The Dream

Favour

-Zain Danial-

"Zain?" 

I felt a hand on my shoulder, moving me a little bit causing me to force my eyes open despite them desperately wanting to be closed. 

"Zain?" 

I rubbed them with a free hand of mine and got up, not remembering where exactly I was or who was calling me. I looked up and suddenly my answers hit me like a brick. Carla was there, stood next to the chair I must have slept in, smiling down now that I'm awake. For a moment I'm taken back at how beautiful she looks with her hair down and gentle eyes, how her lips seem so genuine in their gesture, one I wouldn't be able to compare to another. 

"Sorry to wake you, I thought you might want to freshen up or be able to rest at home," She said, her voice so soft. Wait-

I looked around and realised that I was sitting in her office chair. I had slept in her office chair. Fuck. I quickly stood, almost stammering, "Haha, yeah, I apologise. I just passed by last night and was wondering if you were okay which is why-" 

I stopped when she started giggling a little, it warmed my heart and made me smile along. "It's okay," she started, "I really appreciate it. Thank you for helping me with my work as well." She put a strand of her hair behind her ear and motioned down to the new piles that I organised. I was able to finish off what I could although she had done most of it herself already. 

"There's a bathroom through the door there with supplies you can use. No one will be coming in today so you can take your time." She then says, pointing me to a door at the end of the office. I nod and decide to go do just that. 

I started thinking about how I must have looked in her chair when she woke up. A CEO's chair is the throne of their business empire. For me to have sat there was the biggest disrespectful move I could potentially throw at her. Fuck. She probably thought I was out to take her position and hates me. 

And yet-

Her smile. 

Fuck!

After I was done, I came out, drying my hair with a towel to see last night's mess was all cleaned up and Carla was standing, looking at the rising sun, the blue sky, by her desk which had two cups of tea on it. Her eyes seemed so captivated by what she was seeing as if a child was opening up a Christmas present their parents swore not to get them. I envied it. 

I walked up to where she was but she still hadn't noticed I was there so I decided to look up at what she was looking at. I never thought much about the blue sky but now, standing next to her, trying to see what she was seeing, it seemed brighter than usual. Magical. Calming. Beautiful. Almost like-

"Sometimes I wonder what it means to be as infinite as the sky. So large and present and yet ignored so often. It can be so wondrous and light but also so dark and dominating." She turned to me with the same smile as before. "It's really beautiful, isn't it?" 

Not nearly as much as you.

She then turned and sat in her chair, starting to drink her tea. I mirrored her actions with a relaxed form despite how little I slept and how uncomfortable it was. 

"You're quite the caffeine addict, I realized," I say, making conversation. She chuckled at my statement. 

"It seems you've caught me," 

"Well considering you'd always be offering coffee or tea and then there's the obvious energy drink company you have control over and funded. Not to mention the minifridge." I said and I could have sworn I saw her choke up a little bit at the mention of her fridge which made me smirk. 

"Damn cover's been blown," she mumbled but then changes her posture to look a little more defensive, "but I'm not addicted! I just...have a strong love for the intoxicant."

"Righttt" This made us both start laughing which was nice but was short-lived. I suddenly got a phone call from a private number. 

"Hello?" I picked up thinking it might be a prank number but

"Is this Mr Zain Danial?" 

"That's right," I replied cautiously. 

"This is the police. Unfortunately, there's been an accident in your apartment," My eyes widened and I continued to listen to him explain to me that there was an explosive fire while I wasn't at home. They assume it was due to a gas leak that was sparked by something but continued to ask me if there was anyone that may have something against me. I had a lot of people who hate me but I didn't think I had anyone who would go that far so I told him 'no'. He then went on to tell me that they've been able to salvage some things which are currently being held at the police station that I have to come and pick up. Eventually, I hung up and looked down at my cup of tea in shock. 

"Are you okay?" I looked up at Carla to see her looking back at me with concerned eyes. She could probably hear what was going on through the line which made me sigh. Just as things were going well too. 

"I'll be fine. Although I guess I'll have to hand in a letter of resignation to you," She leaned back on her chair when I said this. I expected a shocked reaction but it wasn't one. 

"Why resign?" She asked 

"Until I find another place, I'll have to probably live with my younger brother who lives across the country. My friends are all pretty much married or have roommates so there's no one else closer."

"Hmm," She put on a thinking face while taking the last sip of her tea before speaking again. "You can stay with me." She states casually.

"What!?" My reaction was probably too surprised considering her amused look. 

"I can't just lose my perfect personal assistant, now can I? Besides," She stood up and grinned,

"What kind of leader would I be if I can't help my employees when they really need it?" 

---

Carla and I separated ways after our conversation. She told me to meet her at her house after collecting my things from the station, not really giving me an option but I don't think I would have fought even if I could. I've become too attached to this place, to her, to just leave. 

When I got closer to the address that she had sent me there were fewer homes passing by me and more nature. I made the last turn and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The home in front of me was fucking gorgeous, looking like a modern glass castle which wasn't huge but big enough for a passer-by to know that someone rich lived here. 

I parked my car and slowly walked towards the front door which, like the company building, began to intimidate me with its size. I took in a breath and knocked on it, waiting for a reply which didn't take long. 

Carla opened the door a few seconds later and surprised me yet again but this time by what she was wearing. I'm used to only seeing her with corporate clothing but now she was wearing something more casual, high rise jeans with a slightly cropped top and a hoodie on top of that. It completely changed her and I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it. 

"Come in!"