Anaya was shocked when Rashid informed her that Maaz has agreed for the marriage. The next day at work she confronted him. He smirked leaning in the chair, he placed his arm on the table.

'To prove to you that like other girls who go crazy for me, you will too.' He said casually. Anaya's jaw dropped. She took a moment to understand what he said and then replied,

'And for that, you will destroy my life?' She felt annoyed. More than that she was angry. Maaz smiled and stuck out his palm.

'Chill, Miss. Hasan oops to be- Mrs. Hasan,' – he chuckled, - 'We are not going to stay married forever. Just a few months and I will free you.' – He paused, - 'Cool?'

Anaya bit her lip as she thought. Just a few months with him and then she will be free. She smiled to herself, he, himself, was talking about divorce and so she won't have to feel guilty about marrying him. Right then, she thought it was a wise decision. She looked at him and nodded.

'Perfect,' – Maaz extended his hand, - 'Deal?'

Anaya nodded, - 'Deal.' – She paused as they shook hands, - 'And it is Miss. Hussain.'

'Whatever,' – Maaz relaxed in his chair, - 'Get me a beer.' He said looking away. Anaya sighed, shaking her head.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Anaya sat in her tiny cabin and scrolled through the news feed of her social media account. Suddenly, she paused seeing a photo posted by Pooja. She straightened in her seat and drew in a sharp breath. It was a photo of Pooja with Gabin, together and happily posing for the camera. Anaya stared at the photo with her lips pursed tightly. Then, she read the caption – My shy lover, My secret Admirer. I love you too. And she could feel her stomach tightening. That should have been her in Gabin's arms.

After the shock sunk in, Anaya placed her phone on the table and thought, - So, Gabin proposed to her. She looked away biting her lower lip and tapping her fingers on the table, - That is why he used to be shy around Pooja and avoid her. Perhaps, after confessing to Anaya he got some courage. She smiled sadly.

Also, she felt hurt because her "Friend" didn't tell her and instead she found out from social media.

Anaya checked her phone and noticed the number of likes and love reaction, the comment section was flooded with congratulating messages. She felt jealous and so unwillingly she unfriended her on social media. After she placed her phone back on the top, she leaned and held her forehead. Just then, there was a knock and she looked up. She was surprised to see Gabin on the other side. Reflexively, she stood and then realized she shouldn't look desperate.

Calm yourself, Anaya. You are getting married to the boss – She self-motivated herself. She adjusted the crease of the olive-green knee-length pencil skirt and opened the door. She kept her best to be a confident face as she folded her arms, - 'Yes.' She spoke formally. Gabin was slightly taken aback by her tone.

'I was passing by and saw you. You looked tensed.' He said. Anaya looked away briefly.

Oh, so now you are noticing me – She thought bitterly.

She looked back at him. He smiled. But the charm was missing from in his smile. Anaya sighed.

'I am sorry, Anaya,' – He began, - 'I didn't know that I unintentionally hurt you. I didn't know you had feelings for me.'

'Relax, Gabin.' - She stuck out her palm, - 'You needn't give any explanation.' – She paused and then added, - 'And congrats you two.' She said in a more sarcastic tone. Gabin looked puzzled by her behavior. He opened his mouth to speak but Anaya interrupted him.

'Listen, Gabin,' – She massaged her forehead, - 'I am getting late. I have a lot of work. So, please if you will excuse me.' She said seriously and pushed past him. Gabin watched the door close behind her and then turned to watch her walk away. As she hurried, Anaya pressed her quivering lips tightly and with the back of her hand she quickly kept wiping tears that threatened to fall; her other hand securely and tightly wrapped around her waist.

Maaz sat in his cabin and flipped through pages of Men's fashion magazine with a bored look on his face. A knock on the door startled him and the magazine almost slipped from his grip. Alarmed he quickly stashed the magazine underneath the files.

'Come in.' He straightened in his seat and ran his palm over his mouth. The door opened, and Anaya walked in. She looked miffed.

'Sir, I need a new cabin.' She blurted out. Maaz raised his eyebrow.

'Excuse me,' – He leaned in his chair, - 'We aren't even married now, and you are demanding a new cabin. Waah!' He gestured with his hand. Anaya rolled her eyes.

'No sir, Rashid Sir had already suggested I shift but then I thought—and now, I think it will be wise to shift.' She said.

Maaz thought for a while, - 'Okay, the cabin next to mine is empty. Shift.' He said and looked down. He picked up a file and pretended to be seriously engrossed in it. Anaya exhaled loudly. She thanked him and walked out of the cabin. After the door shut, Maaz looked up and sneakily took out the magazine. He picked it up and smiled looking at it. Then, he leaned placing his feet on the table and flipped to the page he was reading.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Anaya was packing her stuff into a large cardboard box when she was startled by a sudden gasp. She turned around and found Pooja at the door. She rolled her eyes and got back to stuffing the box.

'Oh-My-God, Anaya. Maaz Sir fired you?' She commented in disbelieve. Anaya straightened.

'No.'

In fact, he is going to marry me – She thought in her head and mentally smirked.

Pooja grinned, - 'Obviously, he won't because you two are having an affair, right?' She folded her arms. Anaya frowned at her.

'I am not like you, Pooja. Who will hide things with their own best friend,' – She noticed her smile fade, - 'When I really fall in love or have an "affair" you will be the first one to know? And won't have found out from other sources.' She said sternly.

Pooja's demeanor changed, she spoke after a moment, - 'Come on, Anaya. I didn't tell you because I thought you will feel hurt.' She tried sounding concerned but Anaya didn't miss the milli-second smirk on her face.

She rolled her eyes as Pooja ranted about how much she was concerned about her feelings. But in reality, Anaya knew she was more than happy as she was crazy for Gabin too.

'But leave, Gabin, Anaya. You have got the boss.' She winked at her. Anaya felt offended. It was as though Maaz was compensation to losing Gabin. She had many things in mind, but she chose to remain silent, and that fueled Pooja's monologue.

'You have caught the big fish. Maaz Nawab Ali, the billionaire's son. Who cares for a cook if you are ****ing the boss? So, what if Gabin is much handsome than Maaz sir. Maaz sir is filthy rich.' She went on.

'Shut up, Pooja.' Anaya interrupted her angrily. She wanted to say if Pooja was so interested in the big fish, then she will be happy to have their places switched. She also wondered what Gabin saw in her.

Pooja blinked at her; she was taken aback by her tone. Anaya turned around and began to angrily stuff her things into the cardboard box. A moment later, she heard the footsteps leaving the cabin. Anaya closed her eyes tightly and sighed.