Should We Just Keep Driving? [Zarry Stylik AU]©️

Chapter 34

Zayn followed his father into the lobby of the Royal.

Yaser hadn't said a word ever since they got into the car and the young Malik heir was yearning for answers to his questions.

The Malik father wandered into the hotel without so much a head turn his way to ask a question – he owned the space with his quiet demeanour. Zayn followed behind, like the good song he was.

After the divorce and complete separation from assets between Innov and the Foundation, Yaser moved out of the mansion and stayed in London. The children would sometimes spend time with him, but as the months and years rolled by, the distance became greater with the father spending more time away. Since he had been cut off and overthrown, he had lost all contact. Yaser had nothing to say. And nothing should be expected from him.

The relationship between Zayn and Yaser wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst either. From an early age, Yaser wanted the best for his children's education – all of them had to go to University and get a degree (preferably anything related to business, but not mandatory. Safaa had graduated in Art and Wali loved Psychology, for instance). The father never imposed, but...his intentions were clear. Coming as an immigrant to a different country, Yaser fought a lot and worked hard to achieve the status they had now. He wanted his children to continue that legacy and achieve excellence. But most of them, wanted Zayn to continue his legacy.

"You have to understand, beta, we always have to work hard." He explained one time while walking around the garden. "People don't expect us to succeed. So, we need to work harder."

"I know, Dad," Zayn responded at his side. He was struggling to choose a path in University – Zayn loved to create, to draw, to paint...He had selected a few Art courses and Design in the best schools in London. Trisha had been excited and thought it would be great. Yaser was...unimpressed and never voiced his opinion. Until that morning, when the father asked for them to have some time together. "But I don't think I would be...happy going into Management or Finance or Business."

"Zayn, we always make difficult choices," Yaser responded with a long stride. "You must think ahead and not now. I understand you love this...art, situation. You're good at it. But I want you to be a model and an inspiration for your sisters. To carry the Malik name."

"But...Doni is in Business School. The best in London, even. And she's great..."

Yaser would sigh, continuing his long casual stride under the summer sun.

"Doni needs her path. She needs to understand that she needs to make her mark in the world. Not you. Innov is yours and will be when my time is up."

Zayn stopped and looked at this father.

"What if I don't want it? Give it to Doni, baba. She'd love to take the helm of the company."

Yaser stopped his stride and then looked at his son. He paused for a second, then walked back to Zayn, looking him in the eye.

"Doni is impulsive, Zayn. She has great ideas, and they seem amazing but end in disaster. It has happened too many times. The teachers say she's brilliant but cannot take a breath and look at the bigger picture. She wants everything now and done in her way. She's intelligent and, with the right people, Doni can take over the world, but her impulsiveness, impatience and overall pettiness will be her downfall- "

"Baba, don't talk about her like that- "

"You know it's true," Yaser added. "I love Doni. She's my firstborn. A beautiful woman and will be a great business shark one day. She's fierce. However,...Innov doesn't need fierce or impulsivity. Innov needs patience, calm, and protectiveness. I build the company by making calculated choices and taking necessary steps, never longer than my stride. We are not like other companies who were exploiting human suffering and catering to that. We are not a factory of drugs to keep the world numb. We heal and we want the best for our clients. That is what Innov is. That is who you are."