26. MURAD'S OUTBURST

“Taliya.”

The whisper, harsh and close, made her jump. She turned, her eyes widening in shock as she faced Haroon. His face was a mask of controlled fury, his eyes boring into hers with intensity.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded, his voice low but sharp.

Taliya swallowed, trying to steady her racing heart. “I... I was just...”

“Following Murad?” Haroon finished for her, his tone leaving no room for denial.

She nodded, penetrating her eyes into his gaze. “Yes.”

Haroon's expression hardened. “Do you realize how dangerous this is? What were you thinking?”

“I needed to know what he’s up to,” Taliya whispered, glancing past Haroon towards Murad, who was still engrossed in his conversation. “He’s been acting strange.”

Haroon sighed, his anger giving way to concern. He stepped closer, his voice softening. “Taliya, there are things at play here that you don’t understand. Following Murad could put you in serious danger.”

Taliya's eyes flashed with determination. “Then explain it to me, Haroon. What’s going on? What is Murad involved in?”

Haroon hesitated, his gaze shifting to Murad and then back to Taliya. “It’s complicated. But I promise you, I’ll tell you everything. Just not here, not now.”

Taliya took a deep breath, sensing the urgency in Haroon's tone. “Okay,” she agreed reluctantly. “But you’d better keep that promise.”

Haroon nodded, taking her hand and pulling her away from the courtyard. “We need to get back to the room, we have to discuss something more important. Stay close to me.”

As they walked back, Taliya cast one last glance over her shoulder at Murad. The secrets he held seemed to be growing darker, and she knew that whatever Haroon had to tell her would change everything.

~☆~


Taliya knocked lightly on Haroon’s hotel room door, her heart racing with excitement but anticipation too. The summer collection was just days away from release, and everything hinged on their final preparations. Haroon had called her up for a last-minute meeting, and she could feel the weight of their shared responsibility.

"Come in," Haroon's voice called from inside.

Taliya opened the door and stepped into the room. Haroon was seated at a desk, papers and fabric samples spread out before him. He looked up and gave her a tired but genuine smile.

"Thanks for coming, Taliya. We need to go over a few more details."

"Of course," Taliya replied, taking a seat across from him. "What’s left to discuss?"

Haroon leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "We’ve got the launch event planned, but I want to ensure that every piece in the collection is perfect. The final fittings are done and we need to double-check our marketing strategy."

Taliya nodded, pulling out her notebook. "I’ve already contacted the models for a one more final fitting session tomorrow morning. I’ll oversee the adjustments personally."

"Great. What about the social media campaign? Are we set on the content schedule?" Haroon asked, his eyes scanning the notes in front of him.

"Yes, we’ve lined up posts, stories, and influencer collaborations for the next two weeks. I’ve also arranged for behind-the-scenes content to be shared live during the launch event."

Haroon looked relieved. "That sounds perfect. I also want to ensure that the guest list is flawless. No unexpected surprises. We need to make a strong impression."

Taliya smiled. "I’ve double-checked the RSVPs and followed up with a few key guests to confirm their attendance. The venue is ready, and the decor team is on standby."

Taliya sighed, the tension easing from her shoulders. "You’ve thought of everything. I knew I could count on you."

Haroon blushed slightly at the praise. "We’ve worked too hard for anything to go wrong now. This collection means a lot to both of us."

Taliya nodded, her gaze softening. "It does. And I couldn’t have done it without your dedication and hard work. Let’s make sure this launch is something we can both be proud of."

They spent the next few hours going over every detail, from the lighting at the event to the music playlist, ensuring nothing was left to chance. By the time they finished, the sun had set, casting a warm glow through the hotel room windows.

Haroon stood up and stretched. "I think we’re ready. Get some rest, Taliya. Tomorrow is going to be a big day."

Taliya gathered her things, feeling a mix of exhaustion and excitement. "You too, Haroon. We’ve got this."

Taliya  headed towards the door of Haroon’s hotel room. She felt a renewed sense of confidence after their productive meeting. Just as she reached for the handle, the door burst open with a loud bang, making her jump back in shock.

Murad, Haroon’s long-time rival, stormed into the room, his face contorted with anger. His sudden appearance sent a wave of alarm through both Taliya and Haroon.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Haroon demanded, standing up from his chair.

Ignoring Haroon, Murad fixed his eyes on Taliya. He growled making Taliya shiver under his dark gaze. What has happened to make things worse than before. Murad got nothing with her than why he was here. Taliya was confused.

Before Taliya could react, Murad grabbed her arm and yanked her towards the door. She struggled, trying to break free from his grip, but Murad was too strong. Panic surged through her as she glanced back at Haroon, who was already racing towards them.

“Let her go, Murad!” Haroon shouted, closing the distance between them.

Murad pulled Taliya out of the room and into the hallway, dragging her towards the elevator. Taliya’s heart pounded as she tried to resist, her mind racing for a way to escape.

Haroon reached them just as Murad hit the button for the elevator. He grabbed Murad’s shoulder, forcing him to stop. “I said, let her go!”