Why is he so damn good looking?! Zara, stop staring! You'll freak him out.

'Oh, hi Mr Malik. It's good to see you too,' I reply. Yes, it's very good to see him.

"Oh, stop this! Please! It makes me cringe! Your names are Zara and Zaid! Use them! Stop the Mr Malik and Miss Ahmed nonsense!" Hafsa says, frowning.

Zaid chuckles, as he comes to sit next to his sister. Huh? Why is he sitting here?!

This is so awkward! I shouldn't have come.

'Zaid bhai, this girl is so amazing, you know? She's a lifesaver. If it wasn't for her, I would definitely fail Developmental Psychology! I mean, it's boring because who wants to learn about feeding babies?!' Hafsa says.

My eyes widen. "Hafsa!" She is so crazy! She knows very well what this topic is about, and she's just trying to embarrass me in front of Zaid.

"Thank you so much, Miss Ahmed, for helping my crazy sister." Zaid says, looking into my eyes.

I look away, breaking out of the trance. 'Anytime. Anything for Hafsa.'

"I love you baby!" Hafsa says dramatically, coming over to hug me and placing a slobbery kiss on my cheek.

I chuckle. 'I love you too! Now get on with the notes!'

"I'm taking a break now, I'm tired!" She says dramatically. I glance over at her notebook, she has only written a few bullet points. I chuckle. She's so crazy.

'You're tired? Already?! You've hardly done anything!'

She shakes her head. "I have a headache!"

I laugh, so does Zaid. I'm feeling a little less nervous around Zaid right now, but that's because Hafsa is here. Why am I so nervous though, when Zaid is around?

'So, Miss Ahmed, tell me. What have you been up to in the last two years when I was away?' I hear Zaid ask.

I tense up, as does Hafsa who is now sitting beside me. A few seconds later, I shrug. "Not much."

Zaid raises an eyebrow. 'Really?'

I frown. Does he know about what happened? With Hamza? He must know that my engagement with Hamza broke, but does he know why? Does he know the full story of what happened?

I glance at Hafsa. She is giving me an apologetic look.

"Well, what else have I been up to that you don't know of? Not much."

Zaid frowns. 'I'm sorry. I know that your engagement broke earlier this year, because he wasn't right for you. I know that you ended it with him after realising that...you don't like him in that way.'

Huh? What am I hearing? Zaid thinks that I ended the engagement with Hamza because we didn't love each other?

That means he doesn't know what happened.

I breathe a sigh of relief.

I give him a forced smile and nod. 'Erm, yes. I broke the engagement, due to some circumstances. I haven't done much these last few years, honestly.' I look down, the memories of that night flooding my mind.

He tried to hurt me.

That night changed me completely.

I can't trust anyone anymore. I don't want to trust anyone.

But that other man saved me. He saved me from Hamza. I'm here today because of him.

'Babe? Are you okay?' Hafsa asks, worriedly.

I shake away my thoughts and nod, forcing a smile. I know that Hafsa sees through it, though.

I glance over at Zaid, he looks worried for some reason. I give him a small smile too.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought that up." Zaid.

'No, don't apologise. It's no problem,' I say. I don't want him to worry about me too. I don't want anyone to worry.

********

Half an hour has passed, we are still sitting on the sofas in the hall. Hafsa has, thankfully, made some more notes and I have done my best to explain everything to her.

Zaid is also sitting with us, but he is doing some work on his laptop.

"You're amazing, honestly. Thanks so much, I would never have been able to understand this without your help. You did a better job of explaining this than the lecturer!" Hafsa says to me.

I laugh. 'Anytime, Hafsa.'

"By the way, tell me how you always manage to look so hot?! Especially when you're wearing red lipstick!" Hafsa says, laughing.

I chuckle. 'Hot?! Get your eyes checked! I like wearing red lipstick!'

Zaid looks up at me from his laptop and I see him smirk.

"Yes, babe. You're hot. If I was a guy, I'd definitely marry you," she says. I burst out laughing. She's so crazy!

I can't believe we're showing Zaid our craziness too! But right now, I don't care. I'm having loads of fun with my best friend.

'So, Mr Malik, do you need any help with the work?' I ask him, confidently.

He looks up at me, surprised. I surprised myself just then too, how confidently I asked him that.

"His name is Zaid!" Hafsa says, gently elbowing me. Zaid chuckles.

"No, it's alright. I've finished the work for today," he answers. I nod.

"Anyone want coffee?" Hafsa asks, standing up. I burst into a coughing fit, remembering what happened earlier that week. I see Zaid looking at me with a smirk on his face.

'I'll have one,' Zaid says to his sister.

"Zara?" Hafsa asks. "What's wrong with you? Why are you blushing like that?! Crazy girl! Do you want a coffee?"

'Nothing, erm..yeah, okay.'

Hafsa looks at me suspiciously but heads to the kitchen to make the coffee. Which leaves me and Zaid in the hall.

'Are you okay there, Miss Ahmed?' Zaid asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, please call me Zara. Miss Ahmed makes me sound old," I mutter. Zaid chuckles.

'Why should I call you by your name when you've decided to call me Mr Malik?'

Huh? He's my boss, that's why I call him that!

"Because, you're kind of my boss? I'm so sorry if this is awkward, this is why I didn't want to come over."

Zaid just chuckles at me, making my cheeks redden. 'Zara, we've known each other for years now. Just because you work with me, it doesn't change the fact that we've known each other for years. So, I'm Zaid.'

Again, I start blushing. Why can't I freaking control my blushing around him?!

I love how he says my name. It rolls off so...sensually off his tongue. Zara, what's wrong with you!? Yes, I'm going crazy.

"Okay...Zaid." He grins, showing off his perfect teeth.

Just then, my phone vibrates. I check it, to see that it is a text from Ayesha, my other close friend. Hafsa will always be my number one best friend, but I'm quite close to Ayesha too. We've only known each other for about two months now, since the start of our first year of university, but she is a lovely girl. She is also my neighbour.

Ayesha: Hey Zara, how were your first few days at work? :)

I haven't seen her since university on Tuesday. I smile, she's such a sweetie.

Me: They were good! What are you up to? X

Ayesha: Not much! So, is the boss there too?! x

I chuckle and glance over at Zaid, to see that he is looking back at me. I look down at my phone straight away, my cheeks heating up.

Me: Yes, he is! At first I was feeling kind of awkward when I came over, because, you know..he's my boss and all, but it's alright now. He told me to call him Zaid because we used to be friends before he left for the US.

Ayesha: Aww! You know, he's damn good looking! I'd have so much difficulty concentrating if I was working with him! Lol x

Tell me about it, Ayesha. I know it's very difficult to concentrate with Zaid near.

I text Ayesha for a bit, until Hafsa returns from the kitchen with the coffee. As soon as she places the steaming mugs of coffee on the table, my cheeks redden again as I remember the coffee incident with Zaid. I peek up at him from under my lashes and see him smirk, surely he's not remembering the same incident?

That was definitely the most embarrassing situation I've ever been in, hands down.

'So, what do you want to do tonight babe?' Hafsa asks me, taking a seat next to me on the sofa.

I shrug. "Whatever you want, I don't mind."

'Let's watch a movie then! Which one do you want to watch?' She asks me.

"Anything, it's your choice," I say with a smile.

'Okay. A Walk To Remember it is, then!' She says, grinning at me.

I pout. "Hafsa! Do you really want me to cry?! I've watched that movie over a hundred times, and it has never failed to make me cry!"

Zaid looks over at us and chuckles.

'Zaid bhai, do you want to watch the movie with us? You can just sit there and offer us tissues,' Hafsa says to him. I laugh.

"You girls enjoy, I don't like emotional, girly movies like that."

Yeah, he doesn't seem like the kind of person who would enjoy movies like that. Hafsa shrugs.

********

So, me and Hafsa watch the movie that night. And as always, we both cry. I love this movie so much, but it's just so sad!

It is nearly 12am when the movie ends. Me and Hafsa are both sitting in bed, wiping away our tears.

'What do you want to do now? Are you tired?' Hafsa asks me.

I shake my head. "I'm actually not that tired, even though I was at work all day. Are you?" I ask her.

She shakes her head. 'So, how is it, working with my brother?'

My cheeks heat up as I remember the coffee incident, again! That incident is now imprinted in my mind, forever. "It's alright, I enjoy working at the office. It...takes my mind off things." I tell her the truth.

Hafsa gives me a sympathetic look. 'I'm glad you enjoy it, babe. Please stop thinking about those things now, I know it's difficult, but I want you to be happy. He can't hurt you now.'

That's true. Hamza can't hurt me now, because he is in jail. He can't reach me now. Still though, I can't help but feel afraid. Why do I feel like he's still watching me, somehow? Like, he's still here, although I know he's not. He can't hurt me now, I won't let him. He's played with my life enough.

I force a smile at Hafsa. Hafsa has been so amazing through everything. If it wasn't for her, maybe I wouldn't be here right now. She has always been an amazing best friend, she's been closer than a sister to me. She always makes me feel better.

"I know, Hafsa. I won't let him hurt me now, I won't let anyone hurt me. I've suffered enough. That's why, babe, I won't trust anyone again. Not after what happened," I laugh a humourless laugh.

Hafsa shakes her head. 'Zara, not all guys are like Hamza now. There is someone in this world who is just for you, who is only yours. And he will love you so much. Just because of one idiot, you can't shut yourself down to other opportunities. There is someone for everyone, my dear! And I think that your prince will come knocking soon!'

I laugh loudly. Hafsa is such a romantic, unlike me. I used to be into all the mushy, romantic things too. But not now.

A few seconds later, there is a knock on Hafsa's bedroom door. 'Hafsa?' It's Zaid.

Hafsa looks at me and we both burst out laughing. Just a few seconds ago, Hafsa said to me 'I think that your prince will come knocking soon', and now Zaid is knocking on the door! We laugh and laugh until our sides start to ache.

"Come in Zaid bhai!" She says loudly, and then says to me in a whisper, "That is not what I meant!"

I can't keep my face straight as I see Zaid at the door.

'Are you girls alright?' Zaid asks, raising an eyebrow.

Hafsa gently elbows me and we burst out laughing again.

"Yes, yes. We're fine, bhai. Did you need something?" Hafsa asks her brother, after she has finished laughing.

'You have the charger of my laptop, Hafsa,' he says to her.

She nods and gets out of bed, giving him his charger. He nods at both of us and leaves the room.

I change into my pyjamas and get into bed. Hafsa does the same.

'You know, I'm actually surprised that Zaid bhai is at home,' Hafsa says to me, thoughtfully.

"Hmm? Why?" I ask, suddenly interested.

'Don't even ask, babe. It's getting so annoying. He's always going out to parties, to his friend's houses, I don't know. It's so irritating when he brings girls over with him.' I burst out into a coughing fit.

He brings girls home? That means....no. I know that Zaid is now an arrogant, hot-tempered guy, who is seen every week with a different girl, but... no. He can't do...

'No, I'm 100% sure that's not why he brings them over. Ew! Girls can't stop following him for some reason! He's never been serious with any girl.' She tells me.

I nod. I kind of know that already. Well, what else would be expected of him? He's a freaking millionaire, one of the most powerful businessmen in the city, one of the most eligible bachelors in the city, of course girls would be running after him. I don't like these types of guys, at all. I know Zaid though, as he is Hafsa's brother. He is a good guy. Everyone knows about his antics, about him being with different girls each week, but I know that he is a good guy. My family know that, too.

"Yeah," I just say.

We both fall asleep shortly afterwards.

********

It's nearly 8am when I wake up the next morning. Hafsa is already awake. I take a quick shower, freshen up and change into my outfit for today, which is a mint green top with white skinny jeans. I dry my hair and brush through it, leaving it loose. I can't be bothered with makeup, I'm still tired.

When I go downstairs, I am surprised to see that Zaid is at home. It is a Saturday morning, but he usually has work on Saturdays, too.

'Good morning, Miss Ahmed,' he says to me, smirking slightly. He is sitting on one of the large, light beige sofas in the living room. So, he's decided to call me Miss Ahmed again.

"Good morning, Mr Malik. Where's Hafsa?" I ask him, yawning.

He smirks again. 'Tired, are we? She just rushed out of the house, telling me that she's going to the shop nearby because of an emergency.'

Seriously?! I know exactly what Hafsa means when she says she has an emergency. She's gone to the shop to buy pads. Crazy girl. She has no shame in front of her brother!

I blush deep scarlet. 'Okay. Do you want some coffee?'

He shakes his head. "No thanks, Miss Ahmed. Help yourself to anything in the kitchen." He gives me a small smile.

'No, I'm waiting for Hafsa. I'm not hungry yet anyway,' I say, turning around to leave the room.

"Sit here, Hafsa will be back shortly," he says to me.

I nod and hesitantly go to sit on the other sofa.

Just then, my phone starts to ring. It's Hafsa.

I answer it.

"Babe, I'm so sorry for leaving without telling you anything! It was an emergency, I will be back in about 10 minutes! You might have guessed, I needed pads. There were none at home. Ugh! I'm in so much pain!" She groans.

I laugh. 'It's okay, Hafsa. You should have taken some medicine!' I whisper the last part.

"I know, I'm so stupid! I feel like I'm dying, it's so bad! Please, sit with bhai or something. I'll be back really fast!" She says to me.

'Okay, don't worry. Yes, your brother is giving me company,' I tell her.

Zaid looks at me and smirks. I hang up.

'Oh..Hafsa didn't go to buy anything for me. I mean, she needs it,' I mutter. What an idiot am I?! Zaid isn't stupid, he must know what I'm trying to say! And, I'm wearing white skinny jeans. I wouldn't be stupid to wear these if....

Zaid chuckles. "Miss Ahmed, I didn't say anything. And I know, the way Hafsa ran out, it was obvious that whatever it is she's gone to buy, she needs it." I blush again.

'Yeah,' I say quietly.

"Are you sure you're not hungry?" He asks me.

I nod. 'Yep.'

We sit in awkward silence for the next few minutes. What am I supposed to say to him?

Hafsa returns ten minutes later. I have breakfast with her, and the whole time, she complains about her stomach pain.

'Take some medicine after you've finished eating. And take some rest. You'll feel better,' I say, giving her a small smile.

She nods and finishes breakfast.

'Hafsa, I should get going now. I had a lot of fun last night, you should come to mine to stay too!' I say to her.

"Don't go yet, please, stay for a bit longer," she says to me, pouting. She then adds, "I'm so ill, I'm in so much pain! You have to stay with me for a bit."

'Okay, only for an hour or so though,' I say, not being able to resist the sad faces she's making at me.

She grins and nods. So, I stay with her in her room for a few hours. We watch funny YouTube videos and then some makeup tutorials. I love watching makeup tutorials. Although I'm already good at makeup and do it as a side job, I love learning new makeup tricks and tips.

It's 12pm when I tell her that I'm leaving.

She pouts again but nods. 'Okay, babe. It was amazing having you over after so long, you better come again soon!'

I nod, smiling. I will, it was lots of fun.

I grab my purse and am about to head out of her room, when there is a knock on her bedroom door. It's Zaid.

"Babe, I won't let you go home alone. Please, Zaid bhai will drop you off," she says, smiling at her brother.

Zaid glances at me and nods. 'Yes, sure.'

I shake my head. "No, no! It's honestly fine. It's only midday, I'll get going and I'll reach home in about twenty minutes. And, if I go with your brother, you will be at home alone, and I don't want that."

Hafsa laughs and shakes her head. 'No, honestly, go with bhai. He will drop you off. I'm just gonna sleep for some time anyway.'

"I'll drop you off," Zaid says, giving me a small, rare smile.

'Okay. Take care, Hafsa. I'll text you when I reach home,' I say, going over to her and giving her a kiss on the forehead.

"Okay, bye babe!" She says after hugging me.

So, looks like Zaid is dropping me off at home. It's so crazy. We walk out of the apartment, and into the car park. At least ten brand new, beautiful cars are parked, including the new Mercedes, Aston Martin, and many more.

'So, which car is yours?' I ask him, chuckling. These cars really are beautiful.

He looks over at me and smirks. "All of them."

My eyes widen. Of course all of them are his. He's a freaking multi-millionaire, although sometimes I forget. I know Hafsa and her family like they are my own family, and they really are not stuck-up like most of the other rich people in this city. They're all amazing.

We walk to a black Mercedes which is stunning. It looks brand new, sleek. If I had this car, I wouldn't drive it because I wouldn't want it to get ruined in any way. Not even a scratch.

'No, don't drive this one. It will get ruined,' I say to Zaid.

He chuckles. "I'm a good driver, Miss Ahmed. Trust me. It won't get ruined."

He unlocks the car, and opens the passenger seat for me. He wants me to sit at the front. Damn. The car is even more stunning from the inside. The seats are made of black leather which is definitely of the best quality, and the car has all the newest, modern systems. And this isn't even his best car.

I don't know much about cars, but I do know that this is a very expensive, modern car which most likely costs more than my family's house.

I sit in the front passenger seat and put on my seatbelt. Zaid does the same. I'm glad that he's put on his seatbelt. I really don't like it when drivers don't wear seatbelts. It's dangerous.

'Do you need my address?' I ask Zaid as he starts driving.

He smirks. "No, Miss Ahmed. If you've forgotten, let me remind you that two years ago, we used to be over at each other's houses all the time. I know where you live."

I blush. Of course.

He continues to talk, surprising me. "I look forward to seeing you at work on Wednesday."

I nod. 'Yeah, I enjoy working at the office. You have a meeting on Monday, good luck with it.'

He nods. "Yes, Monday's meeting is an important one. I might actually head to the office after I've dropped you off, my signature is needed on some papers."

'Oh, okay,' I say, looking down at my hands.

I feel nervous around Zaid. I don't know why, but I do. It's definitely not the same nervousness I felt about Hamza after finding out his truth, but this is a good nervousness. I can't explain it.

We drive the rest of the journey in silence. Comfortable silence. Twenty minutes later, we reach my home. Dad's car isn't in the driveway, meaning he is out.

'Thank you so much, Mr Malik,' I say, giving him a smile.

He nods. "No problem, Miss Ahmed."

I undo the seatbelt and get out of the car. I give him a small smile before walking to my front door. I unlock it, and see that he is still there. He doesn't drive away until I am inside.

Yes. He's a nice guy. Of course he has all the qualities which come with being such a powerful businessman, but he is a good guy. I'm actually looking forward to work on Wednesday.

********