At night, the secretary slipped quietly into the office while the city lights shimmered behind Dari who stood before the window like an unmoving statue he hadn't expected to find her this quickly not when he had deliberately chosen to acquire that company the thought lingered for a moment before he tossed the tablet onto the table the screen lighting up with a single image Malak his gaze lingered on it silent as though time itself had stalled at that exact moment without shifting his stance he spoke did you send everything the secretary answered steadily yes sir as requested the remaining details are being handled silence followed but it was not empty it was the kind that settles before a decision is made I want everything Dari said at last his voice dropped quiet controlled yet heavy enough to weigh down the air itself then more deliberately everything about her he didn't need to say more
A memory slipped in the darkness swallowing everything a narrow corridor cold and silent young Dari ran his breath breaking in his chest his eyes searching the shadows as if they might consume him at any moment brother his voice came out weak trembling then he saw him his brother sitting on the floor in the middle of the corridor shoulders shaking his breaths uneven as quiet sobs escaped him tears streamed down his face catching the dim light before disappearing into the darkness Dari didn't hesitate he ran to him and dropped to his knees pulling him into a tight embrace as if holding him together would stop everything from falling apart I'm here with you Dari whispered his voice trembling as he tightened his hold around him I will never leave you for a moment everything stilled as if those words were not just a promise but something carved into him
The scene shattered into a meeting room darkness pressed in around the space broken only by distant reflections of light against the glass the air felt suffocating Dari sat still alert then Malak she approached slowly deliberately her hand rested lightly on his thigh as if testing his reaction he didn't move didn't stop her only watched her hand rose gradually sliding upward until it settled against his chest she smiled do you like what you see she leaned closer her cheek brushing his her breath grazing his ear then she whispered I'll be by your side her voice overlapped with another a child's voice from that corridor I will never leave you something in his chest tightened not desire something older
Dari's eyes snapped open a sharp breath tore from his chest his breathing uneven sweat dampening his forehead as if the dream had never been a dream
Elsewhere her mother pushed open the door to Malak's room and stopped taking in the chaos clothes scattered belongings strewn across the floor the bed unmade she sighed in irritation I always tell you to clean up after yourself and keep your room in order on the bed Malak stirred slowly forcing her eyes open I want to sleep mom don't bother me her mother walked to the table picking up the car keys I'm taking it tomorrow your brother is taking his wife to see the apartment yeah yeah Malak murmured already drifting back just let me sleep
The next morning Malak sat at her desk her back straight and her eyes fixed on the computer screen without truly seeing anything a pen resting between her fingers turning slowly in a steady rhythm once twice three times as if stopping would mean something inside her might collapse she knew this day was not ordinary sunlight reflected across the wide glass panels flooding the space with light yet the atmosphere remained tense heavy in a way that light could not soften the department manager stood before the employees his short stature more noticeable than usual his features strained despite his attempt to maintain a professional composure he opened the file in front of him and spoke in a formal tone as you are aware the decisions issued by upper management have been approved as of yesterday no one moved no one spoke not even a breath felt steady he continued the departments will be restructured and a number of employees will be transferred to the parent company as part of the merger plan new contracts will be issued within two days and you will be required to review and sign them quiet murmurs began to spread glances exchanged tension building beneath the surface then he stopped his gaze moving across the room until it settled on her Malak his voice grew heavier as he said as for those who will not be included in the transfer plan their contracts will be formally terminated silence settled yet this time he did not look away his eyes remained fixed on her as he added and among them Malak it was not silence that filled the room but attention every gaze turned toward her direct curious some sympathetic others far less kind the whispers faded in the background while she remained exactly where she was unmoving the pen between her fingers never stopping slowly she lifted her head and met his gaze calm steady without denial without protest in that moment Sara leaned slightly toward her clapping softly with a warm smile her voice low almost a whisper congratulations Malak no need to worry now I'm really happy for you Malak gave a faint smile that did not reach her eyes before returning her gaze forward the manager continued quickly as if trying to soften the impact of his words Malak as I informed you earlier you have been nominated for transfer to the parent company based on my direct recommendation in recognition of your outstanding performance a brief silence followed but it did not last long as he added and also based on a request from upper management the atmosphere shifted the looks sharper now the anticipation more intense he hesitated for a moment before saying it clearly you were requested by name silence returned heavier than before Malak lifted her head slightly and asked calmly from management after a pause he replied from the group's chief executive officer for the first time the pen stopped just for a second but it was enough to disrupt everything then it resumed as if nothing had happened understood she lowered her gaze back to the pen turning it slowly with quiet composure but inside her there was nothing calm
Two days later Malak stood in the lobby of the group headquarters it wasn't just an entrance it was a statement polished marble floors stretched like mirrors reflecting every movement towering ceilings carried crystal chandeliers that cast a cold deliberate light glass walls revealed an entire city below as if this place stood above everything else higher and far more expensive she paused trying to appear composed though the space itself demanded presence then she looked up and saw him he entered with steady unhurried confidence he didn't need to rush didn't need to look his presence arrived before him as if the space rearranged itself around him heads lifted conversations faded voices lowered without being told eyes followed him some with admiration some with caution others with something closer to unease he didn't acknowledge any of it didn't slow down he simply walked through them as if they didn't exist as if the entire place belonged to him alone her gaze lingered on him just a second longer than it should have then she remembered their first meeting the way he spoke the way he looked at her every detail returned at once a faint heat rose to her face she turned away quickly her cheeks flushed as if she hadn't seen him at all but the feeling remained heavy unmistakable
Her first day in the new company had been exhausting everything was different bigger more complex heavier she met the employee assigned to guide her through the department but her mind wasn't there she looked and didn't see listened and didn't process all she wanted was for the day to end when it finally did she stepped out a message appeared don't forget you need to meet the girl today she exhaled in irritation typing quickly on my way sent without thinking she said goodbye and headed out
Elsewhere Dari sat inside his car watching his eyes followed her precisely step by step the secretary spoke calmly as expected sir her fiancé is cheating on her silence fell not long but heavy enough to press against the air streetlights passed across the glass reflecting briefly over his features then disappearing he didn't move didn't respond just watched then he smiled slowly a cold smile one that never reached his eyes for a fleeting second the light caught his face as if it was the darkness itself that was smiling good he said quietly then softer let's see his voice dropped further how long you can hold yourself together before you shatter
And when you do… I'll be the only one left to catch the pieces.