The house was dark when Imran stepped in, save for the dim kitchen light that always stayed on when someone was expected late. He loosened his tie as he moved through the quiet, his jacket already slung over his arm, the weight of the evening pressing into his shoulders like an old friend.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfdPZ0TIfQ
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He had barely walked through the door after the site visit with Ayub when his father called him in to review a stack of new contract proposals. What should have taken an hour turned into four.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZEgJqHh49
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Now, it was well past midnight. His stomach growled.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPv4wJdF7Q
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He opened the fridge and groaned.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8ncv8g0ny
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Half a serving of roasted potatoes. A spoonful of lamb. Maybe two zucchini slices if he was being generous.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPy8gYCjgAp
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“Really, Lamija?” he muttered. “You left me diplomatic scraps.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC9nKYyt5X4
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He pulled out what little was left and made it work—microwaving the plate while grabbing a bottle of water. It wasn’t a meal. It was survival.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zOiuJAIo6
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As he ate standing at the counter, his thoughts drifted.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtE1mdEnPv
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Selma.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AFuTUrrAd
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She hadn’t said much in Lamija’s office that morning—just a polite nod and a quiet smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. That had been enough to make her cross his mind for the rest of the day.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1HgYRBuql
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And now there was the matter of telling his mother.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgANtv3hf9j
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How did he explain that the woman he wanted was married one and already had a son? That he didn’t care—not even a little—but that he wasn’t sure how it would be received?115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xI81BlrFv
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He didn’t want permission.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoG3loODpM
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But he also didn’t want silence.
His mother loved Selma—but would that change if she knew Imran did too?115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqyOGd5Cdj
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He finished his food and rinsed the plate, placing it gently in the dishwasher before grabbing a hoodie off the back of the chair. As he headed out of the kitchen, a sharp whinny sliced through the quiet.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRR84MAZtph
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Caesar.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBF1mz16Dpd
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The sound tugged at him—equal parts thunder and invitation.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Tcjt6vGXL
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He stepped back into the kitchen and outside onto the patio.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARYXSCctUv
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The air was cool and still, heavy with the scent of dew and pine. The night sky stretched endlessly above him, dark and glittering. The gravel crunched under his dress shoes as he walked the stone path to the stables.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgBBYmM0CEE
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In the ring, under the low golden wash of floodlights, Lamija and Caesar moved like they were born from the same force.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwLvWhYnCp
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She rode him with utter control—no fear, no hesitation. Her posture perfect. Her arms steady. Her face focused.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS6Hvh56gNi
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Caesar was a storm wrapped in leather and muscle. His black coat glistened like oil beneath the lights, every motion rippling through him like a wave. His hooves struck the ground with purpose, and every leap over the training poles was clean and commanding.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtc1gNNi1if
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They were a sight.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtIyh8TnekT
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Imran leaned against the fence, arms crossed, the corners of his mouth tipping upward.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QARBNvXxM
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“Would’ve been nice if you left me more than three potatoes,” he called.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzgls137Opa
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Lamija’s laugh rang out across the ring. “You came home late. That’s the tax.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzcGIm4hmK
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“You eat like royalty and leave your big brother starving. That feels personal.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBhmkSuooiY
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She slowed Caesar into a wide circle. “I regret nothing.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywNDGIVrY0
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“How was the meeting?” he asked.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0AxOpMCNm
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Her smile faded into something exasperated. “Called our airport quaint and tried to explain logistics to me like I hadn’t been running international routes since I was twenty.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDToXrtKHk
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“He’s the one Babo wants?”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvVfuyl7F7u
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“Apparently. You know how he is. Sees an investment portfolio and forgets common sense.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdDyyMYJdm
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Imran chuckled. “That’s our father.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqg4pNMx7D
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“I told him we’d follow up. Politely.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1C5QMJURG
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Imran leaned further into the fence. “Adil called me.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsgeYkDeBC
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Lamija groaned audibly. “What now?”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwADxNmB8o
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“He said Nedim saw the link you sent me on instagram—the Solène purse. The one you so subtly captioned ‘buy me.’”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O63WCbl9R
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Lamija grinned despite herself. “Subtlety is a lost art.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1WLVxW07F
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“I already bought it. For Eid. Don’t get cocky.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqpjINYke1
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“I’m just saying—you understood the assignment.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡACJWMEKJBT
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Imran smirked. “Nedim wanted to buy it for you. Said it was a way to get his foot into the door. As a peace offering.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XM2bhBg0g
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Lamija’s expression turned icy. “Did you tell him where to shove it?”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4fjN3Tsuwb
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“I may have used slightly more colorful language.. If Babo ever heard him talk like that—”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx5V4XrscyE
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“He’d light their offices on fire.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbU8HYZjWs0
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“And I’d hand him the match.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOrpFtcXHm
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They shared a moment of wordless understanding.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWHx9awnRX
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Caesar snorted, stomping one foot in disapproval of the break.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN75CyZd8pO
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Imran scratched his neck. “So... Ayub?”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpKG5A0jtFe
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Lamija exhaled. “Everyone’s worried I’ll break him. Mama. You. Everyone.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0GaJXu2DZ
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“He’s been through a lot. That doesn’t mean he’s fragile—but he’s not someone you test just to feel something.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPR5ruTdGfM
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“I’m not heartless.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJXr29hdPV
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“I know. But you’re curious. And with someone like Ayub, that’s not a neutral emotion.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZk6rqNkBa8
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Lamija fell quiet, guiding Caesar into another slow pass.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdNmlpfcws
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“I don’t want to feel guilty for not feeling the same,” she admitted.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2ZPxcTSJz
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“You shouldn’t. You owe no one your affection.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ39NkQdueSZ
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“Even if he’s... Ayub?”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcpOc9bQQCP
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“Even then.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTK6e9Oie4t
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They stood in silence again as Caesar moved. The horse had slowed, sensing the shift in energy, his muscles stretching through the curve.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3is5PuqYIV
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“Still chasing Selma?” Lamija asked after a long beat.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Sjk5VdxZZ
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Imran smiled, soft and firm. “I want her, Lamija.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNGLze9MUai
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“I don’t think she’s ready.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwiIE3an7s
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“I can wait.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYXVhe8yNd
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Caesar snorted—loud and unamused. He stamped again, this time closer to the fence, and tossed his head like he’d been excluded from the conversation too long.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsFJ5SbIjPH
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Lamija laughed. “He thinks you’ve had enough of my attention.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡudpgMgKaEH
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Imran reached over the fence to scratch Caesar behind the ear. The stallion flared his nostrils, huffed, and—shockingly—leaned into it.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUOBQ73rX5
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“See?” Imran said smugly. “We’re building trust.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mmOK42MoR
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Lamija rolled her eyes. “Don’t let it go to your head.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbgKqhMhvke
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“I want to ride him.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4Tej3Oc6b
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“Absolutely not.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0I9zw4um7S
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“I think we’ve reached an understanding.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpPuCWkcxY
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“You’ll be broken in half.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2i11Bdd9LP
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Imran was already climbing the fence. “Then scatter my ashes with flair.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHY4KrfWA6e
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Caesar watched him approach like a king tolerating a jester.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnC7eDE3aO
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Imran grabbed the reins gently. “Easy, buddy. Let’s be friends.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2y8bGaBc2O
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He mounted quickly. Caesar didn’t move. He stood frozen lulling Imran into a false sense of security. Then he exploded. He tore through the ring like a bullet with hooves. Imran held on—for one glorious, adrenaline-fueled second.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkGdTvbUYg4
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Then came the buck.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIxPL6JAKZI
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Then another.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWnWYU0Ya04
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And on the third, Imran flew.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsrmFYvidn
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He landed in the dirt with a thud and a very ungraceful grunt.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP6FkECBBlC
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Lamija was already sprinting. “Imran!”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxpinxXE58
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He rolled onto his back, groaning. “I’m alive.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpO58SPCzIf
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She dropped to her knees beside him. “You’re a certified idiot.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUA6yJRcHY4
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Caesar trotted to the fence, glared once, and turned his back with a dramatic flick of his tail.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVR3qiKq12
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“Wow,” Imran muttered. “He’s petty.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM4iVyf2p7
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“He gave you ten seconds. That’s a personal record.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk30YmwVNqh
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“Tell him I’m open to peace talks.”115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzYDYtuRTM0
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Lamija laughed, brushing dust off his hoodie.115Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dPCv53otr
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They sat together on the edge of the ring, shoulders close.
Imran looked at her then. Really looked.
“You know,” he said, “Ayub’s not perfect. But he’s good. And he loves you—not in some distant, poetic way. In a real way. He’d show up. Every day. Quietly. Consistently.”
“I know,” she said softly. “That’s what makes it hard.”
Imran nodded. “You don’t owe him anything. Not a feeling. Not a future.”
“But?” she asked.
“But if there’s even a part of you that wonders what it might look like… to build something real with someone who sees you already?” He paused. “I think you should give him a chance.”
Lamija’s brows drew together, not in resistance—but in something more complicated.
Imran’s voice dropped.
“It hurts less,” he admitted, “when I picture you with someone like him. Someone I trust. Someone who’d protect you like I would—without ever making you small to do it.”
That landed.
Lamija didn’t respond. Not right away. But her posture shifted, her arms uncrossing as she reached down to rest her hand against the fence.
Caesar let out a long breath behind them, the tension in the ring softening.
“I’m not promising anything,” she said quietly.
“I’m not asking you to,” Imran replied. “Just… don’t shut the door before you check what’s behind it.”
Lamija smiled faintly.
“Has anyone ever told you you’d make an excellent therapist?”
Imran grinned. “Only every time you come to me for unsolicited advice.”
She bumped her shoulder into his.
He didn’t push again.
He didn’t need to.
Something had already started to shift.
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