The Stake.

41

Shahwar walked out of the restaurant with a well known feeling of being rejected, it was no different this time either for her. They had called her but then other candidates obviously had better credentials and she wasn't selected. Again.

"Hey." Shahwar looked at Rehaan who was standing in front of her in his navy blue cashmere sweater and pants with a weird expression, what was wrong with him.

"Did Meher tell you to come here?" She folded her hands on her chest and pouted, "I was coming back anyway. It wasn't going to take long for—"

She was suddenly captured into a hug by Rehaan. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She was blinking unable to understand what was happening, her face buried inside his chest, she heard him sniff all of a sudden.

"Why are you saying sorry, I'm not upset with the rejection. It's not anyone's fault that I don't have a degree." Shahwar raised her head a little to see his face.

"They rejected you?" He cleared throat.

"Of course, they did. I'm a loser." Shahwar hummed, "They have better options than me."

"Shahwar?" He pushed her hair behind her ears.

"Hm?"

"What do you want to eat for lunch?" He rubbed his nose over hers and she felt alarmed looking at the people passing by, did he know they were in public?

"Any—anything. I don't know." Shahwar was getting truly affected by his proximity now.

"My love, anything won't do. We can't possibly just eat anything. You know I'm very picky. Tell me which is your favourite fancy restaurant here." He wanted to kiss her, he did so much but he knew now was not the time.

"Oh there is this amazing place that has the best spaghetti. We can go there, do you want to eat spaghetti?" He smiled and kissed her cheek, Shahwar's eyes widened at his actions.

"I'll be the happiest to eat spaghetti." He straightened himself and took her hand in his walking towards his car.

He made Shahwar sit inside the car and took his phone out excusing himself for a short call and then he got back into the car after five minutes. When they reached the restaurant Shahwar walked inside and he held her hand again, not letting it go. She looked down at his hand while walking with a saddened expression and then regained her unaffected face when they sat down.

"Will you take me to different places in Barcelona for sightseeing?" The moment they had placed their orders he started staring into her eyes.

"But you must've visited here already, your store outlets are here." She'd seen the massive King Jewels there, she knew he must've been to the city at least few times annually.

"I only ever came for work, I haven't ever done any fun things here." He wasn't lying, at least not completely.

"Oh, you can ask Ibaad." She said looking down at the table now.

"Ibaad is not my wife, and why would I bring him with me when I've come here for my wife?" Rehaan tilted his face to reach her eye level.

Shahwar's eyes came back to his direction, "Okay. I'll take you."

"I love you." That was absolutely unexpected for her, she blinked twice to feel if it was real but Rehaan didn't even bat his eyes.

"There's a boating pond and parks, but you don't like parks—"

"I like them. I like wherever you are with me. Let's go for the boating this evening." Shahwar narrowed her eyes at him.

"Aap theek hain na Rehaan?" She asked softly.

(Are you really alright Rehaan?)

"Ab hi toh theek hua hoon jaan." His deep eyes that were very brown sparkled as he smiled.

(Finally I am alright now.)

"Ok, ok." She said to herself like a cute little girl, the need to kiss her was driving high on his mind.

The food came and Shahwar's face brightened at the sight of the food which made Rehaan realize how extremely precious she was to him.
Suddenly the manager of the restaurant came asking them how the food was, Shahwar excitedly responded and told him that she loved it. Then he mentioned that the restaurant was currently without a sous chef and apologized if there was any lacking in the food to which Rehaan told the manager that Shahwar was working as one previously in Paris. The conversation had turned into Shahwar being interviewed sitting there to work for them.

The manager took her inside the kitchen and asked her for a few recipes and she was then asked to prepare any one out of them. After more than an hour the man told Shahwar that she was hired. She was completely dazzled by the news and all of it happening in such sudden timing.

When she came out walking towards Rehaan she looked too stunned to speak, "What happened Shahwar? Is everything alright?" He gave her a concerned smile.

"They are hiring me, Rehaan." She spoke in complete shock.

"Isn't that supposed to be a good thing?" He squinted his eyes and pursed his lips waiting for her to say something.

"I just can't believe it. It's the most expensive Spanish restaurant." She was still in a daze.

"You don't want to work here?" He held her face.

"Of course I want to Rehaan." And then she smiled finally, "I'm so happy!"

The person who was happier than herself was her husband who had to blink back his tears seeing her smile after the longest time, "My Shahwar only deserves to be happy."

"It's my favorite restaurant Rehaan!" He pressed a kiss on her nose and it turned a dark shade of pink at that, her heart raced faster than it already was.

"It's the least they can do for their best customer." He took her hand and started to walk out.

Single updates from today. The book will end at chapter 50. Then there's an epilogue.😭