Chapter 3 Ready To Conquer Him

• Ahmed couldn't believe that the girl had vanished. He was determined to search for her until he found her, no matter how much time it took. Her face and unique scent had been etched into his memory. Zafir was still in Los Angeles, investigating without any results. There was still no sign of that girl. Cambell entered his office, abruptly interrupting his thoughts, and Ahmed jumped as Cambell came in, as noisy as ever.
• "Damn it, Cambell! I've told you to knock before entering. It's a basic rule to show a minimum of manners," Ahmed said, annoyed.
• "Relax, buddy. It's not like I'm going to catch you in a compromising situation with someone. If that were the case, I'd be happy for you and even cheer you on," said the blond guy, smiling mischievously.
• "What do you want? I hope it's something important," Ahmed replied.
• "One of our partners in Los Angeles is getting married in a few weeks. His bachelor party is next week, and he has invited us."
• "Is he one of the guys who attended that dinner the other day?"
• "No, he couldn't make it. He sent his right-hand man instead."
• "Fine, I'll go, but just for a little while. You know I'm not into those kinds of events."
• "My friend, let me explain. Carlo Román Conti is one of our most important partners. He usually injects a significant amount of capital into our projects without questioning them. He might be offended if we turn down his invitation. He's about to invest in the creation of the new equipment, so we can produce them alongside the other models."
• "Okay, I'll attend," Ahmed said with a look of annoyance. "You know I don't go to parties, but I'll be there for a short time and then leave. Those parties usually have too much noise and excess."
• "Alright, brother, wise decision. There will surely be fun, and I intend to make the most of it," he said, rubbing his hands together with a smile.
• "I'm only going for the party," grumbled Ahmed.
• "You've been away from social life for four years, my friend. I'm relieved that this girl made you break your celibacy. I even started to think that maybe those rumors were true and that you had fallen in love with me, hahaha."
• "You know what I've been through. I don't like you questioning my behavior or decisions. We're friends, but don't cross the line. You know my patience has its limits," Ahmed said, making a displeased expression.
• "Okay, I better leave. See you when you're in a better mood," he said, raising his hands in a sign of surrender as he walked backward, which made Ahmed laugh.
• Sometimes it was hard for him to put up with his friend's craziness, but he knew that in tough times, he could count on him, just like he had done years ago when he was the only one who stood by his side when he needed it the most.
• As Ahmed was lost in his thoughts, he heard a knock on his office door, and a seductive blonde woman entered. She was stunning and voluptuous, walking towards him with a smile.
• "Do you need something, Anelie?" Ahmed asked.
• "Uhmm, you don't have to ask if you already know perfectly well," she stared at him while biting her lower lip.
• "I meant about work. As for the other thing, I've told you before, if you want to keep your job, you need to change your behavior and attitude towards me. I'm not interested in you at all, you don't provoke anything in me, and you never will," Ahmed replied.
• "Are you sure you can fire me? You know Lyna asked you to help me, and you promised her that you would. If you fire me, she won't be able to rest in peace," she said, leaning her body forward, revealing the low-cut blouse that barely covered her ample cleavage, and bringing her ample assets close to Ahmed's face. He turned his face away, trying to contain his anger.
• "Leave immediately, Anelie, leave or I won't be responsible for my actions," Ahmed said firmly.
• "I'll leave these documents here for you to review. Let me know when you're done so I can pick them up," she said, winking at him.
• The blonde woman walked out, swaying her hips in an exaggerated manner. She had a stunning body, and she knew it. Ahmed had caught her eye a long time ago, which was why she had become friends with Lyna, so she could be close to him. She had tried every means to get his attention, but it seemed like Ahmed didn't notice her. She even pretended to love his children. When she heard the news of their deaths, she celebrated, thinking that without those nuisances in the way, it would be easier to conquer the Arab man.
• Ahmed ran his hand through his hair; the audacity of that woman was unbelievable. She kept pushing, determined to conquer him, but instead of appealing to him, she only managed to exasperate him.
• Hours later, after the last meeting of the day, Ahmed felt exhausted. He decided to spend the night in the room he had in the back of his office. There, he had clothes and everything he needed. He often stayed in that place as his house was large and cold, filled with beautiful memories: the children running through the halls, his wife smiling while cooking, the rose garden they planted together, and even the walls adorned with pictures that held precious memories.
• As he left the meeting room and entered his office, he loosened his tie. All the staff had already left, leaving only him and the security guards in the building. He sat in front of his desk and poured himself a glass of whiskey. He wasn't an alcoholic, but he did enjoy a drink now and then.
• As he sipped the contents of the glass, he looked at the photograph on his desk. In it, a happy family smiled back at him. He lowered his head, covering his face with his hands, and thick tears fell. After a few more sips, he got up and went into the bedroom.
• Opening the door, he switched on the light and was surprised to find Anelie lying on the bed. She smiled at him while running her tongue across her lips, wearing a tiny lace lingerie. She stared at him, then gently caressed her breasts with her hands, parting her legs, trying to ignite desire in him.
• "Come here, soothe this fire that ignites every time I see you."
• Ahmed approached her, and the woman smiled even more, thinking she would finally achieve her goal. However, suddenly, she felt his grip tighten on her arm. He forced her to stand up and led her to the exit of the office. With a push, he threw her out, not before giving her a warning.
• "Let this be the last time you do this. What do you think you're doing?"
• "I'm sorry, Ahmed. You know I love you and desire you. I can't go out naked on the street. Please let me back in to get my clothes."
• Ahmed closed the door and then reopened it, tossing her clothes at her.
• "This is the last warning. Control yourself or leave."
• Anelie didn't say anything, lowered her gaze, took her clothes, and left. She had no intention of giving up; Ahmed would eventually be hers.
• Inside the room, Ahmed threw the sheets on the floor, replaced them with clean ones, and then lay down. He was so tired that he fell asleep quickly.
• In his dream, a child smiled at him. In the distance, he saw a woman holding a baby in her arms. She looked at him, her gaze sad. He tried to get closer to them, but the more he tried, the farther away they seemed.
• He woke up startled, covered in sweat, tears wetting his face. This happened every time he consumed too much alcohol. He tried to forget his sorrows with it, but instead, his memories became more vivid, turning into nightmares.
• He lived in a kind of loop where things repeated continuously. Over and over, he relived the most painful memory of his existence, the one that gnawed at his insides: seeing his wife and small children inside those cold coffins. He wished to die to be with them, unable to forget the moment he had to leave them in that gloomy crypt.
• He had a perfect life and family. If only life gave him the chance to have them back, everything would be so different.
• After losing his family, he got lost in alcohol. Campbell was there every day, enduring his outbursts and insults. Slowly, he regained sobriety, but the nightmares accompanied him each day.
• His parents had insisted that he return to Dubai, but he vehemently refused. He would not go back to the side of people who hated his family. Even his parents had refused to meet their grandchildren. Lyna had suffered for years because of all that.
• He didn't know at what point in life he had lost his way. He had given up everything for her, and then he cast her aside. He believed he deserved this punishment.