THINGS WEREN'T ALL PETALS AND ROSES IN MY MARITAL HOME. I resumed work which was the worst of all and Ibrahim had to go look over something that happened in one of the spots he was assigned to.

I'll be honest, I got a bit attached to him. We haven't really spent time together but it made me actually look forward to coming back home. So I tried as much as possible to pile up the work so I could stay busy just so I won't go back to an empty home.

I considered going to my parents house for a moment but thought against it knowing it would spark something when she realized I hadn't contacted Safiya for more than two weeks.

I pushed the thoughts out of my mind slamming my car door shut fixing my blazer, my heels clicking against the floors as a few heads snapped my way before going back to their business whilst I pushed the glass door of the entrance smiling at the bored looking guard lounging on the uncomfortable looking chair.

I switched my bag to my right hand stepping into the empty elevator pressing on the button of the floor I was going to as the doors tarted closing just as an arm reached out, placing his hand in the gap causing me to look up to see a man walk in looking disheveled.

We met eyes and he nodded at me in acknowledgement before focusing on the mirror trying to fix his appearance. His hand came up to tug his cap off his head running his hand through his hair. He wasn't fully Nigerian from the mop of untamed hair sitting on top of his head.

My suspicions were confirmed when he croaked out an innocent excuse me, causing me to look up and judging by his peculiar features, it was obvious he was biracial.

"I'm sorry what?" I shook my head with a smile.

"Do you know where the head of operations is? I couldn't understand what the receptionist was saying." He asked innocently causing me to tilt my head to the side. At my simple gesture, his eyes widened letting out a strained laugh.

"That not what- I didn't mean it like that. I mean she was talking too fast and she didn't want to repeat herself after three tries so I just gave up." He explained and I raised my brows in response, pursing my lips.

"I didn't even say anything." I let out a breath as a laugh, finding his flustered state cute.

He blinked. "You did not." He said out loud shaking his head. "I'm sorry I just don't really want to come off as a — " He trailed off raising his brows and I nodded understanding where he was coming from.

"She usually doesn't pay attention to people asking for directions. Consider yourself lucky." I commented just as the it dinged, the doors sliding open to my desired destination. He nodded slowly to the new piece of information as I stepped out of the confined space, feeling the fresh air warping my face.

"It's on the fifth floor by the way." I said just as the doors closed before he could say anything. I walked towards my office feeling a sudden weight dump on my shoulders.

"Now to start slaving." I muttered to my self pushing my door open, only to find someone there. The woman perked up causing my brows to push together as the familiar face came into view.

"Halima? What are you doing here?" I asked, my tone accusing.

"I- Barrister Ahmed sent me with this to welcome you." She snatched off an envelope off my desk waving it so I could we before placing it back where she kept beforehand walking towards me.

"That's kind of you." I forced a smile taking a few steps to the side leaving the doorway empty; politely asking her to leave my office.

The stupid grin on her face fell for a matter of seconds before she etched a tight smile onto her face before letting herself out as her loud heels echoed the hallway as she left.

For one, this wasn't how I treated my colleagues normally but as we all know, there is one person who always wants to be in the spotlight. And as soon as you get even a second if that spotlight, you're on the blacklist.

That's how Halima is. She's one of the best lawyers in the firm. Even though I hate how she handles stuff and sabotages everything I do, I had to admit she knew what she was doing.

There were other lawyers who were in her league and more that surpassed her, but her mother had a healthy relationship with the firm as she's always investing or donating in the firms name.

So she usually gets the hot cases and her career is just building day by day. The problem started when I took up a case in my early days and it turned out to be huge. It was all over social media and we won the case so it was a big deal in the firm as everyone congratulated me, except her.

She was cool with me before but as soon as I won my first case, she turned on me. The sabotaging began. Then the stares or the rumors that will circle around usually accusing me of sleeping my way to the top. I got tired of it and confronted her about it one day and it's been like this ever since.

The only thing that made it better was the director not caring about ranking but skill. So it was something to be worried to see her in my office with the door closed. She could be sifting through my files or my computer. But I waved it off placing my bag on the sofa before exiting the office once again, heading to Rasheed's office.

My knuckles came in contact with the smooth surface delivering three knocks to the door. A deep voice urged me to come in and i tugged on the handle pulling the door open.

My eyes landed on Barrister Ahmed sitting behind his desk with his reading glasses on as he surveyed one of the papers scattered around his desk. I took a few steps forward going to stand in front of him, careful not to disturb him.

"Good morning sir." I greeted lacing my hands together. His eyes raised from his paper offering me a nod before focusing back on the paper.

I was left standing for a few minutes before he kept the paper down, motioning me to take a seat on the chair situated in front of his desk.

"Please sit." He urged and I nodded taking a few stiff steps to the chair, taking a seat.

"I'm hoping everything is well." Barrister Ahmed commented earning a nod from me. "And you got enough time to yourself so I'm expecting greater results. I sent Halima with the file. The basics are all there. Get it fixed. Quickly." He instructed.

"Yes sir." I replied.

He picked up another paper signaling the conversation was over and I was quick on my feet, the office feeling a bit stuffy.

As soon as I closed the door behind me I turned on my to meet Radiya's mischievous ones. "You scared me." I mumbled placing my hand over my chest.

"Oh sorry did I startle you?" She said sarcastically, widening her eyes placing her hand over her mouth.

"Bi- Are you here to see him?" I jerked my thumb in the Barristers office direction. She pursed her lips nodding her head.

"Unfortunately. You left us with quite a lot of work. and Asmau chose the perfect time to ditch this firm." She rolled her eyes earning a sympathetic stare from me but she was quick to wave me off. "I'll be going now. I'll come to your office when I'm done." She promised  it bitheirng to hear a response from me as she knocked on the door.

•••

I dragged my feet behind me as I walked down the familiar path I dreaded seeing everyday. I pulled out the keys inserting it in the lock pushing the door open, my muscles sore under the shirt I was wearing.

I slid my feet out of the heels I was wearing only noticing I left the lights on. I guess I was too much in a hurry to turn off the lights. I shrugged the thought off walking further into the house not bothering to take the heels with me.

My neck lolled side to side as I tried to ease the stinging pain in my neck. My feet padded to the kitchen as I gulped down a glass of water before walking up the stairs to take a hot shower.

But my plans were ruined when there was a knock on the door. I suppressed the urge to tell the person to get lost or come in if they were comfortable but I unwillingly walked down the stairs once again to open the door.

I twisted the lock pulling the door open, my eyes boring into the familiar dark ones that managed to take my breath away every time. My heart unknowingly fluttered coming to face with the man who clouded my mind lately even at work.

His lips slowly quirked up as he leaned down, his arms grabbing my waist pulling me into his warm embrace. I didn't protest as I  wrapped my arms around his neck returning the hug pulling him inside the house.

His tall frame towered behind me as he closed the door behind him following closely behind me making me feel tiny. I halted my steps when I noticed my heels thrown to the side before I turned to him slowly.

"I was going to pick them." I cleared my throat leaning down scooping them up.

"I didn't say anything." He chuckled at my obvious lie making me look back at him once again. I couldn't help but chuckle.

We stepped into the living room to find my bag thrown across the room and Ibrahim getting the hint, turned his head the other way.

"I think I need some water." He brought up an obvious excuse eliciting a laugh from me as I went ahead to pick my bag heading to my room to freshen up.

I dumped the contents in my bag on my bed going to my closet to keep my bag and shoes before I forgot them. And I was quick to hop in the shower, desperate to wash all the filth and sweat off my body.

Wrapping the towel around my body, I walked to my room barefoot as my feet tapped on the tiles signaling it was wet. I threw on a light gown laying on my bed for a moment, only to fall asleep.

I don't know how long I was asleep but I finally woke up to find the sky darkening already. My phone pinged informing me Maghreb was in an hour. I threw my legs off the bed scrolling through my phone coming across multiple messages I was yet to reply. Mostly from Munira.

It would've been Safiya if we were on good terms. We didn't talk since that incident and I know she's probably hurt and I'm the cause of it, but I just needed time to myself.

My movements halted when I heard a faint sound coming from below causing me to furrow my brows as I ventured downstairs, the sound getting clearer the closer I got to the kitchen.

I leaned against the kitchen doorframe with my arms crossed over my chest, watching Ibrahim move around the kitchen with a jar of salt in his hands.

"What are you doing over there?" I called out expecting him to turn but his tall frame continued moving around as he walked to the other side of the kitchen.

"A surprise actually." He glanced at me, his eyes meeting mine for a second before he turned back again, taking the jar using it to pound something that looked like potatoes in a bowl.

Not being able to watch it any longer, I pushed myself off the door frame approaching him, standing beside him to see what he was up to.

"What are you making?" I inquired.

"Mashed potatoes. Trying something different for a change." He mumbled too focused to notice me grimace at his method of cooking.

"Interesting." I mumbled.

His brows pulled together in what appeared to be frustration as he placed the jar down, staring down at the bowl of potatoes. "It's not working." He muttered to himself but I picked up, my teeth biting on my lower lip to suppress my laugh.

"Babe," I called his attention causing him to look up at me, his brows furrowed. "I think you need to boil the potatoes first." I let out a laugh as his eyes lit up in realization.

His reaction elicits a laugh from me once again as he turned to look at me, laughing in the process. His hands reached out to grab me and I was quick to step back but he was persistent on catching me as I attempted to leave the kitchen, just as his arm reached out and grabbed my waist from behind pulling me to his chest.

My laughter only increased when he wrapped his arm around my neck, my hands reaching to clutch his arm as he leaned his head down just as I turned my face to glance up at him.

Face inches from mine, I could only stare into the dark orbs staring right back at me. The magnetic gaze making me feel open and vulnerable, as if he's already in my mind. That was the only way to explain why my heart sped up at the proximity, my cheeks hurting due to the stupid grin I couldn't wipe my face of whenever i was around him.

Falling in love wasn't part of my plan.

CHAPTER 10 FINISHED >>>

Anyone feeling their chemistry?

This scene is actually from a movie called don't worry darling. I would recommend the movie to you. The scene had a hold on me and I couldn't resist not incorporating it into the book🫣