Chapter thirty already! Wow so amazing! Thank you to all of you for your support and for reading! Please keep up with the comments! Whenever I post a new chapter, I always keep Wattpad open on my phone because I am so excited to read all of your comments! I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I did writing it, and stay awesome! :)

Just a side note, I just realized that Layla has been calling Hana Khaltu, and it should be Amtu :)

“Thank you for coming Miss Ismail! Please have a seat!”

Hana smiled as the interviewer motioned towards the large black wing tipped chair, and she sat, perched nervously on the edge. She hadn’t realized how truly fancy the newspaper was, though she shouldn’t have been surprised considering that they were the biggest news outlet in Santa Barbara that wasn’t a national paper.

“Thank you.”

“Would you like some water? Coffee? Tea?” the lady who had introduced herself as the senior editor, Julianne Pierce asked. 

“Oh no thank you.” Hana said, trying to keep her stomach from churning. She was so freaking out and on top of all of that she was still trying to keep herself from crying about Kalthoum and Houssam. The night before, her friend had called her absolutely freaking out, and poor Hana had to listen for an hour as Kalthoum went on and on about Houssam. Don’t be deceived, it was all about his eyes, hair, jaw, mouth, arms, shoulders, smile, and his body. Because of course Kalthoum didn’t know anything about him other than having his features memorized, and what made things worse, was that Hana wasn’t even sure that Kalthoum cared how little she knew about him.

“So tell me Miss Ismail, why do you want to work for The Santa Barbara Times?”

For a second Hana was a bit blindsided as they had been the ones to reach out to her. But as she was very bright, and good at thinking on her feet, she hurriedly composed an answer.

“Well, aside from the fact that it is the most well-known newspaper in Santa Barbara, and that it has won many prestigious awards for the hard hitting journalism, I grew up reading the paper, and trying to copy the writing style of people like Jacqueline Rose and Thomas R. Jones, and now to be sitting in an interview and potentially being able to work with them is like a dream come true!”

Julianne smiled and shuffled the papers in front of her, peering down at the resume Hana had given her when she had first arrived.

“That was very eloquent. I can tell that you have a way with words! I see here you are also a photographer?”

“Yes I am.” Hana replied.

“That is an excellent skill to have if you want to work for us.” She said with a smile, and Hana smiled back. “So tell me what experience you have?”

Hana’s stomach dropped slightly. She was dreading this question.

“Um, well in college I wrote for the newspaper, and I currently am organizing a paper at my place of worship. I know it isn’t that extensive of a list, but I promise I have what it takes!”

Julianna waved a hand.

“I have no doubt you do! I am sure you were surprised to hear you had an interview without even applying. I assure you we don’t usually reach out to people ourselves, but when we saw that you had applied to our sister paper, SB News, we just had to approach you!”

“Well thank you! You don’t know what it means to me to have such an honor!” Hana exclaimed. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did you access my writing samples from UCSB?!”

Julianne’s smile wavered.

“Oh. I am sure your writing is excellent dear, but that isn’t why we asked you to come in.”

Hana glanced at her in confusion.

“It’s not?”

“No. I assumed you had realized why we wanted you so badly.”

“I don’t understand?”

“Well it’s not every day we get the fiancée of a huge basketball star on our payroll!”

Hana felt her blood run cold, and she just stared at the interviewer in utter and complete shock.

“Excuse me?” she managed to ask.

“Well yes. I know you were trying to keep your relationship under wraps, but I am so glad it got leaked so we could snap you up before anyone else! Now,” she said standing up, “I think I have asked all I needed to, and I think you will be an excellent addition to our team!”

“You only asked me to come today because of Houssam?” Hana asked quietly, and Julianne nodded.

“Well of course we figured you would be a good writer and photographer, otherwise you wouldn’t be applying!” she gave a laugh that sounded so fake to Hana. “Now how does a starting salary of seventy thousand sound?”

Hana’s mouth dropped.

That was a starting salary!?

Julianne gave another high pitched laugh.

“Well usually our new employee’s don’t start as high, but we wouldn’t dare insult you and Mr. Shaykh. We know what you are worth!” she exclaimed and Hana just sat quietly in her seat. She could do this. She could take advantage of this. She would be working for a big newspaper. She would be making a whole heck of a lot of money.

But that wasn’t her. She wasn’t like that, and though her pride was hurt that they only wanted her because they thought she was Houssam’s fiancée, she had to do what was right.

She stood up from her chair, and shouldered her purse, looking Julianne straight in the eye.

“I thank you for this honor,” she said sarcastically, “but I can’t accept.”

Julianne’s mouth dropped.

“What?! Why ever not!? Is it the salary because I have permission to go as high as eighty five thousand! Whatever is necessary to secure you!”

Hana shook her head and gave a bitter laugh.

“It doesn’t matter if you were going to offer me a hundred and eighty five thousand. I am not Houssam’s fiancée.”

Julianne’s face darkened.

“But our sources told us that you are often together.”

“We are. But I’m just the babysitter.” Hana said giving a genuine laugh, and before the lady could answer, she dashed out of the room, too stunned to even cry.

***

Be at 6105 East Windbrook Road in one hour. Make sure the kids are wearing sneakers and comfortable pants.

Hana glanced down at the text from Houssam, seriously contemplating throwing her phone at the wall. Ilham had taken Mohammad to the doctor, and Hisham was working, so Hana was babysitting Dawud and Layla.

For what? She replied, knowing that she could have sounded nicer but she was not in the mood. She still wasn’t over the interview from earlier in the day, and couldn’t believe that it had actually happened. She hadn’t told anyone yet, luckily for her, Ilham was too concerned with taking her sick baby to the doctor to ask too many questions.

It’s a surprise :) Hurry!

Ugh what the heck was wrong with him!? It wasn’t fair for him to do this to her! To propose to her best friend and then still want to be around her!

Thanks, but no thanks.

Aw come on Hana :( Please! PRETTY PLEASE!? Don’t make me beg. I’ll beg. I’ll do it.

Ugh.

Fine.

You okay?

No. she really wasn’t, and she didn’t feel like getting into it with him, so instead of answering, she put her phone in her purse, and went to get the kids ready.

“Amtu, where are we going?” Layla asked for the twentieth time since they got into the car, and Hana sighed in irritation for the twentieth time.

“I don’t know habibti. Amu Houssam has a surprise.”

That seemed to quiet the little girl, however fifteen minutes later, Layla squealed in excitement.

“We are going to ride ponies!” she shrieked, and Hana looked in the review mirror at her niece in surprise.

“What?”

“This is the way to where we ride our horses.” Dawud said peering out the window.

“Oh.” Hana said. Why would he have told her to come here?!

Soon she had pulled into the parking lot, and as soon as she had put the car in park, the children tumbled from the car, dashing over to where Houssam stood next to Amani, Haroon and Lotfi who were seated atop ponies. Amani’s was light brown, Haroon’s was brown and black and Lotfi’s was white and brown spotted, and she watched as Dawud and Layla rushed towards their own animals.

“Look Amtu, my horse’s name is Brownie!” Layla exclaimed and to Hana’s astonishment, the dark brown horse began to nuzzle her niece’s neck, and Layla shrieked with laughter.

“Mine is named Mario!” Dawud exclaimed, and Hana had to laugh as he patted the reddish brown horse. Her nephew definitely was too obsessed with video games.

“Salaam you guys!” Houssam exclaimed with a grin, and he picked up Layla, kissing her on her cheek before putting her on her horse, and handing her the helmet that was attached to the horse’s saddle. He buckled her seat belt before turning towards Hana with a grin.

“Hey Hana!” he exclaimed and she just stared at him for a few seconds before looking away.

“Hey.” She mumbled, and he stepped in front of her in concern.

“Are you okay?” he asked and she nodded.

“I’m fine.”

“Okay well are you up for riding?” he asked and she looked at him in surprise.

“I thought there was only six horses. How will we all ride?”

Houssam smiled widely, but didn’t answer, signaling towards one of the stable hands who came over, holding the reigns of two beautiful horses. One was massive, so huge that Hana was surprised that a horse could even be that big. It was a striking black color with a long flowing mane and tail, and she had no doubt that was Houssam’s horse. The other one was smaller, of the most beautiful pure shade of white with caramel spots.

Houssam gripped the bridle of the white horse, and steadied it in place, looking at her.

“Ready?”

Hana stepped forward, and hesitated for a second before stroking a hand down the horse’s face.

“She’s beautiful.”

“He.” Houssam said with a smile. “He is beautiful. When I saw him I knew I had to get him.”

“You bought him?” Hana asked, and he nodded.

“Yeah. I did.”

She didn’t ask for whom he bought it, she didn’t think any answer he gave would make her feel better. As she pet the horse’s face again, he nickered softly, and pressed his nose into Hana’s palm, as if he was searching for something.

“He wants a sugar cube.” Houssam said with a laugh, pulling one out of his pocket and dropping it into Hana’s outstretched palm. She held it in front of the horse, and as he picked it up with his lips, Hana laughed at how it tickled. Houssam laughed as well, and pulled the orange helmet from the saddle.

“Ready?” he asked again, and she nodded stepping over to the saddle. She hadn’t been on a horse in a long time, and was worried she wouldn’t remember how to get on his back or how to ride, but to her relief she managed to get into the horse without looking like a bumbling fool, and as she sat astride his back, she stifled a laugh as she realized she was at eye level with Houssam. “What’s so funny?” he asked and she shook her head, determined she wasn’t going to have fun with him.

“Nothing.”

“Ookay,” he said handing her the helmet. “Give me your purse.” He said and as she handed it to him, he attached it to the saddle before turning around to lift Dawud onto his seat. Once making sure all five children were secure, he swung himself up onto the big black beast, and it was such a magnificent sight, that Hana had to turn away, not wanting to cause more damage to her already wounded heart.

“Alright, kids! Go have fun!” he exclaimed and as the children took off, Hana watched after them anxiously.

“Are they going to be okay by themselves?”

“InshaAllah. This is a private field, they are all strapped in, they all have taken multiple lessons, and they each have their own personal spotters.”

Hana’s nose crinkled.

“Spotter?”

“Someone who watches them. Don’t worry they will be okay. Just relax Hana!” He exclaimed and she managed a small smile, pushing her legs into the horse’s side, and soon he began to walk. Houssam quickly did the same, and to her annoyance, he kept up pace with her.

“So what are you going to name the horse?” he asked, and she turned to him in surprise.

“It’s your horse. Why would I name him?”

Houssam smiled, keeping his face forward.

“Well I thought you could ride him. You know keep him company and exercised whenever Yusra or the children come.”

So he had bought the horse for her.

WHY WOULD HE DO THAT TO HER?!

WHY!?

Ya Allah he was going to kill her.

He really was.

“Oh I can’t accept such a gift.” She said, though she already felt herself in love with the animal.

He frowned slightly.

“I wasn’t asking you if you accepted it or not.”

She gave a slight sigh.

“Houssam, is this another gift to apologize for what happened with the paparazzi?” she asked, and when he didn’t answer she shook her head.

“You really have to stop it. Please.” She pleaded. “You’ve done enough.”

Seriously.

“Fine. I won’t do it anymore but you have to keep him. Find the perfect name for him please! He is nameless!” he said with a smile, and she gave a slight smile. Silence fell over them, as they rode down the field, and finally Hana knew she had to just bite the bullet.

“So I hear congratulations are in order. Mabrook.” She said quietly, keeping her face on the trail in front of her, and he laughed.

“Barak Allahu Feeki. Yeah Alhamdulillah I just,” he paused to run a hand through his hair, “I’m so happy Hana. I can’t even tell you.” He said, his smile brilliant, and for a brief second her vision was blurred by tears.

“MashaAllah that’s great.”

“Well we haven’t met yet, but InshaAllah on Tuesday.”

To her dismay a tear slid down her cheek, and she hurried to wipe it away.

“InshaAllah I hope you will be happy.”

“Hana? Are you crying? What’s wrong!?” he asked in alarm, and she briefly started to panic before it came to her.

“I didn’t get the job today.”

“Oh. I’m so sorry.” He said quietly, and she nodded.

“Thanks.” She said and a silence fell over them.

“Well hey maybe after this we can take the kids and pick up some dinner! And ice cream!” he exclaimed cheerfully, and she just couldn’t talk it anymore.

She really honest to God could not. She couldn’t pretend that her heart wasn’t breaking being near him. She couldn’t pretend that she was okay still being his ‘friend’ while he was talking to her best friend for marriage.

She just couldn’t handle it anymore.

And with that last thought she pushed her horse into a run and took off away from him, galloping hard and fast across the field until she came to a stop in front of the stables. She barely gave the stable hand time to grab her horse’s reigns before she dismounted, hurrying to the benches that they had on the side of the barn. As she took a seat she heard hoof beats, and a second later his horse was in front of her, and he jumped off of the saddle and was standing in front of her.

“Hana!” he exclaimed, and she turned her face away from him. When she didn’t answer, he sat down on the other side of the bench, trying to catch her eye. “What the hell?” he demanded, and she winced slightly at his words. “What’s wrong with you!?”

“I’m fine.” She said in a clipped tone and he gave a bitter laugh.

“Yeah sure! You just took off in a fit of anger! At least give me the respect of not lying to my face!” he exclaimed hotly, and she swallowed hard, trying to contain her tears.

“I told you I’m just upset about the interview.”

“Liar.”

She turned her face up to look at him in disbelief.

“Excuse me?”

“You’re lying to me, and I know it.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Stop it Hana!” he exclaimed. “Why can’t you for once just open up?! I’m trying I really am but it’s like you don’t care! I give up! I’m done making an effort!”

“And why should you!?” she exclaimed. “This whole friendship or whatever the heck it is, is a joke! We can’t be friends so I don’t know why you are pushing it!”

He looked at her in astonishment.

“What is wrong with you!?”

She closed her eyes, and took a long deep breath.

“Okay, I think we have to calm down.” She said softly, and as she looked at him, she winced slightly at the anger in his eyes and stance.

“Fine.” He said gruffly, and she gave a sigh.

“Look Houssam. I like you, I do, and you are a great friend and brother and Amu to my nieces and nephews. But you have to know that this could never go anywhere. You just don’t be friends with the opposite gender in Islam, it doesn’t work like that. Especially considering that you are almost engaged to Kalthoum. This only happened because we both watch Kareem. You and I both know that once Yusra has finished her infusions, we would have nothing to do with each other.”

“I never thought that.” He said quietly, and she put a hand to her head.

“But it’s the truth. Look, maybe my brother was right. We just need to keep it professional. Work on the newspaper, pass over Kareem, maybe finish your interview, and we move on with our lives.”

He looked at her for a few seconds, his arms folded over his chest.

“If that’s what you want.”

It was.

It really was.

She couldn't be around him anymore. It was too painful.

“It is.” She whispered, and he nodded, his jaw twitching.

“Okay. I’m sorry I bothered you.”

“Houssam,” she began with a sigh, and he put up a hand to stop her.

“Save it.” He began to walk away, before turning back around to look at her. “You know, I’ve spent the past eight years trying to figure out who in my life was fake and who was real. And I never ever saw it coming that you would be one of the ones that turned out to be fake.”