Chapter 24. Threats

The next day at the office, she was busy with her work when Hannan came to her office. Knocking on the door, he asked for permission, "May I enter?"

Sheharzaad was reading a file that had been given to her by Mr. Ijaz. She looked up at Hannan and passed him a tight-lipped smile.

"Yes, please," Sheharzaad responded, closing the file. She indicated he could sit in the chair.

"How are you?" Hannan asked her.

"I am good. What about you?"

"I am fine as well. I hope everything is alright," Hannan said.

"Why? What happened? Everything is fine." Sheharzaad suddenly became defensive. She did not want him or anyone else to know what proposition Shehryaar had put in front of her for the loan.

"You've got dark circles..."

"Oh, that." Sheharzaad stroked her under-eyes with her forefingers. "It's because I didn't sleep last night."

"That's why I asked you, is everything alright, Sheharzaad?"

"Yes. It's just that I was stressed about Amna