The Price Of Revenge

Seven

Fuad sat across from Rumaisa in the small gazebo behind her house, the late afternoon light softening the sharpness of her expression. Her sudden call still lingered in his mind. He did not know what she wanted from him this time, but strangely, he was not anxious. If anything, he felt relieved. At least he would finally hear whatever she had been circling around.

Rumaisa gave him a bright smile as she settled back into her seat.

"So... you actually came."

"I did," Fuad replied lightly. "I would have come earlier if work hadn't piled up, but I managed to make some time. I can't stay for long, though."

He said it deliberately. He refused to appear desperate again.

Rumaisa tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Well, I've been thinking. Jabir talked to me, and... he's right. We've been holding on to old anger for too long. Maybe it's time to forgive and forget. Don't you think so?"

Forgiving was reasonable.

Forgetting was another matter entirely.

It was not impossible, but it was certainly unrealistic. Still, Fuad nodded.

"That's good news," he said simply.

Rumaisa's smile widened.

"Mama is hosting a dinner next Friday. I thought maybe I could invite you, if you don't mind."

Fuad studied her quietly, allowing the silence to stretch between them. He knew her too well. Rumaisa never extended kindness without a reason.

Whatever she was planning, it was not innocent.

"What is it?" she asked, her voice tightening slightly. "You don't want to come?"

"Do you mind if I bring someone with me?" he asked.

The change in her expression was immediate.

Her smile froze before slowly disappearing. A thin line appeared between her brows.

"Why would you need to bring a girl?"

"I never said it was a girl," he replied, leaning back.

He paused for a moment.

"But since you guessed... you're right."

"No," she said quickly, forcing a smile back onto her face. "You can't."

Fuad's expression remained calm.

"Is your boyfriend coming?"

"Of course. He's my boyfriend." Her tone sharpened defensively.

"Then I'm coming with Hamida," he said casually. "She is my girlfriend, after all."

Rumaisa exhaled and looked away, doing her best to hide her irritation.

She was not doing a very good job.

"Is she the same girl I saw the other day?"

"Yeah." A faint smirk touched his lips. "Pretty, right?"

"I don't like her," Rumaisa murmured.

Fuad shrugged.

"That's the thing with exes. They never want to admit you've moved on to someone better. They hate the idea of someone else making you happy. Zubair didn't like it either."

Rumaisa's eyes snapped toward him.

She said nothing.

Fuad stood and dusted off his trousers.