Chapter 26

Y A S M E E N

I arrived in New York with my cousins about two weeks ago. I sincerely did not want to come, I want to stay at home and not leave my room like I've been doing for the last couple of months since Zara's death.

When Zara's parents informed me of her death, I cried for weeks on end. I refused to believe she was dead, this can't be real. She just started her life, graduated from school, and started interviews for a stable job, it's unfair! It's too unfair!

I quit my job and stopped leaving my house, I don't even think I've been getting enough sunlight to be alive right now. I stopped eating and drinking, I was losing weight faster than anyone can imagine, and I was turning into bones. My hair became brittle, my lips completely chapped and dehydrated, and the shadows under my eyes were horrible. I didn't have any way to cope, depression had swallowed me whole. She was my only friend, my best friend and I refused to believe she was dead.

Bless my parents, they tried and kept trying to make me revert back to who I used to be. They were patient and loving, not once calling me insane or delusional. I'm getting back on my feet now, slowly but surely. I haven't been able to get back to work or leave my house normally without breaking down.

Now, the reason I'm in New York is to attend some charity ball in the place of my dad. He couldn't make it but thought it would be rude to decline such a prestigious invitation. He also thought I might have fun and I didn't have the heart to say no after all he's done for me.

I've been staying with my cousins who own an apartment here. They know the city much more than me because they visit often so we went around some of the tourist spots. The weirdest thing is... when we were around the luxury store part of the shopping district, I swear–I swear to you I thought I felt Zara close by. I thought I heard her yelling my name, I even stopped to look around.

That's when I thought to myself that when I go back home, I need to ask my parents to pay for a therapist for me. I need to help myself mentally and stop being delusional. I have to accept the fact that she has passed on and there's nothing I can do about it.

So, when I thought I heard Zara call my name again, I kept walking. In fact, I walked faster until the feeling subsided. I need to prepare for my life without Zara in it. No matter how painful it is, it has to be done for the sake of my parents, for the sake of myself.

• • •

I've been obnoxiously bored, walking around, trying to keep myself entertained.

"Excuse me, would you know if the appetizers have pork in them?" I ask one of the waiters.

"No, everything is halal. They were special orders made by the sponsor of tonight's event for his fiancée," he answers.

For his fiancée? That's so thoughtful, I smile to myself. She just obviously is Muslim.

"Thank you!" I say to the waiter.

As I'm minding my own business, munching on my snacks, I feel someone bump against my back, making me drop my biscuit.

"Oh, oops! Sorry!" The apology comes out as an instinct even though I wasn't at fault.

I turn around to be met with the most handsome man I've ever laid eyes on. He's tall, very tall, and dressed in all-black formal attire. His hair is softly swept to the side, revealing his undercut. His features are soft yet intimidating because of how sharp his eyes are and how defined his jaw is. The tattoos on his neck cover most of his skin, just as they cover most of his arms.

He's Asian, first and foremost. But that's not the first thing someone would notice about him. Something else catches my attention first, maybe it's his aura? He looks cold, stoic, and unbothered. He also looks sort of... empty? But hot. But, you know, empty.

"Oh my God, you're gorgeous," I gasp. Oh, shit. I said that out loud. "I mean, uh," can I have your number? No, don't ask that you creep.

He's making it even worst by just staring at me, almost blankly. It's as if whatever I just said didn't even go through his ears. He didn't even register my words.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I please have your attention? Thank you all for attending La Notte Drago charity ball tonight. Your generous donations and contributions have been outstanding," someone thankfully interrupts the awkward moment and saves my life.

"That voice... he sounds so... familiar..." I say out loud to myself, earning a raised brow from the handsome stranger.

"Zara, my love, please join me," the man continues.

Zara? My Zara? It can't—

"I'm very pleased to announce that I am engaged and will be getting married very soon to my love, Zara Khan."

Zara Khan.

Zara Khan.

Zara Khan.

I run.

I sprint into a run towards the stage, pushing through the hoards of people to see because I definitely couldn't believe my ears.

Once my eyes focus on the woman on the stage, my heart drops. Tears well up in my eyes, blurring my vision momentarily.

Our eyes meet and her expression instantly changes from shock to utter desperation.

It's her. It's Zara. She's alive. She's living and breathing. She's goddamn alive! And she's with... Alejandro?

• • •

Z A R A

"W-what happened to you? Your death–your funeral, we buried you—but you're w-with Alejandro—" Yasmeen couldn't speak without gasping for air.

"Shhh, it's okay, Yasmeen. Breathe. Please, breathe. I don't want you to pass out," I say, still holding her in my arms.

My heart clenches in sheer happiness, mixed with pain, making it feel like my heart might explode. Yasmeen looks like she's been to Hell and back. She's lost a considerable amount of weight, and her usually bright eyes are dull and sorrowful. I hold onto her tighter, she must've grieved for me so much. The desperation in her voice is enough to give way to how horrible it was for her to hear that I wasn't alive.

I want to live in this moment forever, I never want to leave.

"Zara, if you don't tell me what happened, why everyone back home thinks you're dead, why you're with Alejandro, of all people, why—"

"Shh," I quiet her down once more. "I'll tell you everything when I have the chance but do not, and I repeat, do not ask what happened to me in front of Alejandro, okay?"

She understood almost instantaneously. She knows something is off and I'm not in the right place to be able to say anything, so she nods and stops asking any further questions.

And that is why, ladies and gentlemen, she's my best friend, my twin flame, and my platonic soulmate all in one.

"You don't understand how much I've missed you–how much your parents miss you!" She sobs.

"Have they started to move on?" I ask, hoping that they are staying strong regardless of what happened to me.

"They're trying their best," she sniffles. "It's very difficult for them, no doubt. I called in every week to check up on them and... they're holding on," there's obvious sadness in her tone.

My parents are falling apart and I can't do anything about it. I don't push the topic any further to not cause myself any more pain, "How in the world did you end up here?"

Yasmeen explains that she's here representing her father since he couldn't make it. And that's when I realize that this charity event is not only for people from the crime families but a mix of successful people. Yasmeen's very successful businessman father is one of them.

Yasmeen goes on to ask me how Alejandro is and how he's been treating me. I answer the question very carefully, trying to hint at her that it isn't going well. She understands that as well and asks me to show her my ring to change the topic.

"Oh! It's the ring he gave you four years ago. That's nice," she tries her best to sound casual.

I'm keeping the conversation at a safe level just in case Alejandro can somehow hear me from wherever he is.

"You look gorgeous! The dress is definitely your vibe. And wow, you're carrying a Chanel purse now! I guess you can't hang out with a commoner like me anymore, Ms. Marrying Rich," she giggles, trying to lighten the mood.

"Oh, really? So, what are you going to do about the five Chanel purses you already own, Ms. I Was Born Rich?" I laugh.

Both of us catch up on small things that are safe to discuss, like what she's been up to, what I've been [loosely] up to, et cetera.

"By the way, I saw this guy before I ran here like a maniac. Ya Allah, he was so handsome! He looked like he was sculpted with extra care," She grins. "But you know what my stupid self did?"

"Asked for his number?" I raise a brow.

"Close, I almost did that," she sighs. "I accidentally blurted out that he's gorgeous!"

"Oh my God! Yasmeen, you didn't!" I gasp, covering my mouth.

"I did! And you know what he did? He didn't even bother to answer me. In fact, I don't even know if he heard me!" She pouts.

"That's good, no?" I ask in confusion.

"Well, yes but no. I sort of wanted him to say something. He didn't even apologize for bumping into me," she frowns. "But he's extremely gorgeous, so he's forgiven."

"Pretty privilege," I shake my head disapprovingly.

"I'm not even going to lie, it felt like love at first sight," she ignores my comment. "My heart is still pounding from seeing him."

"That's disrespectful to me! You already forgot about me because of a man you saw minutes ago? Typical Yasmeen behavior," I act sad.

She hugs my arm and giggles, "Don't be silly! You're my number one man, nobody can take that spot."

Her mood has clearly changed since minutes ago. She's almost completely back to her old self, minus the underlying concern she has over what is happening to me.

"Congratulations on your official engagement announcement," A voice interrupts our conversation. "And congratulations for not screwing it up, doll," it's Marcus and he, like always, sounds slightly bitter.

"Thank you, Marcus. I appreciate that" I smile.

I feel a pull at my sleeve and it's Yasmeen staring at Marcus with wide eyes. She leans over to my ear and whispers, "That's him. He's the man who stole my breath away."

"Him?" Oh, honey, anyone but him.

"Yes, what part of 'love at first sight' did you not understand?" She whispers

aggressively. "Wait, he calls you doll? What for? When do I get a cute nickname?"

Marcus stares at us with his usual unbothered expression.

"Marcus, my friend here has the fattest crush on you," The second the words left my mouth, I regretted it, but in the most comical way.

"I should've killed you in ninth grade, when I had the chance," Yasmeen narrows her eyes at me.

In ninth grade, she accidentally pushed me off a swing at the park, which resulted in a sprained ankle on my part. That's her meaning of killing me when she had the chance, she's such a pure soul.

"Okay, and? What do you want me to do about it?" Marcus asks in an almost mocking tone.

"Nothing. I was just going to let my sweet Yasmeen know you don't swing that way," I say.

"He doesn't?" She pouts, genuinely upset.

"I swing any way I want to," he says, quite irritated. "Besides, this friend of yours isn't even close to my type."

"So, you do swing my way?" Yasmeen lights up.

"You're not my type," Marcus states coldly.

"Yeah because his type is my fiancé," I chuckle. "Unless you're Alejandro, you won't be able to bag Marcus."

Yasmeen's jaw drops, except she doesn't even question the fact that Marcus has a thing for Alejandro. Her airy way of thinking goes straight to asking, "And how do you expect me to turn into Alejandro? Have you seen him? It's impossible. This is depressing."

"Is she sane?" Marcus asks me. I can tell Yasmeen has peaked a slight interest in him, not romantically, of course.

"No, but she's admirably insane," I smile as I watch Yasmeen continue her pouting.

Yasmeen is gifted in socializing and bringing people together. She tends to have this effect on people, where she's able to pull them in because of how bright and bubbly she is.

But, somehow, she hasn't been able to find anyone who ever reciprocated her feelings. She's always the type of person who got friend-zoned or straight up, rejected because, for some reason, the guys around us didn't find the bubbly personality spousal material. Some even said she spoke her mind a little too much... um, okay? What does that mean? So, you're trying to keep us in the Victorian era?

I find that extremely confusing because, if I were a guy, I'd propose to Yasmeen in a heartbeat. Imagine being with someone who shines as bright as the sun, so you're always bathing in vivacious sunlight. She'd never let an inch of darkness touch your soul. I'm sure the multiple rejections have taken a toll on her but she always manages to bounce back. Now, for example, she isn't shy about outwardly admitting her feelings when it's out in the open. This can never be me, I'd pass away for personal reasons.1

Yasmeen's current crush of hers is a little... unfortunate. She truly deserves every bit of happiness and Marcus could never give her that. Maybe I should introduce her to Elijah...

No! Not Elijah! It completely slipped my mind that his profession consists of murder and drugs. I mean, unless he's willing to leave this profession and look into Islam, then I have no problem with it. His energy matches Yasmeen's very well, now that I think about it.

"Well, well, if it isn't Ms. Loud Mouth," Alejandro interjects into our conversation.

"Well, well, if it isn't the asshole who never bothered to send us a text in the last four years after using us in high school for homework," Yasmeen narrows her eyes.

"Watch your mouth," Marcus warns Yasmeen.

I freeze, not knowing if it's one of those times where Alejandro can take a joke.

Fortunately for me, Alejandro puts up a hand to have Marcus stand down.

"As you can see, Ms. Yasmeen Yasin, I've been busy for the past few years building an empire," he grabs me by my waist and pulls me in against him. "But, I did come back for someone."

"Damn, you just threw away me like that? I thought I was your favorite and she was the side piece," Yasmeen sighs dramatically.

Alejandro's expression cracks into a sincere smile. He's trying his best not to burst into a fit of laughter. Yasmeen's silliness can make anyone crack.

Marcus' expression is priceless, on the other hand. He doesn't only look shocked, but confused and jealous. I'm sure Yasmeen's way of being so open, that even Alejandro enjoys her presence, is something Marcus can't comprehend or grasp.

"Oh? I didn't even realize you were considered a side piece? In fact, I'm not even sure if I remember you properly," Alejandro teases her.

"How could you say that to someone who put up with your miserable self for four years of my precious high school years? I'm hurt," Yasmeen dramatically puts a hand on her mouth. "Anyways, remember that $100 you borrowed from me and never returned? I want it back because one, you've betrayed my friendship, and two, I see you can finally afford to repay me," Yasmeen says jokingly.

"Hey! Know your place when you speak to him!" Marcus is irritated by the way Yasmeen is so carefree around Alejandro.

"I'll pay it back with interest by tonight, how about that?" Alejandro says, ignoring Marcus.

"I'll be expecting it," Yasmeen giggles.

Seeing them interact so lightly fills my heart with warmth and comfort, reminding me of our innocent years. Yet, it's making me extremely jealous. I'm jealous of how Alejandro and Yasmeen are bickering back and forth lightheartedly. He's treating her the way I want to be treated and it's absolutely heartbreaking to watch.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad Yasmeen is in the dark but I'm envious that she can live without being informed of what is going on. I'm envious that Alejandro and Yasmeen can joke around or tease each other so casually because all Alejandro does is hurt me. Why can't he joke around with me from time to time? Make me laugh as he used? Tease me like he used to?

"Zara, are you okay?" Alejandro touches my cheek slightly.

I realize that I'm gripping Alejandro's shirt a little too tightly.

"Y-Yeah! Sorry, I drifted for a second," I try to regain my composure.

"How are you letting her speak to you this way?" Marcus asks Alejandro.

"She's one of the few people who have gained my respect over the years," his answer shocks both Yasmeen and I. "Besides, she has a tendency to joke around a lot, so her way of communicating is just a lot of teasing and banter."

"See, Mr. Marcus? I'm his side piece. But I wouldn't mind switching and becoming your side piece," she giggles.

I couldn't hold in my laughter because of the look on Marcus' face, I burst out into laughter. Tears gather in my eyes because of how hard I'm laughing. I have never seen so much emotion on Marcus' face before.

Alejandro had to turn his head over my shoulder to stop himself from losing it himself.

"What the fuck is she?" Marcus just couldn't understand Yasmeen and it's okay. She tends to have this effect on people.