Devil in bed

I was still traveling between the capital city and my home city, trying to balance my work, life, and the increasing complexity of my relationships. When I was in the capital, I stayed with Farhad, a powerful journalist who was about 20 years older than me. His connections and influence had always intrigued me, and there was an underlying tension between us, something that grew every time we spent time together.

One night, as we lay in bed, the weight of everything that had been building up came to the surface. I turned to him and said, "So, about the young man you like, the one I came to you asking about. What was the thing he did in collaboration with you?"

Farhad's response was immediate and full of pride. "That was a lot," he said. "And I'm excited to tell you more about him. He's very intellectual, fits our faction perfectly. He's even becoming famous in the political circles we're connected to."

I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. The words "political" and "famous" immediately made me uneasy, but I stayed silent, letting him continue.

"He's not just any young man," Farhad went on. "He's someone with potential—real potential. He's already gotten involved in some very important projects, and his ideas have been groundbreaking. He's exactly the kind of person we need to be backing right now."

I thought about his words for a moment, considering the implications. A young man who had the ear of powerful people, someone who had already caught Farhad's attention—this could be bigger than I had imagined. But I needed more answers, more clarity about what exactly Aamz had done and what his true role was in all of this.

"How exactly did he collaborate with you?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual, even though I was hanging on to his every word.

Farhad smiled slightly, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. "He helped us navigate some tricky situations—business dealings, negotiations, and most importantly, he opened doors that we couldn't have accessed otherwise. Aamz has connections, a mind for strategy, and the ability to convince people to follow him. People trust him. And trust is power."

I felt a knot tighten in my stomach. This wasn't just a simple collaboration. Aamz had entangled himself in something much larger than I had realized. The more I heard, the more I understood that my past with him was far from over. And yet, despite everything, a part of me couldn't help but wonder: What else had he gotten himself into?

I looked at Farhad, trying to mask the mix of curiosity and determination bubbling inside me. "So, he's just a fan of your party, then?" I asked, keeping my tone casual, but there was an edge to it.

Farhad leaned back slightly, his hands resting behind his head. "That's true," he said with a small chuckle. "While I invited him to get directly involved politically, maybe take on some positions, he never accepted. And to be honest, that rejection made him even more of a genius in my eyes."

I pressed further, wanting to dig deeper. "So why would you want to let him go, then?" My mind was racing. This could be a strategic opportunity if I played it right.

Farhad paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he considered my question. "Because he doesn't belong to any party. He doesn't belong anywhere." His voice was filled with a mix of admiration and frustration, as if he respected Aamz's independence, but also saw it as something that could never be fully controlled.

I felt a sudden spark of inspiration. A way to turn the conversation, to use my leverage. "What if I open a new avenue for you to make use of him?" I asked, feeling a sense of power creeping into my words.

Before Farhad could respond, I acted on impulse. I leaned forward and kissed him on the lips, stopping him from speaking, and whispered against his mouth, "Maybe we can use him to make our relationship something forever—something not hidden anymore."

The moment I pulled back, I could see the surprise in his eyes, but also something else—an unmistakable recognition of what I was offering him. His expression shifted, and I knew I had his attention.

Farhad didn't say anything for a few moments, as if he was processing the boldness of what had just happened. He looked at me, then at the space around us, considering the weight of what I had suggested.

"So, you're saying we could use Aamz… and not just for business, but for something bigger?" His voice dropped a little, a mix of intrigue and hesitation in his tone.

I nodded slowly, watching his face closely. "Exactly," I said. "If we play it right, if we leverage him properly, we can make this relationship of ours stronger—unbreakable. We don't have to hide anymore. We can turn him into a tool for both our personal and professional lives."

Farhad was silent for a long moment, and then, slowly, a smile spread across his face. "You know," he said, his voice low and dangerous, "I've always liked your style. You know exactly how to make things happen."

My heart raced as I realized what I had just set in motion. I wasn't just talking about Aamz anymore. I was talking about reshaping everything—my relationship with Farhad, my place in the political landscape, and perhaps even my own future. A part of me felt uneasy, but another part felt exhilarated by the possibilities that had just opened up.

This wasn't just about power or strategy anymore. It was about control, about taking what was mine and turning it into something undeniable. And in that moment, I felt more in control than I had ever felt before.

I leaned in again, pressing my lips to Farhad's, a deeper, more deliberate kiss this time. When I pulled away, I looked him straight in the eyes, a new idea forming with crystal clarity in my mind. "You know, Farhad," I began, my voice low and confident, "he has more abilities in cyber security than you think. Use him in that way. Never release him. You can serve bigger political actors, defining a huge project, something groundbreaking, done by him."

Farhad raised an eyebrow, seemingly interested but also skeptical. "And how does this help our relationship?" he asked, his voice steady, but with a hint of curiosity.

I smiled inwardly, sensing my opportunity. "Having more power means it's less likely anyone will consider it a scandal—about a well-established journalist with a woman 20 years younger than him," I said, letting the implication hang in the air. I knew the weight of the suggestion, knew how it could shift things between us. Power, after all, meant protection, and protection meant less scrutiny. It was a simple yet effective formula.

Farhad looked at me, considering my words, but his face shifted slightly, a note of concern creeping in. "He'll never accept it," he replied, a little too quickly, his tone betraying some doubt. "At first, he started in the cyber security field, but he seems to have grown disinterested in it. He soon changed focus to petroleum-related things, and now, he's almost done with that project."

I didn't let his words slow me down. I was already one step ahead. "Yet, you can prevent him from going," I said, my voice firm and unyielding. "You can make sure he doesn't leave. You have the means to control the situation, don't you?"

Farhad was quiet for a moment, as though he was running the possibilities through his mind. I could see the gears turning behind his eyes, the slight twitch of his jaw as he wrestled with the options. He knew I was right—he had the power to keep Aamz exactly where he was, using him however he saw fit, without allowing him to escape into another field or another life.

After a pause, Farhad sighed, his expression softening into one of reluctant agreement. "I could," he admitted, though his tone remained tinged with uncertainty. "But how do you know he will be useful? He has always been an unpredictable one. Who knows if he'll be as loyal to the cause as we need?"

I smiled, sensing my opening. "Because he has no choice," I said, leaning closer to him. "You know how to make people stay in line, Farhad. And once you've got him in your grasp, you won't have to worry about him leaving, changing paths, or becoming a liability. He'll become an asset—one you can rely on."

Farhad took a deep breath, clearly contemplating everything I'd said. I could see the doubt still lingering in his mind, but it was quickly being replaced by a new understanding—a dangerous one. The power to manipulate, to use, to control... it was all within reach, and I had just given him the key.

"Alright," he said finally, his voice almost resigned. "We'll keep him in the fold. I'll make sure he stays. But how do you plan to use him, really? What's your angle in all of this?"

I leaned back, my thoughts racing, weaving together a plan that would cement our future. "My angle?" I repeated, meeting his eyes with a fierce determination. "Simple. We secure him, use him to tie up loose ends in the political world, and in return, we both get what we need—power, control, and the freedom to live our lives without fear. He's just a piece in the puzzle, Farhad. One we can move, manipulate, and use to our advantage."

Farhad nodded slowly, his lips curling into a grin. "Well then, it seems we've got ourselves a new project," he said, and I could hear the excitement in his voice. "Let's make sure he doesn't slip through the cracks."

I stood up, feeling the weight of what we were about to undertake settling on my shoulders. This was bigger than anything I'd done before—bigger than anything either of us had imagined. But it was a risk worth taking. It was the only way to ensure that everything—our relationship, our future, our power—would stay in our hands.

And with Aamz in the fold, nothing would be able to stop me.

Farhad sat on the edge of the bed, his arms crossed, looking at me with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. "I thought a lot," he said, his tone heavier than usual. "No, he is not useful for our relationship."

I tilted my head slightly, pretending to be surprised, though I had expected this hesitation. "I forgot to mention something," I said smoothly. "He has to pay back some things."

Farhad narrowed his eyes. "What?"

I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice, making sure every word carried weight. "Trust me," I said. "He wronged me. He wronged Dina. If you want me, Farhad, then use him. Force him into a groundbreaking project. First, he pays back what he owes me—to my love, Farhad. Then, after that… he can be free. But only then."

Farhad exhaled slowly, rubbing his chin as he processed my words. "And what kind of project could be powerful enough for that?"

I smiled. He was taking the bait. "I'll tell you," I said, my voice steady. "Trust me."

That night, while Farhad slept beside me, I lay awake, my mind racing with possibilities. I needed something real—something ambitious enough to tempt him, yet impossible enough for Aamz to accept based on his beliefs. A project that would entangle them both, delaying Aamz's plans long enough for me to get close again.

The next morning, as the city hummed awake outside, I sat on the balcony with my laptop, scrolling through government and corporate cyber initiatives. Farhad wanted power, and power required leverage. If I could find something massive, something tied to intelligence, security, or surveillance—something that would make Farhad look invaluable to his superiors—he would push it forward relentlessly.

And Aamz? He would resist. I knew him. His moral stubbornness, his refusal to be part of anything that violated privacy, his hatred for manipulation. If the project was framed as a tool for control, something used to monitor people, limit freedoms, or serve a corrupt agenda, he wouldn't just say no—he would fight it.

And that was exactly what I wanted.Time.

Time to work my way back into his mind. Time to use Dina's unread messages as a bridge. Time to make him hesitate.

It was a simple equation. If I could not have him, I would at least prevent him from becoming someone else's.

By midday, I had an idea. A large-scale cyber intelligence initiative. Something that blurred the line between security and oppression. A project requiring the best minds in the field. A project that Farhad could sell as revolutionary.

And for Aamz? It would be everything he despised. A test of his principles. A trap he wouldn't willingly walk into.

But with the right pressure, the right circumstances—he wouldn't have a choice.

The plan was working smoothly at first. Farhad had successfully suggested Aamz's name for the project, positioning it as an opportunity, and had started applying pressure. I could sense his growing frustration, but that only meant things were going according to plan.

One evening, as we lay in bed, I traced my fingers along Farhad's arm and asked casually, "Did he accept?"

Farhad sighed, shaking his head. "No."

I made a disappointed face. "Oh, that's too bad."

But inside, I was pleased. Aamz's resistance was predictable. The longer he resisted, the deeper the trap would set.

I turned to Farhad with a thoughtful look. "You just have to make things harder for him. Don't approve his previous work."

Farhad looked at me with a mix of surprise and skepticism. "What?"

I smiled slightly, tilting my head. "I know you can do that. Just delay the approval process. Keep his status unclear—neither approved nor officially incomplete. If you stretch the uncertainty long enough, he'll eventually accept."

Farhad narrowed his eyes. "How? And why?"

I sat up, leaning in closer. "Use your influence. Talk to the right people. Make sure his work stays in a bureaucratic limbo. Let him feel trapped—like he's done everything, yet nothing is finalized. If he knows for sure he's being punished for rejecting the project, he'll look for ways to fight back. But if he doesn't understand what's happening, if he's stuck in confusion, he'll grow tired. Somewhere along the way, exhaustion will break him."

Farhad studied me for a moment, considering my words. "I could find someone else," he said slowly. "Or put together a team for your 'great idea.' Why focus so much on him?"

I sighed, as if disappointed he didn't already understand. "You know this project needs multiple advanced skills at the same time. Can you really find someone who has them all?" I let the question hang between us before continuing. "Even if you assemble a team, one person has to oversee everything—someone who understands every detail. Who else but him?"

Farhad didn't respond right away. He knew I was right.

I placed a hand on his chest and softened my voice. "AI, software, and hardware all at once—there's only one person who carries all of it in his mind. And more than that, I need this." I met his gaze. "I need this project to work so I can stay with you. Without it, I'll always feel like something is incomplete. And maybe… maybe we'll always just be a hidden affair."

I let that final sentence linger. It was a carefully placed doubt, an unspoken threat wrapped in vulnerability. Farhad wanted stability. He wanted me without complications. If making this project happen was the price to pay for that, he would do it.

Now, all I had to do was wait.

He said, "If you just want to punish him, I can do it directly—no need for something this complicated."

I shook my head. "No, not punishment. I want him to repay for what he took—from my father's reputation, from my family. And this repayment should serve a greater purpose. It should give both you and me more power."

I leaned in slightly, my voice steady and deliberate. "Think about it—processing text and images, big data handling, automated data-gathering bots, optimization techniques… Don't all of these skills point to one single name?"

Farhad exhaled, rubbing his chin as he considered my words. "You're saying he's the perfect fit?"

I nodded. "More than just a fit. He's necessary."

He watched me for a moment, then sighed. "Alright. I'll see what I can do."

A small, satisfied smile touched my lips. The pieces were moving exactly as I had planned.

Farhad didn't say anything more that night, but I could see the wheels turning in his mind. He was considering it—calculating the benefits, the risks. And that was enough for now.

I lay beside him, staring at the ceiling, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and anticipation. The plan was in motion. Aamz would have no choice but to stay tangled in this web long enough for me to get what I wanted.

With that thought, I closed my eyes.

This was only the beginning.