Flawed Hearts

Chapter XXIV: In The Spotlight

Beams of light streamed through the unveiled curtain, hitting Najmah's face. She stirred in her sleep, drawing the duvet over her head. Her mind was fuzzy, the last remnant of sleep being chased away at the sudden realization of what occurred the night before.

A smile etched its way to her lips as she opened her eyes, squinting at the bright lights. She debated on whether to get up or go back to sleep.

"Good morning," Aslan greeted, jolting her from her thoughts.

'Get up it is,' she thought sitting upright.

"Morning," she yawned, running her hand through her hair. She sighed when her hand made contact with some tangled knots.

She rose from the bed, making way towards the bathroom. After a quick shower, she sauntered towards the closet and picked the first dress her eyes laid upon.

She ran a brush through her messy hair then tied it up into a bun, wrapping a turban styled veil around it. Grabbing her phone, she sauntered out of their room. With a smile on her face, she descended down the stairs to the dining room.

She greeted everyone, taking her usual seat beside Aslan. "You look lovely today," he whispered lowly, placing a plate of French toast in front of her.

She raised an eyebrow at him, picking up a bottle of syrup. She smeared it atop her French toast, stealing a glance towards Lale's direction. Lale raised an eyebrow at her, a slow smile dancing on her lips.

Najmah averted her gaze back to her plate feeling a blush creeping up her face. 'Thank God for melanin,' she cheered inwardly.

Aslan glanced at her, filling up her cup as he spoke. "Hilal's going back to school the coming week, I hope you don't mind helping her shop for school supplies. I know it gets boring staying here all day, you can explore the rest of the city while you're at it."

"Sounds good," she chirped smiling widely at Hilal who raised her hand up for a high five with Aslan. He smiled warmly at her, clashing his hand with hers.

"You know that you're not supposed to dish out breakfast for me right?" she whispered, leaning in closer to him.

"What wrong is there in doing so?" he whispered back with a bemused expression.

"Never you mind," she sighed picking up her fork.

He wiped the corner of his lips with his napkin before pushing back his chair."I'm leaving now," he announced, kissing Ferah on both cheeks.

"Drive safely," Ferah stated, rising from her chair. He nodded then kissed Lale and Hilal on the cheeks then circled around the table, going back to Najmah. "I left a credit card for you on the dresser," he leaned in, pecking her softly on the cheeks. "Use it for all the expenses."

"But I..."

"No buts," he cut her off. "Wahim will drive you." And to the bewilderment of the family, Aslan pecked her on the lips. Her eyes went wide as Lale let out an audible gasp. Afet's eyes widened a fraction as she stared unabashedly at the duo.

"Gosh Aslan there is a kid on the table. Parental guidance please," Alev scrunched up her face, placing her palm over Hilal's face.

'Ground swallow me up please.'

Afet was red with anger. She wanted so much to stick her fork down Najmah's throat so much that she tightened her hold against it.

"Careful there Afet," Alev teased. "You might break the fork."

She sent Alev a look full of hatred before dropping the fork forcefully on the table before trotting out of the dining room thinking of ways to get back at Najmah.

"Yeah I think I'm gonna...," Najmah rose from her seat, pointing towards the door. She bolted out of the dining room, leaving behind a trail of laughter in her wake.

{••}

"I shall wait for you out here," Wahim spoke as Najmah and Hilal alighted from the car.

"Oh. Don't you have anywhere to go?" Najmah queried, linking her hand with Hilal's.

"No ma'am," he replied.

"Okay," she nodded. "We won't take long." Together, the two walked into the mall after Najmah picked a shopping cart.

A few minutes later, the duo wheeled the cart towards the dairy aisle and Hilal threw in bars upon bars of chocolates. Najmah picked a few packets of cookies then wheeled the cart towards the cashier, paying for their stuff using Aslan's card though she had wanted to use hers but knowing Aslan, they'd just argue about it and the money she had wasn't enough to pay for the things they bought.

She contemplated returning some of the items but it would be a waste of time and energy, so she opted for using Aslan's card after all, he gave it to her.

***

"Is there any bookstore around here?" Najmah questioned Wahim as he loaded their shopping bags into the trunk of the car.

"Yes ma'am," he replied. "Would you like me to take you there?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "That would be great." Najmah slid into the car and Wahim drove her to the bookstore which was a few minutes drive from the mall. She got down from the car and went into the store together with Hilal who was busy munching on a chocolate bar.

"Mmm," Najmah closed her eyes, taking in the scent of books. "Lovely."

"Merhaba," the saleslady beamed at Najmah. "Welcome to Pearl Bookstore, how may I help you?"

"Uhm hello," Najmah waved at her. "Can I get a look at the new arrivals?"

"Of course," the lady nodded. "Right this way if you may ma'am." Najmah trailed behind her, gazing at various isles of books. They stopped by a counter which was marked 'New arrivals' boldly. She picked a few that caught her eyes then paid using her card. Promising to drrop by again when she had free time, she waved a goodbye at the lady then stepped out of the bookstore.

Najmah picked a few books that caught her eyes then paid using her card. She said goodbye to the lady after promising to drop by when she had free time.

As Najmah stepped out of the bookstore, she was greeted by flashes of camera light which were almost blinding to her.

"Are you kidding me?" she gasped, blinking back the tiny stars she saw after being greeted by almost-blinding camera flashes.

As she gained her eyesight back, she almost backed out into the bookstore at the ton of people waiting by the entrance.

"Mrs. Sadek! Look over here!"

"Mrs. Sadek how did you get married to your husband?"

"Is it true that you were pregnant with his child and it was the reason why you got married?"

"Did you abort the child?"

"Mrs. Sadek did you sign a prenup?"

"Where did you get married?"

"Mrs. Sadek! Mrs. Sadek!"

The questions and camera flashes were making her mind fuzzy and with no further ado, she pushed through the throngs of reporters and sprinted towards the car together with Hilal.

Wahim had the door open, and as soon as they got there, Najmah pushed Hilal on. Quickly locking the door after her.

"Crazy paparazzi!" she cussed banging her head on the car seat. "How did they know where I was?"

" Outrageous, they ask the most bizarre questions," she groaned. "Drive us to Aslan's workplace please," she stated calmly.

As they drove out of the parking lot, camera flashes followed them till they lost sight of them.

{••}

"I'm here to see Aslan," she spoke to the receptionist who was busy sizing her up. "Can you have someone guide me up to his office please?"

"It is Mr. Sadek for you miss," the receptionist replied rudely. "No one calls him by his first name and do you have an appointment with him?"

"No, I don't," Najmah shook her head.

"Then you can come back later and see him when you have an appointment."

"Do I need an appointment to see my husband?" Najmah snapped at her, having enough of her rude remarks.

"Yeah right," the receptionist sniggered. "As if."

"Is this how you welcome people into your building?" her brows furrowed as she regarded the receptionist.

"Ma'am, can you please step out? You are disturbing the air around the environment."

"Are you calling me a nuisance?" Najmah furrowed her brows, clenching her fists. "You little..."

"Najmah?" Aslan called out, striding towards her. "What is going on?"

"Aslan," her face broke into a smile. "Thank God!"

"I'm having an extremely unlucky day," she pouted. "And to top it all, this lady was extremely rude to me and wouldn't let me see you."

He turned towards the receptionist who began to cower in fear as Aslan fixed a stern gaze at her. "Why wasn't she let in? Are you not aware of who she is?"

"I am sorry Sir," she apologized wiping her damp palms on her skirt. "It won't happen again."

Seeing Aslan unmoved by her apology, she grabbed Najmah's hand and began to apologize in rapid Turkish. Najmah stared at her quizzically, wondering what she was rasping about.

"What happened at the mall?" he turned his gaze back to Najmah.

"I went to a bookstore and when we got out, kaboom! The paparazzi were out waiting for us. I have no idea how they would've known where I was unless..."

"Unless someone tipped them off," Aslan finished her sentence.

Wahim walked into the reception area in a hurry, heading straight towards Aslan and Najmah. "Sir, It is the young miss."

"What happened to Hilal?" the duo questioned, suddenly feeling anxious.

"She fainted," he replied.

"What?" Najmah gasped. She walked out of the building and broke into a sprint as she neared the car with Aslan and Wahim on her tail.

"Quickly drive us to the hospital!" Aslan ordered getting into the car.

"Hilal!" Najmah tapped her face gently. "My dear girl, wake up."

"What happened to you?" she questioned no one in particular, tapping Hilal's face.

'Could anything else go wrong again today? Ya Allah! I pray nothing bad happens to her.'

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