𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟖

FAIZAN

“So, how is your life going as a married man?” Farhan asks after filling his cup with water.

We’re at a charity gala tonight hosted by one of our business colleagues.

The banquet executes elegance with huge space, tall ceilings, grand chandelier and tasteful decor. Soft ambient light sets a warm and welcoming glow. Multiple tables are set around the hall covered with white cloth and chairs surrounding them covered in the same fabric.

Waiters walk around the hall holding trays of drinks and appetizers. Businessmen make small talk with each other while they close off a deal with each other’s company.

Some businessmen have their women beside them- wife or fiance- as they introduce them to others.

That reminds me of Arzo.

“It’s going fine,” I answer Farhan’s question.

“Why didn’t you bring her tonight?” he asks then takes a sip of his water.

“She’s busy.”

I was planning on bringing her here tonight but she has a test tomorrow she needs to study for.

A part of me says that’s not the only reason she refused to come tonight.

For the past few days, I have noticed that Arzo isn’t herself. She barely smiles at work, she always has headphones covering her ears and she barely leaves her cubicle.

I tried asking her what was wrong and told her to tell me if something or someone was upsetting her. She brushed off my questions and said she just wasn’t feeling herself and told me not to worry.

That didn’t help. It’s still worrying me and she won’t talk to me.

She has even started avoiding me at work.

“Do you know who keeps bugging the topic of our nikkah?” I ask.

Farhan blinks at me, “we’re not married. Astaghfirullah.”

This-

“Not us, idiot.” I grit out, “me and Arzo.”

“Ohhh. That makes sense.” he nods, “No, I don’t know. But I heard that employees have been interested in your love life and the rumor has reached the press.”

I can handle the press. I just need names of the people who are bugging Arzo to put them in their place.

I’m about to ask Farhan another question when a familiar voice calls our name.

Our heads turn towards the source of voice to find our business friends walking towards us.

"My people!" Farhan exclaims, wrapping his arms around two men. One is a brunette dressed in a dark blue coat and pants, with a white dress shirt underneath and matching dark blue shoes—Jack Hartford. The other is a dark-haired man clad in a dark gray coat and pants, a white dress shirt, dark gray tie, and matching dark gray shoes—Finn Romano.

Both men grin at him, wrapping their arms around him.

“It’s good to see you, Farhan.” Jack says, after they pull away, “life has been boring with my brother.”

“Life has been a headache with you,” says Jack's older brother, Ryan, as he stands beside us. He's dressed in his signature black coat and pants, a white dress shirt underneath, complemented by a black tie and black boots.

I have never seen him wear anything other than black or white.

“How dare you!” Jack exclaims, offended by his brother’s statement, “you are lucky that you have a brother like me. I entertain your sad little life filled with black and white!”

“If entertain is another word for painfully disturbing than yes, you have entertained my life very well.”

“It’s alright, Jack. Men like us are not fully appreciated.” Farhan says.

“Agreed.” Finn adds, “we should start a petition for men like us to be more appreciated.”

“You three are insufferable.” Ryan says.

“Agreed.” I say.

“Jealous.” the other men say.

Jack, Ryan, Finn, Farhan and I run in the same circle. Our business took off around the same time and we have been close associates ever since.

Jack and Ryan own Hartford Enterprises, one of the most successful companies in the state, while Finn owns Romano Security, a large and trustworthy security firm.

Jack grabs a glass of champagne from the waiter who passes by and takes a sip, “So, what has been happening lately- what the hell? Is that an engagement ring?” Jack’s eyes widen as he spots the ring in my left hand.

Finn and Ryan follow his gaze. While Finn’s mouth drops open, Ryan keeps his poker face.

“Yes,”

Their eyes snap up to me.

“Wh.. what? You’re engaged?” Finn asks.

“Married, actually.” Farhan answers for me, “nikkahfied.”

“So, the rumors are true.” Ryan says as a statement.

“Yes.”

“You got married?!” Jack almost yells, “and I wasn’t invited?!”

“The nikkah was held with families. The wedding events haven’t started yet.” I explain, “you’ll receive your invitation.”

Jack blinks, “you’re married?!”

Ryan sighs and smacks the back of Jack’s head.

“Fuc-”

“Shut up.”

Finn and Farhan laugh while Jack recites beautiful words.

“I’m just shocked. He and you are the last people I expected to get married.” Jack says, addressing me and his brother, “how is it possible that he got married first?”

“Did you expect to get married first?” Ryan asks.

“Maybe.”

“Please humor me, when was the last time you had a committed relationship?”

Jack takes a long pause, “high school, sophomore year. Jenny Howard.”

“It lasted 2 weeks.”

“Well, it’s not my fault! She made fun of soccer.”

“God, help me.”

“Anyways,” Finn starts, “I have a question. Why isn’t the article down yet?”

I frown, “what article?”

“The article that came out today regarding you and your wife.” Finn says. I exchange a glance with Farhan before he whips out his phone and starts searching, “and it’s not pretty.”

“Oh, no..” Farhan mutters.

“What?” I snap.

“Um, uh- here”

Farhan hesitantly hands me his phone and I grab it.

My heart sinks as I read the headlines and realize why Arzo has been avoiding me.

HEADLINES: Billionaire Faizan Malik is rumored to have had an affair with his intern.