"You said you want to talk about something what is it?" I sit up smiling brightly at this topic "what's wrong, you look happy?" He raises his eyebrow looking some what relaxed now and even calm.
He was angry on me and I totally agree on his anger cause what I did was something an employee who is being payed a handful of income shouldn't do, just because I am his cousin I am seated next to him even after acting like an irresponsible brat only if it was someone else they would have been out of this building with their luggage by now but before that Ziyan wouldn't have let them come to the point where they are asking excuses, he is a very strict boss to be said, even if he stays in his room most of the time and many other employees don't know how he looks, he still can fire them if they do something wrong, even a very single mistake is not tolerated by this guy. He is scary I know.
And even after knowing him clearly if I do this childish it is not acceptable So I am not at all upset that he got angry but I am happy that he still cares about me, I was scared he will not talk to me for the rest of his life but nope that did not happen.
"I am not happy I am shy" I correct him giggling like a mad women "did you parents fix you nikkah? What are you so shy about?" He still looks confused and I scoff mentally at that, well they are planning my nikkah with the person sitting infront of me, I can tell they are already imagining my future with that person.
"No...something else" I scoot closer as he does the same to listen and I rest my hand on his shoulder looking at his beautiful grey orbs "I have a secret admirer" I whisper nodding and giggling at the same time when he looks at me with wide eyes.
"Are you serious?" He licks his lips, but I see him clenching his jaw "yes" I nod multiple time to tell him I am not lying "he is sending me gifts since last 6 months, Zach tried to get him but everyday a new person comes and delivers it so it is impossible to even know who it is, he has gifted me with all sort of things but I never took those, accept chocolates and chips and food if I receive them and the others are all piled up in my office, Can't take those home na, if mamma sees then she will kill me with questions" I tell him everything with a smile and he looks at me with an unreadable expression but all I can say is he is not pleased hearing it.
"Your telling me you ate what that stalker of yours bought you?" I nod and he scoffs "are you mad? Didn't they teach you when you were kid that you should not take candy form an unknown person, what if he poisoned the food? What if he did something to you knowing your enjoying whatever he gives you? Are you serious Ziah" I look at his with wide eyes when he points out some facts and throws it on my face.
"Hell! I did not think about that" I scratch the back of my neck finally getting what he is pointing at but see him shaking his head some what looking angry "are you angry?" I shake his arm when I see him quiet "I promise I won't eat them again and I will also tell Zach and Alia to not eat them I promise" he closes his eyes and rests his head on the couch.
"You thought after 6 months of fooling with that unknown person you should come and say me now?" He turns to glare at me and I unconsciously bite my lips not liking this rude Ziyan.
"I didn't make a big deal out of it, I thought he is just some crazy billionaire who wants to waste his money on me and I still think the same, he never stalked me for real, like in those books I have read they follow you till your house, they threaten if you talk to someone else, they kidnap you and all nothing happen so I guess he is a good sweet stalker" he let's out a deep breath hearing me, I can tell he is controlling himself from lashing out on me for being so dumb.
He opens his eyes with his neck craned to the left to look at me as he stares deeply without blinking, the one thing he is very good at is staring, he always stares at me for no apparent reason.
"I never took you as so dumb Ziah, I thought you were smarter than this" he whispers looking tired and soon there was a knock on the door "I-um I'll go get it" I quickly rush away to calm my heartbeat even though it was an insult there was genuine worry in his eyes. Did I made a mistake telling him? But he is only worried...
I open the door to find Max standing with a big paper bag, quickly taking it from him and after thanking him I close the door.
Taking slow steps I walk towards the now upset man, I find him looking ahead staring at nothing and that tells me he is thinking about something.
"Ziyan here" I grab a box of noodles and give him as he takes it silently but a gasp leaves my lips when I fetch inside more only to find crispy chicken.
"Thankyou" I chirp before digging in but see him looking at me and not eating the food.
"God why are you staring at me like that? Do you want me to repeat Hazels and Augustus dialogue" I clear my throat before turning to face him and letting out a very quiet girly voice "Why are you looking at me like that?" with a shy smile I speak cause I am acting now and I speak with my best British accent "because you are beautiful and I love looking at beautiful people" I make my voice a little more rough to sound like a guy but my heart flutter when Ziyan's soft yet manly laughter fills the room making me laugh myself.
"Eat now" I bark at him with a grin which I cannot hide but see him obeying as he opens the box and takes the chopsticks I have placed on his lap.
"Here" I drop one piece of crispy chicken before he could deny taking it.
We eats in silence enjoying the delicious food and after having my lunch I clean up everything not letting Ziyan do it, even though he tried telling to go sit, But I sat only after cleaning up the table and throwing things out on the dustbin.
"Okay I'll go now, I still have to complete" I stand up to leave but a hold on my wrist stops me "you worked enough so take rest now, if you want I'll ask someone to drop youâ" I quickly interrupt with a bright grin of happiness "No no thankyou but I would like to stay and have fun with my friends here, but Boss I didn't complete what I said you I will, you are not planning on sending me to the third department right? Or are you?" I squint my eyes taking a seat but see him rolling his eyes.
"Do you want me to change my mind Ms Ziah? And ask you to complete the presentation by today?" A gasp leaves my lips and I quickly stand up straightening my Abaya "I was joking boy! Anyways thankyou for your kindness boss" I wave my hand while rushing towards the door but a gasp leaves my lips when I trip on my Abaya who ditched me like always at a wrong time and this time gravity didn't save me and I fall on bum with a loud thud taking the nearby chair with me.
"Ya Allah" I hold my hip groaning in pain but here the ugly witch grinning "Shutup Ziyan help me" I am always falling and breaking something in my body because of him, everything happens because of him, he is the culprit he need to be sentenced jail before he murders me.
He walks towards me with a small smile playing on his lips as he crouches down to my level and speaks "should I call Dr Ray, Ms Ziah?" He raises his eyebrow mockingly, I throw my arm around his neck pulling him down and a gasp of surprise leaves his lips followed by loud laughter that rings right near my ear, his hand flats on the ground on either side of my waist as he tries to not fall on me.
As inappropriate it looks I do not care but punch his back and smack him, starting a real WWE on the ground "how dare you laugh like a witch?! When a girl has embarrassed herself by tripping and falling you should act like a gentleman and help her but you rotten tomato" I punch his ribs but he does not groan in pain, but only laughs adorably right near my ears since his head is right beside mine, I ignore the bubbly feeling that formed in the pit of my stomach.
"Apologies, Apologise!!" I yell on top of my lungs and he moves away to look at me with an annoyed expression "stop yelling I am right beside you and come on let me help" I gulp a ball of air when I realise how close we are and how he whispered since we are close, he eyes drop on my lips but quickly snaps up and he clears his throat before holding my hands in his and pulling me up.
"Here you go, next time take care of your Abaya" he chuckles but quickly drop his head low so I do not see him smiling.
"You still did not apologise" A pout forms on my lips because of the pain I am feeling on my hip as I rub my hip bone. "I am sorry Madam Ziah that you tripped over your Abaya and fell without wanting too and I am sorry that the gravity didn't save you today like always" I roll my eyes till the back of my head when mocks me like cunning old man.
"I wish you trip and fall and go to hell" I curse under my breathe but he chuckles shaking his head "I cannot follow you everywhere baby" with his mocking smile he insults me and shuts me up. God! What can I even say after this.
But that Baby wasn't necessary at all!! Baby? Uff...
I turn my back to walk away, those flushed cheeks will only embarrass me more.
After picking my belongings and submitting the done work to Max, I asked him to give it to his lovely boss cause I won't be able to face him with my flushed cheeks.
"Is this Ziah's soul I can see like a magician or did boss really left Ziah without saying anything and on top of that I see a smile on her face? What is happening?" Zach blinks his eyes as he asks my friend in an unbelievable tone which makes me scoff at his rubber mouth which cannot be shut.
"Hi" I wave at them and they blink their eyes not believing me being so casual, I am sure they probably decided what they will wear on my funeral.
"Okay, so what happen? Tell us everything?" Alia takes a seat and grabs one for me "I knew something is going on between her and our boss, this smile tells me she just now made babieâouch" I smack his head hard and he groans in pain, why does he always have filth filled in his mind?
Alia giggles shyly and blush creeps on her cheeks hearing her sentence when I should be the one blushing but I am gaging over here.
"He is my cousin for godsake!" He rolls his eyes resting back with a smirk "of course, you never deny about the baby making part" a groan leaves my lips feeling so annoying that I want to rip his hair away from his skull.
"Shutup I don't have time for you nonsense" pulling up a smile on my face I start "so our annoying boss, literally did as I thought he would, he yelled at me and asked if I am only capable of doing this shit and then my ego stood up slapping me and I blabbered that I would complete the notes and the presentation by today and I sat in Max cabin since Eva was absent and he was doing his work there, I did complete the notes and even started the presentation only within 4 hoursâ" I nod proudly and when the clap their hands with a bright grin, I quickly stand up to give them a dramatic bow.
"And after that I guess the cousin hormones in my boss yelled at him for being rude so he came in my cabin and dragged me out and scolded me for skipping lunch and even treated me my favourite food" I grin sitting back feeling happy for being treated differently.
"Did you say him about the stalker?" I quickly sit up when Zach reminds me "I did I did...but heck I regret telling him, he got really angry he did not yell at me but I can tell he is angry and he will find out who it is very soon" they nod resting back.
"Is it only me or also you guys think our boss is acting like an overprotective and carrying boyfriend?" Zach takes a look at my friends who nods "I think the same, I never heard you being so close to boss before, you always curse on him" Zoe speaks this time.
"Oh sis, believe me I still do and this time I called him witch and rotten tomato on his face and even said him to go to hell" I proudly smirk and they burst out laughing "woah you really do take advantage of our innocent boss Sis" Zach shakes his head still laughing to himself.
"I don't, if he is annoying what can I do? I should remind him how of a witch he is" I rest back groaning when pain hits my back.
"If we remind him about that, we would be thrown out and our neck would be craned to the left so we don't even take a look at this company" Zach scoffs while others nod agreeing.
"Well, that's why god has send this beautiful Angel for your survival and on top of that you guys are my friend, if he dares firing any of you I'll go sit in the middle of his hall protesting" I pat Zach back telling him I have his back.
"And do you guy know, I even said our boss that we do half of the work in the company and praised about us so he raises our salary" I give them a proud smile and they grin happily.
"Girl just marry him, and ask him to promote us to higher position" Zach sits back "just for your promotion you want me to marry him, you jerk? Atleast once in your life have you ever spoke good words?" Scoffing at this rude jerk I open the drawer fetching the bubble gum I kept their but see only two when I remember throwing atleast 5 to 6 in this drawer.
Glaring at Zach whom I am sure is the culprit in missing those gums, I open the wrapper throwing it inside my mouth but turn to grab more two for the others.
5:00 pm
In the Evening
"I know son" When I hear Ziyan's quiet laughter I turn to look at him only to find a grin breaking on my face "Uncle Sam!" I jog towards uncle Samir who grins when his eyes drops on me.
"Ah Ziah, how are you darling?" He pats my head and I cannot stop myself from smiling uncontrollably looking at this lovely uncle of mine who is the sweetest.
"When did you come? Why didn't you call me when uncle sam came?" I punch Ziyan's arm glaring at him for enjoying his company all alone but he only stares at me and diverts his eyes scoffing to himself and that stare was different than he used to give me.
"I just came an hour ago and had something to discuss with Ziyan about" uncle explains with a smile and I nod.
I was standing in the parking lot waiting for Ziyan cause he said me he will drop me up and pick me up from now on and even after denying so much this brat never listens he always have his way to make me obey on what he is saying.
He is a brat I know that, I guess everyone knows that by now.
"Okay uncle we will take our leave now" Ziyan smiles and give uncle a last brotherly hug, god he looks more intimidating than uncle since he is more taller and ummâmore handsome.
After bidding goodbye we take our leave and I hop inside Ziyan's car as he drops me at my house, the ride was filled with comfortable silence and I did not bother breaking it since Ziyaan looked like he was in deep thoughts.
4 days later
I nervously fiddle with my fingers on the verge of crying my eyes out because ofâI am sure you can guess by now that only one human can make me cry for no reason.
"Please Ziyan, I feel nervous like this" I bite my lips holding my trembling hands together as I look straight at my boss who is sitting on the head chair in this big meeting room where he bought me to practice on how to do the presentation.
"Start Ms. Ziah, you're waste my time and I am adding more people in the list on who will be hearing your presentation, if you keep on doing this" I shakes my head whining and literally sitting on the ground.
Taking a deep breathe, I calm myself before starting, I have never done this shit before not even in my school and college, yeah I have done in college twice but that was different very very different. Nothing like this.
"Good Morning Mr Rags and the board membersâ" Ziyaan interrupts "start again with a smile and stop fiddling with your fingers and do not use that monotone" with his elbow rested on the arm of the chair he stares straight into eyes pointing out everything. I quickly realise I was still fiddling with my fingers and when he gives my fingers a glare I quickly drop them down.
I start again as said and again in the middle he interrupts "Eye contact is something very important while presenting a presentation and you are only staring at the table and the ceiling, look right into my eyes and then look at each and every chair while explaining and when their is a human seated I want you to look right into their eyes confidently and speak, now start again and do not look at the ceiling, who are you talking to lights?" I shake my head at that question which he asked with an raised eyebrows, quickly gulping down nervously and understanding each and every point he said as I start again.
But as I was saying Ziyaan opens his laptop and sits their boringly which makes me stop and his eyebrows jump up in confusion "your not even listening, why should I even say?" I scoff feeling angry that he is not showing any interest and acting like a jerk.
"Without questioning why you should say when I am not listening, question yourself why is he not listening and what I should do to make him listen?" He stands up and walks towards me with his hand tucked inside his pocket.
"What should I do to make him listen?" I mumble to myself "speak a little louder?" I mumble again and a smile forms on his lips "yes, speak a little louder so your voice reaches till that end and change the tone of your voice at time to time, when it is a question you should change the tone into a curios one when you are explaining the loss and profit change your tone into surprised one, if you use the same tone through out the meeting half of the room will be sleeping and they would reject your proposal without thinking twice, so..." he raises his eyebrow and I complete his sentence "start again" I curse under my breathe but take all the points he gave me in my mind since it's useful.
He walks back to take a seat and this time he looks at me.
And just like that and hour passes and I am repeating it again and again and he is finding fault again and again.
"Ziyan let's stop, my lungs are cursing on me" he chuckles shaking his head but standing up "rest for an hour and I'll be calling you again and this time you will presenting it infront of employees and let me tell you none of you department people will be here" he walks away after saying his words leaving a cursing girl behind him.
Because of him I'll be going to hell for cursing so much!
Ya Allah I am so tired, but I cannot deny the fact that it was fun.
After taking half an hour rest in the same room just by drinking water and lying down on the table to stretch my back I sit up to practice again by myself and not get insulted infront of the other employees, because I am sure if Ziyan finds even a tiny bit mistake he will ask me to start again and that would be very insulting infront of everyone.
And just like that time passed by and at 3:00 pm the room starts filling with all old fat serious men's whom I have hardly seen before but I recognise none, which department are they from?
And within 2 minutes the room fills with everyone and I stand in the very corner holding my file tightly to my chest feeling so nervous that I cannot describe and soon Ziyan walks in with Max behind him. His eyes roams around and when it falls on me they jump up in confusion but I see him mumbling something to Max who nods and walks away but I see Ziyan walking towards me, I am seriously going to cry rivers and fountains now, my heart is thumping really hard against my chest because of nervousness.
"Let's start, shall we?" He takes a hold of my cold trembling hand "you will do great" he whispers giving me a soft smile "Remember what I have said you I don't want you messing it up and stop being so nervous, if you mess up you will regret it so stand there and give your best" his hand squeeze mine as he gives me a smile of assurance.
"And Mr.Rag is not present here and it is not morning so think before you talk, and the words used should be formal no informal words should be used, no buddies and dudes here" A chuckles leaves my lips and I nod but slap my head mentally cause I was repeating, good morning Mr, Rag and the board members present here on repeat in my mind, god I would have messed up at the starting it self if he didn't remind me.
When he leaves me I take a deep breath following him behind with my trembling legs.
The room falls into pin drop silence when Ziyan walks to the front and takes the seat, there are probably more than 20 people seated, the room is very big and the table is very long and I standing in the very front now, facing Ziyan who is having a professional look on his face.
First I take deep breath to calm myself and then I grin at each soul but find them quickly returning me one after seeing me smiling so brightly and just like that after taking a quick glance at Ziyan who has a smile spread on his lips, I start the presentation and it comes out more confidently than I expected, I did not do any mistakes, I looked straight into their eyes, I did not stutter but my breathe did came out heavy and uneven but I found Ziyan glaring at my fingers which automatically found it's way to fiddle with each other and I dropped them twice after seeing his glare cause I know third time he will ask me to stop and start againâI didn't want to face that insult.
After it was done with a 'Thankyou' Max was the first one to clap his hands and soon everyone followed, waitâthe boss didn't, how can that even happen, guys. That's impossible.
"Okay let's wind up the meeting now, if you have something to tell Ms Ziah and correct her with something do come forward and say" when nobody utters a word a proud smile forms on my lips.
"Dismiss" Ziyan's voice comes out loud and stern and everybody stands up to leave the room quietly.
Ziyaan stands up and walks towards me with a smile, a smile that tells me he is proud of me "how did I do?" A grin form on my lips but see Ziyan chuckling "amazing" he whispers with a soft smile and I am finding myself looking into his eyes which looks more softer now, he is no more the stern, rude teacher but he is just being my friend now.
"Thankyou" I yell out loudly my body itching to crash into his and hug him tightly, cause only because of him I was even able to do this. Or else I would have been standing and blabbering and most probably crying out of nervousness.
I clear my throat breaking our powerful eye contact when my phone buzzes in my hand, I look down confuse when I see Mamma's name popping out.
"Assalamuâ" before I could greet her happily she cuts me off rudely "where are you?" My eyebrows jump up in confusion hearing her rude tone.
"In the office" I mumble but see Ziyan walking towards the corner to drink some water.
"Come right now with Ziyan, we are waiting for you both in his house, we have something to talk to you both about" her voice ruder than expected, she has never spoke to me like this, what's wrong with her.
"Mamma is everything okay?" With a scoff she cuts the call without even replying and I stand their looking at the ground not able to understand the reason behind her rude voice.
"What's wrong? What did she say?" Ziyan walks towards me with a glass of water.
"I don't know she was so rude, she said that she is waiting for us in your house and that we should come right now" Ziyan hums in response giving the glass to me and I quickly take to gulp it down cause I was feeling thirsty.
Just like Mamma asked us, I pack my bag and after bidding good bye to my buddies and telling them that I will tell them the whole story tomorrow I rush towards the parking lot where Ziyan is waiting for me.
After hoping inside the car he drives in a calm speed and within 10 minutes we reach his house.
I squeeze my finger scared for no reason, cause mamma had never used that tone on me before unless she was very upset, so it scares me.
"It's okay, why are being so nervous" Ziyan chuckles and asks me to follow in as he walks towards the big door.
Quietly following from behind I peek over Ziyan's shoulder when I hear him clearing his throat but fall upon all the elders seated in the living and Mamma has the biggest scowl on her face.
All the elders in the sense my dad has four brothers and he is the second the first is Ziyan's Abbu and the 3rd is Uncle Samir who is also seated with his wife and the 4th is Uncle Hamza who is the funniest and is seated with his wife beside him.
Mamma and Abbu looks somewhat angry and other shave a serious look on their face even Ziyan's Mom. And this really looks scary to me.
What did I do? My heart is thumping against my chest rapidly and I so want to run away from where I came. I don't like this silence.
"Assalamu alaikum" my voice comes out low and soft and the only people replies is Uncle Hamza and Uncle Sam. I bite my lips nervously and a quiet groan and whine leaves my lips when Ziyan walks towards his Mom and I was left behind.
"Did you take your medicine?" He asks softly to which she nods in reply.
"Why do you guys look so serious? Is everything alright?" I question after gathering all my guts left.
"Yeah we are alright other than feeling humiliated cause people are asking us, is your daughter really going to work or to do this!" I flinch back when Mamma yells and throws a picture on my face.
A picture of me and Ziyan hugging.
******
A/n: Hello people, so you guys must be wondering why I do not update everyday like I used to do but one and day after another and that is because, before my chapter used to be very small and it hardly consist of words more than 2k but now all my chapter are longer and I write for more 4.5 k and it takes time to write long chapters so please don't get disappointed but I am trying my best to update as soon as possible.
I hope you enjoyed readingð¤