Rukhsar Begum had just returned home, but she hadn't told Hoor where she had been.
"Mom, have some water," Hoor said, handing her a glass.
"Where's Ali?" Rukhsar Begum asked, referring to Hoor's younger brother.
"He's asleep," Hoor replied, placing the glass back in the kitchen before sitting beside her mother again. She hesitated before asking, "Mom, where did you go?"
The question caught Rukhsar Begum off guard, but she quickly masked her surprise. Since Hoor wasn't looking directly at her, she missed the subtle change in her expression.
"I had some errands to run. Why do you ask?"
"You forgot your phone at home, and someone called you," Hoor informed her.
A wave of relief washed over Rukhsar Begum's face.
"Oh… who was it?" she asked, leaning back into the sofa.
Hoor studied her mother's face for a moment before softly replying, "Ahal."
Even though she had spoken quietly, her mother's reaction was intense.
"What did he say?" Rukhsar Begum sat upright abruptly, her face turning pale. Hoor grew uneasy seeing her like this.
"Mom, he just asked about you… said he wanted to talk to you."
Rukhsar Begum stared at her as if trying to determine whether she was telling the truth.
"That's all he said?" she asked, her eyes scrutinizing Hoor's face.
"Yes," Hoor confirmed, shifting slightly under her mother's intense gaze.
"Hmm... where's my phone?" she asked, glancing around.
"It's on the dressing table in your room," Hoor informed her, making it easier.
Without another word, Rukhsar Begum got up and went to her room, closing the door behind her. Watching her leave, Hoor couldn't shake the feeling that her mother was hiding something.
---
A Ride with the Devil
It was quite late at the office. The entire building was nearly empty, but the amount of work she had left seemed endless. Emma glanced at her watch—it was already 10 PM. She quickly packed her things and headed out.
"How am I supposed to get home now? Oh God… hopefully, I can find a taxi," she muttered while walking briskly.
She had barely stepped out of the office when a sleek black car came to an abrupt stop right beside her. Startled, she instinctively took two steps back. The tinted window rolled down, revealing piercing blue eyes.
"Get in," John ordered in a serious tone.
"No thanks, I'll manage," Emma replied, shaking her head and walking away.
"I said, get in the car," John repeated, emphasizing each word.
"And I said… No," Emma shot back, her refusal firmer this time.
John exhaled sharply, clearly displeased. "Fine, as you wish."
Emma felt a wave of relief—finally, he was leaving. But before she could take another step, she felt strong arms wrap around her. Within seconds, she was lifted off the ground and placed into the passenger seat.
Her mind blanked. It all happened so fast that she couldn't even react. She only snapped back to reality when the car roared to life. Panicked, she reached for the door handle, only to realize it was locked.
"Child lock?" she whispered in frustration.
John took a sharp turn, causing Emma—who was still struggling with the door—to lose her balance. She tumbled forward, landing right against him.
His lips curled into a smirk as he glanced at her.
Embarrassed, Emma quickly pulled away, her cheeks burning red. John, still watching her, drummed his fingers against the steering wheel.
"Stop the car," Emma demanded, finally finding her voice. She wanted to sound commanding, but her tone came out softer than intended.
John didn't respond.
"Did you hear me? I said stop the car!" she shouted this time.
His grip on the wheel tightened, his brows furrowing slightly.
"Miss Emma…" his voice was dangerously calm, "I don't want to hear another word."
Emma swallowed hard, momentarily intimidated, but she quickly gathered herself. "Then let me out of the car. You won't have to hear my voice ever again!"
John abruptly hit the brakes at a red light. Emma instantly tried to open the door again, but before she could even process what was happening, he leaned toward her, gripping her wrists firmly.
His face was just inches away from hers.
"Listen carefully," his voice was a whisper, but it carried a dangerous edge. "I'm not kidnapping you. I'm dropping you home. But if you keep making a scene…" he paused, his smirk widening, "then I will kidnap you."
Emma froze, her breath hitching.
John released her wrists but didn't move away. Instead, he leaned in even closer. Trapped between him and the door, she pressed herself against it as much as possible.
Feeling his breath so close, she tightly shut her eyes.
John observed her trembling lashes, her slightly parted lips, before pulling back. A faint click made her open her eyes—he had just fastened her seatbelt.
Without another word, he resumed driving.
---
An Unsettling Goodbye
The rest of the ride was silent.
When the car stopped in front of her house, John turned to her. His gaze was softer this time. "Tomorrow, bring the work on time—and completed. You already know the consequences if you don't."
"I know," Emma muttered, fumbling for her keys. She quickly got out, unlocked the door, and disappeared inside.
John stayed parked, watching her silhouette through the window until the curtains finally closed. Then, without another glance, he drove away.
Emma peeked through the window, watching his car disappear down the street.
Her heart was still racing.
"John is… a very strange man," she whispered to herself.
She shook her head, forcing herself to focus on something else—her work. And just as she figured out a plan to finish it, her eyes lit up. Grabbing her phone, she quickly dialed a number…
---
A Late-Night Call
Hoor was just about to sleep when her phone rang. She glanced at the screen—Emma was calling.
"Emma doesn't usually call this late," she thought, picking up. Before she could say anything, Emma started speaking.
"Heeey! You weren't asleep yet, right? Good! If you were, well… now you're awake!"
Despite the stressful day, a small smile spread across Hoor's lips.
"Assalamu Alaikum… No, I was awake. What's up?"
"Yeah, so… I need your help." Emma got straight to the point, explaining her situation.
"Okay, I'll help."
Emma let out a dramatic sigh of relief, feeling as if she had been saved. At the same time, she mentally scolded herself for not thinking of this earlier.
"Come over to my place."
"Emma, you know I can't come there… You'll have to come here," Hoor said firmly.
Emma fell silent for a moment. She understood why.
"Okay," Emma said softly before hanging up.
That night, her past came rushing back…
---
A Cruel Past
Emma and Peter were the children of Isabella and Albert. Their family was happy—until Albert's sudden death in an accident. His loss broke Isabella. Struggling with grief, she fell ill, and their financial situation worsened. Emma and Peter were forced to find jobs.
It was Hoor who helped Emma during that difficult time. She helped Emma get her first job at a café. Balancing studies and work wasn't easy, but Emma had no choice. Things eventually improved… but only for a short while.
Peter's girlfriend left him. Already broken by their father's death, he spiraled further into darkness. His so-called friends introduced him to drugs.
Then one day… he did something unforgivable.
That night, everything changed.
Hoor never stepped foot in Emma's house again.
And Emma never forced her to.
---
To be continued…
--