Authors POV
Restlessly waiting for her designer, Farida paced back and forth in the living room. Constantly peeling the door open to check. It was already past five and the party would be starting at seven, she couldn't afford to be late this time and there was nothing to wear to a lavish party.
A high pitch of noise interrupted her thoughts, it took her a few seconds to realize that it was her phone which she kept on the dining table.
"Who changed my ringing tone?"she said to herself as she strode forward to pick her call. It was Mr Elliott, her boss.
" hello sir, I'm so sorry. I'm still waiting for my dress" she began but Mr Elliott cut her off.
"Okay, calm down dear. I was going to tell you that the designer dropped your dress at the office"
Her mouth hung open and she placed her hand on her forehead.
"I can't believe this, I had asked him to bring it home.. I gave him the address" she said, not knowing what to do.
"Don't worry,Mr Afaan said he was going to your area, so he'll bring it to you" Mr Elliott reassured.
"What..what? Why would he want to do that?" To say that she was shocked would be an understatement. But Mr Elliott cleared her doubts.
"I told you he said he was going to your area. We have all of our employees addresses, don't worry. It's nothing personal. By the way, he should be there by now"
The door bell rang as soon as he said that.
"I think he's at the door. Thank you Mr Elliott. I'll be there in..." And call ended.
She walked to the door with sweaty hand. Something about the man gives her a sense of déjà vu.
She twisted the door knob to reveal the Arab man wearing a blue jeans and white shirt. His messy black hair was covering his forehead. He looked exhausted.
"Hello sir" she greeted nervously.
He nodded once and handed her a paper shopping bag which she took from him feeling more nervous that he didn't reply.
She said a "thank you" and turned around to go back inside when he spoke.
"If you want, I can wait for you to finish. I'm heading to the place the party's being held." His face void if any emotion.
She contemplated for a few seconds. The ride will be a silent one, there won't be any awkwardness.
"Please come in Sir" she said as she stepped away from the door so he would enter.
He did as she said and went straight to the couch, not waiting to be told to do that. He sat comfortably and waited for her.
In ten minutes,She rushed down the stairs with her green satin dress and green heel. Her blonde hair peeking through the front of her shayla. The dress length was just above her ankles.
To her surprise, she found her mother glaring at her guest who wasn't at all bothered by it. He just stared down at her. He was a lot taller than her.
"Mother, I invited him in. He's our business partner. He brought me my dress" she said walking closer to her mother who wasn't at all pleased by what she saw.
"He said he'll drop you off at the event?" Her mother asked not taking her eyes off the man.
"Yes mom. Don't worry okay. I'll be back soon" she replied and went out of the door with Afaan and her mother followed them to the car to check if there was someone else with them. She waited and watched the car drive out of their parking lot.
She went inside and closed the door behind her. Her eyes stinging as tears threatened to fall. She couldn't help but feel uneasy. A part of her was thankful that her grandchildren were asleep at that time. Only God knows what would have happened. Another part of her was afraid that Afaan wouldn't keep his words and protect her daughter from the monster in her past. She rummaged her purse and pulled out her phone. Dialing her husband's number with shaky hand, she paced back and forth almost losing her cool.
"Pick up the call Ali!" She almost yelled.
After five attempts, farida's father picked the call, causing his wife to burst into tears.
"Zawja, what happened" he said, suddenly tensed to hear his wife crying after so long.
"Ali they are back" she said between sobs.
"Who? What...okay where are you" he asked, knowing that his wife wasn't good at explaining things on the phone.
"At home" she replied.
"I'm coming" he changed his dirty oily cloths with the clean ones he wore from home and closed the garage. Slumping into the car, he prepared himself for the bad news. He only wished it wasn't what he was thinking.
***
Seconds turn to minutes. Farida sat as quietly as she could, silently praying that they would arrive there soon. The silence was killing her. "He drives so slowly. Is he enjoying it" she thought and glanced at him with the corner of her eyes. He was paying a very good attention to the road. He looked like he'd even forgotten that someone was sitting beside him. But on his side, it wasn't like that at all. He was fully aware of her presence, how could he ever forget that she was sitting right next to him.
In what seemed like ages, they made it to the grand, stunning mansion with glass walls. Her eyes took in the scene in front of her. It was magnificent. She was busy admiring the house that she forgot she was supposed to get out of the car until she heard the man clear his throat, causing her to turn so quickly that it gave her a sudden sharp headache. She held her head and screamed.
"Ouch!" she held her forehead. It was a pain she's never felt before. But the pain went away as quickly as it came.
"Are you okay?" Afaan asked her when she screamed.
"Yes Sir. It was just a headache." She replied, trying to ignore the concern laced in his voice.
He nodded like he always did and stepped out of the car. She quickly jumped out, afraid that he would lock her in. "Thank you for the lift sir" she thanked him and he nodded and went towards the glass door that revealed people wearing lavish cloths.
"Your colleges are right there" he pointed to them. They had been waiting for her outside in the cold.
"Thank you once again" she said to Mr Afaan and realized that he's already gone inside. Gerard saw farida from afar and waved his hands so she could see them and she laughed.
"Good evening to you ladies gentlemen" she greeted and they all bursted into laughter and joked around then finally decided to go inside and announce their arrival.
The inside of the house was more beautiful than the outside. It glorious. She stood beside her team and admired the room.
Unaware of the shock and disdain her presence had caused to a pair of stony brown eyes that had been watching her ever since she stepped in. Leaning forward in his seat, he took a better look at the blonde woman in green dress.
His heartbeat accelerated.
"This can't be. You're alive"
***
Ali yanked the door open and saw his wife sitting on the floor. Memories of that unfortunate day rushed back into his head. He walked silently to his wife and carefully lifted her off the floor and made her sit on the couch.
He felt her body shake with fear.
"I'll get you some water" he said and got up but she held his hand. He sat beside her and placed her head on his shoulder so she could cry on.
After crying and letting out her pain, she glanced up at her husband poured out everything that happened. Ali was beyond shocked and disappointed. His fear came true after all.
Now the truth will have to be told. But this time, he will not compromise his daughter for anything. He will never let her be destroyed again. She's the only child they had.
***