Ibrahim slammed his phone on his desk. He sighed in anger, as it was his fifth time calling Jonathan, and it seriously drove him crazy. He gritted his teeth in anger when Jonathan again did not answer his call. He leaned his back against the chair and rested his head. He couldn't concentrate on any of his work, and everything that filled his head was Anna.Still closing his eyes, trying his best to calm himself, the sound of an incoming call from his phone made him get up abruptly. His eyes brightened when he saw the caller. It's Jonathan.“Jonathan! What took you so long to answer?” He said annoyingly once he picked up the phone.“I'm very busy handling your father-in-law's case now that I'm in the lawyer's office. What's the matter?”Ibrahim sighed, pinching at the bridge of his nose. “Why didn't you tell me that the day would be today?” He asked weakly.“Does that really matter? Whatever it is, I'm hanging up now. They will start interrogating soon.”“Jonathan N…No... Listen...”Ib
When you are guilty, it's not the sin that you hate, but yourself. You despise admitting that you have harmed people you care about. It's even more excruciating to admit that you are going to hurt a person who knows nothing but to love you wholeheartedly. Being guilty feels like a punishment because it won't let you be at peace, and this is exactly how Ibrahim is feeling now.He once thought that if he succeeded in capturing these two people, he would get the same feeling of satisfaction as if he had won a prize, but he was wrong. He is totally wrong. He got nothing except for the torture each time he looked at his own wife. Their marriage began as a mistake, but it was such a beautiful mistake that he refuses to deny that he genuinely loves the woman he has called wife. He understands now that an eye for an eye will only make the world blind.“What are you thinking so much?”Ibrahim raised his head to look for the source of the voice and saw a woman standing and leaning against the d
“Ethan, will mom be okay?” Anna turned to her brother, who was looking just as helpless as she was.Ethan nodded weakly. “Calm down, Anna. I will take care of her. You don't need to worry.” He tried to coax her.“How could I calm down? She almost fainted when you told us that Dad had been jailed. We all know that he has never done business in a dirty way, but why are they arresting him? Isn't it irrelevant?”Ethan sighed. He is just as vulnerable as his sister was when their father was being dragged to the interrogation room. “I'm sure that Arthur Jones has something to do with this.”Her eyes widened in surprise. “Did he get arrested too?”“Dad has warned him so many times not to involve our company in doing the money laundering, but he gave him the right over the company's cash flow. We thought that we could trust Arthur, as he is his best friend, but who knows that he is betraying us?” Ethan replied.Things are getting complex, she doesn't understand anything related to their busin
For a moment, she wished that everything she heard was wrong. The conversation between Natasha and Ibrahim is just a play; they do not mean it. Her chest hurts, and the atmosphere becomes so stuffy that it feels like it's very hard for her to breathe. Her legs started to weaken, and it didn't take much time for her to fall on her knees while her hands were still covering her mouth with her palms. What is this feeling called? It doesn't bleed, but it hurts. It feels like something sharp is digging into her flesh, and it feels like burning.“You are smart but stupid at the same time. You are smart enough to capture two culprits but stupid enough to fall in love during this. Ibrahim, don't you realize that Anna will just be a victim? She literally knows nothing but to love and devote herself to the man who betrayed her. You are a betrayer.”The right word to describe how she feels now is "betrayed." The feeling is far worse than disappointment. It feels like a dagger is piercing right t
“Anna, you got up so early today... Are you going somewhere?” Ibrahim asked in a husky morning voice. He just had opened his eyes, and saw Anna was completely dressed and ready to go.Anna walked towards the bed and sat on the edge of it. “Mom needs me. I'm sorry You'll have to have breakfast alone today.” She replied, giving him a forced smile.“Your brother is not home yet?”She nodded. “He's got things to handle, I guess.” She lied. When she was about to get up, she decided to give him another chance.“Is there something bothering you lately?” She asked carefully.Ibrahim looked at her with a confused gaze. “Me?” He asked back.“Do you…. have somethings that….. you really wanted…. to tell me?”Please tell the truth now so that I may forgive you.“I'm not sure what you are talking about…” He replied.A wave of disappointment washed over her. “I'm just curious. I'm glad that you don't keep anything from me. I'll get going first. Good bye, Ibrahim.” Said Anna as she kissed him on the
The day has gone colder, indicating that summer has ended and fall is approaching. It was cold, but the tall man did not seem to give a damn about it. Jacob was sipping his ice tea while looking at the person sitting in front of him with an uninterested gaze. He exhaled sharply as he put the cup on the table.“It's strange that you suddenly called me here. Just so you know, I don't drink coffee.” Jacob said, referring to the coffee shop where they are now.Ibrahim rolled his eyes. “I can't keep bothering Alan each time I have a problem. Moreover, you are my wife's best friend. You must know her very well.”There was a brief silence before Ibrahim talked, he cleared his throat and asked. “How long have you known my wife?”Jacob's brow furrowed. “I don't understand.”“Just fucking answer, me, Jacob.” Ibrahim replied.“Approximately 4 years. Is it long enough?”“What kind of woman do you think she is?” Ibrahim asked again as he slurped his black coffee, looking at Jacob with anticipation
Anna was sitting on a bench near the river park, waiting for the presence of someone. The day is getting colder as she tightens the grip on her coat. The day might be cold, but it feels numb because the pain in her heart hurts even more.“Anna….”Anna turned around, and her lips curled a little upon looking at the guy who called her. “Leo.”Leo took a seat beside her and handed her a warm cup of coffee. “It's getting cold here. Do you want to go somewhere warmer?” She shook her head. “It's okay. It's still bearable. Thank you for the coffee.” She replied.“It's fine. You looked tired. Are you okay?” Leo asked, looking at her dark circles under her eyes.Anna sighed. “Did you do what I asked for?”“Are you sure of your decision?” Leo asked back instead of replying to her.She took another deep breath to keep herself from crying, if she spoke now, tears would undoubtedly flow from her eyes.“It's okay. Everything will be fine, I promise.” Leo comforted her by embracing her and tenderly
Anna was speechless, and she was almost in tears when she saw Natasha walk angrily towards her. “I thought Emily was hungry because she was crying.”Without waiting for Anna to finish her word, she took Emily from Anna forcefully. “You better pray that nothing happens to my daughter, or else I will not let you go.” She snapped.Anna replied to Natasha with a sharp gaze as well. Natasha never cares for Emily, and the fact that she suddenly acts like a mother literally made her feel sick to the bones. She is just trying to pick a fight. Instead of Natasha, it was Anna who looked after her.“What happened?”A sound of a man's voice successfully made both Anna and Natasha look at the owner of the voice. It's the man of the house, Ibrahim.Anna was about to open her mouth and explain what had happened but she was a little late, Natasha spoke first.“Emily choked and cried badly when Anna gave her the milk. I feel like this is not her usual cry, and I'm very worried if something might happe
In the next second, Anna could feel his lips brush over hers, giving her a warm yet passionate kiss. A kiss that they missed, both. Each time he has her in his arms, she feels frozen. Why does his touch feel so magical? She can feel his tongue asking for entrance as she parted her lips only to let the kiss go wilder. She circled her hand on his neck, and as soon as she wanted to kiss him even deeper, she felt something kicking from her belly again, making her push Ibrahim away.“Why?” Asked Ibrahim frustrated.“He kicked again, it seems like he doesn’t like it when you kiss me.” Anna replied, rubbing her palm on her stomach.Ibrahim grinned at her. “He kicks because he can feel pity for his father that his mother kept on asking his father to go.”Anna glared at Ibrahim. “Don’t make such excuses! Look at the time. It’s almost evening and you should go back now.”“No, I’m not leaving yet if you don’t let me kiss you properly.” Ibrahim shook his head in stubbornness.She immediately stan
Sitting on the dining table, Anna poured the chocolate syrup on Sofia’s pancakes. “I know you liked your pancake with honey but we only have chocolate sauce and agave syrup. You won't mind right?” asked Anna because she knew her husband could be a little picky eater sometimes.Ibrahim was a little touched by her action. She still remembers little things about him. “It’s fine actually I’m very hungry as I haven’t had my dinner last night so I can eat anything.”“The last time I remember you didn’t eat Alan’s restaurant noodles, complaining that it’s too spicy and oily for you. And why didn’t you have your dinner last night? I've told you not to skip it.”Ibrahim smiled. “You still think of me all the time, isn’t it? And no, because I wasn't able to find a good stay here, all the hotels were previously booked because it's a holiday.”“So, where are you staying then?”“Don’t worry the room is small but it’s okay I can manage it.”Anna didn’t ask any further but focused her attention back
The night had turned into day in just a blink of an eye, but Ibrahim couldn't seem to forget what happened between him and Anna. He couldn't give up just because she was giving him the cold shoulder. Even if she keeps on pushing him away, he will always try to come back to her. He couldn't able to endure losing her for the second time. So that’s why now he is here, in front of a two-story bungalow that's located not too far from the beach where he met her.Ibrahim rubbed his palms together to warm himself because the air was getting colder. “Why is it taking her so long to open the door?” He mumbled on his own.However, not long after that, the door was opened. His lips curled up, thinking maybe it was Anna who opened the door, but the smile faded when he saw it was a little girl instead.“Who are you?” The little girl asked, looking at Ibrahim with a confused gaze.Ibrahim was confused as well. He looked at his surroundings and his phone screen, checking if he really had the right ad
Ibrahim heaved a deep sigh. He took off his spectacles as he massaged the bridge of his nose gently. He couldn't help but force himself to concentrate on his work as he looked at the piles of documents he had to go through. He put on his spectacles and moved his gaze back to his notebook screen. At the same time, his phone rang.“Yes Jessica.” He picked up the phone with his left hand while clicking the mouse with his right.“Sir, the annual shareholder conference will be held this afternoon after lunch. I have the documents and presentation slides ready.”Ibrahim kept quiet for a while when he heard Jessica say the annual shareholder conference because it usually takes place somewhere near the end of the year. Oh, how time flies, and it should be his wedding anniversary soon, but he is still here, alone.“Sir, are you there?” Jessica's voice was heard again.“Ah, yes. Notify me when we're about to start.” Ibrahim replied.“Noted.”After sleepless nights, skipping meals, and consuming
Anna POVHow does it feel to live in circumstances where you have to battle with your own feelings? To me, it feels like torture. People said feelings are more dangerous than ideas, because they aren't susceptible to rational evaluation. They grow quietly underground before exploding all over the place. You tend to act in the opposite way from the rational side if you act based on your heart, and vice versa, because your heart doesn't have thoughts.I loved that man. Oh no, I still love him. If the feelings could not be forgotten after sixteen years. I doubt if several months can. Day by day, I missed him a little more than yesterday. I missed his voice. I missed his smile. I missed his smell. I missed his hug, and I missed how he made me feel wanted. I missed how he praises every bit of my body while making love with me. If I love him that much, why would I leave him? I left him not because I no longer love him, but because I love him so much that it started to hurt me.I realized th
The cool breeze blew through her hair softly. The leaves have turned yellow and are slowly falling, filling up the street. Summer slowly collapsed into fall. There is a saying that goes, Autumn leaves don't fall; they fly. They take their time, wander around, and this is their only chance to soar.Anna tightened her coat as soon as she got off the taxi, walking into one of the most famous barbeque restaurants in London Road.Her lips curled up upon looking at the faces that she recognized wholeheartedly. She could see one of them waving their hand at her, and she didn't think twice but to approach them and hug them tightly.“Sorry for the delay. There was a lot of traffic.” Said Anna as she took a seat.Lily laughed softly. “It's okay, Anna. We are used to it.” She joked.“Let's order something first. I'm very hungry.” Jacob interrupted them before they could even start their bickering.Just like in the old days, the three had a nice barbeque meal with cheers and laughter. Anna couldn
“Dad!”Anna shrieked with delight as she noticed her father seated on the couch in their living room, smiling broadly at her. She didn't hesitate, but immediately plunged herself into her father's embrace.“Dad, are you alright? You didn't get hurt anywhere, right? How are you?” Anna bombarded the questions at her father, her eyes welling up with tears.Paul laughed amusedly. “You stupid girl. I’m fine.”“Dad, when did you get home? And why did no one even tell me that you came home.” Anna pouted, still hugging her father. Rachel and Paul looked at each other letting out an awkward laugh which didn’t fit into the environment. She looked confusedly at her parents’ reaction.“It's not such a big deal, Anna. The thing is that I will be fine.” Said her father trying to convince Anna.Anna sighed. “Why didn't you tell me? I have been so worried about you.”It's not that he refuses to tell her daughter. She just got discharged from the hospital and he does not want to add more pressure to h
“Okay. I will do everything you want, but could you please consider your thoughts again?” Asked Ibrahim as he looked at Anna with an expectant gaze.Could she really tell him to stop giving her that look? It feels like she is going to break down soon. He had become her weakness as much as she became his.“I have told you. We are done, and there is nothing more that we can do. I can’t even if I want to.” She replied the last sentence like a mere whisper without looking at him, trying to sound firm, but deep inside her heart, she's crying hysterically.Ibrahim tried to inhale as much air as he could to calm himself down because the atmosphere started to become suffocating for both of them. There was a brief moment of silence before he dared to look into her eyes, again.“Anna, do you remember when I first met you in the French restaurant?” Asked Ibrahim.Of course, she does, and things in her head start to fly back to the first time they met, when Luke had to gather all of his forces to
Alan patted Ibrahim's shoulder lightly, as if he were giving him strength. He even gave him a light smile. “Everything will be alright, Ibrahim.” He spoke.Ibrahim sighed instead. It has been two days since Anna was admitted in the hospital, and he couldn't see her since she was awake because he was told that she didn't want to see him. It feels extremely excruciating for him.“Do you think she wanted to see me now?” Ibrahim asked with his head held low.“Where did the strong headed Ibrahim Saunders go?” said Alan trying to calm him down. He understands from which phase his best friend is going through and he knows how to make Ibrahim face this situation, a little push is what he needed right now. Ibrahim looked up at Alan in confusion. “What do you mean? It's not the time to joke around.”“I have known you for how many years… twenty years Ibrahim. You’re a strong and capable man that everyone in his office is afraid of, but the one in front of me now is a coward.” Alan said, trying