The Billionaire's Past novel Chapter 44

CHAPTER 44

Atif's trauma manifested when he saw this kind of scenario. He still can't forget his experiences when he was a little boy wandering out in the icy street of the city downtown.

Haya sees on Atif's face that he is somewhat afraid to go outside. She guesses that Atif still remembers his experiences a long time ago.

Haya pat Atif shoulder and said;

"It's okay. You can stay here tonight. It’s dangerous to drive home when the weather is bad." Haya said then smiled at Atif.

"Thank you." Atif said, trying to calm himself. He doesn't want to show his weakness even to Haya. Yes he is still afraid of that kind of scenario. His fear manifests when winter comes.

But he never showed it to anyone.

What people see in him is that he is a man that isn't afraid of anything. That he fears nothing in spite of his look of being gentle and sophisticated.

But he knew he couldn't really hide it from Haya.

Haya can read every move he makes.

Haya prepared him a place to sleep.

Then Haya gave back his phone.

Atif immediately opened his phone.

He checks if there is a message from his grandfather. Atif is not mistaken. He got a message from his grandfather Haris.

"Atif where are you? The weather gets bad. It’s too dangerous staying outside." Haris message.

Atif replied to his grandfather text;

“Don’t worry grandfather. I’m safe. I will not go home tonight. I will sleep here at my friend's house.” Atif replied.

Atif didn't notice that Haya is looking at him while he is texting his reply to his grandfather.

Haya thinks that maybe he is texting that lady who was calling a while ago.

Haya finds herself getting jealous but she ignores that feeling. She knew that she had no right to feel that way.

Haya can't admit to herself that she felt attracted to Atif when they met again. But she will never entertain that feeling. Being his friend is enough for her because she is afraid that if she expects more than that she will only get hurt. And she doesn't want to feel such pain.

She knew Atif deserved a lady who has the same status in life as him and is the same age as him.

When Atif looked up from his phone he saw Haya looking at him.

Atif smile and said;

“Don’t get jealous this is not the lady who called a while ago. This is my grandfather". Atif said, showing his phone to Haya.

"What?! I'm not!" Haya said.

Then throws the pillow she is holding on Atif's face.

“Use that. Go to sleep instead of teasing me. It's late at night. You should rest." Haya said.

Atif just catches the pillow and laughs.

"What's funny? Why are you laughing?!!" Haya asked.

"You cannot just deny the truth and lied. I know you are jealous. I can hardly believe that you don't." Atif said to continue teasing Haya.

"Really? How did you know?!" Haya asked.

"Tell me honestly Haya if you're in love with me." Atif said while smiling instead of answering Haya's question.

"Atif you're too much. I don't like that joke. Stop kidding before I get angry with you. If you continue I will never talk to you again." Haya said in a serious tone.

Then Haya went to bed and hid herself under the blanket.

"I'm sorry Haya." Atif said, stopping himself from laughing. He knew Haya was annoyed at him.

Atif likes to tease her because she looks prettier when she gets annoyed.

"Don't pretend you're sorry. I know you're not." Haya answered.

"I mean it. I'm really sorry." Atif said.

Haya didn't answer anymore.

Atif wonders if she is still awake.

He didn't see her for she hid herself on a thick blanket.

"Haya, can we go out tomorrow? I just want to tour you around. There have been so many changes in this city since you left." Atif said.

“I have some important things to do tomorrow. Maybe some other time." Haya said.

"Alright." Atif said

Then he lies down on the airbed setting on the floor to sleep.

Haya sleeps soundly while Atif is not.

Every time he closes his eyes the flashes of memory come into his mind.

The bad weather outside and Haya reminded him of his past.

The night felt so cold that makes Atif remember the time when he was sleeping on the footbridge with no roof and the snowflakes falling into him.

He keeps on tossing into his bed instead of sleeping because aside from remembering his past and he is trying to overcome his trauma he is not comfortable sleeping in this kind of beddings.

The dawn is breaking when Atif falls asleep.

Its 5:00 am, Saturday

Haya wakes up from deep sleep because the alarm clock on Atif's cell phone rings.

She gets up lazy because she thought Atif was already awake and preparing to go home

But she frowned when she found out that Atif is still sleeping and didn't mind the alarm that he set.

Since Haya already got up she decided to cook breakfast.