Her Destiny || 📒

part 16

Mohammad Zayan strode into his office, his secretary following with his morning coffee and schedule. As she briefed him on his day's appointments, Minho was his manager and his childhood best friend too he walked in and dropped into a chair.

"Hey, what's the plan today?" Minho asked, eyeing Zayan's focused expression.

Zayan grunted, not looking up from the file he was studying. "Nothing."

Minho chuckled. "Oh, it seems Mr. Handsome is busy."

Zayan shot him an annoyed glance. "What do you want, Minho? Can't you see I'm working?"

Minho held up his hands in mock surrender. "Chill, dear buddy! Let's grab lunch outside. My treat."

Zayan sighed, his eyes still fixed on the file. "Yeah, yeah. I'll come. Just leave me alone for now and let me work."

Minho laughed, teasing him. "Why so grumpy, Zayan? You're like an angry bird today!"

Zayan's piercing gaze made Minho laugh even harder. "Okay, okay! I'm leaving. Don't bite my head off!"

With a final chuckle, Minho exited the office, leaving Zayan to his work.

...........

Hana's eyes softened as she approached Ayliz's desk. "Hey, what's going on? You look like you've lost your last friend." She placed the file on the desk, her curiosity piqued.

Ayliz sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "I am, Hana. I'm missing him so much it hurts."

Hana's expression turned sympathetic, and she remained silent for a few moments, letting her friend process her emotions. Finally, she spoke up, "Let's get out of here for a bit. We'll grab lunch outside. Fresh air and food might help brighten your day."

Ayliz hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Okay... yeah. At noon, let's go."

Hana smiled encouragingly. "Great! I'll meet you at the lobby at noon. We'll take a walk and grab some food. It'll be good for you, I promise."

Ayliz managed a weak smile, her eyes still cloudy with sadness. "Thanks, Hana. You're a lifesaver."

In noon

Hana and ayliz made her way into the restaurant, her companions already satiated from their lunch. She excused herself to Ayliz, her voice barely above a whisper, "I'll be back, I need to visit the washroom. Wait for me in the parking area, I won't be long." With that, she disappeared into the crowd, leaving Ayliz to her thoughts.

Meanwhile, Zayan and Minhu pulled into the restaurant parking lot, their cars gliding smoothly into adjacent spots. Minhu's phone rang, shrill in the silence, and he answered, his voice low and urgent. "Zayan, you go ahead, I'll join you shortly. This call is important, I can't ignore it." Zayan's annoyance was palpable, his eyes rolling in exasperation, but he reluctantly agreed, his voice laced with sarcasm, "Oh, joy, I can't wait to be ignored by the wait staff while you're off doing whatever it is you do."

As he exited the car, his eyes fixed intently on his phone, his fingers flying across the screen with a practiced ease, he failed to notice the girl walking in the opposite direction. Their collision was inevitable, and they both stumbled backward, apologetic smiles flashing across their faces.

"I'm so sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going," Zayan said, his eyes locking onto hers, his phone forgotten in the face of her piercing gaze.

The girl's response was laced with a hint of sarcasm, her voice sweet as honey, "It's okay, phones can be quite captivating, can't they?" Zayan's laughter was hesitant, but her parting words left an impression, her teeth gritted in a playful smile, "Remember, eyes are meant to see the people around you, got it?"

Just then, Hana reappeared, her eyes scanning the scene before her, her voice inquiring about the commotion. Ayliz brushed it off, her voice dismissive, "Nothing, let's just go." And with that, they both headed towards the car, leaving Zayan staring after them, his mouth agape, his eyes fixed on the girl's retreating figure.

Minhu's tap on his shoulder broke the spell, his voice curious, "What happened?" Zayan's response was slow in coming, his eyes still fixed on the girl, his voice barely above a whisper, "I think I just met my match."

Minhu's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about, Zayan? You're not making any sense."

Zayan's gaze drifted back to the restaurant entrance, his eyes clouding over like a stormy sky. "Forget it, Minhu. Let's just get some food. I'm starving."

Minhu's eyes narrowed, his voice laced with skepticism. "You're not even going to tell me what's going on? What's with the weird behavior?"

Zayan's shoulders shrugged, a careless gesture that belied the turmoil brewing inside him. "Nothing, Minhu. Just drop it, okay?"

As they sat down for lunch, Zayan's curiosity about the mysterious girl only grew stronger. He tried to focus on the menu, but his mind kept wandering back to her piercing gaze and enigmatic smile. Though he attempted to appear nonchalant, his inner excitement betrayed him, and a subtle smile crept onto his face.

Minhu noticed it immediately. "What's going on, Zayan? You're grinning like a Cheshire cat," he said, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

Zayan quickly shrugged it off, his smile vanishing as suddenly as it appeared. "Nothing, Minhu. Just enjoying the prospect of a good meal."

Minhu raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Save it for later, Zayan. You're clearly hiding something. Spill the beans, man."

Zayan chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Later, Minhu. I promise. Just let me savor this lunch first."

Minhu huffed, shaking his head. "Fine, but you're not getting off that easily. I'll wring it out of you eventually."

To be continue

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Love from Arshi my precious tulips 🌷💓