"I don't care who the opposite party is. I want that land to be mine." She yells to the person on the other side of the call. Her stern voice carries loudly, as she walks inside her office building.
"But Ma'am." The man on the other side of the call blurts out nervously. "The other party is offering the double amount of what we agreed to pay."
"And Mrs Siddique is considering them above us." He continued after a second.
Maya halt in her steps, her grip on the phone tightens. As her eyes darken in anger, scaring away the employees that was on the floor. They kept glancing back and forth towards her in nervousness and indulged themselves in their work, to avoid her wrath.
"Then offer her the double of what the other party is offering. I can't afford to loose this deal." She scowls. "Or else you won't get to see another day."
A silence followed and later, his voice trembles on the other side of the call. "Yes, Ma'am..."
But she didn't bother letting him complete his sentence, as she hung up the call. And resumed walking towards the elevator, as the staffs keep greeting her.
When she reaches the top floor of the building where her office is at. She couldn't help but eavesdrop a little bit to the employees conversation.
"Has our boss always been this cold hearted?"
"Yes, but it worsens after her husband cheated on her." Stated another employee.
"What?? He cheated on her!!"
"Given her nature, I understand why he did that."
Her mood worsens more than before, as anger clouded her vision.
Titling her head, she walk towards them and stated. "No wonder why you all are slacking behind your work. Because you all are busy bitching about the person who you are working for."
Their head snaps in her direction and their faces pale. As horrified and scared look took over their faces. They immediately started saying sorry and that it was a mistake.
Raising a hand in their direction, silently ordering them to stop their nonsense. She continues walking towards her office. Making them glance at each other and sigh in relief.
Just when they were about to sit in their seats, Maya halts in her steps and glance at them through her shoulder. Her face devoid of expression, as she removes her sunglasses from her eyes, which was as dark as night ocean.
As she stated clear and loud. "You can go and continue your serious discussion about me outside the office premises. Since you all are fired. And best luck finding jobs in another country, because you wouldn't be getting one here, as long as I am here."
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"Toh Is Deal Ko Main Ab Pakki Samjhu?" (So, should I consider this deal final now?) Ramiz asked, sitting in his chair comfortably with one of his leg over the other.
A silence followed after his question. His gaze stayed on the person opposite his, silently observing.
Sajal Siddique was a British women in her fifties with a stunning silver bob and thick, dark-framed glasses. Her no-nonsense approach made him respect her more.
Her shoulders tightened, and she hesitated to respond. Something flashes across her face, too quick for Ramiz to read.
"What happened, Miss Siddique? Your silence is stating otherwise."
Sajal Siddique's expression remained unreadable, her eyes fixed on Ramiz as she considered his question. After a moment, she spoke in a crisp, British accent, "I suppose you think you're quite clever, don't you, Ramiz? Trying to negotiate a deal with me as if I'm some novice in the business."
Ramiz's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "On the contrary, Sajal, I'm well aware of your reputation. That's why I'm sitting here, hoping to strike a mutually beneficial agreement."
Sajal raised an eyebrow, her gaze never leaving his. "Go on, then. Let's hear your proposal. But make it quick, Ramiz. I don't have all day to indulge in your charm."
"I am ready to give you the double the amount of what's actually your land worth is." Ramiz chuckled, his eyes shining with confidence.
Sajal expression remain skeptical, but Ramiz could see the wheels turning in her mind. "Well, I need some days to think." She stated after a pause.
"You are going back on your word. I thought I wouldn't need to convince you more due to our past deals."
"Maybe I am, Ramiz. But this land is quite relevant for me. It's where me and my husband made many beautiful memories." She for a moment get lost in her thoughts and a smile came on her face.
Shaking her head, her smile turned into a sad one. "If it were up to me, I wouldn't be selling this land anytime soon."
"It was lovely meeting you, Mr Baig. I hope you are understanding my situation." She stood up to leave, when Yawer who was busy shamelessly flirting with her secretary decided to speak.
"Is there a woman behind this reason?" Yawer lips curved upwards in a mischievous smile. His gaze drifted across the room and he adds. "Maybe that woman."
Ramiz and Sajal gaze drifted towards where Yawer was glancing at. Maya was seating across the room with few people, Mr Waseem Ali included. Like usually, she was wearing a stern look on her face.
Sajal hesitates for a beat. And she never hesitates.
Sajal gave a sharp nod and stated. "Miss Zaidi is after this land too."
And saying goodbyes to both the man she walks away with her secretary right behind her.
Ramiz dark eyes had stayed on Maya's the whole time. Who was unknown of his presence and seemed to be confronting the woman standing beside her.
Ramiz tear his gaze from her and sweep it over the man that was sitting opposite him, his bestfriend. Who had a goofy grin on his face.
"I wonder, why she is after this deal too?"
"Maybe she is obsessed too." Smirks Yawer and seeing Ramiz's glare directed at him. He continued, "I mean with Mrs Siddiqui land."
"No matter........" Ramiz stop mid sentence when a loud sound echoes in the air and chorus of gasp follows after.
Ramiz and Yawer gaze went towards from where the sound came and they were shocked at what they saw.
Ramiz features darken, as he unconsciously stood up, his hands were curled in a tight fist. The anger in Ramiz eyes were nothing in front of Maya's rage that could be seen in her eyes. She was taken aback by the slap that she got from the woman that was in front of her.
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"You are tension minutes late." An ugly high pitched voice greeted her. Maya roll her eyes and took a seat.
"Unlike you, I had a business to look after."
"So what's that important thing that you wanted to discuss here?"
"First have some food, the conversation can take place later." A woman in her mind fifties, Sana Ali who was sitting beside Waseem Ali. Who looked the older version of Maya, same features, same hair, said in a classy tone.
"No thanks. I don't have appetite right now."
"Nimra and Danir are getting married next month."
Maya who was about to take a sip of water freezes. Her gaze went towards Nimra her step sister, who had a taunting smile on her face and places a kiss on Danir's cheek. Who on the other hand, refused to look at Maya and was gazing lovingly at Nimra, not feeling even a hint of guilt and shame.
Her mind race with emotions shock, anger and a hint of jealousy. She had thought that she was over him. But hearing that he will be starting a new phase in his life without her and their son had her heartache. This sudden news bought back many memories which they both created, some beautiful, some worst and some that she doesn't want to think about.
Finally, taking a sip of water, Maya keep it in back on the table, oblivious to the stare on her. Her gaze went towards Nimra and said sarcasm clearly visible in her voice.
"I hope your marriage will last forever. But that would be a lie."
"Dusro Ka Ghar Tod, Khud Ka Nahi Banaya Jata." (You don't build your own house by destroying others.) She continued after a bit pause.
Her gaze was clashing with her step sister all the while. Nimra smile vanished, as she directed her glare at her and said. "It wasn't my fault that you couldn't make your marriage work, Maya...."
Her laughter cut Nimra off. "Aur Kitna Jhooth Bologe Tum? Mujhse, Tumse Aur Hum Sabse. (How much more will you lie? To me, to yourself, and to all of us.) If you weren't involved, my son would had a father in his life. A family that could shower him with love and blessings."
"I do feel sorry for you and your son. Only if you could be less cold hearted, selfish and workaholic, then maybe Danir wouldn't have left you."
Nimra words felt like a knife to her heart, her words striking a cord. Maya anger worsens, her resolve straightened, as she leans in.
"Don't feel sorry for me or my son. You should feel sorry for your own self. He left me for another another woman. The same could happen with you too."
Her words hit her, Nimra looked slightly shaken up, as Maya's word struck a nerve. Her family member turns silent, the tension between them palpable.
Maya gaze drifted towards the man who once owned her heart and returned it into pieces. Who was looking at her, as if she was a mere stranger. And not a mother to his child.
"As for Danir, I accept I made a huge mistake by marrying him. I mistook him as a diamond but he turned out to be a mere stone, worthless and useless." Maya's voice was laced with venom, her eyes never leaving Danir's face. "He was a weak man, as he couldn't handle a strong independent women like me and went after a weak, manipulative person like Nimra."
Danir expression remain neutral, as if showing that it wasn't affected him. But Maya could see the guilt flickering in his eyes.
Just then, her phone started ringing and her son picture appears on her phone.
Standing up, she look at the elder couple, her mother and her step father, Mr & Mrs Ali. And she said, "I think we are done here. I have a business and a son to look after rather than discuss my ex husband marriage. So I would like to take my leave."
"Maya, actually the main purpose of this family dinner was, we would like you to be the wedding planner for their marriage." Mr Waseem Ali said slightly nervous.
"I don't know if I heard this right or not? You want me to be the wedding planner for my ex husband marriage?"
"My company plans wedding for extreme rich, high society people. Not for some home wrecking women."
Maya's eyes widened in shock as Nimra's hand made contact with her face, the sound of the slap echoing through the room. She felt a surge of anger and humiliation, her cheek stinging from the blow.
"How dare you!" Maya spat, her voice low and venomous. Pure rage was reflecting in her dark eyes.
Nimra's head jerked back, her eyes widening in shock and pain as Maya's hand made contact with her face twice, the sound of the slaps echoing through the room. The force of the blows left red marks on her cheeks, and her eyes welled up with tears.
The room fell silent, the only sound Nimra's heavy breathing and Maya's ragged gasps. The tension was palpable, the air thick with unspoken words and unbridled anger.
By now Danir, Sana and Waseem Ali was standing beside Maya and Nimra not wanting any other worse incident to take place.
"You bitch........"
"Careful with what you are saying or it wouldn't be your marriage that people be attending. It too early for your funeral."
"Enough!" Waseem's deep voice boomed, his eyes flashing with authority. "This is getting out of hand. Maya, Nimra, that's enough!"
Sana stepped forward, her hands raised in a calming gesture. "Let's not let our emotions get the better of us. We're all adults here, let's behave like it."
Waseem Ali's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed on Nimra. "Yes, let's not forget ourselves. We wouldn't want any...accidents to happen."
The tension in the room was palpable, the threat hanging in the air like a sword of Damocles. Nimra's eyes flashed with anger, but she seemed to rein herself in, her lips compressing into a thin line.
Maya's eyes still blazed with defiance, but she too seemed to be holding back, her chest heaving with restrained anger.
Without saying a word, she started making her way towards the exit, but not before giving deadly glare to the soon to be married couple.
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She's wearing a beautiful pastel-orange spaghetti saree. Her silver hair is pulled up in a dainty ponytail and her face glows more than ever.
The back of her neck prickles, as Maya could feel someone intense gaze on her.
She was outside the restaurant and was about to go towards her car when Ramiz's deep voice has Maya turning around.
"That was quite impressive, Miss Zaidi."
"Are you stalking me, Mr Baig?" Maya arches her eyebrows at him.
Ramiz chuckles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Not stalking, merely admiring from afar. You made a lasting impression in there, Maya. Your...lively discussion was quite the spectacle."
Maya's eyes narrow, her gaze fixed on Ramiz. "I wonder how your company isn't going bankrupt when all you do is enjoy seeing someone fight."
"If it were someone else, I wouldn't give a fuck about it. But it was you." His gaze ran over the slight redness on her face that was caused by the slap.
Maya's eyes flash with anger, her face growing hotter. "You're enjoying this, aren't you? Seeing me like this, all riled up and vulnerable."
Ramiz's eyes glinted with rage like her, if she wasn't being delusional. "Vulnerable? You, Maya Zaidi? Never. You're as fierce as a lioness, even when you're wounded."
Maya's gaze drops, her eyes fixed on the ground. She can feel Ramiz's intense gaze still on her, and it's making her skin crawl. But at the same time, she can't deny the thrill of excitement that's running through her veins.
"What do you want, Ramiz?" she asks finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ramiz's chuckle is low and husky. "Oh, Maya. I want many things. But for now, let's just say I want to discuss something with you."
"That can't be possible today as I have errands to run to."
"How about tomorrow?"
"Are you really not getting the hint. I don't want to meet you ever again."
With that she started walking towards the car, anger still blurring her vision. Maya's eyes were fixed on the car ahead, her mind still reeling from the encounter with Ramiz. She didn't notice the other car speeding towards her, its tires screeching as it rounded the corner.
Just as she was about to step off the curb, a hand grasped her arm, pulling her back onto the sidewalk. Maya's heart raced as she stumbled backwards, her eyes wide with shock.
The car whizzed by, its horn blaring as it sped away, leaving a trail of screeching tires and burned rubber in its wake.
Maya's gaze snapped to the person who had saved her, her eyes locking onto Ramiz's concerned face. "Are you okay?" he asked, his grip on her arm still firm.
Maya's anger and embarrassment were replaced by a surge of gratitude. "Y-yes," she stuttered. "Thanks to you."
Their moment was broken by Yawer who grinning widely, with both his hand in his trousers pocket.
"Assalamualaikum (Hello), Bhabhi."
The anger that had faded away came back, as her stormy eyes fell on Yawer. Whose grin fall, at the look directed at him.
She pulled herself away from Ramiz. She glared at Yawer, as she threatens him. She speaks in a deep, firm tone. "Say that word again. And I will cut off your tongue into pieces and feed it to you back."
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