Flawed Hearts [Preview]

Chapter V: Hooked

Aslan didn't sleep a wink the night before after Najmah had woken him up, he sat behind the desk of his office rubbing at his temple tiredly. Bags were visible under his eyes and the mug of coffee he kept on his table wasn't helping matters, the caffeine wasn't strong enough to ward off the effects of the nightmare.

He shuddered as events of his nightmare kept replaying on his mind, he still remembered that dreadful night; the night that cost him the life of someone close to him, and almost cost him his sanity. It was a night he'd never forget.

"Sir? You have a meeting in five," his secretary knocked at the door of his office, interrupting his thoughts.

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?" he grumbled, picking up the file on his desk. He straightened his tie, slipped on his suit which was hanging on the chair then walked out of the office with strides that demanded authority.

Every employee scrambled up from his seat greeting him, while he gave a curt nod as he passed them. He strolled into the boardroom, apologizing to the board members for his tardiness.

The meeting passed by in a blur with Aslan's mind still hung up on his nightmare. He knew without being told that he had to see his sponsor. There was no putting it out any longer even though he was going to come face to face with one of his nightmares, it was a sacrifice he had to make for the greater good of his health and sanity.

When the meeting ended, he went into his office and dialed the number of his sponsor, wishing he was doing anything but that.

"Can I come in today?" he queried, once the Dr had answered the call.

"Yeah, you can. Is everything okay?"

"No, I'll be there in a few." With a click, the phone went dead.

"Hold off all my calls and cancel my meetings for the day, reschedule them to the day after. If anyone asks after me, tell them I've gone out to take care of something," he addressed his secretary as he walked out of his office.

"Yes sir," she nodded, going through the diary, she knew not to object or ask about what he needed to take care of. She thought the deal with Kartal Industries was more important than anything right now, but she kept shut lest she lose her job. She bit the end of her pen in nervousness as she dialed the secretary of Asil Kartal.

"Hello," she cleared her voice. "I'm calling to tell you..."

"Oh, Thank God you called," the secretary sighed in relief. "Mr. Kartal wouldn't be able to make it to the meeting today, I'm apologizing on his behalf."

"That's okay, we can reschedule the meeting. I'll send you the details when I talk to Mr. Sadek," she hung up the call with a smile on her face as she began to reschedule Aslan's meetings.

{••}

"So, this is your fourth day in Istanbul and I know how boring it gets, sitting in one place without moving out. I've thought of a remedy for that. We're going out today, a girl's outing. You and I," Lale rambled, interrupting Najmah who was busy reading.

"I'm totally fine with sitting at home," she shrugged, not taking her eyes off the book she was reading.

"Like seriously? I can't keep still at home, I'd feel suffocated," Lale shuddered at the thought of sitting at home all day and not being able to ransack a boutique or a mall, she'd die of boredom.

Najmah didn't reply her and continued reading, totally ignoring her presence. Didn't lale know that it was rude to interrupting a person reading? It's like one of life's fundamental rules.