Chapter Two

"So what will you do now? How do you want to pay me?" her voice echoed loudly, making my head throb.

As if her airy accent was not enough, no matter how much I explained that there is no refund the woman was unwilling to budge. It was as if this woman purposefully came for a fight today.

"Madam, that is what I have explained. I can only give you a pottery piece or pieces worth the same price" I repeated for the umpteenth time this past hour, 

"No! I want my refund and I want it now! The customer is always right. You are practically useless!" she bellowed and I froze.

'Useless' the word echoed, ringing in my ears. The lady's voice morphed to a familiar voice, causing shivers to run down my spine and I gripped the counter.

My vision blurred and my breathing was shallow, and I forced my gaze to move past the lady to see the line of disgruntled customers. I need to think of something and fast, otherwise these people will join her to leave as well and I won't sell anything this morning.

"How will I do that if I faint?" I thought to myself.

 Before I could make a decision, a voice boomed behind me.

"How much is the amount, and do you want it in cash or check?" I turned to see my friend Derek standing behind me.

I was surprised to see him, as he did not inform me that he was done with his business trip or that he will be coming. His presence reigned in the room quite heavily, and it made me calm. He had an intimidating look which forced the lady to be silent and I could tell that he was upset. 

"It's about $2000, can you pay it back?" She asked, skeptically eyeing him. Derek only raised his hands and his assistant Salim ran to give his phone.

With a swipe, the lady's phone buzzed and her face became grim as she stormed out shame faced. I gave a silent glance of appreciation to him, although I was unhappy that he stepped in again unwilling to owe him more than I already do.

 I apologized to the customers for the delay and I immediately began attending to each person. Thankfully after that lady things went well, I had more orders than I anticipated and Derek had to help me with putting the packages together. By noon we were done, and as we sat moved to my office I felt tired but grateful that a small hobby has now become a booming business.

We sat in my office, the whir of the fan being the only sound in the room as I leaned into my chair so the floaty feeling could subside.

"Thank you Derek, I really appreciate your help" I said, reaching for my water bottle to have a sip of water and a painkiller as my head was still pounding.

"Next time don't argue with anyone. Just pay them back Ana, and I will recompense the losses" Derek said with a frown, and I shook my head in refusal.

"I don't want to use money to solve issues that could be resolved easily. And I can't keep asking from you can I?" I retorted.

"Is anything more valuable than your health Ana? If I did not come in time, what would have happened if you fainted Ana?" his eyes shone in concern as he looked at me.

"And why after four years, do you still treat me like a stranger?" he questioned, and I bit my lips to swallow my response.

Derek, you can only be a friend to me. I am not ready to let you, or anyone, break the walls I have built.... not after all I endured.

"Derek, I feel you should go." I replied quietly, turning away from him to face the window.

"You're going to have to answer me eventually" he whispered, and with a silent sigh he stood up to leave.

I stared at the door for a second, my mind racing as I struggled to reign my emotions. If only Derek knew what I went through. 

Unwilling to let my mind wander farther than it has, I decided to continue working. I heard the jingle of the doorbell and I felt glad for the timely distraction of a customer. I stepped out of my office, entering the store.

"Good afternoon, you are welcome to-" my voice died in my throat as I saw the customer.

It was Darian Khan. He stood in the midst of bodyguards looking tall and commanding, utterly out of place in my little shop. I stood rooted as his dark gaze which scanned the room fell on me and my breath hitched.

"Zara" he whispered, walking past the counter to meet me but I stepped back.

I had not heard that name in a while, and it made my chest tighten. All the memories I tried to suppress flooded in: The humiliation and embarrassment him and his family subjected me to, the betrayal and how he coldly exiled me. 

He told me to never show my face to him, so I left Akhar. I moved continents away and started my life again, so why is he here now?

I swallowed the bitter urge to lash out at and forced out a question.

"What are you doing here?" The room fell silent, the chilly wind blowing between us.

"Zara, I have been searching everywhere for you" he started, his voice tinged with some sort of relief.

"I did not expect to see you here-" he said, and I raised my hands to silence him.

"Just get straight to the point Sultan" I muttered coldly, his eyes widened in surprise and he adjusted.

"Zara-" he started, but I held my hand up to stop him.

"Kindly address me as Ana, Sultan" I said with a steely voice, causing 

Darian to flinch in surprise.

"Ana, I have come to ask you to return home" he said softly, and my heart stopped.

"Return home?" I repeated, hoping he would retract his statement but he nodded.

The audacity.

"I have no home to return to, Sultan. You made sure of that four years ago" I responded, clenching my fists as my blood boiled.

If I don't send him away now, I am afraid I will do something drastic to this man. 

"Please leave now. I have other matters to attend to" I said curtly as I folded my hands together. 

He looked bewildered, shocked that I could speak to him in this manner, but I could care less. The earlier he leaves from here, the sooner I can carry on with my life.

 However as I was turning to enter my office, he spoke up again.

"Grandfather has passed away, and his last request was that you attend his burial" he announced, and his words pierced my heart like a dagger.

Grandfather Faizal has always been someone who is dear to my heart. Although he was Darian's Grandfather, he loved me as his own from the bottom of his heart as soon as I was born. He loved me so much, he wanted me to be a part of his family, but that did not work out as he expected.

Although the news of his passing caused me to feel so hollow, I now hold no significance in this. I readjusted my stance and crossed my arms over my chest, refusing to let myself fall weak.

"And... How does my presence contribute? This matter does not concern me anymore" I asked, my voice heavy as I stared at my palms which were now red.

Why would I go back to where I was rejected and treated like a criminal because of a funeral? Did this really matter so much to me?

"I know what you're thinking Ana and you are right." Darian's voice echoed through the silence, and I swallowed hard.

"I have no right to ask you for anything, or to even stand before you" he added, walking towards me.

"All I ask is that you think of him. Don't let what happened between us stop you from seeing him for the last time" he pleaded, and my mind was now in a battle with my heart.

"You don't have to go with him" my mind said, but my heart ached immensely at the thought of not seeing Grandfather one last time.

Choosing to stay away may only bring regrets, and I don't want to leave my life regretting more than I already have. I locked gazes with Darian from the first time he entered, my eyes hardened in resolve.

"I will come, Sultan."