Ayra felt even more infuriated at his nonchalant attitude like he wasn't even a little bit affected by her threat.
She pointed a finger at him and was about to make another offensive remark when she realized that they were still at the lobby and they were beginning to attract the attention of people passing by, especially that nosy receptionist who was staring at them keenly. Gritting her teeth in anger, she dropped her finger. It would do no good to argue with this scoundrel in public. "Follow me," She turned around and left the place with him following closely.**** "Here," Ayra opened the door of an office that had a sign board 'DAHLIA FAEZ' written in bold, golden letters with stars adorning it. "I assume you will get bored when she doesn't show up and leave this place," Ayra stepped aside for him to enter. As she was leaving, she warned him,"Don't touch anything! The smallest object in this office is worth the price of the entire collection of your clothes." With that, she slammed the door and left. Zayn chuckled and sat down on a sofa. The assistant wasn't really lying earlier when she mentioned that Dahlia's table is filled with so many accessories so much that his gift pales in comparison. He twirled the paper bag in his hand again as silence slowly ensued in the room. This is how it has always been. Ever since he got married to Dahlia two years ago, everyone never failed to show their dismay at the union, even the Faez family is no exception.*Ring. Ring* The crisp sound of his phone pulled him out of his reverie. He pulled out the old mobile and looked at the caller ID. He wasn't surprised to see 'Mother in-law' flashing on the screen. Seems like that meddlesome assistant ratted him out. "Hello mother—" Just as expected, his words were interrupted. "Don't call me mother! What are you doing at Dahlia's office? Do you have no shame at all!?" His mother-in-law's cold voice came through the line. "I only came to—" Interrupted once again. "Only came to what? To cause trouble for her right!? You are well aware that the paparazzi are always trailing my daughter. What if someone takes a picture of you and digs out your despicable history!? Do you want to ruin my daughter's reputation!?" She yelled angrily. "Mother relax, I came here in a uniform so if anyone were to see me, they would just assume I'm here for delivery," Zayn tried to pacify her. But his words only seemed to make her furious. "You, wretched fellow! You even dared to visit that high-end place in your dirty clothing. If you don't exit that agency right this instant, I'll make sure Dahlia divorces you this very day!" Zayn laughed,"Mother, you don't even have the authority to annul our marriage yet you are fuming. You should worry less about unnecessary things and focus on your health. You are getting old." "Are you cursing me with death!?" Mrs Faez roared, her breath coming out in quick, faint pants. "You still rely on the words of that sickly old man right? When father dies, I'll personally chase you out of our family for good!" The smile on Zayn's face disappeared. His face turned cold at her last words and his fingers rolled into a fist. He didn't even realize that he was clutching the phone so hard until it emitted a 'tut-tut' sound to indicate that she already disconnected the call. Two years ago while he was struggling with odd jobs ranging from a bagger, delivery driver, bartender, waiter, etc, he met Omar Faez. That night, he left the bar he was working at then and headed home, to the labor camp room he shared with one immigrant when he was almost assassinated. It was already so late at night and the street was deserted. He had unknowingly walked across some assassins who had obviously been sent to erase his existence from the world. At that point, he had been puzzled as to who would want him dead and why. He was only but a poor, nameless man struggling to make ends meet. He wasn't given much time to think about who sent the obviously well trained assassins because he was soon assailed and forced to fight for his life. One man against troops of skilled assassins? Who is bound to win? It had seemed like he was getting the upper hand at first but he soon realized that despite how he kept on managing to eliminate them and defend himself, they intensified. They increased in numbers. As some fell, others appeared. Seemed like whoever wanted to kill him wanted him dead at all costs. He soon began to get overpowered because of the large numbers of assassins that kept on multiplying. But at his dire moment, he was unexpectedly saved by an old man who was coincidentally passing by. Why the old man passed by at that moment, he didn't know. All he could remember was the relief he felt in his subconscious state when someone caught him as he collapsed. Waking up three days later in a splendid mansion to so many injuries on his body, he had gotten acquainted with the old man who had saved him. He remembered the aging but active man introduced himself as Omar Faez with the kindest smile he has ever seen in years. Later on, he got to know that Faez was currently one of the wealthiest families in the UAE and the man who saved him was the present head of the family. He recollects the time Omar had mentioned that he owed him a favor for saving his life. He laughed then. What could a poor man do for someone who already has it all? When Omar propositioned him to be married to one of his grand-daughters, Dahlia, he readily agreed, knowing there was no other way to repay his kind act anyway. The family of course opposed it. His parents in-laws couldn't believe that their precious daughter was arranged to be married to someone with no social influence. Even his wife, Dahlia had thrown a tantrum. She ran away from home for days until she was caught by Omar's guards and brought back home. Then Omar had threatened them that if anyone was to try in any way to deter his(Zayn) and Dahlia's marriage plans, they would be disowned from the family. That had done the trick. He just never expected that after a few months of being married to Dahlia, Omar would fall terribly ill due to a successful poisoning attempt and he would be reduced to the position of a mistreated son-in-law. People who couldn't behave rashly towards him when Omar was alive now attack whenever they can. Dahlia's attitude towards him worsened, not like it was good before. But Omar's sudden illness gave her the courage to shed all facades and behave outrageously towards him.*Ding dong* The wall clock chimed and broke the chain of thoughts in Zayn's head. He glanced at the clock and realized that he had been waiting for almost an hour and had overused the break he was given from work. Still Dahlia was nowhere to be seen. Disappointedly, he kept the small paper bag in his pocket and stood up to leave.C—lick. Zayn closed the door with a low click. He remembered to check the door to make sure it was in perfect condition and he hadn't damaged it in any way because he was certain if anything were to happen to the door, assistant Ayra would have his head in an instant. He chuckled as he thought of the ferocious expression on the assistant earlier and he turned to leave. Just as he turned around, his curious eyes caught sight of the door opposite Dahlia's office. The door was ajar. Huh, why didn't he notice this door earlier? His eyes darted upwards and he spelt out the name written on the sign board on the door -'Director Ahmed.' "Director Ahmed?" He said again, quietly. "Why do I feel like I have heard this name before?" Nope. It's not the similarity in their last names. Zayn just thought the name sounded— familiar? He thought of something, looked at the sign board again and nodded,"Now I remember. He's the same man that's been trending in the news lately." The name s
Zayn tried to check if he could fix the bike but the problem was more complex than he thought. The bike has been in that restaurant for years but that old grumpy boss of his wouldn't spare some dirhams to buy a new one. He knew what was wrong with the bike but there was no way he could repair it without a toolbox... Is there? He was left with no other option than to walk back, all the way to the restaurant while pushing the old bike. No way was he leaving it at the damned entertainment agency and having it towed away, worse still, facing the wrath of that senile boss. Just a few meters away from the entertainment agency, his phone began to ring. He unconsciously hastened his steps. "Is it my boss or perhaps my mother -in-law?" He tried to figure out the person that was calling him. "No... That's not right. Mother in-law won't call me not after I spoiled her mood. Then who could it be? Father-in-law? Nah... He's never called me once. I don't even think he has my contact info."
S—sultan?Zayn couldn't deny his fingers moved, more like shook. A feeling of nostalgia washed over him. How many years has it been since he heard that word... or this voice?Three years? Four years?"Sultan," The voice called again, breaking through the troubled train of thoughts in his head. A swoosh of breath escaped his mouth as he breathed out before answering,"Father." His eyes cautiously looked around the nearly deserted road like he was searching for someone.He heard that familiar low happy laughter from the phone before the caller spoke again,"Zayn, you unfilial child. Do you even have any ounce of love in you for my wife? You didn't even contact her once. I really misunderstood your stubbornness."A smile, a genuine one finally appeared on Zayn's face. "Father remember, you forbade me from contacting anyone in the family. Besides, your wife is my mother. She'll understand."There was another low laughter at his sharp reply, briefly followed by a question. "How have you bee
Thrown in the limelight, Zayn had no other choice but to walk forward. With a low bow, he apologized,"Sir, it's my fault this time. Don't blame Mike. I'm sorry." Mr Mikhail laughed sarcastically. "Of course, it's your fault. That's what you said the last time too. Say, do you earn more cash secretly from these deliveries? The job I employed you for is the post of a cook not a delivery boy!" No one said a word. There was a pleased smile on Noor's face. He's always hated Zayn's pretentious self-righteous behavior. Everytime the latter gets into trouble, Mike is always there to rescue him. The funniest thing is that he is Mike's new roommate not Zayn so why does Mike insist on showing more compassion to Zayn than to him!? What's so good about Zayn anyway that even Mr Mikhail who's usually grumpy isn't too strict with him? Let's see how he'll get out of this mess this time. "I remember the last time this happened, I said something," Mr Mikhail looked at them. The staff exchang
"Yes. Friends are supposed to help each other not destroy one another. Why didn't he own up earlier when the boss asked?" Another chimed in. Zayn snickered quietly. Were they deaf when Mike claimed to be responsible for the offense earlier? To think of it, it was Mike that spoke first earlier. No one forced him to speak. Why does it suddenly feel like this Mike in person is a hypocrite!? "It's only fair for Zayn to give his own share of the monthly salary to Mike as compensation," Someone suggested. Others including Noor nodded in agreement. Zayn couldn't help chuckling. Such counterfeit sympathetic comments from his colleagues really makes his stomach churn in disgust. He was about to refute their words when Mike suddenly came to the little circle they formed round him. "Stop blaming Zayn okay? It was my choice to make and I was indeed at fault. I do not appreciate people poking their noses in my business, especially those that speak without filter." His words stunned the s
Just then, a loud crashing sound resounded from the office and the hallway became silent. The employees exchanged a look. What just happened? The door flew open and a heavily dressed lady came out. Her face was smudged with an awful amount of makeup, simply too much make-up. She appeared to be wearing a dress that stopped just above her knee-length. Her face was red, displaying her anger. But as she walked out, she crashed into Zayn who was about to knock on the door. "Oww," She winced in pain. She had bumped into his chest and hit her head really hard so that it hurt. She looked up at Zayn. "You wretched fellow. Are you blind? Get out of my way," She pushed him with her small handbag and left. Zayn looked around when he heard some of his colleagues snickering. Mr Mikhail walked out then. He paused to see them standing in front of his office. He seemed a bit embarrassed to see that they were there and chanced to witness the little quarrel between him and his daughter... Not li
"I'm leaving."These two words hung heavily in the air. The deathly pale figure on the bed remained motionless. Zayn ended up gripping the bony hands tightly in his hands.If it were before, Omar would have been quick to give him a befitting reply. How did that hyperactive, sharp and stern old man end up in this miserable position?A frosty look appeared on Zayn's face as he thought of the reports the doctor had given him when the illness began. The doctor mentioned that Omar had been slowly poisoned...Poisoned to the extent that it was now buried deep in his veins and was extremely difficult to cure.The doctor suggested that if he ever wanted to go further for the treatment which isn't a hundred percent reassurance, Omar would have to be flown out of the country.To do that, Zayn needed a huge sum of dirhams. His hands reached out to stroke what was left of Omar's white hair as his eyes fell on the bags of medicines on the bedside drawer.He'd worked hard at the restaurant everyda
"Mister." Zayn turned to the counter when he heard the receptionist's voice. A strange look appeared on his face as he looked at her. She had this kind of creepy smile like she was planning something— sinister. Her words confirmed his thoughts. "I could clear out a space for you to spend this night but it cost just a thousand dirhams." Zayn almost laughed when he heard her voice. Did she really believe him when he said one thousand dirhams earlier? He discreetly touched his pants pocket. He could say it boldly that the money in his pocket isn't up to half a thousand dirhams. Looking at the receptionist's expectant smile, he hesitated to burst her happy bubble but in the end, he said it. It's worth confessing more than spending the night homeless. "Actually... I only have three hundred dirhams with me." Just as he expected, the receptionist's smile was gone in a second. She gave him a look of disbelief and then shrieked,"You... With such a miserable amount, you dared
The board members exchanged puzzled glances, struggling to comprehend Zayn's sudden divergence from their expectations. The air thickened with anticipation as they yearned for a deeper understanding of his motives.In a surprising turn of events, Zayn shifted the spotlight to his elder brother, Khalid, whose eyes glistened with a mixture of gratitude and remorse. Zayn's voice softened as he introduced Khalid as the most suitable candidate for the CEO position.Zayn's voice carried a firm resolve as he continued, offering his unexpected proposal. "I believe Khalid is the right candidate for the CEO position. His exceptional skills and experience make him the ideal leader to guide the Sultan's Empire towards a prosperous future.""I have faith in his abilities and his dedication to the success of Sultan's Empire," Zayn added, his words filled with genuine support and forgiveness. "He has proven himself capable, and I believe he will lead this company to new heights."The room fell into
However, as he approached Khalid, he sensed a distinct cold shoulder, a barrier that prevented any immediate confrontation. In his thoughts, Zayn contemplated the complexities of their relationship, knowing that their issues could not be resolved in a single conversation.Zayn's thoughts raced, filled with a mixture of frustration and longing. "Why is Khalid shutting me out? Can't we find a way to bridge this divide between us? We're brothers, after all." He couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment, realizing that their strained relationship would require time and effort to heal.Meanwhile, Khalid's mind was clouded with conflicting emotions. "How can I face Zayn after all this time? Our past grievances have left deep scars, and it's easier to keep my distance. But deep down, I still care. I just don't know how to reconcile the conflicting emotions within me."As the two brothers left the scene together, a palpable tension hung in the air. Their unspoken thoughts echoed, a si
Amidst the chaos, the blaring sirens of approaching police vehicles pierced through the commotion, cutting through the tension-filled air. A collective sigh of relief swept through the room as the guests realized that help had finally arrived. Conversations erupted in murmurs of gratitude and appreciation, blending with the chaotic energy of the moment.One voice, filled with relief, exclaimed, "Thank goodness the police are here! I never thought I'd be so grateful to see those flashing lights."Another guest, speaking softly to his companion: "We can breathe a little easier now. The authorities will take control of the situation and ensure our safety."Officer Harris, the commanding officer leading the police force, barked out orders, his voice carrying an air of authority. "Secure the premises! Apprehend the criminals and ensure the safety of all guests!"Whispered conversations filled the room as guests leaned in closer to their companions, sharing their thoughts and emotions."I
Inside the auction hall, the murmurs among the guests swelled with concern and curiosity. "What's happening?" one whispered, his voice filled with worry. "This is getting out of hand.""Do you think they'll be alright?" another asked, her tone laced with genuine worry. "And do you think we are safe because I'm a little bit scared?" The once glamorous event had transformed into a scene of suspense and unease."I just feel we should calm down and hope nothing happens after now. Agitating will only cause us more harm than good." A companion responded, her voice filled with calmness and fearlessness.Meanwhile, the virtual space continued to crackle with anticipation as viewers hastily typed their thoughts and emotions into the livestream comment section. "Oh my goodness, what is happening?" one viewer exclaimed, his words appearing in a flurry of text. "I can't believe this twist! Will Zayn and Khalid be able to escape?" another comment questioned, punctuated by a string of anxious emo
The livestream page buzzed with a flurry of comments, the virtual audience captivated by the unfolding events. As the revelation that Zayn was Lord Z spread like wildfire, the comment section exploded with reactions, both shocked and intrigued. One of the users exclaimed, "No way! Zayn is Lord Z? My mind is blown!" Another user expressed disbelief, "I never saw that coming! This is crazy!" While another user poured out her thought into the comment section, "Wait, so all those rumors were true? Zayn is the infamous Lord Z?" Amidst the virtual chaos, Twitter experienced an overwhelming surge in activity, unable to handle the sudden influx of tweets and crashing under the weight of the online frenzy. Hashtags related to Zayn and Lord Z flooded the trending section, dominating the digital landscape. One other user remarked, "My timeline is exploding! Zayn just broke the internet!" Another user chuckled, "Twitter can't handle the truth! Zayn as Lord Z is the plot twist of the cent
Cameras clicked discreetly as reporters positioned themselves to capture the grand entrance of Lord Z. They exchanged excited glances, knowing that this unexpected appearance would make for a compelling story.Zayn's mind raced with questions, his brows furrowing as he contemplated what the man was saying. "Why would he want Lord Z to make an appearance at this auction? What could be the purpose behind it?" he pondered silently.The room fell into a hush, all eyes fixated on the stage. The anticipation grew palpable, the air heavy with expectation. Reporters adjusted their lenses, eager to capture the moment when Lord Z would step into the spotlight.However, much to the guests' surprise and disappointment, no one rose from their seats. Confusion washed over the attendees, their faces portraying a mixture of bewilderment and frustration."What's going on? Is this some kind of a ruse?" murmured a guest, his voice laced with suspicion.The man on stage, undeterred by the crowd's react
Khalid couldn't hide his satisfaction as he observed Zayn's discomfort under Shaquille's piercing gaze. "Let's see how he squirms this time," Khalid thought, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. But his expression quickly shifted when Zayn confidently answered the question, leaving Khalid both surprised and slightly unnerved.As the meeting drew to a close, participants started to disperse, their minds abuzz with thoughts of the upcoming auction. Khalid couldn't help but approach Zayn, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "Impressive, Zayn. I must admit, I didn't expect you to have the answer," he remarked, his tone laced with a mix of surprise and admiration.Zayn smiled modestly, his gaze focused on Khalid. "Well, I believe in being prepared," he replied, his voice calm and composed.Days passed, and the much-anticipated day of the auction finally arrived. Zayn's uneasiness remained persistent, gnawing at the back of his mind. Salim, who had been diligently investigating th
As Alina poured herself into the intricate web of organizing the auction, an underlying sense of anticipation lingered. The attendance of Lord Z at the auction held the promise of unraveled mysteries and long-awaited revelations.She declared, "The time has come to bring light to the shadows, to unlock the secrets that lie within. This auction will mark the turning point in my quest for knowledge and discovery. And I won't rest until every mystery is laid bare."*****Meanwhile, a sense of urgency gripped Zayn as he realized he had to make his way to the Sultan's empire. He urgently conveyed, "Zayed, now that I have been able to get in touch with Mr. Faez and Dahlia, I'm a bit satisfied. The fact that they're aware of what happened to Omar settles things a lit, it will make Omar happy seeing them."With that settled, Zayn's attention turned to a new challenge that awaited him. His father, Shaquille, had unexpectedly summoned a meeting with the company's representatives to discuss t
With an outstretched hand clutching a ringing phone, she tried to catch her breath, her voice filled with a mix of anticipation and concern."Ma'am, I'm sorry to interrupt, but the call is very urgent, and they have requested to speak to you immediately," she informed, her tone reflecting the urgency of the situation."An urgent call? This can't be ignored. I wonder who it could be and what it's about. I hope it doesn't hinder our progress with the investors. I need to handle this promptly and find out what's going on." Alina's thoughts rushed like a windAlina furrowed her brows as she absorbed the gravity of the message. "Who is it?" she inquired, her voice laced with a mixture of curiosity and concern."Why would someone call me with such urgency? It must be something significant. I can't help but wonder who it is and what they want. I need to find out more information to understand the situation." Her thoughts kept racing"It's Mr. Raheem from Abu Dhabi," the assistant revealed, h