The crisp London air was alive with the hum of city life as Mahak Usman descended the marble steps of her Mayfair townhouse. The streets around her bustled with well-dressed pedestrians and sleek cars, but she didn't notice any of it. Her thoughts were preoccupied with one name: Faris Zaman.

She'd spent the past week fielding questions from her team about his latest move. He was always one step ahead, pulling clients from under her nose and driving her mad with his laid-back confidence. It wasn't until her father called her to an emergency family meeting that her frustration hit its peak.

In the Usman family mansion, her parents, Zafar and Naima, waited in the formal sitting room. Her brother Ehan, who rarely left his busy life as a doctor, had joined them with his wife, Amara. The room, filled with warmth and the smell of freshly brewed chai, was a haven from the chaos of Mahak's professional life.

"Mahak, we have something important to discuss," her father began, his gentle tone betraying the seriousness of the topic.

She arched a perfectly shaped brow. "If this is about Faris Zaman and Crescent Bay Resort, I've already got a plan-"

"It's not about Crescent Bay," her mother interrupted, her expression unusually grave. "It's about... you."

Mahak blinked, caught off guard. "Me?"

"You're both fighting over the same things, exhausting resources on deals that won't matter in the long run," Zafar explained. "The solution is simple. You and Faris should work together."

Mahak froze. "Work together? Baba, we're competitors."

"Not if you're married," Naima said softly, her words dropping like a bombshell.

The room fell silent.

Mahak laughed, but the sound was hollow. "You can't be serious."

Amara spoke up, her voice calm and measured. "It makes sense, Mahak. The media loves this rivalry, but a partnership-through marriage-would solidify both brands as untouchable. You'd dominate the industry together."

"This isn't a business deal, this is my life," Mahak argued.

"And your future," Zafar countered. "You're strong-willed and brilliant, but you need someone who can stand beside you, challenge you, and grow with you. Faris is that person."

Across the city in a modest but impeccably clean flat in Birmingham, Faris Zaman was similarly blindsided.

"Marry her?" Faris stared at his older sister, Sameena, in disbelief. "Are you joking?"

Sameena rolled her eyes. "Do I look like I'm joking? Mahak Usman is a powerhouse. She's everything you claim to admire-strong, smart, and beautiful."

"And impossible to work with," Faris muttered.

"That's because you're too alike," Sameena said with a smirk. "But imagine what you could achieve together. Besides, it's not like you've got time to think about romance on your own."

Faris sighed, running a hand through his dark, tousled hair. Marriage wasn't something he'd thought about, not since he'd buried himself in work after clawing his way out of poverty. His focus had always been on building his empire, not sharing it.

But Mahak...

He remembered the sharp glint of her eyes, her bold words that cut through boardroom chatter like a sword. She was infuriating, yes. But she was also unforgettable.

Scene Transition: The First Proposal Meeting

The next day, the two families met at an upscale halal restaurant in central London. Faris arrived first, dressed in his usual understated style: a fitted black shirt and dark jeans. Mahak entered moments later, the click of her designer heels drawing his attention. She was stunning as always, her bright eyes scanning the room with practiced ease.

"Faris," she said coolly, sliding into the seat opposite him.

"Mahak."

Their parents began with pleasantries, but the tension between the two was palpable. Faris broke the silence.

"So, they want us to get married."

Mahak's smile was sharp. "Apparently. I'm sure it'll be the wedding of the century, considering how much you love attention."

"And I'm sure you'll enjoy shopping for the jewelry," he shot back, smirking.

She laughed, surprising him. "You think you've got me figured out, don't you?"

Faris leaned forward, his dark eyes serious. "I know you're more than the headlines. Just like you should know I'm not the boy who came from nothing anymore."

Mahak held his gaze, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them.