Unexpected But Mine

chapter 18

Headquarters - Late Morning

The air inside the headquarters buzzed with a new energy. Meetings were flowing in and out, tension still lingering from the media mess days earlier. Emira, clutching a few design prints, stepped out of the elevator and into the large common floor.
Her eyes scanned for Hamis or Shaheer, but instead landed on a man she didn't recognize-well-groomed, suave in a sharp charcoal suit, leaning casually against the reception desk, talking to one of the junior staff.

He turned just slightly, catching sight of her. A charming smile curved across his face.
"New face," he said lightly, stepping toward her. "You must be one of the designers, right?"

Emira nodded, always polite. "Yes, I'm Emira. Are you a consultant from the Karachi division?" she guessed, offering a soft smile.

"Something like that," he said, his eyes observing her too keenly. "I handle strategic alliances... here and there."

She nodded again, clutching her folder a little tighter but still maintaining her calm. "I've mostly worked with Mr. Shaheer and Hamis. I'm sure we'll cross paths more officially soon."

"Oh, I'm sure we will," he said with a lilt, almost too smooth. "Pleasure meeting you, Emira."

Before she could respond, the click of firm shoes echoed across the floor.
"Emira."

Shaheer's voice-low, sharp-cut through the space like a wire pulled tight. She turned, surprised, to see him striding over with clenched jaw and thunder in his eyes.

"There you are," he said, not even sparing a glance at Javed. "I've been looking for you."

He took her wrist-not harshly, but firmly-and without waiting, led her away.
She blinked, confused, keeping up with his long strides. "Shaheer, what's wrong? Who was that? I just-"

"Don't talk to him again," he said, voice hard. "Not even casually."

She frowned, still slightly winded from the abruptness. "Why? I didn't even know who he was."
"That was Javed," he said finally, stopping in a quiet hallway, facing her.

The realization settled over her like a drop of cold water.
Her mouth parted slightly. "That was him?"

Shaheer didn't say anything-he didn't need to. His grip loosened around her wrist, but his expression hadn't softened.
She looked down, a ripple of unease forming in her chest. "I-I wouldn't have talked if I knew."

"I know," he muttered, voice softer now. "Just... stay close to people who know what he is."

She looked up at him then, watching the protectiveness that shadowed his whole frame, and simply nodded.

Shaheer hadn't let go of her completely, his arm still loosely wrapped around Emira's shoulders. She leaned into him slightly, a faint tremble in her posture despite the strong front she always kept. His voice came low, brushing her ear like a secret.
"I didn't want to tell you like this,"

he said, "but I figured it was better you heard it from me than someone else."

She glanced up at him, eyes searching. "Tell me what?"

Shaheer hesitated for a moment, then quietly said, "Your biological father... is now working with Javed. He's been appointed as one of his senior managers."

The words didn't hit her immediately. But when they did, Emira blinked once-twice-then looked away, her mouth tightening just a fraction. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of the file in her hands.

"I don't care," she said, too fast.

"He can work wherever he wants. It's got nothing to do with me."
Shaheer didn't respond right away. He was looking directly at her-at the flicker behind her eyes that gave her away, at the way her chest rose unevenly.