~~~ 🕊️ ~~~

Hayat's POV

We entered the office room that was a spacious, light-filled design studio with a buzz of creativity. The room was adorned with elegant furnitures that looked comfortable and welcoming.

The walls were adorned with beautiful design samples and architectural blueprints that was inviting the eye to wander and the imagination to soar.

The room was filled with anticipation as we all gathered around a large wooden table. At the head of the table stood Zaid Khan, the stupid boss of this interior designing company. However, he exudes confidence and creativity.

The room also had a separate wooden table with a laptop already opened, probably that place belonged to Zaid. Above his seat there was a large logo board displaying their company logo, "Zaid Architectural & Design'.

Everyone hurried to take a seat while I was still observing the interior of the room. The lighting was gentle and artfully arranged, casting a warm glow that dances across the room. Streams of natural light poured in through the large windows, bathing the space in a soft, golden embrace. Delicate curtains, sway gently, adding a touch of elegance and whimsy to the atmosphere.

Lush green plants thrive in every corner, infusing the space with life and a touch of nature's tranquility. Their vibrant leaves cascade gracefully, creating a sense of harmony and well-being.

Bookshelves lined the walls, filled to the brim with a diverse collection of literature and knowledge.

In this cosy interior, every element has been thoughtfully curated to cultivate a space where creativity, productivity, and a sense of community thrive.

I came out of my trance when I heard Zaid saying, "If you are done looking around, please take a seat Ma'am"

Everyone chuckled while I mumbled a sorry and rushed to the only empty seat, to the left side of ZAID KHAN.

Probably my fate hates me!

As I sat on the chair I found a cute box neatly wrapped with a blue gift paper on the table. I looked around the table and pretty much all four of us had the same box as mine, in front of us. Probably it was a welcome gift to us.

Zaid cleared his throat and started talking, " First of all, congratulations on becoming a part of our interior design family. We are thrilled to have all of you here. We've got welcome gifts for everyone, I hope you will love it. Today marks the beginning of an exciting journey for all of you. I hope all of you are excited for it"

"Yes, we are. I'm really excited to be here and to contribute my passion for interior design to this company.", Said Arsalan.

"That's wonderful to hear, Arsalaan." He added, "We believe in fostering a collaborative and innovative environment, where each member of our team has the opportunity to shine. Most importantly, if you have any issues with any of the colleagues, or the projects or even with me, please do sort it out then and there so we don't have anyone having any hard feelings towards others. Got it?"

"Yes, sir", We all said in chorus, like as if we are in school.

"Great! On your first day, I want you to familiarize yourself with the office layout, meet your colleagues, and get acquainted with our ongoing projects. We encourage you to explore our design library which is right next to this room, it is stocked with books, magazines, and samples to inspire your creativity. Don't hesitate to ask questions or seek guidance from your colleagues. We are all here to support each other."

My eyes light up with excitement, design library was something I was always looking forward to visiting.

"Lastly, we have a team lunch every saturday along with Haziq's team, where we gather to share our progress, exchange ideas, and celebrate our achievements. It's going to be a wonderful opportunity to connect with everyone and build lasting relationships."

"Wow, that's really exciting." I said excitedly smiling at Zaid for the first time.

"Alright, all of you can now go to the design library, have a look and get some inspiration. Get comfortable with our workplace, We will start on our project after lunch, In Sha Allah" Zaid said to which we all nodded. He then walked to his table and continued his work.

"I love this place already" said Ramla her smile widening.

"Me too" added Raiha.

We slowly started unpacking our gift, inside the box there was a note from Zaid Architectural and Design team (Zaid A&D team), welcoming us to their team, along with a mug and a notebook emblazoned with the company's logo and some cute stationery.

As much as I hate Zaid Khan, I don't hate his office.

***************

I admired the thoughtful welcome gift as I carefully unwrapped the mug, noticing the delicate design etched along its surface. But just as I was about to place it back in the box, a voice startled me.

"Nice mug, isn't it?" It was Zaid, flashing a smile. I quickly nodded, avoiding eye contact as a subtle flush crept up my cheeks. I didn’t come here to make friends—especially not with people like Zaid.

"Very professional of you, Hayat," Raiha whispered, her tone teasing, as she nudged my arm.

I rolled her eyes,"I was just—"

"Admiring the mug. We know," Ramla finished the sentence, grinning. "But we really should check out that design library before lunch."

We all stood and made our way to the library, a few steps away from the main office. As we entered, my breath caught in my throat. It wasn’t just a design library—it was a treasure trove.

The room was massive, with floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with design books and magazines, everything from classic architecture to cutting-edge modern trends. A massive table in the center of the room displayed samples of fabric, color swatches, and intricate miniatures of designs.

“Whoa, this is… insane,” Arsalan muttered under his breath, finally showing a flicker of awe.

For a moment, I forgot all about my dislike for Zaid and the weird vibe of being the new hire. I drifted towards the shelves, my fingers trailing over the books, pulling out a large volume filled with floor plans and innovative designs. I could already feel the inspiration bubbling inside me.

"I could live here," Ramla whispered with wide eyes, her hands clasped together like she was about to start praying.

I chuckled, though I was secretly thinking the same thing.

I could live here!

My eyes landed on a shelf in the back of the room, slightly hidden behind a heavy curtain of plants. Curiosity piqued, I made my way over, pushing a few leaves aside. I found a small section of books tucked away that didn’t quite match the rest. They were old—some with faded leather covers, titles embossed in gold.

“Hey, check this out,” Hayat called softly, lifting one of the ancient books. It was heavy, its pages yellowed with age. As I  opened it, something fluttered out—a piece of paper, worn at the edges. I picked it up, my heart skipping a beat.

It wasn’t just any old note—it was a blueprint. And not just any blueprint—it had the initials "Z.K." scrawled at the bottom, along with a date that was several years old. My eyes narrowed.

Why would Zaid have something so old and secretive hidden in the design library?

"What's that?" Arsalan asked, peeking over my shoulder.

I quickly folded the paper and stuffed it into my notebook. "Nothing. Just an old design."

Before Arsalan could press further, Zaid entered the room. His gaze instantly locked onto me, and for a moment, I felt like he could see straight through me. I mentally cursed myself for being too curious.

"I hope you’re all finding inspiration in here," Zaid said, his voice smooth but edged with something unreadable. His eyes flicked briefly to where I stood, but then moved on to the others.

"Absolutely," Ramla answered with a wide smile, clearly still on her design-high.

Zaid nodded. "Good. After lunch, we’re going to dive into our project. I hope you're all ready for some hard work."

My mind was racing, but I forced myself to nod along with the rest of them. Whatever that old blueprint was, I wasn’t going to forget about it anytime soon.

As Zaid turned to leave, his eyes met mine once more, lingering just a second too long. My heart thudded in my chest. Was it just my imagination, or did he know I had found something?

"Enjoy the library," he said before walking out.

As soon as the door clicked shut, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

"That guy is intense," Arsalan muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "But seriously, what was that paper you found? You looked like you’d seen a ghost."

I swallowed, my fingers tightening around my notebook. "It’s nothing. Just… something old."

I knew I wasn’t ready to trust anyone just yet. But one thing was for sure—there was more to Zaid Khan and this company.

~~~ 🕊️ ~~~

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Heyy/ Assalamu Alaikum ❤️
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