In the Heart of Darkness

Chapter 20: The Proposal

Zara could feel the weight of the world on her shoulders as she sat by Ibrahim's side, gently adjusting the pillow beneath his head. It had been days since the attack, and every moment since then, she had devoted herself to his care. She watched over him as he slept, made sure he ate properly, and stayed by his side through every wince of pain.

His wound was healing, but slowly. The once deep and threatening gash near his heart had started to close, yet every time she caught a glimpse of the scar, her heart tightened. The fear of losing him haunted her every waking hour, and it was a fear she could not shake.

"You need to rest," Ibrahim said softly, his deep voice pulling her out of her thoughts. He looked at her, his dark eyes filled with a mix of tenderness and frustration. "You've been doing too much. I don't like seeing you this exhausted."

Zara shook her head, her grey eyes determined. "I'm fine. Besides, I already took a leave from university. I'm staying here with you."

Ibrahim frowned, his lips tightening into a thin line. "I told you not to do that. You're putting your education at risk."

Zara placed a hand gently on his chest, careful not to disturb his bandage. "Ibrahim, I couldn't focus on my studies knowing you're here, recovering from something so dangerous. I need to be here. For you."

For a moment, he didn't argue. His hand moved over hers, his fingers tracing the lines of her palm. "You shouldn't have to carry this weight," he murmured, his voice softer now, filled with emotion. "I'm supposed to protect you, not the other way around."

Zara looked at him, her heart swelling with emotion she could barely contain. "We're in this together, Ibrahim. Don't you understand that by now? I want to protect you too."

Ibrahim's expression softened further, his gaze lingering on her face. There was something unspoken between them, something that neither of them had been able to fully confront. But the connection was undeniable, and in this fragile moment, Zara couldn't help but feel that everything had changed.

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Later that evening, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the courtyard. Zara was sitting in the living room, flipping absentmindedly through a book when she heard a knock at the door. Nancy, who had been in the kitchen, quickly moved to answer it, but Zara's curiosity got the better of her.

When she looked outside, she saw a tall, imposing figure standing by the entrance. The man was massive, his muscles rippling under his fitted black shirt. His face was hard, chiseled, with cold, calculating eyes that seemed to take in everything around him. Zara instantly felt a chill run down her spine.

She stepped closer to the door, her eyes widening slightly as she looked at him. "Who is that?"

Before Nancy could answer, Ibrahim's voice came from behind her. "He's here for you."

Zara turned to face him, confusion knitting her brow. "For me?"

Ibrahim, still weak from his injury but standing tall nonetheless, walked toward the door with a steady stride. "His name is Saif. He's one of the most proficient assassins and martial artists I know. He's here to train you."

Zara's heart dropped. She had expected something like this, but seeing the towering man outside, she felt her skin crawl. The idea of him training her-touching her, showing her how to defend herself-made her feel uncomfortable in a way she couldn't quite explain.

"Ibrahim, I-" Zara started, but Ibrahim cut her off with a firm look.

"I told you, Zara. I need you to be able to defend yourself. It's not safe anymore. The threats are real, and I can't always be there to protect you."