Zara's POV

'No! Leave me alone, go away from me! No...don't touch me!' I scream, tears rolling down my face. This can't be happening. This can't happen to me!

He laughs evilly. "You'll enjoy it, sweetheart! Just keep your pretty little mouth shut so we both can enjoy it!"

I tremble, screaming non-stop. No one will hear me from up here, though. Everyone is having fun downstairs in the party. Why did I have to come here?! He makes me sick. I feel like I'm going to be sick, with him touching me like that.

'Please, leave me! I beg of you!' I cry, needing to get away from him. I can't believe that this is his reality. The man who I trusted so much. I trusted him with my life. And this is who he really is?! What did I ever do to deserve this?

"Zara, baby, shh!" He places his hand over my mouth to silence me. But I can't give up like this. I can't give up so easily. I try my best to push him away, I try to punch him and kick him, but he is just too strong.

He pulls me closer to him by the hem of my dress. I hear a ripping sound. No. I cry even more, feeling helpless. I'm all alone here, no one can help me. No one can save me.

I see him take something out of his pocket. Something silver, glinting in the dark. I start screaming as loudly as I can. Is this the end? No. I scream at the top of my lungs.

And then I wake up.

Mum comes running into my room. She looks scared, and worried.

'Zara? What's wrong, dear? What happened? We heard you screaming and ran upstairs!' Mum says, worriedly. Dad and Maryam have also followed her upstairs.

I shake my head. "It's nothing, Mum. I just had a bad dream. I'm sorry for making you all worried."

Mum shakes her head and comes over to me, sitting on the space on the bed next to me. Dad and Maryam also come into my room. They all look very concerned.

'I thought something had happened! Are you sure you're okay?' Maryam asks me.

I nod, forcing a smile. "Yeah, it's crazy. I had a nightmare, but I don't even remember it now. I'm sorry." That's a big lie. I do remember it, very well. I don't think I will ever be able to fully forget that night.

'If there's something worrying you, you know you can tell us anything dear,' Dad says to me, giving me a small, worried smile.

I nod. I honestly have the best family in the world. They are so caring and amazing. "Of course, Dad." Now I feel bad, because I'm hiding things from them. I'm hiding the fact that Hamza is out of jail and that he is back for me. He wants me back. I really am the worst daughter in the world. I can't see anyone get hurt because of me, though. That would kill me.

"It's half 7? Wow, why didn't anyone wake me?" I ask.

Mum smiles. 'I was going to wake you in five minutes, dear. You have work today. Take a shower and get changed, breakfast is nearly ready.' She gives me a quick hug and looks me over, suspicious.

I chuckle. "Mum, Dad, Maryam, I'm honestly fine! I'm sure everyone has nightmares. I'm going to take a quick shower and change, otherwise I'll be late for work!" I get out of bed.

They all leave my room, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I'm such a bad liar. I know that no one believed me when I said that I'm fine, but I'm glad that no one questioned me further. I don't need any questions, because I won't be able to answer them.

I go into my en suite bathroom and take a quick shower.

********

Zaid's POV

I have just finished having breakfast with my family. Mum and Dad have just left the apartment, they are going to visit some of their friends today out of the city.

'Zaid Bhai, please can you drop me off at the mall?' Hafsa asks me. She didn't even have breakfast properly this morning, I know she is worried about Zara.

"The mall? So early?" I ask her, fixing my tie.

She nods. 'Yes, I need a break. I just need to take my mind off everything.'

"You're worried about Zara, aren't you? Don't worry, Hafsa. She's a strong girl, and I'm sure that she can take care of herself very well," I say. Zara wants everyone to believe that she is strong, and that she doesn't need anyone to take care of her. But I've known her long enough to know what she really is like.

'Yes, Bhai. I'm so worried about her. She isn't that strong, not anymore. She doesn't deserve all this bad stuff happening to her,' Hafsa says to me, her eyes glistening with tears.

I don't say anything. We get into the car, and I drive off. The city centre is on the way to the office, which is a good thing.

'Bhai, she was so happy about her upcoming marriage. But everything got ruined,' Hafsa speaks.

I glance over at her in the passenger seat. She looks deep in thought.

"Why? What happened?" I ask. I feel like I need to know what happened to Zara, what changed her so much.

'I'm not the right person to ask, Bhai. If you want to know, then you're gonna have to ask her,' my sister replies. I smile. Hafsa and Zara are such amazing friends. Hafsa won't even tell me and I'm her brother. I need to know, though. Because I want to help Zara. She needs to be helped and protected.

"You know she won't tell me, Hafsa," I say.

Hafsa nods, smiling slightly. 'I know, because she doesn't want anyone to get involved. She doesn't want anyone to get hurt because of her. That's why she won't tell anyone. Bhai, Zara is so amazing, she's so selfless. She puts everyone before herself, I don't know how she can do that. She deserves all the happiness in the world, and even more. She doesn't believe in love anymore, though.'

I know Zara is selfless. She is an amazing, beautiful girl, inside and out. She used to be such a romantic. Her and Hafsa. She doesn't believe in love anymore? I smile. "That's because love doesn't exist."

Hafsa chuckles. 'It does, Bhai. Love does exist, and you'll find out when you meet the right person.'

I tense. Hafsa knows this is a very sensitive topic for me. I won't meet the right person, ever. Not after...

'Zaid Bhai, trust me. What happened with you and Layla was nothing compared to what happened with Zara and Hamza. Zara had it so much worse,' Hafsa says, upset.

What could have possibly happened to Zara which is even worse than what I went through?

I ignore Hafsa. I don't want to talk about Layla. Not when I'm forgetting her.

********

I drop Hafsa off at the mall and I reach the office at 8:45am. Zara hasn't reached yet. I want to see her this morning, I need to make sure that she is fine after what happened yesterday.

I head to her cabin and enter. Organised, spotless. Just as I expected of Zara. I smile. All the paperwork is organised perfectly in the files sitting on the desk. I make my way to her desk and take a seat, waiting for her to reach.

Sure enough, she reaches ten minutes later. I can't keep the smile off my face when she enters her cabin and sees me sitting at her desk. She's shocked.

Her eyes widen, and she hurries over to the desk after hanging up her coat. She is wearing a grey maxi dress, and she has applied light makeup. She looks stunning. And her hair looks beautiful down. The dress is hugging her body, perfectly. She looks beautiful.

'Zaid? Hi! Am I late? I'm not late, am I?' She asks, looking worried.

I chuckle. "You're not late, Zara. I just wanted to make sure that you're okay."

She blushes, making me smirk. She nods quickly. 'Yes, I'm fine. I'm great. Thanks for your concern.'

I smile, rubbing my chin with my index finger. "That's good to hear. Hafsa was very worried about you. So was I."

She blushes again. 'You were worried about me?' She asks, not believing it.

Why doesn't she believe that? I nod.

She gives me a smile. 'I'm honestly fine, I'm sorry for...fainting on you like that yesterday.'

I chuckle, remembering. "Miss Ahmed, I have had many girls pretend to faint when they see me, but I've never actually had it happen."

She looks surprised, and then her eyes turn into slits. 'Ugh, you're unbelievable!'

I smirk. "I know, Miss Ahmed. My perfect looks and my charm are unbelievable, unreal! I never thought I'd hear this from you, though! I thought you were different!" I joke with her.

She raises an eyebrow. 'Yes, your looks and charm are so unreal, I think I'm going to faint again!' I laugh loudly.

"Don't worry, Miss Ahmed. I'll always catch you when you fall." I mean it.

'By the way, I AM different. I'm not at all like those bimbos you're with all the time! Ew. They're crazy. I'm not at all like them, falling at your feet!' She says to me, her eyes narrowed.

I smirk again. "Yes, you're not at all like them because they just fall at my feet. You fainted on me." She knows I'm joking, and I really like joking with her. I love teasing her and seeing her expression.

'Yes! I fainted on you because I couldn't take your perfect looks! I thought I was gonna go into cardiac arrest! But I am NOT like those other girls, at all!'

"I know you're not," I say truthfully. She wouldn't be like those girls even if she tried. She is much more beautiful, much more crazy and much, much more interesting. I will never get enough of teasing her.

'Oh, I'm not? I know I'm not as pretty or dumb as any of the other girls,' she says.

Is she crazy? She's beautiful. Everyone knows it but her.

"Oh, Miss Ahmed, you're quite damn hot. Now get to work." Did I seriously just say that out loud?

She starts blushing furiously and then bursts out laughing. 'Oh Zaid, you really are a crazy one! Yes, I will get to work and you should do the same!' She's still laughing.

I meant what I said, though. She doesn't believe me, but she is. I stand up and head to the door. I turn to look back at her and smile. She's still blushing and trying not to laugh. She really doesn't know how beautiful she is. Especially in maxi dresses.

Zaid, what the hell? You're acting crazy. This is Zara you're thinking about like this. Looks like I need to be with a girl. Any girl. A voice at the back of my head asks me though, will that girl be like Zara? No.

I head to my office and open my emails. I'm distracted, though, for some reason. I think the reason is the girl sitting in the office next to mine. I'm glad I can see the old Zara coming back. I love teasing her. I know that she is very worried right now, because of her ex-fiancé coming back into her life, but I want her to know that I am here for her. I will help her when she needs someone.

I don't know what happened to her a few months ago with her ex fiancé, but I know for a fact that she deserves much better than him. She doesn't want my help, but I will help her. I will be there for her. We were friends two years ago. And I still care for her.

About half an hour later, there is a knock on my office door.

'Come in,' I say, clearing my throat.

It's Alicia. The receptionist on this floor.

"Mr Malik, you have a meeting with a client in five minutes. Mr Davids. He is waiting in the lobby on the ground floor," Alicia says politely.

How could I forget about this meeting? It was scheduled for 10:15am today. I can't get forgetful about these things. 'Send him up, Alicia.'

"Yes, sir." She nods and leaves my cabin. I set up for the meeting. Mr Davids is an employee of this company, but he works in the branch of the office which is situated in Manchester. This meeting is to discuss the chain of hotels which I own. We will be buying a new hotel in London soon.

********

Zara's POV

The day flies by, and I get a lot of work done. In the morning, I book some appointments for Zaid, and then send a few emails to clients. Then I read through a file which is about the hotels the company owns. I really am so lucky to be working for such a large, powerful company. Zaid is one of the most powerful businessmen in the city, and I work with him.

I still am confused as to why he chose me as his personal assistant, from a huge sample of people. I'm sure that many of the others who applied for this job must have been more qualified and more suitable for this job than I am. But Zaid chose me, and I am very grateful.

I have lunch in the cafeteria today, on the ground floor, with two fellow employees who also work on the 7th floor. Amelia and Becky. Amelia works in the IT department, whereas Becky works in reception on the 7th floor with Alicia. They are both lovely, and we are now friends as I have lunch with them most days.

'How's the boss treating you?' Becky asks me, chuckling.

"He's fine, he's treating me well," I tell them.

'Really? Before you came, the last PA didn't last long at all! He must really have taken a liking towards you, babe!' Amelia says to me, smiling.

I laugh. "I guess I get the work done on time, but yes, he's good to me."

'He fired four people this morning!' Becky tells me.

"Really? How come I don't ever find out?" I ask, chuckling.

'Because you mostly work in your office, babe. I wouldn't want to be working with him all the time, even though he sure is good eye candy!' Amelia says, winking.

I laugh. "He's quite annoying at times."

Both Amelia and Becky look at me in shock, their mouths hanging open. 'Shh! If someone hears anything about him, the news reaches him instantly!'

I laugh. "I wouldn't care if he heard me call him annoying!"

The two girls are very surprised. 'Do you want to get fired?!' Becky asks me, whispering.

I laugh. "Oh, he wouldn't fire me for calling him annoying." I don't add that I've called him annoying many times.

We finish eating and head back up to the 7th floor.

'Good luck, Zara! I hope he doesn't give you a hard time!' Amelia says to me, giving me a quick hug. Becky does the same, before they head to their work.

********

I head into my cabin and get started with work once more. The day goes by smoothly. I don't see Zaid again during the day. I finish the work at 5pm, and then leave the office.

Dad is already outside, thankfully, so I don't have to wait in the cold. On the way back home, Dad asks me how my day at work was. I tell him that I had a good day, and I did lots of work. He's happy.

********

That night, after I've had dinner, I sit with my family and watch TV for a short while. I love spending quality time with my family, as I can't spend much time with them anymore. I'm always busy with either university or work. I'm happy when I get some time with my family, though.

'Oh, Zara, I forgot to tell you something, dear. Tomorrow, can you please try to come back home quickly after work?' Mum asks me, smiling.

"Why?" I ask her.

'We're having a dinner party tomorrow night, dear. Please try to come home by about 3-4pm, I'll need your help,' she tells me.

"Okay, I'll try to come home early. Why are we having a dinner party, though? Are Aunt Salma and Aunt Maria coming over again?" They are Mum's sisters.

Mum shakes her head. 'No, dear. Salma and Maria are not coming over tomorrow. Me and your father decided it would be a good idea to catch up with Hafsa and her family. We've invited them for dinner tomorrow night.'

My eyes widen in surprise. "Oh. So, you mean Hafsa and her parents?"

Mum smiles excitedly. 'Yes. And Zaid too.'

"What? Mum! No! Are you crazy?! This is so awkward, he's my boss now!"

Mum laughs. 'Yes, so what? We can't invite the rest of the family but not Zaid! And he is such a great guy! He's your boss, but he's family to us.'

Dad nods, agreeing with Mum. I shake my head.

"And have you told them?" I ask.

Dad nods. 'Yes, and of course they've agreed. They're very happy.'

I force a smile. So, looks like Zaid will be coming home tomorrow evening. I hope it doesn't get too awkward. Couldn't Mum tell me this before?!

I'm surprised that Zaid agreed to it, though. I mean, he's always busy on Friday nights. But, he agreed. He's coming to my house tomorrow, for dinner. It's going to be so embarrassing!

I head upstairs to my room, I've completely forgotten about Hamza at this moment. All I can think about is tomorrow's dinner party. I'm sure it will be weird for Zaid, too?

I laugh, remembering my conversation with Zaid that morning. He was actually joking about with me, he made me laugh. He really doesn't seem at all arrogant and cold to me. He isn't to me, thank god. He was teasing me, and I liked it. I feel like I can be myself around him. Well, I have known him for years now.

He's such a jerk, though. He called me 'hot'. What an idiot?! He's such a joker.

I actually fall asleep with a smile on my face that night.

********

Hey guys! How are you all? I hope you're all doing well! What did you think of this chapter? What did you think of the small banter between Zara and Zaid? Did you like it? Thank you all so much for reading my book, please let me know what you thought of this chapter by commenting! If you liked this chapter, don't forget to vote! I love you all so much, stay beautiful! Xx