The next day, Safeera sat on the parlor sofa, looking through documents. Alex approached her calmly. "If it's okay with you, I'll like to ask you a question."
"Yes, you can ask me anything," Safeera said, setting the papers aside. "Feel free."
Alex sat opposite her. "I've stayed in this house for about three weeks now with nothing to do apart from going to the office. So I decided to confront you about this. If it's okay with you, I'll like to—"
"Own your own company?" Safeera interrupted with a smile. "Get a wife? I'm listening."
"I'd love to get some more info about my birth mother, 'Mauja.'"
Safeera's smile vanished. Her mind raced: Oh no, he already knows the name of his birth mother. What if she's not dead and tries to take him away from me?
"And who's this Humaira girl?" Alex continued.
"My close friend's daughter. She normally comes here for the holidays," Safeera replied cautiously.
"I don't like the way she acts. She's too bossy over everyone."
Unbeknownst to them, Humaira was hiding behind a curtain near the dining area, eavesdropping. What are they talking about? she thought. I need to get a bit closer to listen but don't want to get caught.
"She's a very sweet girl and I hope you guys would try to get to know each other better," Safeera said, standing up. "I'm going to head to work now. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
As soon as Safeera exited, Alex walked directly to the curtain. He gave Humaira a stern look that caused her to stumble backward. "I don't think it's good manners to eavesdrop on people's conversations."
Humaira gasped. "Ho—how?" She watched him walk away. Shaking, she pulled out her phone. "He—hello? I don't think I can continue this anymore, Jabar. He's too smart for me."
"Humaira, you fool!" Jabar hissed. "How dare you call my name carelessly? What if someone hears you?"
"I'm scared I might get caught! I can't do this anymore."
"Listen, you just need to calm down," Jabar commanded. "You're my right-hand man. Only you come back home with a mission accomplished. Don't let that little boy get into your head."
"He's already suspicious of me."
"Try to convince him. Trick him. Just do anything you can do."
"Okay... I'll see what I can do," Humaira said, hanging up. She gritted her teeth. "First it was Mauja and now it's her pesky little son."
"I wouldn't call myself 'pesky' if I were you," a voice said from behind her.
Humaira jumped. "Alex? Wh—when did you—"
Alex stepped closer, his eyes cold. "Look here. I don't know who you are and I don't want to. But if you mess with me, then I'm gonna bring you down and make your life a living nightmare. So if I were you, Humaira, I'll just enjoy this little holiday I'm having. Or else..." He leaned in. "I'll end both you and Jabar." He smirked and walked out.
Humaira stood there, breathing heavily. "S—such threats won't work on me!"
The next morning, Humaira was back on the phone. "I hope you have finished the work I assigned you to do? Remember, no such thing as mistakes or else. Remember, I still have your daughter with me. Would be a shame to buy her a coffin instead of a wedding gown, wouldn't it?"
She hung up and stared out the window at the driver cleaning the car. A cruel smile spread across her face. "Poor Alex has no idea what's coming for him. Let's see now whose life would be a living hell... when it's me who's sending you to hell first."Her smile darkened. "Because I'll be the one sending you to hell first."
A knock echoed down the hall.
"Young master," Charles called gently. "Your car is ready."
Alex stepped out of his room dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit that accentuated his dark hair and sharp features.
"Thank you, Charles," he said. "I have a meeting and don't want to be late."
He walked away.
Humaira watched him pass, stepping out of her room with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Such a handsome boy, she thought. What a waste.
Her mind replayed the plan she had already set in motion—the mechanic she had called, the loosened nuts, the cut brakes.
What a beautiful way to die.
"Charles," she called sweetly, "go get me some tea."
Charles turned and walked toward the kitchen, his heart heavy.
There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, he thought, but joy for those who promote peace.
He paused briefly, whispering a silent prayer.
I pray the young master is safe