Forgetting Sparks

Chapter 7

The days that followed felt like living on the edge of a storm. Layla tried to resume some semblance of normalcy, going to work and spending time with Ranya, but her mind was constantly pulled back to Omar and the darkness surrounding him. She hadn't heard from Nadia since that night at the park, but the silence only made her more anxious. Nadia didn't seem like the type to disappear quietly.

Omar was trying his best to be more present, meeting Layla for coffee, walking her home after work, and even cracking jokes to lighten the tension. Yet, Layla could sense his worry lurking beneath the surface. He kept his phone close, his gaze constantly flickering over his shoulder as if he expected Nadia to appear at any moment.

One evening, as they walked by the river, the city lights casting reflections on the water, Layla decided to confront him.

"Omar," she began, stopping to face him. "You're trying to protect me, and I appreciate that. But I can't keep pretending like things are normal when I know they're not."

He looked down, his face shadowed by guilt. "I know, Layla. I just... I don't want you to get hurt. Nadia is unpredictable. She knows I'd do anything to keep you safe, and I'm afraid she'll use that against us."

Layla reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly. "Maybe it's time to stop playing defense. Have you thought about... going to the police?"

He hesitated, running a hand through his hair. "It's complicated. Nadia's father is well-connected, and she has enough dirt on me to make things messy. She's not afraid to lie, to manipulate. If I go to the police, she could twist everything and make it worse."

Layla frowned, her mind racing. "So what do we do? Just let her control our lives forever?"

Omar's expression hardened, a spark of defiance in his eyes. "No. I won't let her win. I've started looking into ways to get out from under her grip—finding people who know her, digging into her weaknesses."

A chill ran through Layla as she considered the risk he was taking. But before she could respond, her phone buzzed. She glanced down to see a message from an unknown number: "He's lying to you, Layla. He's not who you think he is."

Her stomach dropped, and she showed Omar the message. His face went pale, his jaw clenching.

"It's her," he whispered. "She's trying to get inside your head, Layla. Don't let her."

Layla forced a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I know... I just didn't expect her to reach out like this."

Omar's hand gripped hers tightly. "She's desperate, Layla. She knows I'm serious about us, and it scares her."

But as much as she wanted to believe him, doubt crept into her mind. Nadia had been in Omar's life for years. If he was hiding something, she was likely the one person who would know. Layla shook her head, trying to dispel the suspicion. This was Omar. She knew him. Didn't she?

The next night, Layla sat with Ranya, relaying everything that had happened since Nadia's latest message. Ranya listened intently, her expression a mix of concern and frustration.

"Layla, I hate to say this," Ranya said, choosing her words carefully, "but are you sure Omar is telling you everything? I mean, he has a complicated history with this girl, and people don't change overnight."

Layla bristled, feeling defensive. "Ranya, he's been honest with me about Nadia. He's told me everything."

"Has he, though?" Ranya pressed, her tone gentle but insistent. "Look, I know you still have feelings for him. And he might genuinely want to make things right. But love can cloud our judgment. Just... be careful."

Layla sighed, feeling torn. "I know you're trying to look out for me, Ranya. But I want to believe him. I need to."

Ranya reached out, giving Layla's hand a reassuring squeeze. "Then just promise me you'll keep your eyes open, okay? Don't let him—or Nadia—manipulate you."

Two days later, Layla's resolve was tested when she received another message from the unknown number.

"Omar isn't who he says he is. Meet me at the old warehouse by the docks tonight if you want to know the truth."

Layla's heart pounded as she read the message. It felt dangerous, like stepping into the lion's den, but the pull of curiosity was undeniable. If there was even a chance that Nadia knew something important, she couldn't ignore it.

She stared at the screen, her mind racing. Was this a trap? Or was it the only way to uncover the truth?

That evening, she sent Omar a quick message saying she was going to meet Ranya, then slipped out to the docks. The air was thick with tension, the quiet of the night broken only by the distant sound of water lapping against the pier.

The warehouse loomed in front of her, a shadowed, empty space filled with a strange kind of dread. Layla forced herself to step inside, her footsteps echoing on the concrete floor. She scanned the room, her heart pounding, when she heard a voice echo through the darkness.

"Glad you could make it," Nadia called out, her figure emerging from the shadows.

Layla stiffened, every instinct telling her to run, but she forced herself to stay. "What do you want, Nadia?"

Nadia smiled, a cold, predatory expression that sent chills down Layla's spine. "I want to help you see the truth about Omar. He's not the man you think he is. He's dangerous, Layla."

Layla swallowed, trying to maintain her composure. "I don't believe you. You're just trying to scare me."

Nadia's expression softened, but it was an eerie softness. "You think he's the victim here, don't you? The man who just fell into trouble because of me? Let me tell you, Layla—Omar has his own secrets. Things he's never told you. Did he tell you about the deal he made? The promises he broke?"

Layla's pulse quickened, but she kept her voice steady. "I know he made mistakes. But he's trying to make things right."

Nadia laughed, the sound echoing coldly through the empty warehouse. "You think he's some reformed man because he's with you now? Do you really believe you're the one who changed him?" She took a step closer, her eyes piercing. "You're just his latest excuse, Layla. He'll never be free of the mess he's created. And if you stay with him... neither will you."

Layla felt her confidence waver, but she forced herself to stand her ground. "Why should I trust you? All you've done is try to come between us."

Nadia's smile faded, and for the first time, Layla saw something vulnerable in her eyes. "Because I was once where you are, Layla. I believed in him, too. I gave him everything, thinking he'd change for me." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "But he only brought me pain. And he'll do the same to you."

Layla's heart sank as doubt gnawed at her. "You're lying. You're just trying to manipulate me."

Nadia sighed, her face hardening again. "Believe what you want. But remember this—you're not the first girl he's promised the world to. And when he leaves you broken, don't say I didn't warn you."

With that, Nadia turned and walked away, leaving Layla standing in the empty warehouse, her mind a whirl of confusion and fear.

As she walked back home, Nadia's words echoed in her mind. Omar had made mistakes—that much she knew. But was he really still hiding something from her? Was she just another chapter in his twisted history?

By the time she reached her door, her phone buzzed. It was Omar.

"Hey, I didn't hear from you all day. Everything okay?"

Layla stared at his message, her heart torn between loyalty and doubt. She wanted to trust him, to believe that everything they'd been through meant something real. But Nadia's warnings echoed in her mind, a haunting reminder of how easily love could turn into something darker.

With trembling fingers, she typed a reply: "We need to talk."

She pressed send, bracing herself for whatever truth lay ahead.