Chapter 19: Avoiding the CEO.

*

"Oh if you'd only know 

how much my heart 

craves, 

your presence 

during this 

cold winter time"

-2am-

*

Monday rolled in and the week started with whines and groans of coming too soon. Aanabia felt like she needed a change. She didn't know what change, yet. But change. So she decided to pray Fajr, the Morning Prayer she often missed, that morning. And much to her surprise, her day had started of well. She was advised by Ruqayyah to pray. Because according to the said woman, you do not wish for anything bad enough unless you are willing to pray in the middle of the night for it. Aanabia felt it somewhat was true. If Allah could change destinies by dua, then why not?

She got dressed for school, in a skirt and top with a dupatta over her head, covering her hair. She took her gladiators and walked downstairs for breakfast. She realized her mother was in the kitchen, making pancakes.

"Salaam, ma" Hifzah was surprised. Her daughter never says salaam in the mornings. That was new. She let out a smile and turned her head to Aanabia.

"Was salaam. Breakfast?" she asked her and Aanabia nodded. The rain is still going on and on. Nice. But why am I happy? Hmmm. Maybe it was the cartoon I watched before sleeping?

"Where is Nahal?" Aanabia asked and her mother shrugged.

"Work" Aanabia frowned. It was barely 7am

"Something about an important project" replied Hifzah and her daughter nodded, taking the plates to the table.

"She had breakfast?"

"Yeah"

-

Nahal stared at the blank screen in front of her. She basically had nothing to do at the moment.

Why am I early to work again? Oh right. I am trying to avoid a certain CEO.

Also my sister. There is seriously something wrong with that woman.

"Good morning, Miss. Sadaf. Pleasant surprise seeing you here" she closed her eyes and prayed to Allah that she was hearing things. But of course, she wasn't. Umm, in case you forgot, Mr. CEO, but I kinda work here. Smh. 

"Good morning, Mr. Rashad" she replied, turning to face him with a forced smile.

"You are early today" It was a statement and Nahal knew it. She eyed him with suspicion. Why is he early?

"Yes. I had some pending work to finish" she replied and he nodded with a smile.

"Did you have breakfast?" his question was caught her off guard. She peered at him from under her eyelashes and let out a small shrug.

"Yeah. You?" she asked him and he shook his head. He gave her a small smile and walked away, probably towards his cabin. Nahal set there with her head on her hands. Should I order him breakfast? Or not? I mean he was nice to me with the shirt thing...... which reminds me, I still have it. She unconsciously smiled.

"You want food?" she found herself calling out. Her eyes widened when she realized what she did. What? Why did you ask him that?

Yahyah was already at the end of the room when he heard her voice. He turned around and raised an eyebrow at her sudden outburst. He watched her turn in her chair and give him a small smile. One that sent his heart fluttering.

"So?" she asked him. She figured that since she had already asked, why not go with it?

"Sure" he replied with a smile and walked away before she could even ask him what he wanted. She heaved a sigh and twirled towards her desk. Picking up her phone, she called McDonalds. That should suffice for him today.

The delivery arrived in 10 minutes and she took it with a smile. The office was beginning to fill up with people and as she walked, she greeted people along the way. Finally she made it to the top floor, CEO's office it read.

Heaving a sigh, she walked towards the cabin. Before opening the door, she decided to compose herself and not try to kill him. It felt like a natural instinct. To try to kill him at one point and try to save him on the other, a constant battle it was. She finally gave in and opened the door after a slight knock.

"No ma. I am not angry. Yes mom, I'll do whatever you say- mom, I thought you knew she liked him? Why'd you set him up with Saher? You know Yazdan doesn't- Okay mother, but still. What about her?" Nahal heard the words unintentionally.

Saher? She liked- Aanabia. Her eyes widened when she realized what had happened. Her sister was heartbroken and that too, because of his brother. Oh. Oooohhh.

She cleared her throat and opened the door, revealing an annoyed Yahyah, standing in front of his desk. His eyes widened when he saw that it was Nahal.

"I'll call you when I am free, ma. Allah hafiz" with that he hung up and crossed his arms, before clearing his throat.

"I got you breakfast" muttered Nahal, avoiding his eyes and walking towards his desk. She crossed him and placed the tray of food on his desk before turning around and leaving. If his family is doing what I think they are to my sister, then I have nothing to say to this human.

She strutted out of the cabin and slammed the door behind her. That was the least she could do without losing her job. She walked back to her desk and took a seat before blowing hair out of her face. She was fuming and everyone around her knew it.

"Miss. Sadaf, are you alright?" questioned an African British, Troye from beside her. She shrugged, giving him a small smile.

"Quite" she replied before getting up (again) and walking out. She needed air. She stood by the railings of the terrace of Y&Co. Engineering and inhaled a deep breath. She was trying to forget whatever was going on at home. So this was why she was being........ whatever she was being. What if she doesn't know? Aunt Zaiha doesn't seem like the kind to hurt anyone. And Yazdan, I was sure he had some feelings for her. What if I was wrong?

And then we have the CEO. How did I ever think he was a nice person? What if he hurts Aanabia? I can't let my sister become a mess. She has always been strong and her past with crushes never ended well. Not that she had much to begin with. Arrgghhh. Why is life so frustrating?

"You will freeze to death" she rolled her eyes and waited for him to leave. But of course he didn't.

"I know you heard whatever mom and I talked about back in the cabin" he said and she huffed before walking away. I do not need explanations.

He watched her walk away, hoping she would give him one chance to explain. But this was Nahal, unpredictable.

Nahal went back to work and spent the way avoiding the CEO. It was for the best, she had thought.

Or not.

By the time afternoon rolled about, she was tired and needed sleep. She managed to start the designs for one of the other products and file in paperwork for the same design for approval.

Avoiding him is hard work. She thought, walking towards the coffee machine on the ground floor. She prayed it was working else she would have to run to the coffee shop opposite their building. She checked her watch and realized it was around 5pm. Yeet. Time to leave. Why did I say Yeet again?

She stopped infront of the large coffee machine and stared at it. She could have screamed in joy. It was working. She made coffee before walking back to the elevators and pressing the 7th floor. The 8th floor was CEO floor. A few more people entered before the elevator doors closed and she leaned onto it, trying to catch her breath. It was a little crowded.

"The Easter holidays are coming up. Any plans?"

"Church of course"

"Party!"

"You need god in your life, girl"

Nahal listened to their banter about the holidays and realized that indeed, Easter was this week. Which meant more time to sleep and watch Big Bang Theory. Maybe I should bake? Cupcakes? Yes. I crave cupcakes.

The elevator dinged and came to a halt before the doors opened. Nahal looked up and realized it was just the 2nd floor. The elevator emptied by the 3rd floor and Nahal let out a sigh of relief. She wanted to be alone. She watched the doors close but before it could completely close, it was opened again. She raised an eyebrow at the man in black who shifted, revealing the CEO. Oh great. So much for avoiding him. His eyes met hers and he took a step inside. She squared her shoulders and decided to walk out. I'll take the stairs.

"Stay" his voice was deep and commanding. More of a CEO than Yahyah. She heaved a sigh and took two steps back to her original position. The man in black entered the elevator and pressed 8th floor. Nahal was about to correct him but Yahyah beat her to it.

"You and I are having a talk in my office" he stated and she glared at him.

"And what makes you think I would?" she retorted and the man in black, who was staring at the doors of the elevator, raised his eyebrows. Afterall, who would talk to their CEO in such a manner.

"I know you heard whatever I said on call, Nahal" said Yahyah and Nahal rolled her eyes, sipping her coffee. Aaahhh. The conversation again. Rather, that conversation again.

"Nahal!" this time, Yahyah literally whined. Nahal turned to him with widened eyes in surprise. Yahyah Rashad can whine?

"What?" he asked her when he saw a small smile on her lips. She shrugged and turned back to the front.

"We are talking and that's the end of it" he said, shoving his hands in his slacks pockets and waiting for the elevators to reach his floor.

Never in their life, had the two been this nervous and anxious about anything. What exactly would unfold in the CEO's office?

****

As salaam Alaikum guys. 

Before we leave on a good note, I would like to make a few points clear. 

1.) Please read this book with an open mind. Both the girls come from an average religious background which means they make mistakes alot often and have no idea about most things related to Islam. Not that they don't bother with it but mostly because thats just how they are. (Lets not forget they are raised by a Single Mother)

2.) Yazdan comes from a religious family. Even if they do not follow Islam word by word, the family still manages to maintain a good sense of religion between its members. So there is bound to be conflicts regarding this between the pairs. 

3.) If you are hoping for Perfect Protagonist's, please kindly leave. Do not sham them over religious words because they are not perfect. Everyone makes mistakes and these guys are just learning about things. 

4.) This book may contain things that are against Islam (Listening to music, touching non-mahrams, etc) so please DO NOT hold the religion responsible for what the people following it, do.

5.) Criticism is welcome. Insults or being plain rude: Please stay out. I love myself and my readers. We DO NOT need you. Kindly leave. 

6.) The author is a die hard KPop fan so please ignore any KPop puns, jokes and meme references in this book. 😉

THANK YOU!!! 

Thats it guys. I know, I will put this under disclaimer? Or something. Dw. Thank you soooooooooooo much for the tremendous support you guys have shown me. I love you all.

Also, stream DNA-BTS. 

| R - C - V |

xx, 

-aalihha.