Chapter 27

Xhani's POV

I left home in anger. How could Zain push me like that? I kept replaying the moment in my mind, wondering what I had done to deserve such treatment.

Ziya was talking to me, but I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear a word she said.

"Hello! I *am* talking to you!" Ziya said, shaking me. "What are you thinking about so deeply?" she asked again, her tone a mix of frustration and concern.

I couldn't tell her the truth. She already hated Zain for the abortion; telling her about this would only make things worse.

I forced a faint smile. "Nothing important," I lied, but I knew Ziya wouldn't be easily fooled.

"I know something's bothering you. What is it?" she asked again, her voice softer this time, full of genuine concern.

I hated lying to her. She was my best friend, but I couldn't tell her the truth. If I did, she would demand that I break up with Zain. And I couldn't do that—I loved him too much.

Putting on another fake smile, I said, "I'm fine, babe. It's just been a while since I've gone out with everyone. I guess I'm feeling a little uneasy."

"Hey, don't say that! We're all friends, and everyone misses you, you know," she said, leaning her head on my shoulder.

She was right. I needed to forget about Zain and focus on myself. It had been ages since I'd gone out with my friends, and tonight should be about having fun.

"You're right. I should be excited," I said, turning up the music. Ziya and I started hyping ourselves up as we drove to the shisha café.

I wore black ripped skinny jeans and a black leather jacket—a style I'd picked up from Zain. It was simple but made me feel confident. Ziya wore a black fitted midi dress paired with a black denim jacket and knee-high boots. We looked stunning, and I loved our vibe.

When we reached the shisha café, I could tell it was packed—there wasn't a single parking spot available. I circled the car park four times before finally spotting someone leaving. I sped up and raced into the spot before anyone else could take it.

As we stepped out of the car and headed inside, the heavy smell of smoke hit us immediately. The air was hazy, making it hard to see clearly. The café had small glass doors, and inside, black leather sofas were arranged in clusters, each surrounding a low table. Heart-shaped cushions adorned the sofas, giving the place an odd mix of cozy and chaotic.

The place was bustling with people. Some were even sitting on each other's laps, and I silently hoped our friends hadn't picked such a crowded spot.

At the counter stood a tall, lean man with dark, curly hair and deep brown eyes. His striking smile revealed perfectly white teeth, and his presence exuded warmth.

"Good evening, ladies. How can I help you tonight?" he asked, his smile wide and friendly.

"Good evening," I replied shyly, unable to take my eyes off his charming smile. "We're here with a group of friends, but we don't see them."

"Sure. Can I have the name of the person who booked the table?" he asked.

I glanced at Ziya, hoping she knew, but she only shrugged in confusion.

"Sorry, I'm not sure who booked it, but we're here with David?" I said, hoping he recognized the name.

"David Baraka?"

"Yes! That's him," I said, a bit more enthusiastically than I intended.

"Oh, they're upstairs in the VIP lounge," he said, pointing toward a corridor.

I grabbed Ziya's hand, and we headed down the corridor and up the spiral staircase. The stairs had glass railings, and a bouncer stood watch at the bottom.

When we reached the top, we saw our friends lounging around with shishas and snacks spread across the tables. As soon as they spotted us, David got up and rushed over, pulling us both into hugs.

"Finally! You're here. We've been waiting for you two," he said, sounding relieved.

"Well, if there had been parking, we would've been here ages ago," I teased, rolling my eyes at him before greeting the rest of the group with quick handshakes.

We settled into our seats and ordered a few shisha flavors and some finger food. Everyone was laughing and chatting, and for the first time in a while, I felt like I could breathe.

But then, a group came up the stairs. They couldn't see us since we were tucked behind a tinted window, but we had a clear view of them.

My eyes immediately landed on someone familiar—Dana. She was Zain's friend. She wasn't alone; she was surrounded by a group of guys and girls, but I didn't see Zain with them.

I tried to shake off the unease and returned to my conversation with Ziya, but then I heard Dana scream Zain's name.

She ran toward the stairs, her excitement palpable. My heart sank.

Why was Dana so happy about Zain's arrival?

The moment Zain appeared, Dana jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. His tattooed hands moved to grab her by the hips, and he lifted her effortlessly. My stomach twisted into knots.

I stood up to get a better view, hoping I was mistaken. But I wasn't.

Zain was kissing Dana.

Tears welled up in my eyes, my breath catching in my throat. My heart shattered as I stood there, frozen, unable to process what I had just seen.