Chapter 2-Azael Malik Zayn

"So, where are we going today?" asked the man sitting in the back seat of the car.

"As per Mr. Emir's instructions, we’re going to the office first."

Having just arrived in his homeland, the man already had to deal with his father's various demands.

"What else is planned after that?" he asked again.

"Tonight, you have a meeting at a restaurant."

"Fal, tell me. Does Papa really want me to meet that girl?" he asked.

Naufal Arviano, the man driving, nodded. "Maybe. Mr. Emir wants a grandchild soon."

"If he just wants a grandchild, then find a woman who is willing to bear my child. Then everything will be settled."

Azael Malik Zayn, the only son of Emir Dzaidan Malik, had lived only with his father since childhood. His mother had died giving birth to him. Because of that, he did not want to have a relationship with any woman. He did not want to lose anyone again as he had lost his mother.

"Oh, it’s not that easy, young man!" protested Naufal.

Naufal and Azael had been friends since elementary school. Emir had deliberately adopted Naufal as a son so that Azael would not feel too lonely. Naufal would be a friend who could be with him at all times. Emir realized that he would be busier with the company, which would make Azael feel even lonelier.

Still, Naufal's presence made Azael feel as if he had a brother.

"Are you going to be as annoying as him?"

Naufal glanced at the man in the back seat through the rearview mirror.

"Why don’t you give Papa a grandchild first?"

"It would be different, Azael Malik Zayn!" Naufal was annoyed and could not understand this man's way of thinking.

Naufal saw in the mirror that Azael was about to speak again, so he silenced him first.

"Shut up. Don’t talk so much!"

Azael fell silent. Even though he was Naufal's boss, Naufal, as his personal assistant, could still make him stop talking.

"You…"

"What?" Naufal replied, raising both eyebrows.

"Never mind," he said lazily, then turned his face to look out the window, watching the streets outside.

Naufal curled the corners of his lips and shook his head. "Still like a child," he muttered.

The car sped through the sparse city streets until they arrived at a towering building bearing the name Malik Zayn Company.

Azael got out, straightened his slightly rumpled suit, buttoned it up, and looked up at the building in front of him.

He began to walk into the building, with Naufal behind him. Azael, the center of attention among the employees in the lobby, acted indifferent. He never paid attention to his surroundings. It was no surprise that he did not recognize the people around him. Naufal would remind him later.

They immediately headed for the elevator reserved for the CEO, which would take them directly to the CEO's office.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Azael!" said Emir's secretary, sitting at her desk in front of Emir's office.

Azael did not respond. He just glanced briefly at the secretary. Wow, what a cold man.

The door opened to reveal a middle-aged man sitting proudly in his chair. He stood up when he noticed someone entering, smiling warmly at the two men.

"Welcome, my children," said Emir, spreading his arms.

Azael hugged him first, followed by Naufal. Emir treated Azael and Naufal the same, without distinction. That made Naufal even more shy and protective of the family, as well as loyal.

"How was your trip? Did you have fun?"

"It was very fun, sir!" replied Naufal, earning a slap on the head that made him wince.

"Sir, sir? Who calls me sir?" Emir often insisted that Naufal call him Papa, like Azael did, but Naufal was reluctant.

Azael just smiled crookedly, his hands buried in his pants pockets.

"Why are you smiling? Are you happy to see your brother hurt?" Emir scolded, flicking Azael’s head, which made him grimace and knit his eyebrows.

"Dad told us to come to the office just to torture us!" protested Azael.

"You naughty boy!" Emir replied. "Haven’t you told this naughty boy, Fal?"

"I already went over his entire schedule," Naufal said, pointing at Azael, "on the way here."

Azael raised one eyebrow at him.

"Dad, if you want grandchildren..." Azael’s words were cut off.

"Enough. Don’t say anything else. Now, take this kid to get ready. Bintang Restaurant," Emir said to Naufal, nodding toward Azael.

"Yes, sir!" Naufal replied obediently, nodding his head.

After the two young men left, Emir returned to his seat, exhaling wearily. "Those kids!"

"Where are we going first?" Naufal asked, confused.

"Where did Dad say to go?"

Naufal glanced at his watch. "It’s still early. It’s only noon. The meeting is in the afternoon."

"Let’s have lunch first. My stomach is growling. Aren’t you hungry?" Emir said sarcastically.

Naufal drove them to a nearby restaurant. They would have lunch first, then head to the five-star restaurant as instructed.

As usual, Naufal ordered several dishes for them. If Azael ordered, one table would not have been enough to fit all the food.

Azael’s principle in life was to enjoy wealth, not just save it. You only live once, so enjoy what you have now. That was Azael’s principle.

They ate in silence, neither man speaking. Maybe it was because they were hungry, or maybe they simply weren’t in the mood to talk.

After finishing, Naufal checked his watch and urged Azael to head to the star restaurant. Maybe the girl was already waiting there.

On the way, Naufal told Azael the woman’s identity—her name, whose daughter she was, and that the table would be reserved under her name. That way, there would be no confusion later.

It took some time to get there, until Naufal’s car finally pulled into the restaurant parking lot.

Azael was silent for a moment after getting out, noticing Naufal standing faithfully by the car.

"Aren’t you coming in?"

"I don’t want to be a third wheel. I’ll wait here."

Azael stepped into the restaurant and looked for the table reserved under the woman’s name. He asked a waiter, who pointed to the table where the woman in the maroon dress was sitting.

"Good afternoon, Miss!"