FF - The Colour of Love - Link to #2 Page 148 - Page 22

TEN

'Who would have thought hey, I mean they are poles apart, she is like an angel and him ugggh he's just a monster, seriously he needs to start taking lessons on how to be normal or even nice from her' Zoya was babbling away at Humera who was listening but at the same time trying to focus on some report she was writing. 'You know Zoya I have just realised I have never actually met Ayaan's family I mean I know of them but not met them in person' Humera said breaking away from her laptop. 'Well then you should get introduced, you will love Najma, she is sooo nice'.

Zoya got to work the next morning a little later than usual. As she reached her work station she saw a box of files on her desk with a note that said

Australian delegation coming Thursday - Need this completed by tomorrow afternoon.

'Bloody cheek, the man thinks I'm a machine, he seems to forget that there are other designers who are more than capable of carrying out his last minute endless tasks' Zoya picked up the box and dumped it on the floor, she turned on her PC and logged into her email. 6 new messages all from Asad, she was tempted to just ignore them but she knew she couldn't. Every email was another list of jobs for her to do. it's only Monday and I wish it was Friday already' she said holding her head in her hands and shaking it trying to bring her head round to all she had to do.

Zoya looked up and suddenly felt like she had stopped breathing Asad was standing at his window looking down at her. She couldn't work out his expression but who cared he looked like a Greek god. He was wearing a black suit with a light grey shirt his lean muscular torso was a sight for sore eyes, his hair was gelled back and his face oh his face 'stop it Zoya' she shouted at herself and quickly looked away she could feel herself blushing. 'you're supposed to be angry with him for making you work like a dog, and here you are drooling over him like you've never seen a man before' she retorted to her wondering mind.

Zoya tried to engross herself in her work but her eyes kept wondering up to his office to see if she could catch another glimpse of him all of a sudden her phone rang making her jump. 'Hello...Humera slow down you're making no sense' Humera was shrieking down the phone like she had just won the lottery. '...Zoya a letter from the Art Academy ...can I open it' Zoya's eyes widened and her heart started to pick up pace 'Humera what are you waiting for open it' Zoya said, she closed her eyes and started praying 'Ya Allah, Please let it be good news' 'Oh My God...Zoyaaa' Humera screamed 'What...Humera just tell me please' she pleaded. Zoya congratulations you got the scholarship,the Academy loved your work they want you to start with them next month' Zoya could not believe what she had just hear 'Humera are you serious, you're not joking' she said not being able to breathe Zoya would I be joking' Humera exclaimed. Zoya was smiling, her eyes welled up in happiness she wanted to start screaming she was so happy finally she was going to be able to do her masters and work towards her dream. 'Oh My Gosh, I can't believe it...thank you Allah, thank you so much, for giving this to me' then it dawned on her 'did you say next month?' 'Yes ummm it says the tenth you need to enroll and complete all you registration' Zoya quickly picked up her calendar that was just two weeks away. Zoya tried to compose herself but she was too excited 'Humera I'll talk to you later'

How could she ever get back to work now, the excitement, the happiness that filled her was too over whelming. She looked at the calendar and realised that by the end of this week she would have been working her for a month already, a month she recalled back to when she first met Asad as her new boss and his words echoed in her head One month, I'll give you one month, which by the end of you will resign yourself'

Zoya smiled at sheepishly at herself she was definitely cooking up something. She looked up at his office her eyes narrowed and her smile turned into a devilish grin. Zoya went back to finishing what she had started and then started typing profusely, she tapped so hard people around started to look over to see what she was doing. She quickly ran to the printer took her piece of paper stuffed it in an envelope and addressed it to Mr Asad Ahmed Khan.

Zoya' she heard him call out for her from the top of the step she quickly jerked up 'up here, now' he said looking as stern as ever. Zoya picked up her notepad and pen an then stopped she looked at the envelope she closed her eyes and took a deep sigh she finally picked it up and then sprinted up the stairs to his office.

'Yes' she said he turned around about to drill her but then stopped. She looked so different he couldn't work out what it was it was like she was glowing her eyes were happy with a hint or nervousness and she was smiling, why was she smiling? 'What' he said raising his eyebrow 'I don't know you called for me remember' she said now looking a little confused. Asad cleared his throat 'um yeah I did, how far have you got with the new designs have you managed to put the portfolio together' he asked looking straight into her eyes Zoya broke away from his ever uncomfortable gaze by looking down and then up again 'Well' he snapped making her heart jump. Zoya inhaled as much oxygen as she could she mustered up as much courage she could in those few seconds she was about to evoke the monster. 'No...I mean no I haven't put the portfolio together, with the amount of work that you keep throwing at me it's impossible to get anything done in the ridiculous time frames you keep setting' she could see him stiffen his hands tightened in a fist but before he could speak and stop her she carried on in one breath you seem to think that I am the only designer left, there are other people who are as capable of carrying out some of my tasks. I can only do what is humanly possible, because of you and your last minute demands I have no life, I come in earlier than anyone else and stay back late I do everything you ask me to and that to the best standard and yet you never seem satisfied...So no Mr Khan I have not put the portfolio together and forget finishing I haven't ever started on the damn thing'.

Zoya finally breathed and looked on towards Asad, if it was ever possible it looked like he was on fire there was smoke coming out everywhere, if looks could kill Zoya would be dead. She gulped and tried to swallow to moisten her drying throat Asad started walking towards her his eyes were totally black his jaw clenched and his nostrils flared 'he is going to kill me' she said as she moved backwards trying to distance herself. 'How dare you' he screamed 'Who the hell do you think you are Zoya Farooqui, Nobody...nobody talks to me like that' the distance between them shortened and his finger was raised in her direction. Nobody had ever spoken to him like that most of his staff couldn't even say good morning without being scared and here she was challenging him, answering him back raising her voice to him. I have had enough of you and your patheticness, the only reason I even come close to tolerating you is because of that stupid contract that Ayaan got you to sign, what do you think that Asad Ahmed Khan would employ an immature, foolish, unprofessional person like you to work for me? Never' he screamed in her face Zoya tried hard to hold back the tears she knew he would flip but his anger surpassed even her expectations.

Asad pulled his finger back and rolled his hand back into a fist he turned around and closed his eyes taking in a deep breath. 'Get out' he said Zoya didn't move she couldn't her brain was signaling to her body but it was no use. Asad slightly turned his head to the left he could see her from the corner of his eyes 'didn't you hear what I said get out Zoya'. Zoya jumped a little still trying to hold her tears from escaping; her heart was racing at a hundred miles per hour. She walked towards the door before she opened it to exit she lifted the envelop that was addressed to him she tried hard to stop her hand from shaking she clutched the envelope tightly and turned around she walked back up to him slowly and held it out in front of him. She looked up at him his eyes were still black he looked at the envelope then up to her face, her lips were quivering she bit her lower lip to stop this involuntary movement. She gently shook the envelope so he would take it. Asad raised his hand a took the envelop from her hand you win' she said in a soft voice, Zoya quickly turned around and walked out the room as she felt a tear escaping her eye. She left Asad frozen, standing, looking down at the envelope he held in confusion.