Bound To You ✔

Chapter 12 ~ A Loss Of Words

Zaid has committed many sins but stalking a woman on his computer was a first.

His eyes didn't left the screen at all. They followed Isabella from the kitchen to the restaurant to the store room, everywhere there were security cameras. Her facial resemblance to Ishana excited and terrified him at the same time.

It was too striking as if he was watching a modern version of her ghost in his hotel. Coincidence or not, he can't seem to remove his eyes from her face and right now he felt nothing less than a creepy stalker.

Holding the tray of noodles and soup, she exited the kitchen and advanced forward where a young woman and her little kid were sitting with an air of sophistic. Isabella placed the drinks first, and then the bowls of noodles, struggling a little as it was heavy and hot. But the moment she took hold of the soup, it slipped from her hand and fell onto the lady's hand.

"Oh crap," muttered Zaid.

There was no audio but the lady certainly screamed, grabbing attention from everywhere. Isabella walked few steps back, petrified; both hands covering her mouth.

Zaid had a strict policy about his employees. Mistake should never be committed under any circumstances and if ever happened, you're fired. Before the manager would insult and sacked her, Zaid put on his black blazer and walked out of his office.

Ishana was definitely not a clumsy girl but Isabella is. Another point to prove that they aren't the same person but Zaid wasn't ready to let her out of his sight.

"I want to see the manager right now," the lady yelled, pressing the glass of cold drink on her burnt hand.

"Ma'am, please calm down. He isn't here right now," said another waitress.

"CALM Down, she burn my hand. Where did you find people like her to work in such a lavish hotel?"

Oh Isabella, what have you done?

Zaid pushed the crowd of by standers aside and stood in the middle of the chaos. Fear was clearly showing its trace on the employees faces except for Isabella who was crying.

"I'm sor-"

Zaid made a stop sign with his hand as he doesn't want her to apologize for anything even though she's at fault here. He turned to the lady whose anger seemed to be vanishing with his presence. A tight smile formed at her wretched lips.

"I apologize on her behalf."

The wide and frozen expressions settling around made Zaid wonder how much the public actually liked him or if they backbite him when he isn't looking. This is also the first time he is siding with a mere employee like a waitress. It was bound to put them at a loss of words.

"Apology accepted but it's not enough," she said as Zaid expected. She won't be satisfied until he doesn't punish Isabella which he doesn't plan on doing.

"A free weekend for your family, all services paid by me."

"Tempting," meaning I accept your bribe. "But it's still not enough. What about her? Shouldn't you set an example for not so graceful waitresses?"

"I'll deal with it. Have a good day."

He approached Isabella and grabbed her arm in a tight grip, pulling her back towards the kitchen area and finally outside. He waited for her to say something but she merely stared at him with her teary eyes.

Offering her a small smile, she returned it with a low chuckle.

"Let me tell you that I don't make preferences for my employees on a regular basis."

"I'm sorry. I should have been more attentive."

"How are you feeling?" He asked wanting to know what went through her mind when he pretended to be angry towards her.

"I thought I would be fired but I'm okay."

He missed her. He missed hearing her voicing out her feelings which she'll always do it with a low gaze and a soft voice. There are so many differences between the two and Zaid can't prevent himself from comparing them each and every time.

Saeed was right, he'll probably never move on from his past.

"Do you want to get out of here?"

Isabella stood like a statue, face stuck in an incredulous expression but taking her time, she nodded.

"Fetch your things; I'll wait for you in the lobby."

He closed his eyes and massaged his eyelids. He wanted to know her more, especially the way she feels and the only way to do so is by spending time together. He went into his office, postponed one appointment that he had in the afternoon and grabbed his car keys. Isabella was already waiting for him in the lobby when he arrived.

They entered the car not without earning shocked gazes all around. He could only hope that he wouldn't be juicy gossip in the newspaper tomorrow. It was getting weirder but Zaid couldn't care less. His dream girl was by his side and that's all that should matter. Screw everyone else.

"I know I'm not acting professionally right now but I want to amend for it. Can I drop you home like a gentleman?"

"Oh Zaid, I mean sir, you don't have to worry about making an impression. I'm the one who ruined the day by...let's not remember that."

"You are a nice person, Isabella."

Step one in attracting a girl, compliment her but not in a flirty way.

From his peripheral vision, he caught her looking down and fiddling with the handle of her bag. Now his heart was at ease. She instructed him which roads to take while engaging in light conversations until he finally asked her the one thing he has been dreading to know.

"How are you and Bilal Azad cousins?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, if you are related to the Azad, you are supposed to be a boss or not working at all. Why would you work as a waitress?"

"Kaseem Azad is my maternal grandfather and he had thrown my mother out of the house quite long ago because she committed a mistake. With time, the other family members forgave her and allowed her to attend festivities but they won't take her back. My mother isn't very educated so she tried running the house with a low salary which is not enough so that leads me to you. I mean a poor girl working as a waitress in a grand hotel. That's my story."

Zaid nodded and didn't say a word.

The posh area started turning into the middle class ones until he found himself driving on a road with cracks everywhere and less fancy cars. Realization dealt in quite late as he had been too busy living in the past.

He was in the most dangerous hood of Mugla; Jamal Hasim's area.

"Stop the car."

He parked it by the road side where waste was lying all around an uncovered dustbin and two dogs barking at each other.

"This is where you live?" He asked, not believing his own eyes.

"What did you expect? A mansion like the Azad. I'm just a poor girl working as a waitress in a grand hotel. Thank you for dropping me."

Sitting in the closed windows car, he watched her walking away while drunkards and dangerous looking men stood by the silent roadside except for the occasional wind blowing papers around, watching her every movement. He waited for one of them to misbehave or say something nasty about her but they didn't. She finally entered an old building.

He has never feared for Ishana's life as much he fears for Isabella right now.