5~ A glimpse of him #2
"They do." Faruk replied. "Mom had me when she was nineteen, so people always mistake us for siblings. Three years ago, after divorcing my dad, she finally pursued her dream of opening a restaurant."
"Your parents are divorced?" Hanan asked and immediately she regretted asking.
"Sorry... that's none of my business."
"It's okay." He smiled. "I've always respected Mom's decisions. When she told me she wanted a divorce, I didn't ask for details. As long as they were both happier apart, that was enough for me. They ended things peacefully, without bitterness."
Hanan nodded thoughtfully. "If she's happy, then I guess it was the right decision. She's really beautiful."
"She'll be happy to hear that."
A brief silence settled between them before Faruk spoke again.
"So... when are you going to call me?"
"This?" She pulled the business card he gave her from her purse.
"I'm still settling in. Maybe soon."
"'Maybe?" He smiled staring closely at her. "I'm sure you will."
"Eyes on the road, please." She laughed, lightly pushing his face forward.
He chuckled. "You look extra beautiful tonight."
She narrowed her eyes hiding a smile.
"Was it for me?"
"Eww." She pulled a disgusted face, making him burst into laughter.
Not long after, Faruk steered into a luxurious building surrounded by rows of exotic cars.
Every parking space seemed occupied, but after circling twice, he finally found an empty spot and parked.
"Allow me." Faruk smiled as he got out of the car and walked around to open her door.
"Don't pretend to be a gentleman." Hanan laughed, opening the door before he could. "I can manage."
The moment she stepped out, her eyes were drawn to the enormous building towering before her.
HABIBTI
She stopped walking.
"Habibti?" She whispered, reading the illuminated sign above the entrance.
A strange feeling settled in her chest.
"My pet name..." She murmured.
Faruk followed her gaze.
"I heard the place was named after my cousin's lost love."
"Lost love?" She repeated.
He nodded.
"She disappeared three years ago. Since then, he's launched several businesses in her name. This building is one of them."
Hanan smiled faintly.
"Aww... your cousin must be quite romantic. I hope he finds her someday."
"Hopefully." Faruk smiled. "You'll probably meet him tonight."
"It'll be nice meeting the owner of such an impressive place."
"You will. But first..." He held the entrance open for her. "Let's have some fun."
Together, they walked into the building.
The atmosphere inside was electric.
Colorful lights danced across the ceiling while music echoed through the spacious lounge. Well dressed guests laughed over drinks, couples swayed to the music, and waiters moved gracefully between tables carrying expensive wines and cocktails.
"Whoa..." Hanan breathed, taking everything in. "This is amazing. It reminds me of weekend nights back at Cal U. Amira would absolutely love this place."
"I knew you would like it." Faruk chuckled. "Have a seat. I'll get us something to drink."
"Non alcoholic, please."
"I gotch you."
As Faruk headed toward the bar, Hanan continued admiring the luxurious interior.
Faruk's cousin must be incredibly wealthy.
Every detail screamed luxury, from the marble floors to the crystal chandeliers hanging overhead.
If she had to guess, constructing a five storey entertaining complex event center like this would have cost billions.
What exactly does he do?
"There you go." Faruk returned, handing her a glass of fruit punch.
"Thanks."
He settled into the seat opposite hers.
"So..." He smiled. "Dinner or drinks? Which are you enjoying more?"
She laughed softly.
"This place is beautiful, but nothing beats spending time with family."
"I can't argue with that." He raised his glass. "After this, would you rather dance or look around the building?"
"Maybe both." She smiled before narrowing her eyes at him. "But first, I have a question."
"I'm listening."
"How rich is your family?"
Faruk almost choked on his drink.
"Seriously?"
"I'm curious." She shrugged. "You spent three years pretending to be an average guy at school. I never imagined your family owned a top law firm... or that your mom owned a five star restaurant... or that your cousin owned a place like this."
He laughed.
"You could say I'm only half as rich as my cousin."
"Half?"
"This building is just one of his many investments. He's quite a prominent figure in Lagos."
"Really?" Hanan leaned forward with interest. "I've never heard of him. What's his..."
Splash!
Before she could finish, a glass of red wine emptied onto her dress.
"Whoa!" She gasped, jumping to her feet.
The deep red stain spread across the floral silk almost instantly.
"Watch where you're going!" Faruk snapped, shoving the drunken man who had stumbled onto her.
The man mumbled a slurred apology before staggering away.
"It's okay." Hanan sighed, examining the stain. "He's drunk."
She looked at Faruk.
"Where's the restroom?"
"I'm not sure."
He signaled one of the bartenders, who immediately pointed them in the right direction.
"I'll wait outside." Faruk said.
"Okay."
Inside the restroom, Hanan dabbed her dress with water and soap.
She scrubbed.
Rubbed.
Scrubbed again.
Nothing.
"What a stubborn stain." She muttered in frustration.
She was drying her hands when an explosion of cheers echoed through the wall behind her.
She frowned.
Another roar followed.
Then another.
It sounded like hundreds of people shouting at once.
Curiosity got the better of her once she saw a door inside the restroom.
She opened the door and stepped outside looking around.
She found herself in a hallway.
At the far end of the hallway, she noticed a slightly open door marked STAFF ONLY. The cheering seemed to be coming from beyond it.
What's going on down there?
She hesitated.
Then, unable to resist, she quietly slipped through the doorway.
A narrow staircase led underground.
With every step she took, the cheers became louder.
Her heartbeat quickened.
By the time she reached the bottom, she froze.
Before her was an underground fight arena.
Bright spotlights illuminated a massive boxing ring at the center while a roaring crowd surrounded it.
Large men shouted and exchanged bets.
Women dressed in skimpy outfits screamed at the top of their lungs.
The entire atmosphere felt dark and dangerous.
Hanan instinctively stepped back.
I should leave.
She turned, but another deafening roar stopped her.
She looked back toward the ring.
One of the fighters landed a devastating fist punch, his opponent crashed onto the canvas without moving.
The crowd erupted.
"Boss!"
"Boss!"
"Boss!"
The victorious fighter slowly turned around, raising his bloody fists.
Braided hair.
Towering height.
Broad shoulders.
A familiar face.
Hanan's breathing stopped.
Her knees weakened beneath her.
No... It can't be.
Yet there he stood.
Alive.
Victorious.
Being celebrated.
The very man she had spent three years dreaming of destroying.
Najib.
Heat surged through her body as every painful memory came crashing back.
The betrayal.
The tears.
The night she cried herself to sleep.
The life he had stolen from her.
She clenched her trembling fists.
Her vision blurred with rage.
The cheers around her faded into nothing as all she could hear was the pounding of her own heart.
Slowly...
Najib lifted his gaze.
Their eyes met.
For one endless second, neither of them moved.
Panic seized her.
Without another thought, Hanan spun around and left.
She didn't stop until she was out of the building.
The first taxi she spotted became her escape.
She got in quickly.
As the car pulled away, she stared blankly out the window.
Why did I leave?
Her nails dug into her palms.
Why didn't I walk up to him?
Why didn't I slap him?
Why... did I let him see me walk away like a coward?
The questions haunted her all the way home.
.
.
.
***
A/N