unknown fate

Chapter Five - Episode Four

Scene Nine

Rabie Enters the Villa

The black car stopped in front of the villa’s heavy iron gate, its headlights glowing for a moment before fading into the night. Rabie pushed the car door open and stepped out slowly, the chill of the evening air brushing against his face. For a few seconds, he froze in place, as if his memory had betrayed him, dragging him back to that dreadful moment when he spilled Jad’s blood at this very gate. His features trembled with unease, but he quickly straightened his shoulders, forcing composure over the turmoil, trying to cloak himself in the guise of confidence.

He advanced toward the entrance with hesitant steps, lifted his hand, and pressed the doorbell. The metallic chime echoed through the silence of the night, adding a layer of dread to the moment. It wasn’t long before the servant opened the door with a slight bow, speaking in a formal tone:

— Please come in, Mr. Rabie.

Rabie stepped inside, his footsteps following the servant until they reached the grand living room, lit by hanging chandeliers whose glow spilled across the polished floor. Imam was seated in a large leather chair, watching Rabie’s approach with steady eyes. Rising from his seat, Imam greeted him with a smile that carried both warmth and a hint of severity. Extending his hand, he said:

— Welcome, Rabie… come join me at the dining table.

Their handshake was firm, but Rabie’s grip betrayed a touch of strain. Following Imam’s lead, he entered the dining hall. They sat across from each other at a lavish table, where shining silverware and the aroma of hot dishes filled the air. They began their meal in near silence, every word weighed carefully, as if conversation itself carried hidden stakes.

At that moment, Asmahan descended from the upper floor. Her steps were quiet, yet captivating, her elegant dress lending her an aura that seemed to claim the room. She moved toward the living room and settled gracefully onto the sofa, as though her entrance had been deliberately timed.

Rabie lifted his gaze. The instant his eyes met hers, he froze, caught in a silent stare he could not restrain. Their eyes locked in an unspoken exchange—his filled with sudden admiration, hers answering with the same unguarded intensity. It was as though an unseen spark had leapt between them, a hidden force that threatened to shift the course of the evening entirely.

Scene 10

In the quiet of the evening, inside the villa’s study,** Imam and Rabee sat on the wide leather couch, a sleek coffee table between them carrying the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The side lamps cast a warm golden glow, filling the room with an atmosphere of intimacy laced with caution.

Rabee raised his cup calmly, took a small sip, and leaned back before fixing Imam with a serious look: **Rabee:** “Listen, Imam… your sister Asmahan—honestly, she really caught my eye. I’d like to ask for her hand.”

Imam froze for a moment, setting his cup back on the table, then leaned forward, staring at Rabee with a mix of surprise and suspicion: **Imam:** “I don’t even know what to say… so quickly, Rabee? It’s the first time you’ve ever seen her.”

Rabee smiled with quiet confidence, his eyes glinting with a hidden desire: **Rabee:** “True, it’s the first time… but sometimes the heart chooses before the mind gets a say.”

Imam remained silent for a few seconds, then gave a reluctant nod: **Imam:** “Alright… I’ll talk to her and give you an answer.”

Rabee adjusted his elegant jacket as he rose slightly from his seat: **Rabee:** “I’ll take my leave now, but I’ll be waiting for your reply, Imam. And before I go… here’s the g*n you asked me for.”

He slipped a polished black pistol from his inner pocket and handed it to Imam with a faint smile. Imam accepted it with curiosity, turning it over in his hand, watching the metallic shine under the lamplight, then raised his brows: **Imam:** “How much do you want for it, Rabee?”

Rabee waved his hand dismissively, his smile widening: **Rabee:** “No, come on… consider it a gift from me.”

A trace of satisfaction crossed Imam’s face as he tucked the g*n inside his jacket: **Imam:** “A gift well received, Rabee.”

Imam stood, opened the study door, and walked with Rabee to the villa’s entrance. They exchanged another handshake before Rabee stepped into his sleek car.

Behind the wheel, Rabee started the engine. But before driving off, he let out a low, sinister chuckle, whispering to himself with a mocking tone: **Rabee:** “Fool… he doesn’t even know this is the g*n that killed Jad.”

With a hard press on the accelerator, the car roared into the night, leaving behind a heavy secret that Imam had unknowingly welcomed into his own hands.