Zara's POV

'Mum! I'm going to take a quick nap, I'll help you when I wake up. I'm exhausted!' I tell Mum, yawning.

It's Friday afternoon, and I have just returned home from work. Zaid let me leave early today, because of the dinner party tonight. I didn't see him much at work today, but when I did see him once in the morning, he seemed to be in an alright mood. With me, anyway. I left the office at 3pm, it is now 3:45pm. Although I didn't have a full day at work today, I'm still exhausted because there was a lot of work as usual.

"Okay, Zara. Only a quick nap, though. You're making the dessert," Mum replies. I nod and head upstairs to my room. I don't mind making the dessert, I'm thinking of making a chocolate fudge cake, as Hafsa loves the one I make. Anything for her. Maryam has also made a fruit trifle.

I don't know if I'm looking forward to the dinner party, though. Of course I'm looking forward to spending some time with Hafsa, and I'm happy that I will be seeing Aunty and Uncle, but Zaid will also be coming. He's my boss. It's kind of awkward that he will be coming over for dinner, but hopefully it will be alright. He's a nice guy. He actually is.

I'm so exhausted that I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow. And I have a good, comfortable sleep. That's until Mum comes to wake me up.

"Zara! Wake up! It's nearly 5:30pm, you've been asleep for nearly two hours! They will be reaching soon! Please make the cake quickly and put it into the oven, everything else is done. Then change into some nice clothes, please."

I reluctantly open my eyes and yawn. 'Okay, Mum. I'll be right downstairs.' Things I have to do.

I get out of bed and make my way downstairs. I get started on the cake, which really doesn't take long at all. I love baking, and I think it's safe to say that I'm good at it. Hafsa really loves my chocolate fudge cake. So does Uncle.

'It's in the oven, Mum,' I say to her, walking into the living room.

She looks at me and smiles. "That's good, dear. Now please can you go to your room and change into something nice? There are so many clothes you have that you haven't worn even once, please wear something lovely. And do some makeup too if you wish."

I laugh. 'Mum, it's only Hafsa and her family! It's not like they're...coming over to ask for my hand in marriage or something that I have to dress up! But fine, I will. Because I'm bored.'

Mum smirks and nods. "Hurry up, they will be here soon."

I go upstairs to my room and into my walk-in wardrobe. What to wear, what to wear? I decide to wear a rose pink flowy maxi dress. It's new, and I bought it from Forever 21 a few weeks ago. This is my first time wearing it, and it actually looks nice on me. It suits my skin tone, and it fits perfectly. Great.

I hear the doorbell ring downstairs. They're here. They can wait. I quickly brush through my hair, leaving it loose. I apply a small amount of makeup and head downstairs just as I hear Mum call me down.

Hafsa tackles me into a hug as soon as I enter the living room. I chuckle and hug her back. 'I missed you!'

She literally saw me a couple of days ago. She's so crazy, but I love her so much! "I missed you too, Hafsa!"

Then I turn to Aunty and Uncle, who are also so, so amazing. 'Hi, Aunty! Hi, Uncle! How are you? I hope you're well?'

Aunty hugs me and places a gentle kiss on my forehead. I smile. "Hi, dear. We're both very well, and you look so well. You look beautiful!"

'Yes, Zara dear. You do look beautiful, I hope you've been well too?' Uncle asks me in reply.

I grin. "Yes, thanks. I've been well. Thank you so much! Aunty, you look even more beautiful! That purple colour really suits you!"

She smiles. 'Thank you, dear!'

I hear someone clear their throat. Zaid. I bite my lip discreetly. "Hi! How are you? Wait, that's stupid. You're fine. I saw you earlier today." I'm so stupid. I just saw him this morning at work.

Zaid smirks. 'I'm fine, thanks for asking Zara. I hope you are, too?'

I nod. He knows I'm fine. "Yes, I'm fine thanks."

Hafsa laughs. 'You both saw each other this morning! And I haven't seen you in days, it feels like months! Have you made my chocolate cake?!'

Everyone chuckles. She's so hilarious and adorable. "Of course I have, Hafsa!"

Everyone starts talking. I sit with Mum and Aunty, who are talking about an upcoming wedding. The wedding is of a second cousin of mine, who is the groom. The groom is also the son of Zaid's father's childhood friend. If that makes sense.

'How's work going, dear? I hope my son is treating you well?' Aunty asks me, smiling. Zaid's head shoots up, his interest perking.

"Work's going good, Aunty. I enjoy working at the office, and yes, Zaid is treating me well. Don't worry," I say, laughing.

He smirks.

'Oh, I'm glad dear. If he doesn't, just let me know and I'll sort him out for you. Okay?' Aunty asks.

I nod, laughing.

Dad and Uncle are sitting on the other sofa, discussing tonight's football game. They're both big football fans, and they are always watching games together.

'Are you feeling better today, Zara? I heard from Hafsa that you weren't feeling well at work on Wednesday,' Uncle asks me.

I tense. I don't want my parents or anyone asking me about that again. Mum especially questioned me so much about it because she was so worried. Zaid and Hafsa look towards me, in worry.

I smile. "Yes, I'm completely fine now Uncle." I don't know what else to say.

He nods. 'That's great if you're feeling fine now, dear.'

Thankfully, no one asks anything else. I want to forget about Hamza so badly. But I can't. I can't forget him now that he is back.

Wait. Mum, Dad, Aunty and Uncle all know that I fainted the other day at work. Do they also know that Zaid caught me when I fainted? I hope not. I feel myself start to blush again, remembering. I bite my lip.

Zaid looks at me and smirks. Surely he's not remembering the same incident? I look down and smile, remembering Zaid's teasing yesterday.

'Babe, why are you blushing? Are you feeling okay?' Hafsa asks, raising an eyebrow.

Zaid looks over at me and smirks again. Ugh. What's with him and his smirk?!

"I'm not blushing. Shh! I'm just...it's a bit hot in here. I'll be right back." I rush out of the room and go into the kitchen, taking a sigh of relief. Why do I always feel so nervous and so flustered around Zaid? Why does he always look so damn good, too? That really doesn't help my situation.

Zara, calm down. You're being stupid. Zaid is not...good looking. Well, he is, but he's annoying too. And he's your boss! At least he takes my mind off Hamza.

I jump when I hear the kitchen door behind me. It's Hafsa. I smile at her.

'Babe, I just wanted to make sure, he hasn't contacted you again in any way, has he?' She asks me. She's asking about Hamza.

I shake my head. "No, he hasn't. And I hope he doesn't. Although I doubt that. He kind of made it clear that he's back for me. I don't want to think about that right now, though."

Hafsa smiles sympathetically. 'Don't worry about it, Zara. We're all here for you, whether you like it or not. If he contacts you again, please, please tell me. And yes, I will tell someone. It's your choice who, but Zara you have to understand, someone needs to know. Someone who can help us.'

She doesn't understand. How can I tell anyone and get them involved, too? "I can't tell anyone, Hafsa. Please try to understand, babe, if anyone finds out, then they will also get into trouble because of me. I won't let that happen, not under any circumstances!"

'Zara, you're being silly here. You know it. You know how dangerous Hamza can get. He may have changed, but he may not have. We don't know right now. As much as you say that you're so strong, you can't protect yourself fully. It's your choice who you choose to tell, but you have to tell someone. I'm your best friend, and you're closer than a sister to me, I care immensely for you. Tell Uncle, or tell the police. But you have to tell someone,' she says, worriedly.

What? Dad? The police? No. There's no way that I'm going to the police. Not yet, anyway. Yes, you may think that I'm being stupid and putting myself in danger, but I need my answers from Hamza. I need to know why he did what he did, and I need my revenge. I can't let him sit in prison peacefully. He needs to suffer like I did. He will pay. No one can understand it as well as me, because no one else experienced it.

"Hafsa, I know you're worried but I can't tell anyone. Because I know they'll just tell the police. I don't want Hamza to sit peacefully in prison, I want him to suffer worse than I did. He needs to pay for what he did. I won't let it go just like this. I need revenge," I say, clearly.

Hafsa looks surprised. 'Babe, I understand. I really do. But, you're putting yourself into danger.'

I shake my head. "He can't do anything to me now. I won't let him. I'm not the same Zara anymore."

Hafsa thinks for a moment. 'What if..what if we tell someone who we know won't tell the police? What if this person helps to keep you safe and protected, away from Hamza, without telling the police?'

I frown. "What do you mean? I don't want them to get into any danger because of me, Hafsa."

'What if we know this person can protect themselves very well, and Hamza can't harm them?' Hafsa asks, smiling.

"Who, Hafsa? Who is this person?" I ask, sighing.

'Zaid Bhai.'

My eyes widen in surprise. No. I can't tell Zaid everything. He's...no. "Hafsa, I don't think that's such a great idea. I don't want Zaid to worry about me, too. And you tell me, how can I tell him everything that happened that night? Zaid is my boss now, it's not the same as before. I can't get him involved in any of this. And before you suggest it, because I know exactly what you're thinking, I won't let him have his bodyguards or security protect me. I'm fine."

Hafsa laughs lightly. 'He already worries about you, and you can trust him. Even you know that. So what if he's your boss? You used to be friends with him two years ago, Zara.'

I shake my head. "Hafsa, please, for the meantime don't tell anyone anything. For my sake."

She sighs but nods. 'Okay, but you will have to tell someone or the other soon. Someone you know will be able to protect you. Because I can't see you get hurt again.'

We go back into the living room, where everyone is sitting and talking. I'm lost in my thoughts, though. Hafsa is right. Hamza is very dangerous, and I really can't protect myself properly. How did he get hold of my photo album? It was always stored in my cupboard. I do need to tell someone, sooner or later. Why am I thinking that Zaid is the perfect person who would be able to protect me from all this? I can't get him involved, though. He's my boss, not my protector.

'Aunty?' Hafsa calls out to Mum, who is sitting on the other sofa next to Zaid and Aunty.

"Yes, Hafsa dear?" Mum replies with a smile.

'Aunty, can we please not eat just yet? I'm looking forward to the delicious food, but I don't want to go back home yet,' she says to Mum.

Everyone starts laughing. She's too cute for her own good.

"Hafsa, don't worry. We're here until after the football game finishes tonight," Her father tells her.

She grins. The game is starting in an hour, so that means they are here for about three more hours. I'm happy. I love spending time with Hafsa, and her parents are so amazing and caring too. They've always been like a second family to me. I'm honestly closer to them than I am to my aunts and uncles.

'I really hope Liverpool win again tonight,' I say to Dad and Uncle. They both grin. They're huge supporters of Liverpool FC, just like myself.

"Yes, dear. I hope they win too, this is a tough game against United!" Uncle says to me, smiling. I can tell he's worried about the game, though, like Dad. I smile.

Dad and Uncle have been best friends since many years now. It's amazing. Mum and Aunty are also really good friends, they're always talking on the phone to each other, all day long. And me and Hafsa, of course we're best friends too, forever.

'Zaid, don't you watch football, son?' Dad asks Zaid. I look over at him, interested.

He nods. "I do, Uncle. Sometimes. I too support Liverpool." My eyes widen. What?! Zaid supports Liverpool too!

I grin at him, he smirks. He seriously supports Liverpool, though? How did I not know that?!

'As if you didn't know that Bhai supports Liverpool! Don't you remember when you used to have conversations with him two years ago about how you both hate Manchester United?' Hafsa asks me. How do I not remember? Must have happened, though.

I shake my head. "I don't remember, but that's great of course. Liverpool are the best."

Zaid smirks again and nods. Why does he always smirk at me like that?!

Me and Hafsa start talking about going shopping in a few days time. Then, Hafsa playfully elbows me. She has a mischievous glint in her eyes. What is she up to now?

'Aunty?' She calls Mum again.

"Yes, dear?" Mum replies.

'Aunty, I want to see those photos. You know the ones of Maryam and Zara when they were younger. You promised me last time that you'll show them to me, pretty please?' She asks, pouting.

Oh, no. No, no, no.

Mum grins and opens her mouth to talk, but I interrupt her and start talking straight away.

"No. No way. Hafsa, I need to show you something in my room! Mum, you will not bring out those photos now. It's really not a good time!" I ramble. There is no way that Mum is going to show everyone those photos. They're so embarrassing!

She is not going to bring out my baby photos and show everyone. Zaid is sitting here, too. He can't see those photos of me where I was sitting in Mum's lap or in Dad's lap with chocolate all over my face. Or the ones in which I'm crying my eyes out. Oh no. Those photos are so embarrassing!

'That's a great idea, Hafsa! Zara, please can you go and bring the photo albums from upstairs? They're on top of my wardrobe, like you know dear!' Mum says, with a massive smile on her face.

I frown. "Mum, they're not there anymore, remember?! We put them somewhere else, I don't know where!" I say, trying to make an excuse, but it doesn't work.

'Yes, Zara, even I want to see how cute you were as a child! You must have been absolutely gorgeous and adorable, that's how you've turned into such a beautiful girl now!' Aunty says. She's too sweet, she really is. Those pictures of me, however, are absolutely mortifying.

I see Zaid looking at me with a smirk on his beautiful face. Beautiful? Ew. No.

"Yes, Zara, why don't you go and get the photo albums down so we can all see the photos?" Zaid asks me, raising an eyebrow. Ugh.

What excuse can I make?! I really don't want anyone to see the photos, because they're honestly really, really embarrassing. I was such a naughty child.

'I'll go and get them!' Maryam says, grinning. She stands up and goes to Mum and Dad's room to get the albums.

She comes back with the albums a couple of minutes later, and places them onto the table in front of us. Thankfully, Dad and Uncle are in the garden, discussing an important project of some sort. Uncle won't have to see the embarrassing pictures of me. But Zaid is still here. Why is he not with them?!

Hafsa grins at me, still looking mischievous. She takes one of the photo albums from the table and opens it. Oh no. Ground, swallow me whole. Now.

This album contains baby photos of me and Maryam. Most of the photos are of me though, unfortunately.

'Aww, Maryam, you were such an adorable baby!' Hafsa says, smiling. She's looking at a photo of Maryam when she was about 6 months old, and in the photo she is sitting in Mum's lap, playing with a toy doll.

Aunty smiles and nods. I look at the picture and smile. Maryam was a very cute baby. Everyone says that Maryam was a copy of Dad when she was a baby, whereas I was more of a mixture of Mum and Dad. I looked like both.

Aunty and Zaid are looking through another album, which also contains our baby photos.

'Zara, look at you dear! Such a beautiful baby! You have your Mum's eyes!' Aunty says, smiling. I look over at the album she is looking through and smile. Yeah, that's a cute photo of me.

A few seconds later, I hear Zaid chuckling. He has a photo in his hand, and he is looking over at me. "Zara, I have to say you look really cute in this photo, with chocolate all over your face and clothes!"

What?! Oh no. He found that photo. The one I was dreading.

'Zaid, put that photo down please. It's so embarrassing. Look at the other photos!' I say to him, mortified. I sink further back into the sofa, my face as red as a tomato.

"Why? You look adorable," he says. Aunty looks at the photo and nods, laughing.

'Zara, dear, I have to say that you were such a beautiful, adorable baby. When you have a baby one day, it will be so cute too!' Aunty says happily.

What?! I burst into a coughing fit. Hafsa pats me gently on the back.

"Yes, I can't wait for that day Zara. You know, you and your husband can go to university or work, leave the baby with me! I will take care of it all day happily! That time will be so perfect," Mum says, smiling. Seriously?!

'Zara, yes! When you have a baby, I will play with him or her all the time! Aww, Zara! I can't wait!' Hafsa says, smiling too.

Okay. I think everyone has gone crazy. I look over at Zaid, who is trying not to laugh at the expression on my face.

"Aunty? Mum? Hafsa?! This is so embarrassing! Are you seriously talking about my baby?! I'm not married!" I say, wanting them to change the topic. This is so embarrassing! They're saying all this in front of Zaid as well! What must he be thinking?!

'I don't want to be on a walking stick when I have grandchildren, Zara!' Mum says to me. My cheeks redden.

"Mum, tell me, how can I give you grandchildren?!" I ask. And regret it straight away when I hear Zaid, Hafsa and Aunty laughing.

'Oh babe, you know exactly how!' Hafsa says. This girl has absolutely no shame! In front of her mother and her older brother!

"This is exactly what I say to Zaid and Hafsa too! When they get married, I'll be an old woman! When they give me grandchildren, I'll be on a walking stick!" Aunty says. This time, I burst out laughing as I see the expressions on Zaid and Hafsa's faces. Mum and Maryam laugh too.

'Yes, Hafsa, your wedding will be so much fun too!' Maryam says, winking.

I laugh and nod. "Yes, it will be the best! But I'm definitely going to cry on your rukhsati!" Hafsa shakes her head and laughs. I will definitely cry on her rukhsati, though. Whenever it happens.

'No, babe! I'm younger than Zaid Bhai, so he will get married before me! I can't wait for his wedding at all! Zaid Bhai, please hurry up! I want to spend some time with my sister-in-law too!' Hafsa says to her brother.

I burst out laughing when I see Zaid's face. Oh, I'm definitely enjoying this now!

Aunty nods. "Exactly, Zaid. Tell us, when will we expect the good news about you agreeing to get married?" His mother asks him.

I bite my lip, trying not to laugh. 'Zaid, you will make the most handsome groom!' Mum says to him, smiling.

I look over at him. Yes, he definitely will make the most handsome groom. Undoubtedly.

"Yes, Zaid! Your wedding will be fun too!" I say, teasing him.

He smirks. 'Will it, now?'

I nod. "Yes, of course it will! I'll do your future wife's makeup, okay?!"

He looks surprised. 'You want to do my future wife's wedding makeup?' He asks.

I nod, grinning. "Yeah, of course I want to! It will be so much fun!"

Zaid's POV

Zara is teasing me, like everyone else. I don't mind, but why do I not like the feeling I'm getting when Zara is telling me that she wants to do my future wife's bridal makeup? She sounds genuinely excited about my marriage, whenever it'll be.

'Okay, you can do her makeup,' I say, looking at Zara.

She beams. "Thank you! You won't regret it, she will look perfect!"

Mum and Aunty are smiling at our conversation.

But no. She won't look perfect. There's no one in my mind who I want to marry. Marriage is not in my books for a long time yet.

Zara looks beautiful today, even more so than usual. The dress she's wearing really suits her. Just about everything suits Zara. She would most likely look stunning wearing a plastic bag. Zara is one of those girls who is beautiful without trying. Her smile makes her look even more beautiful.

Zaid, what are you thinking?! This is Zara. Hafsa's best friend. Zara, the girl who you've known for over five years now. Two years ago, everything was different. It seems like the whole world changed over here when I was away. I'm going crazy. Two years ago, I would never have thought of Zara in this way. Now, everything has changed. She has changed, and so have I.

I think of something and smirk.

'Mum, Aunty, what if me and Zara were to get married on the same day?' I ask. I sound so stupid right now.

Mum and Aunty smile. "That would be amazing, Zaid! Two weddings on the same day! Imagine if they happened at the same venue, too! I have to say, though, Zara would definitely make a more beautiful bride than your future wife, whoever she is!" Mum says to me, chuckling.

Zara frowns. 'Zaid, what are you talking about?' She asks.

I smirk. "Zara, you think about it. Wouldn't it be great if we got married on the same day, at the same venue?"

She thinks for a few seconds before shaking her head. 'No. If that happened, it would mean that I can't do your wife's makeup.'

What? This is what she's thinking about right now? Nothing else? She's thinking that it's a bad idea as she wouldn't be able to do her makeup? Zara really is a difficult one. She's nothing like any of those other girls. She's different.

Why is it that my charms don't work with her? They work with every other girl. Damn, any other girl would be ecstatic and over the moon if I was showing even an ounce of interest towards them. But Zara really is different. Nothing is working on her. It's almost as if she is immune to my charms. She doesn't see me in that way, she never will because I'm Hafsa's older brother.

Why am I even thinking about this? Why am I even thinking about Zara? Because she is the one girl who hasn't fallen at my feet, who hasn't shown any interest in me? I've never once before thought a second time about a girl who didn't show interest in me, because that has never happened. But Zara, she really is something else.

I glance over at her in thought. Why am I thinking that she will not be happy when I get married? Why was I thinking that maybe Zara would not be happy of the idea of us getting married on the same day? I'm so confused right now.

Zara Ahmed, you interest me. You really are something else.

********

Hi guys! I hope you've all been well! So, what did you think of this chapter? Don't forget to vote and comment if you liked it! Thank you so much for reading, I love you all loads. I really do!

What do you think is going on in Zaid's head?

Do you think Zara will tell Zaid about Hamza? Will she let him help her?

What do you think will happen next? What do you think Hamza is planning?

I love you all, stay tuned for the next chapter which will be up in a few days time! Stay beautiful, everyone! xx