Zara's POV

Zaid lets me leave work early that day. I spend most of the remainder of the day in my room, sitting alone, lost in my thoughts. What did I do today? I lost it completely. I feel myself getting emotional again, thinking about my feelings for Zaid. I love him so much, it's crazy. I don't know when it happened, how it happened, anything. All I know is that I love him more than anything. Why can't he love me back? Why can't everything be perfect and simple for once?

After dinner that night, I sit with Maryam and Mum for a short while, watching TV.

'Zara, why are you so silent this evening? Is everything okay?' Mum asks me, giving me a worried look.

I nod. "I'm just a bit tired, Mum. Yes, everything is okay."

'You came back early today from work, why? I mean, is everything okay at the office?' She asks.

I swallow the lump in my throat, remembering my rude behaviour with Zaid this morning. I will apologise tomorrow, properly. I'm such an idiot, I don't even know what I said to him. "Zaid let me leave early today, I had a bit of a headache."

'Headache? Why didn't you tell me, dear?' Mum asks me worriedly, before touching my forehead to check whether or not I have a temperature.

"I'm fine now, Mum. Seriously," I tell her. I just want to go to bed.

'You and Zaid were adorable yesterday, the way you two were joking around,' she says. Maryam nods, winking at me.

I sigh, looking down into my lap. "Yeah, he was annoying me."

They laugh.

'I can't believe you called him a watermelon, though!' Maryam says, making Mum chuckle again.

I blush. "Yeah, well, I did. You know what? I feel the headache coming back, I think I should get to sleep. I have work tomorrow." I stand up, smiling at my mother and sister. Dad has gone upstairs to bed early today, he was exhausted after his long day at work.

'Zara, don't go to work tomorrow if you're not feeling well. I'm sure Zaid won't mind,' Mum says, smiling gently.

I shake my head. "I'll be fine once I get some sleep, Mum. Honestly, don't worry. Goodnight."

I hurry upstairs to my room before Mum or Maryam can initiate another conversation. I feel exhausted, but more than anything, I feel really bad. I feel extremely guilty for my behaviour this morning.

I change into my pyjamas and climb into bed after switching off the lights. I close my eyes and try to fall asleep, but I can't. Why did I behave so rudely with Zaid this morning? First, I told him that he hurt me, and I told him to get out of my life. I told him that I don't want to work with him anymore, or see him again. I asked him why he came back into my life. I even told him that he hurt me more than Hamza did. How could I say all that to him, when he has always been amazing and supportive to me?

I feel tears rise to my eyes again. Why do I always have to be so dramatic and start crying all the time?! After I was so rude to Zaid, I hugged him. I freaking hugged him, tight. When he hugged me back, I broke down completely. I lost it when I felt Zaid wrap his strong arms around me. I hugged him closer, not wanting to let go of him.

And then I told him to never leave me. Just two minutes before that, I was telling him to go away, to get out of my life and leave me! I'm crazy. I honestly don't know what I'd do if Zaid left me. He can't. I won't let him. He has to stay here, with me. He has to love me back.

I have a feeling that Layla is going to try and make things more difficult for me. She's back for Zaid. She wants him back. I know that Zaid doesn't have any feelings for her anymore, but she won't leave him. She will find every opportunity to get close to him at the office, to meet him. I have a feeling that I will be getting jealous often now, with Layla here. Even though I know that I have no reason to feel jealous of her now.

It takes me forever to fall asleep, because I can't stop thinking about a certain someone. When I do finally fall asleep after 2am, I see him in my dreams, too. In my dream, I am married to him.

'Zara, are you ready baby?' Zaid asks me. I can see him through our dressing table mirror, he is fixing his tie. He looks gorgeous, even more than usual. Today, he is wearing a light grey coloured suit, with a white shirt and a black tie. I can't believe we are finally married! I'm too lucky. This feels like a dream. Too good to be true.

"Yeah, I'm ready. Just wait a sec, let me quickly touch up my powder and lipstick. It'll only take a minute!" I say, laughing.

Looking into the mirror, I see him walk towards me. He has a mischievous grin on his face. He wraps his arms around me, so we are both looking into the mirror. His hands are resting on my stomach. 'Zara, we make the perfect couple, don't we?' He asks, huskily.

I smile. "Yes, we do. Let's get going now, before we get late for our own party!"

'I don't want to go just yet, though. The guests can wait,' he whispers, burying his face into my neck. I laugh.

"Zaid! Someone might come in! Let go of me," I whisper, but the last thing I want him to do is let go.

'Why do you look so beautiful?' He asks me, gently kissing the exposed skin on the back of my neck. I shiver.

"Because I am beautiful! Now let's go!" I try to move away from him, but he just strengthens his hold on me. I groan.

'You are crazy, Mr Malik!' I say, chuckling.

"Only for you, Mrs Malik," he breathes, kissing me on the shoulder. I close my eyes, clutching onto his hands, hard.

'The door is open, Zaid,' I whisper.

He groans. "Why do you always want to get away from me? We've only been married for four days, everyone will understand if we are late for our party."

I turn around in his arms, frowning at him. 'I spend all day with you, Zaid! And of course all night, too! Don't look at me like that, I just touched up my makeup...again! Thanks to you, I had to! Now let's go!'

He stares into my eyes, smiling. "You look like an angel."

I don't want to go to the party, I just want to stay here with him. But we organised this party, it is our party and the guests must be waiting. We need to go.

I stand on my tiptoes, and gently kiss him on the cheek. 'Happy now?'

He shakes his head. "I want a proper kiss." I blush. Yes, we are married, but I still can't control my blush around him. He makes me blush even more now, after marriage.

'Later. We're late!'

He shakes his head stubbornly. "I want a proper kiss, then we'll go."

I blush again. 'Okay.'

He looks surprised. "Okay?" He asks.

I nod. I quickly kiss him, just a small peck, surprising him. I take this opportunity to run out of the room, laughing and laughing. 'That's not what I meant!' I hear his voice from behind me. I don't stop running until I reach downstairs. Hafsa is standing in front of me, hands resting on her hips, and she is raising an eyebrow at me. My cheeks redden.

'Babe, you could at least cover up that hickey,' she says, frowning, before laughing at the deepening blush on my cheeks. She points to the side of my neck.

********

Seriously?! I wake up to the sound of my alarm going off. I dreamt of being married to Zaid?! And I kissed him in the dream?! And I had a hickey on my neck?! I really have lost it. I'm gonna be a freaking blushing tomato at work today, whenever I see him.

********

"Zara, please can you come into my cabin?" Zaid asks through the intercom.

'Coming,' I answer, standing up. I wonder what he wants now. I haven't seen him this morning, because he didn't want coffee today.

When I walk into his office, I see him sitting at his desk, holding his head in his hands. He is rubbing his forehead and frowning. He smiles when he sees me enter.

'You called me?' I ask, clearing my throat. Damn him. He's wearing the same light grey suit that he was wearing in my dream. He's even wearing the exact same shirt and tie! How can this be possible?! He looks very handsome. I blush, recalling the dream I had. That was a really crazy dream.

"Yes, have you emailed the designs to the company?" He asks me.

I nod. 'Good. Zara, please can you give me some company this morning? I have a headache, and so it seems that I always manage to feel better when you are with me.'

I blush at his words. "Sure. What do you want me to do?"

'Distract me, please. Layla has given me a headache this morning.'

I frown. "She came to your office?"

He nods. 'She made her way into my office, without my permission. I'm going to fire her. She doesn't understand that I have moved on, and she keeps disturbing me. She doesn't let me do my work at peace. Please, Zara, take a seat.'

So I do. I sit opposite him at his desk. He is reading through a file, and gosh, he looks amazing. I remember the dream again. I blush, biting my lip to stop the stupid smile from escaping. I'm mad. All because of Zaid.

"How do you want me to distract you?" I ask, confused.

He smirks, glancing at me. 'Just talk to me, Zara. I'm distracted already, now that you're here.'

"Oh, shall I leave then?" I'm confused.

'No, that's the last thing I want, Zara. Stay here, talk to me.'

I clear my throat. "Zaid?" I call his name a few seconds later.

He looks up at me, giving me a small smile. 'Yes, Zara?'

I look down at the desk, playing with my fingers. "I'm really sorry, for yesterday. I don't know what came into me, I really shouldn't have said all that to you. I was so rude to you, for nothing. You've always been amazing and caring towards me, and I was so rude."

'Zara, I don't mind. It doesn't matter, okay? I couldn't see you in that state, though. You were crying so much. I still want to know, why were you so upset?' He looks into my eyes, as if he is trying to read me.

I blush, looking down at the desk again. "It was nothing, Zaid. I was just being stupid."

'Zara, you can trust me with anything. You know that,' he says, smiling slightly.

I sigh. What am I supposed to say to him? That I love him?

"I just felt so low yesterday, Zaid. Like nothing is ever right in my life. Like...life is unfair just to me. I can't ever have what I want," I mutter.

He frowns. 'What do you mean? Tell me what you want, I'll make sure that you get it. I promise.'

My cheeks heat up again. "It's nothing, Zaid. Haven't you ever felt this way? Like...there is something you really want. You want nothing more than it. But you can't have it. I probably sound like a weirdo right now, you won't know what I mean. Forget it."

He shakes his head. 'I know what you mean, Zara, and I understand. I have also felt this way. Believe it or not, I feel this way right now. There is something I want more than anything in this world, too.' He looks thoughtful.

I smile. "Life isn't fair."

'Don't say that, Zara. Have you tried to get this..whatever it is you want? Have you tried to gain it? I don't think so.' He leans back on his chair, looking at me thoughtfully.

He's right. I've done nothing at all to win Zaid over, to make him mine. I've done nothing to show him how I feel about him. How is he meant to know how I feel, without me telling him anything? He can't read my mind.

I blush. "You're right."

'I might be able to help you, Zara. Tell me, what is it you want so much? I will help you to gain it,' he says to me.

I am about to speak, when there is a knock on the door. Zaid sighs. "Come in." His voice is authoritative, cool.

The door opens, and in walks Layla. I knew it. 'What do you want now?' Zaid asks, frowning.

"I came to ask you if you knew where Zara is, and here she is!" She says, grinning. Me? Why does she want to see me?

Zaid raises an eyebrow. 'Why did you want to see Zara?' He asks her.

Layla chuckles. "There is someone at reception. A very handsome guy. He wants to see you, Zara."

I see Zaid glare at her. 'Who is this guy who wants to meet Zara?' He gives me a questioning look. I shrug. I'm just as confused as he is. I have no idea who this guy is, who wants to meet me.

"Someone called Rayyan?" Layla asks, laughing.

'Oh! Rayyan is here? Why?' I ask, confused.

Layla shrugs. "Shall I send him to your office, Zara?"

I nod, but Zaid shakes his head. 'Bring him to my office, Layla.'

Layla raises an eyebrow at him, but does as she is told. A couple of minutes later, there is another knock on the door. 'Come in.' Zaid says loudly, sighing.

Layla walks in again, with Rayyan. He grins when he sees me. He comes to me, giving me a friendly hug. "Hi, babe!" I hear Zaid mutter something under his breath, but I ignore him.

I laugh. 'Hi, Rayyan! What brought you here?!'

"I wanted to see you, babe! I haven't seen you in ages, you know! I was wondering, do you want to get a coffee in your break? I need to talk to you about something," he says, smiling.

'Zara's break is after an hour, not yet,' Zaid interrupts our conversation. I frown at him.

Rayyan shrugs. 'I don't mind, Zaid. Zara, I need to tell you something. It's important.' Rayyan gives me a serious look, which worries me. He is usually a funny, humorous guy, but he is worried right now. He's my close friend, and I know him this well. I can tell that he's worried about something.

"What's wrong, Rayyan?" I ask him, gently touching his forearm.

He glances at me for a few seconds, before shaking his head. 'Not now, Zara. I need to talk to you. Please have coffee with me.'

I nod. I'm worried now, too. The look on Rayyan's face tells me that it must be something serious. 'I have lunch break in an hour, Rayyan.'

"I'll wait."

I glance over at Zaid. He looks furious for some reason. 'Zara, you can take the break now if you wish, but you're going to have to work overtime. An hour overtime.'

I nod. "That's fine. Zaid, I'm sorry, but I need to...take the break now."

'Very well. Don't forget that you have overtime, though,' he says, coldly.

I nod. "I'll be back shortly." I follow Rayyan out of the office, and we take a lift downstairs. He doesn't say a word to me once we're in the coffee shop opposite The Malik Enterprises building, and we've ordered our coffee.

"Rayyan, please tell me what's going on. I'm worried," I say, looking at him with worry.

'I didn't want to worry you, Zara, but this morning, when I got out of my house, I saw a guy standing outside your home. It looked as if he was trying to look through the living room window. Zara, I thought it would be best to tell you this. Because I know your ex has come back, it's not safe for you. You should tell the police,' he says, seriously.

I start shaking, feeling more afraid than I've ever felt before. Someone was standing outside my home, trying to look through the windows? Hamza. It must be him. It can't be anyone else!

"Rayyan, what did he look like?" I whisper, holding onto my coffee cup hard.

Rayyan shrugs. 'I don't remember much, Zara. I didn't think too much of it at the time. Only when I was in the car, did I remember that your ex is back. The guy must have been around my age, around Zaid's age. Or probably a year or so younger. He was wearing casual clothes and a black hoodie.'

I close my eyes shut tight, trying to make the memories of Hamza leave my mind. The memories of that night are flooding back into my head. "Zara, you're shaking. I'm so sorry, maybe I shouldn't have told you. I just wanted to warn you, though."

I nod. 'I'm glad you told me, Rayyan. Thanks so much. Did you tell Ayesha?'

He nods. "Yes, I did. I had to. And she also was so worried, she said that it must have been Hamza."

'It must have been him. I was getting happy, Rayyan, that he hadn't contacted me in a few weeks. But he's back,' I mutter.

His eyes widen in shock. "What do you mean he hadn't contacted you in weeks? Is he stalking you?!"

Crap. I forgot I hadn't told Rayyan about Hamza getting out of jail and coming back for me, stalking everything I do.

I nod. 'Please don't tell anyone. Promise me.'

"I won't tell anyone, but are you crazy?! You haven't told the police this?! Why? He's stalking you, Zara. He sees everything you do? Sounds like a psycho to me. I don't want you to get hurt. You have to tell the police. They'll be able to help you." He's furious.

I shake my head. 'Rayyan, I will tell the police, at the correct time. Please, don't tell anyone anything. I trust you.'

He smiles slightly. "Zara, I'm very happy that you trust me. You can trust me with anything, if you ever need any help I'm here for you. I still think you should tell the police, because you're getting yourself into a lot of danger. But I'm here for you. I'm sure you have your reasons for not informing the police just yet, and I understand. Please, don't get hurt."

I give him a small, forced smile. I trust Rayyan, I really do. I have become very close to their family these last few months, and they're all amazing. I can trust him with this. I know he won't tell anyone.

I feel so afraid right now, though. Hamza hadn't messaged me in weeks, I was very happy about that. I had thought that maybe, just maybe, he had stopped. But now he's back again. It must have been him outside my home. Who else would it have been? It was definitely him.

I don't want to be alone even for a single second now. I will tell Maryam to stay with me tonight, in my room. I'll make an excuse and say that I want to have a sleepover with her. I can't be alone. Not with Hamza keeping an eye on me.

Rayyan changes the subject of conversation, and starts to tell jokes, to cheer me up. Nothing is helping though, at all. I feel so frightened. After coffee, I say goodbye to him and head back to the office. Rayyan tells me that he is going to buy some groceries for his mum.

I can't concentrate at all on work that afternoon. Hamza could be anywhere right now. What if he's right outside this office right now? What if he's seeing everything I'm doing right now? I know that this company, of course, has very tight security, but I still can't help but feel afraid. Compared to at home, though, I feel safer here. I have a feeling that it's due to the fact that Zaid is with me at work. Even if we don't work in the same office all day, his office is right next door to mine. I feel safe knowing that he is close to me.

I run all the errands for Zaid, but I can't take my thoughts elsewhere. Where would Hamza be right now? The door of my office opens, and I jump, startled.

Zaid raises an eyebrow. 'Are you okay?' He asks.

I nod. "Yeah, I wasn't expecting you here right now."

He smirks. 'How was your coffee meeting with that guy?'

"It was good," I tell him. Apart from the fact that Rayyan informed be about Hamza, I liked talking with him. He's a funny guy, and a close friend.

'I understand what you meant earlier. When you were saying that there's something you want, but you can't have it. You like him, don't you?' He asks, staring into my eyes.

I frown. "Huh? I like who?" What's he on about?

'Rayyan. You like him. Am I right?' He asks, cocking an eyebrow at me.

I burst out laughing. I laugh and laugh and laugh. Zaid looks at me weirdly. 'I knew it,' he mutters.

"You are crazy!" I say, still laughing.

'But I'm right,' he mutters.

"Oh, are you? What made you think I like Rayyan?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

'I don't know, but he sure likes you!' I hear a voice from the door of my cabin. Layla. Of course it's her.

I frown. "What do you mean?"

She chuckles. 'Zara, it's obvious he likes you! And I have to say, you and Rayyan would make a very cute couple!' No, Rayyan doesn't like me in that way!

This angers Zaid. "Layla, why were you standing there, listening to our conversation?" He asks, angrily.

She smirks. 'Oh, Zaid. I'm so sorry! I just had to say that, though. Don't you think they'd make a cute couple?! I sure think so!'

"No. Now, please leave and get back to your work," he orders her.

She huffs, annoyed. 'Okay, Mr Malik. As you wish! I'm going! Zara, Rayyan is a hottie!' I laugh at that. Rayyan is just my friend, I wouldn't ever see him as anything else. Not when I like someone else...

Layla leaves, winking at me. She's a crazy girl. I can tell already. I glance at Zaid, to see that he is staring at me.

'What? Why are you giving me death glares?' I ask, frowning.

He comes up to me, and stands very close to my desk chair. I frown at him again. "Do you like him?"

'Oh, not again! You're crazy! Don't you have anything more important to do?!' I ask, laughing.

He shakes his head. "No. Tell me, Zara. I'm waiting."

'Then keep waiting!' I stand up and go over to the filing cabinet to search for a file. Just as I am about to open a drawer of the filing cabinet, I feel Zaid grab my arm and push me gently against the wall. My eyes widen.

"Tell me, Zara."

'What if I don't?' I challenge.

"Then I will punish you."

I laugh. 'You don't scare me, you know that? You don't scare me a tiny bit, Mr Malik! You may have the rest of the company frightened of you, but I am not. Now leave me, and let me get back to my work. Otherwise, my boss will be mad at me. I don't want that, do I?'

He steps closer to me. "And your boss is getting mad at you right now. Tell me, Zara. Do you like him?"

I raise an eyebrow, but don't say anything. I look at the wall opposite me, pretending that his touch does nothing at all to me.

"Zara, speak. I'm asking you something," he mutters, his voice low.

'Why do you want to know?!' I ask, confused.

"Because I do. I have the right to know."

I laugh at that. 'Oh, really? What do you think? You tell me, do I like Rayyan?'

I try to move away from him, but he traps me by placing both his hands on the wall on either side of me. I can't stop the blush from creeping onto my cheeks.

"I'm asking you." His voice is serious. I look at his face. He looks angry, his eyes are dark and cold.

'Zaid, Rayyan is my friend,' I finally say.

"That doesn't answer my question," he mutters.

'I don't like him, okay? I don't. Rayyan is my close friend, but I don't like him,' I tell him truthfully.

He breathes a sigh of relief, which confuses me even more. Was he jealous?! "Good. It better stay that way."

'No way, Zaid!' I say, laughing again.

He raises an eyebrow. "What's so funny?"

'You! You were jealous! Of Rayyan!' I say, not being able to control my laughter.

He glares at me. "Why would I be jealous of him?! I'm Zaid Malik. And who even is he?"

'Seriously?! He's my friend! And he's a nice guy! I know you're Zaid Malik, but you were jealous. Just admit it.'

"I'm not jealous of him."

'We both know that's bullshit, Zaid,' I say. He looks surprised at my choice of words.

I elbow him out of the way, and go back to my desk. I take a seat and look through the papers on my desk.

I feel him come up to me from behind me. He positions his face next to my ear, making me tremble. Why is he standing so close? His closeness makes me nervous, but not in a bad way. It makes me nervous in a very good way.

'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,' he whispers into my ear, his lips dangerously close to my earlobe. After that, he casually strolls out of my office, leaving me sitting there in shock.

********

Hi guys! Another update for you all, I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you thought of this chapter, I love reading your thoughts and comments!

What was your favourite scene?

Who was that guy trying to look into Zara's home? Was it Hamza? Is he back again?

Okay, guys. Something major will happen in this book very soon. Just to let you know.

Don't forget to vote and comment if you liked this chapter! Thanks so much to all of you for your amazing, never-ending support! I love updating, because of all of you and your love and support! I love you guys loads and loads! So do Zaid and Zara! Bye guys! Stay tuned for the next update! ❤️ x