Chapter 3

"Here's to our latest acquisition. To your leadership, Sheikh Aasif,"

Omar declared, lifting his crystal flute of champagne in a toast. 

I inclined my head, acknowledging his toast while seated in my lavishly designed home office. A dull ache of solitude washed over me, despite the raucous laughter bouncing off the marble walls. A lonely figure amidst the chaos, my smoky gray eyes 

"I guess we've just padded our pockets a bit more, huh?" Ahmad jested, prompting a ripple of laughter from our companions. 

A ripple of laughter followed his words, a shared joke amongst friends. But this room was more than just a venue for our jesting camaraderie. Important decisions were made here, decisions that shaped our futures and changed the world. 

"Indeed," I said, with a thin smile, as the chuckles slowly subsided, my thoughts wandered back to my sprawling ventures – oil, real estate, technology. The threads of my parents' legacy are woven into each one, each successful deal an ode to their stern upbringing. I should've felt warmth, a connection to them, but all that surfaced was a stoic appreciation for their training. 

The laughter in the room became distant, as a radio turned low. The vast emptiness within me was too deafening. Amidst the sea of acquaintances and allies, I was an island, adrift and alone. 

The thought of Nana Yusuf, the vibrant daughter of a seasoned politician, managed to sneak in. She was a shimmer of light in my otherwise monotonous life. After two years of courtship, the question of marriage still hung in the balance. Her hints were growing more evident, and so was my indecision. 

Suddenly, Ahmad's voice cut through my thoughts, "So, Aasif, finally tying the knot with Nana?" 

Everyone else hushed. My reputation for being a man of few words was well-known. I met Ahmad's inquisitive gaze with a level look, the stern warning clear in my eyes. He had crossed a boundary. 

"All right, all right," Ahmad chuckled nervously, raising his hands in surrender. "Just joking, Aasif." 

The conversation returned to business, but my thoughts stayed with Nana. Despite the bustling room, the laughter and cheers, all I could think of were the barren plains of Al-Qamar under its captivating moonlit sky. A metaphor of my inner void that wealth couldn't fill. Perhaps it was time to consider Nana's proposal seriously. 

With that thought, the hint of a smile, rare and fleeting, graced my lips, unnoticed in the lively chatter around me. Maybe, just maybe, it was time to let someone in. Let someone fill the empty spaces that my empire couldn't. Perhaps, it was time to let Nana in. 

Ahmed, my trusty assistant, interrupted our meeting. "Sheikh Aasif, it's time for the meeting at Aasif Central Hospital," he said, both professional and urgent. 

"Okay, guys, I need to leave now," I told my business partners, getting up from my chair. They all said goodbye as I walked out of the room, Ahmed following me. 

The trip to the hospital was short and quiet. When we got there, I said to my team, “I’ll use the back way to the meeting room. I don’t want to deal with small talk.” 

But as I walked down the quiet corridor, I saw a woman eating snacks messily. It was annoying, and I didn't know why. 

Suddenly, she turned and looked at me, annoyance clear in her eyes. Her reaction surprised me. No one had ever looked at me that way. For a moment, I felt noticed. 

She wasn't as polished as the women I usually saw. Her lips were full, her eyes were a bold blue, and her chestnut hair was wild. She wasn't traditionally beautiful, but she was different, real. 

Compared to Nana's refined beauty, this woman was raw. Yet, there was something about her that intrigued me. I found myself wanting to know more about her. 

 I sauntered into the auditorium, the chatter ceasing as I stepped up to the podium. All eyes were on me, faces beaming with respect, tinged with a familiar nervousness that often accompanied my presence. Clearing my throat, I kicked off the meeting, outlining our ambitious blueprint for the expansion of Aasif Central Hospital. 

Try as I might, my thoughts kept meandering back to that quick encounter in the corridor, to the fiery blue-eyed woman devouring her snack unabashedly. She was a welcomed distraction, an anomaly in my regimented world, a puzzle waiting to be solved. 

Finishing my address amidst thunderous applause, I gave an acknowledging nod and made my exit. I was ready to retreat back into my world, my life perfectly governed by the tick-tock of the clock and predictable routines. 

 "Sir," a voice broke my stride, pulling me from my reverie. It was Dr. Malik, one of the senior physicians. He extended a hand, and I shook it firmly. "Great speech, Sheikh Aasif. We're lucky to have you." 

"Thank you, Dr. Malik. I have every faith in the team." I returned his compliment with sincerity. Dr. Malik had been instrumental in developing many of our successful programs. 

"Yes, about that," he looked apprehensive, "We have a few challenges, particularly with some of the new initiatives..." 

"Go on," I prompted, my tone inviting him to voice his concerns. 

"Well, the digital healthcare initiative, for example. We're struggling with getting everyone up to speed. Also, resistance from some staff members..." 

"And why is that?" I asked, my tone stern yet inviting. 

"Some just aren't ready for such rapid change, I suppose. Also, there's the issue of resources..." he trailed off, a look of hesitation washing over his face. 

I leaned back, taking a moment to process the information. "Perhaps we need to invest in training, make it more interactive and less intimidating," I offered. "And as for resources, let's reassess the situation. I want everyone to have what they need to perform their duties optimally." 

Relief washed over Dr. Malik's face. "Thank you, sir. I knew we could count on your support." 

Our conversation left me thoughtful. Being at the helm came with its fair share of challenges, but resolving them was part of the journey. Shaking off the lingering concerns, I proceeded towards the exit. 

 Walking out of the auditorium, I saw her again. Her snack forgotten, she was standing near the back of the room, her attention riveted on me. Her gaze bore into mine, not filled with awe, admiration, or fear, but brimming with genuine curiosity. 

As if she saw past the façade of Sheikh Aasif, the billionaire businessman, the hospital CEO, to the man underneath. A strange feeling stirred within me, both exhilarating and unnerving. This woman didn’t know me, yet her gaze held a power that shook me from my complacency. 

Getting into my car, I glanced at her one last time. She was still standing there, her gaze lingering. Her intense eyes were etched in my memory. As the car pulled away, I couldn’t shake the sense of curiosity that she had sparked. 

“Sir?” Ahmed’s voice broke through my thoughts. 

“Ahmed,” I said, my voice steady. "I want more information on the challenges Dr. Malik mentioned and find out who that girl is. The one in the corridor." 

“Sir, is everything alright?” Ahmed's concerned gaze fell on me. 

I dismissed his worry with a wave of my hand, "Everything's fine, Ahmed. Just curiosity." 

As we drove off, I found myself hoping to see her again. This feeling was new to me. I had always been in control, always the one pulling the strings. But this time, I was the one left intrigued and curious.