Click, Send, Kiss

Chapter 4: Facade

Noora’s alarm blared at 6:00 AM, pulling her from a restless sleep. She groggily reached over to silence it, her mind already racing through the day ahead. She sat up, stretching and trying to shake off the remnants of a dream that had left her feeling oddly unsettled. Today was another eventful day with Mohad, and she had to be on her game.

As she got ready, Noora caught her reflection in the mirror. She took a deep breath, reminding herself of the role she needed to play. Her feelings for Mohad were growing stronger, but she couldn't let them show. This was a professional arrangement, nothing more.

Arriving at the office, Noora was greeted by the usual buzz of activity. She made her way to her desk, feeling the weight of the stares and whispers from her colleagues. Ignoring them had become second nature, but today it seemed harder than usual.

"Good morning, Noora," Mohad's voice broke through her thoughts. He stood in the doorway of his office, a warm smile on his face.

"Good morning, Mohad," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

"We have a full day ahead. I hope you're ready," he said, motioning for her to follow him.

As they walked through the office, Noora couldn't help but notice the subtle glances exchanged between her colleagues. Veronica's icy stare was the hardest to ignore. She pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the tasks at hand.

Their first meeting of the day was with a group of potential investors. Noora listened intently, taking notes and occasionally offering insights. Mohad seemed genuinely impressed by her contributions, his subtle nods of approval giving her a boost of confidence.

During a brief break between meetings, Noora found herself alone with Mohad in his office. He leaned against his desk, his gaze fixed on her.

"You've been doing an excellent job, Noora. I appreciate your dedication," he said, his voice sincere.

"Thank you, Mohad. I'm just trying to do my best," she replied, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks.

"I mean it. You've brought a fresh perspective to these meetings. It's refreshing," he said, his eyes softening.

Noora smiled, her heart fluttering at his words. She opened her mouth to respond, but the moment was interrupted by the ringing of Mohad's phone. He held up a finger, signaling for her to wait as he answered the call.

As Mohad spoke on the phone, Noora's thoughts drifted. She couldn't deny the growing connection between them. His kindness and genuine interest in her opinions made it harder to maintain the facade of indifference. She was falling for him, and it terrified her.

After the call, Mohad turned back to her, his expression apologetic. "Sorry about that. Where were we?"

"No worries. I was just saying that I'm grateful for this opportunity," she replied, masking her true feelings.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings and tasks. By the time the evening rolled around, Noora was exhausted but determined to keep up appearances. They had another event to attend, and she needed to be at her best.

As they arrived at the gala, Noora took a deep breath, preparing herself for the evening ahead. She slipped into her role seamlessly, smiling and engaging with the guests. Mohad stayed close, their interactions increasingly natural and effortless.

Midway through the evening, they found themselves alone on a balcony, the city lights twinkling below them. The cool night air was a welcome relief from the crowded room inside.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Mohad asked, leaning on the railing next to her.

"It's a bit overwhelming, but yes," Noora replied, her eyes meeting his.

"You handle it well. You always seem so composed," he said, a hint of admiration in his voice.

"It's all part of the act," she admitted with a small laugh. "I guess I'm just good at hiding my nerves."

Mohad's gaze softened, and he reached out, gently taking her hand. "You don't have to hide anything from me, Noora."

Her breath caught at his touch, the sincerity in his eyes making her heart race. "Mohad, this...this arrangement, it's complicated."

"I know," he replied, his thumb brushing gently over her knuckles. "But sometimes, the best things in life are."

Noora looked away, struggling to maintain her composure. She couldn't afford to let her feelings show, not now. "We should get back inside," she said, pulling her hand away gently.

Mohad nodded, his expression unreadable. "You're right. Let's go."

The rest of the evening passed without incident, but Noora couldn't shake the lingering tension between them. As they drove back to her apartment, the silence in the car was heavy with unspoken words.

When they arrived, Mohad turned to her, his eyes searching hers. "Noora, I want you to know that I appreciate everything you're doing. I know this isn't easy."

"Thank you, Mohad. It means a lot to hear that," she replied, her voice soft.

As she stepped out of the car, she felt a pang of longing. She wanted to tell him how she felt, to let him see the real her. But she couldn't. Not yet.

The next morning, Noora woke up feeling more conflicted than ever. She had to keep her feelings in check, to maintain the perfect girlfriend facade. But it was becoming harder with each passing day.

At the office, Veronica's presence was a constant reminder of the delicate balance she had to maintain. Noora tried to stay focused, but the strain was starting to show.

During a particularly stressful meeting, Noora found herself struggling to keep up. Mohad noticed her distraction and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay?" he whispered.

"I'm fine," she replied, forcing a smile. "Just a bit tired."

Mohad nodded, his concern evident. "Let's take a break after this."

When the meeting finally ended, Mohad led Noora to his office, closing the door behind them. "Sit down, Noora. You look exhausted."

Noora sank into the chair, her shoulders slumping. "I'm sorry, Mohad. I didn't mean to let you down."

"You're not letting me down," he said firmly. "You're doing an incredible job. But you need to take care of yourself too."

Tears pricked at Noora's eyes, and she quickly blinked them away. "It's just...everything is so overwhelming. This facade, the constant pressure. It's starting to get to me."

Mohad knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his. "Noora, you don't have to pretend with me. I care about you, more than you realize."

Her heart ached at his words, the sincerity in his eyes breaking down her defenses. "Mohad, I..."

Before she could finish, there was a knock at the door. Veronica entered, her expression guarded. "Sorry to interrupt, but we have a situation."

Mohad stood up, his demeanor shifting instantly. "What is it?"

Veronica handed him a folder, her eyes flicking to Noora briefly. "It's about the upcoming merger. We need to address some concerns."

Noora watched as Mohad's expression grew serious. She felt a pang of guilt for burdening him with her own struggles. "I'll leave you to it," she said, standing up.

"Noora, wait," Mohad called after her, but she was already out the door.

As she walked down the hallway, Noora felt the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. She needed to find a way to balance her feelings and her responsibilities. But how?

That evening, she called Cel, needing to hear a friendly voice. "Cel, I don't know what to do. Everything is so complicated."

"Take a deep breath, Noora," Cel replied, her voice soothing. "Remember why you started this. You wanted to secure your future. Focus on that."

"I know, but my feelings for Mohad...they're growing stronger every day," Noora admitted, her voice trembling.

"Feelings are messy, Noora. But you have to be honest with yourself. Can you keep pretending?" Cel asked gently.

Noora sighed, feeling the truth in her friend's words. "I don't know if I can."

The next day at the office, Noora tried to keep her head down and focus on her work. But the tension between her and Mohad was palpable. She avoided his gaze, afraid that he would see through her facade.

During lunch, she found herself alone in the break room, trying to gather her thoughts. Veronica walked in, her expression unreadable.

"Noora, we need to talk," Veronica said, her tone serious.

"About what?" Noora replied, bracing herself for confrontation.

Veronica sighed, crossing her arms. "I know you're trying to do your best, but this arrangement with Mohad...it's causing problems."

Noora's heart sank. "What do you mean?"

"People are talking, Noora. They think you're just using him for your own gain. It's affecting his reputation," Veronica explained, her voice softer than before.

Noora felt a wave of anger and frustration. "

"Noora felt a wave of anger and frustration. "And what about me? Do they even care about what I'm going through? Or is it just easier to judge?"

Veronica's expression softened slightly, a hint of empathy breaking through her usual cool demeanor. "I know this isn't easy for you either. But you need to understand that in this world, perception is everything."

Noora took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "I understand, Veronica. But I'm not just here for the money. I care about Mohad and what he stands for."

Veronica's eyes narrowed slightly. "Just be careful, Noora. This facade you’re maintaining—it’s a double-edged sword. Don't let it cut you too deeply."

Noora nodded, feeling a mix of gratitude and frustration. "Thanks for the advice."

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of work and meetings. Noora did her best to stay focused, but Veronica’s words lingered in her mind. By the time she finished for the day, she felt drained.

That evening, as she walked home, Noora replayed the day's events in her mind. She knew she had to find a way to balance her growing feelings for Mohad with the professional boundaries they had established. But the more time she spent with him, the harder it became to maintain the facade.

When she arrived at her apartment, she found herself staring at her phone, debating whether to call Mohad and talk things through. Before she could make a decision, her phone buzzed with a text from him.

Mohad: Are you free tonight? I could use some company.

Noora's heart skipped a beat. She quickly typed a response.

Noora: Sure, what time?

Mohad: How about 7 PM at my place? I'll send a car for you.

Noora: Sounds good. See you then.

As she got ready, Noora couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. This wasn’t just another business event—it was more personal. She chose a simple yet elegant outfit, something that felt comfortable yet fitting for the occasion.

The car arrived promptly, and before she knew it, she was standing outside Mohad’s penthouse. The doorman greeted her warmly and escorted her up. As the elevator doors opened, Mohad stood waiting, looking more relaxed than she had ever seen him.

"Welcome, Noora," he said, smiling. "Come in."

Noora stepped inside, marveling at the luxurious yet tasteful decor. "Your place is beautiful, Mohad."

"Thank you. I wanted to have a quiet evening away from the chaos," he replied, leading her to the living room. "I thought we could order some takeout and just talk."

"That sounds perfect," Noora said, feeling a sense of relief.

As they settled in, Mohad handed her a menu. "Any preferences?"

"Surprise me," she replied with a grin.

They chatted casually as they waited for the food to arrive. Mohad shared stories from his early career, and Noora found herself laughing more than she had in weeks. There was an easy chemistry between them, a sense of comfort that felt both exciting and terrifying.

When the food arrived, they moved to the dining table. The conversation flowed effortlessly, touching on everything from work to personal interests. Noora found herself opening up about her dreams and fears, feeling a connection with Mohad that went beyond their professional arrangement.

As they finished dinner, Mohad leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "Noora, I’ve been meaning to ask you something."

"Sure, what is it?" she replied, her heart rate quickening.

"How are you really handling all of this? The events, the pressure, the facade?" he asked, his eyes searching hers.

Noora took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his question. "It’s been challenging, to say the least. I’m trying to keep up, but it’s hard to pretend that everything is just business."

Mohad nodded, his expression serious. "I never wanted to put you in a difficult position. I see how hard you’re working, and I appreciate it more than you know."

"Thank you, Mohad. It means a lot to hear that," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

He reached across the table, taking her hand in his. "Noora, you don’t have to pretend with me. I care about you, and I want to make sure you’re okay."

Her breath caught at his touch, the sincerity in his eyes making her heart race. "Mohad, I..."

Before she could finish, the doorbell rang. They both looked toward the door, the moment shattered by the unexpected interruption.

Mohad stood, his expression tense. "I’ll get it."

As he walked to the door, Noora felt a knot of anxiety in her stomach. Who could it be at this hour?

The door opened to reveal Veronica, her face pale and eyes wide with urgency. "Mohad, we have a problem."

Mohad's shoulders tensed, and he glanced back at Noora. "What is it, Veronica?"

Veronica stepped inside, her gaze flicking to Noora briefly before focusing on Mohad. "It's about the merger. There’s been a leak."

Noora felt a chill run down her spine. The delicate balance of their relationship was about to be tested once again, and this time, the stakes were higher than ever.