Chapter 2 - Threat

Anna’s POV.

In anger, I reached home. As soon as I entered the house, a strange smell hit my nose. I immediately rushed to the room and found Zarqa smoking a cigar, taking a puff with a mobile phone in her hand. She had a mobile phone in her hand which brought tears to her eyes.

"Zarqa !!" I hurried over to her and saw the picture in her mobile.

"How can he do that, Anna? How can he do that to me? Doesn't he feel sorry for me?” She hugged me tightly and burst into tears. I gently took the cigar from her hand and placed it in the ashtray.

 "Come on." I said, picking her up from her seat and leading her to her room. Seeing her distraught condition, I decided to put aside any discussion about Xavier. Her condition was deteriorating rapidly. I shook my head as I helped her to her room. I wanted to console her, but she was feeling dizzy and collapsed onto the bed. She was crazy, like her brother.

~Next Morning

“Good Morning.” I was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast when she happily entered in the kitchen and greeted me cheerfully. I looked at her face, she was fresh.

"No, miss, you should say 'Good afternoon.' It's two o'clock in the afternoon," I said sarcastically, and Zarqa laughed. Suddenly, Zarqa's gaze landed on a bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates in front of her.

"Hey, where did this come from?" Zarqa asked, opening the chocolate box and taking out a piece.

"Sent by Xavier Sheikh," I replied in a casual tone.

"Oh, I remember. Yesterday, you had a date with my brother. How did it go? What happened between you two, and how are you feeling about it?" Zarqa inquired, putting half the chocolate back.

"Last night was the worst night of my life," I said, looking at Zarqa.

"Why?" Zarqa frowned.

"Listen, Zarqa, you wanted me to find a life partner for myself, and you arranged this useless blind date, which didn't lead anywhere. But your brother and I are not for each other. Please tell your brother not to send me all this.” I gestured towards the chocolates and bouquet. "In my opinion, we're not a perfect couple. So please..." I finished my speech with determination. She was a little shocked but she must understand me.

"But..." Zarqa began to argue.

"But nothing, Zarqa. Please, and I can't live my life with a murderer anyway," I said firmly.

"Murderer?" Zarqa's eyes widened and I told her the entire story of what happened at night.

"But maybe my brother was just joking with you," Zarqa argued.

"Even if he was, Zarqa, if he can talk like that to a woman and then joke about murder, so there is a big No from my side. I want an honest man in my life. Not someone who's so insensitive," I said firmly, patting Zarqa's cheek before turning off the stove.

"I'm leaving for shopping. You have your breakfast and take a bath," I instructed her as I left the kitchen. I can feel her disbelief but this was the matter I can’t do anything. I wanted her to clear to her brother but he proves to be stubborn.

I had been receiving flowers and chocolates for a week and by now, I felt helpless by his moves. I even started tossing them into the trash can outside my apartment.

Today was Saturday, the next weekend. I was cleaning the house while Zarqa went shopping today.

My phone rang, an unknown number flashed on my phone’s screen. Who was there?

"Hello?" I said, looking at the unknown number on my phone.

"Princess!!" Someone from the other side said with a smile.

"Who is there?" I wondered.

"You forgot so quickly ..." The same mysterious tone replied.

"Listen, whoever you are, gets to the point. Don't waste my time," my tone turned a bit harsh.

"I am Xavier." A harsh tone made me shocked.

"Oh, Mr. Sheikh. Where did you get my number?” I tried to control my offense and said in a normal tone. I was not a timid girl.

"One can find anything with a little effort and it's not difficult for Xavier Sheikh to locate anyone," he said arrogantly.

"Mr. Sheikh, why did you call? I'm a little busy.” I said, growing annoyed with his nonsense.

"Miss Anna, You must have forgotten that today is the weekend. We were supposed to meet at eight o'clock at night, that's what I called to remind you." He said in a heavy voice and a wave of anger emerge inside of me.

"And what did I say? You've forgotten? We'll never meet again," I replied firmly, emphasizing each word.

This person had become a villain.

"You turned out to be very rude. You didn't even care about the flowers you was given,” Xavier said, ignoring my question.

"I did what they deserved and now please don't bother me "I was about to hang up the phone when I heard his whisper.

"Anna Jaffrey. Xavier Sheikh never invites anyone on his own but he invited you... And now, it's your duty to come and meet me like a good girl. Otherwise, it won't take me long to accuse you of Shehla's murder," Xavier's tone changed abruptly. My face turned red in an instant. How dare he to threaten me?

"So you're trying to scare me?" I retorted angrily.

"That's exactly what you understand. I'll send you the address. And yes, you'll find a dress to wear there in half an hour," he replied.

"I am not a slave to your order," I angrily hung up. This Xavier Sheikh was stuck to me like a leech. As soon as I saw the notification on my phone, I realized he had sent me the address.

With that, the doorbell rang at my apartment. When I opened the door, there was a package for me. I signed for it and brought it inside. I opened the package and found a beautiful purple maxi dress, backless and daring in the front. I was furious with this person.

“Be ready Xavier, you will remember this night.” I muttered angrily. I had made up my mind to meet Xavier, and had a plan.