šāØ Hello, good morning, good evening, and Merry Christmas to everyone! āØš
During this beautiful holiday season, filled with light, love, and sharing, I want to say thank you.
Thank you for your presence, your support, your messages, your patience, and your love for this story š«
To celebrate Christmas the way it should be, I decided to give you a little giftā¦
š Three chapters in a row, just for you, published especially for this celebration š
I hope they make you feel somethingāmake you smile, maybe even hold your breathā¦
Get comfortable, let the magic happen, and enjoy this moment āØš
Once again, Merry Christmas. Take care of yourselves and of those you love š¤
...
Then the light turns on.
Malik.
My heart skips a beat.
What is he doing here?
He's dressed in Arrison Holdings staff uniform, perfectly blending into the setting, as if he had always been here.
He walks toward me without hesitation, pulls me against him, and places one hand on my waist.
ā Miss me? he says, kissing my cheek, a satisfied smile on his lips.
ā Malik! You scared me! I say, placing a hand on my chest.
How did you get in here? What if someone sees us? Who saw you? How did youā
ā Shhhā¦ he says, placing his index finger on my lips.
You talk too much, my love. Don't worry, I'm discreet. No one saw me.
I look at him for a few seconds, then gently move his finger away.
ā Are you sure? And how did you know I would be here?
His smile disappears instantly.
His face hardens.
His gaze turns serious.
ā We need to talk. About this merger.
I sigh.
Not this again.
We've already talked about it. Several times.
According to him, this merger is a bad idea. He says something is off, that there's something fishy going on.
ā Malik, we've already talkedā¦ I told you this merger really matters to my father. I can't disappoint him.
ā Exactly! he snaps, more nervous.
I think there's something else behind it. This isn't normal.
This tripā¦ your father insisting that you be the one to lead the meetingā¦
It's hiding something.
I feel a twinge, but I refuse to doubt.
ā I trust my father.
All his decisions, even the hardest ones, are for my own good.
He shakes his head.
ā And what about us? Do you think he'll accept it?
ā I'll convince him.
It will take time, but I will.
He stares at me for a long moment, his brows furrowed.
ā Damn it, Estherā¦ he says, suddenly letting go of me.
Stop being naive. There's only one solution.
I feel it coming.
And I already know I won't like it.
ā Run away. And get married in secret.
My heart tightens.
Run awayā¦
Abandon my parentsā¦
Break their dreamsā¦
Never.
ā No.
My voice is firm. Determined.
ā I've already told you. I will never do that.
I won't humiliate my family.
We'll find another solution.
He exhales, frustrated, then takes a few steps to release his nervous energy.
Malik is really nervous. Always.
And sometimes, it scares meā¦ even if I don't show it.
ā Fineā¦ he finally says.
I trust you.
But at the first problem, I won't listen anymore.
I nod silently.
ā We should go. If someone comes, we'll be in trouble.
He steps toward me and takes my hand in his.
ā Don't worry. Nothing is going to happen.
He pulls me into his arms.
We stay like that for a few seconds.
Then we finally leave the room.
We decide to split up to avoid drawing attention:
him to the right, me to the left.
ā Wait, he suddenly says.
Where is your earring?
I bring my hand to my right ear.
Nothing.
I hadn't even noticed.
ā It must have fallen somewhereā¦ probably in the meeting room.
He nods.
We walk until we reach the intersection of the corridors.
He gently pulls me toward him and wraps his arms around me.
ā Malik! Someone could see us, stop itā¦
ā What? I don't even have the right to hug my girlfriend and future wife anymore?
ā You'll have that right when my father agrees.
He pulls away, kisses my cheek quickly, then disappears down the hallway.
I keep a small smile as I walkā¦
Until I feel a presence behind me.
I turn around.
And I see him.
Tony.
Standing at the end of the corridor.
I have no idea how long he's been there.
But his gazeā¦
His gaze makes one thing very clear:
He saw something.