It's been a whole week since the event with Damian took place. She didn't say anything to Ria because Ria would storm into his office and curse him off without any issues. Ria has noticed that Sahara seems like she's keeping something inside. After lots of picking and prodding, Sahara finally came clean.

"HE WHAT?!" Ria says loudly.

"Shhh... it's okay. We haven't crossed paths since. I'm okay, I promise." Sahara reassures Ria.

"I can't believe you kept something this huge from me for a whole week, Sahar!" Ria says, fuming. "I'm going to have a word with this man one day. This is wrong! This is workplace abuse!"

"I assure you that if this were to happen again, God forbid, I will let you know straight away." Sahara says. "Now, I'm getting late for work."

•••

"Sahara, Mr. Petrov wants to speak with you in his office." Anastasia says in the intercom.

Sahara takes in a deep breath and makes her way to Viktor's office.

•••

She knocks, "May I come in, Sir?"

"Yes, please, do come in." He replies in a cheerful tone. He asks her to sit down once she enters.

"I've looked over your past proposals to help our social media presence and might I say, this is bloody brilliant!" Viktor says with a beaming smile on his face.

"Thank you, Sir. I really appreciate it." Sahara smiles back.

"No wonder Anastasia hired you so soon. You will bring our company great investments." Viktor continues to compliment her.

"Thank you, Sir." Sahara says again, feeling her cheeks heat up.

"For your next proposal, I need you come to Damian and I after you have completed it. We would love to look over your work process."

"I will, absolutely, Sir." Sahara says enthusiastically.

Sahara and Viktor were talking back and forth about some of their marketing ideas, while Viktor would make a few jokes here and there making Sahara laugh.

Damian walks into Viktor's office in the middle of their discussion. "Vik, I looked over these–", he looks over at the two. "What is she doing here?"

"Oh, Damian! Great timing, mate. Sahara has been explaining to me some of her marketing tactics and I'm telling you, she's bloody brilliant. You need to read everything she's planned out." Viktor says with excitement.

Sahara notices Damian is staring at her with such depths that she could feel the hair on the back of her neck rising.

"Um... I could come back later–" She's cut off by Viktor, "Nonsense! He has time. This is work related anyways."

Damian looks skims through some of her work, equally as impressed as Viktor. "You came up with all of this?"

Sahara nods nervously.

"Impressive, I must say." Damian compliments her work. "What did you say your surname was again?"

"Akbar, Sir." Sahara replies.

"Damian, why does that name sound so bloody familiar?" Viktor asks as he tries to think hard about why that name recognizable.

"Are you related to a Mr. Hassan Akbar, by any chance?" Damian asks curiously.

Sahara is shocked that Damian knew her Chachu's (uncle) name. "Yes, he's my father's brother, my uncle."

"You have to be fucking kidding me!" Damian starts cursing. He turns to Viktor, "this is the niece he was talking about?" Viktor is just as shocked as him.

Before Sahara could say anything, her cell phone rung. It's her Chachu, what are the odds? "Could you please excuse me for a second?" Sahara asks but the two men are too busy with their conversation to notice her.

She picks up the call:

S: Assalamualikum, Hassan Chachu.

H: Walaikum Assalam, beta. Kemon acho? ("How are you?" in Bangla)

S: Bhalo achi ("I'm well" in Bangla), apni kemon achen? ("How are you doing?" In Bangla)

H: Your Chachu is getting old but doing well, beta. You're on speaker. Your Amina Chachi wants to speak to you.

A: Kasee ho, beta? ("How are you, child?" in Urdu)

S: Thik hoon, Chachi. Aap kaise hain? ("I'm well. How are you?" In Urdu)

A: Main thik thak hun, shukriya. ("I'm doing well, thank you." in Urdu)

H: We're coming to visit you with some news, Sahara.

S: News? What news?

A: We've already reached the Heathrow Airport and on our way to your apartment.

S: You're here already? I'm at work right now. I'll try to ask for the rest of the day off!

H: Jee, hum pohnchay. ("Yes, we've arrived" in Urdu) We're getting a taxi and will be there in 30 minutes.

S: Okay. I'll be there soon. Khudahafiz! ("Goodbye" used in both Bangla & Urdu)

(A/N: for anyone confused, her uncle is Bengali and her aunt is Pakistani that's why both of them speak in different languages)

"Excuse me, Sirs." Sahara says trying to gain their attention. They two look at her. "Is it okay if I take the rest of the day off? Ironically, my uncle Hassan and aunt have come from Canada to visit me last minute."

"Take the rest of the day off, you're going to need it after hearing what your family has to say." Viktor says.

"Sir?" Sahara asks, confused.

"Your uncle will explain to you. We will meet again very soon in different situations." Viktor says. Damian has already walked away to sit on the love-seat in the room with his head in between his hands.

"Is Mr. Vasiliev okay?" Sahara asks Viktor.

"He'll be fine. I think you need to prepare yourself for the news." Viktor says with, what looked like, pity in his eyes.

How does he know about the news? Is he talking about what Chachu has to tell me? Why is he looking at me like that? Sahara thought. She took one last glimpse at the distressed Damian in confusion before she left the room.

Once Sahara closes the door behind her, Viktor says, "What are the odds that she's the one?"

"I'm fucking losing my goddamn mind right now." Damian manages to say.

"It could've been worst. She'll be good to you." Viktor tries reassuring Damian.

"But I fucking hate her, Viktor. I can't stand her." Damian brushes his hands through his hair.

Viktor doubts that Damian hates her. He knows exactly how his best friend is feeling. However, he wants the cold-hearted Damian to navigate through his feelings by himself so he could grow a pair of– you know what I mean.

•••

Meanwhile, in the Akbar Residence...

"YOU WHAT?" Sahara says in shock. "You can't do this to me! I'm not ready!" Her protests were cut short when a hand made hard contact with her cheek.

Stinging sensation jolted outwards from where the hand made contact with her skin.

"Bas ("Enough" in Urdu)! You won't question anything any further. The decision has been made!"

- - -

A/N: What's happening? 😱😱😱

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