Before The Sky & The Sea (Completed)

chapter sixteen

ZAHRA

"Are you not going to tell him?" Wes questions after I told him the events that transpired last night.

I shook my head. "Even he looks scared of his uncle, Wes.."

"But he stood up against him, didn't he?"

"After he crossed a line."

"Okay.. but he still did. Tell him."

I've played over in my head all the outcomes if I told Ian about Zane and if I didn't. Everything about telling him makes no sense.

"You forget he's just my business partner, Wes. There is no need for me to tell him something that personal. So I tell him. Then what? What happens? It's still his uncle. The person who raised him... I don't expect him to cut his uncle off for a mere business partner," I explained. I was trying to be rationale, reasonable.

I felt alot of emotions around him. Emotions you don't usually feel for someone who is just your business partner.. but it doesn't matter. He doesn't feel the same.

He probably treats all women like this. He's just being a good person. And.. it won't work out. I've told myself that a billion times. It's just the way it is.

"You know you're not just a business partner, Zar. You're just saying that so you don't have to confront your feelings," Wes argues and I hate that he knows me so well.

I sigh heavily. "He's not Muslim, Wes."

I say it out loud. Because we both know that's the big reason. That is what's stopping me from acknowledging my feelings. Wes flashes me a sympathetic look. "Look. I know. But.. just tell him. You can teach him about Islam, no?"

I shake my head again. "I am not going to pressure someone like that."

Wes nods. "Yeah. Sorry. Dumb idea... But what now? I like you gusy together," Wes pouts to lighten the mood and I chuckle.

"Idiot. We can be friends, I suppose. There's no harm in that, right?"

Wes smiles, "Zar, there is SO much harm in being friends with someone you have feelings for but... I know it'll hurt if I tell you to drift from him. So, yeah. No harm."

I smile back at him.

"Anyway.. This Leo? Is HE Muslim? Maybe you can try him instead," Wes suggests, teasingly and I smack him.

"Idiot! Maybe, I don't know if he's Muslim but no, I don't want him. He's really funny though."

"Maybe he's for Lola."

I laugh, "Good idea, actually.

I was meeting Ian today. To talk about work and I shouldn't be nervous. But I am. Why am I so nervous? Nothing spectacular happened last night but for some reason, it felt like it did.

When I saw him in front of me, I think.. No, I'm pretty certain my heart skipped a bit.

Ian flashes a smile and my heart swoons. It shouldn't. But despite my warnings, my heartbeat doesn't steady throughout the meeting.