FATE INSPIRED

Chapter 17

Layla

Almost there.

Ya Malik's message caught my attention as I gathered my iPad and textbooks, and stuffed them into my bag, ready to leave for the day. Whenever Ya Malik finished early with work, I'd force him to pick me up instead of the driver. Now, it was a routine he did intentionally as much as he could. Today was one of those days. The class had just ended. Professor Fahad had just wrapped up his lecture, and the buzz of students leaving the hall filled the air. I was halfway to the door alongside Rahina when I heard his voice, calm but assertive.

"Layla, could you stay behind for a moment? I need to talk to you."

I paused. His tone didn't seem casual. It never did with me as of late.

I turned slowly, catching his eyes on me as he leaned against his desk, his usual calm demeanor accompanied by a slight, almost too personal, smile. This wasn't the first time I'd noticed it, he'd been more obvious lately. More... suggestive, if I'd say. There were the texts that had started with academic inquiries but slowly turned into something else. And now, this.

I walked back toward the front of the room, my pulse quickening. He was always professional, and respectful in his approach, but there was no mistaking the undertone in his actions and words recently.

"Yes, Professor?" I asked as I kept my voice steady.

He gave me that smile again. The one that made half the girls in the school swoon. Once upon a time, it had the same effect on me too, but lately, I'd found myself increasingly indifferent.

"I wanted to talk to you about that case you were asking about a few minutes ago, the one involving the murder." He said, his voice low and rich, almost like he was talking to me alone in the room. Well, he technically was.  "It's an interesting one, a bit more complex than it seemed at first."

I blinked and tried to focus. I had brought it up in class because it had been all over the news, a high-profile case involving a prominent figure. The case was handled by the law firm Professor Fahad was a partner of, which was knowledge to everyone. "Yes, I saw that," I replied curiously but cautiously, as I took a step closer. "It seemed pretty straightforward at first, but it's spiraled into something much bigger."

To stay updated with the materials I studied in class, I made it a mission for myself to look into and stay updated with the crime world. I took a lot of interest and Professor Fahad's firm did a good job when it came to handling high-profile and most sought-after crimes.

He nodded, his gaze intensifying. "Exactly. There are layers to it, especially with new evidence that's been brought forward. I've been working closely with my firm on this one."

I leaned in slightly, my curiosity piqued despite the tension in the air. "What kind of evidence?" I asked. I didn't see the new development in the news.

"Forensics, mainly." He smiled a little wider this time. "Something that is pointing toward a potential second suspect, but I can't disclose much yet. It's all under wraps for now."

I slowly absorbed his words, becoming more intrigued. I couldn't help but feel drawn into the case, it seemed much more than the media had presented. For a brief moment, I forgot about the undertone of the conversation.

"You've always had a sharp eye for detail, Layla." His tone softened now. "It's why I wanted to offer you something... an internship at my firm. We could use someone with your intuition and academic excellence."

I blinked. And then, I blinked again. "An internship?" I couldn't believe it. His law firm only happened to be one of the best and most sought out by everyone, whether to represent them or to work there. We've talked about the possibility of trying out an internship there with a few other students in the class, the one class he lectured, but it was albeit unproductive when we found out they hardly take in interns. The offer came out of nowhere, and it was hard not to feel flattered, but somewhere in my mind, at the same time, a knot formed in my stomach.