zara, I'm here. Do you trust me? You don't need to feel afraid,' Zaid whispers. But that doesn't get rid of my fear. I hate this. I need the lights to come back on, now.

Suddenly, the lights start to flicker on and off, startling me. Without thinking, I hold onto Zaid's hand, tight. I don't know what I'm doing. I'm not thinking anything right now of the present, but the memories of that night are flooding my mind. The night when Hamza tried to...hurt me. The night that changed me completely. That night, the room was pitch black. I hate the darkness now, I am scared of it. You never know what may be in the dark, the darkness may be full of surprises. Bad surprises, which was my case. I don't want to remember any of that again. I want to erase the memories of that night out of my mind completely, but no matter what, I can't.

'Zara, are you okay? Don't be scared, love,' Zaid whispers to me, reassuringly. 'Love'. I can't help but blush, even in this situation.

However, I don't let go of Zaid's hand. Neither does he. I'm glad he doesn't, because he knows how afraid I am right now. Holding his hand, though, I somehow feel less scared. He makes me feel better.

I tighten my hold on his hand, and he pulls me slightly closer to himself, protectively. It's definitely working. I definitely feel safer when I'm close to him. I feel like no harm can come to me because he is with me. Then why don't you tell him about Hamza so he can protect you? A voice from inside my head asks me, but I choose to ignore it for the moment.

Zaid's POV

I want nothing more than to make this girl feel safe and protected. I want her to trust me, I want to protect her. I know that she is unaware that she is holding my hand, because she is scared, but it feels good. I mean, it feels fine. If it was any other girl in this situation, I would think that they are pretending to be afraid of the dark, so they can come close to me. But with Zara, everything is different. Like she said, she is nothing like any of those other girls.

Zara really interests me. I don't know what it is about her. Maybe the fact that she doesn't fall at my feet like every other girl? I don't know. But she is an interesting girl, and a beautiful one too. I want to make her feel safe.

Just then, the lights switch back on. I glance at Zara, who is standing very close to me. She notices that she is holding onto my hand, and she also notices how close we are standing, and she jumps back, freeing her hand from mine. I can't help but think that my hand feels quite cold now.

'I..I didn't realise that I was holding your hand. I'm sorry,' Zara whispers, looking down towards the ground.

I smirk. She's too cute and innocent. "No problem, Zara." Yes. Man up, Zaid.

'We should...go. It's getting late.'

I nod and we head out. We drive back to her home in silence. I keep looking over at Zara, though, to make sure that she is feeling alright. She seems to be quite relaxed now, I'm glad.

Zara felt very scared in the dark. I wonder why. I wonder what happened to her, which made her so afraid of the dark. Something or the other must have happened, to start her fear. I realise that there is so much that I don't know about Zara, about what happened to her. She is now a completely different girl, compared to two years ago. I want to bring back the old, carefree, happy-go-lucky Zara.

We reach her home in ten minutes. Thankfully, it seems as though she is feeling better now. Either that, or she conceals her emotions too well. After the football game finishes (which Liverpool win!), we all sit and talk for about fifteen minutes or so. Then we head home.

That night, I do some work on my laptop for about two hours. Then, at around 1am, I go to bed. It takes me a while to fall asleep, though.

********

Hi, my beautiful people! I hope you're all doing amazingly well! So, what did you think of this chapter? I hope you enjoyed reading it! Let me know in the comments section about what you thought of it, and also, don't forget to vote if you liked the chapter! Your votes and comments honestly mean the world to me!

What did you think of the dinner party? And what did you think of the small scene between Zaid and Zara at the office? I hope you enjoyed it!

Thank you so much for reading, stay tuned for the next chapter which will be up very soon! I'm trying to upload twice a week, just for you guys so show me some love! Haha! But yes, regular updates will continue! I love you all loads and loads! Keep reading! ❤️ x