Tasha was taken aback when she saw the girls who had just arrived with Gul Bano, carrying various items in their hands. Among them was Daniel Bruno’s secretary, holding several shopping bags and boxes. Curiosity sparked, Tasha opened one of the boxes. Inside was an elegant, stylish, and expensive red bridal dress. The second box revealed glittering gold jewelry—adorned with red pearls—heavy jhumkas, a headband, modern gold bangles, and bracelets. There were also a few pairs of delicate sandals. Everything was exquisite and clearly expensive, leaving Tasha thoroughly impressed. "Daniel Bruno’s taste is quite remarkable—impressive," Tasha commented as she inspected the items one by one. "Ma’am, please try on the dress. If you need any alterations, let me know. I’m your stylist; Mr. Bruno hired me just for you," said one of the girls, a stylish and polite woman, flashing a warm smile at Tasha. Tasha smiled back, her amusement growing at the woman’s words. "Ma’am, I’m your makeu
"Alright, done. Great. Let’s go, Mr. Ghazian, aka dear old man. Hurry up now—I can’t get my reward until I get you," Shehryar said, running his fingers across the laptop screen. He paused, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. He’d tried tirelessly to track down Noor but failed to find any trace of her. That’s why he shifted his focus to Ghazian, hoping it would lead him to her. Judging by Ghazian’s age, Shehryar guessed she was a student. This prompted him to hack into the databases of colleges in Brasilia to retrieve her details. Now, he anxiously awaited Ghazian’s college admission form to load on the screen. The page was still loading, the internet moving slowly—or perhaps it just felt that way because his heart was racing. Finally, within moments, the form appeared on his screen. He quickly scanned through the information until he reached the address. His eyes widened in shock. The address Ghazian had listed belonged to his elder sister’s future in-laws. "How is
When Daniel returned home, it was his first night after the agreement. This made Tasha incredibly nervous. She reminded herself that Daniel Bruno was her husband, and she had every right to be with him, yet she wasn’t ready for this relationship.The gray-eyed young man came out of the bathroom, freshly bathed and dressed, as Tasha curled up on the bed, shutting her eyes tightly. Her heart raced wildly.When she sensed him lying down beside her, she quickly shifted her position, turning her back to him. She knew about the agreement—three months of this marriage—and realized she couldn’t refuse if he demanded his rights as her husband. Her nervousness grew with every passing minute.Five, ten, fifteen minutes went by, then half an hour. Yet Daniel said nothing. Curious and scared, she peeked over her shoulder, only to find him lying there calmly. She couldn’t help but smile at the absurdity of her own fears."What do you think, Tasha? That the world is dying to have you?" he teased, se
When Tasha arrived at Daniel's office with a lunchbox, she headed straight to the waiting room. She knew it would be a long wait since Daniel wouldn't take her calls, and the receptionist refused to let her upstairs without an appointment. Tired from standing in the kitchen for hours preparing the meal, her feet already ached, so she decided to sit and wait. Hoping to get Daniel’s attention, she dialed his number. To her surprise, he picked up almost immediately. “Hello,” she greeted with a cheerful smile. “Peace be upon you,” he responded formally. “Have you eaten?” she asked quickly. “No,” he replied. “I’m downstairs in your office’s waiting room with your lunch.” There was a brief pause on the other end before Daniel said, “Okay,” and hung up. Within two minutes, Wasi, Daniel’s assistant, appeared in the waiting room, hurrying toward her. “Good afternoon, ma’am. I’m here to escort you to Mr. Bruno’s office,” he said politely. As they passed by the reception desk, Wasi intro
Daniel Bruno sat on the sofa in his lounge, pressing his head in one hand, eyes closed, and speaking slowly as if weighed down by unspoken thoughts. Tasha turned to leave silently but stopped when he called her name. He rose from the sofa and approached her, his face serious, his tone calm but firm."I'm letting you go, Tasha," Daniel began, his intense eyes fixed on hers. "But don't mistake yourself for Mrs. Arman Bruno while choosing your outfits. I don’t mind where you go, but I want honesty. No lies. No secrets. Can you promise me that?"His crimson gaze bore into her, and his voice was soft yet commanding. Tasha felt the gravity of his demeanor and dared not argue. Strangely, she found herself drawn to this stern side of him, the way it conveyed an unyielding protectiveness she couldn’t quite name. Without a word, she nodded and left the room.After she exited, Daniel sat back down, watching the clock and waiting for her return. When Tasha reappeared, dressed and ready, he looked
A cold war had erupted between Tasha and Daniel Bruno. Neither was willing to back down, each steadfast in their belief that they were in the right. Daniel hadn’t outright forbidden her from attending university, but his approval came with cold, calculated conditions. He had made it clear—almost chillingly—that her movements would be restricted to the university alone and that he was keeping a watchful eye on her every action.Tasha, on the other hand, had no intention of venturing anywhere other than her university. The humiliation Daniel Bruno had inflicted at the hotel that fateful day, combined with the harsh way he had treated her upon his return home, had instilled a deep-seated fear in her heart. She wanted no part in drawing the attention of Arman Bruno, whose lustful glances had become increasingly unbearable. She had resolved to distance herself from him entirely, no longer accompanying him to university. Instead, she now traveled with Rahim Bruno. As for Arman Bruno, his co
Noor was sitting in the center of the lounge, wearing a black frock with mirror work and a large dupatta draped over her head. She was chatting with Hira, her laughter echoing lightly with Hira's words. However, her smile faded and her heart raced when she saw Basit Bruno walk into the room. His presence immediately made her feel uneasy, and her smile quickly disappeared.Basit Bruno, dressed in a camel-colored shalwar kameez and a matching shawl draped over his shoulders, exuded an intimidating yet captivating aura. Rahila, surprised by his early return after two weeks, stood up quickly. Basit typically came around every two or three months, but this time he had returned much sooner. As he met Rahila, his eyes lingered on Noor, who immediately lowered her gaze, feeling her hands tremble with nervousness. It was impossible to hide anything from Basit’s sharp eyes. He gave Noor a deep, unsettling look, his lips curling into a slight smile under his mustache. After greeting Abgina and
Tasha spent a long time with her friends, losing track of time as they had a lot of fun. Even after the buffet ended, they lingered at the table. She was so caught up in the moment that she completely forgot Daniel Bruno was waiting for her outside. After a while, she finally stepped outside with her friends, temporarily forgetting everything. She was no longer Tasha Shah; she was Mrs. Bruno now. She said goodbye to her friends and walked to her car.There, Daniel Bruno was waiting. Tasha opened the front door and sat down. Daniel was leaning back in the seat, deeply asleep. His usual light beard was more noticeable now, and he looked innocent while resting. Tasha noticed that his beard had grown a bit, especially on his fair face, and she couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He seemed exhausted and anxious, with red eyes that indicated he hadn’t slept properly. Tasha felt a pang of sympathy and decided not to wake him.Her mind was full of confusion. When she looked at herself in th
“Tasha, open your eyes.” The lights above flickered as the hum of machines filled the room. Daniel sat at her side, his hand gripping hers with a desperation that made his fingers ache. Tasha’s once-vibrant face was now pale, her breath shallow, a thin sheen of sweat clinging to her forehead. The blood that had poured from the wound in her side had soaked through the hospital sheets, staining them a dark red. Her body was fragile, lifeless, and as still as the silence in the room.His heart was breaking in ways he never thought possible, each beat a painful reminder that the woman he loved was slipping away from him, and he could do nothing to stop it. His eyes were swollen from tears, his face streaked with them.His grip tightened around her hand, as if he could hold on to the last fragments of her life with sheer will alone. But even as he held her, even as he whispered her name over and over, it felt like the world was slowly fading to black."Tasha, please… please, wake up. I’m
The opening of the mall had arrived, and excitement filled the air. Daniel, standing near a jewelry stall, was busy directing his workers, making sure everything was perfect for the big day. The mall was filled with people, buzzing with energy, and yet, Daniel's mind seemed distracted.A flicker of movement caught his eye in the mirror before him. A boy stood behind a pillar, but Daniel thought nothing of it at first. After all, it was such a crowded day, and people were everywhere.But when Tasha entered the makeup shop a little later, Daniel's mind was drawn back to the strange sensation that someone was watching her. She was absorbed in picking out lipstick shades, inspecting them carefully in the mirror, when suddenly, her heart skipped a beat. In the reflection, she saw the boy from earlier – Carl – standing just behind her.She spun around quickly, her breath caught in her throat, but no one was there. It must have been a trick of the light, she thought, dismissing the unease cr
For the grand opening of the mall, Daniel had decided not to invite any actors, actresses, or high-profile political figures as special guests. Instead, he wanted the moment to be about one person—his wife.Tasha’s car pulled up outside the mall, and without hesitation, Daniel stepped forward to open the door for her, right in front of the waiting media. His smile was warm and inviting as he extended his hand to her."Come on," he said, his voice full of affection. Tasha, her heart racing, placed her hand in his, stepping out of the car gently. She was standing in front of the media for the very first time, and it made her feel a bit anxious. But before she could get too nervous, Daniel wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him. The simple act of his touch helped to calm her nerves, making her feel more at ease."Here, take the scissors," he said, holding them out to her. Tasha, still in a bit of a daze, had assumed he was joking, but seeing the serious expression o
That evening, after a long and grueling day, Tasha returned home to find Daniel waiting for her in the living room. The apartment was dimly lit, the soft golden hue of the table lamps casting a warm glow. The aroma of fresh coffee lingered in the air. She closed the door behind her with a tired sigh, and there he was—Daniel—lounging on the couch with an easy, mischievous smile on his face.“How was your first day as boss?” he asked, setting his laptop aside with a deliberate slowness, as if he were savoring the moment of her arrival.“Exhausting,” Tasha admitted, kicking off her heels with a grateful grunt and collapsing beside him on the couch. Her shoulders were tense, her muscles aching from a day filled with meetings, decisions, and memories she had been trying to bury for years.Daniel’s arm was around her in an instant, pulling her closer to him. His touch was grounding, like a lifeline. “And yet, you survived. That’s my girl,” he said, his voice full of pride.She smiled weakly
They had been working together for a week, but it seemed unlikely that this girl had even seen him once. He was lying beside his new bride, lost in thought, remembering Tasha. The image of her beautiful yet simple face, full of confidence, kept playing in his mind. A wave of deep regret swept over him. He wished he had appreciated her more, that he had valued her in the way she deserved. Maybe, if he had, she would still be with him now.Tears welled up in his eyes, and he quickly sat up, rubbing his eyes roughly, trying to push the painful thoughts away. His heart was breaking. The girl he had once known, the girl he had lost, was now married to someone else. She was no longer his, and it was all because of his own foolishness and insecurities."How's everything going?" She asked softly, her voice gentle as she styled her hair. She leaned her chin on his shoulder, wrapping her delicate arms around him, showing concern. He could feel her care for him, yet his thoughts were elsewhere.
Shehryar paced back and forth in his office, his brow furrowed with frustration. The weight of the company’s recent losses pressed heavily on him, and his temper simmered. His brother, Carl, sat across from him, visibly worn from the arguments they’d been having for weeks.“Has our time come?” Shehryar snapped, slamming his fist onto the desk. “Now we’ll work like employees in our own office under a girl?”Carl adjusted his glasses and sighed deeply, his patience thinning. “We’re not employees, Shehryar. We’re still partners.”“Partners?” Shehryar barked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Don’t joke with me, Carl. She owns 70 percent of the shares, and we only have 30 between us. That means she calls the shots in everything from now on!” He slammed the back of his chair in frustration, his anger palpable.Carl leaned forward, rubbing his temples. “Instead of yelling, maybe we should hope she’s competent enough to save what’s left of this sinking ship. We’ve got nothing left but this c
“Would you help me with something?” Daniel asked, holding a stack of papers in his hand. He extended them toward Tasha with a warm, encouraging smile.“Help? With what exactly?” she asked curiously, raising her eyebrows as she took the papers from him.“Well…” He leaned back casually, his tone light but deliberate. “I bought seventy percent of the shares of a failing company.”“What?” Her voice shot up in surprise, her brows furrowing in confusion. “Why would someone as smart as you invest in a company that’s going under?”“Because I thought I could turn it around,” he replied with a shrug. “But life has a way of throwing curveballs, and I’ve been too busy to focus on it. So, here’s the deal: I’m handing it over to you. You’ll be managing it from tomorrow.”Tasha’s jaw dropped. “Me? Are you serious? I don’t know the first thing about running a company!”Daniel raised an eyebrow, a sly smirk forming on his lips. “Why not? Did you get your degree just to decorate the house?”“That’s not
Tasha lay in bed, her eyes heavy but stubbornly refusing to close. Beside her, Daniel was peacefully asleep, his chest rising and falling with each steady breath. Yet, even in his sleep, he seemed restless, as if the memory of something unresolved lingered in his subconscious. A soft whisper escaped his lips, almost an apology directed at himself.Tasha couldn’t help but study his face, her gaze tracing every line and curve. “How beautiful he is,” she thought, a soft smile playing on her lips. Daniel was her prince, flawed yet captivating, and even in the darkness of the room, he exuded a warmth that drew her closer.She leaned in, her nose brushing lightly against his, and closed her eyes. The heat of his breath fanned her cheeks, and for a moment, the world stilled. “This,” she whispered to herself, “this is the most beautiful moment.”Daniel stirred slightly but remained asleep. Tasha chuckled softly, a memory tugging at her heart. “I remember,” she began, speaking to him though sh
"Let’s have breakfast quickly. You must be starving,” Daniel said, his voice steady but carrying a hint of concern. He watched Tasha closely, as though gauging her mood.Tasha raised her eyebrows, her lips curling into a wry smile. “I must be? How do you know?” she asked, her tone teasing yet laced with curiosity.Daniel hesitated for a moment, his confusion evident. “What do you mean?”“That I’m hungry,” she replied softly, leaning back slightly, her eyes never leaving his.Daniel smirked, though his gaze turned serious. “How could you think for a second that I’d have breakfast without you? Especially today, after you called me yourself. Do you know what that means to me?” His voice dropped, becoming almost a whisper.Tasha blinked, slightly caught off guard. Daniel wasn’t the type to show his emotions so openly. But when he referred to her as his “E” – the affectionate nickname only he used – her heart skipped a beat. He could have called himself Daniel, the name the world knew him