one last chance (book 2 MTMK)

the heart wants what it wants

chapter 10

Alishba pov:

I stared at him in disbelief as he said those words. He's getting married! MARRIED!!!

I got up and walked towards him holding his shoulders I shook him. He held my hand and stopped me with a disgruntled face. "Are you crazy woman. What are you doing?" I chuckled, "I thought I heard you say you're getting married." When I saw his serious face my laughter died down and my eyes widened.

I held his shoulder again, "when? How? Where? To whom? When?" I paused, "wait, did I ask when?" Maher just growled under his breath and nodded. "I don't want to marry. That to to HER." I gave him an spill-the-beans look. He looked hesitant than nodded, "it's a long story." I saw Rameez picking up Laila, "I'll just take my favourite niece." He walked with her in other room after I gave him a thankful smile. I grinned as I walked back to my place and sat comfortably, "we have all the time." He huffed and sighed.

"Well, After you divorced, I went back to my homeland to mom. There I met her." He tried to kept his face passive but I could see the adoration in his eyes as he talked about the girl. "What's her name?" He gave me a faint smile, "Aliya." I smiled and motioned for him to continue, he seems to like her or maybe love too. "She was different, quiet, shy and she caught my interest. She's mom's best friend daughter. She was working in a cafe. We started talking, well, me doing more of the talking, she just ignored me. Than after few weeks she finally started to warm up to me." He smiled unconsciously, I bet thinking about a memory.

"I told her I like her and she confessed too. We were happy. After two months I decided to propose her." His face darkened, I feel it was not good. "The day I was suppose to propose her, I saw her with someone else. They were happy. The boy proposed her and she had said yes." I frowned as I saw him clenched his teeth. I gave him a sympathetic look and he sighed, "that day I left without a word. I really thought she loved me. I was a fool." He chuckled bitterly and looked at his hand. "When I came back she kept calling me and texting me but I didn't reply. I thought my love would fade after all this time. But a month ago mom called me for dinner. And guess what?" He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "I was getting engaged to her." I stared at him in disbelief.

"But wasn't she-" my words died in confusion and Maher nodded, "yes, she was engaged to that guy for a year but he left. She told me she loved him, she still does." He didn't know but he was now rambling, "And can you believe it when I told her how she had said she liked me, what was her reply." He looked me and his lip curled upward, "That she likes alot of people. And I'm not first. Oh god I was such a fool to fell for her." He grabbed his hair in frustration, I walked to him and sat beside him patting his shoulder, "it's okay, we all tend to make mistakes. But hey, we had a tie." He stared at me in confusion, I smirked, "we both loved wrong people." He chuckled, his eyes dancing with humor. "Yeah, I guess we're unlucky in that department."

"So, did you agree to marry her?" He frowned and shook his head, "then how-" my question was interrupted with my phone ringing. Excusing myself, I walked to my phone picking up to see my PA calling.

"Yes, Armina."

"Maria, we have a new client and he specifically want you to renovate his house and his office." I frowned, there's hardly any client that I personally do the work for. And preferring me is another story. I wonder who is demanding me to personally do the work. Usually my best workers are demanded. I tend to take more freshers because they have more creativity.

"Who is it?" I asked not hiding my curiosity. "It was someone named Umer Baig." I frowned suddenly feeling disheartened. I don't know why but I felt disappointed. "Fine, just set an appointment with him." She mumbled a okay boss before cutting the call. I walked back to find Maher leaning his back on couch with his eyes closed. Now, that I noticed he looks tired. Poor Maher. I decided to let him sleep while check on Laila.

Rameez was on the phone, his back to me while Laila was fast asleep. I walked towards Laila but stopped when I heard Rameez, "I don't care how you do it. Just find her and report me back. I'll pay you double. Just do it." He cut the call afterwards and turned around to face my wide eyed expression. "Who were you talking about?" I asked curiously as frowned, he looked uncomfortable as he looked anywhere but me. "Uh... someone stole information from my company, so I was finding her." I raised my brow looking unconvinced, "her?" He huffed, "yes my PA. she stole it." I gasped and he nodded. "Anyways, I have to go. I'll see you later." With a nod he left.

........................

I was currently checking the new ceiling designs my employee submitted when Armina entered. "Maria, Mr. Baig is waiting in the conference room." I got up closing the file and getting out. "Thankyou, Armina, I'll see to it." I walked towards the conference room with soundproof solid walls. Opening the door, I went in and was greeted by the back of a man, I presumed was Mr. Baig. "I'm sorry, Mr. Baig if you had to wait for long." He didn't reply making me frown but I ignored it as I round the table and turned to see him. My smile flattered and my body tensed as I saw who it was.

Ryan!

"what are you doing here?" I couldn't control the disgust lacing my voice seeing him here. he on the other hand stood up and stared me up and down. I felt exposed and naked. "I asked something, Mr. Nawaz. and I expect an answer." He raised a brow at me and sat back leaning on his chair. "What do you think I'm doing here, Ms. Nawa-oh wait my mistake, Ms. Mughal." I gave him an impassive look. "That is what I'm asking. What are YOU doing here? As far as I remember I was suppose to meet Mr. Baig here." I crossed my arms and looked down at him trying to intimidate him. Which ofcourse didn't work because his eyes scanned me up and down before darkening. I should be feeling disgusted but a little part in me felt alive and excited.

Oh shut it... he's nothingto you now. Stop fantasizing him... I scold my subconscious.

"Well, you're staring at him." I frowned and when his words registered my temper flared and I wanted to strangle him. He had a smug look on his face that I so wanted to wipe off. "You are telling me that you lied to get here. Why?" I was trying hard not to explode. Nothing to me yet still makes frustrated. "Simple, because I know you wouldn't talk to me any other way." Okay, he had a point but still.

I rolleed my eyes and put on my professional face. Taking a seat opposite to him I stared at him blankly. "So, Mr. Nawaz, what could I help you with?" His eyes shown amusement and pride. His eyes were same dark swirls of brown pulling you in, drowning in there hypnotizing colour. I quickly looked down at the file not wanting to get lost in his eyes. "cut out the formalities, Alishba. We've known each other for a long time, must I say intimately." I looked back up glaring daggers at him. "Mr. Nawaz, I don't care how long we've known each other but this is my work place and I demand professionalism. Now, would you like to tell me what do want me to renovate first?" I gritted my teeth at his words, he had no right to dig in the past.

He merily raise a brow and leaned forward putting his arms on the table, "Your new change really surprised me but, this new attitude is making me want you more. You look so h-" I sprang out of my chair seething, "Stop it, Ryan. If you are here for this crap. I suggest you leave. I have more important work to do." He got up and walked towards me, and it took all my will power to not step back. I stood my ground don't wanting him to see how much he still affects me. "I'll be frank, I love hearing my name from you. This renovate thing was just a way to get to you. But still you will work for me." I frowned, "if you don't care about renovation why do it?" He shrugged, "you wouldn't talk to me any other way. That way I could be with you all the time and surely you could not avoid me." I took a deep breath to calm down the monster growing in me. How I want to throw him out of this window.

"I think, you should leave Mr. Nawaz. We'll discuss this when you're more yourself and not a jerk." He chuckled and got closer so close as invading my personal space. As I tried to step back his hand went around my waist and pulled me into his chest, my eyes widen as tingles shooted throughout my body. I tried to pull back but he only pulled me closer. "What do you think yo-" he silenced me by placing a finger on my lips.

"Shh...God, you talk too much. Now, listen here belle." Oh that endearment, always makes my toe curl. He leaned forward to my ear, his breath on my hijab, yet it still manage to penetrate it and tingle my ear, "I came here for you. And nothing can stop me from getting you back. Even if I had to beg for the last chance. Beware belle, I'll get you." With that he stepped back fixing his suit and left the conference room before giving me a lingering look. Leaving me all bothered. I held the table behind me to support my shaking legs. The effect he still had on me.

I came here for you. And nothing can stop me from getting you back.

His words sent shivers through my body. Oh god, what will happen now?

...................