Sahara Akbar is a 19 year old Muslim girl, who is in her third year of her undergraduate studies for marketing at UCL (University College London). She is originally from Canada but came to England to study abroad in order to get away from her controlling aunt and uncle. She's half Pakistani and half Bengali. She's quiet, naive and sees the world through rose coloured glasses.

"Even after a whole two years, I cannot believe you work for one of the richest people in Britain." Ria shrieked.

Ria Fahim is Sahara's most treasured best friend of three years. Three years is a short time for a lot of people, but these two became inseparable in these three years. Ria, herself, is a Muslim Bengali, but born and raised in the busy city of London, England. She, too, goes to UCL, majoring in Biology. Ria started wearing a hijab about four years ago because she wanted to practice to be a better Muslim one step at a time. However, she is the more wilder friend out of the two.

Sahara grinned, "I know right? I still can't believe believe it either, Alhumdullilah (Praise be to Allah [God])!"

Sahara applied as an intern to the marketing management part of Vasiliev Corporation Inc during her first year. However, just a mere five to six months after working as an intern there, she was offered a permanent job. It was really a miracle of Allah as it was incredibly difficult to get accepted as an intern, let alone be hired at the company.

Though, to this day, she hasn't seen a glimpse of Mr. Vasiliev, even though her department was supposedly really close to his office.

"I'm gobsmacked that you still haven't met your boss yet, it's been two years since you've been at that fancy company!" Ria said as she munches on some crackers.

"Honestly, I'm a little shocked too, but I heard he's like Shaytaan (Satan) sent from Jahannum (Hell) so maybe it's better not to meet him?" Sahara said.

"I heard he's very young and sexy as Jahannum, though." Ria winks.

Sahara smacks Ria's arm, "Astaghfirullah (I seek forgiveness from Allah)! Ria!" as both the girls burst into a fit of laughter.

•••

"You've hired a Mozlim woman without my consent, Anastasia?" Damian said in a stern tone to the head of the marketing department.

"Sir, she's really good at what she's does regardless of her religion. She had increased our company's social media presence by 20 whole percent in her six months of internship. After we hired her, she increased it by 65% in only two years. I judged that she would be a key to our department, Sir."

"Holy shit, by 65%?! Don't fire her, man. She seems like gold." Viktor is shocked at the increase. Who is Viktor, you may ask? Vicktor Petrov is Damian's best friend and most trusted business partner.

Damian is amused as much as Viktor at the stats Anastasia was reporting to him but he isn't convinced. "Anastasia! A Mozlim isn't good for the company's image." He said drawing out the letter Z in his tone. "Their savage image in the current affairs of the world would only bring damage to the company, if anyone were to find out." Damian is getting irritated.

"That's bullocks, brother, and you know it! That's only your narrow-minded way of thinking. You have no right to look down on her religion. Why are you always like this? I told you, she's brilliant!" Surprise! Anastasia is Damian's very own little sister.

"She's right, you know. At least give her a chance, mate." Viktor said.

Damian rested his head on his hands, "Brilliant, huh? Then, shall we meet her tomorrow?"

Anastasia nodded, "We shall."

- - -

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