"Any ideas?" Waleed finished with a flourish. I scribbled in my notebook, my eyes feeling heavy and crusty. Beside me, Viv raised her hand and I swiveled to look at her.

"Who's leading point on this?"

Waleed looked at me, his gaze heavy with meaning. I sighed and mustered a painfully fake smile. "I am," I announced.

A round of applause echoed around the table and I inclined my head graciously, acknowledging their appreciation and support. Viv gave me a gentle pat on the back and Jean Luc gave me an over enthusiastic thumbs up.

"So you're in safe hands. I'll be personally working with Ms. Gulzar to make sure we have the perfect mock up and the best content to launch our magazine," my mouth twisted into a bitter smile and Viv gave me another strange look. I looked away, making sure that my hair covered the expression on my face.

"In the coming days, Ms. Gulzar and I will be going over our possible team for this project over the weekend," Excited whispers rippled through the room with more than a few eyes flickering towards me. "I think that's all for today," Waleed muttered, clicking the projector off, being immediately surrounded by people wanting to be a part of the project.

I chewed at the edge of my pencil, slumped in my chair, feeling extremely tired. Viv gave the chair a gentle shove, her eyes alight with curiosity. "What's gotten into you?"

"Nothing."

"You're distracted. The corners of your eyes are red and your face is blotchy."

So much for making an effort. I was going to throw out my Nars concealer. That thing was useless.

"Just a sleepless night," I grumbled out. Viv blinked, unconvinced.

"Ms.Gulzar, can I talk to you for a second?" Ugh, Waleed. I did not have the patience to deal with him today. Specially since he looked so good in a tailored charcoal suit and a white dress shirt.

"Of course."

"Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine," he stepped closer and the faint woodsy smell of his cologne drifted up and registered in my senses.

"Are you sure?" Why was he so persistent? Why couldn't he let this go?

"Yes," the word came out much sharper than I'd intended. Waleed flinched back and I immediately softened my tone, regretting my harsh conduct. "When are we choosing our team?"

His eyes swam with questions but thankfully he didn't press any further."Tomorrow? If you're free? I'll send you a list of all the potentials over email, then maybe we can meet up and finalize the..."

My eyebrows rose up. "Meet up?"

"It'll be a lot faster and more convenient. I can come to your place, or you to mine..."

"No need, we can meet in one of the café's near your place. You said you'd bought a place two avenues away from-?" I realized my slip of tongue a second too late.

"You remember?" his lashes lifted and his eyes drilled into mine. "What, you can refer to it, but I can't?" I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. "Fine, I'll play by your rules. Text me the date and time."

"I don't have your number..." He gestured for my phone, intending to add himself to my contact list. I handed it over, my heart thumping loudly. His finger accidently brushed the Google icon and last night's results showed up.

"Well, well, well," Was it possible to melt into the ground? Because I think I just did.

Embarrassment wasn't strong enough a word to describe what I was feeling at the moment.

"I'll email them to you," I snapped, snatching the phone away, my cheeks hot and red.

"I look forward to Saturday Shazi," he said, flashing a quick grin, his eyes so dark that they almost seemed black.

My stomach tightened at the words. Saturday couldn't come fast enough.

I had decided to meet him a block away from my place. Donned in a pair of olive green culottes and a black full-sleeved shirt, I'd tried my best to look chic and casual. My pair of golden studs glinted in the evening sun, only partially hidden by my freshly blowdried hair. The layered cut accentuated my features and made my round face look slimmer. My only makeup was my full berry lip and a few coats of mascara.

I thought I looked pretty great.

With my small crossbody slung across my body and my laptop in my hands, I entered Le Petit Déjeuner Parisien with confidence. The charmingly quaint indoor and outdoor café was peppered with footpath tables and it proudly showed off a counter piled with custom made pastries. I found Waleed waiting at one of the few tables lined against the back windows, giving him a good vantage point to watch the street bustle with cyclists and scooters.

He hadn't seen me yet, his dark head bowed, as he looked at his phone. Thank God for small miracles. His diverted attention gave me the time to examine him as I walked towards our table. He was dressed impeccably, in black denim and a casual navy sweater.

We'd managed to twine with our choice of white sneakers.

"Hi," he greeted as I walked towards him, standing up and pulling out the adjacent chair. Great, he was a gentleman as well.

With every passing action, Waleed was making it impossible to ignore him.

"Hello," I muttered, pulling the laptop from its case and powering it on. "Okay. So..."

"You're not going to order first?"

An unintentional smile bloomed on my face. Eager were we? "This won't take much time."

His face fell but he didn't say anything else. Clicking on the file, I started to list off the names on the screen, rattling of the reasons I'd chosen that particular person, their qualifications, etc. "And... Waleed are you listening?" he was staring at me, his mouth slightly agape, his eyes unfocused.

He coughed and took a sip of his drink, his impossibly long lashes lowering, shielding his eyes as he lifted his head.

Damn it, why was he so good looking?

"Seems like you've done a lot of thinking and research."

"I'm very particular about my work."

He stared at me, again with a strange look on his face. "I'm impressed. You've chosen quite a team."

"Do you agree?"

"I wouldn't go with so many people at the same time, however. Does Vivian know how to design graphics?" I nodded. "Then we'll shorten the list to 4 people, I also have a couple of interns in mind."

"A team of six?"

"A team of six will be more than enough."

"An artistic director, graphic designer."

"Who's also a marketing head," he interjected, jotting the points down on his phone.

"A businessman, an accountant, and two interns?"

"Quite a team isn't it?"

"If you say so,"I muttered, nervously chewing on my bottom lip. "And the overall look and theme of the magazine?"

"We're looking at a fresh and chic look. Something that oozes sophistication but also radiates personality and charm. Something that seems achievable but is aspirational..."

"Vogue for the Millenials?"

"Exactly! I knew you'd be perfect," I eased back, not wanting to stare in those eyes.

Those eyes were dangerous. Those eyes were trouble.

I cleared my throat."Great, so our work here is done! You can notify our team on Monday and we'll start working on this ASAP."

"You're leaving? So soon?"

"I-" This had never happened to me before. What did one say before leaving?

"I'll walk you to your place. It's late, we've been here..." he checked his watch. "For an hour," had it really been that long?

"I came at 6, how is it 7 already?"

"You came at 5:58," I stared at him. "Sorry, I'm just a bit particular about time. I don't keep people waiting," Was that a dig towards Faizan? I narrowed my eyes suspiciously and he smiled. "But you were 2 minutes early!"

"I should go," Before I did or said something stupid.

"Like I said I'll walk you to your place."

"You don't have to."

"My mother and sisters would kill me if I didn't," He answered chuckling deep in his throat as he got up with me, pulling my chair to help me get up.

We walked out of the café into the crisp autumn evening. I clasped my arms around me, ignoring the goosebumps spreading across my skin by just being near him, focusing on breathing in the fresh air. "That's sweet."

"Have you thought about our first few articles?"

I was grateful for the safe topic. "I have."

"Politics or Fashion?"

My head snapped sideways to look at him. "How did you..."

"The two things that make waves. It'll be smart to go that route."

"Millenials are very focused on what they wear, who they wear, what the brand/symbol represents. I don't know about you, but being environmentally conscious has always been my MO. Ja said..."

"Ja?"

"Jasmine. My sister," I gave myself a mental smack. Me and my nonexistent verbal filter.

"What did she say?"

"Nothing"

"Shazi?"

"Nothing,"

He stopped and turned around. "Have I done something to offend you?" I blew a breath and shook my head. "Have I said something?"

"No Waleed. It's..." you're too easy to talk to. Too nice. Too sweet. And I'm afraid. I'm afraid of myself.  "Nothing, we're here. Thank you for walking me back home."

His face hardened in the evening shadows. "Don't mention it."

I opened my mouth to say something but he crossed his arms, waiting for me to go inside. I nodded my goodbye, a lump in my throat as I closed the door behind me.

The next morning turned out to be a miserable affair. Rain pattered on the windows casting a gloomy cloak over the city. I fiddled with my cooking, trying to ignore the events that had transpired yesterday.

The incoming FaceTime call filled me with dread. I recounted last night's events, my voice shrinking as I reached the end. Ja gave me a stern look, her eyes filled with disappointment.

I stared at my nails, avoiding her gaze.

"I don't know what to say Shazi. You have to get your priorities straight," with a final sigh, she ended the call and I sank to the floor.

Why was I stuck on Faizan? Because he'd been there when I was most vulnerable? The fact that we'd spend a whole summer together, talking, texting, getting close? Or the fact that I never had to hide from him? Was it because we had mutual friends? Or because he was the first guy who'd called me beautiful, made me feel special and wanted?

He'd calmed my anxiety even before I knew what it was. He'd stood by me during my toughest times. We'd even played pranks on our friends together.

Or was it when we'd said that we loved each other? Just before I had moved away?

It's not like men hadn't tried to ask me out in University. I'd just never reciprocated, my heart stuck on the one man I'd thought would wait for me.

He was back. And he was doing the same things as before. I'd stepped away then and it had almost cost me my life. I would have to detach myself now if I intended to survive.

Everything was just too much. I closed my eyes, trying to clear my thoughts, sinking into the darkness.

The email showed up in all of our inboxes Monday morning, just as the office settled into work. Viv ran towards me, her Burberry trench coat flapping in her arms.

"You chose me? I'm so happy Shazi!"

"I want my best girl to be with me."

"So did he oppose you?"

"No," strangely not. He'd trusted me and my choices.

"What is going on with you Shazi? You've been... what do they call it in English?" She tapped a fingernail on my desk, thinking of the phrase. "Yes, off."

"Nothing,"I said. "Just haven't been feeling well."

"That's not a feeling well look. That's an 'I have a broken heart' look."

Jeez, why was I surrounded by such people? "Fine. I ran into an old friend and something happened and-"

"You're letting him ruin your professional life?"

"What? No!"

"Shazi everyone noticed your attitude on Friday. Need I remind you that this office loves Khan. Your apparent coolness towards him would be deemed unprofessional or worse it would stir unsolicited gossip."

"I know I know, I'm trying to be better. People can have off days Viv!"

"People can. We can't. We're in positions of power. Responsible for the wellbeing of a multimillion-dollar corporation," I sighed. "We don't get off days chérie. If Waleed hasn't called you out on it, it's because he's a nice person. Sooner or later, someone will. You know Jean Luc will. He has a lot riding on this, we all do."

Tears of frustration pricked my eyes and I bobbed my head. "I understand."

"Good, now the next time you see him, can you please be civil? He's our colleague."

She was right, what was I doing? Wasting my life thinking about Faizan, waiting for him to call. Just like before.

"And another thing," I turned to look at her. "Learn to look ahead. Your path has brought you to a point. Maybe it's time to choose."

Sane, wise old Viv. She always knew what to say and what to do. I clicked on the block feature on my phone.

I was done.

But Ja wasn't. Sisters should be banned from getting involved in ones personal life. This should be a Universal Law. Scratch that, there should be an International Convention about this. Somehow, Ja had stalked Faizan's account and had figured out the reason for his absence, a potential female "friend".

She'd sent me the evidence with a huge, I told you so, written across in red letters. I ignored the file and deleted the screenshots, gleefully telling her that I was over it, haunted by a surprising intimate pair of eyes.

Tuesday came with a blast of late September sunshine that lifted my spirits and my courage. I walked into the conference room, my confidence restored by Viv's pep talk and a lot of face timing with my parents. Whatever happened, I needed to remind myself of the blessings and the love I already had in my life. I was going to clear my behavior with Waleed and it was going to be okay. He was a nice guy, he would not hold it against me. We all had off days. That had been mine.

With my head held high, I looked around the conference room, finding Waleed standing at the head of the table. Mustering up my courage, I raised my foot-

"Oh Shazi, just the girl I wanted to see."

"Jean Luc! Is everything okay?"

"Yes, just wanted to ask if everything's going well?"

"Oui," I answered. "Très bien."

"Bon, bon," he answered guiding me towards the opposite end of the room. Damn it.

Waleed hadn't even looked at me or acknowledged me in any way as Jean Luc called for everyone's attention. I stared at the screen, not paying heed to the words coming out of Jean Luc's mouth.

Had I truly messed this up? Already?

My eyes slid to the person in question. He'd loosened his tie and his suit jacket was slung over his arm. During the meeting, he'd rolled the sleeves of his dress shirt partway up his forearms and I tried not to stare at the lines of muscle beneath his skin.

I had to apologize.

Gathering my laptop and the prints in my arms, I knocked on his office door. He looked up and I gave him a small smile.

He didn't smile back.

"I've got some ideas for the mock up," He didn't say anything for a moment, his eyes piercing my brave front. I shuffled on my feet, feeling uncomfortable. This would be a lot easier if he wasn't so gorgeous.

"Great, you can email them to me."

"I also wanted to apologize for my behavior on Saturday. I was inexplicably rude."

"Okay."

"Okay?" Was that all? "We're good?"

"We're good," bland. Without any emotion.

"Are you sure? It doesn't sound like we're good."

He sighed and put down his pen. "What do you want me to say Shazi?"

"Nothing. I just want you to mean it," please, be the one who means it. His gaze softened at the crack in my tone and he walked towards me.

"I mean it. We're good," I looked at him, craning my head to meet his eyes. His gaze was warm but cautious. "I-"

"Mr. Khan?" Viv's voice snapped us both to our present situation. I stepped back, a blush rising in my cheeks. "Sorry I didn't mean to interrupt."

Waleed cleared his throat. "Not at all. Ms. Gulzar and I were discussing the mock-up," Viv opened her mouth to argue and I gave her a pleading look. She frowned but let it go.

"Of course. Jenna mentioned that we were  supposed to take you out sightseeing this Saturday?"

Well, that was news to me.

"Yes, she mentioned it to be some sort of office ritual?" What? When had that happened? The corner of Viv's mouth twitched but she nodded. Waleed turned to me. "Will you be going?"

I opened my mouth to deny my involvement but Viv jumped in. "It'll be the three of us I'm afraid."

"Perfect! So, Saturday at 11?" he confirmed, his eyes on me.

"At 11," Viv agreed with a winning smile.

I emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a fuzzy bath towel and checked the time on my phone. Hopefully, I wasn't running late. I frowned when I saw Viv's name pop up.

'Sorry, I'm coming down with a cold, you and Khan will have to do this on your own'

Damn it Viv. I called her cell but it had been turned off. For Viv to turn off her cell? Well, she definitely had to be sick.

I collapsed on the bed. What to do now? I felt like Alice in Wonderland. Confused and disoriented.

How was I going to play this one? It was going to be just me and him. For the whole day. Excitement and anticipation zipped through me and I rechecked the outfit on my bed.

Ja and I had decided on a brown on brown look, with a chic buckled belt. After tying my hair back, I added some flair by tying a gold speckled scarf around my hair tie and pulling a few strands out to frame my face. Working with a soft pink lip, I draped my coffee coat over my shoulders and finished off the look.

10:55.

The bell rang and I took in a few deep breaths. He was early. As always.

Calm. I had to be calm.

"Bonjour Mademoiselle," brunette Adonis leaned against my apartment door, holding a small bouquet wrapped in brown paper. The yellow roses and alstroemeria were set and arranged amongst bright white traditional daisies, green button poms, and lush greens to create a stunningly beautiful package.

I stood shell shocked.

No one had ever given me flowers before.

"For you," he muttered, holding them out.

I probably looked like an idiot, standing there with my mouth open. Giving him a small smile, I took them, trying to conceal my nervous fingers.

Did I even own a vase?

"Uh, give me a second," I said, dashing back inside trying to find a vase, a bowl, or something that would hold them. Finding a single tall glass, I filled it with water and carefully placed the arrangement in it, taking a couple of pictures for Ja.

She would freak out.

"I assume you got Viv's message?" he asked as we walked down the steps, running a hand through his already tousled hair and I prayed.

Please God, let this torture end quickly.

"Yeah, hopefully, she's okay."

"It's probably the seasonal flu," he said, his hands in his pockets. I decided to nod, not trusting my mouth to form reliable sentences. He looked so good in his khaki pants, grey shirt, and dark bomber outfit.

It was going to be a long day.

The Seine sparkled under the blue sky, pulling walkers and cyclists closer with its slow gravitas. We walked along with it, spotting the palatial Louvre upriver, and crossing over the water at the Pont de la Concorde, the gold top of the square's obelisk guiding us like a compass needle, the glass dome of the Grand Palais rising from the bare trees to the north.

"So where are we headed to now?" he asked, his mouth attacking the cream ice cream he'd bought for us.

"Musée Rodin," I replied, feeling an odd sense of giddiness. "It's renowned for its sculptures," he nodded, watching me explain the structures, his eyes moving over the carefully maintained gardens amid the sculptures of stone and hedge.

We'd managed to see half the city and as the time came to say goodbye, I grew more nervous. This hadn't been a date. But it had suspiciously turned out as one.

Why did Viv have to get sick?

As we reached the steps to my building, I looked up to meet his eyes, which looked intently back at me.

"Paris is even lovelier in Spring," I managed as an outro.

That sounded good. Good and casual.

"I like it this way," his chest rose and fell, each breath deeper than the last. My fingers tightened around the iron railing, my eyes unable to detach from his. 

"What are you thinking?" he whispered, his eyes somehow both piercing and vulnerable. I took in a deep shaky breath.

That you are a dream. That the whole afternoon was too good to be true.

And that you'll definitely break my heart.

"That I should go," I whispered, taking a small step back. "Goodnight," Slowly, the corner of his mouth lifted into a smile, and our eyes locked for a moment.

"Goodnight," he muttered as I closed the door.

Monday morning came with a flurry of activity.

The MagTag, as the magazine team was now lovingly referred to, was meeting at the office at 9 am sharp. I had been up since 6 am, my stomach in knots. A personal record for me. It's not like I'd gotten any sleep over the weekend, Saturday's events were constantly replying in my head like a movie. The flowers were placed on my nightstand, a constant reminder of what had transpired.

And that goodnight. I turned into a mess just thinking about it.

Taking a quick shower, I ran out, pulling my hair into a sleek ponytail and applying a full face of make-up. I'd chosen for a glam cat-eye look reminiscent of Audrey Hepburn, opting for slim black cigarette pants, a black blouse knotted at the waist, and black flats.

"Oh, someone's making an effort," Ja teased, her Cheshire cat smile making me blush.

"It's meeting day. I have to look my best."

"I take it the date went well on Saturday?"

"It wasn't a date. Viv got sick."

"Sure," Ja muttered drawing out the word. I glared at her.

"Also, I lost my scarf! Can you imagine?" She opened her mouth to scold me but I cut her off.

"It's 8, talk to you later," blowing her a kiss and throwing a grey coat over me, I ran out of my apartment, only to bump into a hard-muscled wall.

The familiar woodsy smell infiltrated my senses as Waleed caught my arms, making sure that I didn't crash onto the pavement.

"What are you doing here?"

"I thought you'd want to get an early breakfast, and maybe we could discuss the proposal?"

He's only here because he lives close enough. That's it Shazi. Don't overthink this.

"Right," He shot me an assessing look as if he didn't know if I was angry or not. We took the transit together, talking about what was expected in the meeting today.

"How about there? That's a good place to shoot!" I remarked, pointing to the Eiffel Tower.

A single black eyebrow lifted in an utterly French, utterly arrogant expression. "You really do love that tower."

"Don't tell me you haven't dreamed of it. It's beautiful all year round."

"Wouldn't you recommend it's beauty in the evening, just before dark, so you can see the city at sunset? Glorious and romantic."

Now it was my turn to raise my eyebrow. "Romantic?"

He shrugged. "If you like that sort of thing," he said quickly, pushing the office doors open.

I hid my smile as I passed him.

Life was turning out pretty good so far.

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🍁Thoughts? Comments? 🍁

Shazi's outfit (Paris Outing):

Her hair:

Waleed's outfit at the Le Petit Déjeuner Parisien:

Waleed's outfit (Paris outing):

Paris: