- Noor's POV -

Don't cry, Noor. Don't cry, Noor. Don't cry, Noor.

I thought, I thought just maybe, this time I could be more than a friend to Lateef.

It stung. It stung painfully hard the second his words processed into my head.

I had the biggest crush on her in high school.

How did I not notice? Of course I didn't notice. We barely crossed paths outside of class. Farrah and I always hid out in the least crowded areas for lunch.

Did Farrah know? What if she knew and didn't tell me because of my feelings?

"O-oh? How is it that you knew her but not me?" I ask, just slightly upset.

"I never saw her outside of the classes we had together. I don't think you were in those classes?" Lateef starts sounding nervous.

"I was in all of her classes." I teasingly lie, trying to hide the hurt.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry, Noor. I didn't know. I swear I'm just stupid—"

I burst into laughter. "I'm just kidding. I only had one or two classes with Farrah each year in high school and you weren't in any of them."

He sighs a breath of relief. "I was about to throw myself out of the window because of guilt."

"Maybe I can help get you on her good side?" I wink, trying to not look like I'm about to cry.

"Please, do. I tried in high school and she always brushed me off. It was almost like she hated me." Lateef explains.

It's because of me.

"Did she ever... uh... talk about me back then?" He asks.

No, because I always talked about you.

"No, not that I can recall." I say.

"But, please do put in a good name for me with her. I'd love to chat with her some day." He grins.

Another stab to the chest.

"Of course." I nod.

"Bye, darling! See you soon!" Nadira walks out of Yasir's office, her hair a little disheveled.

She only gives Lateef and I a dirty look before walking away.

"Thank God the witch is gone. I might've been really close to setting her on fire." Lateef laughs.

"I agree." I smile. "I–I have to go back to work. I'll talk to you later?"

"Yes! Of course! Sorry for holding you up. I'll see you later." He waves, leaving behind a very depressed Noor.

Usually, after lunch, Yasir doesn't leave his office and no one comes in without calling in first.

I squeeze my eyes shut, the tears I had been gulping down finally set free. The aching in my chest increases and all I want to do is sob as loud as I can.

I cover my mouth with my hand, to not let the sounds escape as my tears begin to free-flow.

I really started to fantasize about a nikkah with Lateef. I'm so stupid, I'm so stupid to take his flirting seriously, I'm so stupid to think I had a chance with Lateef Asad. The sweet, handsome and funny Lateef Asad.

For some reason, in life, I always hit peak and then everything comes crashing down in the most heartbreaking way possible.

At this moment, I should be thinking about how Allah must have a better plan for me. Someone else who's made for me but it hurts so much that my thoughts are clouded with nothing but sorrow.

It was just a crush, Noor. Don't be overdramatic.

"Uh..."

I look up to see Yasir standing right in front of me, looking at me awkwardly.

I quickly wipe my tears. "Yes?"

"I need you to email the company we had a meeting with last week." He says, trying to avoid eye contact. "Tell them we'll send the contract in a week."

I should be the one trying to avoid eye contact.

"Okay."

He turns away to walk away but stops himself and turns back to face me.

"Did someone say something?" He asks.

I shake my head, pursing my lips shut. If I peep one word, I might burst into tears.

"Well, someone must've said something or else I'm sure I wouldn't be seeing this waterworks." He raises a brow.

How insensitive but also not at the same time.

"It doesn't concern you and it wouldn't matter even if it did since I'm nothing more than your secretary and that's it." I bite back.

He rolls his eyes, making me want to punch his teeth in but in reality, I was only upset at my own situation.

I've come to accept Yasir's dispassionate and impassive self but his attitude right now isn't helping.

He walks back inside to his office room, without sparing me another look.

My eyes drip with tears yet again, "I don't understand why it's bothering me so much!" I whisper angrily to myself as I try to focus on my work.

After a couple of hours, it's time to head home and stretch out after cramping behind this desk for the whole day.

The second I hang my bag on my shoulder, Yasir comes out of his office with a look of contemplation on his face.

He strides towards me, grabs my hand and starts walking towards the elevator.

It all happened so quickly I didn't understand what's going on. I stare widely at him, then at our hands and back at him again.

"Sir, what are you—"

"Be quiet." He says.

"Be quiet ? You're the one—"

"I said shut up." His time more trash this time.

"Let go of my hand." I protest.

He doesn't answer, neither does he loosen his grip on my hand.

He pulls be behind him, the other women in the office who were going home just stare; some in amusement or confusion and some with envy.

He opens the passenger side door of his car and pushes me inside.

"At least tell me what—" he slams the door in my face.

Once he sits in the driver's side, I finally erupt. "Can you tell me what the hell you're doing?"

"If you learn to keep your mouth shut, you'll eventually find out." He answers as he backs out of his parking spot.

"I have to go home. This is a crime, you're basically kidnapping me." I argue but he doesn't answer.

The drive was only 10 minutes but I anxiously sat through those 10 minutes, thinking of all the possibilities.

Is he going to actually kidnap me?

Murder me and throw me in the lake?

Feed me to the dogs?

He finally parks his car near a lake.

Oh, so he's going to murder me and throw me in the lake? Amazing.

"Out." He says.

"Out?" I ask in confusion.

He sighs and leaves his car to open my door.

He grabs my hand again and drags me to an area in front of a lake where there's a colourful tent set up.

"Is this where you murder me because I hate your girlfriend? Because I'll walk in voluntarily." I grin.

"You're a lunatic. Look inside." He stands with his arms crossed over his chest.

I peak inside the tent to see... kittens! Fluffy kittens! Of all different colours and all with adoring eyes.

"Hi, you must be Noor?" An older women with a kind face greets me.

"Yes?" I look at her with confusion.

I'm just confused all around.

"So, you're the lucky lady! Welcome! A gentleman named Mr. Yasir Khan rented out Kitty Playtime for you for an hour. You have the hour to play with these kittens to your heart's extent." She smiles.

I blink in confusion. "C-could you give me a minute?"

"Yes, of course." She nods.

I bolt out of the tent, looking around frantically for Yasir. My eyes spot him a little further away from where I am, near the edge of the lake, staring off into the distance.

I run to him, I run as fast I could.

Once I reach him, he stares at me with an uncertain expression. "You don't like kittens?"

I burst into tears. I start sobbing completely uncontrollably because I didn't expect this kind of a gesture from him.

I would've hugged him if I could. I would've just held him for the extra comfort. But instead, I just stood there, crying.

"Shit, you hate cats?" He sighs.

I shake my head. "I love cats."

"Then? Why are you crying?" He knits his brows together.

"Because this was so sweet of you. I-I didn't expect this. Thank you so much!" I sniffle.

"You're crying because this is sweet?" He asks as if crying from happiness isn't a thing.

I nod.

"You're a little weird, you know that?" He smiles ever so slightly.

He didn't even bother asking why I was crying at the office, he didn't even care but tried to make me feel better anyways.

He gave me a play date with kittens, for God's sake! That's the cutest damn thing. My emotions have taken a complete 180 and are doing somersaults for this man.

If he keeps this up, I might just want to marry him instead.

"Don't start taking this as a regular thing. I only did this so you wouldn't be crying everyday during work for whatever reason and decreasing your productivity. I don't pay you to cry." He says.

"Yes, sir." I grab his sleeve and drag him with me.

"Hey! I'm not going in—"

But it was too late, I already brought him inside and forced him to sit down. I place a kitty on his lap and watch him instantly drop his guard.

"I'll leave you and your boyfriend to it, then. I'll be right outside if you need me." The polite lady says.

"Boyfriend? He's—"

"Yes, thank you." Yasir answers before I could clarify our relationship.

"Why do you find so much joy in telling people we're a couple? Do you have secret crush on me by any chance?" I smirk.

He snorts. "In your deepest dreams, Ms. Noor Malik. It's entertaining in itself to watch your embarrassment and discomfort when people think we're a couple."

"No, just admit it. You're crushing on me, Mr. Yasir Khan." I tease him.

All too quickly, he brings his face right up to mine. My breathing instantly gets stuck in my throat and my heart starts beating out of my chest.

His lips are slightly open as he stares at mine. He then proceeds to lick his lips for full impact on my heart.

"Or is it that you have a crush on me, Noor?" His words were as smooth as honey, his tone low and almost... seductive.

"I... I... you..." speak, Noor! Speak!

He pulls back and chuckles softly. "As I said, entertainment to its fullest."

"You're mean but I'll forget that just for tonight." My heart is still racing as if it's running a marathon and the tingly feeling in me hasn't stopped.

Why is he like this?

- - -

- A/N -

• What's your opinion on Yasir's sweet gesture? 🥺 Lowkey made my own heart go 💓💓💓 LMAO!

• I'm going to start crying if I don't finish my last assignment by tonight. 😤😤😤

Next Update: Every Friday and Saturday, Insha'Allah!

Please vote and comment and let me know how y'all feel!!