Partnership

I glanced at the clock again. It read 2:15 AM, only five minutes since I last checked it. Why couldn't I just sleep properly? All I could think about was him and the way he behaved today.

Who the hell does he think he is?

I tossed and turned, my thoughts racing. What I wear is my choice. My parents never dictated my wardrobe. How dare he?

The events of the evening replayed in my mind, each detail adding fuel to the fire of my anger. Abid's overbearing behavior, his possessiveness, and the audacity to tell me what I should and shouldn't wear. My hands clenched the sheets in frustration. He hadn't changed one bit, still trying to control everything around him.

I remembered the look in his eyes when he saw me tonight. There was something more than anger—something deeper, more unsettling. It was as if he believed he still had some claim over me. But those days were long gone. Or were they?

Frustration boiled within me, unable to forget his possessive nature. I'd heard about the fight he had at the party, and my mind wandered back to a time when his possessiveness took a frightening turn.

I was sitting in Room 4 of the Cocktail Lounge, Abid's favorite place, which had also become mine. Cozy and warm, it was the perfect spot to unwind. Abid had gone upstairs to meet his best friend, John. I stretched out on the couch, closed my eyes, and soaked in the comfort.

Minutes later, the door opened. I thought it was Abid, but the unfamiliar scent of cologne made me open my eyes. A stranger with striking blue eyes stood there, staring at me, making me uneasy.

"Excuse me?" I asked, my voice tinged with annoyance.

He said nothing, just kept staring.

"What do you want, Mister?"

"You," he replied shamelessly, leaning slightly towards me.

I stood up instantly, glaring at him.

"Keep your distance, Mister, and get lost. We've booked this room."

His demeanor changed, and he rubbed his neck sheepishly.

"No, I didn't mean to scare you. I'm sorry. I just forgot my phone here."

He retrieved his phone and walked to the door, turning back with a smile.

"By the way, you're very beautiful. I've never seen someone look so innocent while sleeping. I'm sorry."

His expression shifted as he saw Abid's angry face behind him. Abid approached, fury radiating off him.

"Get lost, now," he growled through gritted teeth.

The intruder flinched and quickly left.

Abid closed the door, his anger palpable. I didn't know how to calm him down. He sat on the couch, fists clenched, refusing to meet my eyes. I moved closer, placing a hand on his arm, only for him to punch the wall with such force that it shattered. Blood oozed from his knuckles.

I knelt in front of him, wrapping his hand in my dupatta, trying to soothe him. I stroked his cheek, his body relaxing under my touch. Finally, he looked into my eyes, and I saw not just anger, but obsession.

"Relax, I'm yours, only yours," I whispered, hoping to quell his rage.

He knelt down and hugged me tightly.

"You're mine, only mine," he murmured, his grip firm around my waist.

I snapped back to the present, shaking my head to dispel the haunting memories. He hadn't changed at all. His possessiveness, his need to control—it was all still there.

I glanced at the clock again.

2:20 AM.

I threw off the covers and sat up, knowing sleep wouldn't come easily tonight. My mind was too tangled with thoughts of Abid and the confusing feelings he stirred in me. Part of me was still drawn to him, remembering the intensity of our past. But another part of me was furious at his audacity, his attempts to assert control over my life again.

I knew I had to face him again tomorrow. There was no avoiding it. We had a meeting about the new project, and I needed to be composed, professional. Yet, how could I, when every interaction with him threatened to pull me back into the chaos of our shared history?

I woke up at 8:15 AM, groggy and disoriented.

When did I fall asleep?

My inner voice chided,

When you were in his arms, of course.

I ignored it, rushing to get ready for the day ahead. I had a meeting with that infuriating man.

Ya Allah, please help me deal with him!

After a hurried breakfast, I received a message from my assistant, Abhi:

"Areena, I'm sorry to disturb you so early, but The Shimmer's CEO, Mr. Abid, changed the meeting schedule. It's now at 10:00 AM. Please come fast."

I checked the time—it was already 9:35 AM.

What the hell is wrong with this man?

Rushing to the office, I barely made it to the meeting hall on time. My heart raced as I pushed open the door, and there he was, already seated, his gaze intense and unwavering.

The moment I entered, I felt the weight of his eyes on me, scrutinizing every movement, every word. It was unnerving, a constant reminder of our complicated past, but I couldn't falter now. I had a job to do.

I presented my work, trying to maintain my composure under his relentless stare. Each slide felt heavier than the last, my voice wavering slightly as I explained the details of the project. His presence was a storm, swirling around me, and I was doing everything I could to stay grounded.

As the meeting dragged on, my stomach growled with hunger, a sharp reminder of my hurried morning. The room felt stifling, the air thick with unspoken tension.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the meeting ended. I stood, gathering my papers with trembling hands, eager to escape.

But just as I turned to leave, his voice cut through the air, dripping with arrogance.

"Miss Khan, where do you think you're going?"

I froze, my heart sinking.

"We have other matters to discuss," he said with a smirk that sent a shiver down my spine.

"We already discussed the project. The Galaxy Star will ensure there are no complaints," I replied, trying to keep my tone professional, though inside, I was seething.

He laughed, a sound that felt like nails on a chalkboard. Taking giant steps towards me, he closed the distance in an instant.

"I think I need to show you what other matters I'm talking about."

Instinctively, I stepped back, but he followed, relentless and unyielding. My back hit the wall, the cold surface a stark contrast to the heat of his breath on my face.

Panic and anger surged through me in equal measure.

"Shit!" I muttered under my breath, my mind racing, desperately trying to grasp control of the situation. His gaze was intense, fixated on my lips, making it hard to breathe.

Was he thinking about the kiss we had shared in the past? That fleeting moment of passion now twisted into a weapon against me?

"The other matters you're talking about are closed in my life. I don't want to discuss it," I said, my voice trembling despite my effort to sound resolute.

"Are they? Really?" he questioned, his eyes never leaving my lips, each word dripping with skepticism and something deeper, something that stirred old wounds.

"Listen, Abid. We can't change the past. Let's focus on this project and this partnership. Let's take both companies to new heights together," I continued, summoning every ounce of determination I had.

My words were firm, but my heart was pounding. I needed to keep control, to not let him see how deeply he still affected me, how every word, every look, threatened to unravel the fragile composure I had built.

For a fleeting moment, I saw a flicker of something in his eyes—hurt, perhaps—but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. He nodded, stepping back, giving me the space I desperately needed.

I took the opportunity, quickly leaving the room, my heart pounding.

As I walked away, I could still feel his gaze burning into my back, a constant reminder that, despite the meeting ending, dealing with Abid was far from over. His presence lingered, a ghost from the past refusing to let go, and I knew this was just the beginning of a battle I wasn't sure I was ready to face.

I presented my work, trying to maintain my composure under his relentless stare. Each slide felt heavier than the last, my voice wavering slightly as I explained the details of the project. His presence was a storm, swirling around me, and I was doing everything I could to stay grounded.

As the meeting dragged on, my stomach growled with hunger, a sharp reminder of my hurried morning. The room felt stifling, the air thick with unspoken tension.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the meeting ended. I stood, gathering my papers with trembling hands, eager to escape.

But just as I turned to leave, his voice cut through the air, dripping with arrogance.

"Miss Khan, where do you think you're going?"

I froze, my heart sinking.

"We have other matters to discuss," he said with a smirk that sent a shiver down my spine.

"We already discussed the project. The Galaxy Star will ensure there are no complaints," I replied, trying to keep my tone professional, though inside, I was seething.

He laughed, a sound that felt like nails on a chalkboard. Taking giant steps towards me, he closed the distance in an instant.

"I think I need to show you what other matters I'm talking about."

Instinctively, I stepped back, but he followed, relentless and unyielding. My back hit the wall, the cold surface a stark contrast to the heat of his breath on my face.

Panic and anger surged through me in equal measure.

"Shit!" I muttered under my breath, my mind racing, desperately trying to grasp control of the situation. His gaze was intense, fixated on my lips, making it hard to breathe.

Was he thinking about the kiss we had shared in the past? That fleeting moment of passion now twisted into a weapon against me?

"The other matters you're talking about are closed in my life. I don't want to discuss it," I said, my voice trembling despite my effort to sound resolute.

"Are they? Really?" he questioned, his eyes never leaving my lips, each word dripping with skepticism and something deeper, something that stirred old wounds.

"Listen, Abid. We can't change the past. Let's focus on this project and this partnership. Let's take both companies to new heights together," I continued, summoning every ounce of determination I had.

My words were firm, but my heart was pounding. I needed to keep control, to not let him see how deeply he still affected me, how every word, every look, threatened to unravel the fragile composure I had built.

For a fleeting moment, I saw a flicker of something in his eyes—hurt, perhaps—but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. He nodded, stepping back, giving me the space I desperately needed.

I took the opportunity, quickly leaving the room, my heart pounding.

As I walked away, I could still feel his gaze burning into my back, a constant reminder that, despite the meeting ending, dealing with Abid was far from over. His presence lingered, a ghost from the past refusing to let go, and I knew this was just the beginning of a battle I wasn't sure I was ready to face.