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• Amir •

Adrenaline coursed through Amir's veins, as a thin layer of sweat covered the nape of his neck. At this great speed, he could barely see a few feet ahead of him. Cool air bit into his lungs, his body working diligently; his leg muscles running warm as his blood flowed smoothly inside his limbs.

He was half a mile ahead of Cyrus and Faisal, who were sprinting steadily.

"You're out of shape!" Amir remarked, glancing down at his stopwatch. "It took me ten minutes to make it to the end of the pier."

"That's because you exercise more than I do. I'm taking it easy before I drive home," Cyrus replied, coming closer to where Amir stood. "Faisal hasn't made it here yet?"

Amir shook his head, hunched over as he was catching his breath.

"I know what I'm going to do every day now, Amir."

Amir reached for his bottle of water and took a swig. "What's that, Cyrus?"

"After you woke me up at seven o'clock to go on a run, I thought I'd be tired by now. I'm usually up at that time to go over notes for my morning appointments, but I never exercise until later in the day."

"I'm glad you came out here with me. I told you getting up early to exercise could strengthen your day."

"I'll jog more often in the mornings now." Amir smiled as they turned their waist toward Faisal, who ambled while typing on his phone.

"I jog here all the time. I sure wished you lived close by. I need a new running partner. Look at him. Faisal is two blocks away!"

Both men chuckled.

"Should we wait here for him?" Amir nodded, leaning against a tree.

"What time are you heading back to Lahore?"

"Since it's after eight-ten, I'll be leaving around noon. I wanted to wash my car first and grab a quick shower if that's okay with you. I don't want to impose on you more than I have, Amir."

"Nah, brother. I don't have any plans today except to visit my parents," he explained, glancing at the bright morning sun. "My father texted me that he has something to discuss."

"Do you know what it could be?" Amir shrugged.

"I'm sure he and my mother want to talk to me about arranging a get-together with Raima Malik and her family."

"Raima . . . Raima. Where have I heard that name before?"

"She was in medical school with us, like three years behind me. Her father is Tahir Malik, an investor of mine."

"Raima! She was always quiet and kept to herself. I remember her now," Cyrus said, reminiscing about their classmate. "Why do they want you to meet with her?"

"Well, my family's tradition has always been to arrange a marriage for me. They want me to marry someone they like, and Raima isn't even married yet. My aunt Nasrin admires her and even had Mr. Malik come to my home to interrogate me. Like a criminal." Cyrus snorted and laughed, and Amir straightened up. "I'm glad my personal dilemma is funny to you."

"I'm sorry, Amir. I'm glad my family has never expected me or my siblings to marry someone they'd pick. You know how picky I am." Amir nodded in agreement. "Can you see a future with her?"

"I've never thought of Raima like that," Amir said, leaning his head against the tree. "And I can't help but ponder the possibilities of being with someone else."

"It's okay. You're single and can choose anyone in the world," Cyrus said, settling down onto the ground. "You're at an impasse and have huge decisions to make."

"You're right. I have also met the person I'm paired with. She's a sweet woman who lives in the States. I've also . . . sort of fallen for her. If she were single, I wouldn't mind seeing where our friendship could lead. That's all."

"I get it, brother. But that is what Tethered Souls experience. We get attached easily. I can barely stop thinking about Gabi and what she's doing all the time in Rome. Sneaking up on her is the best."

Amir straightened himself and glanced down at his friend. "How do you control the urge not to be around her in person?"

"It's difficult at first. Excruciating even. But we are not supposed to do what we want. We are to keep our partner safe, and staying away from them physically will not put them in danger."

"You and Gabi are dating or something, right?"

"We are, but it's different for us. Even though I'm in Lahore and she is in Italy, we make it work. Although, I'm always dying to travel to her country. You should visit Italy when you get the chance."

"Do you see Gabi a lot?"

"Before work, during my lunch break, and shortly before bed. Our time difference isn't too bad, either. She and I actually met in school. This was . . . about two years before we found out we were paired. We were friends and both had crushes on each other. But we decided to have a relationship without being in the same place. We visit each other as often as we want and spare the plane tickets," Cyrus explained, and Amir chuckled. "How do you feel about marrying a woman your family arranges for you?"

He narrowed his eyes, not knowing how to respond. Amir knew he didn't want to disappoint his family, considering all the work they do to help arrange meetings, but he couldn't help how he felt regarding Luna. There was something about her that made him have hope for his future.

"Amir?" Cyrus mumbled.

"Oh, sorry." Amir swallowed and cleared his throat. "Raima is nice, and she'd make an excellent wife. I guess I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, especially when it comes to Luna."

"When was the last time you saw her?"

"Since Faisal warned me off three days ago."

Cyrus's mouth flew open. "He did what?"

"He warned me about the consequences of meeting my partner in person. You're lucky you met Gabriela before your power's opened. That's something I'd loved to have experience."

"Being a Tethered Soul can be difficult, Amir. Gabi and I are struggling just as much as you are. If you care about your companion, go to her. Don't abandon her because Faisal has a big mouth. I'm sure she's hurt right now. Don't worry about the distance. That's the best part about having telepathy. Possibilities are limitless for us."

Cyrus had a point and talked sense into Amir. He decided to return the next day and speak with Luna. He had missed her pretty smile and soul. Her aura made him feel like he was standing on a beach, with sand between his toes.

Comfortable.

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"Hi," Amir said, appearing at Luna's side.

"Hey," she replied, adjusting a backdrop for her next client in her studio.

"I'm sorry I haven't come by. There have been a few things going on I can't exactly explain," Amir told her, hoping she wasn't upset at him.

"Yeah. Okay," she murmured, twisting a rod into a light fixture.

Their scenes changed, and they stood next to a swimming pool with a shimmering light reflecting on the surface. A large ice sculpture in the shape of a dolphin settled in the center, shooting a stream of water out of its mouth, and tea lights and small lanterns were scattered around the yard.

"Where are you?" she asked, her eyes drawn to a window featuring his family laughing and smiling around a table.

"I'm visiting my Aunt Fatima. It's Faisal's birthday, and our family got everyone together to have a celebration."

"Which one is he?" she wondered aloud, her gaze drawn to them.

"He is the one in the back wearing white clothes, with a goofy grin plastered over his face," Amir said, pointing toward him.

"Oh, happy birthday to him."

Turning to the side, she folded her arms in front of her, glaring at Amir. "I don't understand you. Why did you keep your distance from me? We were getting to know each other one minute, and then you disappeared. I haven't seen you for days. Did I do something wrong?"

"You didn't do anything, Luna. I'm sorry about leaving you alone. My distance wasn't anything you have done," he explained, scared of telling her the truth of what Faisal informed him.

"I saw you at the park the other day. Did seeing me with my daughter and Chase make you feel uncomfortable? You didn't care to speak to me anymore?"

"No. It was nothing like that." He took a step back and stood against a wall. "I don't know how to talk about what's been going on. Just know that my distance had nothing to do with you having a family."

"Well, the next time you feel like spying on me, please stick around. I stopped what I was doing to go talk to you."

"I had to take care of something immediately. I'm sorry," Amir pleaded, sincerely.

"I even tried to connect to you later, Amir, and it felt like you blocked me. Almost like you ghosted me."

"I didn't."

He knew she was on to him, even though he tried to keep a wall up so she wouldn't press him for information. He couldn't explain what he found out without pushing her further away. He'd rather talk to her about Faisal's warning when she wasn't upset about his small mistakes. He vowed in his heart that he would never hurt her.

"I have to finish setting up," Luna told him. "My client will be here shortly. He's an actor coming in for new headshots."

"Cool."

"Yeah," she sniffed. "The pay is generous, too." They both laughed, and then glanced at the backdrop for a minute. "Do me a favor?"

"Anything."

"I don't care what's going on with you. I don't want you to push me away. I want to be here, no matter what. Friends help each other out. Okay?"

"I know," he said, as she lifted her lips into a soft smile. "There is something I could share with you."

"Oh? It only took me grillin' you to make you open up? Do I have you eating out of the palm of my hand, Mr. Khan?" Luna teased.

"I think you do, Ms. Carlyle," Amir murmured, and then cleared his throat. "But in all seriousness, I have something to tell you."

She smiled. "Okay."

He looked down at his left hand, remembering his family's tradition. "You know, I believe in arranged marriages. Since I was a child, that's all I've ever thought about. Who my family would choose for me." Luna nodded, realizing his situation, then he continued. "So, my family has decided on someone for me. I must decide whether or not to marry her."

"Oh."

Amir wanted to explain to Luna that pairs were never supposed to meet physically, but he chose to tell her something softer for the time being, even though he hadn't decided on his family's choice of a wife. He hoped the news wouldn't upset her because he didn't want her to be genuinely hurt.

"I'm happy for you," she said. "I just hope we continue to take the time to learn more about each other and our lifestyles."

He grinned. "We will."

Just then, her studio's bell sounded and she motioned for him to stay still.

He stayed quiet as she peeked around her corner, then turned her attention back to him. "We should talk later. Chase is here."

After Amir nodded and waved goodbye, she walked into her office and laid a roll of film she had in her hand on her desk. He stood idly by and watched as Chase ambled into the small room, holding a bouquet of red roses and a plastic bag with food in it. He wore a gray business suit, and his blond hair was styled back.

"Hey," Luna said, gazing up at Chase. "You're in the city early. What's going on?"

"What? Can't I bring my beautiful lady something to eat?" he scoffed, snickering under his breath.

Amir's stomach twisted, wishing he had someone he could do that for, to bring her flowers and food.

"I knew you had a few clients scheduled today, and I figured you might be hungry, Darlin'," Chase told her, sitting on the edge of her desk, caressing her cheek with his fingertip.

"I wasn't complaining," Luna told him, grinning. "Thank you for this."

As she pulled out a covered plate with chicken pasta and two slices of baked bread, she adjusted herself in her seat, then Amir brought himself back into his living room, flopping down on his couch.

Seeing them together reminded him that he should set aside his feelings for her and focus on more important priorities. Being close to Luna could destroy everything she'd built for herself and her family, and her happiness was all that mattered to him. He didn't want to do anything to disrupt the life she lived.

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Thank you for reading my story. This scene is from Chapter 5 of the older draft. A major redraft was needed.

Also, Luna's fortune from earlier was for Amir and not for her. He 'opened' it in this chapter. He was the one who had an impasse; not her.