Zara's POV

Ayesha stays over with me that night. Rayyan told her about the guy who was trying to look into my home that morning, and she also thinks that it was Hamza. It has to be him. It wouldn't be anyone else. Even though I have work tomorrow, Ayesha decides to stay with me because she knows I feel afraid and that I don't want to be alone tonight.

I'm so frightened. Hamza is back for me. He hasn't contacted me yet, though, which is weird. I have a feeling that he is planning something big. I need to keep myself safe. I feel so bad saying this, but I don't even feel safe at home. Because I haven't told anyone at home about Hamza's return. I feel safe at the office, because I know that Zaid is close, and the security of the company building is extremely tight. Whenever Zaid is near me, I forget about all the fear. I forget about everything. I feel safe when I'm with him.

Me, Ayesha and Maryam bake chocolate chip cookies at 9pm. The cookies are delicious, and we have a lot of fun baking them. After that, me and Ayesha go upstairs to my room. We watch a movie, and then just sit and talk. I have a great time chatting with her about shopping, university, and much more. I'm so glad that Ayesha lives just next door to me, as it means that we can meet up anytime we want. Ayesha is always coming over, and I'm always going to her house, too. Her parents are lovely, as is Rayyan.

At 12am, we are lying in bed, still wide awake. We are still chatting away. Ayesha asks me about Asad.

I roll my eyes. 'He's a nice guy, I guess. He seemed nice enough. Aunty Laiba is lovely, too.'

"Hmm, yes. Hafsa told me too, that Asad seemed like a good guy. So, what do you think about marriage?" She asks me.

I sigh. 'I don't want to marry him, Ayesha. I mean, he's a nice guy and all, sure, but he's not the one for me. Like Hafsa, you probably won't understand what I'm saying, but I don't want to marry him.'

She touches my arm gently. I can't see the expression on her face, because we have turned all the lights off. "Zara, I fully understand. I know why you don't want to marry him."

'Huh? You do? What do you know?'

She laughs. "Yes, I know what the reason is. And so do you."

I sigh. 'What's the reason? You're probably gonna say something crazy, too!'

"Zaid Malik." Hearing her say it, makes it seem even more true. Not that I don't already know how hard I've fallen for him, but...even Ayesha knows. I guess I'm not good at hiding my feelings. Does that mean...Maryam and Mum know, too? And Hafsa? No, I don't think they know. I hope not. What would they think?!

'What do you mean?' I ask, faking a laugh.

"Zara, you can't fool me. Don't you trust me, sweetie? If I liked someone, the first person I'd tell would be you! I've seen the feelings in your eyes for Zaid since day one, babe! Since I first saw you two together. I've also seen that many times, you have tried to get rid of these feelings, to ignore them, but it hasn't worked. You love him, Zara. And I think he feels the same way."

I burst out laughing at this. 'He feels the same way?! He's...a CEO. He's Zaid Malik, and he can have any girl he wants in the entire world! He doesn't like me, he's just my friend.'

"Keep saying that, babe. I really feel as though he likes you back. And thank you, for not trying to hide your feelings from me. Thank you for not lying to me about it, because the love you have for him is evident in your eyes. I didn't know this kind of love exists, but now I do. You and Zaid would make the cutest couple," she says, hugging me.

I'm glad the lights are off and there is full darkness in the room right now. Because my cheeks are as red as a freaking tomato right now. 'That's crazy,' I whisper. There is no way that Zaid likes me in that way, but there is no getting rid of what I feel for him.

"You and Zaid are crazy, for not admitting your feelings to each other. Zara, I've kept you awake since so long, I'm so sorry! I forgot you have work in the morning." I actually am quite tired now.

I smile. 'Ayesha, again, thank you so much for staying with me tonight. You're amazing, you know that? I love you.'

She chuckles. "I know, babe! You're amazing too, and I love you more! Now sleep!"

'Okay.'

"Zara? Marry Zaid quickly, and have babies. I know your babies will be the cutest. I can't wait to play with my nephews and nieces!" She says, excitedly.

I laugh loudly. 'You're nearly as crazy as Hafsa! Now go to sleep! Goodnight, Ayesha.'

She chuckles. "Goodnight, Zara."

********

'Zara, wake up! I've been trying to wake you up for the past half hour! You're going to be late for work!' Ayesha shouts again.

I groan and sit up, rubbing my tired eyes. When I read the time on the clock sitting on the wall opposite me, my eyes widen in shock. Yeah, I'm definitely going to be late today.

'Zara, go and freshen up. I'll select your outfit in the meantime. Okay?' She asks, smiling.

I yawn, nodding. "Thanks, babe." I get out of bed and go to my en-suite bathroom. I take the quickest ever shower, and go back into my bedroom after slipping my dressing robe on. Ayesha has selected my outfit for me, which I change into. Two minutes later, I am wearing a teal coloured blouse, black straight-leg trousers, and matching teal heels. I apply my natural makeup quickly, and brush through my unruly hair. I decide to put my hair up into a messy bun.

When I'm ready, I grab my matching tote bag which holds my phone, wallet and all of my essentials, and head downstairs. I have breakfast with Ayesha and my family, and then Dad drops me off at the office.

********

Thankfully, I reach just on time. I have just hung my coat up on the small rack at the side of my office, when there is a knock on the door. Who is it this early?

'Come in!' I call in a cheery, professional voice. The door opens, and I'm surprised to see Layla.

She gives me a grin when she sees me. Weird. This girl is weird. Why is she being nice to me? I mean, she has no reason to be mean to me, but still.. It's unexpected. "Hi, Zara! You don't mind me calling you Zara, do you?"

I shake my head, giving her a small smile back. I don't want her to know that I know what happened between her and Zaid in the past. 'I don't mind, what's up? Did you need something?'

"Is Zaid here yet?" She asks me.

I shrug. 'I'm not sure, I just got here. He should be here, though. He's usually here before me.' I sit at my desk, turning on my laptop and desktop computer.

She nods. "Zara, I heard that you do professional makeup? Is that true? You're a makeup artist, too?" She looks impressed.

I nod. 'Yeah, I do makeup as a side job. I guess I am kind of a makeup artist? Am I? I don't know?' I laugh.

She grins. "That's great! You do your makeup beautifully! I was wondering, could you please do my makeup for an event that I have coming up?"

'You want me to do your makeup? Seriously?' I ask her.

She nods. "Yeah, of course I do! Zaid might have mentioned to you, I am a model. I've taken a break from my modelling career, though. I have a party coming up, can you do my makeup for that, please?"

I nod. 'Erm, sure. Yeah, of course I can. When's the party?'

She laughs. "I think it's in a week or so, I'm not sure about the date yet, as it hasn't been confirmed. Thank you so much, Zara. You're a lovely girl!"

I give her a small smile. I can't say the same about you, Layla.

"Zaid told you, didn't he?" She asks me, looking hurt.

I frown, feigning confusion. 'Told me what?'

"He told you about our past. I hurt him, I know I did, but not purposely. I honestly loved Zaid. Zara, can I tell you about what happened? I don't know why, but I want to tell you. I want us to be friends." Is she being serious right now? I've only known this girl for two days now, and she wants to be friends? She does look hurt, but is it real?

'Layla, I know what happened. I'm not going to say anything, as I have no right to. You want to tell me what happened? Why?' I ask, confused as hell.

"I want us to be friends, Zara. You seem like a lovely, genuine girl. I know about my career, I know that I hurt Zaid. I didn't want to hurt him, though. Please listen to me. I'll only take a few minutes."

I glance at the clock on the wall. It's 9:15am. I don't think Zaid has reached yet, though, because when he usually reaches the office, he sends me a text, telling me to bring him his coffee. He hasn't texted me yet.

So, I nod. 'Okay, I'm listening. Please be quick, though. I need to get Zaid's coffee for him in a few minutes.'

She nods. "Zara, I really didn't want to hurt him. I had to, though. We were dating, and I really liked him. I loved him, so much. But I hurt him. I asked him for money one day. Which he gave to me, without asking me anything. He was happy with me, too. He gave me the money, a huge amount of money, and he heard me on the phone a few months later, with my friend. I was telling him that I was glad that I was dating Zaid, because he gave me all the money I needed. I needed the money for my younger sister's surgery, Zara. My sister was diagnosed with Stage Three brain cancer a month before this happened. I needed the money for her surgery, it was the only hope I had! Zaid thought I had been using him all along, for his money and status! I loved Zaid, I truly loved him. I hurt him, though. Unknowingly."

I don't know what to say. Is she saying the truth? Why would she tell me this? She didn't use Zaid for his money. Well, sure, she got money from him, a huge amount of money, but it wasn't for a bad cause. It was for her sister's surgery. I don't know what to think anymore.

If she's telling the truth, if Zaid finds out the truth, will he go back to her? I suddenly feel sick. What am I supposed to do, after hearing this?!

'I don't know what to say, Layla. I'm sorry,' I whisper.

She smiles sadly. "I tried to tell him so many times, but he wouldn't listen. You know what he's like. After a few months of trying to talk to him, I gave up."

I don't know what to say. I just nod.

"We just weren't meant to be. He's moved on, and now I won't chase after him. I won't hurt him even more than I already have."

'Layla, why are you telling me all this?' I ask her.

She smiles. "I told you, Zara, I want us to be friends. It might not be possible, though, as I know you're also friends with Zaid, but I want to be friends with you. Zara, due to my modelling career, I haven't had many true friends. I know what my reputation is like, people call me a 'bitch' and whatnot. I don't care. I don't even have the support of my parents. I know that you are a great, genuine girl. I want to be friends with you, I've had enough fake friends in my life."

I give her a small smile. I am about to reply, when I am saved by my intercom buzzing. I answer it.

'Zara, please come to my office.' It's Zaid.

I give Layla another small smile, which she returns. "So I guess he's finally here! You better get going, before he gets mad."

I chuckle lightly and nod. 'I'll talk to you later, Layla.' She nods and leaves my office, to get started with her work. I make my way to Zaid's office, lost in my thoughts. Did Layla tell me the truth? If she did, then she has been through a lot. Have I really been thinking so wrong of her? Does she seriously want to be friends with me?

I lightly knock twice on Zaid's office door. He tells me to enter, so I do. His expression brightens when he sees me.

"Hello, Zara. How are you?" He asks me, a slight smirk on his face. The smirk which I have started to love so much.

'Hi, I'm good thanks. You?' I ask him.

"I'm better now that I've seen you." I blush. How do his words have such an effect on me?!

Oh yeah, I've just remembered another thing. Which was stuck in my mind the whole of yesterday evening. His words yesterday.

I'm not jealous of Rayyan, Zara. Or Asad, for that matter. Or any other guy. Because you and me both know that you are mine. Only mine. I'm not jealous of anyone, but if any guy comes close to you, I will destroy him. Zara Ahmed, you are only mine. You always have been, you always will be. Remember that.

What did he mean by that yesterday? I need to ask him.

'Your tricks don't work with me. You know that, right?' I ask him, raising an eyebrow.

He smirks. "Oh really, Miss Ahmed?"

'Really, Mr Malik.'

"When will you admit it, Zara? These tricks do work with you?" He asks me.

I frown. 'I need to talk to you. You're crazy.'

He chuckles. "What have I done now, Zara?"

I take a seat opposite him at his desk. 'What have you done? Are you seriously asking me that?!'

He raises an eyebrow. "I really don't know. Enlighten me, Zara."

I fold my arms and frown at him. 'Okay, now you're going to explain everything. And I mean everything. What on earth did you mean yesterday?! If any guy comes close to you, I will destroy him. Zara Ahmed, you are only mine!' I try to mimic him, making him laugh.

"You tell me, Zara. What do you think I meant?" He asks me, leaning forward.

'Move back, and stay back. And stop smirking like that. I asked you first, tell me.'

He smiles. "I think you know what I meant, Zara."

'I don't know what you meant! And you're driving me insane. You can't play with me like this, Zaid. I'm not like the other girls you've been with. I actually have a brain.'

He chuckles. "I'm not playing with you, Zara. Don't think that."

I frown. 'Then please, explain. What do you mean by all this? And what were you doing the other day, at my home, in the kitchen? What was all that about? You're just confusing me, Zaid. I don't know what to think. Please, just tell me. So that I can move on with my life.'

"What do you mean, so that you can move on with your life?" He asks, looking into my eyes.

'If any guy comes close to me, you'll destroy them? So, what? You won't let my future husband come close to me, either? How will you do that, Zaid? Obviously my husband will have to come close to me.'

Zaid frowns. "Yes, Zara. If any guy comes close to you, at all, I will destroy them."

I laugh. 'No, you won't. You can't. I will get married, soon. You can't keep my husband away from me.'

This makes him angry. "Zara, I told you. You are only mine."

This time, I don't even blush at his words. 'What are you saying, you crazy guy?! What would you do if I agreed to marry Asad? You'd destroy him?' I laugh.

He glares at me. "You do that, Zara. Do that. Say yes to his proposal. And I swear, I will drag you from the altar."

'Who do you think you are?! You do realise, that you're playing with my feelings? You're hurting me by saying this! So I can't ever get married, Zaid?'

He smirks. "You will get married, baby." Baby?!

'Zaid Malik, stop smirking! Gosh, why are you so damn confusing?!' I shout.

"Want me to make everything crystal clear?" He asks with a glint in his eyes.

'Yes, please!' I say, frowning.

"I will, Zara. I promise you, I will explain everything. Very soon."

I glare at him. 'I don't understand you, at all. What's wrong with right now?! All I need is an explanation.'

He smiles. "Zara, I will explain everything to you very soon. I promise. I'm not playing with your feelings, I wouldn't ever do that. I wouldn't ever hurt you in any way." And of course, I believe him.

********

I continue with my work, and the rest of the day flies by. I don't see Zaid much later that afternoon, as he is busy in meetings. He has three meetings today.

I finish work at 5pm, and head home. I spend the rest of the day with my family. I'm so glad it's finally the weekend. I'm definitely going to sleep in tomorrow morning. I haven't had enough sleep at all this week, because of university and then work. So I'm gonna make sure that I get plenty of sleep this weekend to make up for it.

I've just finished having dinner with my family, when I check my phone and see that I have 13 missed calls. 10 from Hafsa, and 3 from Zaid. I frown, confused. I was texting Hafsa just half an hour ago. Why has she given me so many missed calls? I hope everything is okay at her home?

I'm still sitting at the dining table with my family, and I decide to phone Hafsa and ask her why she's tried calling me so many times. She answers on the second ring.

'Hey, Hafsa. Is everything okay? You've given me so many missed calls, I'm worried! Are Aunty and Uncle okay? And Zaid?' I ask, worried.

Her voice is frantic and worried too, on the other side of the phone. "Zara, get here quickly. It's urgent. Zaid is fine. So are Mum and Dad, they're not at home today, though. Please, get here fast."

Something's up. Something is definitely up. Hafsa doesn't ever sound this worried. 'Hafsa, how can I come now? It's over 8pm! Tell me, what's the matter?' Maryam, Mum and Dad look at me worriedly. Mum asks me what's wrong, but I shake my head. I don't know.

"You have to come here. Please. If you love me, come here. Make an excuse, anything. Please." Is she stuck in some sort of problem?

'Okay, I'm coming.' I turn off the call and turn to my parents.

"Dad, please can you drop me off at Hafsa's? She's really worried for some reason, she needs me right now," I say.

'Yeah, of course, Zara. What's the matter, though? Is she okay? Is everyone in her family okay?' Dad asks me, concerned.

"I don't know, I think she's upset for some reason. She didn't tell me. Everyone is okay, though. Please can you drop me off?"

'Yes, you should go. She's lovely, and she obviously needs you right now. Stay with her tonight, but please, stay safe. There is a storm outside,' Mum says. Yeah, there is a massive storm outside. It was really windy in the morning, too, but the weather has just gotten so much worse. It's pouring down with rain, and there is thunder and lightning too. The power keeps going off. It's really not a good evening.

"I will, Mum. Don't worry about me. I'm worried about Hafsa. I'll come back early tomorrow, promise," I reply.

'Spend some time with Hafsa, beta. That's no problem. Stay with her as long as you want, I hope she feels better soon! But just stay safe!'

I give Mum a small smile, before I pop upstairs to my room and grab a pair of pyjamas and also some clothes to wear tomorrow. I hope this weather calms down, I hate thunderstorms. And the power going off isn't a good sign, either. I don't like it at all.

I follow Dad out of the house. I run to his car, which is parked about ten steps away from the main door, but I get soaked in seconds. Thankfully, though there isn't much traffic at this time. We reach the apartment in ten minutes.

'Zara, have a great time with Hafsa. And stay inside, okay?' Dad asks, giving me a small smile.

I chuckle. "Where would we go in this weather?! Thanks, Dad. Bye!"

********

Zaid opens the door in seconds after I ring the bell, and one look at his face tells me clearly that nothing is alright. 'What's the matter?' I ask him softly.

I follow him into the living room, where Hafsa is. When she sees me, she runs to me and envelops me in a tight hug. I hug her back. "Hafsa, what's wrong? Are you okay?" I ask her gently.

'Babe, I'm so sorry. I didn't want to worry you, so I didn't tell you anything over the phone. We got sent something an hour ago.' My whole body tenses when she says that. It can't be...no. Hamza wouldn't send anything here. Would he?

Zaid hands me an envelope. No way. How is this possible?! Why would he send something here? Has he started to stalk Zaid and Hafsa too, now? If they get hurt in any way because of me, I won't be able to forgive myself. I open the envelope with trembling fingers. First, I take out a note. I recognise his handwriting straight away.

The note is addressed to me.

Zara, my baby! I was away for a quick holiday, but now I am back! I missed you so much! But don't worry, I will be coming to meet you very, very soon, my love! I decided to send this back to you. You'll be needing it soon. And it's yours! I gifted it to you only! I love you more than anyone. You are mine. See you soon! Bye! X

I throw the note to the side, and empty the envelope into the palm of my hand. A ring falls out, and I recognise it straight away. He had this ring custom-made for me. I chose the design. It has a very unique design, and it even has an engraving inside of our names. I feel sick. He's sent me back our engagement ring. The very same ring that I had thrown into his face after I found him cheating on me.

But why did he send this here, to Zaid's apartment? The note is addressed to me, so why would he send it here? What does he want?

I glance at the ring again and break down, in Hafsa's arms. Hafsa holds me, not saying a word. Zaid stares at me, looking worried, but more than that, mad. He looks furious.

'Hafsa, I don't deserve this! Why can't he leave me alone? Did he not do enough to me?! Why did he send me this ring back?! What does he mean I'll be needing it soon?!' I cry into her shoulder.

"Shh, Zara, he can't do anything to you now. Please stop crying, baby. I can't see you like this. I knew you would break down like this, seeing the ring. Please don't cry!" She hugs me, and I hug her back, crying.

Hamza thinks he can play with me, hurt me, whenever he wants. And that's exactly what he's doing. What is the point, though, of him sending me this ring back? What does he want to get across?!

I cry for a couple more minutes. I break the hug and Hafsa glances at me worriedly, wiping away my tears. "No, Zara. You will not cry because of him anymore. Do you hear that? You won't cry for him anymore. You're a strong girl, okay?! You're the strongest girl I know. He wants you to cry, to feel afraid. Why are you doing what he wants? You have to ignore him. Let him do what he wants! None of this should matter to you."

Hafsa is right. Why am I crying because of him? I've cried enough, due to him. I have to ignore him. He will hate that even more. He will hate it when I ignore him. He sees everything I do. I want him to see that nothing he does has an effect on me. He can do whatever he wants, he can text me, send me things, whatever. I have to ignore everything.

'I will kill him.' I forgot that Zaid was still here. I look over at him. He looks like he could murder Hamza right now. I go to him and grab his arm.

"No, you will not do anything. Do you hear that? You will listen to me." He looks surprised, but still furious.

'Zara, he thinks he can fuck around with you, do whatever he wants. He can't, though. I won't let him. I will kill him. I'm going to the police right now.' He tries to go, but I hold onto his arm tightly.

"Zaid, no. Listen to me! Hafsa is right, he wants us to react like this! We have to ignore him. I know you care about me a lot, Zaid, but please, just...for the meantime, stay here. I'm afraid. The power keeps going off." Hafsa chuckles lightly.

'Zara, you're crazy. I can't say no to you. I want to kill him, you have no idea... If he does anything else, you can't stop me from going to the police. Now you have to listen to me about this.' He stares into my eyes, not looking away. The expression in his eyes is cold.

I nod. "Okay. I won't stop you. Now calm down, look. I'm calm. Your muscles are so tense right now." His arm muscles are hard and really tense.

Hafsa laughs from behind us. 'Hamza can do whatever he wants, it doesn't make a difference to us anymore. Zaid bhai, calm down. Next time you can kill him.'

Zaid looks at me with a worried expression in his eyes. Thankfully he has calmed down slightly. "Do you want anything to eat, Zara?"

'No thanks, Zaid. I ate just before I came over,' I reply, giving him a small smile. Zaid was so angry, he could actually kill him. I know that. I'm glad he has calmed down.

We start to watch TV, but just a couple of minutes later, the power goes off again. This time, completely. I grab onto Zaid's arm hard, as he is sitting beside me.

'Don't be scared, I'm here. You girls should get to bed. The power will keep turning off tonight, until the weather calms down. I'm downstairs, don't worry. You should both sleep,' Zaid says softly.

"Huh?! How can we sleep like this?!" Hafsa asks, feeling just as afraid as I am. I nod. Everything is pitch black right now. I can't see a thing. I could literally walk into Zaid right now, and I wouldn't see.

'I know it'll be difficult, but you can't really do much else tonight. It's pitch black,' Zaid says.

"Well nah, Zaid! I don't like this, though! It's been over a couple of minutes, why hasn't the power come back on?!" I ask, scared.

'Listen. Can't you hear the storm outside? It's just getting even worse. I don't think the power will be back on for a while,' he tells us truthfully.

"There hasn't been a storm like this in so many years here in England. It's surprising. I'm scared, bhai!" Hafsa says, going to Zaid's other side and grabbing his other arm.

He sighs. 'That's why I'm telling you girls to sleep. You'll forget about it if you sleep. I'll make sure you're both safe. Don't be scared.' He's so sweet, but that's not what I'm thinking of right now. I was slightly tired a few minutes ago, but not now.

"How can we sleep, bhai?!" Hafsa asks again, scared.

'Go upstairs, use the torch light of your phone. Leave that on if you want, and try to sleep,' he replies.

There is no freaking way that I'm going upstairs in this huge apartment, without him or anyone else to protect me and Hafsa. I'm scared. I admit it.

"Zaid?" I call.

'Yes, Zara?'

"Come to bed with me."

********

Hey, guys! So here's the next chapter! I hope you all like it! Let me know what you thought of this chapter! Thank you for reading ❤️

A lot happened in this chapter... Ayesha stayed over with Zara, Layla told Zara a bit about her past with Zaid, Hamza sends Zara back her old engagement ring which he gave to her, and now the power cut. What do you think will happen next?

What was your favourite scene?

And what did you think of the final part of the chapter? Of what Zara says to Zaid? 😉
How will he react?! And Hafsa? 😂

I love you all so much! Vote and comment if you liked this chapter! Thanks so much for reading, the next chapter will be interesting, to say the least. 😉
Bye guys! ❤️ x