KANO STATE, NIGERIA.

Amirah sighed after taking her bath and meandering back into their room only to find out she don't know what to wear. Husna is always there to help but it seems like she is not going to come that morning like she's said. Her eyes drift down to the pile of clothes Afaf ironed for her by the drawer, a smile taking over her face at her sister's thoughtfulness. A smile of appreciation took over before she made her way there.

Just as she started contemplating on what to wear, Husna graced her with her presence looking drowsy for someone who should be on their way to school. Her black and white uniform always fitted her and Amirah will say one thing, she would've booked Husna for her brother if she had any. The girl has all the qualities, the body to die for and face so innocent to want to show off to the world. If only the girl knew just how unique she is, unequal.

"I knew you were going to need my help. We are going to my school together today, I don't feel like taking the tricycle." Husna made her way to the pile of clothing to chose what Amirah should wear which she is very grateful for. She would've just stared at the clothes for another ten minutes without choosing one.

Husna handed her a pair of jade bush pants, amber crew neckline long sleeved shirt to wear before checking the hijab she wore yesterday but found out it won't match much. She ran all the way to her room to bring out amber veil for Amirah, she's been meaning to hand it down for awhile so now she can give Amirah and act like she's forgotten about it so she won't feel bad. They don't like that they are collecting stuff from her, it makes them uncomfortable and she understands where they are coming from.

"Don't argue with me please, just let me wrap this around for you." Husna closed her eyes so as to not see the stern look Amirah is giving her and after a few seconds, she heard reluctant sigh from Amirah and she cheered inwardly. She knows how to get her way too, just like they do.

"I don't want to look like I'm going there for fashion, Hus. That baby hijab would've been just fine but no, you want me to be your model." Amirah rolled her eyes but sat down on the mattress anyway, patiently waiting for Husna to do what she wants to

"You are not my model but you will be. And about the office, you work with your ex husband Amirah! He should see what he is missing, don't be all depressed and give him the upper hand, not under my watch." Husna grumbled making the veil into Algerian style that looks exceptionally beautiful on Amirah.

"Please, we should never talk about him ever again. I don't want a reminder that I'm going to see him everyday of my life. Now let's go." Amirah stared hard at herself in the mirror not denying the fact that she wants to look good to not give Imad the impression of just how horrendous her life had been since he left her.

"If you say so. Wear this please." Husna closed her eyes again, giving her the amber dockside shoes she brought from her room when she went to take veil inside. She can't help wanting Amirah to look good so she can score herself a good man from the office. She deserves that much happiness. She hopes she is not against love now after her experience.

"Husna, I'm soon going to ban you from coming to our room." She is wearing the shoes but warned her still about the outcome. She is only agreeing because the shoe is more comfortable than her old loafers that might've gotten more attention than needed when she tripped yesterday and exchanged pleasantries with the tiled floor.

"You cannot do that." Husna stuck her tongue out and together they left the house after another adieu to her grandmother who sat outside eating kolanut.

"Try me." Amirah exasperated while trying to hide her face away from people scrutinizing her.

She prefer going out as Ameena than Amirah, she gets too much attention she don't want. Everyone knew about her being Imad's one day wife, they don't know anything but her face and it frustrates her to no end. Her veil closed half her face as they walk and gist along the way to Husna's school. The girl is just talking on and on about her so-called new boyfriend Abdul-Malik. Not that Amirah isn't happy for her, she is just watching out and being timid.

"Be careful and have fun." Amirah hugged Husna just outside their school, they arrived and she is getting too much attention especially from the guys there. She shook her head inwardly, small boys hitting puberty.

"Thank you. And don't forget to rock that office, I've made you exceptionally beautiful today." Husna winked then ran to the school gates before Amirah have the chance to reprimand her about being naughty again and indirectly bringing Imad into the conversation.

Amirah continued the journey down to the office whilst thinking about what is going to happen today. She just found out she works for her ex husband again, as if destiny is trying to tell her something. As if her fate is to always be underneath him even with the tie of marriage on them. First, he became her master and now he is her boss for another many months till her brother in-law comes back. Only God knows what can happen in just those months, she don't want to know.

It is not as if she has feelings for Imad, this is something entirely different. She hates his silence, it is as if it's that 'silence before the storm' which always makes her chest shake in the most uncomfortable way. Why is he so cool about their past like they've never known each other nor shared any intimate relation together? The guy is making her more guilty and anxious of what is to come. He must've forgotten about her and is happy with Usayma so the void is filled.

Hmm, and she is sad because there has never been a serious man in her life ever since he left. No, there was never a man since he's left so she won't be able to forget him so easily. Will she ever be able to? He's left a stamp everywhere around her that the mere thought of moving on seize to exist in her dictionary. Wherever she goes, he shall continue to follow her like a tail and even if she cut it off, it'd be tied to her again.

The troubles following her life is just not something worth talking and thinking about, not at all.

As she continue to think about ways to act as though the past is behind her, a car honked behind her, startling her away from her reverie. She's already reach the highway, just less than ten more minutes before she arrives at the office, Kilishi Enterprises. Turning around, she came face to face to none other than Imad's car. Her head and heart both jolted at the same time and not in a pleasant way, terrible.

Swallowing, she made her way to the car because Jabir is in there and is staring at her and they also parked just few feet away from her which means they are waiting for her to go there. With tentative steps, she found herself standing just by the window of the passenger's where Jabir is. Her instinct didn't allow her to go to Imad's side, he isn't even looking at her.

.

Imad got dressed for the day in eggplant slacks and suit, lilac dress shirt and tie before adjusting his socks and dress shoes. He made his way out of the room and out of the chamber without waking a very tired Usayma from bed. After their adventurous night, she is awfully tired and won't even move a muscle to pray subh. Yeah, he has started praying too because there is no way he won't do it when they have a mosque inside the palace.

"Where are you, man?" Jabir questioned through the phone as soon as Imad connected him to his car. He is in a hurry to go to the office and don't know why he wants to be there so soon. It is so unlike him to want to be punctual like that but whatever.

"Just left the palace, what's up?" He made a u-turn outside the palace to the Kilishi Enterprises glancing at his wrist watch to see it's just seven fifty and work won't start till eight thirty. How punctual? He mocked himself inwardly but continue driving down the less busy roads.

"My car just broke down few minutes before your office so give me a lift. It's a white BMW." It should be a request but Jabir knew there is no way Imad won't come help him out so he didn't plead. Besides, what are friends for?

"Sure, I'll be there in five." He continue to drive down and reached there in less than the said five minutes. They are both freaks for BMW, they both ride the same brand same goes to Salim too. Wow, they really have been friends for a long time if you could point out straight.

"Thanks, man. I don't know what the heck is wrong with that car now but it's giving me unexpected headaches. Gotta change it very soon." Jabir rants, adjusting himself in Imad's car all the while wrapping himself with the seatbelt. He is obviously frustrated seeing as his slacks is slightly crinkled and the blazer is also rolled up. Poor guy!

"You should do that. You've been using that for how many years now?" Imad chuckled, driving at full speed to the company now in a hurry to see what is in store for him that day. He won't deny it, he can't wait to see Amirah too even if it is just to taunt her and make her feel small.

"That's my baby you are talking about. I'll just have to change new one now, sadly and unfortu-" Jabir trailed off, his eyes wandering at the sidewalk where Amirah is walking leisurely like she is not about to meet her ex-husband. He is still intrigued about what happened to them but not too curious to poke his nose where he shouldn't, he likes staying within his limit.

"Pull off please let's give her a lift." Jabir nodded at Amirah and that is when Imad gave full notice on her. He narrowed his eyes but did as Jabir said, acting all nonchalant and indifferent.

"Good morning, Sirs." He heard her quite voice greeting them but he didn't still raise his head to look at her. His eyes are focused on a dog crossing the road all alone.

"Heading to the office?" Jabir questioned after replying with a good morning too. Imad is hellbent on acting like the tough CFO to not give her chance to bring up their past. If she does that, he won't be able to hold himself from doing something they'd regret.

"Yes, Sir." She gave a curt answer and instantly Imad knew she is intimidated by his silence, just the way he wants it. She should be terrified of getting closer to him, it's for them both.

"Hop in let's drop you off since we are heading there too." Imad isn't watching but he knew she is biting her lower lip trying to turn down the offer but reluctantly agreed knowing she can't do anything about it. The door opened and she settled inside, her perfume taking over the confined space instantaneously.

She smells like baby powder, just like she was before when they were together. He always asks what that perfume is but she said it is powder and not cologne.

Imad didn't say a thing and drove them three down to the office no one saying a word, allowing the maladroit atmosphere to take over. They all seem terrified to open up a conversation afraid it might go down the lane of their past which none of them want to reap. Now that Imad is thinking about talking, just Jabir and Amirah. Amirah is sitting as if hot air is emitting from the chair or she wants to shit.

Jabir is so curious about what happened to those tow lovers but he kept quite and keep it all in like the calm person he's always been. He knows that bringing up the past will do nothing but hurt them all, none will survive the onslaught of pain and emotions. He didn't question Imad for abandoning and cutting him off for three years straight. They are all adults, allowed to do what they want and hide what they want. He won't want to be the burden his friend avoids.

Knowing Imad, he will soon open up whether he likes it or not so he is giving him the space.

"How's work so far, Ms. Adam?" He smiled gently, hauling Amirah away from her reverie of how to fly off the car and just run for her life. She hates making their situation awkward.

"It's good, thank you." Her answer was short and cut off the conversation just before it blossom not that she has any need to keep it up.

"Good."

Arriving at the office, Amirah thanked the duo and literally run out of the car inside the office to reach the elevator before Imad comes and she made it. She took deep calming breaths, her heart still racing out from her mouth trying to rip itself from the cage. Her lips are dry, as if she just left the Sahara few seconds ago but in her case, Sahara would've been better than being their with Imad.

"Whoa there, sweetie. Why are you looking around like you're running away from devil." Lateefa joked, startling her because she had no idea she works there at the same floor as her and also she didn't see her standing there with the receptionist talking about something.

"The devil would've been hugged by me but that person is worse." Amirah wheezed, placing her palms around her knees to calm herself down again. God, why is she acting like a teenage girl in love?

"Who's that?" Lateefa laughed then help Amirah up to her feet, glancing through the hallway to see what she ran away from.

"Imad and Jabir gave me lift here and it was freaking awkward in the car. I felt like jumping through the window, so awkward." She closed her eyes and swallowed again. The day is just starting and so far, she can tell just how worse it is going to become in a short while so she braced herself.

"For real? I'm I hearing love bells again?" The glare Amirah sent her way had Lateefa doubling up with laughter then together they made their way to their offices. She found out Lateefa works as the Chief Marketing Officer's assistant.

And just like she's thought, the day got worse when her new found girlfriends suggest that they go see Imad's wife!