KANO STATE, NIGERIA.

"Imad Lamido speaking!" He mumbled into the phone as soon as he picked it not bothering to check the caller ID, he wants to get home as soon as possible to catch some sleep. He's been getting weird thoughts since the encounter with his past earlier. And that is not good for his health, he knows that.

"And I'm Mrs. Imad Lamido, forgotten about me already?" A feminine voice replied back from the other line so he connected the call to the Bluetooth instantly knowing that this is going to be a long phone call and he will enjoy it too.

A long lost friend.

"How could I do that, Jannah Mia?" He laughed when he heard her loud intake of breath from the other end. He always knew how to get to her whenever she starts talking like this and this, is just the way to get her talking. That her name he called in a seductive tone did the trick yet again.

"Aw, I miss you so much, Habiby. And you know what? I have a huge surprise for you!" She squealed into the phone, he couldn't stop the grin from taking over his face again. She always manage to get that reaction from him all the time, she is a bundle of life.

"Really? What is that surprise again? I hope you haven't written any book about me again this time around?" She grumbled this time around and she would've threw her shoe at him if they were together at the moment. He likes to tease her endlessly about that book she wrote for him.

"No, I didn't do that this time around. And you know what is it? I'm in Nigeria right now, just landed in Aminu Kano International Airport right now and going to a hotel, suggest a good one for me." She is bouncing, he knows that even without seeing her. That woman is more of those bouncy balls than a lady with etiquette.

"Really? Why didn't you tell me about it?" He feigned hurt, he really is because he thought he was the first person she would consult knowing he lives there.

"I don't even know I was coming, I wanted to go to Abuja but I changed when I was given the option because of you so don't go berserk on me again. Now suggest a good hotel for me, I need some beauty sleep." She rambled, he could hear the commotion around her and he knew she is definitely in Nigeria cause he heard some typical African mothers' words and broken English.

"No, don't go to any hotel. You can come here to the palace and I will arrange something for you, don't waste your money like that." He suggest after thinking about the wing that is right behind his, it is empty and needs someone to stay there, it was renovated some days ago.

"Really?! That is so mice of you. Will they allow me into the palace just like that or do I need a pass?" She asked mischievously, taking a hold of her trolley and made her way out of the airport to the waiting cabs outside. No doubt, all of them know where the palace is, she don't need to ask for address.

"On, don't worry, I will talk to the guards as soon as I get there. Just tell them your name and you'll be let in." They exchanged little more pleasantries before they hung up since they are going to meet each other soon, they shall talk to their hearts extent.

He parked his car right in front of his chamber looking as a woman walked in quietly wearing her maid uniform, she is also wearing lots of makeup. Shouldn't makeup be disqualified for maids? Why are they wearing it when they are coming for work? Are they trying to seduce some of the guards there or something? He has no right to talk to his mother about this right now but will probably do it later on, very soon. They shouldn't be looking like masquerades while working.

Keeping that thought aside, he dismounted his car and made his way to the chamber leisurely, he can't wait to have some food and sleep. He could still taste the coffee Amirah made earlier in his mouth and he wants that taste to vanish immediately with something entirely different. He stopped eating so many things because of the memories they have related to Amirah but today, he crave just that after tasting her coffee.

Goddammit, what the hell is wrong with him all of a sudden?

He has always thought of what he would do when he meets Amirah again and now that he did, he is doing the exact opposite of what he's wanted to do. He had everything cramped in his head but as soon as she stood in front of him looking no better, everything vanished and all he wants to do is stare at her. He wanted everything to vanish and become a nightmare but none did, she still stood there looking as innocent as ever but who could she fool? Not him definitely, never again in this lifetime!

And to top it off, some people are still asking him of Amirah till date, the people from his highschool and there is no doubt they know they are not together. Maybe they are doing that just to mock him for defending the girl with his life or just to gouge out something from him but they end up with a blank face and curt reply. No one can ever make him open those wounds except the person that engraved them and she just did though not entirely.

He does not know if he will ever be the same again, just one meeting and she's already messed up his life big time. How is he going to cope working with her his entire six months? This is going to be the worst time of his life, not even when he separated with her could define the torture he is about to face. And it's not like he still loves her, he doesn't neither could he ever love again, that is just not something he can stomach in this lifetime, maybe when he gets rebirth.

She's ruined him for any other, the word itself is like a thorn piercing his already cold heart chilling it to the extent of no return. All he could think now is the game of revenge, he won't see her as his first and only love anymore, she will be a game he can play with. This should be fun if emotions don't get in the way, he won't have any problem of that from his side, she will get to see just what demon she has created with her hands. The experiment should start with the creator.

"Oh, you are back. I just asked one of the maids to cook for you, she just arrived since she is the only one that can cook." Usayma's voice hurled him away from his reverie and he blinked to find out he is already inside his Chamber.

Who opened the door for him though? He can't remember doing so, maybe the guards did.

"Sure, it should have avocado." And he made his way into his bed chamber to take a bath that will probably help or not help him forget about his first wife, really, this is not healthy.

. . .

Amirah ran the rest of the way home whilst breathing hard because she needs to be in the Chamber before Imad or he'd start sniffing something fishy about her. He leaves around one or two in the afternoon, that is what she heard from Kamilah and now she needs to be quick to get home, dress, do her makeup and then another ride to the palace. This is not going to be easy at all, too many things in such little amount of time, she'd go crazy very soon.

Or she should just start taking the offered lift from Lateefah and Kamilah, they already know her home so she can't hide anything away from them. Why was she so egoistic about going with them again when it would've been much more easier than trekking home and running the rest of the way people watching her like she is insane? She won't turn down their offer again, might as well ask them herself if they don't, she needs to keep that ego aside.

"Why are you running like that? It's only twelve ten, and you promise to be there around one, why the rush?" Husna asked from their living room as she was staring at the gate with her phone lazily beside her, she was waiting for Amirah.

"Long story, Hus. Imad is my boss and I need to be at the Chamber before him or he starts suspecting me." She panted while walking to the boy's quarters knowing Afaf won't be home, she has another exam and she left with Najla.

"What?! You mean, your first husband is now your boss again? He is your master, now you boss?!" Husna shrieked in her not so quite voice that has Amirah jumping away from her position of removing the uniform from the drawer.

"My thought exactly. I don't know what cruel game destiny is playing but I really hope I will be able to tackle it." Her heart is beating wildly as if trying to tell her another story, she don't want her thoughts running wild.

She will have to add this to her sujud everyday so as to not get caught by her boss and master. This, this is the hardest test she has ever encounter her whole life, Imad. He is always there to muddle up her life even though it is already a havoc, chaos and shambles so how more messier could it get? If only she knew what is in plate for her, she would keep praying every few seconds, Imad is the definition of trouble in her life just like she is.

Ya Allah, grant me the ability to pass through all Your tests with flying colours.

"People always think that Allah won't answer your prayers but remember, the teacher is always silent during the test." Her mother would say to her whenever she complains of not getting her way, she misses that woman a whole lot, more than she cared to admit.

"Whoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him in the most ardent way. Have faith in Him and be patient, it shall pass." Husna encouraged seeing that the girl really needs something or someone to rely on and at this moment she would wish her brother was in love with her, the woman is just out of the world.

She's asked her brother whether he likes any of the sisters but he said he never sees them as anything beyond sisters so she stopped, she just wish he will fall in love with one of them. Or she should take matters into her hands, it's not like Amirah is not attractive to not attract guys, she just needs a little push. She can't do everything alone, she already has enough in her plate and her ex husband won't be back, she can't even see that happening so she needs to move on!

Husna will make sure it happens, she will get Amirah a very nice guy that will help take care of her little family, she deserves that much after so much struggles and troubles. The woman is an iron woman, she deserves a poem to be written about her.

"Thank you, Hus. I need to do my makeup, get dressed and trek the whole way to the palace which will take up the whole time and maybe more." Amirah moaned again whilst applying a thick layer of concealer to close her dark skin.

"Don't worry, I will just call tricycle for you, just get dressed." Husna left the room before Amirah could deny, not that she have it in her to do so, she will need any help at the moment.

She finished getting dressed in less time than she always does and took her bag to the gate where Husna is waiting for her with a friendly looking tricycle man. His face looks familiar but she can't trace where she knows him so she smiled at him and get inside when Husna motioned that she should do so. They talked again for a little bit before he hit the road she her breathings became more calm.

Now she can sneak inside and merge in with the other maids really hoping Usayma won't notice her coming, she can't afford to miss a day. If anyone finds out, they will ask about her and she wants to be a wallflower no one would care to check up on. As soon as one gets to see how familiar she is, everyone would and that won't be a thing, she needs the money to finish paying off their hospital debt. Wherever money is, she is going to follow just to make sure she is not in that debt again.

Upon arriving, she move inside in fast strides, almost running her way to his Chamber only to find his car coming in slowly, she increased her strides and then she swiftly walk inside having already messaged Aidah to leave the door open for her. She breathed in a deep sigh when she found them around the dining area without their mistress in sight, she joined them immediately trying to catch her breath, she won't like working like this at all.

"You look like you've just ran away from the devil, all okay?" Jihan was the first to acknowledge her before all others, she rose her finger to shush her for a while.

"I'd be more grateful if it were the devil, I saw our master outside and I don't want any of them to find me sneaking." She gulped another air before standing up straighter hearing the sound of door opening, the bedchamber.

"How are you feeling? Heard you were sick in the morning?" Usayma directed the question to Amirah so she conclude that they lied to her that she is sick, hmm.

"I'm fine, thank you." She smiled gently, really touched that the woman even noticed her absence and inquired about her.

"That's good, you can go ahead and cook the food. Imad will be here anytime soon." And she made her way to the door where the said person just walked through, her heart dropped at the sight of them together but she bit her lip and made her way to the kitchen.

Into the cooking, Usayma walked in and said that they should add avocado because Imad is craving it. Amirah's heart fluttered in her chest for some odd reason, they both love avocado and hearing him wanting it just made her whole mood up a happy notch. A smile graced her lips as she decided to cook Italian chicken breast, sautéed mushroom, asparagus, crispy zucchini and avocado. She will do just how much she is doing.

Imad threw the spoon as soon as he tasted food, he needs to see who made this!

...
Ferdeausee_ Can you see what I did here? This chapter is for you Babe😂 you finally have a place in Imad's life. Hooot!
Guys you know what? We are about to hit your world and by we I mean Jannah and I. Can you believe your favorite authors are collaborating??? Well believe that and also anticipateee💃