Chapter 30: Shadows of Doubt
The days following his meeting with Imane were a blur of activity. Younes couldn't shake the feeling of looming danger. He had always trusted his instincts, but now every conversation, every deal, and even the smallest decision seemed to carry more weight. His business empire was growing faster than ever, but the price of success seemed to be an ever-present shadow.
Despite his attempts to carry on as usual, Younes found himself looking over his shoulder. He replayed Imane's words in his mind. Trust no one. The people closest to him, the ones who had been with him through thick and thin, were they really as loyal as they seemed? Could there be someone among them working to bring him down?
Sitting in his office one evening, Younes stared at the skyline of Casablanca. The city was alive with lights, bustling even after dark. His office, perched high in one of the tallest buildings, felt like a fortress. But no fortress was impenetrable, and Younes knew that better than anyone.
His phone buzzed on the desk, and he glanced at the screen. It was a message from Adil, his longtime friend and business partner. Adil had been with Younes from the very beginning, back when they were both scraping by, trying to make a name for themselves. Now, Adil was one of the most important figures in Younes' company, managing several key aspects of the business.
The message was simple: We need to talk. Something's come up.
Younes frowned. There it was again—that vague, unsettling feeling. Something was off, and he didn't like it.
He replied quickly: Come to the office. I'm here.
Adil arrived within the hour. He was a tall man with a calm, measured demeanor, someone who rarely showed any emotion beyond a slight smile or a furrowed brow. Tonight, though, Younes could sense the tension in his movements as he entered the office.
"What's going on?" Younes asked, trying to keep his tone casual, though his mind was racing.
Adil closed the door behind him and took a seat across from Younes. He didn't speak immediately, instead taking a moment to gather his thoughts. Finally, he sighed and leaned forward.
"There's something you need to know," Adil began, his voice low. "I've been hearing things. Whispers, rumors. People are talking about you, Younes. Powerful people."
Younes felt his stomach tighten. Imane's warnings echoed in his mind. "What kind of people? And what are they saying?"
Adil hesitated, as if weighing his words carefully. "It's not just competitors. It's people in government, people with influence. They think you're moving too fast, disrupting too many established interests. There are some who want to slow you down—or stop you altogether."
Younes leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. This wasn't entirely surprising. He had always known that his rapid ascent would draw attention from powerful circles. But hearing it from Adil, someone he trusted, made it more real.
"Do you think it's serious?" Younes asked, his eyes fixed on Adil's face, searching for any sign of doubt.
Adil nodded slowly. "I do. And I think you need to be very careful about who you trust right now."
Younes felt a flicker of unease. He had always counted on Adil to have his back, to be his confidant and his partner in every sense. But now, even Adil's words carried an edge of suspicion.
"I'm listening," Younes said, his voice calm but guarded. "What do you suggest?"
Adil glanced around the room, as if expecting to see someone else there. "There are people inside the company—people close to you—who might be compromised. I don't have proof, but I've heard things. Conversations, hints. I think someone's feeding information to your enemies."
Younes' heart skipped a beat. Someone inside his own company? The idea was both infuriating and terrifying. He had built his business on trust and loyalty, surrounding himself with people he believed in. If one of them had turned against him…
"Who?" Younes demanded, his voice hardening. "Do you have any names?"
Adil shook his head. "Not yet. But I'm working on it. Just… be careful. Don't make any rash decisions until we know more."
Younes nodded, though his mind was already racing. Trust no one. It was a mantra that had guided him through many difficult situations, but now it felt more urgent than ever. If there was a traitor in his midst, he needed to find out who it was before they could do any real damage.
As Adil left the office, Younes sat in silence, staring out at the city. The lights of Casablanca seemed distant and cold, like stars in the night sky—beautiful, but untouchable. He had come so far, built so much, but now it felt as though everything was slipping through his fingers.
He reached for his phone and dialed a number he hadn't used in a long time. It rang twice before a familiar voice answered.
"Younes?" the voice said, surprised. "It's been a while."
"I need a favor," Younes said, not bothering with pleasantries. "I need you to look into something for me. Quietly."
There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Of course. What's going on?"
Younes took a deep breath. "Someone's trying to sabotage me. I need to know who it is."
The voice on the other end didn't hesitate. "Consider it done. I'll start digging."
As he hung up, Younes felt a sense of grim determination settle over him. He couldn't trust anyone—not until he knew who was behind the attacks. But he would find out. And when he did, there would be consequences.
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. Younes threw himself into his work, maintaining his usual schedule of meetings and negotiations. But beneath the surface, he was on high alert, watching for any sign of betrayal.
His contacts, both legal and less so, began feeding him information. Little by little, a picture began to form. It wasn't just one person who was after him—it was a network, a coordinated effort by people with power and influence who saw him as a threat. They were pulling strings, trying to bring him down from the inside.
Younes' suspicions grew as he reviewed the evidence. There were leaks from his company, subtle but damaging. Deals had fallen through at the last minute, and opportunities that should have been secure were suddenly slipping away. Someone was playing a long game, waiting for the right moment to strike.
But Younes wasn't going to give them that chance. He was always one step ahead, and this time would be no different.
As the pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, Younes knew that the time for action was near. He had always been a fighter, and now he was ready for war.
Whoever was behind this, whoever thought they could bring him down, would soon learn the hard way: Younes was not someone to be underestimated.