Chapter 56: Chapter 56

ABUJA, NIGERIA.

The night before Fahad died...

"Will you keep quite as though you've never seen anything in that car or are you going to rat us out?" Zara asked him from the video call she did with her mother's ex husband who is helping her do her dirty work.

She had initially thought there were no loops in the plan she's made and her death will be in the past by now. But the man called her to tell her that he has been holding Fahad captive for the last four months but since he left the state to do some work, he totally forgot about him and as soon as he came back, he called her to tell her everything. During that well formulated accident where they killed two people without remorse, Fahad had seen the people in the car and was the only one who saw them clearly and was sure it wasn't Zara and Mika'il.

He confessed it in the background that he saw the people inside but since the man, her mother's ex husband, Thaur's men were scattered all over for someone like him, someone who witnessed everything, they were quick to take him away with them. Thaur's men abducted him and waited for their boss' arrival as he went on a greater mission in Lagos. And now that he is back, he will finish him off without second thought because he does not give second chances. He called Zara first though, she needs to know too.

"I can't keep this away from the woman I'm going to marry, it's impossible." His words were stud, he won't budge and they should do what they want. He's been there for long to know that he won't leave there alive, he won't lie to escape from them as they are dangerous. They can harm his wife or his family to make sure he stays quite, he knows people like them.

What he didn't understand is why Zara had to take such drastic step to make people's life miserable. Don't women normally go to wizards and witches to tame their husbands under their grip? Why does she have to take extreme measure like that for no reason? Just to make two people in love suffer for the rest of their lives and she will live a fake life? She will never be happy, he is darn sure about it and he will continue to haunt her for the rest of his lifetime for this.

"Hehe, don't be too naïve, Fahad. You can go around and marry any woman you want but you want to die because of a woman? Seriously?" She mocked, her well manicured hands playing with a strand of her wig. The man is so stupid and lives in the world he should not live in, too innocent.

"Why are you begging him to live, Zara?" Thaur asked getting tired of the back to back conversation that won't help anyone. He is going to finish him either way, there should be no loops for a bad future, he makes his work clean all the time. Even if the victims beg for their lives, he don't let them be, this one is not even begging for his and he shall grant him his wishes.

"Well, he would've been my brother in-law but since he clearly wants to die, kill him." She hung up the phone like she didn't just give the ticket to end someone's life. She went back to filing up her nails, she was tired of talking about the past.

"Hey, boy, end his miserable life and throw him away." Thaur gestured to one of his men and the man was quick to remove his revolver from around his waist and shoot the man dead without any hesitation for he's done that countless of times.

Three men took his body that night and threw him near a big public dustbin where he will be seen. They don't care whether they were found or not, no one will know he was even shot dead because the revolver's bullet don't leave any scar of way to show that it was a gun. No normal person will understand that and even if the police sees it, they know it it from someone powerful so they will quickly close the case instantly. When there is money, it brings power along with it so they don't have to worry about their safety.

That is how his family found out he was dead and is still wearing the clothes he wore before he left the house months ago. They conclude that he was kidnapped and when they couldn't get ahold of them, they killed him. At least, he was buried with all his body parts unlike 'Zara and Mika'il' for they were only given their arms. That is the only thing the Masari's were grateful for, they can't bury another body part and be in peace.

-

Again, the Masari mansion took over with yet another mournful days as it passed by in a blur. It's been three months since the mysterious death of Fahad, Kauthar's fiancée and she is still not back to herself. The death shook everyone as they were ready to start arranging the wedding but look where they are, the groom doesn't exist. She went back to work month ago, try building her life back to the way it was but it is hard to do that when there is no Fahad. He is her pillar, he is the sole reason why she is really fierce when it comes to her work. He was very supportive right from the beginning.

There might not be too much chemistry between them but they were working on it and they are best of friends. It is easy to sit and talk things out with him than any other person, he is understanding and the best fiancée out there. He would've been the best husband if not for death, Allah loves him more. Her family are being very supportive though she don't like how they treat her like a fragile egg, she is Kauthar Malik Masari, the business woman with calculative moves.

She appreciates it too at the same time, she won't know what she would've done had they not been by her side. Bushra is already having countless sleepovers along with Fayha, she appreciates that though she's noticed something changing with her ex-sister in-law too but she didn't talk, not then. She will have to be sure before dropping the bomb that will rattle everyone's mental focus and that is what she wants. Ah, it will be fun watching them react that way and she hopes no one notice so they won't spoil her fun. At least, she found something fun to focus on.

"Ms. Malik, how about we change this into something different? Can we ask the company to bring in new investors or we should look for them ourselves?" The head of finance department asked in the meeting room yanking Kauthar out from her reverie and she let her businesswoman façade take over. Her spine straightened so did her nose in the air.

"If we bring in new investors, our company will still have the upper hand and have the largest share. We should be quick to bring then too, don't give them the chance to take the higher share or we are going to collapse soon. The investors, I think we should contact Smith Inc..." She continued to talk business, her eyes moving over what is placed on the projector. This is where she finds solace, flowing out her ideas to the board members.

"Are you leaving already?" Her coworker, Rayyan asked from his cubicle while she packs her things from the cabin for she is done for the day. Bushra will be waiting for her at home so they can start planning Fayha's wedding alongside one of their cousins. She will be going to the Danbazau's, they are getting two men married after all.

"Yes." She answered, closing the door now and keeping the key in her Dior handbag. Her eyes dart outside the window seeing the sun is still up and she thought it was already so late, oh well.

"Can we go grab late lunch at this restaurant nearby? I've been meaning to try their food but I don't want to go alone, please?" He begged, his eyes giving that innocent puppy eyes for he is still young. He just finished his internship last year and landed a job for himself, she helped him get that.

"But I won't be there for long." She enquired then they made their way to the said restaurant where they were immediately given a table for two.

"I don't know what to order." He looks cute looking at the menu like that, she smiled hoping the guy didn't catch feelings for her, she don't do younger boys. She is a dominating woman who wants to be dominated but never got the chance to be with such man, not even Fahad. This little guy in front of her won't be able to do so either, she don't want to crush him.

"Hmm, I'll try their Japanese." She placed her order and he did his which was Spanish.

They made small talks till their food was brought, they ate quietly while asking few questions in between spoons. A phone rang on the desk startling the duo, he took out his phone from his pocket and scrunched his brows after seeing who called him but then answered. He was talking fast while saying something about hospital and what is wrong with his father. Her heart reached out for him, she's been through a lot to not want anyone to lose a cat in their lives.

"I'm sorry, I have to cut this short. I'll settle the bills and leave, something came up." He mumbled in a rush, removing his wallet from his pocket in process but she stopped him, he should rush to where he wants to go. This is not a date for him to force himself to pay for them.

"No, go settle your emergency, I can handle the bill myself. Go!" And he left in no time, she sighed and continue to eat her food quietly but then someone cleared their throat atop her.

"May I sit here?" She scrunched her brows because the voice sounds familiar, but she didn't know where she heard the voice. She yaw her head up to look at the person and she couldn't hide her astonishment seeing the person standing there.

"Sure." She smiled at him, her eyes really twinkling because months ago, they spent few hours together and understood one another but then he left for a mission.

"Why are you sitting here all alone and looking out of place?" Mujaheed questioned, snapping his fingers to call out on a waiter and one arrived quickly. He took his order and scrambled away like he was being chased, well.

"Oh, I was here with a coworker but he left for some emergency. I didn't know you were back?" She inclined her head, suddenly interested in eating her food and settling it with strawberry nonalcoholic wine served to them on the table before Rayyan left.

"I just came back today and came here from the military base. Mujaddad is going to see his fiancée so to avoid going home before him, I decided to treat myself with an early dinner." He shrugged, studying the restaurant he walked in and the people inside with those eyes of his that could circle a criminal from many meters away, he can't help it. So far, the place looks clear of anything suspicious.

"Hmm, that's nice. Why didn't you go to your own fiancée? You guys will be getting married in just two months." She inquired because she has never heard about his fiancée only that her name is Khalidah, that is all she knows. Not even her photo has she seen or ever seen her somewhere by mistake in the Danbazau mansion.

"I have never met her actually, maybe since she was a kid. I was thinking about going to see her tomorrow, I'm not sure." He shrugged again as though it was no problem but it is for he is feeling something for the first time.

The little time he's spent with Kauthar when she fainted after hearing her brother's death really touched somewhere in his heart, he feels like there is hope for him to be happy with someone he wasn't arranged to marry. Something as simple as consoling her after she awoke did the job, he is dead sure he is attracted to her. She is a woman who is passionate and truthful about everything she does, he likes her dominance. She is fierce and he likes 'em like that.

"Whoa, that is bad. You should really go and see her, you are marrying her for goodness sake." She scolded, shaking her head in hopelessness then pouring more wine to her glass beating the waiter from doing so. Something is wrong with her, her chest is burning for some odd reasons.

"What if I say I like someone else?" He queried, picking the fork and spoon to start eating but he is anticipating. His heart is beating wildly for her answer will make his next decision. Oh shit, was that how Fayha felt when he turned her down? He hopes Karma won't catch up with him, he can't afford to lose her. On the other hand, he did it for Fayha's good and his brother's, they fit each other.

"Hmm, you should tell her about it first then approach your parents. Just hope she is not hang on wanting to marry you, heartbreak is a real bitch." She thoughtfully answered and he beamed, this is it. He will tell her he likes her after talking to the so called Khalidah, he hopes she don't like him like Kauthar had said.

He's heard about her fiancée's death the day they left, he wants to pass his own condolence but don't know how to. He was backing away before because she has a fiancée but maybe luck is by his and they were meant to be right from the scratch. Hmm, if that is really the case, then destiny wants to intertwined their families in every possible way. First, his sister not married to her brother and now, he will get married into the family after one marriage got severed.

"I will do that, thank you. I heard about Fahad, may his soul rest in peace." He cajoled, his chest prickling again when he saw her suddenly slumped figure and sad eyes. Has she not moved on yet? Do they even have a chance with one another if she hasn't moved on? This will definitely be harder than he thought.

"Amin. It was so sudden." She wants to cry again for her lost lover but she is in public, she can't exactly cry like a baby when there are people around. She is known as the unyielding businesswoman, she don't want that name to ever flush down the drain.

"I know, I'm sorry about that. Are there suitors lining up your home?" He jested, his words sounding light but they meant a lot to him. Each and every answer that comes from her mouth is just a way for him to approach her again.

"No, no." She laughed a little before she added, "I don't feel like entertaining suitors right now, a lot has been going on at home already." She smiled beautifully and if there is anything on earth that looks more beautiful, it should be the moon.

He's never crushed or admired any woman in his life except for his sister and mother, no one else. Granted, he cares for Fayha like a little sister but that was it, there was no affection that could bind them together. All the three of them, him, Mujaddad and Murad are too into military to entertain women, too busy for that. But after seeing Kauthar time and time again after her mother's death and the case of Bushra been a murderer, he couldn't suppress them. He tried though, knowing she has her fiancée by her side but now, he will let them flow. Feeling are not supposed to be suppressed, they should be felt.

"Even if I tell you I want you for myself?" The question hang in the air...