002: His Relationship With Faez's Family.

Ayra felt even more infuriated at his nonchalant attitude like he wasn't even a little bit affected by her threat.

She pointed a finger at him and was about to make another offensive remark when she realized that they were still at the lobby and they were beginning to attract the attention of people passing by, especially that nosy receptionist who was staring at them keenly.

Gritting her teeth in anger, she dropped her finger. It would do no good to argue with this scoundrel in public.

"Follow me," She turned around and left the place with him following closely.

****

"Here," Ayra opened the door of an office that had a sign board 'DAHLIA FAEZ' written in bold, golden letters with stars adorning it.

"I assume you will get bored when she doesn't show up and leave this place," Ayra stepped aside for him to enter.

As she was leaving, she warned him,"Don't touch anything! The smallest object in this office is worth the price of the entire collection of your clothes."

With that, she slammed the door and left.

Zayn chuckled and sat down on a sofa. The assistant wasn't really lying earlier when she mentioned that Dahlia's table is filled with so many accessories so much that his gift pales in comparison.

He twirled the paper bag in his hand again as silence slowly ensued in the room. This is how it has always been. Ever since he got married to Dahlia two years ago, everyone never failed to show their dismay at the union, even the Faez family is no exception.

*Ring. Ring*

The crisp sound of his phone pulled him out of his reverie. He pulled out the old mobile and looked at the caller ID. He wasn't surprised to see 'Mother in-law' flashing on the screen.

Seems like that meddlesome assistant ratted him out.

"Hello mother—"

Just as expected, his words were interrupted. "Don't call me mother! What are you doing at Dahlia's office? Do you have no shame at all!?" His mother-in-law's cold voice came through the line.

"I only came to—"

Interrupted once again.

"Only came to what? To cause trouble for her right!? You are well aware that the paparazzi are always trailing my daughter. What if someone takes a picture of you and digs out your despicable history!? Do you want to ruin my daughter's reputation!?" She yelled angrily.

"Mother relax, I came here in a uniform so if anyone were to see me, they would just assume I'm here for delivery," Zayn tried to pacify her. But his words only seemed to make her furious.

"You, wretched fellow! You even dared to visit that high-end place in your dirty clothing. If you don't exit that agency right this instant, I'll make sure Dahlia divorces you this very day!"

Zayn laughed,"Mother, you don't even have the authority to annul our marriage yet you are fuming. You should worry less about unnecessary things and focus on your health. You are getting old."

"Are you cursing me with death!?" Mrs Faez roared, her breath coming out in quick, faint pants. "You still rely on the words of that sickly old man right? When father dies, I'll personally chase you out of our family for good!"

The smile on Zayn's face disappeared. His face turned cold at her last words and his fingers rolled into a fist.

He didn't even realize that he was clutching the phone so hard until it emitted a 'tut-tut' sound to indicate that she already disconnected the call.

Two years ago while he was struggling with odd jobs ranging from a bagger, delivery driver, bartender, waiter, etc, he met Omar Faez.

That night, he left the bar he was working at then and headed home, to the labor camp room he shared with one immigrant when he was almost assassinated.

It was already so late at night and the street was deserted. He had unknowingly walked across some assassins who had obviously been sent to erase his existence from the world.

At that point, he had been puzzled as to who would want him dead and why. He was only but a poor, nameless man struggling to make ends meet.

He wasn't given much time to think about who sent the obviously well trained assassins because he was soon assailed and forced to fight for his life.

One man against troops of skilled assassins? Who is bound to win?

It had seemed like he was getting the upper hand at first but he soon realized that despite how he kept on managing to eliminate them and defend himself, they intensified.

They increased in numbers. As some fell, others appeared. Seemed like whoever wanted to kill him wanted him dead at all costs.

He soon began to get overpowered because of the large numbers of assassins that kept on multiplying. But at his dire moment, he was unexpectedly saved by an old man who was coincidentally passing by.

Why the old man passed by at that moment, he didn't know. All he could remember was the relief he felt in his subconscious state when someone caught him as he collapsed.

Waking up three days later in a splendid mansion to so many injuries on his body, he had gotten acquainted with the old man who had saved him.

He remembered the aging but active man introduced himself as Omar Faez with the kindest smile he has ever seen in years.

Later on, he got to know that Faez was currently one of the wealthiest families in the UAE and the man who saved him was the present head of the family.

He recollects the time Omar had mentioned that he owed him a favor for saving his life. He laughed then. What could a poor man do for someone who already has it all?

When Omar propositioned him to be married to one of his grand-daughters, Dahlia, he readily agreed, knowing there was no other way to repay his kind act anyway.

The family of course opposed it. His parents in-laws couldn't believe that their precious daughter was arranged to be married to someone with no social influence.

Even his wife, Dahlia had thrown a tantrum. She ran away from home for days until she was caught by Omar's guards and brought back home.

Then Omar had threatened them that if anyone was to try in any way to deter his(Zayn) and Dahlia's marriage plans, they would be disowned from the family. That had done the trick.

He just never expected that after a few months of being married to Dahlia, Omar would fall terribly ill due to a successful poisoning attempt and he would be reduced to the position of a mistreated son-in-law.

People who couldn't behave rashly towards him when Omar was alive now attack whenever they can. Dahlia's attitude towards him worsened, not like it was good before.

But Omar's sudden illness gave her the courage to shed all facades and behave outrageously towards him.

*Ding dong*

The wall clock chimed and broke the chain of thoughts in Zayn's head. He glanced at the clock and realized that he had been waiting for almost an hour and had overused the break he was given from work.

Still Dahlia was nowhere to be seen.

Disappointedly, he kept the small paper bag in his pocket and stood up to leave.