Forgetting Sparks

Chapter 4

The next morning, Layla woke up with Omar still on her mind, her thoughts swirling with the memory of his touch, his promises, and that look in his eyes that made her want to believe every word. But something about it all felt too good to be true, and as she sat at her desk, staring blankly at her emails, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was on the edge of something dangerous.

Her best friend, Ranya, noticed her distraction almost immediately. They'd been friends since college, and Ranya had a knack for reading her moods like an open book.

"Spill it," Ranya said, leaning against Layla's desk with a knowing smile. "You've been walking around like you're in a daze. This wouldn't happen to have anything to do with a certain tall, dark, and handsome guy from your past, would it?"

Layla tried to keep her expression neutral, but she felt her cheeks flush. "Maybe."

Ranya raised an eyebrow, looking concerned. "Omar, right? The one who disappeared without a word? Layla, are you sure about this?"

Layla sighed, rubbing her temples. "I don't know. He says he regrets it, and I want to believe him, but... something about it just feels too perfect, you know? Like he's here now, out of nowhere, and it's like nothing ever changed."

Ranya tilted her head, studying her. "It sounds like he's saying all the right things. But sometimes guys know exactly what to say to keep you hooked."

Layla looked at her friend, grateful for her honesty but not wanting to let go of the hope she felt. "Maybe he really means it this time. People change, right?"

Ranya looked unconvinced but didn't push. "Just be careful, okay? You've been through enough with him. Don't let him waltz back in and mess with your heart."

But just as Layla was about to respond, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Omar: "Meet me at the old park after work. There's something I need to tell you."

A chill ran through her. Something I need to tell you. The words lingered in her mind, bringing back memories of half-kept promises, words left unsaid, and the countless nights she'd spent wondering if he'd ever come back.

When she arrived at the park, he was already there, leaning against a tree with his hands shoved into his pockets, his expression guarded. He looked almost... troubled.

"Hey," she greeted softly, walking over to him. She tried to read his expression, but his usual confidence seemed muted tonight.

He looked at her, his gaze intense, conflicted. "Layla, there's something I haven't told you. Something... complicated."

Her heart sank. The last thing she'd wanted was more secrets, more complications. "Omar, what is it?"

He ran a hand through his hair, looking away for a moment as if gathering his thoughts. "There's... someone from my past who's trying to pull me back. She doesn't like the idea of me being with anyone else."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. She. Her mind spun, piecing together his evasive answers and the nights he'd been mysteriously absent since they reconnected.

"Are you telling me you have a girlfriend?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He shook his head quickly. "It's not like that, Layla. We were... involved, but it's over now. I told her that. She's just not someone who lets go easily."

She stared at him, disbelief and anger simmering just beneath the surface. "So you're saying that while you were gone, you moved on. And now you think you can just come back and pick things up with me, while some other girl is still in the picture?"

Omar looked genuinely pained, but she could see the way he struggled to find the right words. "It's not that simple. She's... well, let's just say she's not someone you'd want to make an enemy of. And now, with us reconnecting, she's become... a problem."

Layla took a step back, trying to process it all. "So you're saying that your 'problem' is now mine too?"

"Layla, I didn't want to drag you into this," he said, reaching out for her hand, but she pulled away. "But I couldn't stay away from you. I tried to end things with her, but she's... she's not letting go. She knows about you now, and she's threatened by it."

Layla's head was spinning. She'd let herself fall back into his orbit, allowed herself to believe that maybe this time would be different. But here she was again, caught in his chaos, tangled in his mess.

"So what, Omar? Are you going to leave again when things get tough?" She could hear the hurt in her own voice, feel the anger bubbling up inside her. "Because I don't know if I can handle you coming and going whenever it suits you."

He stepped closer, desperation flickering in his eyes. "Layla, I'm not going anywhere. I swear. I just need time to handle this. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."

But she shook her head, her mind racing with everything Ranya had warned her about. "I don't want to be some pawn in your messy past, Omar. I want to believe you, but how am I supposed to trust you when you've kept this from me?"

Omar opened his mouth to speak, but a figure stepped out from the shadows nearby, sending a shiver down Layla's spine. She turned, and there, in the dim light of the streetlamp, stood a tall, striking woman with sharp features and a cold, piercing gaze that made Layla's skin crawl.

"So," the woman said, her voice smooth and laced with venom, "this is the girl who's been keeping you busy."

Omar's face hardened as he looked at the woman, but Layla noticed the flicker of fear in his eyes. "Nadia," he said, his tone wary. "What are you doing here?"

Nadia smirked, crossing her arms as she regarded Layla with a chilling intensity. "Just thought I'd introduce myself. I'm the one you didn't tell her about, remember?"

Layla's stomach twisted, her heart racing with a mixture of fear and anger. She didn't know this woman, but something about her felt dangerous, threatening. She looked at Omar, feeling betrayed, cornered.

"Omar," she whispered, struggling to keep her voice steady, "you need to tell me what's going on. Now."

But Nadia cut in, her tone mocking. "Oh, don't worry, dear. Omar and I have a lot of history. He may think he's moved on, but people like us... we don't just walk away."

Omar clenched his fists, his gaze burning with barely contained anger. "Nadia, enough."

Nadia raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Or what, Omar? You know what I'm capable of."

Layla felt a chill settle over her, her mind racing as she realized the gravity of the situation. This wasn't just some girl from his past. This was someone dangerous, someone who had no intention of letting Omar go—and she was now part of this twisted game.

Without another word, Layla turned and walked away, her mind reeling with questions, her heart aching with betrayal. Omar called after her, but she didn't stop. She couldn't. She needed time to think, to process what she'd just seen, and most of all, to decide if she was willing to risk everything for a man who seemed to bring nothing but chaos into her life.