Anastasia pages Sahara, "Sahara, could you please be at my office in 5 minutes? I have someone important I'd like you to meet."

"Yes, of course, Ma'am." Sahara said.

"Who could I possibly have to meet? Oh Allah, I hope I haven't messed anything up." Sahara thought out loud to herself. She put away her things and made her way to Anastasia's office.

•••

She knocks on the door, "May I come in, Ma'am?"

"Yes, please." Anastasia says with a smile.

Anastasia is such a kindhearted woman. She always treats Sahara with the utmost respect. It's hard to navigate through the world and become someone when your religion is portrayed to look like something it's not. Anastasia did not judge Sahara like most people she's met while applying for internships. Anastasia had given her chance to prove herself and explain certain aspects of Islam to her so she could understand the true meaning of the religion. Sahara will always and forever be grateful for her kindness and approach.

"How are you, Ma'am?" Sahara asks.

"I'm doing great, thank you for asking. Please take a seat." Anastasia gestured at the chair in front of her desk. "How are you doing? Work giving you any trouble?" Anastasia took a liking towards Sahara since the first time she's seen her. Sahara has such an innocent and pure aura around her that Anastasia wanted to protect her like a little sister.

"No, there's no trouble at all. I love doing what I do." Sahara replies. The two carries on chatting until Anastasia's secretary pages in that Mr. Vasiliev is here.

Sahara had totally forgotten why she was called here. Mr. Vasiliev? I'm meeting the Mr. Vasiliev? Oh, Allah, please let this go well, Ameen. She stands up so could show him her respects and greet him.

When he walks in, Sahara quietly gasps. He brought such a presence with him. He stands tall at around 6'3, with a large built. His suit looks like as if it will burst from the pressure of his bulging muscles. His gelled, brunette hair stands out in contrast to his pale skin. He's cleanly shaven with jaw that looks like its sharp enough to cut a finger on. He has his ears and nose pierced. His pale skin is covered with tattoos covering all of his neck, as well as the back of his hands. His eyes, oh his eyes, has Sahara in a trance, they were fiery blue with hints of green. Ria was right, he is hotter than Jahannum. Oh, my Allah, Sahara! Snap out of this! This is haram!

She was so lost looking at him that she didn't realize that he has his hand extended in order to shake hand. Her checks became a tint of pink as she noticed that she was staring for too long.

Thankfully, Anastasia explained before she could say anything. "With respects, Sir, she cannot shake hands as it is against her religion to touch men not within her family." Anastasia nods in Sahara's direction in order to tell her it's okay.

To show her respect, Sahara put her right hand on her heart, and slightly bowed as she says, "Hello, Sir. It's great to finally meet you."

Damian raised an eyebrow, "Don't you think it's quiet rude to not shake hands with your boss? It's not like anyone was watching you break the rules."

Sahara looks at him, a bit taken back by his rude comment. "I'm sorry if you have taken that as an offence, Sir. But I simply cannot disrespect my Allah." She slightly bows again to show that she's truly sorry if she's offended him in any way.

Viktor is by the doorway, examining Sahara and the situation that's being taken place in front of him. "Please, excuse him. He isn't big on manners as his ego takes up most of the space in his head." This comment involuntarily makes Anastasia giggle as she quickly tries to cover up her mouth.

Viktor looks completely different than Damian. He has disheveled curly-ish brown hair that sweeps across his forehead. His eyes are a deep brown with soft but seductive look to them. His tan skin is tattoo and piercing free, or at least free from the visible eyes. One thing that's similar to Damian is that his suit also looks like it's about to rip open. He could totally pass as a model.

Viktor slightly bows at her mimicking her movements, "Hello, my name's Viktor Petrov. I'm his business partner, also known as your other, chiller boss that most people forget exists. Nice to meet you... uh...?"

Sahara's tense shoulders relaxes when Viktor lightened the mood. She flashes him a genuine smile and notices she hasn't said her name yet, "Good afternoon, Sir. I'm Sahara Akbar. Nice to meet you as well, Mr. Petrov."

"Your name is as beautiful as you, Sahara. Your last name sounds familiar... Your accent... you're American?" Viktor asks.

She didn't take notice that he has said that her last name sounded familiar. She blushes at his comment, "Thank you, Sir." Sahara then clarifies, "And no, Sir. I'm an international student from Canada."

"Student? You're still in school? How old are you?" Viktor is shocked that she's still a student.

"I go to UCL as an international student for marketing, Sir. I'm in my third and last year for the course. I'm turning 20 in a few months." She explained.

"Holy shit, UCL? It's the fourth best school in the world! Damian, that's the school I got kicked out of! Ah... memories..." Viktor laughs. "Damian, remember when– Hey, Damian! Damian? Mate?" Looks like Damian is lost in thought.

The whole time Viktor was talking, he was examining Sahara. Her hair is covered in a light pink head scarf, that matched her loose ankle length cardigan. Her skin looks as smooth as a rose petal. Her deep brown eyes are big and doe-like, filled with so much purity. His eyes trailed down to her body and he frowns, he couldn't tell what her body shape is. Her loose white shirt that covers her right before her knees leaves no definition to her body. Her blue skinny jeans baring nothing as her light pink cardigan also covers most of her.

Viktor realizing what Damian is doing, quickly interrupted his thoughts, "Damian!" Viktor elbows Damian.

Damian taking in his situation, clears his throat and says, "I would like to see a file of all the plans you made to increase the social standing of our company in the last two years. I want the file by tomorrow morning, on my desk." He looks at her to see that her expression is in shock. "That's all, you may leave."

Sahara blinks at him in disbelief, how is she supposed to make a file of everything from the last two years by tomorrow morning. Guess sleeping isn't on her schedule today. She smiles at him and nods, "Yes, Sir." And walks out of the room. At least I know that he's impressed by my work, a naive Sahara thought.

"Barmy! Are you dim? You want all that by tomorrow morning? You want her dead by tomorrow or something?" Anastasia is in disbelief herself.

Damian shrugs his shoulders. "Did you make sure to check her background before hiring her? No criminal activities? No terrorism involvement?" Damian asks casually.

Anastasia is becoming extremely irritated than usual by his cocky attitude, "Are you joking me right now? That last comment was so unnecessary! Show some bloody respect!"

"He's totally smitten by her." Viktor says randomly to Anastasia. He turns to Damian, "You're totally smitten by her, mate. I've seen you checking her out."

Damian scoffs, "Are you daft? She has so much attitude, it irks me."

Anastasia and Viktor both stare at him in confusion. They both say at the same time, "What attitude?"

Damian rolls his eyes, "Let me get something straight to you two, I hate her. I don't like her. Her presence irritates me. I don't need to explain it to either of you bloody fools."

Damian storms out of the room, leaving the other two a little shocked.

Something inside Damian changed when he laid eyes on Sahara. Maybe it was hate at first sight. But maybe, just maybe, he misjudged that feeling. Maybe, it was something else at first sight. But he won't understand the change until he goes through some trial and error.

- - -

A/N: OooOo, what's happening, Damian? 🤔

Sorry this chapter became unintentionally longer than I expected. What do you think so far? Let me know if you prefer longer or shorter chapters, please!

♥️