FATE INSPIRED

Chapter 13

Asad

"Asad!" I heard Usman's as I was walking out of the office building. "Man, what's up?" My best friend asked he jogged to meet me at the exit.

"Heading home."

"You should have stayed home. No, we should have all stayed home." He started. "It is the weekend."

"I didn't ask you to come, you decided to come and work." It's the weekend and I decided to work from the office instead of home as usual, Usman decided to join me along with some staff from his team and my PA.

"People would point fingers at us for making our boss work alone on a weekend."

"I am sure it doesn't work that way, you are just being dramatic as always." I pointed my eyes at him before looking away.

"I am not." He dramatically said. "The work could have waited until Monday, but your workaholic self won't sit back and wait till then."

"No, I won't," I said curtly.

Nyako Corp. acquired a majority stake in one of the top three largest insurance companies in the country through a well-planned negotiation process which we're at the last stage of. I had to cancel the last meeting last week that could have finalized the deal to escort Layla home.

"You should though." He said completely turning his body towards me. "You are almost engaged. This is the time to get to know each other, you know."

My dating manual speaking.

"We talk a lot recently." I decided to offer him the piece of information, silently hoping he'd commend me and offer more advice as usual.

"Your definition of a lot is text messages and a few phone calls? Seriously?"

"Manu, we are taking it slow."

"Which you shouldn't. That's if you ask me though." He paused. "Which you are asking right now so I will tell you."

I sighed.

"It goes in this order; you text, you call, you visit and sometimes, you go out together. But obviously, scratch the last part for you." He finished and I looked at him confused.

"Why?"

"Culture, religion, family values; I could go on. Most important right now is to get her comfortable with you." Usman went on and on before we drifted back to the acquisition.

The move allowed Nyako Corp. to expand its reach into the insurance sector, showcasing my business acumen and vision for growth within the company's portfolio.

Layla: My day was tiring. I just finished my assignments.

A big smile graced my face when her reply came in after I had asked how her day went.

Asad: Can I call you?

I hit send as I got into my bed. I went to the football field after I got back from the office, hit the shower, had dinner, and went through a few work files while waiting for Layla's reply. These past few days have been going well when I thought about it.

I got Layla's contact from her brother and texted her over the week. The messages were very casual but after dropping her at home from the insurance company, they got better for both of us. I have called her a few times since then and she seemed shy which I didn't expect. The number of texts we shared has skyrocketed as well and we both are more talkative over texts. i surprised myself, if I had to admit it.

"As'SalaamuAlaikum." I greeted when she picked up the phone.

"Wa'alaikum'Salaam. Hi." A bubbly voice replied.