She was called on the stage and she slowly made her way to it. What threw her off was Haim Jilani took two steps towards her and she felt her heart beat rising.
He extended his hand and she had to give it to him as he helped her onto the raised steps. She felt her hand going clammy in his when he didn't leave it even after they stood infront of each other.
"Miss Shah.." He greeted her watching her intensly. His stares were too intense, she didn't know why. He didn't look at her body but directly at her face, square into her eyes. His gaze always wandered in her facial features and she till date didn't encounter a man who stared you directly in your face without blinking with an intensity that robbed you off your breath.
"Mr Jilani.." She tried to greet cooly but her voice wavered. She cursed under her breath and moistened her lips.
She saw Haim Jilani raise his lips in half smirk as if to control his laugh.
Badtameez.
She gritted her teeth and bit her tongue as if to control what she was about to say. They stood on either side of Mobeen Jilani as he droled on about their new project and the future of companies.
Many people saw something else though. Two pillars of the biggest empires in Pakistan standing side by side. What did this mean?
Several business magazines and channels went bersek with their pictures that day.
_____
After a tiring day at work she was lying in her bed. The new project was taking a toll on her. So much work and very few days. She felt her phone vibrate onto her side table and grabbed it blindly squinting at the screen.
No way.
She sat up straight.
Haim Jilani just shot her a text through whatsapp.
'Mr Timothy has reached Pakistan, My team has received him, however he has brought his wife with him as well. I require your presence in my office to greet them tomorrow. Eleven Sharp.'
She read the text and replied.
'Ok'
It was double ticked and then blued immediately and her heart sped up. She immediately went offline and cursed herself.
Oh god why why why.
Why did she feel so nervous in this man's presence.
Ugh she groaned into her pillow and slept soon because of the exhaustion.
In the morning she dressed in a black and maroon flowery top with black pants and heels. She wasn't well rested and didn't appreciate making her way to Jilani's.
This joint project though, was taking last of her sanity.
Haim Jilani in his signature clothes stood stoic and a couple sat infront of him.
"Hello Mr & Mrs Timothy." She greeted and air kissed the wife.
"Hi my name is Vivian." The wife said with a cheery smile and she greeted her again with her name.
"Vivian here has come to Pakistan because she's a big fan of mughal architecture. She has requested us to take her to Badshahi masjid in Lahore." Haim explained and she felt a loss of words for a moment.
"Since I am as new as them here and us being business partners, I want you to accompany us there. Isn't that right Tim.." He said and Bariha gritted her teeth.
"O.. Oh yes ofcourse. I will make the arrangements..." She said with a fake smile.
"That's not necessary, I have already alerted the staff at Lahore's residence and we will be leaving in about two hours if that's okay with you since Tim and Vivian are here for a very short visit.." He said and she opened and closed her fists but nodded.
