WANTED

Chapter 7

April 18, 2020

Aliyah's POV
I decided that if I am to make Rasheed fall in love with me so he can marry me, I have to play my part well. I have to pretend that I am interested in him.  The sooner my plans start working, the better it will be for me. I can't stand Ayeesha anymore. She is beginning to get on my nerves.
When I get married to Rasheed, I am going to convince him to ship Ayeesha to a faraway boarding school because I might end up harming her if she stays in the same house with me.

Today is Saturday and Rasheed is at home so I decide to make his favourite chocolate cookies. The Chief Maid is in the kitchen about to start making the cookies when I enter. I plaster a fake smile on my face and walk up to her.

"Hello," she greets me.

"Hello," I reply back.

"Do you need anything?" she asks.

"Yes, I do. I need you to stop what you're doing," I tell her and she becomes confused, "I want to be the one to make the cookies today. That is if you don't mind."

"Oh, sure. But please be very careful not to burn them," she informs me.

"Okay, thank you."

I expect her to leave but she sits on a stool in a corner of the kitchen.

"You don't need to stay in here."

"What if you need anything? I would like to help."

"How kind of you!" I mock her, but she doesn't notice, "Don't worry, if I need anything, I'll just call one of the maids to help."

"Alright then, see you later," with that, she gets up and leaves.

An hour later...
"Wow! These cookies smell so good and they are so yummy. I hope Rasheed likes them," I say to nobody in particular.

I take the cookies and place them on a ceramic plate. I go to the fridge and open it, taking a glass of fresh Apple juice, I close the fridge back. I take two glass cups amd pour the juice into each one of them after which I keep the jug in the fridge back.

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"Hello," I greet Rasheed as I place a very big smile on my face.

He looks so handsome in his white polo shirt and blue denim jeans. A corporate magazine is resting on a table close to him along with a glass of apple juice.

"Hello to you too, Aliyah," he smiles back at me.

I place the snacks and drinks on the table and take my seat on the empty chair close to him.

"I love your garden. It's so beautiful," I tell him as I breathe in the fresh scents of flowers.

"It was my mother's. She loved flowers a lot. She used to always spend her free time here."

"Oh, that's nice!"

"Aliyah, I am so sorry. I have been a bad host. I have been so busy that I have not had the chance to spend time with you. I should at least get to know you."

"Oh, it's nothing," I wave it aside, "I should be thanking you instead. You had no idea who I was yet you took me in and gave me a roof over my head, a bed to sleep on and food to eat. I am very grateful for that."

"We should thank Allah for that," he says.

"I know. It has not been easy for me," I feign a tear.

"Hey, don't cry. It's okay. You're safe with me," he tries to calm me down.

"Thank you. I made your favourite cookies. It's just my small way of saying thank you."

"Wow!" he looks amazed.

"I hope you enjoy them."

"Of course I will!" he picks a cookie and takes a bite. He closes his eyes and savours the taste, "Hmmmmm, yummy!"

"Do you like them?"

"Yes, they are so delicious. Thank you Aliyah. It means a lot to me," he says as he gives me a smile.

I smile back at him, "You're welcome."

"Well, join me," he offers.

"I plan on doing that," I laugh and he joins in the laughter.

Ayeesha's POV
I frown as I watch my brother smile at her in a lovely way. That evil witch is beginning to make my brother like her. I won't let him fall in love with her. Never! She's just a gold digger who wants our money. I hiss in anger and walk away from the window.
I walk back to where my brother, Uthman is sitting, texting on his phone.

"Uthman, what do you think about Aliyah?"

"I don't know. I hardly talk to her," he shrugs.

"I know but do you like her?" I inquire.

"I don't know. Do you?" he stops texting and looks at me.

"No way! I don't like her!"

"I thought as much," he smiles.

"Quit smiling! We have to look for a way to flush her out of this house and out of our brother's life before she completely casts her evil spell on him."

"What! What are you saying? We are just kids. Who's going to help or even listen to us?"

"Our sister, Haleemah, will! If we sit back and relax, she's not only going to get her hands on our brother's inheritance but on ours too. No way am I letting that witch near my money. No way!" I say with hatred laced with my voice.