**Zahra**
He halted, shocked and his brows furrowed slightly. "You're what?!" Through his roaring din, he breathed a few words.
As my eyes mistakenly met with his, I looked away. I don't have any concrete explanation whatsoever for not revealing my true identity to him from the start.
And it's fascinating that he took the same route too which I'm also yet to know why. Was it really a coincidence? It looked as though we both planned it.
I know I shouldn't have lied but I didn't see this friendship leading anywhere. We just coincidentally loved to be at a spot which I will describe as nothing but for enjoying nature.
"I…I am sincerely sorry for this. I…actually didn't to…," before I could complete my sentence, he caught me in the middle.
"No, no, I understand. You can't apologise for this. You know I'm also guilty of it. But…I'm confused here," his voice dropped and he suddenly paused again as though he was holding something up.
Every cell in my body yearned to know that and before I knew it, my words slipped out. "Confused about what? I thought I informed you I worked at The Waltz Group, huh? Or…is something wrong with that?"
"Oh, not at all. It's just that I thought you had resigned. But anyway, never mind," his tone tightened the air between us.
I snapped my head to face him, and something felt off, but I couldn't put my finger on anything. "So…what's next?" He seemed totally confused even with his words.
The weight of his squinted eyes gnawed at my skin. I slid my fingers in my handbag and pulled out my laptop as he stole a look at it.
"Oh! That? The project huh? Ben will check it out," he stated with a forced smile.
I couldn't face him directly, I didn't have to as I couldn't comprehend what was happening at this point.
"Umm…yeah, I've edited it and my boss reviewed it. He was so impressed," I spoke as I punched the keypad with a brief smile.
"Your boss? Errrm…umm, that's great then," he scoffed.
I bellow a soft laugh. "Yeah, is there a problem?
"Not at all, he's your boss…yeah, he's," his eyes frantically went back and forth on his assistant as he repeated the same words.
"Hey! Ben, check that out." As he spoke to Ben, his eyes clung to me as though analysing my reactions.
"Yeah, he will check it out and…and give you feedback."
"Oh great, then it's really nice doing business with you, husband-to-be," I tried to be jovial as my eyes fell on the diamond ring.
Before I could process anything again, his phone buzzed loudly snapping through my reverie.
His eyes slowly swept over me before he swiped his finger on the screen of the phone and a soft tone rang in my ears.
"Ken, why are you not still here with her? Your sister, younger brother, grandma, grandpa, and everyone can't wait to meet her. The pictures…oh my God! You look so perfect together."
Instantly my jaw dropped in awe. I thought I was the only one amazed until my eyes met his.
His eyes opened wide in astonishment and he couldn't utter a word. I must confess, I was shocked. How…how did they see any pictures?
Just as those thoughts clouded my mind, my eyes slowly went on Mr Ben and I knew he sent those pictures to her.
"Yeah, we can't wait to meet her. She's coming for dinner, huh? She's so pretty and looks so lovely," a thin voice added.
Ken cleared his throat and his free hand ran through his hair. Meanwhile, the one who orchestrated all this was busy on the project as though his life depended on it and acted innocent.
All the deadly stares from Ken were a waste as he didn't notice any. I sat there and my mind was numb, as I wondered why this family was so desperate to meet me.
"Umm… Grandma, not to worry, I will be home with her. Will that make you happy?" he said softly.
"Sure, I know you will and just make sure you take very good care of her," she advised before they dropped the call.
Just as their voices faded. Before I could say anything, his words slipped out. "I'm sorry, boss, at least I know your family will be the happiest people to receive such news. That's why I did what I did. But nevertheless I…"
"What the heck are you talking about? What happens to telling me first before spilling the information just like you did?"
Suddenly, he rose fluidly from the chair. "Now they want to meet her tonight, what if she's not ready? You know…you know them and…," his voice cut in the middle and he bit his lower lip.
I stared wordlessly, and my mind was blank. I couldn't think or process anything. I could perceive the weight of disappointment even in his veins and it's all because of me.
For a moment, I feel the world around me is no longer like it was before when I walked in with anxiety cooled in the pit of my stomach.
He cares. He doesn't want me to feel forced. Whether mistakenly or whatever. That's the only thing written on him, even though it's not spelt out orally.
Before I realised he sat an inch closer to me. "See Lily…oh God! I mean Zahra. You don't have to grace this. Okay? I know my family and…they will understand if you don't show up," he stammered all of a sudden.
My eyes rose to meet his grey ones, and my free hand moved to his neck. "I…actually I understand your family's urge to meet with me. Yeah, and I will…"
I was cut mid-sentence when a husky voice broke through me and made my heart skip. "What the hell is going on here? Really? Mr Smith? You? Mixing business with personal stuff! No, hell no!"
"And…Miss Kaplan? Like seriously? I thought…!"
"Hold it there! Don't dare spill any nonsense about my fiancée! And if you, it's about the contract? You should know better than to spill crap! It's a great pleasure to have your company want to collaborate with us and not the other way round!"
Just as Ken voiced those words, his mouth fell open and his brows knitted together.
"Wh…at?! Zahra? Your fiancée? How's that even possible?"