6~Cold as ice #3
She looked breathtaking in a beautifully pink floral dress paired with a matching veil draped elegantly over her shoulders.
Faruk couldn't help but stare.
She looked effortlessly beautiful.
"I'm still upset with you." Nanny Ann said as Hanan wrapped her arms around her.
"You shut all of us out."
"I'm sorry."
Hanan's smile softened.
"I just needed to be alone."
"But you let him in."
Nanny Ann pointed at Faruk. "I was beginning to think he was more than just a friend."
Hanan rolled her eyes. "He practically forced his way into my room."
Faruk placed a hand dramatically over his chest. "I did no such thing."
"We're just friends." Hanan sighed.
"If you say so." Nanny Ann smiled.
"When you get back, we're having a serious conversation."Abdul rose to his feet.
"We need to talk ." His tone was calm but firm.
Hanan nodded. "Okay."
He turned to Faruk. "I'm trusting you with my sister."
"I won't let anything happen to her."
"You better not."
Hanan laughed. "You sound like an overprotective brother."
"I have every reason to be."
He looked at her seriously. "After the scare you gave us last night, I'm not taking chances with you anymore."
She smiled apologetically. "I'll be careful."
"Good."
He waved toward the door.
"Now go. And don't stay out too long."
"We won't."
Faruk finished the last sip of his tea before standing.
"Ready?"
Hanan nodded. "Let's go."
Nanny Ann smiled as they headed outside.
"Drive safely. I'll make something special for lunch, so don't be late."
"We'll be back soon." Hanan replied before following Faruk out the door.
"A new car?" Hanan asked as she stepped outside and spotted a sleek blue sports car parked across the lawn. Her eyes lit up as she admired it.
"It's a gift from Dad." Faruk smiled, walking over to open the passenger door for her.
"Thank you."
She got in, and moments later they were cruising down the road.
"I love it." She admitted, running her fingers lightly over the dashboard. "It's cool."
"Thanks." He grinned. "I only wish you would compliment me the way you just complimented my car."
"Huh?" She scoffed. "You're the reason everyone thinks we're more than friends."
"And what's so wrong with that?" He chuckled. "Take a good look at me. What exactly do I lack? Not to brag, but I'm handsome, rich, educated..."
He flashed her a confident smile.
"What more could a girl possibly want?"
"Humility."
He frowned. "What?"
"Humility." She laughed. "Girls don't usually find narcissism attractive."
"Narcissism?" He gasped dramatically. "I was only stating facts."
"Lame facts." She rolled her eyes, gently flicking his forehead with her fingers.
Faruk laughed.
After a brief silence, Hanan glanced at him.
"So... when are you introducing me to your cousin? I missed my chance last night."
His smile faltered for a split second.
"You're really interested in meeting him?"
"Of course." She shrugged. "Maybe he isn't as full of himself as the person sitting beside me."
Faruk let out a quiet laugh.
"You might be surprised when you finally meet him."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Why? Is he some kind of celebrity?"
"You could say that."
"Don't tell me he's Satan himself."
Faruk couldn't help but laugh. "Something like a nightmare."
"Huh?"
"Forget I said that." He quickly changed the subject. "Focus on the road for me. What does Google Maps say?"
"Take the next right."
"Got it."
A few turns later, they pulled into a massive fabric mall bustling with shoppers preparing for weddings and celebrations.
The moment they stepped inside, Hanan walked to the reception desk.
"Good afternoon. I'm here to pick up an order made by Miss Amira Ahmad."
The receptionist smiled. "You're Miss Hanan?"
"Yes."
"Wonderful. She informed us that you would be coming. Kindly sign here first."
She handed Hanan a receipt book.
"Thank you."
Hanan bent over to sign.
Just then...
A familiar voice drifted through the store.
Her hand froze.
She slowly lifted her head, instinctively searching for the owner of the voice.
Her eyes swept across the showroom.
Customers checking fabrics.
Sales attendants attended to them.
No one looked familiar.
"What is it?" Faruk asked, noticing her distracted expression.
"Nothing."
She forced a smile and finished signing.
A few moments later, the receptionist returned with several neatly packaged shopping bags.
"Here's Miss Amira's order. Thank you for shopping with us."
"I'll carry them." Faruk reached for the bags before Hanan could.
"Thank you."
She smiled politely at the receptionist before turning toward the exit.
Her smile disappeared instantly.
She stopped dead in her tracks.
Her feet refused to move.
Her entire body went numb.
Standing directly in front of her...
...was the one person she never wanted to see again.
The blood drained from her face.
Her heartbeat thundered against her chest.
She couldn't blink.
She couldn't breathe.
She could only stare.
Frozen.
Cold as ice.
.
.
.
***
A/N