Destiny's Tapestry

Chapter 2

The week flew by. It was busy, like always. I kept peeking at the calendar and for some reason the weekend was really slow for me.

But the day finally arrived, I'm at Malik's for the submission of the documents. I could send them with Laila, my assistant. But this is really important to me, and so I'm here to see it done with my own eyes. I'm told to wait at the CEO's office, and undoubtedly I have to see him again until this work finishes, and I don't have to come and see him again for the rest of my life. I feel embarrassed about how I behaved and how he's good with me.

I've thought about our whole interaction, and I realise that if I were in his shoes, I might not have been as accommodating. At least not without a sincere apology.

And he is making me feel more embarrassed about that. Now I'm at his workplace with an amazing coffee. More specifically, it's my type of coffee, strong; without much sugar in it and the color is just perfect. One thing to know about me is, I'm very particular about my coffee. It's something I can't bear when it's not perfect.

Just like his father, he has a separate floor, with a conference hall, an office, a waiting area, a balcony with a coffee table and 2 chairs surrounding it.

No, I did not sneak around, it's just that this space is really big, and you can easily distinguish every section clearly.

I can see him from where I'm sitting. He's in the conference hall, leading a meeting more seriously than I've ever seen. The look of concentration on his face is like that of a teacher teaching math. I'm sure everyone in there is afraid to even miss a word he speaks.

That suits him though, I guess. The seriousness and the determined look.

He comes out after a short time with some files in his hands accompanied by an employee, talking about the files in hand. He has his eyebrows creased and lips together in a thin line, listening and nodding every now and then.

He is wearing black shirt and black trousers with sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

Even though his hair is a bit of a mess, he looks perfectly....

Wait, what am I even doing?

He catches my eye, and I pretend to check the time on my watch.

Boom! I never wear a watch.

Great. I quickly looked in his direction to check whether he noticed my stupidity, he was smirking. Mentally I kick myself out of this world.

How am I going to face him with this silly little interaction?

This is annoying. I want to vaporise in the thin air.

A woman comes to me and leads me to his office.

It's empty, a relief.

I can calm myself and have some time to come to my senses.

Before the lady leaves me alone, I ask her for a glass of water, she gives me one in no time.

I gulp it down.

While I was just about to finish it- "So the coffee wasn't enough for you to calm you down?"

He barges in from a door that I'm sure I didn't see earlier.

I was startled and spit out the remaining water on his work area.

Brilliant.

"I'm sorry," the words come out quickly.

"I'm sure you are." he blurts while staring at the mess I've created.

"Never mind, let's leave this. I'll have someone to clean this mess." he says, brushing it off.

"Are you sure? I mean..."

"It's fine, we'll sit on the balcony. Are you fine with that?" he cuts me, like always.

"It's totally fine," I say.

I gather my stuff and while leaving, I turn back to look at the mess I've created and apologize to him once again. I'm sure he's going to consider this collaboration again, and I'm busted.

We sit on the balcony, overlooking the busy city. It's my dream to work here every day.

He asks me if I need to drink something, and I politely say no as I've already made a mess.

I spread out all the documents one by one that was required, he checks them carefully and stacks them to his side.

"Okay, so everything is fine. My assistant will come to your office to get your signatures on some documents within 3-4 days. And that'll confirm our partnership, of course. Following which, you will be able to access the supplies from our stores. I'll give you the contact details of the person and then you're good to go." he completes.

I sigh, "Thank you for being so cooperative throughout, I'm really grateful for you and your father for trusting me with this," I say as none of it is a lie. At first, I didn't believe that they would be ready to give me this opportunity.

"I'm sorry for the mess I've created in your office, it's so inappropriate." I speak without stopping and he interrupts me. "It's totally fine. I'm sure someone has already cleaned it up. Nothing to worry about," he assures me.

"Thank you," I say once again and stand to leave.

A small smile flashes his lips as we shake our hands, unlike mine. I give him a wide smile, a sense of accomplishment, success and gratitude.

He doesn't know me, my life and the sacrifices I've made to reach here.

To him I'm probably another woman who has a thirst to be seen, to be identified and be famous.

I'm far from that kind of person.

I want to live a dream that was once 'ours'. But today, I don't have that person to share this milestone with. That person was once a reality but has become a longing... forever. And I don't think anyone will be able to fill this void that has made a space inside of me.

I'm on the 1st floor and I hear someone say, "yes, he has the whole office worked up this complete whole week for this little client," pointing at me. I immediately turn to look, and they are staring at me with anger on their faces.

I'm done.

I walk back to the elevator and press the floor no. on which Mahir's office is. I turn to his office and there he is. Leaning on the doorframe of his office with his legs crossed and hands folded. I guess he has CCTV all over his building and he saw what happened down stairs.

I manage to speak with my anger boiling.

I don't want anyone to over-work for me. Especially not the people I don't even know and I'll not even see in my coming future.

"You.. you made your employees do overtime because of me...?" The words themselves seem to be so senseless.

"They're jealous," he says calmly.

"Sorry?" But I'm not at all calm.

"They are jealous because you got the deal in no time, it's all because of your dedication and efforts. But people just have to talk nonsense and spread rumours. Don't you worry, I've made a note of those people and I'll be sure they are fired right away."

"Fired? What? You're going to fire your employees just because they are spreading some rumours? No, that's not going to happen. Don't do that. I'm fine, I'm sure it's like what you've said. So, I'll leave then, thank you." I don't know why I added 'Thank you' again, but I need to leave this place as soon as possible.

Everything that happened today keeps spinning in my head and I just need some fresh air to survive, and a coffee will do... I guess.