When Doubts Run Deep

Lina’s POV

The tension from last night still clung to the air like a thick fog. Zara had barely spoken this morning, and while I tried to act normal, my heart wasn’t in it. The weight of my accusations hung heavy on my chest, and though I didn’t regret speaking my mind, I was scared of the consequences.

Nadia had called again, asking for an update, but I had nothing to tell her. The awkward silence between Zara and me had lasted the entire night and spilled into the morning.

“She’s probably just stressed about work,” Nadia said on the phone. “But Lina, you can’t let this fester. You need to talk to her properly.”

“I know,” I replied with a sigh. “It’s just... what if there’s something there? What if I was right?”

“Then you’ll deal with it together. But you’ll never know if you keep dancing around it.”

Nadia was right. I hated that she was always right.

---

Zara’s POV

I couldn’t shake the look in Lina’s eyes last night—the hurt, the doubt, the fear. It had gutted me, and the worst part was knowing I’d been the one to put it there. I wasn’t hiding anything, but I’d been so caught up in work that I hadn’t realized how it looked from her perspective.

Camille had texted me again this morning, asking for updates on the deal. I’d left the message unread, not wanting to fuel Lina’s suspicions any further.

I needed to fix this. But how? Lina wasn’t the type to be swayed by empty words or grand gestures. She needed honesty, reassurance, and consistency.

---

That evening, I decided to take a break from work and spend some time with her. She was in the kitchen, chopping vegetables for dinner, her movements mechanical and distant.

“Need help?” I asked, leaning against the counter.

She glanced at me briefly. “I’ve got it.”

Her tone wasn’t cold, but it wasn’t warm either.

I grabbed a knife and started chopping alongside her, hoping the proximity would break the ice. “Lina,” I began softly, “about last night—”

“Forget it,” she interrupted. “You don’t have to explain.”

“Yes, I do,” I said firmly, putting the knife down and turning to face her. “You’re upset, and you have every right to be. I’ve been so focused on work that I didn’t realize how it was affecting us.”

She looked at me then, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “It’s not just the work, Zara. It’s her. Camille. The way she talks to you, the way she looks at you—it’s like she’s trying to take you away from me.”

I stepped closer, gently taking her hands in mine. “Lina, listen to me. There is nothing between me and Camille. She’s a colleague, nothing more. You’re the one I love, the one I want to spend my life with. No one else even comes close.”

Her tears spilled over, and she let out a shaky laugh. “You’re so frustrating, you know that?”

I smiled, brushing a tear from her cheek. “Only because I love you too much.”

She rolled her eyes but didn’t pull away when I leaned in and kissed her forehead.

---

Lina’s POV

Zara’s words eased some of the tension in my chest, but the doubts still lingered. She could be so convincing, so sincere, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Camille wasn’t just a passing threat.

That night, as Zara fell asleep beside me, I found myself scrolling through her social media, looking for any signs, any clues. I hated that I’d become this person, but I couldn’t stop myself.

I came across a photo Camille had posted earlier that day—a candid shot of Zara in the conference room, looking focused and undeniably gorgeous. The caption read: “One of the perks of work—great company.”

My stomach churned. It wasn’t outright inappropriate, but it felt... off.

I closed my phone and stared at the ceiling, wondering how much longer I could keep these feelings bottled up.

---

Zara’s POV

The next morning, I noticed Lina was quieter than usual, her smiles forced and her eyes avoiding mine. I wanted to ask her what was wrong, but something told me she wasn’t ready to talk.

When Camille called during breakfast, I ignored it, earning a surprised look from Lina.

“No work calls during breakfast,” I said with a small smile, hoping to lighten the mood.

She nodded but didn’t say anything, and the silence stretched on.

---

Later that day, I met with Sofia for lunch, needing a sounding board for everything that had been going on.

“She’s jealous of Camille,” I admitted, stirring my coffee absently.

Sofia raised an eyebrow. “Can you blame her? From what you’ve told me, this Camille sounds like trouble.”

“She’s not trouble,” I said, though I wasn’t entirely sure I believed it. “She’s just... overly friendly.”

Sofia smirked. “And you don’t think Lina has a right to be worried?”

I sighed. “I do. But how do I prove to her that she’s the only one I care about?”

“You show her,” Sofia said simply. “Words are great, but actions speak louder. Maybe it’s time you put some distance between yourself and Camille.”

---

Lina’s POV

That evening, I decided to confront Zara about the photo Camille had posted. I hated feeling like this—jealous, insecure, unsure of myself. But I couldn’t keep it bottled up any longer.

When she walked through the door, I was waiting for her in the living room, the photo pulled up on my phone.

“Zara, we need to talk.”

Her expression shifted from tired to wary in an instant. “What’s wrong?”

I held up my phone, showing her the post. “Care to explain this?”

She frowned, taking the phone from me. “It’s just a photo, Lina. There’s nothing to explain.”

“It’s not just a photo,” I said, my voice rising. “It’s the way she looks at you, the way she talks about you. It’s like she’s marking her territory.”

Zara sighed, setting the phone down and sitting beside me. “Lina, I can’t control what Camille does or says. But I can promise you this—I’m not interested in her. At all.”

Okk Zara said will you go on a date with me .

I stare at her for a second then nod in yes.