"Ahmed," I said his name, he turned to look at me. I gathered all my courage and continued to speak, "I can't help but thinking about what you said the other day... I know it sounds ridiculous but did you mean it when you said you loved me?"

"It felt like the right thing to say at the moment," he replied.

"So it's not true?" I asked.

"No it's..." He stopped talking, and stared at me. "I don't want to lie to you," he said.

"What do you mean?"

"I meant to say that I do love you," he said.

"Huh?" He walked towards me and got down on one knee and held my hands. The butterflies and mixed emotions and my heart beats arising, all made it very difficult to say something.

"Layla, I love you. I am in love with you, your laugh, your voice, your eyes and your smile. I don't even know how it's possible but whenever you smile I fall in love with you even more. It's not only that, it's the fact that I get excited for the future because I have you by my side. You have a part of me and I have no control over that. And I am sorry for the all the pain that I have caused you. I am so sorry... I really am. You deserve all the happiness in the world," Ahmed stopped talking and stared into my eyes as if looking for a response.

"As enigmatic and dark as I am. I will always find enough light to adore you to pieces, with all of my pieces," he spoke in a modulating tone, and then left my cold hands. He stood up and sat besides me. "That's my truth..." he said in a low tone.

"I don't know what to say," I told him.

"You don't have to say anything. I just needed you to know," he explained. I remained silent taking in everything he just said, sentence by sentence.

"Are you joking?" I asked, and stood up. I crossed my arms across my chest and looked at him, waiting for him to reply. My mind didn't know how to grasp his affection.

"No I am not joking Layla. Why would I be joking?" He got up from the bed and stood in front of me.

"You're sure and serious about what you said?" I asked, reassuring my thoughts.

"Yes I am serious and very sure that I am in love with you," He said and stood closer to me, our breaths almost mingling. "I love you," he said, a foreign speech. It was strange hearing him say it. Ahmed tenderly kisses me on the forehead, and pulled me in for hug. I hugged him back. After a while in his arms, he let go of me and looked at me.

"What if I don't feel the same way?" I asked him. Ahmed shifted his gaze, he looked discontented.

"I don't know," he replied in a quiet tone.

"Ahmed I am not sure about this..." I spoke, he looks at me.

"Well how can I assure you?"

"Give me time," I replied."Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't like you. I just need to know if I can trust you... you know, with my feelings. I need to know if I can invest myself, my time and love. I just need time," I told him.

"If time is what you need, that's fine by me. I just want you to know whatever you decide, I will care about you regardless. It's not easy disliking you, or ignoring you. To be completely honest, my happiness lies in your happiness," he spoke in a sincere tone.

"Thank you," I said.

"You don't have to thank me."

"Oh right..." I smiled broadly and he chuckled.

"So would you like to come with me to...um...uh," he spoke while staring into my eyes, unable to finish his sentence.

"To work?" I smile.

"Yeah that's the one," he said and nervously ran his fingers through his hair.

"What would I do at work with you?" I asked him.

"You could just sit and I'd look at you, so I don't have to miss you," he said. My cheeks flushed, and I become shy — tongue tied. "Or officially come in as a shareholder," he said.

"Shareholder?"

"Yes shareholder, you own 10% of the company. According to my late father's will..." He spoke, I took a step back.

"I can't accept... I don't need..."

"Layla it's not a big deal."

"It is to me. I don't know a thing about business let alone owning shares," I told him, sounding agitated.

"In that case I'll just teach you everything there is to know about business."

"Okay..."

"So how about we go for lunch tomorrow. I know this great place and I could teach you business," he said.

"Hah," I couldn't help but giggle like a little girl. "Strictly business?" I asked.

"I will try my best," he replied.

"Okay then. Oh and Sarah said we are re-doing the wedding on Wednesday."

"That's fine by me," he said while looking at me.

"Stop starring at me," I told him. Not only was I nervous, but I felt like I was going to pass out from my heart beating so fast.

"I am sorry, I can't help it."

"You should go to work," I say to him. He clears his throat and walks away.

"Yeah you're right," he said, while picking up his phone from the coffee table. As he was heading for the door, he turned to look at me — I hadn't moved, I stood nerveless, reminiscing over the moments that just passed. "Take care," Ahmed said.

"You too," I said. After he left, I started smiling to myself. Ahmed loves me? My mind just couldn't believe it, but my heart fluttered with that thought. I sat on the bed, and sat simply day dreaming. Then it hit me that I have a decision to make. A message pops up on my phone, it's from Ahmed. I took my phone, and viewed the message.

Ahmed: Imad is with me, he wanted to go to work with me.

Me: Okay.
Have fun :)

Ahmed: We'll be back in an hour or two.
You'll be okay?

Me: Yeah. I'll just call Sarah to see if she's free.

Ahmed: If you are going out, just text me and let me know.

Me: I will, insha allah.

Ahmed: You need anything?

Me: No I am good. 😊

Ahmed: See you later ❤️

***
Thanks for reading.✨