DECE-P-TION

DXIX

I open the door seeing Alya sitting on the sofa with her legs crossed. She raises her head to look at me before standing up. I shut the door as she walks towards me. "Welcome back." She takes my bag from me and placed it on the sofa. "Thank you."

"How's work?" She smiles, walking towards the kitchen. "Eventful." I respond, sitting down and taking off my tie. I take off my cuff links, unbuttoning the first three buttons of my shirt. "Are you eating on the table?" Alya asks while the tv played. "I'd like to eat here." I turn to look at her approaching me with a tray.

She hands it to me, sitting back on the sofa. "Thank you." I start eating the yam I missed eating. "It's delicious." I compliment, seeing her staring at me. "Really?"

"Yeah." She places her head on her palm. "I heard you're going to be working with zulaika."

"Yes, how did you know?"

"I work at the company that was competing with you." I smile, letting my intrusive thoughts get the best of me. "It was a competition?" She scoffs, smiling. "You're funny."

"Am I?" We stare at each other before I break it to continue eating. "Have you eaten?"

"Yes, I have." She stands up, puffing the pillows. "You're leaving already?" She turns to look at me. "I don't usually stay late, you know I sleep early."

I stand up as she widens her eyes. "You're done already?" I chuckle. "I told you how I was enjoying it." She attempts to take the tray from me. "Never mind, you rest."

"Im fine."

"Im insisting, you need it if you want to keep your company at number two since it's no longer number one."

"What?"

"Consider it a favor, looking out for my wife." She chuckles as I laugh heartily for taking the low road, walking away. "Let's see how long you'll last. Our company has been the number one for the longest time and it won't be long before we take it back from....newbies." She follows behind me.

"To be taken down by newbies? That should mean something." I turn to look at her and push the door open with my back. "No, you had the upper hand this one time." I place the tray by the sink, folding my sleeves. "I hear that a lot from companies that folded."

"Don't worry, we'll have a conversation next time and the table will be turned." She leans on the sink beside me with her arms crossed. "How long will that take?"

"Not long, you'll see." She takes the plates I washed, drying them. "That's before or after you come to me for a job?" She stops to look at me frustratedly. "Tell you what? If you manage to be better than us, I'll do whatever you ask me to do."

"Whatever?" I nod, looking at her as she thinks. "But if I do win, again, you'll do what I ask." I stand opposite her. She looks at me with a smile on her face before walking towards me slowly. She stands in front of me, letting out a sigh.

"I don't do bets or dares, Falah. I'll rather go with facts." She hands me the rag, walking out. I smile, realizing how I enjoy frustrating her.

**********

"These are all the documents I have concerning the lawsuits. I've handed everything to you, don't let me down, Falah." I nod, flipping the bulky papers. "I want to ask a question."

"I'm listening." I push the file to the side, focusing on him. "Can I turn the tables around to another person?"

"Yes, if you have enough incriminating evidence. It will better, everyone likes a person to blame." I sigh, realizing the work I have ahead of me. "That's great." He grins widely when my phone rings. "Excuse me." I stand up, walking to the window.