If you think about it, it makes sense.

The character that is.

Rafael and Aalia have this common trait that Yasmeen didn't notice before. Now that she does, it makes sense considering they are half-siblings. Birds of the same feather indeed, do flock together.

"So, you're the tramp my brother is set to marry" Came Aalia's screeching voice, one that's certified to make the situation much worse than it already is.

Yasmeen's lips set into a tight line, her eyes flicking to the woman's slightly narrowed. "I have a name. Say it or shut your mouth." So what if she's her potential sister in law? She's not married to her brother yet and as such will not tolerate such insults. She didn't do that before, not much has changed now.

Besides, the situation is already bad enough, she doesn't need this woman adding to her worries.

Aalia simply glared at Yasmeen, but refrained from adding any more insult in that way because she doesn't think she can handle it. Smacking her lips together, she crossed her arms over her torso and spared a glance in the direction where the men disappeared.

She then scoffed, "I can't believe you're after both of them" She muttered not so lightly. Flicking her gaze to Yasmeen, her lips curled into a slight snarl. "You're betrothed to one, and you're seeing another...you sure have some guts"

Yasmeen gritted her teeth, but didn't say a thing because she doesn't know how to address this issue. Even she knows she's in some deep trouble because just a few days ago, she told Rafael there's nothing between her and Bros.

However, here's Aalia who is apparently his half-sister-the same woman Bros told her she's the love of his life. No doubt she will tell Rafael about this now, and that just messes everything up.

There's a ninety percent possibility Rafael would call off the wedding now. How is she supposed to explain this to her family? How is she supposed to explain that she doesn't know the man who claimed is in love with her just because he doesn't want to get married?

Who would even listen to her? Who would bother to hear that it's all a misunderstanding?

What about the shame she'll bring upon her family?

The worst fact is; she's worried about her father the most. She's done for when he finds out. That is the end of her-that's what she's scared of the most.

All because of that man...she's about to lose everything.

The thought had her clenching her teeth even more as she fisted her hand by the side, a headache starting to form.

"What are you playing at?" Came Aalia's voice again-this time laced with more distaste and a hint of suspicion.

Blinking, Yasmeen rested her gaze on the woman. "What?" Her attention wasn't on her so she didn't get what she just uttered.

Aalia's head tilted to the side slightly, her eyes watching Yasmeen up close. "What are you playing at?" She repeated. "What is your intention by going after them both?"

Yasmeen released a frustrated breath, looking away for a brief second before pinning her slight glare on the woman in front of her. "Listen, this isn't what it looks like" She doesn't know how to explain the situation.

Aalia instantly scoffed in disbelief. She couldn't believe Yasmeen's audacity to deny the allegation when she's caught red handed. Is she really that shameless? It is just as her brother told her-that his fiancée is seeing another man and she better than anyone can testify to that.

To think she has been wondering who the woman Asad claim to love is.

And behold...the woman her brother is set to marry.

It truly is a small world.

"So what? Are you trying to be another Zoya or something?"

Yasmeen frowned, her brows squished together. She doesn't understand what Aalia is talking about. Zoya, she said? Who is that and what does she have to do with it?

"-it won't end well to get in between those two" Aalia added, her lips set into a tight line. As she said this, they both know she is referring to the two men. "But you don't seem to care so go ahead and try" She considers herself a nice person for even bothering to warm Yasmeen.

Take it or leave it, she doesn't care.

Yasmeen didn't like the way the woman is talking in riddles though, and after a few seconds, she decided to ignore it because she doesn't want to be involved in this mess more than she already is.

There's something else that's on her mind though-and although it may seem stupid to inquire, she still wanted to be sure.

She straightened her spine, eyes narrowed at Aalia. "Are you really his sister?" She questioned, because for all she knows, the girl could be his girlfriend and he's lying about being related.

After all, she knows how that is possible first hand.

Just look at her.

A random stranger claimed to love her for whatever reason. Rafael could be doing the exact same thing especially since it seems he and Bros are acquainted.

Could be on the same boat?

Not to mention, she's finding their relationship to be suspicious because why would they disappear together? What is it they want to talk about that they can't do it in front of them?

Aalia quirked a brow, before shaking her head in disbelief. "What? Do you think he lied to you?"

"Answer me"

"Why should I?" Any other person, she would've answered. But she doesn't like Yasmeen one bit, and it seems the feeling is mutual.

"Because I don't trust you" Yasmeen know it might be hypocritical of her to say that when she is involved in a lie too, but she'd like to believe her case is different. At least, she isn't the one that lied-she simply went along with it.

Aalia chuckled humorlessly. "I don't care" She truly doesn't. "Believe it or not, that's between you and Rafa, not me. Although..." She pretended to think, before her lips slanted into a slight smirk. "...I think you can forget about your wedding with him but well, what do I know?"

Yasmeen's heard thundered behind her ribcage, her stomach instantly in knots. She swallowed thickly, and though she tried to hide it, her breathing still came out shaky. This is what she's afraid of.

Is this where her engagement with Rafael ends?

~*~

"I should've known you're the man she's seeing" Rafael stated, his gaze leveled with Asad's. "No wonder the figure looked a bit familiar" From the pictures he got of Yasmeen, he had a feeling that he knows the man.

He just didn't think it would be Asad.

Asad's expression remained blank, simply watching to see how far the man would go with all this. He was curious as to how the woman from earlier knows Rafael-though by the looks of it, they are close.

Unable to contain in, he questioned. "How do you know her?" His voice came out monotonous, though there was a hint of curiosity lacing his tone.

"Yasmeen?" Rafael knew she's the one Asad is referring to, but to annoy the man he decided to ask.

Asad didn't reply, but the look he gave Rafael was one that showed he isn't in the mood for whatever the man is playing. His expression wasn't giving anything away either-when did he learn to mask his features like that?

Hands tucked in the pocket of the chinos he had on, and with half lidded eyes; one glance at the man and you would know he isn't there to play whatsoever.

And honestly, if not for what he wants answers about, he wouldn't spare Rafael his time of the day.

Rafael's lips pressed together, his features tightening as he straightened his spine, his chin slightly jutted. "She's my wife" He answered, with no ounce of hesitation.

Asad arched a brow, his eyes lazily flicking in the direction of the two women a little far ahead where they are standing. His mind then wandered back to the conversation he had with Zoya the other day, and then he understood the situation.

Flickering his half lidded gaze back to Rafael, the corner of his lips slanted into the smallest of smirks. "You mean fiancée" He doubts the knot has been tied, else he would've known. After all, his mother is setting him up with the man's half-sister. Had it gotten married, Ama would've told him.

A scoff escaped Rafael's parted lips. "Same thing" Now that he knows she and Asad of all people know each other, he would like to claim his territory. "Didn't she tell you?" He inquired. "You two seem to be too cozy for my liking"

Asad clicked his tongue, his shoulders loose. He then offered Rafael a polite, but not genuine smile. "Why? Does it bother you that I know her?"

Rafael jaw clenched, eyes instantly narrowed. "How do you know her?"

Asad hummed, pretending to think. A few seconds later, he shrugged, the smile on his face not wavering. "You can call it fate" The smile widened slightly, though it never reached his eyes. "It seems like even fate wants us to be together"

Rafael's eye twitched, his expression pinched. "Stop spatting nonsense"

"Does it seem like I'm doing that?" Asad's head tilted to the side slightly, loving how he's getting under the man's skin. "Don't tell me you're intimidated now, Ralph?"

At the use of the old nickname, Rafael's expression hardened. "What sort of game are you playing, Asad?" He sneered.

Yet again, Asad simply shrugged. "I wasn't sure about it before..." He released a breath, his eyes never leaving the man standing in front of him. "...but now that I know she's engaged to you, I'm certain of what I'll do"

"Don't start something you can never win" Rafael mimicked Asad's stance, adopting a challenging tone. "Since when have you ever won against me, huh?" He mocked, his tone amused.

But instead of looking annoyed or offended, Asad simply chuckled lowly and shook his head. "See, that's where you're wrong" He pointed a finger at Rafael, before he dropped the hand. Tsking, he added. "This is why I feel bad for that woman. She doesn't know the man she's about to be tied to"

Rafael snickered, before flashing Asad a hard smile. "Don't tell me you're still sour about what happened all those years?" He inquired, though he seems to know the answer. "Come on, Asad. I didn't pin you as the petty type. We've all moved on, it's time for you to do so too"

"Don't be so quick to rule out possibilities" Asad knew Rafael won't understand what he's about to say, but one day, he will. "Nothing stays buried forever so you should always look over your shoulder. You never know when your past will come creeping."

And Asad was right, because his words were like riddles to Rafael and it showed on his face by the crushing of his brows. His smirk morphed into a slight frown.

Asad continued. "And about Yasmeen. Well," He sighed, his smile stretching. "I suddenly feel like taking her away from you" He watched Rafael's expression closely, knowing he would like it.

He did.

Because the pinched expression Rafael spotted was one that had Asad's smile widening.

"You think I'd let that happen?" Rafael sneered. He was thinking of breaking this engagement, because he wouldn't stand that attitude of hers. However, if Asad wants her, then he won't let her go.

"I wasn't asking for your permission though" The problem with Rafael is, he keeps believing Asad is the same man he knew back then. But even all those years ago, did Rafael ever know who Asad truly is? "She deserves to be someone better than you"

Rafael clicked his tongue, before scoffing in disbelief. "You aren't a saint either, Asad Gidado"

"Maybe not" Asad nodded slowly. "But I'm better than you, and that's a fact" Normally, he doesn't believe he's better than anyone.

But he knows Rafael and what he's capable of. He knows better than most that he isn't the type of man you'd want to marry. At least, not when it seems like his attitude will never change.

Rafael held the man's gaze for a few seconds later, before he sneered. "We'll see" He stated, and with one last glare, he turned around and walked off.

Asad stood there and watched as Rafael went back to where the two women are. He said something to Yasmeen, before he took his sister and the two left. Asad then took that as his cue to approach her, knowing they have unresolved issues and from the little he'd gathered on her-she'll think of running away.

Thankfully, he got there in time before she could think of doing so.

As he reached where she stood, he pulled out his phone and handed it to her.

Lips slightly curled into a frown and brows drawn in, she looked at the phone, then at him. "What?"

"Your number" He stated, before gesturing to his car. "You'll need to pay for what you did"

She scoffed under her breath, muttering something about how he doesn't know a thing about forgiveness. "Then take using me to lie as your payment" She doesn't want to give him her number-not with what she is currently going through.

Him having her number would make everything go beyond all this being a misunderstanding, and she doesn't want to be involved with him more than she already is. He has caused her enough trouble.

Asad released a sigh, his eyes slightly narrowed. He didn't want to use that card, but she is leaving him no choice. "First off all, you insulted me out of nowhere with no apparent reason. Then you entered my car without an explanation yet again. And now, you've created a huge dent on my car. Do you think you can keep getting away with it all?"

Her expression became pinched, eyes set in a glare. "What about you? Do you know what you caused me?" This man is making it seem like he is the only victim here, when she has so much on the line because of him. "You lied to a woman who now thinks we have a relationship. Oh, and newsflash, she happens to be my fiancée's sister. Thanks to you, he's now seeing me as a cheater and you think you're the only victim here?"

"You're better off without him anyway" He deadpanned.

"You have no right to say that" Her anger is slowly taking over, and she couldn't help it. Knowing what is about to become of her, dread, anger, and pain filled her being.

Her stomach is in knots thinking of how the next few days would go down...all because of him.

And now he's looking for a way to get her more involved. No, she wouldn't take that.

"-I don't care what sort of history you two have, but I want none of it. I swear if something happens to me, it's on you" She gritted out, her hand clenched by the side.

Asad shrugged. "I don't care" He stated, in a flat tone-not looking like he gives a single hoot about her situation. He wouldn't stand there and take the blame when she's equally at fault, maybe, even more than he is. "Now write down your number, because you owe me for this"

Yasmeen's eyes narrowed even more, hoping he would relent and walk away but the man held her gaze-not willing to back down.

She huffed out a breath, and snatched the phone out of his hand before inserting the eleven digits. When she was done, she handed it back to him.

The minute his hand took the phone, he dialed the number because he doesn't trust her to not give him some random number. Only a few seconds later, the phone that was in the car began to ring-though the sound was muffled. He heard it though, and that was enough for him.

Without another word, or at least, a glance spared in her direction, he got into his car and like the last time, drove away.

Left alone there, Yasmeen blew out a harsh breath and glared at the vehicle as it disappeared.

That darn man!

~*~

No, but if this wedding gets called off...akwai error fa.

But at the same time, marrying Rafael na wahala. Sha, maybe she should marry him? I need to make her suffer sha.

Asad I haven't forgotten about you either...you wee suffer!

Hehe. *Sips wickedness*

I randomly realized yesterday that I miss writing Sincerely, Aishatu tbh. I miss that hospital something. Maybe one day we go get another doctors lovestory because that one sweet me more than I expected.

For now though, lerrous fokos hon our bros and baby.

What will happen next? Me too I don't know.

Goodnight, it's Kdrama o'oclock for me. I swear if this kdrama messes my brain this book might end up taking a turn from a 'simple' book to 'wahala after wahala'. I sha like wickedness like this.

Las las, I will see you whenever.

Love, Jannah.