ARRANGED BY FATE - A PorDee On-Going FanFic

Chapter 27

Thursday morning, Zaviya is sitting on the couch in her living room, holding her tablet. Alastair's face lights up the screen, her smile warming Zaviya's heart despite the miles between them. The sunlight streams through the window, casting a soft glow on Zaviya's face.

Alastair: (smiling warmly) Hey, beautiful. How's my wife doing today?

Zaviya: (smirking playfully) Missing you. Sweden's treating you well, huh? You look extra gorgeous with that winter backdrop.

Alastair: (chuckles) Flattery will get you everywhere, Misis ko. The meetings are exhausting, though. I had to present twice yesterday, and both times I kept thinking, 'I wish Zaviya was here to make this more bearable.'

Zaviya: (chuckles softly) You know I'd be bored out of my mind during your presentations. I'd probably just stare at you and daydream.

Alastair: Exactly why I need you here. Your daydreams make everything better. What about you? How's everything back home?

Zaviya: The usual. Meetings, projects, the never-ending to-do list. But...

Alastair: (leans closer to the screen, concerned) But what love? Is everything okay?

Zaviya: (hesitates) I don't know. Something strange happened yesterday. I met someone... an old acquaintance, Olga. She asked me if we... if we remarried.

Alastair: (frowns slightly) Remarried? That's odd. Did she explain why she asked that?

Zaviya: No, she just left in a hurry after that. It's been bugging me ever since.

Alastair: Hmm. That is strange. But you know what? Don't let it worry you too much, okay? We'll figure it out together when I get back. For now, focus on being that amazing CEO that you are. I'll be home soon, and we can talk about it then.

Zaviya: You'll be back on Sunday night, right? I'm already counting down the days.

Alastair: I promise. I'm making sure everything's done on time. I miss you so much, Zav. I miss waking up beside you, the smell of your coffee, and you stealing all the blankets at night.

Zaviya: (giggles) I don't steal them; you just don't know how to share. (softens) But seriously, it's been hard without you. The house feels empty.

Alastair: I know, love. Just a few more days. Let's plan something when I get back. I'll cook your favorite dinner, and we can have a movie night like old times.

Zaviya: Deal. And then maybe a little dessert after? (winks teasingly)

Alastair: (laughs) Always, with you. I love you, Misis ko.

Zaviya: I love you more, Alastair. Take care of yourself, okay? And text me whenever you're free.

Alastair: I will. And hey, don't forget to smile today, okay? I want you happy.

They exchange one last look of longing before ending the call. Zaviya puts down her tablet, feeling comforted by their conversation, yet something still lingers in the back of her mind.

After their call, she heads to the bathroom. She turns on the shower, and as the warm water cascades down her body, her mind drifts back to her encounter with Olga the previous day. Olga's words replay in her mind:

Olga's voice: Did you and Alastair remarry?

Zaviya frowns, scrubbing her skin harder as if trying to wash away the confusion building up inside her.

Zaviya (thinking): Why would she ask that?

The water pours over her, but her thoughts are clouded with confusion.
Suddenly, flashes of her recent nightmares flood her mind. Memories-no, dreams-flash before her eyes. Each night, she sees the same disturbing scene: a pregnant woman, visibly distressed, arguing with someone whose face she can't make out. The argument turns heated, and the woman storms out, driving recklessly through pouring rain. The tires skid, and then, a sickening crash echoes in Zaviya's mind. She jolts awake each time, breathless and in tears.